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Joonas Korpisalo takes ‘big step’ toward Rangers debut after foot infection

New York Rangers goaltender in uniform during a preseason game.
New York Rangers goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) plays during the first period of an NHL preseason game against the New Jersey Devils, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.

Goalie Joonas Korpisalo rejoined the Rangers for practice Friday for the first time since contracting a foot infection at the beginning of the season. 

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Participating for around 30 minutes, Korpisalo saw plenty of shots and got some work in before heading off the ice a bit earlier than the rest of the team. The 32-year-old only just resumed skating last weekend, to put his abbreviated practice in perspective. 

“It’s a big step for Korpy,” head coach Mike Sullivan said after practice. “He’s still under the guise of the workload management with our medical department, so it was by design he didn’t stay the whole time out there today. It’s a big step for him, joining the team.” 

Shortly after the Rangers put Korpisalo on injured reserve, the Finn was given a four-week timeline to return. 

New York Rangers goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) plays during the first period of an NHL preseason game against the New Jersey Devils, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

If he’s on schedule, Korpisalo could play his first game of the season as soon as the Rangers’ upcoming road trip to Seattle, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Once Korpisalo makes his Blueshirts debut, he will have played for five NHL organizations. 

Eeli Tolvanan again did not participate in practice due to personal reasons. 

Defenseman Sean Durzi, who missed a few practices for “maintenance,” was back on the ice with the team Friday. 

After missing Tuesday’s practice due to an upper-body injury, goalie James Reimer returned to the ice as well. 

Among defense pairs who have logged at least 150 minutes of five-on-five ice time entering Friday’s slate of games, Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov’s 11.01 expected goals is the fifth best in the NHL. The only duos they trail are the Hurricanes’ Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield (14.71), the Golden Knights’ Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore (13.72), the Mammoth’s MacKenzie Weegar and Mikhail Sergachev (11.62) and the Devils’ Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler (11.41). 

The Wolf Pack named Marc Del Gaizo the 16th captain in franchise history earlier this week. 

Since signing a two-year, two-way deal with the Rangers in July, Del Gaizo has skated on Hartford’s top pair. 

Forwards Anton Blidh, Justin Dowling and Glenn Gawdin were also named alternate captains. The plan is for the trio to rotate wearing the ‘A’ during the season. 

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Heat unveil new face on Dwyane Wade statue after years of jokes. Here's why

Dwyane Wade's statue has a new head, two years after the internet decided the original looked more like Laurence Fishburne.

The Miami Heat unveiled the new face on the bronze statue Friday, Oct. 30, sharing photos on social media. The work was done over the last few days behind a plywood box so nobody outside the Kaseya Center – the Heat's home arena where the statue stands – saw it until it was finished.

Only the head changed

The rest of the 8-foot statue still shows March 9, 2009. That night Wade scored 48 points, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Chicago Bulls 130-127 in double overtime, before jumping onto a courtside table to tell the crowd whose house it was.

The face never matched the moment. Wade agreed, and on Friday he put it in writing in an essay titled "This is My House."

"If people don't feel that connection when they look at the face, why wouldn't we try to make it better?" he wrote.

Two years ago, he defended it.

The Rotblatt Amrany Studio sculptors said they spent about 800 hours on the original, and Wade was involved the whole way. At the Oct. 27, 2024, unveiling, he called it "one of the best statues that's been created because of that it represents for us and for me." He said it was never meant to be an exact copy of his face. It was "the artistic version of a moment that happened."

The memes kept coming anyway.

"When you know everything that went into creating something, it's easy to defend the work," Wade wrote Friday. "It also belongs to Miami."

He said the Heat "listened and had honest conversations with everyone involved," before they agreed to redo the head. He also made a point of not blaming the artists.

"It's about being willing to listen," he wrote.

(Below, a meme after the original Wade sculpture was unveiled in 2024)

Sculptors Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon told The Athletic that seeing the piece at full scale in its permanent spot showed them where the portrait could be stronger. Their studio also made the Michael Jordan statue in Chicago and Kobe Bryant's statue in Los Angles.

Wade was the first Heat player to get one.

