He replaces Nicky Hayen with club 22nd in Championship
Burnley have announced former Switzerland midfielder Fabio Celestini as their new head coach four days after sacking Nicky Hayen.
Burnley, who have won only one of their 12 league games this season after relegation from the Premier League, have not disclosed the length of Celestini’s contract. They heralded his appointment by saying in a statement that the 50-year-old “arrives with a proven capacity to win and to adapt to different football environments”.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg talked trash to Luka Doncic unrelentingly on Opening Night.
Lendeborg has the chance to do it again Friday night when the Warriors and Lakers square off for their second meeting of the season.
Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors plays defense on Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
There’s been much discourse surrounding the rookie’s chatter toward Doncic, but Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said he doesn’t have a problem with Lendeborg chirping at the Lakers superstar.
“I think rookies get excited to play against great players and I have no problem with that. When you’re a great player, you’re everybody’s big game. Those kids grew up watching you, so it’s a big deal,” Barkley said.
Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 21, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena. NBAE via Getty Images
While the trash talk by Lendeborg was Barkley approved, the former NBA player turned analyst wasn’t a fan of the 24-year-old’s comments after the game.
“I don’t have any problem with him coming for Luka. I didn’t like the stuff after the game because number one when you get your ass kicked by 30 you probably should shut the hell up,” Barkley said.
"When you're a great player, you're everybody's big game. Those kids grew up watching you, so it's a big deal." — Charles Barkley says he doesn't have a problem with Yaxel coming for Luka. pic.twitter.com/4tQKgh0z64
Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers hushes the crowd after sinking a three pointer against the Utah Jazz during the second half of their game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Getty Images
“I feel like I did kinda take it overboard in the media, but it is what it is,” he said.
However, fans will see whether the Warriors rookie took the learning lesson to heart. Lendeborg continuing the trash talk on the court with Doncic seems likely, but if Golden State loses, will he comment on the Lakers superstar afterward?
The Vancouver Canucks snapped their 10-game winless streak in dramatic fashion on Tuesday as they defeated the Anaheim Ducks 6-5 in overtime. It looked like Vancouver was headed for an 11th-straight loss, but a dramatic third-period comeback helped the Canucks pick up their first victory since October 3. With the win, Vancouver is now 3-10-1 with a -22 goal differential.
When looking back on the first three victories of the season, all have featured a similar trend. That is the Canuck' ability to score at least three goals in the third period. Vancouver has also not held a lead heading into the third period in each of the wins, as they have trailed twice and been tied once after 40 minutes.
What makes this trend interesting is that the Canucks have struggled to generate offence during the third period in almost every other game this year. In the three victories, Vancouver has scored 11 goals in the third period, compared to nine goals total in the other 11 games. As for total goals this year, the Canucks have scored 26 times in their wins compared to just 17 in their 11 losses.
While these third-period performances like the one against the Ducks have been exciting, Vancouver needs to find ways to win games in conventional ways. There have been way too many nights where the Canucks don't show up in the third period, which is why their losing streak hit double digits. Ultimately, if Vancouver wants to become a more consistent team, they need to distribute their scoring more evenly and stop relying on chaotic third periods.
Oct 27, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks celebrate the goal scored by right wing Jonathan Lekkerimaki (88) against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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My first impression of the Mizzou softball team was an overwhelmingly positive one. I attended Saturday’s game when they defeated UA Rich Mountain, a community college in Arkansas, 28-1. Here are my key musings from the showdown, and how much can really translate to the spring.
Disclaimer
Before I get too much into the weeds of the performance, first I must say that this UA Rich Mountain team is nowhere near the level of SEC competition. You could see it in the physical differences and in the talent on the diamond; plenty of mistakes that you’d never see a Top-25 team make.
While they did finish 37-17 a season ago, most of them were against schools you never knew existed. Two of their wins came against Arkansas State Mid-South; can’t say I have any idea where that school is besides Arkansas.
With that out of the way, I think there’s still some valuable information to see who is ready to step up for this team. Here’s who stood out to me in my observations.
Emma Jackson:
After transferring in from East Carolina ahead of the 2026 season, Jackson had an underwhelming first year with the Tigers. She only played in 18 games, batting .167 with no homers. In the exhibition, she looked possessed.
Jackson hit two home runs; a 3-run bomb and a grand slam. She had a patient approach, exploding to the ball when she saw the right pitch with plenty of power. If Jackson can separate herself as a starting outfielder for Mizzou when the season starts in February, that additional bat raises the ceiling of this team.
