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Warriors reportedly interested in adding LeBron James to create veteran Big Four

Warriors reportedly interested in adding LeBron James to create veteran Big Four originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After all these years, could the two longtime rivals finally join forces on the same NBA court?

The Warriors have been rumored to be a potential suitor for LeBron James as the 41-year-old enters unrestricted free agency this summer, and it appears their interest is serious.

While re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, where James has spent the past eight seasons, is believed to be his preferred outcome, the Warriors have legitimate interest in signing the 21-time All-Star and creating a veteran Big Four with Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported in a story published Tuesday, citing league sources.

“Staying with the Lakers is widely believed to be [James’] preferred choice because he is so entrenched in Los Angeles now after eight seasons with the purple and gold,” Stein and Fischer wrote. “Yet league sources maintain that Golden State remains legitimately interested in adding LeBron to their Stephen Curry/Jimmy Butler/Draymond Green core coached by Steve Kerr … with the pitch presumed to include the idea that LeBron could commute from Los Angeles to some TBD degree without having to move his family.”

Another team mentioned as a possible James suitor is the Cleveland Cavaliers, where James spent the first seven years of his career (2003-2010) before leaving for the Miami Heat (2010-2014) and eventually returning for four seasons (2014-2018) and winning the franchise’s first championship in an NBA Finals series against Curry and the Warriors.

However, Cleveland might be less likely a destination for James this summer.

“The idea of a third stint for James as a Cleveland Cavalier is harder to envision not only because of the severe financial limitations that the Cavs would face in trying to bring him back to the Northern Ohio but the sheer distance from what has been established since the summer of 2018 as James’ Southern California base,” Stein and Fischer wrote.

James missed the first 14 games of the 2025-26 season with a lingering sciatica injury, but eventually returned and averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game on 51.5-percent shooting from the field and 31.7 percent from 3-point range in 60 games with the Lakers.

While it’s clear that James, who has not officially ruled out retirement this summer, is at the tail end of his illustrious NBA career, he still could be a very productive piece for a championship-hopeful team like the Warriors in his 24th season.

If he does decide to keep playing.

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Hurricanes and Golden Knights square off with series tied 2-2

Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division)

Raleigh, North Carolina; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT

LINE: Hurricanes -154, Golden Knights +129; over/under is 6

STANLEY CUP FINAL: Series tied 2-2

BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights are in a 2-2 series tie in the Stanley Cup Final. The teams meet Tuesday for the seventh time this season. The Hurricanes won 5-3 in the previous matchup. Jordan Staal led the Hurricanes with two goals.

Carolina has a 53-22-7 record overall and a 36-12-2 record on its home ice. The Hurricanes have a 29-9-3 record when scoring a power-play goal.

Vegas has a 26-16-9 record on the road and a 39-26-17 record overall. The Golden Knights have a 50-8-12 record when scoring three or more goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sebastian Aho has 27 goals and 53 assists for the Hurricanes. Staal has six goals and one assist over the past 10 games.

Jack Eichel has 27 goals and 63 assists for the Golden Knights. Brett Howden has scored seven goals and added two assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 7-2-1, averaging 3.8 goals, 6.3 assists, 3.4 penalties and 8.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.

Golden Knights: 8-1-1, averaging 3.8 goals, 6.6 assists, 3.2 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Hurricanes: None listed.

Golden Knights: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Warriors' top priority in 2026 NBA Draft must be to shed their past failures

Warriors' top priority in 2026 NBA Draft must be to shed their past failures originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Bob Myers is three years and 2,500 miles away from the Warriors and still catching strays about the team’s past NBA draft choices. It’s unfair to blame the former general manager, as the Warriors’ front office was not a one-man decision machine.

Nor is it a one-man machine now. Current GM Mike Dunleavy is surrounded by many of the same voices in Myers’ ears during his 10 years in that role.

But those following the Warriors need a convenient place to express frustration with the team’s unimpressive drafting since Hall of Fame executive Jerry West departed in 2017. So, Myers still takes heat, as do the father-and-son Lacobs, CEO Joe and executive vice president Kirk.

As will Dunleavy if this summer ends without brightness in the future.

“We’ll just draft who we think is going to be the best player for us with our franchise moving forward,” Dunleavy said last month. “That’s what we’ve always done. Particularly the last few years we were pretty good about it whether it’s first or second round, whatever. We’re a little higher this year, but we’ll take the same approach.”

This is Course Correction Summer for Dunleavy and the Lacobs. The 2026 NBA Draft/trade/free agency season is a pass/fail examination for the Warriors.

It’s a failure if they don’t utilize their first-round pick, No. 11 overall, to add a future franchise pillar through the draft or as part of a trade package.

It’s a pass if the Warriors arrive in training camp having added someone young enough to play both sides of back-to-back sets and talented enough to be no less than the third-best player on a contender. Someone with the goods to be one of three pillars now and beyond the Steph Era.

The Warriors entered the offseason with a massive talent gap between pillars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III and young regulars Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody. Kristaps Porziņģis has the tools, but his availability is forever fickle.

It has been 14 years since the Warriors drafted a player who ascended to No. 3 on a contender. Draymond Green, chosen in the second round of the 2012 draft, became an NBA All-Star and franchise pillar. Jordan Poole (2019 draft) was on that trajectory before his rise was dramatically altered by Draymond’s right fist. Jonathan Kuminga (2021 draft) had the raw skills but still is finding his way in the league.