He's the franchise's all-time leading scorer and won three championships in Miami. He made 13 All-Star teams. The Heat retired his No. 3 jersey in 2020, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

The Heat closed their post Friday with Wade's last line. So did he.

"Because it may be my likeness, but it will always be our house."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat unveil new face on Dwyane Wade statue after years of jokes. Here's why

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Lakers’ $12.5B sale to Josh Kushner finalized at Mark Walter’s Florida home

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Tommy Lasorda Jr. waves with both arms raised while wearing a blue Dodgers jacket at a stadium, Image 2 shows The Los Angeles Lakers logo displayed on a glass window

Lakers owner Mark Walter and venture capitalist Josh Kushner have agreed on all remaining terms of the $12.5 billion sale, sources confirmed to the California Post.

Kushner told Walter he has raised the money to complete the deal, according to sources.

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter has finalized the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers. MLB Photos via Getty Images

Walter and Kushner met at Walter’s home in Florida, according to sources, where the outstanding terms were agreed upon.

Walter sold the Lakers to Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger in August, just 10 months after he officially purchased the team from the Buss family at $10 billion.

Once the agreement of the sale is officially signed, the transaction will need approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors.

Any NBA ownership sale requires approval from at least three-quarters of the Board of Governors.

And the process for an ownership sale to be approved and official takes time.

Mark Walter’s sale of the Lakers was officially agreed on with Josh Kushner. Getty Images

The Board of Governors approved the sale of the Lakers from the Buss family to Walter on Oct. 30, 2025, 4 ½ months after Walter agreed to buy the franchise.

The Trail Blazers sale to an ownership group led by Tom Dundon wasn’t approved until March 30 after Dundon agreed to buy the franchise in mid-August of last year, 7 ½ months after the original agreement.

And it took five months for the Celtics sale to an ownership group led by Bill Chisholm to be approved by the Board of Governors.  

Kushner’s previous experience as an NBA owner could expedite the process. He became a minority owner of the Grizzlies in 2019 before selling his share to become a minority owner of the Heat in May 2025.

Meanwhile, there’s unresolved drama between Lakers’ governor Jeanie Buss and her five siblings who make up the Buss Family Trust — Johnny, Jim, Janie, Joey and Jesse — after they voted to sell the family’s 17.8% ownership stake of the Lakers to Kushner and Iger.

Buss is attempting the block the sale and filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court in late August.

To remain the Lakers’ governor, Jeanie or the Buss family would need to maintain control of at least 15% of the franchise, per NBA rules.

Jeanie and the Buss siblings have a hearing scheduled for Dec. 8.

The agreement between Kushner and Walter won’t be impacted by the Buss legal battle.

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Ben Fritz to be new D-backs pitching coach

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Bullpen coach Ben Fritz #53 of the San Diego Padres looks on before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Diamondbacks parted ways with pitching coach Brian Kaplan quickly at the end of the season, ending his tenure in the position just shy of two years. But they appear to have wasted no time in getting a replacement, with reports this afternoon that they will be hiring the bullpen coach of the San Diego Padres, Ben Fritz. Dennis Lin of The Athletic first reported the news. Fritz has been with the Padres’ organization since 2015, and took over as bullpen coach in 2020. This has been his seventh season, with some occasional temporary stints as the team’s overall pitching coach.

He was a first-round pick (30th overall) of the Oakland A’s in the 2002 draft, out of California State University, Fresno. However, his progress through their system was derailed by Tommy John surgery which cost him basically the entire 2005 season. He was never quite the same after, his career peaking in 2006 with 17 starts for Triple-A Sacramento, going 6-6 with a 5.83 ERA. Fritz had a brief stint in the Tigers farm system, and a couple of years in indy ball, before hanging up his cleats after the 2010 season, and eventually moving to the coaching side of the game.

It’s reported that he was also considering a job in the Rockies’ major-league staff. Though being a pitching coach at Coors probably ranks alongside snake milker, in terms of overall appeal. It’ll be interesting to see how his experience with the Padres’ bullpen shifts over to Chase Field. Whole the D-backs’ relief corps was much improved over previous seasons, by most metrics beyond Win Probability, they were no better than middle of the pack. The Padres had a bullpen ERA of 3.53, fifth in the majors and more than half a run better than ours. They were better still by other numbers; second in FIP and xFIP, first in xERA, and San Diego’s fWAR of 8.0 was twice that of Arizona.

