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Lakers vs. Warriors Preview: No Luka, no Steph

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Lakers homestand continues on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles looks to tie the season series against their Pacific Division foe.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors

When: 5:30 p.m. PT, Feb. 7

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: ABC

The Lakers’ recent victory over the Philadelphia 76ers was a quality win. Not only did they beat a team with an above .500 record, but they also had a good day in the Western Conference standings. The teams above and below them in the standings — specifically the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns — both lost, making the win over Philadelphia even more impactful.

Unfortunately, though, LA lost Luka Dončić to a leg injury in the same game. It is reportedly not considered a major injury. However, Dončić has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Warriors, similar to Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who both are nursing their own injuries as well.

So that means that the second game between the Lakers and Warriors this season will once again feature an incomplete cast just like the season opener.

That said, the purple and gold will still have LeBron James — who missed the season debut against the Warriors — as well as Austin Reaves, who will take charge of the offense with Dončić out.

What the Lakers looked like in the second half against the Sixers will pretty much be how they will be in the midst of Dončić’s absence. LA is still a tough team to beat, especially when Reaves is playing like an All-Star and with James doing the same. On top of that, they’ve also had the 11th-best defense in the NBA over the last 10 games, and it’d be nice if they can keep that up.

The Warriors team that the Lakers will see on Saturday may be without two of their best players, but they’re still a very scrappy unit. They outplayed the Suns in the clutch in their last game, completing a comeback victory. Expect them to play their brand of basketball, which involves the usual motion offense, lots of 3-point attempts (they lead the league in that) and a pesky defense.

This game could also be Luke Kennard’s first one as a Laker. He is currently listed as questionable, as the trade is still pending. His 3-point shooting would give the purple and gold an additional boost.

Despite some star power missing, expect this Lakers-Warriors matchup to still have some extra intensity. Let’s see if LA can use their home crowd to ignite them to a win on Saturday.

Notes and Updates

  • For the Lakers’ injury report, Luka Kennard (trade pending) is currently listed as questionable.
  • Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) and Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) are out.
  • As for the Warriors, Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome), Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation), Li Cryer (left hamstring injury) and Jimmy Butler (right ACL tear) are out.
  • Brandon Podziemski (illness) is probable.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

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Steph Curry to miss game against Lakers

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 5: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 5, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Diagnosed with what is being called as “patellofemoral pain syndrome,” or commonly known as runner’s knee, Steph Curry will miss the Golden State Warriors’ Saturday’s marquee matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Also absent will be Luka Dončić, who is nursing a hamstring injury.

Curry told ESPN’s Anthony Slater that his recovery is progressing.

“It’s trending in the right direction,” Curry said. “It’s different than last year, but something that will heal.”

While the Warriors have continued to list Curry as day-to-day, there is no indication that Curry is trending toward a return any time soon.

“It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise,” Curry said. “Because it’s still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain. It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage, but it’s something where, if I come back too early, it could flare up.”

Curry is set to miss his 14th game of the season, which would put him close to missing the 65-game threshold that is a requirement for inclusion in an All-NBA Team. Should Curry end up ineligible, it would be the first time since the injury-shortened 2019-20 season that he will not be part of an All-NBA Team, and only the fifth time in his career that he will not be included.

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Hutcherson scores 19 and No. 23 Princeton women beat Penn 69-50 for 16th straight series victory

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Olivia Hutcherson had 19 points, seven rebounds and five steals, Skye Belker had 16 points and four 3-pointers, and No. 23 Princeton beat Pennsylvania 69-50 on Friday night for its 16th straight victory in the series.

The Tigers have never lost to Penn in the Carla Berube era (14-0).

Princeton trailed 30-28 at halftime before scoring 24 points in the third quarter to take a nine-point lead. The Tigers started the fourth on an 11-3 run to make it 63-46.