Stefania Abruscato:
Abruscato enters the season as one of the Tigers’ leaders, both on the field and in the locker room. As the senior catcher, she carries a large amount of respect and backs it up with her play.
She continued to prove her worth in the exhibition with a grand slam of her own. While Abruscato is the primary catcher, sophomore Gracie Britton spent most of the game behind the dish. Having two catchers helps take the load of your starter, especially during the early season tournaments when you play five games in three days.
But when it comes down to crunch time and you need your best lineup, Mizzou is going to put its trust in Abruscato.
Nealy Lamb:
In the circle, the South Carolina transfer started to separate herself. In her one season with the Gamecocks, she made 34 appearances, finishing the season with a 4.37 ERA and 47 strikeouts.
She looked on pace to shatter her strikeout numbers in the exhibition, recording three Ks across six batters. While she did allow two softly-hit singles, there was never a moment where she didn’t feel in control.
While Abby Carr and Marissa McCann are projected to be the Tigers’ top two starters, there is certainly a role for Lamb to carve out this season, bringing much-needed depth to Mizzou’s pitching staff.
Karen’s Notes
I was on hand on Sunday to watch the team’s fall ball finale against a school we’ve actually heard of, Iowa, who finished last season with a .500 record overall, and 7-17 in the Big 10 with no wins over Top 25 teams. (To be fair, hardly any of the Big 10 teams were ranked.)
After a bit of a slow start, the Tigers started to pile on the runs in the fourth inning, ultimately ending the 10-inning contest, 7-1. The Tigers collected bombs from Stefania Abruscato, who hit a 2-run shot in the third to make it 2-0, as well as Sidney Forrester, who had a solo shot in the fourth to make it 3-0.
While there were a handful of strikeouts from the Tigers, they also showed a good bit of plate discipline, with Madison Uptegrove working two walks, along with one each from Saniya Hill, Abruscato, Emma Jackson and Middle Tennessee transfer Jana Want. Abby Hay, Forrester, Jackson and freshman Katelynn Knight each went for extra bases, and Addy Waits, who came in in the seventh, recorded singles in both of her at-bats.
Pitching Prevails
Marissa McCann looked strong in her seven innings of work, with six strikeouts and just one walk. After allowing a leadoff triple in the first, she didn’t allow another baserunner until the fifth, when the Hawkeyes were awarded a homerun on a play off the top of the left field wall that Saniya Hill couldn’t quite make a play on. McCann also allowed an additional base hit later, but overall, was extremely effective.
Rylee Michalak took over in the circle in the eighth inning for an inning of work, allowing a base hit.
Nealy Lamb entered in the ninth and pitched two innings, allowing two baserunners in her first inning of work before getting out of the jam, and working in a pair of strikeouts. Like Dylan mentioned above, I think she’ll be helpful to the team this year.
Arizona State transfer Mary Peyton Hodge, reliever Natalie Touchet, and Abby Carr (injury) were not used in this one. Carr is expected to be ready for the season, however.
Saniya Hill: A good day at the plate for the Tigers’ leadoff hitter was good at the plate. She walked and had two base hits (which during an actual game, might have been scored as errors), as well as a run scored. She’s a good bat to have in this Tiger lineup, and I would expect her to be a mainstay come the regular season. She does still need a bit of work on the fielding aspect — I think both the triple and the homerun were playable, but she didn’t perhaps make the correct read.
Emma Jackson, Part 2:
Dylan already mentioned her above, but a season after being a non-factor, I think she’s set to play a significant role in 2027. On Sunday, while she struck out in her first at-bat, she also had a double and walk in this one. Whether she ends up as an outfielder— she was DP in this one— remains to be seen, but I forecast a different season for her than her first in the black and gold.
Newbies:
Katelynn Knight and Hadley Borders (CF) were the lone starters in Sunday’s game to the best of my recollection. Of Knight’s three at-bats, she recorded a double and was caught stealing (it wasn’t close). Borders had a strikeout and a base hit.
Katie Guilliam came in in the seventh and had two at-bats. She did not reach base, recording a groundout and a liner to short which led to a double play.
I do not think we saw Audrey Cathey.
UP NEXT: The real thing, which I expect to kick off in February, likely in the Sunshine State, as per usual. MU Tigers has not offered an updated schedule at this point. Dylan, Aaron Segal and I will be your Mizzou Softball writing team this season, so stay tuned for updates.