Of course, a lot depends on what you have to work with. Having Mason Miller in any bullpen is going to be a bit of a help, to put it mildly. But there is definitely room for improvement in Arizona. We could do simply with missing more bats. The D-backs’ relief strikeout rate this year was ahead of only a handful of teams, at 7.85 K/9 IP. The Padres’ bullpen were again in the top quarter, fanning 1.5 more batters per game than us. Fritz will be working with assistant pitching coach Owen Dew and bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda, whom Steve Gilbert reports will be returning in 2027, who also notes this is likely to be the only change to the staff.

It’s interesting to note that, while Torey Lovullo is now among the longest-tenured managers in the majors (behind only Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and Kevin Cash in Tampa Bay), the team has gone through a slew of pitching coaches since Lovullo took over in 2017. Fritz will be the fifth man to occupy the role in that time, with nobody lasting longer than three seasons:

  • Mike Butcher: 2017–2019
  • Matt Herges: 2020–2021
  • Brent Strom: 2022–2024
  • Brian Kaplan: 2025–2026
  • Ben Fritz: 2026–present

We’ll see if Fritz can work some magic. His “to-do” list will included fixing Merrill Kelly, getting Corbin Burnes back to his old form, and maintaining the bullpen improvements, despite the loss of a number of arms. Then there’s completing the development of prospects such as Mitch Bratt and Kohl Drake. All of which suggest Ben is going to be a busy man.

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Yaxel Lendeborg has eye-opening reaction to girlfriend’s revealing red dress

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, talks with forward Yaxel Lendeborg during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Phoenix, Image 2 shows Yaxel Lendeborg's girlfriend Tacarra Shyann posing for a photo in a red dress. (Instagram/@tacarra.shyann)

Now that the Warriors have won two straight games after starting the season 0-3, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is officially winning on and off the court.

Lendeborg (averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and four assists through five games) has been dating Tacarra Shyann for over a year, as the couple met right before his final season at Michigan.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, talks with forward Yaxel Lendeborg during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Shyann seems to be soaking up her newfound attention from being an NBA WAG, as he made an Instagram post on Wednesday in which she was posing in a racy red dress.

“covergirl,” the post was captioned.

Yaxel Lendeborg’s girlfriend, Tacarra Shyann, posing for a photo in a red dress. (Instagram/@tacarra.shyann).

The top comment on Shyann’s photo is from Lendeborg, who posted a GIF of Roddy Piper’s character from the 1988 movie “They Live.”

In the clip, Piper is taking off his sunglasses as if he’s reacting in disbelief to what he sees. Therefore, Lendeborg is essentially saying that he can’t believe his eyes over his girlfriend’s photo.

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s comment on his girlfriend Tacarra Shyann’s Instagram post. (Instagram/@tacarra.shyann).

Shyann admitted back in June that Lendeborg initially slid in her DMs, which is how they met and started dating.

The couple is still clearly going strong, and Lendeborg’s impressive performances for the Warriors suggest that Shyann will go to a lot of Warriors games in the years to come.

Perhaps she’ll eventually replace Ayesha Curry as the Warriors’ most prominent WAG.

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A Dwindling Keystone Player

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 06: Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres hits a solo home run in the fifth inning during Game Three of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Welcome to our series grading every member of the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster. The roster being evaluated is current as of Oct. 18, prior to the end of the World Series. Because of that, it will include players who will be free agents once the postseason concludes. Each player will be graded on their performance in the 2026 season, including the playoffs. That performance will be weighted based on how much time the player spent with the team (availability is the best ability). 

A Dwindling Keystone Player

Jake Cronenworth was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He ended up being traded to the Padres in the deal that sent Hunter Renfroe and Xavier Edwards to Tampa Bay. Cronenworth made his MLB debut during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign and impressed. He took it to another level in 2021 with 21 homers and a .266/.340/.460 slash line. He hasn’t quite been the same since then.