Consider the quality of the third pillars in the 2026 NBA Finals. Dylan Harper is 20 years old and not yet a starter but already looks no worse than a future No. 3 for the San Antonio Spurs, behind Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks is a virtual tie among OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. Each of these veterans has been a terrific No. 3, depending on the night.

Look at the third pillar on some of the other teams to surpass 50 wins last season. Chet Holmgren is behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Derrick White is behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum for the Boston Celtics. Aaron Gordon is behind Nuggets stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray in Denver. Tobias Harris/Ausar Thompson are behind Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren with the Detroit Pistons.

LeBron James, behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reeves with the Lakers, claims the role No. 3 in Los Angeles. He’s the only post-prime player in that slot among the league’s top 10 teams – unless you consider James Harden the Cleveland Cavaliers’ No. 3 behind Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.

Podziemski and Moody, along with Gui Santos, are the Warriors’ most trusted under-25 players, and each brings value, but it’s profoundly unfair to ask any of them to offset the likes of Holmgren, White, Gordon et al.

Knowing how crucial that would be to any chance of success, the Warriors began last season hoping Kuminga could fill the No. 3 role behind Curry and Butler. He sometimes looked the part. He often did not. The same can be said, for different reasons, of Porziņģis.

Last season was about knowing the Warriors’ core consisted of senior citizens by NBA standards and wishing the health would hold up well enough in the regular season for their legs to handle an extended postseason. That plan, risky from the start, backfired, leaving the coaching staff scrambling for rotations over the second half of the season.

Next season will be about regaining relevancy – fighting to bypass the Western Conference play-in tournament – while Butler and Moody recover. It’s about the front office taking steps to fill the star vacuum when Curry walks. Tanking once had its benefits, but fresh new rules are designed to thwart that approach.

“I’m confident we can get a good player,” Dunleavy said. “Hopefully, that player will have an opportunity next year to perform, produce, help us. Given the state of the injuries with Jimmy and Moses, my guess is they’re going to have more of an opportunity than maybe in another year.

“Again, the most important thing is just the long-term development, so (we must) make sure we get that right.”

The Warriors have nailed only one pick over the past eight drafts: Poole in 2019. The talented shooting guard played a significant role in the 2022 postseason that concluded with Golden State beating the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Meanwhile, there have been such outright draft misses as Jacob Evans (2018), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (2022) and the costly calculated risk that was James Wiseman in 2020. Some of the first-round loses are easier to accept with second-round wins Gui Santos (2022) and Will Richard (2025) bringing value to Golden State’s rotation.

The Warriors over the past four seasons averaged 43.8 wins and last reached the 50-win mark in 2022. They are a team – and franchise – in transition because none of their last three lottery picks is a pillar.

If their lottery pick, coming June 23, becomes a pillar directly or through trade, it will be a giant step toward exorcising the ghosts of failures past.

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Knicks look to end slow starts that have cropped up again in NBA Finals

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Karl-Anthony Towns talk to the media after Knicks practice on June 9, 2026 at the Garden

The Knicks’ sluggish starts to games were a recurring problem in the regular season.

But by the postseason, they largely fixed their propensity to come out of the gate slowly. In these Finals, though, it’s returned.

They’ve fallen to early first-quarter deficits in each of the three games of this series so far. In their Game 3 loss Monday, they trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. In Games 1 and 2, they trailed by as many as 10 in the first quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns talk to the media after Knicks practice on June 9, 2026 at the Garden. NBAE via Getty Images

“Yeah, we’ll have to figure it out,” Karl-Anthony Towns said Tuesday. “We’ll have to figure it out because in every game we’ve played here in the Finals, we’ve put ourselves in a position where we have to start fighting immediately. Every time we find a way to get back into the game, but we can’t trust that result is going to happen every single time. The Spurs have done a great job starting in the game, dictating the pace and dictating how the game is going. We have to try to be the first ones to throw the first punch.”

A major factor in that development this series is just how good the Spurs’ starting lineup is. That unit — De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama — has a net rating of 25.0 points this postseason, by far the best of any five-player lineup that has played at least 100 minutes together this postseason. The Knicks’ starting lineup — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns — is second, though much lower with a net rating of 11.2 points.

The Spurs have outscored opponents by an average of 4.5 points in first quarters this postseason, also most among all playoff teams.

“We didn’t do a good job coming out [Monday] night, not just in the first half but in the second half as well,” coach Mike Brown said. “We have to up our level of physicality, especially at the start of the games, and try to maintain it throughout the course without fouling.”

It’s an added burden to immediately be on the back foot and have to come back every night. Brown, on numerous occasions, passionately challenged his side to clean the issue up during the regular season. His players spoke repeatedly about it, too.

They cannot just bank on the Spurs unraveling, as they did in Games 1 and 2.

“I just think we need to be ready to go,” Jalen Brunson said. “Very vague thing to say. I think it’s very simple as well. Just need to be ready.”

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Game Four Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks

Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32), guard Landry Shamet (44) and forward OG Anunoby (8) during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

They always say the series doesn’t start until a road team wins an away game on their opponent’s home court. Redundantly speaking, that thought process means this series started in Game 1 when the New York Knicks took the victory. After the “desperate” San Antonio Spurs won Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, one could argue that this series began a new start. The Spurs are still down 1-2 to a tough-as-nails Knicks team and will look to knot the series even on Wednesday night.

