MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Manager Aaron Boone #17 high fives pitcher Yovanny Cruz #96 of the New York Yankees before a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on March 24, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While the Yankees’ bullpen wasn’t a real problem statistically over the first several weeks of the season, its weakness and relative lack of depth have reared their ugly head over the last week or two, blowing multiple inherited leads during a 2-7 road trip that saw the Yanks lose ground to the Rays in the early divisional race.
Well, after overworking said bullpen in the final two days of the Subway Series at Citi Field, the Yankees are adding another arm to the fray, selecting the contract of right-handed reliever Yovanny Cruz and optioning fill-in fifth-starter Elmer Rodríguez back to Triple-A ahead of Monday’s series opener against the rival Blue Jays.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves: • Optioned RHP Elmer Rodríguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. • Signed RHP Yovanny Cruz (#96) to a Major League contract and selected him to the active roster.
This move is the culmination of a tremendous rise for Cruz, whose MLB dreams seemed as far away as ever as recently as this offseason. He originally signed with the Chicago Cubs out of the Dominican Republic in August 2016 and slowly rose through their system, but stagnated after the COVID-19 pandemic due to injuries and struggles with command. He elected free agency after 2023 and bounced from the Padres’ system in 2024 to the Red Sox’s Double-A squad in 2025, pitching to a 3.54 ERA in 89 innings across both seasons, but walking 60 as he struggled to command a high-90s fastball.
After allowing just one run in 18.2 innings with Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, he was invited to Yankees’ spring training this February and lit up the radar gun, turning heads in the stands and in the clubhouse. Aaron Boone suggested he was seriously considered to break camp with the team, but was ultimately assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he’s pitched to a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings with 23 strikeouts to just nine walks.
Cruz’s arsenal is centered around his truly electric fastball, which has touched 102 mph down in Scranton and consistently sits 99, while he complements it with a high-80s slider/cutter and the occasional splitter. His performance has actually waned a bit over the last two weeks after an incredible start, but the Yankees clearly don’t see it as inhibitive towards their belief that he can contribute in the bullpen.
The demotion of Rodríguez is interesting, as he allowed one run in 4.1 innings on Sunday in his third major league start. With no off days in the foreseeable future, the Yankees will need a fifth starter again on Friday against the AL East-leading Rays, and he cannot be recalled without an injury.
Could this be an indication that they’re willing to end Gerrit Cole’s rehab one start earlier than anticipated to make his long-awaited season debut? It doesn’t seem to be getting ruled out.
Yankees still discussing possibility of Cole pitching Friday at the Stadium vs. Rays, per Boone. “It’s on the table” but nothing official yet.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 17: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons during the game during Round Two Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers may be done for the season, but Sixers fans are never out of things to talk about. I’ll share a few in my latest “Sixers thoughts” column…
Tobias Harris showed what he was truly made of in Detroit’s Game 7 loss
As the playoffs progressed, I read so much online about how Tobias Harris received an unfair shake in Philadelphia, how fans here mistreated him and how he shouldn’t be measured up against a contract an incompetent front office handed him.
Harris had some good postseason performances for a 60-win Pistons team this spring, but I just knew the shoe was eventually going to drop and I was going to revel in it. Game 7 on Sunday night, in which a top-seeded Detroit squad lost by 31 points at home to Cleveland, was the exact disaster-class from Harris that Philly could smell coming from a mile away.
In 23 minutes of play, Harris mustered just five points and didn’t make a single shot from the field. It didn’t feel that dissimilar from his final game as a Sixer when he had a whopping zero points as the Knicks sent them home packing in six in the first round back in 2024.
I’ve also come across takes that ask, “Why are you still thinking about Tobias Harris?”
Why wouldn’t I? This is what fans do. This is the nature of sports. You root for the guys on your favorite team. If they disappoint you and leave, you probably don’t wish them well. Add in the national media and fans across the basketball community doing their classic schtick of wondering why Sixers fans were so mean to an individual who contributed nothing meaningful to winning and you’re left with a fairly clear-cut answer.
The Celtics have the history and the banners. The Knicks have Madison Square Garden and the celebrities sitting courtside. The Sixers have… I don’t know. There is no defining characteristic. I mean that in a more solemn way. Everyone’s just angry and I don’t blame us!
On this day 25 years ago…
The Raptors prevailed 101-89 over the Sixers north of the border to force a Game 7 in the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals. It was a rough evening for MVP Allen Iverson, totaling just 20 points while shooting only 25 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Vince Carter dominated for Toronto, dropping 39 points to go with five boards, five assists and four steals.
The series would shift back to South Philadelphia for the finale two days later with the Sixers ultimately winning after Carter missed a would-be game-winning jumper at the buzzer. The Sixers would then go on to face Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals, taking that series in seven games as well.