During the first few weeks of the NHL season, the Florida Panthers struggled in one particular, crucial area.
They weren’t scoring early in games.
It’s extremely difficult to win in the best hockey league in the world when you are constantly having to come from behind, and that’s the situation that Florida found themselves in during the majority of their opening schedule.
Entering Tuesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, Florida had scored just eight first period goals through their first 12 games.
As jarring as that stat sounds, it still doesn’t really tell the full story.
Of those eight goals scored during the first period this season, six had come over the Panthers previous four games.
That means Florida scored only one first period goal through their first five games.
It gets worse from there.
In terms of scoring the first goal of the game, after winning 1-0 in overtime on opening night in Carolina, it wasn’t until game number nine that Florida held a 1-0 lead again.
That’s right, they went seven straight games allowing the first goal, though escaping with a respectable 3-2-2 record in those outings.
“Everybody plays slightly different when you’re chasing the game,” said Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. “You’re trying to win, so if you’re down by one or down by two, your game has to open up a little bit. I think we’ve been pretty strong at not having that happen.”
Needless to say, early scoring was not something that came easy for the Panthers during the early stages of this season.
But perhaps the tide has turned.
Last Saturday, the Cats scored three goals during the opening period against the Seattle Kraken.
They went on to score another first period goal the following game in Ottawa, and added two more opening frame tallies on Sunday in Chicago.
Now, after putting up a 3-spot during the opening 20 minutes against Winnipeg on Tuesday, it might be safe to say that Florida has moved past their slow start issues.
“It is very nice,” Panthers defenseman Seth Jones said of playing with an early lead. “We played coming from behind quite a bit to start the season, so any time we get that first goal, it just plays into the game that we want. We want them to take chances, we want to be solid defensively and to capitalize on their mistakes.”
It also helps that Florida’s power play has finally gotten going after a slow start to the season.
Since the Seattle game, the Panthers have scored nine first period goals over a five-game span.
Five of those nine goals have come on the power play, including two of the three first period goals they scored in Winnipeg.
“I think right out of the gate, we came out moving the puck well, putting pucks in deep and drew a couple power plays, and that helped getting the first one and getting a little lead there,” said Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe. “We just took off from there.”
Now the Panthers will return to South Florida for a three-game homestand that will keep them local for over a week.
They’ll face the two teams they’ve most recently defeated, Winnipeg and Chicago, along with a divisional matchup against the Detroit Red Wings.
While the Blackhawks have allowed the third-most goals per game so far this season (3.67), the Jets and Red Wings are both in the lower third of the league in that department, with Winnipeg giving up an even three goals per game and Detroit allowing 2.92.
We’ll see if Florida can keep their offense humming along when they resume their schedule on Friday when they host a rematch with the Jets.
Photo caption: Oct 25, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA;FloridaPanthersleft wing Sandis Vilmanis (95) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center. (David Banks-Imagn Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 24: Sal Frelick #10 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in game two of the 2026 World Series at American Family Field on October 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are one game away. One win from becoming World Series Champions for the first time in team history.
Pittsburgh’s NL Central rival was the best team in baseball throughout the year, winning 103 games and dominating the competition.
The Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays meet in the “Small Market World Series” conveniently leading into the most tense labor negotiations the sport has seen in over 30 years. At least unlike 1994, the World Series is being played.
In a world where owners are locked and loaded to argue that the sport is unfair for small market clubs and teams with a payroll disadvantage compared to major markets, the smallest market in baseball will be the last team standing.
Milwaukee is the smallest media market size across MLB. The Brewers rank 19th in payroll ($146 million) while the Rays rank 28th ($95 million). The Cleveland Guardians clinched a spot in the ALCS despite owning the lowest payroll ($74.2 million).
So, it looks like the sport is in great hands! Not so fast.
I’d like to formally welcome you to one of the greatest outlier seasons in baseball since the turn of the century.
Since 2000, only three teams have won the World Series with an Opening Day payroll outside the top 15: the 2003 Florida Marlins (25th), the 2015 Kansas City Royals (17th), and the 2017 Houston Astros (17th). Both the Royals and Astros moved into the top half by mid-season.
10 times a team in the Top 5 of payroll won the World Series. The Dodgers and Yankees combined for five. During that span, major markets like Boston (four) and San Francisco (three) built dynasties while Philadelphia and both Chicago teams hoisted the trophy.
Where’s Cincinnati? Where’s Tampa? Where’s Pittsburgh? Where’s Baltimore? Where’s Oakland/wherever the A’s are playing?