“I think everybody was feeling good. I didn’t want us to get too happy about one win… I think since the end of Game 2 we’ve still been confident that we’re gonna win this series. That’s what we plan to do.”

There’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness, but Stephon Castle encapsulated his team’s feelings after Game 3 and ahead of an always crucial Game 4. The series thus far has been each team trading haymakers, uppercuts, jabs, and body blows all figuratively and literally as fans on both sides reasonably argue that the match-up has been physical. As a result, each game has been fairly low-scoring for each teams’ standards. The combination of intensive and aggressive defense with the high variance of three-point shooting percentages of each team contributed to the slug fest so far even as the pace is still light years ahead of from the last time both of these two teams met in the Finals.

Defensively, the Spurs will continue to attempt to corral Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns while also hoping to limit the offensive success of OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. When Mikal Bridges and the Knicks’ bench finds a rhythm scoring, the Spurs had trouble keeping up so Game 4 will also be important that the Silver and Black continue to find bench scoring from Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson. While Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson has had trouble finding an offensive role off the bench this series, the mild success he had in Game 3 can be a building block to ensure the Spurs get enough from the second unit to match the Knicks’ depth.

Offensively, while everyone from pundits to fans to the peanut gallery of Twitter has their two cents about how Victor Wembanyama should operate (low post or beyond the arc), the Spurs will welcome Game 3 Victor who was aggressive early and often down low while sprinkling an appropriate amount of threes when the shot was available to him. Nothing else needs to be said about Stephon Castle who is fast making himself a household name for casual fans and the national audience. Castle continues to be the aggressive engine that makes sure the Spurs stay that way on both offense and defense. Foul trouble continues to follow him, but it correlates to his style of play.

The team says the job is no where near done after notching only one game against their Eastern Conference foes so expect the Spurs to come out and ensure that they return home to San Antonio with a tied series.

San Antonio Spurs(1-2) vs. New York Knicks (2-1)

June 10th, 2026 | 7:30 PM CT

Watch: ABC / ESPN | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: David Jones Garcia: OUT

Knicks Injuries: Mitchell Robinson: Probable

What to watch for:

Referee Mogging and Looksmaxxing

Free throw discrepancies are common fodder for next-day discussions on both sides of the fandom. In this case, the Knicks plead their case that the Spurs benefited from the zebras’ whistle in Game 3. Of course the Spurs won’t be focused on what the officials might or might not do, but they’ll adjust accordingly if whistles might be stifled or used more in Game 4. Their free throw percentage hovers around 80%, which is all they can ask for when taking advantage of the charity stripe.

De’Aaron Fox Aura Farming

De’Aaron Fox’s game-to-game stats swing as wild as Spurs and Knicks fans celebrations and outbursts after wins and losses. You never know what you’re going to get, but you know something is going down. While Fox shot 67% in Game 2’s loss, he was 29% from the field in Game 3’s win. The Spurs will certainly look to get him on the right side of the shooting percentage to bolster their offense behind Wembanyama’s orbit and Castle’s drives.

Clock that tea: Elmo still hopes both teams have fun

Experts and fans can cherry pick any number of stats and percentages that say the winner of [insert applicable game here] goes on to win the series [insert percentage] of the time. For the Spurs, they will solely be focused on stealing another win in New York to even the series at 2-2. Rain or shine, long security lines or not, Game 4 will see both teams come out with the same intense urgency seen throughout a competitive series that has lived up to the already high expectations.

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Mets’ Francisco Lindor edging closer to return from calf strain injury

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Mets star Francisco Lindor is expected back from the left calf strain that’s sidelined him since late April sometime later this month

Of the many injured players scattered around the Mets roster, perhaps none is more important than Francisco Lindor.

As The Post has previously reported, the shortstop is expected back from the left calf strain that’s sidelined him since late April sometime later this month.

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Asked Tuesday about a potential timeline for a return, Lindor told The Post he didn’t have one.

“I have a goal of getting back as soon as I can,’’ Lindor said before the Mets’ 7-0 loss to the Cardinals at Citi Field.

He doesn’t seem to be too far off.

As Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets’ 7-0 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday night at Citi Field, Lindor is expected to go through full baseball activities this week and then the team will decide his next step.

He has yet to run the bases, but Lindor said, “I can do everything. I feel like I’m getting better. I continue to check all the boxes they have for me.”

Running at full speed will be among the final tests and Lindor said he is encouraged by how he’s feeling.

“There’s no discomfort, so it would be silly to say [I’m not encouraged],’’ Lindor said. “Obviously, I want to be playing, but from what they say, everything is going the way it was planned.”

Mets star Francisco Lindor is expected back from the left calf strain that’s sidelined him since late April sometime later this month. Corey Sipkin for New York Post

Lindor suffered the injury April 22 — the same day Juan Soto returned from his strained calf.

The inability of the two stars to stay on the field together for any length of time has been one of the Mets’ issues this season.

It’s safe to assume Lindor will need a rehab assignment before he can provide a much-needed return to the lineup.

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Mendoza said an MRI exam on Jorge Polanco’s ankle was clean and that the team would adjust his pregame running routine, as well as stop him from playing defense.

Whenever Polanco does return, first base is likely not an option for the foreseeable future.