Overall Grade: D-

Cronenworth’s production has steadily declined since 2021. He was solid in ‘22, batting .239 with 17 home runs and a .722 OPS, but the following year was tough. Cronenworth hit just .229 with a .690 OPS in 2023. His power returned a bit in 2024 (17 homers) before regressing again in 2025 and ‘26. That’s made him a solid defensive option but a relatively impotent bat.

He has certainly proven his value as a defensive player. Although his metrics might not suggest it (-3 Fielding Run Value, -5 Outs Above Average), Cronenworth owns an extremely valuable glove. His ability to serve as a utility infielder makes him a wonderful addition on the roster. He could serve a role as a bench player in the future if San Diego is willing to spend on a new second baseman.

The problem is that Cronenworth’s bat is absolutely anemic. Last season was a true down year with a .225 batting average and a .629 OPS. Part of that problem was due to multiple health problems throughout the year. Cronenworth spent a large portion of the season on the IL due to a concussion he sustained early in the year. That still doesn’t quite explain his .144 batting average prior to the injury.

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Reigning MVP Nikita Kucherov requests trade from Lightning in latest NHL twist

Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning on the ice during a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Nikita Kucherov (86) of the Tampa Bay Lightning plays against the Winnipeg Jets in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.

Add Nikita Kucherov to the list of disillusioned NHL stars.

The 2025-26 Hart Trophy winner has requested a trade from the Lightning, with whom he’s spent his entire 13-year career, according to a report by SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman.

The report didn’t include a reason for Kucherov requesting the trade, but he has told teammates and the organization that he will not be re-signing at the end of the season and wants out.

The two-time MVP is in the final year of an eight-year, $76 million deal.

Nikita Kucherov (86) of the Tampa Bay Lightning plays against the Winnipeg Jets in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. NHLI via Getty Images

Kucherov doesn’t have a full no-trade clause, according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, and rather has provided a list of 10 approved destinations.

The Lightning, hours after the trade request surfaced, responded that they have no plans to trade the star.

“We are aware of the media reports regarding the future of Nikita Kucherov with the Lightning,” general manager Julien BriseBois said in a statement. “We unequivocally have no intention of trading Nikita.”

The trade request is the latest shocker in an NHL season that has been full of them. Red Wings star Dylan Larkin is currently suspended by the team without pay after he told the team he wouldn’t play unless he was traded.

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the 2024-25 Hart Trophy Winner, was suspended by the Jets for the same reason to open the season before a trade to the Devils last week.

Former Senators captain Brady Tkachuk requested a trade during the offseason and joined his brother, Matthew, on the Panthers in June.

While Larkin’s frustration with the Red Wings came from the organization’s lack of playoff success in his career, Kucherov’s request raises more eyebrows. The Lightning have won two Stanley Cups with him on the top line and have generally been contenders year after year.

Kucherov, the Lightning’s all-time scoring leader, is in the middle of what is for him a low-scoring season — with four goals in 12 games — despite averaging over a point per game on the season for the 10th straight year.

In 13 seasons with the Lightning, Kucherov has 405 goals and 734 assists. He’s led the league in scoring three times.

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Rockets and Mavs do it again, but for real this time

Oct 21, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Sergio de Larrea (55) wears a debut patch on his jersey and defends against Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks

October 30th, 2026

Location: American Airlines Center — Dallas, Texas

Time: 7:00 PM CST

TV: Space City Home Network

Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)

Probable starting lineups

Rockets: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Tari Eason

Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford

Can the Rockets stay undefeated? Tune in tonight and come chat with us at TDS on on the SB Nation App!

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Warriors rookie refuses media training ahead of highly anticipated matchup with Luka Doncic

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Luka Doncic in a Lakers uniform dribbles the basketball while being guarded by a Golden State Warriors player, Image 2 shows A basketball player wearing a white Golden State Warriors jersey dribbles the ball on the court

Yaxel Lendeborg had an eventful first full week in the NBA, and it appears it will stay that way.

