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How ‘night labs' help Xavier Tillman maximize potential for Celtics

How ‘night labs' help Xavier Tillman maximize potential for Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

After entering the league as a second-round pick in 2020, nothing was ever going to be given to Xavier Tillman at the NBA level. Anything he wanted, he was going to have to work for it.

Now set to begin Year 6 of his NBA journey — after ending the preseason with a flourish — the work continues, even with a set role seemingly carved out for him in Boston.

“He’s just the ultimate professional,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said after Tillman’s last-second shot to beat the Raptors in the team’s final preseason game Wednesday night. “It’s a credit to him and just his mindset to come in like he has, and he’s given us everything we could ask for.”

While everybody gets to see his work during games and his coaches and teammates see the work that takes place at practice, Tillman revealed that he puts in some extra work at night to make sure he’s maximizing his potential in the NBA.

“The process is really just not being comfortable. Like, the comfortable thing to do is to not do my — I call them night labs, which is when I shoot at night,” Tillman told Celtics insider Chris Forsberg. “But the comfortable thing is to not do the night labs and to just be home every night and just kicking it and just being content with everything that I have.

“I’m grateful for everything that I have, but I’m not content with it. And the separation I guess for me is that I just want the most that I can get out of playing basketball. And so for me, in order to get that, you’ve got to put in the work.”

Tillman noted that the night labs involve more than just shooting.

“You have to do all these extra stretches and get all this treatment and get massages all the time. Even if you’re like, ‘I’m not even that sore,’ you have to do all these things to make sure you’re feeling as good as possible for as long as possible,” he shared.

While the game itself presents numerous variables that determine wins and losses, hard work away from the arena never loses.

“Preparation to me is like, when I say it’s better than the game, it’s more so just getting to see yourself progress and progress and progress and progress, because in a game, you have wins and losses,” he said. “But like when it comes to just progression, working out, there’s not too many losses — as long as you’re pushing yourself in there. So it’s pretty awesome.”

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Brian Cashman says top prospect Spencer Jones could make Yankees' 2026 Opening Day roster

Yankees GMBrian Cashman didn't delve deep into what the club might do this offseason when it comes to reshaping the roster.

But he was open about a number of the players who are already there.

Cashman, speaking at Yankee Stadium during the team's end-of-season news conference, said he's comfortable with Ryan McMahon as the everyday third baseman, but noted that could change.

Regarding Jasson Dominguez, he said he views him as the potential regular left fielder.

The GM also spoke at length about Anthony Volpe, whose season will be delayed after he underwent left shoulder surgery. And Cashman attributed some of Volpe's struggles this past season to the fact that he played through the injury, adding the the Yanks still "believe in the player."

At the end of Thursday's news conference, Cashman weighed in on top outfield prospect Spencer Jones, who split the 2025 season between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

"I think he's put himself in the conversation," Cashman said when asked if Jones could be on the Opening Day roster in 2026. 

"I think how it plays out depends on how our winter plays out," Cashman added. "He'll certainly come to spring training, and he's earned -- without a doubt -- the look, and the competition. 

"But again, it all depends on how many opportunities exist based on the decisions that come our way this winter. But he's put himself in the position to be considered a potential everyday major leaguer in 2026, but we'll see."

Jones, 24, has massive power. But his strikeout rate in four minor league seasons has been alarming.

In 116 games this past season, Jones slashed .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 179 strikeouts. Jones was red hot for about a month after getting promoted to Triple-A on June 27. But he cooled off as the summer went on, slashing just .209/.295/.368 with six homers over his last 48 games.

In 2024 for Somerset, he hit .259/.336/.452 with 17 home runs over 124 games, striking out 200 times. 

If Jones is on New York's Opening Day roster in 2026, it's fair to believe he'll be in center field, flanked by Aaron Judge in right and Dominguez in left.

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NHL Insider Reports Red Wings Exploring Trade Options At Center

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, as discussed on Wednesday’s episode of the Daily Faceoff Rundown, the Detroit Red Wings are actively looking to add another center into the lineup and have been for quite some time. 

This would make sense as they are likely looking for more options up the middle as J.T. Compher has had a lackluster start to the season with no points and a -1 rating through a heavy 17 minutes per game and is losing more often than not on the face-off dot with a 38.7 winning percentage on draws. He mixes in with forward Andrew Copp, who is having a better start to the season with a goal and an assist through four games but is also suffering on draws with a worse 37.5 success rate. 

Now face-offs aren't the most important aspects of Compher and Copp's game but the two can both switch out to the wing and allow a new third line center to enter the fold. This would also give the team flexibility if top line center Dylan Larkin or second line option Marco Kasper go down with an injury. 

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If we look to contending teams like the Edmonton Oilers, they have soild depth with Trent Frederic or Adam Henrique able to draw into the role or the Vegas Golden Knights, who have a former 43-goal scorer in William Karlsson as their third line center. If the Red Wings want to keep up with the big dogs, they'll need to shift players like Compher or Copp into less meaningful roles like onto the fourth line and add another center in the same tier as a Karlsson or Henrique. 