Another first baseman in the organization, prospect Ryan Clifford, continues to need development and Mendoza said he needs more playing time at Triple-A Syracuse before he is an option at the major league level.

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NYPD searching for several hooligans who attacked Spurs fan and snatched his jersey after Game 3 mayhem

A rowdy mob pummeled a San Antonio Spurs fan and snatched his jersey in a viral caught-on-camera beatdown amid the mayhem that broke out in Midtown after Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

The 39-year-old Spurs fan was walking back to his hotel just after midnight on Tuesday when the large crew descended upon him outside 306 West 47th Street, according to the NYPD.

Video posted on social media showed a man in a Spurs jersey walking down the street and attempting to run as the angry mob surrounded him.

A rowdy mob pummeled a San Antonio Spurs fan and snatched his jersey in a viral caught-on-camera beatdown amid the mayhem that broke out in Midtown on June 9, 2026. Instagram / kdutweakin
The 39-year-old Spurs fan was walking back to his hotel just after midnight on Tuesday when the large crew descended upon him outside 306 West 47th Street, according to the NYPD. Instagram / kdutweakin

He was punched, kicked, and had his No. 21 Tim Duncan jersey torn off his back in the melee — as hordes of Knicks fanatics swarmed Midtown, some wreaking havoc, after Monday night’s squeaker loss in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

The Spurs fan appeared to try to fight back, but was forced to the ground and kicked repeatedly before trying to escape down a street as antagonizers chased at his heels, according to social media footage.

While running away, a member of the mob was seen kicking him to the ground, clips showed.

He suffered cuts to his face and bruising and was taken to Mount Sinai West Hospital in stable condition, cops said.

The Spurs fan appeared to try to fight back, but was forced to the ground and kicked repeatedly before trying to escape down a street as antagonizers chased at his heels Instagram / kdutweakin
One man wanted for the brawl was wearing an Islanders jersey during the brawl.
A man wearing a black tank-top is wanted for the Midtown brawl.

The NYPD released pictures of six separate people wanted in connection with the violent robbery.

Though none of the wanted individuals appeared to be pictured in Knicks merch, many fans clad in blue and orange were seen in the massive crowd closing in on the Spurs fan.

Some New Yorkers and Knicks faithful blasted the hooligans for the violence in subsequent videos shared online.

The NYPD is looking for a person who was wearing a white shirt during the fight.
A man wearing a white hat was captured on security video taking part in the fight.
A man in an orange jacket is seen smiling on the streets of Midtown during the brawl.

Police arrested 21 people overnight for offenses including assault on a police officer, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration after trying to control the thousands of people gathered outside a Bryant Park Knicks watch party.

In a separate assault, dozens of enraged Knicks fans surrounded a Spurs fan on the streets and tore apart his Victor Wembanyama jersey.

Five NYPD officers were injured in the fracas, with some ruffians chucking glass objects at each other and police officers, and ripping bus signs and trees out of the ground to throw them.

Rowdy fans also climbed scaffolding, light poles, police cars, and NYPD trucks, causing “significant damage,” police said.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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Blockbuster Goalie Trade Could Be Brewing Between Mammoth And Red Wings

One phone call could give the Utah Mammoth their next franchise gamble—and leave the Detroit Red Wings admitting one of their biggest draft investments never became what they envisioned.

Mammoth Exploring Another Major Move

After reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs in just their second season, Utah appears determined to keep accelerating its rise rather than settling for incremental progress. According to ESPN's Kevin Weekes, the organization has entered the conversation for a young goaltender whose future in Detroit has become increasingly uncertain.

“I’m told G Cossa could be on the move with [the Mammoth] among the interested clubs,” Weekes reported.

Selected 15th overall by the Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft, Sebastian Cossa arrived with the expectations of becoming Detroit's long-term answer between the pipes. Instead, his development has largely unfolded in the American Hockey League, where the Hamilton, Ontario native has appeared in 123 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins while receiving only a single NHL appearance.

A Low-Risk Bet With High-End Upside

Utah's immediate future in goal already belongs to Karel Vejmelka, who is under contract through the 2029-30 campaign. That stability gives the Mammoth the flexibility to pursue a high-ceiling project without the pressure of forcing him into a starting role.

For a franchise still building its foundation, acquiring a former first-round talent could prove to be a calculated swing worth taking. If Utah believes its development staff can unlock the potential that once made Cossa one of hockey's premier goaltending prospects, the investment could pay significant dividends.

Detroit Appears Ready To Turn The Page

From Detroit's perspective, a potential trade would represent the latest chapter in the organization's ongoing search for stability in net.

General manager Steve Yzerman spent a first-round pick hoping Cossa would eventually become the franchise cornerstone at the position, but five years later that vision appears to be fading. The Red Wings further signaled their intentions by acquiring John Gibson last offseason, creating additional uncertainty around Cossa's place in the organization's long-term plans.

Utah's draft capital is also worth monitoring. The Mammoth surrendered three second-round selections to the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline to acquire Mackenzie Weegar, leaving a first-round pick as their most valuable remaining asset alongside several mid-round choices.

Meanwhile, Detroit could have even bigger decisions looming. Persistent speculation surrounding captain Dylan Larkin's future has fueled talk of a blockbuster offseason, and if the Red Wings ultimately acquire another NHL-ready goaltender or elite goalie prospect in such a deal, moving Cossa would become an even easier decision.