Lendeborg spoke with Luca Evans of the San Francisco Chronicle and told him he is “going to stay true to myself” when asked about potentially taking media training.

“I’m not doing that, man. I’m going to stay true to myself and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying. But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel.”

Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg refuses to get media trained. NBAE via Getty Images

Lendeborg continued, “I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”

After Lendeborg finished playing his first NBA game against the Lakers last week, he told the California Post’s Evan Webeck and other reporters that he “lost all respect” for Luka Doncic.

Lendeborg claimed that during the Warriors’ 127-105 loss, Doncic was “flopping, a lot of foul baiting, a lot of praying to the ref.”

As the dust started to settle, Lendeborg said the following day that he went “overboard” with the trash talk toward Doncic.

Yaxel Lendeborg guarding Luka Doncic during his NBA debut. NBAE via Getty Images

This isn’t the first time Lendeborg has made some questionable comments as well.

After he was selected with the 11th pick in the NBA draft last summer, Lendeborg told reporters that he grew up hating Warriors icon Steph Curry.

During the 2010s, Lendeborg grew up as a Cavaliers fan and was a “big Kyrie [Irving] guy.”

His early teenage years saw Irving’s Cavaliers face off against Curry’s Warriors four times in the NBA Finals (2014-2018), which included Golden State winning three of those matchups.

Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg scores 26 points during Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves. NBAE via Getty Images

Since his comments toward Curry, Lendeborg has grown accustomed to playing beside him, including on Wednesday night when he scored 26 points. Curry tallied 44 points, tying him with LeBron James at 15 games for players to score 40 points past the age of 35.

On Friday night, Lendeborg will get a chance to redeem himself against Doncic at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

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Connor Zary Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery, Listed Week-to-Week

The Calgary Wranglers announced that forward Connor Zary has undergone successful knee surgery and is now considered week-to-week.

It’s been a difficult season for Zary, who was assigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers after appearing in just three games with the Flames.

The 25-year-old has recorded one goal and four points in six games with the Wranglers this season, but has missed the team’s past two games.

Selected by Calgary in the first round (No. 24 overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Zary has dealt with a history of knee injuries dating back two seasons, which have significantly impacted his development and progression.

While the surgery was successful, another extended recovery raises questions about Zary’s ability to get back on track and establish himself as a consistent NHL contributor.

For now, the focus will be on recovery and getting healthy. Zary remains under contract and within the Flames organization, but his long-term future in Calgary is becoming increasingly uncertain.

If he can return healthy and regain his previous form, he could eventually become a trade candidate. However, his recent injury history and dip in production may make it difficult for the Flames to find a suitable market.

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Senators Call Up Two Forwards As Injury Problems Continue

The Senators are getting some much-needed reinforcements for their forward lines.

According to the AHL transactions page, the Sens have called up forwards Philip Tomasino and Xavier Bourgault from their American Hockey League affiliate ahead of Saturday afternoon's road game against the San Jose Sharks (4pm Eastern).

Sens captain Thomas Chabot talks about the Sens rash of injuries and how guys keep stepping up (Senators on YouTube).

The callups come after the Senators lost Warren Foegele to a lower-body injury Tuesday in Vegas, followed by Andre Burakovsky in Thursday's wild 6-5 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Making matters worse, Hayden Hodgson is likely to be suspended for a bad hit on Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke on Thursday night.

Hodgson's ejection, combined with Burakovsky's first-period departure, has left the Senators with just 10 forwards as they get ready for back to back games in San Jose and Anaheim this weekend.

The situation has become a nightly game of roster whack-a-mole for Green. Just when the Senators appear to be getting healthy, another player goes down.

Foegele is expected to miss an extended period with his injury, while the severity of Burakovsky's latest setback is still unclear. Burakovsky had already missed four games earlier this season with an upper-body injury.

The Senators are also without William Eklund, who remains sidelined following ankle surgery.

Tomasino and Bourgault have been fantastic in the AHL this season. Both are former NHL first-rounders and have combined for 20 points in 10 games in Belleville. With Burakovsky scuffling again this season with zero points in 8 games, the duo must have been wondering if an NHL opportunity might be looming.