Some MVP history…
I love immersing myself in basketball history. I find myself looking at the awards voting history on basketball-reference from time to time.
Do you know when the last time a non-Joel Embiid Sixer received a first-place MVP vote was? 2005! Iverson garnered two first-place votes, finishing fifth overall after averaging 30.7 points per game, his fourth and final scoring title. Steve Nash won his first of back-to-back MVPs that season and while I loved watching the brand of basketball those Suns teams played, Shaquille O’Neal was massively robbed for his effort that season, his first in Miami.
Who should be the Sixers’ new lead basketball executive?
I’m certainly not saying it will happen, but the answer very much should be Vince Rozman. Rozman as president of basketball operations with Jameer Nelson as general manager? I’m in.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 16: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 16, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the second time this season, the San Diego Padres swept the Seattle Mariners. They did so in terrific fashion, outscoring their opponents 17-7. It was production the Friars desperately needed before heading into tonight’s series against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lucas Giolito had an encouraging debut. He pitched five innings of one-hit ball before emerging for the sixth and failing to record an out. And, to be honest, it wasn’t totally his fault. Colt Emerson was walked on a ball four call that caught some of the plate. But, after that, the command fell off a bit and Giolito loaded the bases on three walks.
Yuki Matsui limited the damage, but not by much. The lefty gave up a walk to force in a run before allowing consecutive sacrifice flys to make the score, 7-3. He finally got out of the inning by striking out Cole Young.
But the story of the game (and the series) was Gavin Sheets’ incredible offense. That was apparent more so in this game than anywhere else, as the slugger went 3-for-3 with two walks, two homers and four RBIs. The Friars will need him to keep that up if they hope to beat the rival Los Angeles Dodgers this week.
Taking the mound
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) v. Michael King (SD)
Yamamoto pitched great at the beginning of the year but has looked slightly worse for wear in his recent starts. He’s given up 15 runs in his last four outings. That’s still good for a 3.60 ERA, but he’ll be looking to right the ship after surrendering a season-high five runs to the San Francisco Giants in his last outing.
Limiting hard contact has been the biggest problem for Yamamoto. He allowed five home runs in that four-game span. In his last start he gave up three to the Giants. The Padres have faced him before and struggled but could take advantage of his recent trouble tonight.
King, on the other hand, has been fantastic this season. It’s been a return to normalcy after an injury-plagued 2025 season. He boasts a 2.63 ERA across nine starts.
Ironically, the name of the game has been limiting hard contact. King has only allowed four homers all year. It will be interesting to watch what happens when the slug-happy Dodgers lineup faces him tonight.
Batter up!
The lineup has worked well the last few days, and it seems likely that manager Craig Stammen will stick with it. Fernando Tatis Jr. has played a ton of second base. But the club may want him in the outfield for his defense against L.A.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Miguel Andujar, DH
Manny Machado, 3B
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Jackson Merrill, CF
Ramón Laureano, LF
Sung-Mun Song, 2B
Rodolfo Durán, C
Sheets had himself a fantastic road trip, batting .625/.739/1.438 with a 2.177 OPS. Those almost feel fictional, but he’s really been that elite. The breakout is hopefully here to stay for this series.
Machado has swung a cold bat lately, but could return tonight against Yamamoto. The third baseman owns a .375 batting average and 1.194 OPS in his career against the right-hander (8 at-bats).
Relief corps
With Giolito’s debut going just about as well as it could have, the Friars only needed to use two of their relievers. Matsui and Bradgley Rodriguez covered the final four innings (two apiece), not allowing a hit and striking out five.
That leaves plenty available for game on against the Dodgers, with Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Ron Marinaccio, Adrian Morejon, Wandy Peralta and closer Mason Miller all fresh. All but Marinaccio and Peralta are high-leverage options that will likely be used tonight if the game is close.
Stephen A. Smith didn't mince words while responding to Jaylen Brown after the Celtics star's "f--k Stephen A" rant during a Twitch livestream on Saturday.
Stephen A. Smith didn’t mince words while responding to Jaylen Brown after the Celtics star’s “f–k Stephen A” rant during a Twitch livestream Sunday.
During Monday’s installment of “First Take” on ESPN, Smith didn’t back down in their feud — which dates back to the end of Boston’s season after blowing a 3-1 series lead to the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs — and claimed “the list goes on” of things he could report about Brown.
“But in the end, Jaylen Brown be careful what you wish for,” Smith said. “You really want me to start reporting on that level? You understand? Locker room, how the organization might think about you, how the city may feel about you, how Jayson Tatum may or may not feel about you, sneaker deals, endorsement deals, the list goes on and on.