For Utah, the opportunity is straightforward: buy low on a talented young netminder before another organization discovers the player Detroit once believed it had drafted.

Image
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Freddy Peralta struggles as velocity dips in Mets’ loss: ‘just one of those days’

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Freddy Peralta gives up a two-run home run to Alec Burleson during the fifth inning of Mets' 7-0 loss to the Cardinals on June 9, 2026 at Citi Field

Freddy Peralta simply didn’t have it Tuesday.

And Carlos Mendoza, as the Mets sit at 29-37, could only chalk it up as “just one of those days.”

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The 30-year-old starter was a tick down in velocity across all his pitches, including 1.1 mph on his fastball, which has sat at 93.9 this season.

It was enough for the NL wild-card-leading Cardinals to take advantage, driving in six runs across six innings on Peralta in the Mets’ discouraging 7-0 loss to start a six-game homestand.

“A little off today for some reason,” Mendoza said before adding there was no concern over the velocity.

Freddy Peralta gives up a two-run home run to Alec Burleson during the fifth inning of Mets’ 7-0 loss to the Cardinals on June 9, 2026 at Citi Field. Robert Sabo for New York Post

“[Pitching coach Justin Willard] checked on him. He said he’s fine. He wouldn’t put himself in a position where something was bothering him,” he said. “He was going to continue to pitch there. I think it was just one of those days. It was hard for him.”

Peralta also had little to say about how or why the outing turned south for him in what was a quiet postgame clubhouse at Citi Field.

“I felt it [the decreased velocity] a little bit. But I don’t know. I feel good. … It just happens sometimes,” he said.

The game got away from Peralta in the third inning.

After a walk, Nathan Church ripped a double, and rookie JJ Wetherholt followed with a single at the top of the order that sent in two runs.

Following that spurt, Peralta hit Iván Herrera with a pitch, and Jordan Walker knocked him in with a double before scoring off a ground ball to first by Lars Nootbaar.

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It gave St. Louis an early 4-0 lead that only grew, resulting in his worst outing of the season.

Heading into Tuesday, Peralta held a 3.63 ERA with 30 walks and 74 strikeouts across 13 games. Following the loss, his ERA imploded to 4.04.

When asked how he would assess his season so far, he was blunt and said, “Not good right now.”

“Talking about numbers. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters,” Peralta went on. “But you know. I’ve been in this situation before. Good thing is that I’m healthy, and I have 18, 19 more games in front of me. I just have to keep competing. That’s it, and at the end of the day, that’s how I see it.”

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The Sabres May Want To Think Twice Before Chasing Dylan Larkin

One phone call could reshape the balance of power in the Atlantic Division—but it might cost the Buffalo Sabres more than any other team in hockey.

Atlantic Division Rivals May Have To Pay Extra For Dylan Larkin

The possibility of Dylan Larkin leaving the Detroit Red Wings has quickly become one of the NHL offseason's biggest storylines, but any team hoping to pry away the veteran captain from within the division should expect a significantly steeper price.

According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, general manager Steve Yzerman isn't eager to strengthen a direct rival. And, not to sound crass, he hasn't seemed too eager to strengthen his own team, to boot.

"The return would have to be phenomenal, though, for [Wings general manager Steve] Yzerman to trade Larkin within the Atlantic Division."

That immediately puts clubs like the Buffalo Sabres at a disadvantage, even as they continue searching for the elite top-line center who could accelerate their climb back into playoff contention.

Is Larkin Worth The Dough?

The Sabres entered the offseason needing more stability down the middle, particularly in the faceoff circle and on the power play. Larkin addresses both concerns while bringing proven leadership and consistent offensive production.

The 29-year-old finished the season with 67 points, scoring 34 goals while adding 33 assists in 74 games. He also won 52.9 percent of his faceoffs and produced 24 power-play points, giving Buffalo exactly the type of two-way presence it has lacked in recent years.

The challenge isn't identifying the fit—it's convincing Detroit to make a deal with a division opponent.

Adding another layer of complexity, Larkin possesses a full no-trade clause, giving him substantial control over the process. St. James reported that his initial preferred destinations include the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights. The Red Wings have reportedly asked for Larkin to expand that list and he has reportedly added the Anaheim Ducks, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the New York Islanders to the mix. 

If Buffalo ever receives consideration, the asking price could become even more aggressive than a traditional blockbuster package.

The Sabres would likely have to part with Jack Quinn, top defensive prospect Radim Mrtka, and multiple draft picks. Is Dylan Larkin really worth that kind of package? That's a difficult case to make.

There's no question Larkin is an excellent player, but the caliber of assets Buffalo could be forced to surrender suggests a return closer to a perennial 90-to-100-point producer. That's simply not who Larkin has been.

Despite consistently playing first-line minutes, he has never reached the 80-point mark, let alone 90, making it fair to question whether the price would outweigh the upgrade. Goaltending should be their priority if we're being completely honest.

Could Anton Wahlberg Become The Extra Piece?

An Atlantic Division premium would almost certainly require the Sabres to surrender another valuable asset, and one intriguing possibility is center prospect Anton Wahlberg.

The 20-year-old second-round pick from the 2023 NHL Draft remains an intriguing long-term project, but his offensive development has progressed slower than many expected.

Wahlberg recorded 38 points, including nine goals and 29 assists, in 68 games with the Rochester Americans after posting 30 points in 63 contests the previous season.