Madison St. Rose added 15 points and six assists for Princeton (19-2, 7-1 Ivy League), which improved to 9-1 at home this season. The Tigers have won 17 of their last 18 games.

Mataya Gayle and Simone Sawyer each scored 16 points for Penn (13-8, 3-5). Tina Njike grabbed 10 rebounds to go with nine points.

The Quakers ended the first half on a 13-2 run to take the lead. Hutcherson made a free throw with 7:40 left in the third to give Princeton the lead for good at 35-34.

Up next

Penn: Has a week off before playing at Cornell on Feb. 13.

Princeton: Plays at Columbia on Feb. 13.

___

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Lakers rule out Luka Doncic vs Warriors. How long will he miss?

Luka Doncic injured in Lakers game vs. 76ers

Luka Doncic and the Lakers appeared to have dodged a worst-case scenario after the star guard had an early exit from Thursday night’s home win over the 76ers. 

Doncic was ruled out for Saturday’s prime-time game against the Warriors. On Friday, coach JJ Redick said Doncic would have an MRI after dealing with soreness in his left hamstring. 

This can be taken as a positive sign because the team typically announces updates when a player is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks due to injury.

Luka Doncic and the Lakers appeared to have dodged a worst-case scenario after exiting Thursday’s game early. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Doncic was ruled out for Saturday’s prime-time game against the Warriors. NBA on ESPN / YouTube

ESPN also reported Friday that there’s optimism Doncic isn’t dealing with a “major” left hamstring injury.

That’s good news for the Lakers and Doncic, especially after he kicked the scorer’s table out of frustration on his way to the locker room as he was leaving Thursday’s game. 

But even though Doncic avoided a major injury, there’s still uncertainty about his status.

Day to day? 

A week?

Longer, with All-Star weekend just a week away and the Lakers’ first game after the break not until Feb. 20?

But even though Doncic avoided a major injury, there’s still uncertainty about his status. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Clarity to those questions likely won’t come until Redick’s pregame media availability Saturday afternoon. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Clarity to those questions likely won’t come until Redick’s pregame media availability Saturday afternoon, though it appears a potential Doncic absence would be short term. 

The Lakers have shown multiple times they’re equipped to at least tread water when they’re without one of their star players.

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Austin Reaves, just two games back from a 19-game absence due to a strained left calf, once again showed Thursday how vital he is to the Lakers – even with Doncic and LeBron James on the roster.

Reaves scored his 35 points in the final three quarters against the 76ers, including 21 in the second half, leading the Lakers to a 14-point comeback victory during a half without Doncic. 

And he did it in a variety of ways.

Drives to the basket past 76ers athletic defenders. Catch-and-shoot and pull-up 3-pointers regardless of how tightly he was defended. And while Reaves came off the bench and played on a minutes restriction against the 76ers, how he played showed he’s getting his rhythm back after being sidelined for so long. 

But it isn’t just Reaves’ return, and return to form, that the Lakers would benefit from if Doncic has to miss multiple games. 

Luka Doncic hobbles off court, exits 76ers-Lakers holding left hamstring. NBA on ESPN / YouTube

James is not only available but also is in a better rhythm compared with the last time Doncic missed multiple games in a row – when Doncic traveled to Slovenia in early December for the birth of his second daughter. James only had a few games under his belt after sitting out of the first 14 games because of sciatica. 

James has not only found his groove now but lineups that also feature him without Reaves and Doncic have thrived, mainly because of the toughness and tenacity those groups play with – which was on display Thursday.

The Lakers have gone 4-4 in the eight games Doncic has missed so far this season – a significant dip from the 27-15 record they have in the games he’s played. 

Luke Kennard is questionable to make his Lakers debut Saturday, with the official designation being “trade pending.” The Warriors will be without star guard Steph Curry.

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Offseason open thread: February 6

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 17: Julio Teheran #49 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning on July 17, 2016 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Big thanks to everybody who rolled through for the Live Q&A session. We’ll be doing another one soon and it’ll be focused more on the big league side of things next time around, so keep your eyes peeled for that one in particular.