The Red Wings would have more than enough cap space at $11.8 million to facilitate any sort of deal they'd want to make when it comes to adding a depth center and have plenty of assets like draft capital and high-end prospects they could pick from to bring in an impactful player that will help Detroit in their chase for a playoff spot. 

"Not A Crazy Recipe": Mason Appleton Keeps Things Simple Amidst Goal Streak"Not A Crazy Recipe": Mason Appleton Keeps Things Simple Amidst Goal StreakDetroit Red Wings forward Mason Appleton now has three goals in his last two games, including a pair of goals in Detroit's 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday.

Potential Options

A sensible target for the Red Wings could be Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund. As he enters the final year of his contract, Backlund represents a potential low-cost rental with plenty to prove. Playing alongside strong linemates like Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher could help him thrive offensively.

Backlund is a reliable center, currently leading the league with 55 faceoff wins and boasting an impressive 59.1% success rate. He’s also a key contributor on the penalty kill which Detroit needs to strengthen after finishing with the league’s worst unit last season. Backlund is an older 36 years old and may not offer significantly more scoring than Copp or Compher. However, his defensive awareness and two-way metrics make him an appealing short-term addition as an affordable rental option for Detroit as they push for a playoff spot.

Another option could be New York's Jean-Gabriel Pageau as a consistent 40-point scorer that is very strong on the face-off dot with a 63.6 winning percentage, which is top ten among centers that have taken 30 or more draws this season.

Pageau, like Backlund, plays meaningful minutes on the penalty kill and even plays for the top unit compared to Backlund, who mans the second. Pageau is also a rental option on the final year of his six-year pact with the Islanders but at 32 years old, he could be brought back for a few more years if the fit is a good one in the Motor City.

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Reggie Miller believes ‘this is the year' the Knicks reach the NBA Finals

Reggie Miller believes ‘this is the year' the Knicks reach the NBA Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Reggie Miller has a message for New York Knicks fans.

“I will say this, cause people always think that I hate on the Knicks, which I do not, I love the Knicks,” the Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime New York sports villain said Thursday during an NBA on NBC conference call. “If the Knicks cannot get out of the Eastern Conference this year, something is wrong!”

Hear that, Spike?

Some of the potential obstacles on the Knicks’ path to the NBA Finals have been cleared in the eyes of Miller and others with Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers suffering Achilles injuries that are expected to sideline them for most or all of the season.

The Knicks went 51-31 last season to take the third seed in the East behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Celtics. New York upset the Boston in the second round before falling to Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks brought back their entire core, added depth with Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, and replaced head coach Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown.

With both the Celtics and Pacers each missing their top player, and with up-and-coming teams like the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic still developing, the Knicks are expected to compete with the Cavs for the top spot in the East.

“Cleveland had the best record a year ago…they kept their core intact, but they’re still unproven in the playoffs,” Miller said. “To me, the Knicks with their new coach in Mike Brown and the best clutch player in the game from a year ago in Jalen Brunson, I just think everything is set up for the Knicks to win the East. Now again, you’ve gotta go out there and actually do it, but I think this is the year for the Knicks in the East, guys.”

“Well, Reg,” Miller’s fellow NBC analyst Jamal Crawford added, “I’m shocked to hear you give the Knicks this much love.”

It’s in the NBA Finals where Miller thinks the Knicks could run into trouble.

The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder open the season Tuesday against the Houston Rockets in the NBA’s long-awaited return to NBC. Miller, who will call the season-opening game on NBC and Peacock alongside Crawford and play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, believes the Thunder are positioned for a potential dynasty.

“Are we seeing the formation of maybe a young Chicago Bulls team here in OKC?” Miller asked – comparing the young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to the Bulls’ 1990s core of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. “With Shai being à la MJ, and J-Dub being à la Scottie Pippen, Chet-Rodman? I mean they have the makeup, the coaching pedigree, they’re very deep and from everything I’ve been reading and watching, they seem very hungry. Look, I know the West is loaded and Denver has reloaded, and Minnesota, but to me OKC, if they stay hungry and healthy I love their chances of repeating.”

NBA on NBC
Fans shoot on an LED basketball court outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza during an NBA on NBC activation. (Mike Gavin)

The celebration for the upcoming season and the league’s return to NBC got underway Thursday in New York City at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Outside the iconic building is a new LED-basketball court that’s open to the public and a display of 30 customized basketballs – titled “30 Rocks” – designed by local artists to reflect the culture of each NBA team and the unique style of the artist.   

The Larry O’Brien Trophy also made its way to the Top of the Rock.

“The NBA is like no other sport in terms of excitement, energy, greatest athletes, front row seats to it for those of us who get to broadcast the games,” Tirico said, “and I cannot be more excited for next Tuesday in Oklahoma City as they raise the banner and get this started.”

Miller was one of the faces of the league when NBC last broadcasted NBA games from 1990 to 2002. Some of his most memorable performances aired on the network – usually against the Knicks.

“When this opportunity presented itself with NBC, I had some of my best moments on this network,” Miller said. “And personally, for a chance for myself to come home and be able to tell stories and hopefully create new moment for the next generation, personally for me, I’m a kid in a candy store.”