Standing 6-foot-3, the Swedish center already displays mature defensive instincts and possesses the physical tools NHL organizations covet. The lingering question is whether enough offense will ever emerge to elevate him beyond a supporting role.

Current projection models remain cautious. HockeyStats.com estimates Wahlberg has a 29 percent chance of becoming a full-time NHL player and only a 6 percent probability of developing into a "star," defined as a top-20-percent forward across the league.

Those numbers don't eliminate the possibility of a breakout, but they do illustrate why Buffalo could ultimately view him as an acceptable sacrifice if the reward is a proven No. 1 center entering his prime.

At this point, everything remains speculative. Still, one thing appears increasingly clear: if the Sabres want to land Dylan Larkin, they won't simply have to outbid the rest of the league.

They'll have to convince Steve Yzerman that helping an Atlantic Division rival is worth an extraordinary return.

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Golden Knights coach John Tortorella says Hurricanes 'didn't earn' winning goal

The Vegas Golden Knights had fought back in the second period to tie Game 4 at 3-3 and had a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead if they won the third period.

Instead, they gave up a second goal by Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal and lost 5-3 as the best-of-seven series returns to North Carolina tied at two games apiece.

"The frustrating part for me is they didn't earn their winning goal," Golden Knights coach John Tortorella told reporters on Tuesday, June 9.

He was referring to a bad turnover that led to a Seth Jarvis chance in front that was stopped by Carter Hart.

"Right after that, we make another mistake," he said. "We leave the front of the net."

The Hurricanes retrieved the puck, which eventually went to Staal, who scored while falling down.

"It's just for free," Tortorella said. "It's a hard one for me in the third period."

Even though the Golden Knights had rallied, there were problems earlier in the game. They gave up two goals in the first five minutes. They took a penalty for too many men on the ice and Staal scored on a rebound in the crease.

"We have him, but then we let him off the hook," the coach said. "He's killing us in front of the net. We have to do a better job around the blue."

Tortorella liked the team's late press, "but we don't get it done."

Now the series is a best-of-three, with the Hurricanes regaining home-ice advantage.

"We need to flush it and get ready for the next game," Tortorella said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Tortorella: Hurricanes 'didn't earn their winning goal'

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Missed Opportunity: 3 Takeaways as Hurricanes to Even Series Against Golden Knights

Throughout the postseason, the Vegas Golden Knights have been excellent at clawing their way back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. But on Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes weathered the storm and stood their ground. The Hurricanes eked out a 5-3 win, sending the series back to Raleigh tied 2-2.

Through two periods of play, it looked like the Golden Knights were going to pull off another improbable win. In typical fashion, they trailed by two goals on two separate occasions, but came all the way back in the second period and headed into intermission tied 3-3.

Heading into the third period, they had all the momentum. They were playing well and were brimming with confidence after some of the comeback wins they’ve rattled off this postseason.

And then, disaster struck.

The Golden Knights turned the puck over behind their net twice in a seven-second span, and the Hurricanes took them to task for it.

Despite the fact that they never had the lead, it’s hard not to look at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final as one that the Golden Knights allowed to slip away.

“Of course you feel that way when you come back from 3-1 to 3-3,” said defenseman Rasmus Andersson postgame. “And then, obviously, tied at home going into the third. For sure, you feel like that one slipped away.”

Game 5 is scheduled for Friday at 5:20 p.m. PST.

1. Jumpin’ Jack Flash

The Golden Knights take a lot of pride in their depth scoring. This team can run all four lines. It doesn’t matter the game situation; John Tortorella is comfortable sending any one of his four lines over the boards.

Because of the way they’re built, the Golden Knights don’t need Jack Eichel to score the way some other teams need their stars to score. Eichel is a point-per-game player this postseason and has largely driven the offense with his elite playmaking.

However, in the Stanley Cup Final, Eichel hasn’t looked like the dominant two-way center that the Golden Knights need him to be. He hasn’t been bad, per se, but he has just two assists and is a -3 in four games against the Hurricanes. He’s struggled with his zone entries, and he isn’t as strong on the puck as he usually is. At times, you can’t even tell that he’s on the ice.

The Golden Knights have gotten goals from their defensemen. They’ve gotten timely goals from their middle six forwards, and they’ve gotten critical goals from their fourth line. The one area in which the Golden Knights are lacking in scoring is from the Eichel line.

There’s a positive way to look at this. Eichel hasn’t taken over a game yet, but the Golden Knights are right in this thing. They didn’t capitalize on their opportunity to go up 3-1 in the series, but they’re still headed back to Raleigh tied 2-2.

But if the Golden Knights want to win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, they need more out of Jack Eichel.

2. You’re Killing Me, Staal!

Through three rounds of the postseason, the Golden Knights were exceptional in front of their own net. They didn’t allow many shots through; on the rare occasion that a shotdidget through, they were there to box out their opponents. They were quick and efficient at getting to loose pucks, and they didn’t allow Carter Hart to face many second chances off rebounds.

That hasn’t been the case through four games against the Hurricanes, and the Golden Knights are paying the price. Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal is doing most of the damage. After scoring just two goals through the first three rounds of the postseason, Staal has five goals in four games against the Golden Knights.

“He’s killing us in front of the net, Staal is. We’ve got to do a better job around the blue,” Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella said postgame. “He’s a big man. He’s a good player. That’s where he lives. We just got to do a better job… We’ve got to be stronger; we’ve got to win that battle.”