The floor is now yours for the open thread. Here’s a random clip:

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Egor Demin quickly turned his biggest weakness into a major Nets strength

Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) shooting a three-point basket.
Egor Dëmin attempts a 3-pointer during the Nets' Jan. 30 game against the Jazz.

What had been considered Egor Dëmin’s biggest weakness heading into the last NBA draft has turned around with the Nets.

It was showcased again when the rookie recorded a career-high 26 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the 3-point line, in the Nets’ 118-98 road loss to the Magic on Thursday night.

After posting the fifth-worst 3-point shooting percentage at BYU in 2024-25 — 27.3 percent off of 4.7 attempts per game — scouts and league analysts questioned how high Dëmin’s ceiling would be without an effective long-range shot.

The eighth overall pick has taken those concerns to heart this season, developing an outside shot that he now shoots at a 40.2 percent clip on an average of 6.4 attempts.

At the postgame press conference, Dëmin credited the help of his personal coach, Zach Gonzales.

“We’ve done an incredible amount of time working on that in the gym in Los Angeles in the predraft, and then during the preseason that I’ve been here,” he said after the loss. “He’s definitely one of the biggest reasons why my shooting is so much better right now. … I’ve just been shooting a lot. That’s kind of the key. To be able to run faster, you gotta run. To be able to shoot better, you just gotta shoot a lot at the game speed and learn those habits.”

Egor Dëmin attempts a 3-pointer during the Nets’ Jan. 30 game against the Jazz. Imagn Images

Though the Nets have dropped 10 of their last 11 games, Dëmin has seen an uptick, shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the arc on seven attempts per game across the last 10 contests.

It has consistently improved over time.

He held his highest 3-point shooting percentage in January (47.2) and shot as low as 32.9 percent in November.

The most 3-point attempts the Moscow native has taken this season is 14, including during a loss against the Warriors when he shot 7-for-14 on Dec. 29.

“Thanks to my teammates for finding me. I think most of them were catch and shoots, if not all of them,” Dëmin said of his performance. “So, for me, it’s a goal to find this window where I make my teammates’ lives easier for them to find me. Their unselfishness is obviously huge for me. They’re willing to share this ball and trust me with my shots.”

Egor Dёmin attempts a 3-pointer during the Nets’ loss to the Magic on Feb. 5. NBAE via Getty Images

Head coach Jordi Fernández even thought Dëmin should have made more Thursday.

“We all know he is a threat from the 3-point line. Every time he shoots, I think it’s going in,” Fernández said. “He was 6-for-10 but I felt like he could have been 10-for-10. Very good right there. We needed that from him because I think Nolan [Traore] shot it well too, but after those two, the rest of the team made three 3s. So, we gotta be shooting with confidence. … We gotta find that rhythm as a group. I think it will come sooner than later.”

His efforts Thursday also came along with other positive takeaways for him and his fellow rookies.

Dëmin’s career-high night, along with Traore’s career-high-tying 21 points, marked the first Nets rookie duo to each score 20-plus points in a game since Albert King and Buck Williams on April 17, 1982.

Additionally, the five Nets rookies took the court together for the first time, winning the six minutes in the fourth quarter, 19-13.

“Every minute matters and they won their minutes together,” Fernández said. “Their last seven minutes, they won those minutes, and I’m proud of them for doing that. That’s what I expect from them every time they play.”

While the Nets go through another rebuild, it’s vital for them to build on the early development of their rookies, especially Dëmin, who has been the most promising, before they hope to add a college star as they sit fourth in the lottery race.

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Luka Doncic ruled out for Lakers' game Saturday vs. Warriors

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) pushes off Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) to make an offensive move in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Luka Doncic played only one half Thursday against the 76ers before coming out because of a hamstring strain. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Luka Doncic was diagnosed with a strained left hamstring and listed as out for the Lakers' game against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers have not indicated a timetable for Doncic's return.