Stephen A Smith sends a warning shot at Jaylen Brown after his ‘f*ck Stephen A’ comments
“Jaylen Brown be careful what you wish for. You really want me to start reporting on that level? You understand? Locker room, how the organization might think about you, how the city may… pic.twitter.com/AXbWAXmNAZ
“The season is over bro. You’re on Twitch trying to do what I do and talking about me needing to step away. It makes no sense.
“I’m not being disrespectful. I’m simply making the point that it is not wise after 24 hours of having your season over in the first round, for you to be coming out talking about that is your favorite season. It ain’t the smartest thing in the world to do.
“You’re talking about clickbait and all of that stuff, somebody told you, one of the best ways to get it is to bring up my name and that’s what you did. So who’s really looking for clickbait? Is it me or is it you?”
Stephen A. Smith responded to Jaylen Brown after the Celtics star’s “f–k Stephen A” rant during a Twitch livestream. XCeltics star Jaylen Brown went off on Stephen A. Smith during a Twitch livestream on Saturday May 16, 2026. X
“F–k Stephen A,” Brown said, according to video clips from the Saturday stream. “Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C. Like my offer still stands: You want me to be quiet and stop streaming, well I want you to be quiet and get off these networks. Because you’re not using your platform to do real journalism.”
Warning: Adult Language
Celtics star Jaylen Brown goes OFF on Stephen A Smith for questioning why Jayson Tatum wasn’t on his stream and making his own narratives about why the 2025-2026 Celtics season was JB’s favorite
“What type of journalism is this?… F*CK Stephen A… My offer still wants. You… pic.twitter.com/XAqaJ6YJYZ
Their rift stems from Smith’s remarks when he said earlier this month that it wasn’t a good look that Brown said in a separate livestream that this was his “favorite” season of his career after Boston’s first-round playoff exit.
At the time, Smith urged Brown to “be quiet” and “go on vacation” unless he was trying to get traded.
The Celtics were two years removed from a championship and without their star forward Jayson Tatum, who was working his way back from a torn Achilles, this season.
Brown was tasked with carrying much of the load before Tatum’s return.
He was also fined $50,000 for criticizing referees while on a livestream following the Celtics’ season-ending loss to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives past Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter of Game 7 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 2, 2026. Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Brown recorded a career-best 28.7 points per game during the regular season and made a fourth consecutive All-Star Game.
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The highly anticipated Western Conference Finals begin tonight, May 18, as the San Antonio Spurs head to Oklahoma City to take on the reigning NBA champion OKC Thunder.
The clash marks the first time since 1998 that two 62-win teams have met in the playoffs, promising a spectacular battle of young talent and elite defense.
The top-seeded Thunder enter Game 1 with a perfect 8-0 postseason record after completing back-to-back sweeps of the Suns in Round 1 and Lakers in Round 2. They’ll face a Spurs squad that has won eight of their last eleven games and boasts a dominant 4-1 regular-season record against Oklahoma City this year.
NBA Western conference finals: what to know
What: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: May 18, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Channel: NBC
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
The primary headline of the series centers on Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren in what has quickly become the league’s most exciting young rivalry, and while two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a battle-tested, defending champion Thunder squad with home-court advantage, the Spurs’ elite rim protection and defensive schemes give them an opportunity to slow the game down.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
You can also stream the NBA playoffs with a subscription to Peacock, which costs $16.99/month after a seven-day free trial.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
Tonight the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres will write the final chapter in what has been an exciting, back-and-forth series.
Let's take a look at three strong Canadiens vs. Sabres goal scorer prediction candidates with my NHL picks for Monday, May 18, highlighted by Cole Caufield.
Canadiens vs Sabres goal scorer predictions for Game 7
Player to score a goal
Odds
Juraj Slafkovsky
+215
Alex Tuch
+215
Cole Caufield
+150
💲Goal scorer parlay: Juraj Slafkovsky, Alex Tuch, Cole Caufield
+1300
Goal scorer pick: Juraj Slafkovsky (+215)
Juraj Skafkovsky ranks second on the Montreal Canadiens with 3.13 expected goals, and nobody on the team has generated more high-danger opportunities.
Of the six Canadiens with 1.7 xG or more, Slafkovsky is the only one without multiple goals.
He proved this season how efficient he can be at finishing plays off around the net, scoring 30 times while converting at a very healthy 16.8% clip.
Compare that to this series, where he has converted on just 5.26% of his shots. That is the lowest rate among Montreal's Top 9 forwards in shots on goal in the second round.
The Buffalo Sabres have the worst team SV% of any side still playing, and Slafkovsky remains a likely candidate to take advantage.
Goal scorer pick: Alex Tuch (+215)
Alex Tuch has been everywhere in this series. He leads the Sabres in shot attempts, shots on goal, scoring chances, and has played more than any other forward on the roster.
He's generated breakaways, slot chances, rebound opportunities, and absolutely nothing has gone in for him. To say that is abnormal is an understatement.