While baseball shifted after the 1994 strike and free agency became an ultimate spending spree without limitations, small markets began to come to light.
Why should New York have such a distinct advantage over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati for players? Shouldn’t the economic playing field be equal for teams?
A salary cap and floor isn’t an immediate fix to all problems; teams like the Cleveland Browns still find ways to get in their own way every year. But it makes the playing field more fair. Isn’t that what’s best for the fans?
If the NFL had baseball’s system, Josh Allen would have had a nice run with the Bills and would be playing for the New York Giants. Remember that Paul Skenes Yankees jersey I captured in the parking lot on Opening Day two years ago? It’s unfathomable to think of.
It’s ironic that the year before baseball shuts down to argue over a cap and floor system that the smallest market in baseball makes it look easy.
That shouldn’t rewrite the past or make people forget about
While the Rays, Brewers, Guardians, and other small market teams have had successful regular seasons and some postseason success, it’s all about hoisting the trophy in late October. Up until this season, the last small market team to win the World Series was the Kansas City Royals in 2015.
The Brewers and Rays are proving it’s not impossible to win without a cap/floor system, but it’s significantly more difficult. The Brewers traded ace Freddie Peralta’s expiring contract to the Mets before the season, knowing they wouldn’t re-sign him. The Rays did the same by trading Brandon Lowe to the Pirates and acquiring assets.
Would the Dodgers do that? Yankees? Mets? Rangers? Braves? Phillies? Cubs? Short answer: no. The smaller market clubs must maximize ROI by making smart trades, analytics, and development.
The most staggering number of all is what the Dodgers spent compared to what Cleveland spent. LA won 100 games with an estimated payroll of $412 million, over $330 million more than the Guardians, who finished with 85 victories.
They both ended up in the same place, Cleveland, thanks to a very weak American League, but should any league have that type of payroll difference?
A cap and floor system makes the NFL, NHL, and NBA thrive. In the last 10 years, small markets like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers have won back-to-back cups. The Kansas City Chiefs built a dynasty and sustained it. The Milwaukee Bucks and OKC Thunder won titles.
Spare me the idea that a small market World Series changes the game. It doesn’t, and it shouldn’t.
Multiple things are true. Can small markets compete? Yes. Is it significantly more likely big markets will win? Also yes. Does market size make any difference in other sports? Nope. So why should it be in pro baseball?
When the curtain comes down in 2026, we don’t know when Major League Baseball will play again. But despite what happened in one single postseason, the need for a cap and floor will never change at all.
It will be his 37th year hosting the show and he will sit beside Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal for one final run.
Johnson noted a “contributing factor” to his decision, which is that he has dealt with heart issues over the past two years, which included bypass surgery 14 months ago.
TNT college basketball analyst Ernie Johnson appears on air before the National Championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, April 6, 2026, in Indianapolis. Getty Images
“Still trying to get this thing to beat in exactly the way it should, and we are getting there,” Johnson said in a video posted to X. “I feel great. So, this isn’t a case where my doctor said ‘You need to stop working.’ It’s nothing like that, but here’s the deal. Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years Cheryl and being Poppi to our five grandchildren.
“So, I just want to slow down a bit and spend more time enjoying that.”
Johnson, 70, added he is “not retiring” but rather “cutting back.”
He will still be a part of March Madness among other projects for TNT and CBS. Johnson also said he started a production company, 32 Bowties, that will highlight feel-good stories in sports.
“This is by no means the end. It’s just a turning of the page,” he said.
Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the trophy ceremony after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Championship in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / NY PostShaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley talk after Game 5 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images
One of his favorite parts of the job has always been the hours logged in preparation for the night ahead throughout his career. He said that has now become “more of challenge than it is a joy,” and was an indicator to step away.
Johnson had a fun conclusion to last season, hosting the Knicks’ championship ceremony after their Game 5 win over the Spurs in San Antontio in June. He also interviewed the NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson on “Inside the NBA” following the champagne celebrations.
“It’s just time,” Johnson said. “It’s been an honor to share so many nights, decades actually at the desk with my brothers — Kenny, Charles and Shaq — and with our production crews who are so talented and devoted. I so appreciate the leadership at TNT and ESPN for allowing the show to continue.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 25: Ziaire Williams #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on October 25, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Midway through the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 136-129 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night, three flopping technicals were doled out in a 90-second span. The first culprit was Toumani Camara while he guarded Luka Dončić on an inbounds play. Then, Ja Morant ricocheted off of Austin Reaves as he recovered around a screen. Thirteen seconds later, Ziaire Williams wobbled in retreat after forcing Deni Avdija away from his preferred right hand and received a forearm to the sternum.