3. …And I Took That Personally

Coming into this series, the national narrative was that this Stanley Cup Final would be, for lack of a better word, boring. Through four games, this Stanley Cup Final has been anything but.

This is the first time in Stanley Cup Final history that the first four games have all featured a team erasing a multi-goal deficit. In Game 1, the Golden Knights overcame an early two-goal lead. In Game 2, the Hurricanes erased a two-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes of regulation. In Game 3, the Hurricanes clawed back from a four-goal deficit. And tonight, the Golden Knights were the team to erase two separate two-goal deficits.

This is also just the second time in Stanley Cup Final history that the teams have combined for four or more goals in three straight regulation periods. So much for a low-scoring affair, eh?

“There’s been some crazy momentum swings, and both teams are capitalizing,” said Colton Sissons following the 5-3 loss. “These things happen. It’s hard to put one explanation on it; it’s just two teams going at it and finding ways to score. Tight games, but, yeah, higher scoring than we're used to.”

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Brewers can’t keep up with Athletics, lose 7-5

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 09: Brice Turang #2 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after striking out against the Athletics during the eighth inning of a game at Las Vegas Ballpark on June 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Box Score

After last night’s home run fest, expectations were that today’s game would feature more of the same. It wasn’t at the same levels as last night, but offense was still plentiful in this one. Unfortunately, the Brewers just couldn’t keep up this time, and they lost 7-5 to even the series at 1-1.

If there was any doubt that tonight’s game would be similar to last night, it was put to rest just two batters into the game. Christian Yelich led off the game with a single to center. Next up was Jackson Chourio, who sent one over the right field fence for the first home run of the day. The Brewers had the early 2-0 lead.

The Brewers tried to build off that with two outs. Jake Bauers drew a walk and Garrett Mitchell doubled to put runners at second and third. However, Sal Frelick couldn’t get them home as he flew out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the inning, it was the Athletics’ turn. Nick Kurtz hit the team’s first home run, closing the gap to 2-1. While starter Robert Gasser also walked a batter, he escaped the first allowing no additional runs.

The second inning went by quickly for the Brewers, who were retired in order by Athletics starter T.J. Ginn in order. Meanwhile, the Athletics kept up their pressure. Jonah Heim led off the bottom of the inning with a single, then Henry Bolte hit his first career home run to center field. That gave the Athletics a 3-2 lead.

It was a quiet inning for both teams in the third. The Brewers went down in order again. Meanwhile, the Athletics put together another scoring chance, this one coming with two outs. Max Muncy walked and Heim singled to put a runner in scoring position, but Gasser struck out Bolte to end the inning.

In the fourth, a one-out double from Mitchell gave the Brewers another scoring chance, and they cashed this one in. Frelick singled to center, and Mitchell scored easily from second, tying the game at 3-3.

Luis Rengifo kept the pressure on with a pop-up single, putting another runner in scoring position. The Brewers couldn’t bring him in, with both David Hamilton and Yelich grounding out to end the inning.

Gasser had a clean bottom of the fourth inning, but the Brewers gave it right back by going down in order in the top of the fifth. He went back out for the fifth, which started off with a strikeout of Kurtz. Then, the Athletics pounced. After Shea Langeliers singled, Tyler Soderstrom hit a home run over the right field wall, putting the Athletics ahead 5-3. Two batters later, Heim hammered one out to center to make it 6-3. Gasser got out of the inning with a strikeout of Bolte.

After the bullpen was overworked yesterday, Gasser had to go as long as he could in this one. Had the bullpen been rested, manager Pat Murphy might have pulled Gasser at four innings before facing the Athletics a third time. He ended up allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks. Four of those hits were home runs. He did strike out seven, and gave the Brewers some needed innings.

With all the offense so far in this series, this game was nowhere near done yet. In the top of the sixth, the Brewers mounted another rally. Bauers led off the inning with his second walk of the day, then Mitchell’s third hit (a single) moved Bauers up to third. Frelick was up next and grounded out to shortstop, but Bauers scored easily since the only play was at first base.

Rengifo got Mitchell to third with a groundout, and Hamilton drew a walk (which stood after technical difficulties on the ABS challenge system) to bring Yelich up as the go-ahead run. While he couldn’t hit one out to take the lead, he did single to center to get Mitchell home. Both runners advanced on a Bolte bobble, and that ended the night for J.T. Ginn. The Athletics went to Elvis Alvarado, who struck out Chourio to end the threat. However, the Brewers were within one at 6-5.

Joel Kuhnel was first out of the bullpen for the Brewers, pitching for the second straight night. Unfortunately, he allowed a home run as well for the second straight night, this one a Zack Gelof home run to center. Kuhnel finished the inning with no other runs allowed, though did walk one batter.

From there, the offense suddenly dried up on both sides. The Athletics tried to add on in the eighth against Coleman Crow, but he got out of the inning stranding runners at first and third. Crow pitched the final two innings for the Brewers, allowing just a hit, a walk, and an error while covering first base.

As for the Brewers, they did not have another baserunner for the rest of the game. The final 10 batters went down in order. The game ended with Chourio hitting a ball hard, but right at shortstop Alika Williams.