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Did The Oilers Dodge A Bullet With Carter Hart?

Carter Hart signed a professional tryout with the Vegas Golden Knights today, and the timing couldn't be more telling. He won't be eligible to suit up until December 1st due to disciplinary measures from the league. And yet, Vegas is betting on a goaltender who hasn't played meaningful hockey in nearly two years to potentially solve their crease issues.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are watching from a distance, likely grateful they never went down that road.

Hart has been absent from the NHL for nearly two years, not because of injury, but because he was facing sexual assault charges stemming from the 2018 World Juniors incident. That's not a normal absence. That's time spent dealing with legal proceedings, public scrutiny, and the mental toll that comes with being at the center of such a case.

Let's be clear about something: the Oilers were rumoured to have interest in Hart at various points. When goaltending questions plagued Edmonton's playoff runs, Hart's name came up in speculation. But the moment the World Juniors sexual assault case became public and Hart was charged, that interest evaporated. And rightfully so. Regardless of the not guilty verdict that came on July 24, 2025, the reality is that this case brought massive scrutiny, public attention, and questions that no team trying to win a Stanley Cup needs hanging over their locker room.

Hart has a career .906 save percentage with six career shutouts and a 96-93-29 record over six seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. Those are middling numbers for a starting goaltender. But the bigger issue isn't the statistics—it's the baggage.

The not guilty verdict on July 24, 2025, cleared him legally, but it doesn't erase the reality of what happened. Hart was suspended by the NHL on January 29, 2024, and hasn't played since. He was one of five players charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault involving the 2018 Canadian World Junior team.

The case dominated headlines for months. Even after the not guilty verdict, questions remain about judgment, character, and whether a team wants to deal with the constant media attention and public opinion that comes with signing him.

Then there's the injury history. Hart's injury history during his six-year career with the Flyers is "about as long as a CVS receipt," as Hannah Kirkell put it. Durability matters for a starting goaltender, especially on a team with championship aspirations. The Oilers can't afford a goaltender who's frequently unavailable or playing through issues that affect performance.

The Oilers have Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard as their goaltending tandem, and with Connor McDavid's team-friendly $12.5 million AAV extension, they suddenly have cap flexibility to explore adding a third goaltender or upgrading the position without having to move out existing pieces. McDavid leaving money on the table was specifically designed to give the Oilers options like this.

The idea that Edmonton should have pursued Hart—a 27-year-old coming off a nearly two-year absence, with all the public scrutiny that it entails—was never realistic. Why tie up resources and create controversy when McDavid's contract gives them the flexibility to pursue other options?

Did Oilers Get An Official Trade Offer For Connor McDavid?Did Oilers Get An Official Trade Offer For Connor McDavid?Before Connor McDavid signed his extension in Edmonton, teams were eager to see what he'd do. Did the Oilers ever get an official trade offer?

Vegas is in a different situation. Adin Hill sustained a lower-body injury recently, creating immediate need. They can afford to take a flyer on Hart with a professional tryout because their goaltending situation is uncertain. But even for Vegas, this is a gamble. Hart isn't eligible to play until December 1st, and it's going to take six weeks for him to get back into NHL game shape. That means Vegas is banking on a goaltender who won't be ready until potentially mid-to-late December, and even then, there's no guarantee he'll be the player he was before he left.

The Oilers don't have the luxury of gambling on maybes. Connor McDavid just signed a two-year extension that says "win now." Leon Draisaitl is in his prime. The cup window is compressed and urgent. Bringing in a goaltender with Hart's question marks would have been the opposite of what this team needs—which is reliability, consistency, and someone who can handle the pressure of playoff hockey.

The Golden Knights released a statement saying they're "aligned with the process and assessment the NHL and NHLPA made in their decision" and remain "committed to the core values that have defined our organization".

That's PR language acknowledging they know this signing comes with complications.

The potential fan and media uproar in Edmonton would have been immediate and intense. Bringing in Carter Hart, regardless of the not guilty verdict, would have sparked outrage from significant portions of the fanbase who don't separate legal outcomes from personal judgment about character and values.

Skinner Redeems Himself At MSG, For NowSkinner Redeems Himself At MSG, For NowStuart Skinner needed this one. After the scrutiny, the criticism, the endless questions about whether he's capable of being the starting goaltender for a cup-contending team, he walked into Madison Square Garden and delivered a 30-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the New York Rangers.

The Oilers operate in a Canadian market where everything gets amplified. Scrutiny is relentless. Fans have strong opinions and aren't shy about expressing them. The organization's public image matters, especially when you're trying to sell tickets, maintain sponsorships, and present yourself as a championship-calibre franchise that represents the community.

Bringing in Hart after everything that's happened would have created backlash that no team chasing a Stanley Cup needs.

Vegas can absorb that attention differently than Edmonton can. The Golden Knights operate in a different media environment with different expectations and a fanbase that doesn't have the same emotional investment. The Oilers don't have that luxury.