Tuch converted on 16.92% of his shots during the regular season and has posted a 16.50 SH% or better in three of the past four years. He is an excellent and opportunistic finisher.
Jack Quinn was going through a similar dry spell for the Sabres and broke out in a big way, scoring two goals in a blowout Game 6 victory.
Tuch will have chances to do the same against Jakub Dobes, who has allowed 12 goals over his last three games and has started to look human.
Goal scorer pick: Cole Caufield (+150)
Remember when Cole Caufield couldn't buy a goal? He flipped that script in a hurry and is suddenly red-hot.
The NHL's second-leading goal scorer has found the back of the net in three of the past four games, and leads all Canadiens in scoring chances this series with 22 through six games.
He's averaged 6.2 shot attempts over his past five games after recording five or fewer four times in the five-game segment prior.
The uptick in volume makes him very dangerous, especially given Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen's leaky play. He ranks last among remaining goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Expected during the playoffs and has found himself in and out of the net as a result.
If he's not at the top of the game, Caufield will take advantage.
Canadiens vs Sabres anytime goal parlay (+1300)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder kick off the premier matchup of these NBA playoffs on Monday, May 17.
Victor Wembanyama & Co. will give OKC more trouble than it's seen to date, and our Spurs vs. Thunder same-game parlay is eyeing a gritty, tightly-contested opening game.
The San Antonio Spurs have the NBA's best defensive rating for the playoffs at 102.2. The Oklahoma City Thunder are no slouches, either, ranking sixth at 109.3. The best defense in the game against another that hasn't had to break much of a sweat is ripe for a low-scoring opening salvo.
SGP leg #1: Spurs +6.5
No team gave the Thunder fits in the regular season like the Spurs did. San Antonio is the only team in the NBA that finished with a winning record over OKC this year, going 4-1 in the matchup. While that familiarity won't guarantee a win here, this will be a tight game that goes down to the wire
SGP leg #1: Victor Wembanyama Over 13.5 rebounds
Victor Wembanyama has recorded 14+ rebounds in five of his last six games with at least 20 minutes played. Game 1 against the Thunder should be close, and Wemby’s rebounding will be needed against the Thunder’s two-headed monster of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Get Zak Hanshew's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Spurs vs Thunder predictions for Game 1.
More Covers NBA Playoff content
NBA Championship odds
Stay up-to-date with the latest NBA Championship odds for each remaining team, as well as NBA title splits, betting trends, and the previous list of teams that have won the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
NBA Finals MVP odds
See what the current line movement and updates are in the NBA Finals MVP odds race, along with Finals MVP betting trends, favorite analysis, and recent superstars to receive this award.
Live NBA Playoff bracket
Never lose track of where each series sits with our live NBA Playoff bracket, as well as the updated prices for each team to win their respective series — round by round.
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A quick update on the Florida Panthers goaltending situation as the Stanley Cup Playoffs move into the conference finals.
We know that as of now, the Panthers do not have any NHL goaltenders under contract for the upcoming season.
Longtime starting netminder Sergei Bobrovsky is an unrestricted free agent now that the seven-year, $70 million contract he signed with Florida back in 2019 has expired.
Bobrovsky, who will be 38 on Opening Night, is reportedly looking for a decent-sized payday on what will likely be his final contract in the NHL.
During his seven seasons in South Florida, Bobrovsky led the Panthers to the playoffs in six of those years, backstopping the Cats to three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances from 2023 to 2025 and back-to-back championships during the two latter trips.
He’s beloved in the locker room, with many of his teammates coming to bat for him during the past several months when the topic of his expiring contract came up, often expressing their feelings about his importance to the team and how crucial he is to their future success.
“We can’t lose him,” Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said following Florida’s final regular season game last month. “He’s our guy. He’s gonna get us back to where we want to be. The most important piece of our team the last few years, what he’s done. It’s just the character, the work ethic, the drive. He sets the tone, whether it’s off ice or on ice. I don’t care what age he is, he is the backbone of this team. If we’re gonna get back there, we’re probably gonna need him.”
That begs the question that if Bobrovsky is such a team-first guy, wouldn’t he fall in line with what every other Panthers player who signed a term contract has done before him?
Go down the list…every player who has agreed to an extension with the Panthers has signed a team-friendly deal for less than what they likely would’ve been offered on the open market.
Despite his age, Bobrovsky would still likely fetch a pretty penny if he wanted to test the free agent waters and see what kind of bidding war he could start up.
That’s a big if, though.
Bobrovsky enjoys living in South Florida and reportedly wants to stay there. It’s where he and his wife have welcomed their first two children in recent years, becoming more ingrained in the community and enjoying all the perks living in a tropical climate has to offer.