Even though it was another game with plenty of offense, this one was much more tame compared to last night. The two teams only combined for 12 runs and six home runs, instead of the 29 runs and 11 home runs yesterday. There were also significantly fewer ABS challenges — just five tonight — but that was partially due to a malfunction during the game.

After being the lone Brewers starter to not reach base yesterday, Mitchell rebounded with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, hitting two doubles and a single, and scoring two runs. Yelich was the only other Brewer with multiple hits, going 2-for-5. Chourio and Frelick each drove in two runs. The Brewers only drew three walks, with two coming from Bauers.

With the series tied, the rubber match will take place tomorrow evening in Las Vegas. It could be another high-powered day for the offenses, with Brandon Sproat facing Jack Perkins. First pitch will be an hour earlier at 8:05 p.m.

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A ruined dinner, a game saved: Mariners reliever's wild day ends in triumph

BALTIMORE – Nick Davila may never get another bite of those soup dumplings. But he did manage to hang onto his first major league save.

The Seattle Mariners rookie capped a chaotic 24 hours with an even more unsettling 10th inning of work Tuesday, June 9 against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Yet after a hit-by-pitch, a single, a harrowing putout at home upheld by replay review and a timely strikeout, Davila nailed down the Mariners’ 6-5, 10-inning win.

It was a big moment in the 26-year-old right-hander’s career: He made his major league debut May 3 but hadn’t pitched for the big club since May 23 – nor was he expecting to do so this week.

Instead, a second anniversary dinner with his girlfriend, Morgan, was on tap, with a 7:30 PT reservation at Din Thai Phung at a mall in the Seattle-Tacoma area on Monday night.

Then he got a phone call: John Russell, his manager at Class AAA Tacoma, told him he was going to hop a red eye and meet the Mariners in Baltimore. Cooper Criswell, their trusty right-handed reliever, had a shoulder strain. An injured list stint might be possible. Davila was going to be summoned to the taxi squad.

He was under the impression his flight left Seattle-Tacoma Airport at 11:50 p.m. So as the food began rolling out around 7:45, he tried to enjoy the dinner.

Instead, a phone call from Russell updated his itinerary: He was flying out at 10:20. Baseball gear needed to be fetched from Cheney Stadium, clothes from a nearby hotel.

“And I was like, 10:20?” Davila recalled. “I’m doing the mental gymnastics of it’s 30 minutes south, and I gotta grab my stuff in Tacoma.”

It’s good to have friends: The Rainiers’ assistant clubhouse manager fetched his stuff from the ballpark and met him at Gate 30, Alaska Airlines. The clothes had to wait. And besides, Davila probably wouldn’t be pitching anyway, right?

That’s what he believed when he and infielder Miles Mastrobuoni landed in Baltimore early Tuesday morning, and he got to his room around 8 a.m., put the blinds up and tried to sleep. He still wasn’t added to the active roster by the time the final bus to Camden Yards left at 2:30 p.m.

And then shortly before game time, Criswell was placed on the IL and he was activated. A gassed bullpen was already in disarray. And then Jose A. Ferrer, the closer for the night, blew a 4-2 lead in the ninth.

After Randy Arozarena smacked a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the 10th, guess who was summoned to save it?

Yep.

“I just couldn't believe I was in the game,” Davila said. “What? This is freaking nuts. I had goosebumps kind of going out there.

“I was like, 'this is not real.'"

And with his first pitch, as Davila put it, “I plunked the dude.”

With the extra-inning auto runner, that put the tying runs on base – and Leody Taveras followed with an RBI single to make it 6-5. Nobody out.

Davila reset.

"Every single pitch I was throwing I was just like, 'You don't want to be anywhere else, but right here, let's execute this pitch to the best of your ability.'"

Good plan: Davila induced a groundout from Coby Mayo, and a grounder to third off Jeremiah Jackson’s bat. Blaze Alexander, the potential tying run, broke for home.

Patrick Wisdom fielded the ball and threw home, wide of the plate and out of Alexander’s path so catcher Mitch Garver could corral it and swipe the tag on Alexander just before the runner’s fingers crossed the plate – confirmed, barely, by replay.

One out away. Garver called a pair of sinkers, and Davila had Tyler O’Neill buried in an 0-2 count.

“And I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m one pitch away,'" Davila said. “But then, you know, there's so many guys that get one pitch away, and then they blow it. So I was like, 'I can't get too ahead of myself.'

"'I gotta make sure I'm in the moment right here.'"

In it and up to it: O’Neill flailed at one more sinker. Davila and the Mariners escaped.

Nick Davila celebrates his first career save with Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

“Nick, to be able to slam the door and get us the W – after a red-eye flight, that’s not easy to do,” manager Dan Wilson said. “I don’t think we draw it up by hitting the first guy. But I thought Wis’ play was outstanding.

“Another great job by Nick – and welcome back.”

Davila had a nice postgame spread to sate his hunger. But the lost dinner a night before still stung, Davila’s best-laid plans coldly stashed away before his eyes as he high-stepped it to Sea-Tac.

Especially the soup dumplings.

“I had one. They were so good,” Davila said. “And then our waitress had to just box it all up, and then I was like, 'this stinks.' And my girlfriend was crying.

“She was like, ‘This is so crazy. What is going on? Our two-year anniversary is ruined.’

“I was like, ‘I'll make it up to you. We’ll figure it out.'"

Davila showed Tuesday night he’s pretty good at that.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nick Davila's wild day ends with Mariners' win vs Orioles