The reality is that Hart might work out for Vegas. He might rediscover his form, stay healthy, and become a useful piece for them. The not guilty verdict means he's legally cleared to play, and the NHL's decision to allow him back means the league has made its mind up.

But even if Hart succeeds in Vegas, it doesn't mean the Oilers made a mistake by staying away. Edmonton's situation is different.  And here's the thing: the Oilers don't need to take that risk. McDavid's team-friendly contract gives them cap space to explore other goaltending options without creating controversy. They can keep Skinner, keep Pickard, and still have flexibility to add or upgrade if needed. Why would they burn that goodwill and create unnecessary problems when they have other paths available?

Oilers' Head Coach Kris Knoblauch Reaches New MilestoneOilers' Head Coach Kris Knoblauch Reaches New MilestoneEdmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch continues to rise in the standings of all-time winning coaches for the franchise.

Stuart Skinner just showed what he's capable of at MSG. Calvin Pickard has looked confident in his opportunities. The Oilers have a goaltending situation that, while not perfect, is functional and improving. And thanks to McDavid's contract, they have the cap space to add to that position without damaging their public image.

Adding Hart to that mix would have created more problems than solutions, more controversy than clarity, more damage to the organization's reputation than any on-ice benefit he might provide.

Did the Oilers dodge a bullet? Absolutely. Not just because of Hart's on-ice questions or the nearly two-year layoff, but because of the fan and media uproar that would have followed, the damage to the organization's public image, and the perception that the Oilers valued winning over values.

The not guilty verdict clears him legally, but it doesn't erase how signing him would have been received in Edmonton. When your championship window is three years and your captain just took a discount to give you cap flexibility, you can't afford to burn goodwill and create unnecessary controversy when other options exist.

Vegas is taking a gamble. The Oilers chose to stay away entirely. Smart teams know when the risk isn't worth the potential reward. So no, the Oilers didn't dodge a bullet with Carter Hart—they made the right call by never putting themselves in that situation to begin with.

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Yankees’ Aaron Judge doesn’t need surgery; Anthony Volpe, Carlos Rodón had operations, could miss opening day

NEW YORK — Yankees star Aaron Judge won’t need surgery on his elbow but shortstop Anthony Volpe and left-hander Carlos Rodón had operations and could miss opening day.

Judge’s throwing was limited after he hurt the flexor tendon in his right elbow in July. Manager Aaron Boone said an MRI after the team was eliminated showed “no surgery is going to be needed.”

Volpe had surgery with Dr. Christopher Ahmad to repair the labrum in his left shoulder. Boone said he can start hitting in four months but can’t dive on it for six months.

Rodón was operated on by Dr. Neal ElAttrache to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur. He has eight weeks of no throwing and the start of his season could be delayed by a couple of weeks, Boone said.

Boone said Giancarlo Stanton does not need surgery on his elbows and Gerrit Cole, returning from Tommy John surgery in March, will throw lightly off a mound and could be available not far after opening day.

He also said bullpen coach Mike Harkey and first base/infield coach Travis Chapman won’t return for 2026 and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler won’t return in that role.

Judge hurt his elbow making a throw at Toronto on July 22. The 33-year-old came back on Aug. 5 from a 10-day stint on the injured list caused by the strained flexor tendon in his right elbow and gingerly threw upon his outfield return on Sept. 5. He built up arm strength and made a 90.2 mph throw from right field in the Division Series opener.

Judge led the major leagues with a .331 average and 1.145 OPS, hitting 53 homers with 114 RBIs and 124 walks. He hit .500 with one homer, seven RBIs and four walks in the postseason as the Yankees were eliminated by Toronto in an AL Division Series.

Volpe hurt the shoulder on May 3 in an unsuccessful attempt for a backhand stab on Christopher Morel’s eighth-inning single, which sparked a two-run rally in Tampa Bay’s 3-2 win. He returned to the lineup two days later but struggled for much of the season.

Volpe, 24, had a cortisone shot during the All-Star break and a second one on Sept. 10, three days after aggravating the shoulder while making a diving stop on Isiah Kiner-Falefa in a 4-3 win over Toronto. Volpe hit .212 with 19 homers and a career-high 72 RBIs and then .192 with one homer, two RBIs and 16 strikeouts in seven postseason games. He went 1 for 15 with 11 strikeouts in the AL Division Series, making out in his last 13 at-bats.

In the field, Volpe made a career-high 19 errors, tied for third-most among major league shortstops.

Rodón, who turns 33 in December, was 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA.

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Mike Dunleavy ‘can't imagine' Steph Curry ending his career not on Warriors

Mike Dunleavy ‘can't imagine' Steph Curry ending his career not on Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The one and only Steph Curry is meant to be a Warrior a life.

Which is why general manager Mike Dunleavy can’t picture a universe where No. 30 doesn’t hang his jersey up as a member of Golden State.

“Of course. I think that’s where everything’s tracking,” Dunleavy told Sirius XM on Sunday. “You never know, but [I] can’t imagine a scenario where he doesn’t. It’s about all he’s done, all the records he’s set, the championships he’s won. It’s just the right thing for him to finish his career here, and I think he’s focused on that.”