Tomasino is certainly one to watch. Not only does he have 11 points in 10 games with Belleville, but he also has 218 games of NHL experience with Nashville and Pittsburgh.

In a corresponding move, the B-Sens have signed Ottawa native Kyle McDonald to a PTO. The 6-foot-5, 210 pound winger spent the past three years with the AHL's Texas Stars.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

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Pistons vs. Nets Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 07: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons passes around Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on March 07, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons have run quite a gauntlet to start the season, playing Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat, the title-seeking Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, the defending champion New York Knicks, and the frisky Charlotte Hornets. Today, they play one of the only two winless teams in the NBA in the Brooklyn Nets. I’m not saying the Pistons can’t lose — every team in the NBA is capable of beating every other team in the NBA on any given night. But hopefully, tonight is the kind of game where the Pistons find plenty of time for rookie Ebuka Okorie, and it is because there is plenty of garbage time in the fourth quarter, and that garbage time is because the Pistons are way ahead. It’s also technically the start of NBA Cup play, which, I guess, matters to some people for some reason.

Game Vitals

When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Watch: TV: TV20 Detroit | Streaming: DAZN-Det
Odds: Pistons -7.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (4-1)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren

Brooklyn Nets (0-4)

Mikel Brown Jr, Nolan Traore, Michael Porter Jr, Julius Randle, Day’Ron Sharpe

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Nikita Kucherov Would Certainly Help Blackhawks Save Their Rebuild

The Chicago Blackhawks are a lousy 4-9-0 to open the 2026-27 season, and it looks like another year destined for last place in the Central Division. This was supposed to be a year in which they took a step, and they show no sign of doing that. 

They have tons of young talent, but that talent isn't growing together into a winning team. It still could, and should, happen, but they need a spark. Whether it's a coach, front office executive, or a roster move, change is likely coming at some point. 

One change that could save their rebuild is the addition of a generational forward. One of them may be available, as Nikita Kucherov has requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He informed them that he would be re-signing with them once his contract is up, and his preferred choice is to be traded. 

It may be 100% impossible, as Kucherov has a 10-team list of approved destinations, but that doesn't mean the Blackhawks shouldn't check in on the situation. He is also a free agent with the right to sign with any of the other 31 teams on July 1st. His age may keep him from being the highest-paid forward in the league on his next contract, but he will certainly be paid handsomely. 

Although he isn't 25, Kucherov is still a top-tier NHL player. At 33 years old, he is coming off his second career Hart Trophy-winning season. During that campaign, he had 44 goals and 86 assists for 130 points. His career high in assists is 100, which puts him in elite company in terms of NHL history, as very few players have ever reached that number. 

In Kucherov's 891-game NHL career, he has 405 goals and 734 assists for 1139 points. He is dangerous as both a shooter and playmaker, which has allowed him to put up such prolific numbers. Kucherov has won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer three times in total and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion. 

A player like this, with such a rich resume, would be a great veteran for young players like Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, and Oliver Moore, among others, to have around. As a winger who could line up next to any one of those centers, Kucherov would help them become prolific during a very important time in their development. 

There is also the Roman Kantserov factor. Russian players do enjoy having a countryman to work with, which is exactly what this duo would be. Kucherov has an incredible ability to make plays, which would help a sniper like Kantserov get even better if given the chance. 

Besides the Kantserov factor, the Blackhawks are a young team with a lot of talent trying to come together. Kucherov has been a part of a franchise dealing with the same motions as the Lightning were coming up in the mid-2010s. If he saw the potential there, he may think he could be of help. You never know what a player who has already won and made money is thinking. 

Again, it's a hope and a prayer for an idea. However, if it somehow happened, it would potentially be a "rebuild-saving" move. Would not getting a trade like this done mean that they can't save their rebuild? No, absolutely not, but they have to think about big moves to get back on track. 

It's hard to gauge what a trade for Kucherov would look like. With him being a pending UFA and the news of his request being out, it's not the typical value that a player of his caliber should have. The market will become more clear as reports start to come out in the coming days, weeks, or months. 

At the end of this saga, someone is going to get one of the five best forwards to walk the earth during his era. 