Doncic was injured late in the second quarter of the Lakers’ win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night. He threw a pass to Maxi Kleber that was a turnover, turned to run back on defense and immediately grabbed his left hamstring.

Doncic went up and down the court a couple of times but was unable to play any longer. The Lakers called a timeout, and Doncic headed to the locker room and did not return.

After the game, Doncic was limping down the hallway. Coach JJ Redick said Doncic would undergo an MRI exam Friday.

Doncic leads the NBA in scoring (33.4) and is second in assists (8.7). He's missed eight of the Lakers' 42 games because of injuries and the birth of his daughter, and they're 4-4 without him.

“We need him,” guard Austin Reaves said after the game. “He’s our best player and the engine of a lot of the stuff that we do. Yeah, so, hopefully we get good news.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Steve Kerr after win vs. Suns: ‘Felt like we won the championship’

The Golden State Warriors’ furious rally against the Phoenix Suns last night ended in an improbably 101-97 win, in a game the Suns were favored by oddsmakers. Without Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the Warriors banked on defense to eke out the win.

Talking to reporters after the game, head coach Steve Kerr made sure to emphasize the morale-boosting nature of the win amidst a season wracked with controversy, tragedy, and mediocrity.

“Felt like we won the championship,” Kerr said. “Just the emotion of everything over the last two days. Losing three of our guys who were beloved in the locker room. Jimmy’s season-ending injury, Steph being out. Everything has just been tough this last week or ten days, whatever it is since Jimmy’s been out. It felt like a great team win where everybody just fought and competed and stayed with it. Beautiful thing to watch.”

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Jonathan Kuminga ‘shocked’ he was traded to Hawks

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 11: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors arrives to the arena before the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 11, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

With the Jonathan Kuminga saga finally over, the Golden State Warriors can finally move on.

Kuminga, the Warriors’ lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, struggled to find consistency and was given little leeway to work through his mistakes and shortcomings. In several ways, Kuminga was a victim of the misalignment between the front office/ownership, who wanted to develop while competing for titles, and the coaching staff, who was focused purely on doing whatever they could to give them the best chance at winning.

With Kuminga’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks that sent him and Buddy Hield eastward (in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis), a fresh start and opportunity for him to become the player he wants to be is at hand. However, per sources that told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson, Kuminga and his camp were reportedly “shocked” that he ultimately ended up in Atlanta.

But beggars can’t be choosers. Kuminga publicly requested a trade; the Warriors, pivoting from their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, chose to send him and Hield to Atlanta for Porzingis, who presents as a health/availability risk but would be a massive boon to their chances to make noise in the postseason.

By all reports, Kuminga left the Warriors on good terms with his now-former teammates. Draymond Green, after their win against the Phoenix Suns last night, made sure to speak highly of Kuminga and wish him luck in his new environment.

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Report: Paul Goldschmidt, New York Yankees working toward one-year contract

NEW YORK — Paul Goldschmidt and the Yankees are working toward a one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations, another move by New York that makes its 2026 roster resemble last year’s team.

The person spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. The deal likely would be for $5 million or less, the person said.

A seven-time All-Star and the 2022 NL MVP, the 38-year-old Goldschmidt hit .274 with 10 homers, 45 RBIs and a .731 OPS after signing a one-year, $12.5 million contract as a free agent.

He tailed off badly, hitting .287 with eight homers, 36 RBIs and a .776 OPS before the All-Star break and .245 with two homers, nine RBIs and a .631 OPS after. The right-handed-hitting Goldschmidt lost playing time at first to lefty-batting Ben Rice and started just two postseason games.

A seven-time Gold Glove winner, Goldschmidt provides defense and a veteran presence to a team seeking its first World Series title since 2009. He has a .288 average with 372 homers, 1,232 RBIs and an ,882 OPS in 15 major league seasons with Arizona (2011-18), St. Louis (2019) and the Yankees.