Curry has done all of his work in the Bay.

Since Golden State selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Curry has earned 11 All-Star nods, 11 All-NBA team, four championships, two MVP awards and a spot on the league’s 75th anniversary team.

It truly wouldn’t make sense for the 17-year Warriors veteran to end his storied career with any other team.

But before the conversation even reaches that point … Dunleavy doesn’t even want to think about a Curry-less future for the Warriors organization.

“I kind of hope it’s a lot further down the road than we think,” Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy speaks on behalf of Dub Nation when saying he hopes Curry’s Golden State tenure ends later rather than sooner.

Not only is Curry one of the best basketball players of all time, but the 37-year-old is the face of the organization and likely all of Bay Area sports. A change in the region’s ecosystem would arrive upon Curry’s retirement.

For now, Dunleavy is focused on helping Golden State contend for a fifth title during the Curry Era, rather than crafting and managing a timeline where the greatest shooter isn’t around.

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NHL Waivers: Sharks Claim Vincent Iorio From Capitals

The San Jose Sharks claimed defenseman Vincent Iorio off NHL waivers from the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

The 22-year-old was the only player placed on waivers on Wednesday, but he's the second player to get claimed in the past two days. The Florida Panthers claimed D-man Donovan Sebrango from the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

Iorio made Washington's opening day roster after logging an assist in four pre-season games, but he didn't see any regular-season action. He last played in the NHL in the 2023-24 post-season, and he has a total of 10 career games played across the regular season and playoffs.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Iorio brings size to puck battles, and his skating and vision have improved in the past few years, according to The Hockey News' Sammi Silber.

Iorio is in the third and final year of his entry-level contract with a cap hit of $814,167, according to PuckPedia.

San Jose has nine active defensemen on the NHL roster, including Iorio. Seven of them have played, with Sam Dickinson getting two of three games and Shakir Mukhamadullin playing once. Vincent Desharnais has not yet played.

Nobody was added to NHL waivers on Thursday.

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Yankees GM Brian Cashman says shoulder injury impacted struggling Anthony Volpe: 'We believe in the player'

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe had a difficult 2025 season, but how much of the 24-year-old’s struggles can be connected to the torn labrum injury suffered in May seems to be up for interpretation. 

Both manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman spoke to members of the media on Thursday, and Volpe’s shoulder injury, which he initially suffered in May when diving for a groundball, was a hot topic. 

Thanks in part to multiple cortisone shots, Volpe was able to play through the injury while only missing a handful of games (he played in 153 of the Yankees’ 162 regular-season contests). But he posted an OPS of just .663 at the plate, while committing 19 errors, the second most in the American League.

Boone on Thursday downplayed the impact of Volpe’s torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, saying that while Volpe would aggravate the injury here and there by fielding his position, “for the overwhelming majority of the year, it was not affecting his play.”

But now that Volpe has had surgery on that left shoulder, Cashman sees things a little differently.

“I personally think now, starting to lean more into, that yes, it was affecting him, because ultimately he had to have surgery,” said the Yankees GM, noting that “the clean-up was more severe" than the MRI had shown. “None of that was ever on the table in season, but I think all things can be true. Was it bothering him to a level that was getting to a height of concern for us? In season, the answer is no. Why is that? The player says it wasn’t bothering him at that point. His physical testing was coming back strong. We did an MRI that showed some old stuff in there.“

Cashman later added: “I think the injury probably contributed to the performance season that he would up having more than we would have thought based on our intimate involvement with him and our medical staff and how that played out. The facts are the facts; he had to have a surgery that’s going to take him down.”

Where Boone and Cashman are on the same page is Volpe’s timeline for recovery. According to Boone, Volpe will go four months without swinging, and six months without being able to dive and land on that left shoulder. 

So when the Yankees take the field against San Francisco for Opening Night on March 25, Volpe will not be at shortstop.

“He’s not going to be ready for spring training, which therefore will put him out to start the season. He’ll be on the IL and be ready sometime in April, and maybe worst-case scenario, May. But he’s going to get a late start just because of that,” Cashman said.

Volpe won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023, when he won the starting job out of spring training. But with a career OPS of .662 and 52 errors over his first three seasons, it’s fair to wonder what the future holds for Volpe and the Yankees.

“I believe in the player, still. I think we believe in the player,” Cashman said. “It doesn’t mean that we don’t play with, on any level, all aspects of roster assessments. He’s 24 years old. I don’t think New York’s stage is too big for him, I just think he’s still finding his way. The age is something that there’s a lot of value to reminding yourself about.”

“This is something that you can play with and play though,” said Boone, “but the finality of getting it fixed now hopefully frees him up to hopefully go dive on it the way he’s going to dive on it, and go make those next level of plays that Anthony Volpe makes. And then hopefully, because you are fixing something that is hurt on the body, that hopefully it does help performance, too, go to another level.” 

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Blackhawks Forward Is Thriving Right Now

Ilya Mikheyev (© Jeff Curry-Imagn Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks are starting to heat up, as they won have each of their last two games. This includes an impressive 8-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in their last contest on Oct. 15. 