Should it continue to play out that Bobrovsky is seeking a bigger payday than what the Panthers are looking to hand out, it would make sense that Florida General Manager Bill Zito and his staff explore other potential options to backstop the Cup contending Cats.
One of those options could be one of the top goaltenders in the world.
Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck made it clear during his exit interview with the media that he was not pleased, calling his team’s performance last season unacceptable and saying things had to change if they were going to become elite.
Hellebuyck has won quite a few hockey games during his 11 seasons in the NHL, including three Vezina Trophies; in 2020, 2024 and 2025.
He’ll be 33 on opening night (his birthday is Tuesday, actually), and has five years remaining on his current contract that pays an average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million.
Now if any team is equipped to evaluate an aging goaltender, you would think it’s the Panthers.
So where does that leave us?
Well, the main questions from a Florida perspective are whether Hellebuyck is looking for an exit from Winnipeg and, if so, would the Panthers be interested in exploring a trade.
The Hellebuyck element of that proposition is still yet to be known.
As for the Panthers’ side, THN Florida has learned that the team has had internal discussions regarding acquiring the veteran goaltender, and that should it turn out Hellebuyck is available, interest would be high in obtaining his services.
To be fair, none of that should be Earth-shattering information.
The Panthers currently have a need for goaltending so it makes sense they would be on top of exploring all the best possible options.
It’s called due diligence.
We’ll see how things play out between the Panthers and Bobrovsky’s camp in the coming weeks, and if the temperature cools on the Hellebuyck situation in Winnipeg.
NHL Insider David Pagnotta recently reported that there has been increasing chatter around the league regarding Hellebuyck’s availability.
“There are a lot of people around the league now that are starting to talk, and there is some speculation within the league that there may be an opportunity, there may be a play to make for Connor Hellebuyck,” Pagnotta said Friday on the DFO Rundown Insider Edition with Irfaan Gaffar. “He’s got full control. The Jets have to do nothing. I’m not saying the Jets are trying to trade him, that’s not the case. They love him and they want to keep him there for the duration of his contract; they want to win with him.”
Pagnotta went to say that there are teams around the league who believe there may be an opportunity to explore a possible trade, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Jets will feel the same way if and when those calls come in.
Winnipeg is one season removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy and has a roster full of talent, so unless Hellebuyck wants out, it would make sense that they would want to continue pushing for a Stanley Cup while adding to the core that they’ve built, not taking away a massive piece.
So yeah, there are a lot of moving parts, and we’re only discussing two goaltenders.
There is a lot that can happen between now, the NHL Draft at the end of the next month, and free agency which begins a few days later on July 1.
Photo captions: Jan 12, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)
Apr 9, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) looks on during the second period against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center. (Jeff Curry-Imagn Images)
The long wait is over. The Knicks’ springtime sojourn waiting for the Cleveland Cavaliers to dispatch the Detroit Pistons so they can commence the Eastern Conference Finals ends on Tuesday night, after New York went nine days without a game.
But the long layoff presents challenges for the Knicks and head coach Mike Brown. Asked if he’s worried about complacency, his team losing its sharpness, or being a step slow, the head coach said, “You worry about all those things.”
“But at the end of the day, we’ve had the chance to rest, too,” Brown said. “And they’ve had to play 14 games in 29, 30 days. So, it could go either way. You just hope when we step out there, our competitive spirit is at an extremely high level and we don’t ease into the game at all.
“Because they’re a dangerous, dangerous offensive team, they’re very potent with their shooters and playmakers and they have size and toughness and all that.”
Josh Hart added that the break – a roughly 218-hour interlude – is something they would rather not have to deal with, but it did offer them a chance to reset.
“Obviously, you'd rather not have a 9-day break – you're in a good rhythm, then you've kinda got to sit there and wait,” Hart said. “Ideally, if it was a three- or four-day break, that would've been nice. Good points and bad points [to the rest].”
During the time off, the Knicks did get a big boost as OG Anunoby, who missed the final two games of the sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, was a full participant in practice yet again on Monday and looks set to return to action from a hamstring issue. Brown had no other injury issues to report.
Attacking Cavs
“I remember back in the day when I was with [Greg Popovich], Pop said you need three All-Stars to win a championship. Well, they’ve got four,” Brown said of the Cavs’ trio of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen that was boosted with James Harden’s coming over in an early February trade. “[Harden] has added a dimension to their team that not many teams have.
“Not many teams can say, 'Hey we have four All-Stars on our roster,' and that fourth guy is a playmaker and a scorer. That’s a problem when you have that and Donovan Mitchell and everybody else and then they have the shooting.”
But, even with the importance of Mitchell and Harden to the Cavs’ offense, Brown said the Knicks have to be “conscious of trying to play the right way against this group.”
“We have to put pressure on them in all phases, starting with transition and ending with the ability to try and get an offensive rebound,” he said. “You wanna make all of their guys, especially their guys that playmake for them and do a lot for them, you wanna make them work as much as you can.