Coming off an AL Division Series loss to Toronto, New York has had a relatively quiet offseason. The Yankees’ major moves were re-signing outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million contract, acquiring left-hander Ryan Weathers from Miami in a trade and retaining center fielder Trent Grisham with a $22,025,000 qualifying offer.

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Reds’ Graham Ashcraft, Rays’ Edwin Uceta win arbitration cases as players improve to 5-0

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Pitchers Graham Ashcraft and Edwin Uceta won their salary arbitration cases Friday, improving players to 5-0 this year.

Ashcraft was awarded $1.75 million rather than the Cincinnati Reds’ $1.25 million offer in a case heard Thursday by Keith Greenberg, Howard Edelman and Rob Herman.

Uceta will be paid $1,525,000 rather than the Tampa Bay Rays’ $1.2 million proposal. That case was heard on Jan. 29 by Janice Johnston, Alan Ponak and Melinda Gordon, and the decision was kept sealed until Friday so as not to impact Ashcraft’s hearing.

A right-hander who turns 28 next week, Ashcraft was 8-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 62 relief appearances last year, striking out 64 and walking 25 in 65 1/3 innings. He had a $780,000 salary and was eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Ashcraft is 25-25 with a 4.76 ERA in four major league seasons.

Uceta also was eligible for arbitration for the first time after going 10-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 70 relief appearances last year, when he had an $815,000 salary. He was a so-called Super Two, eligible because he has 2 years, 150 days of major league service — 10 days above the cutoff for this year’s arbitration class.

Baltimore left-hander Keegan Akin went to a hearing Friday, asking for $3,375,000 rather than the Orioles’ $2,975,000 offer. A decision by John Stout, Jeanne Charles and Samantha Tower is expected Saturday.

A 30-year-old left-hander, Akin was 5-4 with a 3.41 ERA and eight saves in 64 relief appearances last season, striking out 59 and walking 33 in 63 1/3 innings. He had a $1,475,000 salary.

Akin has a 16-22 record with a 4.48 ERA and 11 saves in six major league seasons, all with the Orioles. He can become a free agent after this year’s World Series.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal won his case Thursday when he was awarded an arbitration-record $32 million rather than the Detroit Tigers’ $19 million offer.

In other decisions, right-hander Kyle Bradish was awarded $3.55 million instead of the Baltimore Orioles’ offer of $2,875,000, and catcher Yainer Diaz received $4.5 million instead of the Houston Astros’ $3 million proposal.

Two cases have been argued with decisions withheld until next week: Toronto left-hander Eric Lauer ($5.75 million vs. $4.4 million) and Atlanta left-hander Dylan Lee ($2.2 million vs. $2 million).

Five players remain scheduled for hearings next week: Kansas City left-hander Kris Bubic ($6.15 million vs. $5.15 million), Milwaukee catcher Willson Contreras ($9.9 million vs. $8.55 million), Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers ($2,925,000 vs. $2,625,000), Miami right-hander Calvin Faucher ($2.05 million vs. $1.8 million) and Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson ($6.8 million vs $6.55 million).

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Ex-MLB player Yasiel Puig found guilty of obstruction and lying to federal officials

LOS ANGELES — A jury has found former major league outfielder Yasiel Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and lying to federal officials investigating an illegal gambling operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday.

The verdict came after a multiweek trial that featured testimony from Major League Baseball officials and Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaii baseball coach that Puig placed bets through. Puig now faces up to 20 years in federal prison and is scheduled to be sentenced May 26.

Puig’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Puig, 35, initially pled guilty to a felony charge of lying to federal agents investigating an illegal gambling operation. He acknowledged in an August 2022 plea agreement that he wracked up more than $280,000 in losses over a few months in 2019 while wagering on tennis, football and basketball games through a third party who worked for an illegal gambling operation run by Wayne Nix, a former minor league baseball player.