Blackhawks forward Ilya Mikheyev has been a notable reason for the Blackhawks' ongoing winning streak, as the 31-year-old has been red-hot during it. Over his last two games, the 6-foot-2 winger has recorded three goals and four points. 

Mikheyev's hot streak started against the Utah Mammoth, as he scored twice in the Blackhawks' 3-1 win. Then against the Blues, Mikheyev scored the game-opening goal at the 3:02 mark of the first period and then recorded an assist on Ryan Donato's third-period goal that gave Chicago a 6-2 lead. 

With this, there is no question that Mikheyev is playing some wonderful hockey right now. The Blackhawks will be hoping that the veteran forward can keep this kind of play up. If he does, it would be great news for the Blackhawks. 

It will now be interesting to see how Mikheyev builds on his strong play from here. There is no question that he has been a great fit for the Blackhawks since his arrival. 

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'Let's call ICE': Dodgers fan, a U.S. citizen, subjected to racial taunt during playoff game

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: Fans cheer before game two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 14, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Fans cheer before Game 2 of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Tuesday. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)

What began as banter between fans during a contentious playoff game took a darker turn when a woman threatened to call ICE on a Southern California man during Tuesday’s National League Championship game between the Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers.

The exchange began when Dodgers fan Ricardo Fosado trash-talked nearby Brewers fans moments after third baseman Max Muncy clobbered a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to give visiting Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.

Fosado repeatedly asked, “Why is everybody quiet?” to distraught Milwaukee fans in a social media clip that has since gone viral.

One fan, identified by Milwaukee media as an attorney named Shannon Kobylarczyk, responded by threatening to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Fosado.

“You know what?” she asked a nearby fan. “Let’s call ICE.”

Fosado, a former Bellflower City Council candidate, told Kobylarczyk to “call ICE.”

Read more:'Sissy blue shirt?' UCLA fan taunted by Ed Orgeron has ideas on where he can geaux

“ICE is not going to do anything to me,” said Fosado, who noted he was a war veteran and a U.S. citizen. “Good luck.”

On the video, the woman then uses a derogatory term to question Fosado's masculinity, remarking, “real men drink beer.” Fosado was instead enjoying a fruity alcoholic beverage.

Fosado then told Kobylarczyk one last time to call ICE before calling her an idiot, punctuating the remark with an expletive.

An email to Fosado was not immediately returned Thursday.

Fosado told Milwaukee television station WISN 12 News that the incident “just shows the level where a person's heart is and how she really feels as a human being.”

Read more:Russell Westbrook decries fan harassment of family, 'Westbrick' after Lakers loss

The station also confirmed that Kobylarczyk’s employment with the Milwaukee-based staffing firm Manpower had ended.

Kobylarczyk also reportedly stepped down from the board of Wisconsin’s Make-a-Wish chapter.

Fosado did not escape unscathed, however. He said he and a friend were ejected from the game shortly after the exchange.

The Dodgers ended up winning the game 5-1 and led the best-of-seven series, 2-0. The series now shifts to Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch of Game 3 is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. Thursday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Carter Hart Joins Vegas Golden Knights As Team Makes Statement

The Vegas Golden Knights announced goaltender Carter Hart will be joining the organization.

Hart was one of the five members of Canada’s 2018 world juniors team who were found not guilty of sexual assault in a trial that took place earlier this year in London, Ont. The other players are Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote.

Since being acquitted, the NHL announced on Sept. 11 it will reinstate the five former NHLers. Oct. 15 was the first day they could officially sign with new teams, but The Athletic's Chris Johnston and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Hart is on a tryout with Vegas for now.

"Following the reinstatement decision agreed on by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association, goaltender Carter Hart will be joining the Vegas Golden Knights organization," the team said in a statement Thursday. "The Golden Knights are aligned with the process and assessment the NHL and NHLPA made in their decision. We remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization from its inception and expect that our players will continue to meet these standards moving forward."

Hart and any of the other four players who sign contracts won’t be able to begin conditioning with their teams until Nov. 15 or play in the NHL until Dec. 1.

With that in mind, Hart can officially make his Golden Knights debut as early as Dec. 2 when Vegas hosts the Chicago Blackhawks.

Carter Hart (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

The 27-year-old hasn’t played an NHL game since Jan. 20, 2024. He made 25 starts in what was his sixth season for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023-24.

In that season, he registered a 2.80 goals-against average, .906 save percentage, one shutout and 12-9-3 record before stepping away from the team.

As for Vegas’ goaltending situation, starting netminder Adin Hill suffered a lower-body injury during their game against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. He didn’t return after the first period, and backup goaltender Akira Schmid subbed in to play the final two periods. The length of Hill’s injury is yet to be announced.

All Five Former World Junior Players Found Not Guilty In Hockey Canada Sexual Assault TrialAll Five Former World Junior Players Found Not Guilty In Hockey Canada Sexual Assault TrialWarning: coverage of the Hockey Canada trial includes details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers.