Among the three infractions, Williams certainly has the clearest case for frustration. Avdija absolutely pushes him and is already a much stronger player than Williams. Williams flailing his arms doesn’t do him any favors in the officials’ eyes. But that’s much more about him trying to stay upright and on his feet rather than convincing anyone of an offensive foul and he immediately darts right back into the play to defend Avdija.
After the game, Williams took exception to the tech and explained his perspective.
“I mean, if the dude was pushing off me, my body is naturally going to waver back,” Williams told reporters. “I don’t know. I didn’t think I flopped. I don’t know, man. I don’t know.”
On Monday, Williams received a $2,000 flopping fine for a similar play to Tuesday’s event. Against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, he cut off a Keyonte George drive and took a forearm to the hip, which sent him stumbling backward. That time, George was called for an offensive foul but Williams “was assessed a postgame Flopping fine of $2,000 upon league office review.”
LAL’s Ziaire Williams was assessed a postgame Flopping fine of $2,000 upon league office review for https://t.co/gJPymw7mOP on Oct. 25 vs. UTA. Flopping is among the NBA’s Areas of Focus for the 2026-27 season.
Williams maintains he is not flopping, and it’s hard to really contend otherwise. He’s a pretty slight-of-frame defender moving backward against players extending their arms into him. He does not want to fall over and miss out on the play, so he uses his arms to keep on his feet. That’s simple physics.
“They’ve just been calling it. I haven’t heard anything from anyone,” Williams said. “Like I said, I don’t think I’m flopping. If I was flopping, I’d be on the floor. But it is what it is. Nothing I can do about it now.”
Despite the recent, frustrating flopping incidents, Williams is off to an excellent start with the Lakers. Through four games, he’s averaging 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 69.2% on 2-pointers and 46.7% beyond the arc. He’ll look to continue his rhythm and avoid any harsh flopping calls Wednesday night as the Lakers take on the Clippers at 7:30 p.m.
But it also proved that they have plenty of progress to make before their defense is at a championshiop level, too.
Deni Avdija (8) was among the Trail Blazers who made the Lakers pay with his drives and shooting. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers’ defensive struggles led to their first loss of the season on Tuesday night, a 136-129 defeat to the Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena.
“We have to be able to rely on our defense every night,” coach JJ Redick said. “And if we score 129 points at home, we should be able to get enough stops to win.”
The Lakers’ defensive struggles were all over the court, even though Walker Kessler took responsibility for not leading the team on that end of the floor like he’s expected to.
Their ball containment was subpar, leading to breakdowns around the perimeter.
Ja Morant carved up the Lakers’ defense in their first loss of the season. NBAE via Getty Images
The Blazers’ shotmaking was elite, which wasn’t surprising considering the talent on their roster.
But the Lakers weren’t disciplined enough with their defensive game plan execution.
“I don’t think there [were] any adjustment that [had] to be made,” Austin Reaves said. “It was more so us not doing what we were supposed to. We got to talk more on the defensive end and just be sharper in our base coverages.”
The Lakers’ defensive struggles weren’t limited to Tuesday – which is why they went from being ranked No. 19 in defensive rating to No. 22 after the loss.
The Trail Blazers just made the Lakers pay more than any other team was capable of during the season’s first week.
The Lakers’ ball containment has been subpar. NBAE via Getty Images
The loss to the Trail Blazers was the third straight game the Lakers allowed their opponent to score at least 117 points.
“We’ve been relying on our offense a lot,” Kessler said. “And we have a very, very good offense and a lot of great scorers. But that’s not gonna be the only thing that gets us to win a championship here. So it’s a good reminder. We’ll learn a lot from it.”
The Lakers didn’t have to wait long to use the lessons from Tuesday against another opponent.
The loss to the Trail Blazers was the first night of a back-to-back set, with the Lakers playing the Clippers for the second time this season on Wednesday, but this time at Intuit Dome.
“Coach pointed it out and now it’s up to us to respond,” Sandro Mamukelashvili said. “Everybody will watch [the] film, I’m sure. Everybody is going to see what mistakes they had. We all have great player development coaches who are going to work with us, make sure we kind of fix the mistakes we made.