“But that’s not gonna be our vocal point. Our vocal point is going to be to take the best possible shot that we can get because it’s hard to score in the playoffs. But we do wanna make those guys work.”
Leaning on MSG
With the No. 1 Pistons eliminated, the Knicks have home-court advantage for the series, something that the players will look to use to their advantage.
"It means the world to me," Brunson said. "This place has done wonders for myself and my family. I don't take it for granted, not one bit."
Hart added that Knicks fans always come out and "show love," and MSG is "definitely the best atmosphere in the league."
"You always want to be at home, be in the Garden," he continued. "And you feed off of that energy. It's fun. When the Garden is going, especially during this time, there's nothing like it."
Of course, New York is also back home for Mitchell.
“Yeah it’s great I get to play at home, woo, but it doesn’t matter,” the Cavs' star said. “We’ve got to be locked in and ready to go, and I know we will be.”
After making five starts with Double-A Binghamton to start the 2026 season, Thornton moved up to Triple-A Syracuse, where he’s made two starts and pitched to a 2.25 ERA.
"He earned it," Mendoza said. "The way he’s been throwing the ball, especially at the Triple-A level. We like him as a lefty against this lineup. His ability to throw strikes, his pitchability.
"There were a lot of names, Jonah [Tong]was one of them obviously, but in the end we decided to go with Zach."
With Kodai Senga and Holmes on the IL, the Mets needed to fill a spot in the rotation. For now, the five-man group includes Freddy Peralta, McLean, Christian Scott, Thornton [potentially with an opener], and David Peterson, who has been pitching in a bulk reliever role with an opener in front of him.
Mendoza said that the Mets will take things "one outing at a time" with Thornton before deciding whether or not he stays in the majors.
The 25-year-old Madar has extensive pro basketball experience overseas and was the 2023 EuroLeague Rising Star playing for Partizan Belgrade. He's also played for Haopel Tel Aviv (Israel), Fenerbache (Turkey) and Bayern Munich (Germany).
Per Mozzart Sport, "Madar has been dissatisfied with the treatment at Hapoel for some time, during the quarterfinal with Real he was given a total of 10 minutes and he played less than five minutes in the second game and a little more than six minutes in the fourth game. That's why going to the NCAA turned out to be a great solution for him."
Per Sports Illustrated's Kevin Sweeney, Madar's eligibility would "come as a result of exemptions for military service as well as national team participation, which can provide another avenue for a permissible year of delayed enrollment."
The point guard was drafted No. 47 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and played on the Celtics' 2021 Summer League team before returning overseas.
Wade's roster build in his return to Baton Rouge has been a slow burn. It took weeks for the former NC State coach to land his first transfer commitment, but has since added small forward Mouhamed Dioubate (Kentucky), combo guard Divine Ugochukwi (Michigan State) and shooting guard Abdi Bashir Jr. (Kansas State)
Yam Madar age: How old is Yam Madar?
Madar is 25 years old and will turn 26 during the 2026-27 season (Dec. 21).
When did Celtics take Yam Madar in NBA Draft?
Madar was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft (pick No. 47 overall). He played with the Celtics Summer League team in 2021.
Two days after calling right-handed pitcher Joey Gerber up from Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets have optioned him back to Syracuse and called up fellow right-handed reliever Daniel Duarte to replace him on the team’s active roster. Gerber did not get into either of the two games for which he was with the big league club, and Duarte exercised an upward mobility clause in his contract that forced the Mets to either call him up or risk losing him to another organization.
To make room for Duarte on the 40-man roster, the Mets transferred left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the 60-day injured list, a distinction that won’t have any effect on the veteran’s ability to return to the team if and when he proves to be healthy and effective.
Duarte last pitched in the big leagues in 2024 with the Twins, and he’s thrown a total of 38.1 innings as a major league player, the vast majority of which came with the Reds in 2023. In total, he has a 3.99 ERA and a 6.11 FIP as a major league pitcher, as he’s walked nearly as many batters as he’s struck out while surrendering too many home runs.
In 17.1 innings with Syracuse so far this year, Duarte has a 2.60 ERA and a 4.21 FIP with a 19.7 percent strikeout rate and a 12.7 percent walk rate. Given the Mets’ reluctance to remove Craig Kimbrel or Sean Manaea from their active roster to this point, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see Duarte removed from the roster within the next day or two as the Mets continue to churn fringe pitchers.
The “NBA on Prime Video” broadcast announced Sunday night that Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had won his second consecutive MVP award – the only problem was ESPN’s Shams Charania had made the announcement almost 12 hours prior.
Many in the basketball world, from tv personalities to players, had thoughts on the situation, with Warriors star forward Draymond Green being one of them.