When the NHL announced it would reinstate Hart, McLeod, Formenton, Dube and Foote, the league called the events that led to sexual assault allegations after a 2018 Hockey Canada gala were "deeply troubling."

"The league expects everyone connected with the game to conduct themselves with the highest level of moral integrity," the league said at the time. "And, in this case, while found not to have been criminal, the conduct of the players involved certainly did not meet that standard."

The NHLPA said it was pleased the players were reinstated.

"The players co-operated with every investigation," the players union said. "Upon their full acquittal by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia, we initiated discussions with the NHL regarding the players' return to work. To avoid a protracted dispute that would cause further delay, we reached the resolution that the league announced (on Sept. 11). We now consider the matter closed and look forward to the players' return."

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NBA season 2025-26 preview: Western Conference tiers, predictions

It's time to talk about the varsity.

As it has been for seemingly decades, the Western Conference is just better. It's deeper than its Eastern counterpart, and this season it also features the two best teams in the league. All of which makes projecting it difficult because every team's margin for error is small, except maybe the Thunder.

Let's break down the West by Tiers.

TITLE CONTENDERS

1. Thunder
2. Nuggets

SECOND CIRCLE CONTENDERS

3. Timberwolves
4. Rockets
5. Lakers
6. Warriors

PLAYOFFS OR BUST

7. Clippers
8. Spurs
9. Mavericks
10. Grizzlies

HOPEFUL PLAY-IN TEAMS

11. Pelicans
12. Trail Blazers
13. Kings
14. Suns

LOTTERY BOUND

15. Jazz

Western Conference Finals

Denver Nuggets defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder

The two best teams in the NBA are in the West, and ultimately, it is going to come down to them — the Western Conference Finals might as well be the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City won the title last season, it's bringing back 14 players from that roster, and its core players are just entering their prime and are still improving. Denver has the best player on the planet in Nikola Jokic, and they finally went out and upgraded the talent around him with Cameron Johnson (an improvement over Michael Porter Jr.), Jonas Valanciunas (the best backup Jokic has had), Bruce Brown, and Luke Kennard joining Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. I am picking Denver to win it all because of Jokic, but this would be a coin toss of a series.

After that, there are a bunch of good teams, but with questions that have to be answered — these seven teams could land in almost any order (I just trust a couple more in the playoffs, so they rank higher):

• Minnesota has made the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years, and star Anthony Edwards is on the verge of being a top-five player in the world, but there are doubts about them taking another step without Nickeil Alexander-Walker (now in Atlanta) and an aging Mike Conley at the point.

• Houston was in my top contenders tier until Fred VanVleet was lost for the season with a torn ACL. The Rockets are an elite defensive squad with depth and improving young talent all over the roster — Alperen Sengun was an All-Star and Amen Thompson is about to be. The addition of Kevin Durant fixed their biggest need, half-court offense. However, without VanVleet, we need to see how Thompson and Reed Sheppard handle the role of initiating the offense. If it comes together, the Rockets are a legitimate threat to the Thunder and Nuggets, but VanVleet is a bigger loss than people realize.

• The Lakers are without LeBron James to start the season, but that's not really what's concerning (Luka Doncic is such a floor raiser it shouldn't impact them that much). Los Angeles is going to be good, but if it is going to threaten OKC and Denver it has questions to answer: Will they defend well enough, particularly in the minutes Doncic and Austin Reaves are both on the court? Is Deandre Ayton going to consistently be the defensive presence in the paint and rim-running big man on offense the Lakers need? Do the Lakers have enough shooting around Doncic? Can the Doncic/LeBron/Reaves trio develop enough chemistry during the season to overcome the defensive issues? That's a lot of questions.

• The analytics-based projection systems love the Warriors and the trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Golden State undoubtedly will be an outstanding team when healthy, but with those three players all being over age 35, plus four other key rotation players — Al Horford, Seth Curry, Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield — all being 32+, can this roster stay healthy and be rested and fully charged for the playoffs? It's a question of age with this group, and Jonathan Kuminga is not going to save them on that front (if he's even there after the trade deadline).

• The Clippers could finish anywhere from 3-7 in the West and it wouldn't surprise me – I don't expect the cloud of the Aspiration/Kawhi Leonard scandal to bother this veteran team on the court. The Clippers are deep and talented, look for a bounce-back season from Bradley Beal. Tyron Lue's biggest problem when this team is healthy is getting everyone minutes. Health is the big question though, especially for Leonard and James Harden. While I love the Clippers for the first 82 games, when it gets to the playoffs, I do not trust their health or Harden.

• Victor Wembanyama is going to have a monster year on both ends of the court for the Spurs, Dylan Harper looks like the real deal, and this is a team that — once De'Aaron Fox gets healthy — could start to come together and finish top six in the West. This season feels like the first big step to San Antonio being a title contender within a couple of years.

• The front line of Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively is one of the best in the NBA – this is a long, athletic team across the board. Once Kyrie Irving returns midseason (think 2026, but there is no timeline), the Mavericks quickly become a team capable of making a late push up the standings, the team nobody wants to see in a playoff series.