“We got to be better and we will. I’ll be better. I got to communicate more, be more physical. Just got to play hard.”
SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Jake Burger #21 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the Texas Rangers photo day at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The link above has a summary of some of the charity and community work Burger has done. Burger’s daughter, Penelope, has Down’s Syndrome, and much of the work he has done the past two years has focused on causes and issues related to Down’s Syndrome. When he joined the Rangers, he also changed his uniform number from 36 to 21, as Down’s Syndrome results from an individual having an extra Chromosome 21.
The announcement was made as part of the Players Choice Awards, which were announced today. Headlining those awards was Pete Crow-Armstrong, who was named the 2026 Most Outstanding Player in the National League, as well as the overall Player of the Year. The Astros’ Yordan Alvarez was the pick for the American League,
Following an unsuccessful road trip to the East Coast in which the Anaheim Ducks only managed to notch two of a possible eight standings points, they returned to Southern California to host the basement-dwelling Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday at Honda Center.
The Ducks, below .500, entered the game three points out of a wild card spot, while the Canucks had only tallied five points in 13 games to start the season and were the last-place team in the entire NHL, having failed to register a point in their previous ten games.
The Ducks elected to ice a near-identical lineup to the one that snapped a five-game losing streak of their own on Saturday, with the only change being shifting defenseman Tristan Luneau onto a pair with Tyson Hinds and inserting Drew Helleson next to Travis Mitchell on the third pair.
Here’s how the Ducks lined up to start this game:
Gauthier-Carlsson-Caulfield
Malott-Granlund-Sennecke
Nesterenko-McQueen-Killorn
Greer-Washe-Colangelo
LaCombe-Warren
Hinds-Luneau
MItchell-Helleson
Lukas Dostal got his ninth start of the season for the Ducks and stopped 27 of 33 shots. He was opposed by Leevi Meriläinen in the Vancouver crease, who saved 18 of the 23 shots he faced in this game.
“That was a terrible loss,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said after the game. “5-2 and we were in a pretty good spot. (We) should have sealed the win. I think we do some things that come back to haunt us after a night like tonight.”
Game Notes
At 5v5, the game flow was somewhat even, and the Ducks showed encouraging and discouraging signs at both ends of the ice. Lack of discipline forced the Ducks to kill seven penalties as opposed to only drawing two, and overall team defense was lacking at critical moments of a game in which the Ducks needed to notch two points.
Cycle: One of the encouraging signs from the game was the Ducks’ ability to drive and manufacture chances deep in the offensive zone, a problem area for them over the past handful of seasons. In this game, they were sending their high F3 to the blueline, between the point defensemen, which allowed those blueliners to involve themselves more offensively by activating down the half-wall and to the tops of the circles.
It also cleared up space in the middle of the slot, as the opposing low defending forward was caught in no-man’s land, naturally drawn toward the top of the zone. This allowed the Ducks low forwards an easier path to the net to set up tips and screens, as well as win races to ensuing loose pucks.
Breakouts: Forwards grew careless as the game progressed during breakout sequences. Early in the game, they made efficient decisions to keep pucks moving up ice and remained low in the zone to provide better outlet angles. They recognized when their young defensemen were in trouble against a Canucks forecheck, and they retreated in support rather than flying the defensive zone.
As the Ducks built a lead, the forwards drifted further up toward neutral ice, allowing opposing defensemen to jump outlets and pinch successfully. They were also careless in their attempts to clear the defensive blueline, often leading to battles and even turnovers.
Team Defense: Much has been made over the lack of experience among the Ducks’ young defensemen this season. They’ve had their ups and downs when it comes to the details of defending at the NHL level in elevated roles. However, much as has been a theme for the majority of the early part of the season, their forwards aren’t aiding them in any meaningful way on the defensive side of the puck.
In this game, only one goal (Vancouver’s second) can be pinned on the blueline. For the remainder, backchecking errors and man-advantage coverage hiccups, in which poor puck-watching habits were prevalent, were the primary faults.
6v5: Vancouver scored two goals with Merilainen pulled late for an extra attacker. The Canucks were able to spread the Ducks’ wingers wide on the perimeter, which allowed them to outnumber the center and defensemen in front of Dostal 4 to 3. With multiple responsibilities, defensemen were unable to commit to tying up a net-front forward, and when they failed to block shots, Dostal was left with no field of vision in which to make a save.