“I think the NBA has to do something about that,” Green said on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show.” “Like, ultimately, you’re the NBA. You control the media. Shams is an NBA reporter with ESPN, who is a partner of the NBA. To tweet at six o’clock in the morning who the NBA MVP is, it’s actually embarrassing.”
Draymond on SGA Winning MVP, Shams Leaking It, And SGA/Wemby Matchup Tonight
“Shams leaked it, it's actually embarrassing, it makes our league look like we have no organization, like that's child's play… It's the conference finals, you (Wemby) got all the motivation you need,… pic.twitter.com/vMGsXsCaQz
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) May 18, 2026
“I thought that was pretty pathetic, if I’m being honest,” Green added.
While some were upset, Charania joined “The Pat McAfee Show” and defended his actions, explaining that he believed he had a responsibility to report the news – even if it comes before a scheduled release.
“This is a massive story,” Charania said. “And when I get it, I vet it. And then my job is to report the news. And so that’s all I focus on. That’s what I wake up thinking about. That’s what I go to sleep thinking about.”
"When I have big news I'm gonna report it..
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning back to back MVPs is a massive story..
However, Green had a different belief when it came to the premature release of the news.
“It makes our league look like we have no organization,” Green said. “… Like we can’t hold the winner of the most prestigious individual award in the NBA, we can’t hold those results until it’s actually time to be announced. That was a little disappointing.
“There’s no way that can happen. If there’s supposed to be an announcement on Amazon Prime, the announcement has to happen on Amazon Prime. This is something Commissioner [Adam] Silver has to do something about. This this can’t happen.”
Nicolas Roy spent six seasons building a life in Las Vegas. A Stanley Cup championship. Deep playoff runs. Friendships that still matter. But when the puck drops Wednesday night at Ball Arena, none of that carries much weight anymore — because the former Golden Knight now stands directly in Vegas’ path to another Final.
The Colorado Avalanche forward will open the Western Conference Final against the franchise where he became a trusted playoff piece, and while the memories remain, the loyalties are temporarily shelved.
“Just how it goes,” Roy said as Colorado prepared for Game 1 against Vegas. “The excitement’s already pretty high.”
From Surprise Trade To Colorado Fit
Roy’s offseason exit from Vegas came suddenly.
The 29-year-old was dealt to Toronto in last summer’s blockbuster trade that sent Mitch Marner to the Golden Knights, a move Roy admitted caught him off guard.
“As a player, you expect (a trade like this) more at the deadline than right there in the middle of the summer,” said Roy, who’s currently renting out his Las Vegas home to a Golden Knights player. “But again, you never know. It’s part of the business. It can happen at any given day. I just got surprised a little by it.”
Marner has delivered exactly what Vegas hoped for, leading the club with 18 playoff points — seven goals and 11 assists — through series victories over Utah and Anaheim.
Roy’s stay in Toronto, meanwhile, didn’t last long.
After recording five goals and 15 assists in 59 games with the Maple Leafs, he was moved again at the March 5 deadline, this time to Colorado in exchange for draft picks.
The transition could have been awkward. Instead, it’s looked seamless.
Roy has quietly become one of Colorado’s most dependable depth forwards during this postseason, contributing three goals and three assists through the opening two rounds while fitting naturally into Jared Bednar’s structure.
“All the other guys here made it so easy from the first day,” Roy said. “The coaches did a good job with me, of letting me know how to play the system. The guys talk to me a lot on the ice as well.”
Bednar said the Avalanche coaching staff revisited plenty of film from Roy’s Vegas tenure — including the Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup run — to better understand how to maximize his game.
“We tried to figure out how we would deploy him, and could we get him back to playing as well or better than he did in Vegas. Because he was a highly effective player for them,” Bednar said. “The one thing that I’ve been impressed with is his patience with the puck. He never throws the puck away. ... He's got a lot of patience for a guy with the production that he has.”
That patience already produced one massive moment for Colorado.
Roy scored the overtime winner in Game 2 of the Avalanche’s first-round sweep over the Los Angeles Kings, marking the second playoff OT goal of his career.
“I’m in a great situation right now,” said Roy, a 2015 fourth-round pick by Carolina who appeared in just seven games with the Hurricanes before eventually finding his footing in Vegas. “Just trying to keep doing my best.”
Inside Knowledge, No Extra Emotion
If anyone inside Colorado’s locker room understands Vegas’ tendencies, systems, and habits, it’s Roy.
Even with John Tortorella replacing Bruce Cassidy behind the bench, much of the Golden Knights’ identity remains familiar to him. So do the players — from Mark Stone and Jack Eichel to longtime linemate Keegan Kolesar.
“Obviously, I know their system and I know a little bit their player tendencies, as they know mine," Roy said. “I don’t think it’s a big advantage. The game is just so fast, you don’t want to overthink, you just want to play your game.”