Nix pled guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and subscribing to a false tax return. He is still awaiting sentencing.

Authorities said Puig placed at least 900 bets through Nix-controlled betting websites and through a man who worked for Nix.

Prosecutors said that during a January 2022 interview with federal investigators, Puig denied knowing about the nature of his bets, who he was betting with, and the circumstances of paying his gambling debts.

But he changed his tune months later, announcing that he was switching his plea to not guilty because of “significant new evidence,” according to a statement from his attorneys in Los Angeles.

“I want to clear my name,” Puig said in the statement. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”

The government argued that he intentionally misled the federal investigators. They played in court audio clips of Puig speaking English and brought expert witnesses to testify on Puig’s cognitive abilities, the New York Times reported.

His attorneys said that Puig, who has a third-grade education, had untreated mental-health issues and did not have his own interpreter or criminal legal counsel with him during the interview with federal investigators where he purportedly lied.

Puig’s former attorney Steven Gebelin testified that during the January 2022 interview, Puig tried to be helpful in answering the investigators’ questions and the interpreter struggled with Puig’s Spanish language dialect, according to the New York Times.

Puig batted .277 with 132 home runs and 415 RBIs while appearing in seven major league seasons, the first six with the Dodgers, where he earned an All-Star selection in 2014.

Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully called Puig the “wild horse” for his on-field antics and talent at a young age, joining MLB at 22, a year after escaping his home country of Cuba.

He played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians in 2019 before becoming a free agent. He then played in the Mexican League and last year he signed a one-year, $1 million contact with South Korea’s Kiwoom Heroes.

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Yankees re-sign first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to one-year contract

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 27: Paul Goldschmidt #48 of the New York Yankees in action during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on September 27, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On January 28th, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addressed the media after Cody Bellinger’s return to the Bronx became official. When inevitably asked about the Yankees deciding to essentially bring back the same roster that lost the AL East and the ALDS to the Blue Jays in 2025, he said that this wasn’t the case:

“It’s not the same roster. … I disagree it’s the same team running it back. … Not afraid to run with the quality and talented roster of players that we do have. I think we’ve been consistent with that throughout the entire winter”

Well here we are a week later and news just broke of the Yankees officially bringing another dude back from the 2025 team, and someone far less essential than Bellinger: first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. ESPN’s Jeff Passan had the report of the 2022 NL MVP accepting a one-year deal to play a second season in New York. The financial figures came in later, with Jon Heyman noting the $4 million contract.

I know that it is not hip at all in the year 2026 to do reaction GIFs or clips, but I’m sorry. I can only be who I am.

Is there an argument that it makes sense to bring Goldschmidt back since up-and-coming first baseman Ben Rice didn’t hit that well against lefties in 2026? Sure. But here’s the dirty secret: Goldschmidt stopped hitting lefties after Memorial Day, too.

For the record, Ben Rice’s season OPS against lefties was .752. So that’s neat.

The 2025 World Series was a seven-game classic between two great teams: the Dodgers and Blue Jays. The Dodgers became MLB’s first back-to-back champion since the 1998-2000 dynasty Yankees. They still bolstered their roster this offseason by signing two All-Stars in closer Edwin Díaz and outfielder Kyle Tucker. If one bounce went another way in that Fall Classic or if Isiah Kiner-Falefa got a better lead at third base late in Game 7, the Blue Jays would’ve won it all. They didn’t; although they lost Bo Bichette to the Mets, they’ve still responded this offseason by signing Dylan Cease to boost their rotation and bringing aboard infielder Kazuma Okamoto from the NPB.

The Yankees are running it back. Cashman can try to get cute in his responses by acting like Trade Deadline moves for relievers and bench players make it so that’s not quite the case because well, well, uh, well, they weren’t there in the first half! And Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are gone, so that’s different! Ryan Weathers is here and will totally stay healthy and reach his highest potential! Getting Gerrit Cole back after Tommy John surgery will be like a Trade Deadline acquisition! No one’s ever had a tricky time finding their rhythm again after a year and a half away from the game. And we tied for the most wins in the American League so we’re great! It’s fine! Championship-caliber and all!