Wingers either need to restrain themselves from pressing too high in the defensive zone and collapse toward the hashmarks to aid their defensemen and goaltender, or those defensemen have to put forth a riskier, vigilant effort to block those outside shots while limiting the ability of the net-front attacker to get a tip on said shots.
The Ducks will look to return to .500 on Thursday, when they’ll host the incoming Buffalo Sabres, who are hoping to remain above that .500 mark on the young season.
Carlisle also told reporters that two weeks was the target time to ask him for an update, implying Haliburton would be out that long. That's the expected return timeline from a low-end Grade 1 hamstring strain. However, the Pacers may be cautious with their star and hold him out longer, hamstrings are easy muscles to re-injure.
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Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is joining a frighteningly long list of NBA stars missing time with injuries in the first week of the season.
"We'll hope this hamstring thing is not a big deal or not any kind of a long-term thing. But as I said, we'll know more about that later this evening."
It's worth noting that teams are cautious about bringing back players from hamstring strains, as they are particularly susceptible to re-injury.
Haliburton had returned to the Pacers this season after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Through four games this season, Haliburton was averaging 21.8 points and 9.5 assists a night.
Indiana has dealt with a rash of injuries at the start of the season — four of their five ideal starters are on the injury report. For Wednesday night's game, Ivica Zubac (ankle), Ben Sheppard (meniscus tear), T.J. McConnell (hamstring), and Johnny Furphy (ACL) are out, and Andrew Nembhard is questionable with neck stiffness.
Haliburton joins a too-long list of NBA stars missing time with injuries to start the season: Jalen Williams, Anthony Edwards, Cason Wallace, Kawhi Leonard, Jalen Duren, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Jaren Jackson Jr., just to name a few. That's not counting guys such as Kon Knueppel or Tobias Harris, who have yet to play due to minor injuries. At least No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa will make his debut Wednesday.
Those are just several of the damning words Adam Schein, host of The Post’s daily “Schein Time” show on YouTube, used to describe the exclusive revelation from former catcher Jorge Posada on “The Show” on Tuesday that he does not feel welcome around the Yankees anymore.
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“So, I think this officially is a clubhouse issue. I think this officially is a player issue,” Schein said Tuesday on his show. “I think that Aaron Judge needs to take control of his own clubhouse. I want to know where Giancarlo Stanton is? Where’s the veteran leadership?
“If Derek Jeter can’t get Anthony Volpe on the phone, if Jorge Posada isn’t welcome, if you don’t want to pick the brain of Tino Martinez, then we’ve got problems. It’s as simple as that.”
Posada, a Yankees legend from 1995-2011, revealed on Tuesday’s show that he feels distant from the only team he played for during his career.
“I don’t think they want me there, to tell you the truth,” Posada said when asked by Joel Sherman about possibly helping the Yankees in the future.
“I don’t feel welcome when I go there, you know? Even in spring training, I don’t feel like — I’m just like, I don’t know, like, I don’t feel welcome. I don’t feel like they want me there, so I don’t go.”
Posada did not pinpoint that feeling to any specific instance or moment, although he called his final season in 2011 “a really tough one.”
The Yankees shifted him away from catcher to designated hitter and reduced his playing time, and Posada posted just a .714 OPS.
“So, it’s just tough to back and feel that again,” he said.
Schein believes that Yankees manager Aaron Boone, general manager Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner are absolved of blame in this lingering Posada situation.
New York Yankees’ Jorge Posada sits in the dugout during Old Timers’ Day before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in the Bronx borough of New York. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
He gives Boone a “free pass,” believing a baseball lifer would not turn his back to legends, and doesn’t think Steinbrenner and Cashman would too reject on an esteemed player like Posada.
Posada has indicated in the past that there was some bad beef with top executives about that final season, while he did not blame then-manager Joe Girardi.
Adding this Posada reveal on top of the Jeter-Volpe non-relationship makes Schein believe that the current Yankees are not doing their part to lean on those with championship pedigree.
Adam Schein believes the Yankees have a clubhouee issue. @nypostsports/X
“Look at Jorge Posada’s resume. Come on? He doesn’t feel welcome at spring training? You’re telling me Austin Wells couldn’t use talking to Jorge Posada?” Schein said. “You’re telling me Anthony Volpe couldn’t use some kind of direction from Derek Jeter? These are guys who just want to be there, because it seems like they care more about winning than the current Yankee players.”
Schein also noted that this group of Yankees having yet to win a title — and has just one World Series appearance in the Aaron Judge era dating to 2017 — only makes this situation worse.