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Yaxel Lendeborg is making name for himself with Warriors

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Image 2 shows Yaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against a Minnesota Timberwolves defender

Yaxel Lendeborg is exactly who the Warriors needed. 

They didn’t get Giannis Antetokounmpo. They didn’t get LeBron James. Their offseason was widely viewed as underwhelming. 

But Lendeborg has surpassed expectations and is helping prop the window open for Steph Curry and Draymond Green to play meaningful basketball this season. 

Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Warriors chose to draft Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick because they needed someone who could contribute right away. He had just carried Michigan to an NCAA championship. They hoped the 24-year-old would be NBA-ready. 

Their gamble paid off. 

Lendeborg is averaging 22 points on 47.5% shooting, 9.2 rebounds, four assists and one steal for the Warriors, who have won two games in a row to improve to 2-3 before Friday night’s game against the Lakers.

The 6-foot-9 forward is the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and nine rebounds in his first five games. 

He joined Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and O’Neal as the only players in the draft lottery era to have at least 85 points and 35 rebounds in their first four games. 

“The Golden State Warriors [have] found the next face of the franchise,” Draymond Green recently said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.”

With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined for the first few months of the season because of injuries and Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely because of an undisclosed health-related issue, the Warriors have desperately needed Lendeborg. 

He has answered the call with an early Rookie of the Year campaign, giving Curry a reliable second scorer. 

When Butler returns, the Warriors could be a formidable team. If they can make the playoffs, a lineup of Curry, Green, Lendeborg and Butler could make some noise. 

Lendeborg is skilled. He’s unafraid, so much so that he’s willing to trash talk Luka Doncic and then say that he “lost all respect for him” because of his “whining.” And he’s meeting the moment. 

Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images

It’s a giant sigh of relief for Curry, who’s turning 39 this season and wants to play competitive basketball after carrying the Warriors to four championships over eight years from 2015-2022 before they failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs the last four seasons. 

Lendeborg is quickly making a name for himself. 

And he’s making things interesting for Curry, who scored 44 points, including a 19-point second quarter, to carry the Warriors to a 119-114 win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday. 

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, confers with head coach Steve Kerr during an NBA basketball game in Denver, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Lendeborg wants to help make those stunning performances matter.

He wants to make sure the league’s modern-day dynasty remains relevant. 

He wants to be Curry’s wingman, especially after witnessing his magic in person for the first time.

“I caught myself shaking my head like, wow, a couple times,” Lendeborg told reporters Wednesday. “But once he got out the game, it’s like this is my opportunity to help him out. Help his [greatness] be worthwhile.”  

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Mavericks vs Rockets Preview and Injury Report: Oh it’s you again

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: Morez Johnson Jr. #14 of the Dallas Mavericks plays defense during the game against the Houston Rockets on October 21, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (3-2) host the Houston Rockets (5-0) in the first game of NBA Cup Group Play on Friday night. The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a dominating win on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets are undefeated through five games, most recently dismantling the Milwaukee Bucks by over 30 points. This is the first game of Group Play for the NBA Cup. Here is what else you need to know!

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets
  • WHAT: NBA Cup Group Play!
  • WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
  • WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
  • HOW: KFAA and League Pass

As of the 3pm CST injury report, Dallas will be without what’s become the regular group of guys. Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberovic are listed as doubtful, which all but rules them out. It is a positive change from the usual “out”, but they still won’t play. Sergio De Larrea will miss the game with his knee sprain. Naji Marshall is questionable after missing the last two games due to illness.

For the Rockets, Steven Adams and Reed Shepard will miss this game due to injury. Alperen Sengun and Marcus Smart are both listed as questionable for this game.

It’s difficult for me to give an assessment here on what might happen. Houston is the better team, one of the last two undefeated teams in the league, but Dallas has been punchy since losing to the Rockets in game one. Adams being out gives Dallas a better chance, but the Mavericks must play better defense on Kevin Durant. If Durant has an off game and Flagg and Kyrie play well, Dallas has a very good chance. Either way, this team has become must watch TV.

Since you’re here 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, and I need y’all to join and participate!