Look, the AL is not inspiring and the Yankees should remain good. That is a fact. Still, I come back to this other fact: The 1998 Yankees were probably the best team in baseball history. After winning it all, they shook it up a bit anyway because there was still room for improvement, trading fan favorite and playoff standout David Wells in exchange for Roger Clemens. They then won two more championships.

So whatever. Congrats to Goldy I guess. This is no dig at him personally as he seems like a very nice fellow and the actual value of this contract is a drop in the bucket. But this is all just so silly — and that’s using a kind word.

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Sam Girard Under Fire, But Jared Bednar Sees Improvement

DENVER — As criticism swirled around Sam Girard for his recent mistakes, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar stepped up Wednesday night to defend his defenseman.

Girard faced intense backlash on social media after an offensive blueline turnover led to a breakaway goal for San Jose Sharks forward Phillip Kurashev, who buried a shot past Mackenzie Blackwood. The Avalanche, however, managed to overcome the error to win 4-2 at Ball Arena.

Not only did Bednar draw a clear line, but he also pushed back on the narrative that Girard hasn’t been performing well, insisting that his play has actually been improving in recent games.

Credit: DNVR. Jared Bednar defends Sam Girard, but didn't let him off the hook entirely for making a costly turnover.

"I actually think his game has been turning around recently," the coach stated regarding his puck-moving defenseman. "He's been playing pretty good. That (play with Kurashev) was just a bad decision.

"There's no way you're going to get back on that. The puck comes, it's sort of a broken play, it's trickling out to the point, the pressure's coming. A good decision would have been just punch it back down behind the net. You don't have to try to make something out of nothing, especially at the time and what just happened."

Colorado outshot San Jose 31-13 through the first two periods and entered the third with a 2-0 lead, but that advantage evaporated early in the final frame. Timothy Liljegren scored 43 seconds into the third period, ripping a slap shot from the point that Blackwood misjudged to make it a one-goal game. Less than three minutes later, Girard made the turnover that allowed San Jose to tie the game.

"They just got a quick one; they're starting to want to pour it on, and then we make that mistake and next thing you know the game's tied," Bednar said as he continued to analyze Girard's play. "I don't know if Cale (Makar) would have gotten back on that one.

"Once you turn it over and the guy's got a step on ya for the length of the ice, he's going to get a scoring chance. That's more decision than not being able to catch the guy."

Avalanche Attempts to Replace Girard Have Fallen Short

Acquired from the New York Rangers last season prior to the trade deadline, Ryan Lindgren was intended to serve as Girard’s replacement—a defense-first option who might sacrifice some offensive output in exchange for reliability on the back end, and at a more cost-effective contract. In the days leading up to July 1, the start of free agency, the Avalanche attempted to re-sign Lindgren before he became an unrestricted free agent, but Lindgren ultimately signed with the Seattle Kraken on a four-year, $18 million deal.

In the 18 games Lindgren appeared in for Colorado, he became the team's second-most-utilized left-shot defenseman behind Devon Toews. After Lindgren’s departure, the Avalanche added Brent Burns on a one-year deal. Meanwhile, Sam Malinski received a contract extension, and Girard has seen less ice time this season than at any point in his nine years with the team.

Girard, viewed as the centerpiece of the Matt Duchene trade, was acquired from the Nashville Predators in November 2017, with Duchene moving to the Ottawa Senators as part of the three-team deal.

The 27-year-old, who hails from Roberval, Quebec, has 37 career goals and 198 assists for 235 points in 588 NHL games. He is signed with Colorado through the 2026-27 season, but it will be interesting to see if the Avalanche commit through the end of the contract despite Bednar's recent comments about his improving game.

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