The teams after that just have even more questions, and that's rough in a conference this deep.

Memphis is starting the season without Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke, their top three big men, so how much of the load can Ja Morant handle on his own? A slimmed-down Zion Williamson has looked good in preseason, but he's got to stay healthy for a season and lift up everyone around him — on a kind of mismatched roster — before we start to believe. Portland has so much athleticism, youth, and potential that they will be fun to watch, but they are not yet a good team. Sacramento has plenty of talented offensive players — Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroder, the just-extended Keegan Murray — but this is the "Island of Misfit Toys" roster and it could get ugly (plus, midseason trades of stars are coming).

I have the retooling Suns in the "hoping for the play-in" tier to start the season because Devin Booker is in his prime and elite, but this roster isn't a threat (the Wizards hold swap rights on the Suns' first-round pick next June, which could get strange late in the season). The Jazz are at least honest about their plans this season, and watching Ace Bailey and the other young talent will have us tuning in to see how things look.

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Game Day: Everything you need to know for Nashville Predators road game against Canadiens

Coming off their first regulation loss of the season, the Nashville Predators are looking to bounce back against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday at 6 p.m. CST at the Bell Centre. 

The Predators kept pace with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, but saw the Maple Leafs pull away in the third period for a 7-4 win. The result is not indicative of the score,as Toronto scored two empty-net goals. 

Here is what you need to know ahead of the Predators road matchup in Montreal. 

Game day 

Who: Nashville Predators (2-1-1) at Montreal Canadiens (3-1-0) 

Where: Centre Bell, Montreal, QC, Canada 

When: 6 p.m. CST 

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South

Radio: 102.5 The Game 

Betting line (via BetMGM): Nashville +1.5 Montreal -1.5. Over/under: 6 (-105/-115) 

Starters: Nashville - Juuse Saros; Montreal - Jakub Dobes 

New line changes, potential scratches 

Oct 13, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates during a break in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

The Predators mixed up three of their four forward lines during morning practice on Thursday. 

Ryan O'Reilly is now centering Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos on the first line. Fedor Svechkov is centering Tyson Jost and Luke Evangelista on the second line. Michael McCarron is center Cole Smith and Ozzy Weisblatt on the fourth line. 

Brady Martin and Joakim Kemmel are the extra forwards. Nick Blankenberg is the extra defenseman. 

The third line combination of Jonathan Marchessault, Erik Haula and Michael Bunting remained the same. 

It seems that the Predators' focus remains on getting Stamkos going, as he has one point in four games and no goals. The second line has struggled to find its groove, but now having a veteran player like Jost in the mix may spark something. 

Martin has not played on this road trip, which is part of developing him and spreading out his first nine games, according to Predators head coach Andrew Brunette. He could potentially be scratched again on Thursday. 

Kemell didn't play in the Predators' last game against the Maple Leafs and logged just 9:46 minutes in Nashville's 4-1 win over Ottawa on Monday. 

Andrew Brunette Addresses Nashville Predators Center Brady Martin's Healthy ScratchesAndrew Brunette Addresses Nashville Predators Center Brady Martin's Healthy ScratchesThe Nashville Predators head coach discusses the 18-year-old's development and back-to-back healthy scratches.

Juuse Saros playing critical role early on 

Saros has been one of the things that has been keeping the Predators afloat as they try to figure out their offense and even their defense. 

The Predators starter has made 89 saves on 94 shots in three games, posting a 2-0-1 record. The loss to Toronto, where Justus Annunen played the entire game, proved that Saros is making up for the Predators' defensive lapses early on. 

A lot of what Annunen gave up in the loss to the Maple Leafs could be pinpointed back to defensive mistakes and their inability to get back in time. 

Saros will start on Thursday and may continue to prove how much of a force he has been this season. 

Nashville Predators defense struggled to support Annunen in loss to Maple Leafs Nashville Predators defense struggled to support Annunen in loss to Maple Leafs Aside from two empty net goals in the third period, the<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators"> Nashville Predators'</a> defense struggled to support goalie Justus Annunen in their <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/game-day/takeaways-nashville-predators-fall-in-hard-fought-fashion-to-maple-leafs">7-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs </a>on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Scouting Montreal 

Oct 14, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (13) celebrates with teammate forward Nick Suzuki (14) after scoring a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

After losing their first game of the season, the Canadiens have rattled off three straight wins, most recently upending the Seattle Kraken, 5-4, in overtime on Tuesday at home. 

Nick Suzuki has jumped out as one of the top playmakers in the league early on, with six assists in four games. Cole Caufield also has three goals and two assists for five points in four games.

Montreal is also the sixth highest scoring team in the NHL, averaging 3.75 goals a game.  

Similar to the Predators, the Canadiens power play is also struggling with 17.6% efficiency. 

Canadiens: Taking On The PredatorsCanadiens: Taking On The PredatorsEverything you nee to know about the Montreal Canadiens' game against the Nashville Predators tonight at the Bell Centre.

Inactive players 

Nashville: Nicolas Hague (upper body) 

Montreal: None