Roy remembers all too well what Vegas did to Colorado in 2021, when the Golden Knights stormed back from a 2-0 series deficit in the second round to eliminate the Avalanche in six games.
This time, though, the perspective has changed.
Now he’s wearing burgundy and blue instead of gold.
And standing four wins away from another trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 4: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to pass the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 4, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s a big day for the Spurs as they kick off their first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2017, and it’s against none other than an old rival who has given the Spurs a few very tough tests in their short existence in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Going up against the defending champions without homecourt advantage and with an unproven roster is daunting, and it’s easy to start getting nervous when you start really crunching the numbers. However, I’m choosing to look at the this serious from an optimistic view, and here is where I’m at:
1. The Spurs beat OKC in the regular season by daring average-ish shooters to shoot. This has already been pointed out, but here’s a short summary of the strategy: Wemby completely abandons Caruso, Dort, and others in the corner to guard the glass. I don’t think this is a sustainable strategy- I wouldn’t bet on Caruso to miss 10 wide open 3s this series, much less in an individual game. I thought the Wolves would be better equipped to exploit the Spurs use of Wemby zoning down low with Naz Reid, in particular, in the corner. But they never really leaned on that heavily enough. If we stick with that defensive strategy, OKC will find a way to exploit it. If we don’t have a clean counter, that could lead to OKC in 7, either through their main rotation players shooting better, or by dropping them from the rotation and playing guys like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, as JG points out. But the latter has downstream effects that I’ll discuss later.
2. Both teams are noticeably improved since they played in the regular season. The Thunder added more depth and versatility, and shooting, by adding McCain and providing a bigger role to Ajay Mitchell.
Meanwhile, the Spurs added more shooting, depth, and versatility through exponential internal growth. Even if Castle is an average to slightly above average shooter, instead of the elite shooter he’s been in the playoffs, that is a drastic swing in the Spurs favor. Most of our losses came from both not shooting well, and not shooting enough from distance. Castle, Harper, and Bryant all demonstrating improvement and confidence is a big change in our favor (each improved over 10 percentage points from January-on).
I give the Spurs a significant edge here, because it means we don’t have to mess with our rotation or our rhythm to get it on the floor- there’s no change in confidence. If there is foul trouble or an injury, guys like Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet know who they are and what they can do and they don’t get impacted by shifts like the Thunder benching someone would. If the shooting holds up or stays slightly above average, the Spurs are well equipped to thoroughly handle OKC- we’re looking at a Spurs in 5 or 6 type scenario like against the Wolves.
If both of the above are true, that OKC is capable of exploiting the Spurs primary defensive strategy and our counterpunch will be less effective; while simultaneously we’ve experienced massive sustained internal development, then I would predict fireworks and offensive explosions and Spurs in 7, because not enough has changed in the Thunder’s favor.
Some other keys
1. Stephon Castle’s turnovers and fouls. If he’s taking care of the ball and on the floor, the Spurs win. I would think of it this way: “if Castle has as many assists and made 3s as fouls and turnovers, Spurs win; if he fouls out or has more than 4-5 turnovers, we lose”.
2. Wemby discipline. While JG points out “the little things”, I would point more specifically to Wemby’s discipline. If he is overaggressive going for blocks, it’s going to open up a lot for OKC- high variance type plays that would favor the Thunder. If he doesn’t handle their physicality and cheap shots, it’s a big win for OKC. If he starts to force things and turns the ball over or takes bad shots, it’s a big win for OKC. He has to be mentally and physically prepared to be near perfect on both ends and stay available for 36 minutes per game.
3. Can Keldon, Kornet, and Harper get even close to winning non-Wemby minutes? The benches will be big deciding factors. The Spurs had a minus 31 net rating in 107 minutes versus OKC in minutes where Kornet was the only big on the floor. Now, some caveats: Kornet was starting for many of those minutes, and Wemby was coming off the bench recovering from injury. Wemby hopefully won’t find himself on a minutes restriction this series, so there should be fewer non-Wemby minutes to lose. But we need to lose them by significantly less than we did during the regular season to have confidence. If Kornet and the bench group can have a neutral net rating, I would have a lot of confidence the Spurs can win and win big.
Final prediction: Spurs in 6.
I think Steph will control his turnovers, and I think he will be diligent in showing his hands and trying to avoid fouls on SGA. There will be a game or two that get away in both aspects. Wemby will force some things on offense and chase some blocks to overcompensate, and we’ll blow a game or two not having enough to overcome it. But for the other four games, Steph continues his leap. We’re disciplined, execute, and get enough shooting from Steph, Harper, and others to keep the floor spaced out. Tony dominates Fisher, Wemby dominates Chet.
(@ItsKingSlime) 
Juraj Slafkovsky
Alex Tuch