Posada won five titles during his time in The Bronx, including the franchise’s last World Series in 2009.
“If the Yankees of the current group, if they were winning, we’re not having this conversation but they’re losing and they’re fundamentally unsound, and they play at their worse when it matters the most,” Schein said. “The antithesis of Posada and Jeter and those amazing Yankees teams. That right there, that’s painful. … That makes me sick.
“The fact that Jorge Posada, an all-time great Yankee. Blood, guts, sweat, tears, joy, jubilation, a guy who understands what winning is all about, he doesn’t feeling welcome at spring training, the Yankee clubhouse? Man, and you wonder why this team can’t perform in big spots. You wonder why they can’t perform in extra innings. You wonder why they can’t have a lead in a series against the Tampa Rays. What a joke, an embarrassment, that was nauseating. Absolutely pathetic.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 05: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at Paycom Center on December 5, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks make their primetime debut Wednesday evening against the suddenly beaten and battered Oklahoma City Thunder squad. Dallas (2-2) won a thriller against the Miami Heat on Monday evening, as Cooper Flagg (29 points, six boards, 11 assists and eight stocks) and two-way guard Walter Clayton Jr. (15 points, four rebounds and four assists in just 17 minutes off the bench) led the way in a four-point victory.
Flagg and Clayton spearheaded a fantastic effort on Monday against the Heat. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For Oklahoma City (4-0), things have been held together by smoke, mirrors, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell. The duo, who are playing without Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams, combined for 56 points in Monday’s 125-114 win over the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder played nine guys at least 20 minutes in that contest, and it’s clear that for the foreseeable future, this thing is going to be a group effort to support the two guards.
Before we dive into the handicap, lets recap last week’s results.
Moneyline: Dallas is +188 to pull off the home upset
David’s plays
Cooper Flagg to score 25+ points (-104)
Mavericks ML (+188)
Ajay Mitchell to score 20+ points (+114)
Mavericks first quarter spread +1.5 (-113)
I think the Mavericks follow up Monday’s big win with a statement win tonight on ESPN. The Thunder have absolutely nobody that can guard Cooper Flagg or defend the rim at the level you need to to prevent him from getting to his spots. On the other side, Ajay Mitchell has now been thrust into a bigger role and I think he provides a lot of problems for the Mavericks perimeter defenders. Despite that, Dallas will ride a good first quarter to a huge win.
Tyler’s plays
Under 228.5 points (-110)
Dallas +6.5 (-115)
Cooper Flagg 8+ rebounds (+124)
Isaiah Hartenstein under 9.5 rebounds (+112)
I do like the under here quite a bit. Dallas has been held to 110 points or less twice already this season, while OKC has also been held under 110 twice. That includes a 96-point effort against Denver, who isn’t exactly sparkling on the defensive end. And in these low scoring affairs, I typically lean to the dog, especially at home. The rebound props feel correlated to me. Flagg has had many chanced to grab rebounds, but has failed to capitalize at times. In this matchup, OKC will not be positionally as big as the teams Dallas has faced to date, so I like his over. Hartenstein, meanwhile, is going to see a lot of attention, given OKC’s injuries. I like his under and I think Flagg will pick up the loose change.
On Tuesday, in an exclusive interview with the California Post, Walter offered a definitive answer.
“We’re going to keep the team no matter what,” he said. “We’re going to be winning for 10 years or more. I think our commitment to do so will be just like it has been in the past. And, you know, we don’t win every year, but we’re going to try to.”
CEO and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers Mark Walter waves to the crowd during the 2025 Back-to-Back World Champions Ring Ceremony prior to a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Friday, March 27, 2026. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“I certainly hope we can look forward to winning another World Series next year under my ownership,” he said. “And I think we’re just trying to win consistently, and do so for not just next season, but for the next decade and decades beyond that.”
The team has spent the last couple of months spewing the same sentiment. But those words coming out of Walter’s mouth is notable.
Last year, the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission began investigating certain affiliated loans made from insurance companies under his control to other businesses he owns.
Weeks after that probe became public in July, he stunningly sold the Lakers to venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger at a $12.5 billion valuation –– flipping the franchise barely a year after he had acquired a majority stake in it from the Buss family at a $10 billion valuation.
Later in August, he also began a process with his business partner, Todd Boehly (another member of the Walter-led Guggenheim Baseball Management group that owns the Dodgers), to sell their stakes in Chelsea FC of the English Premier League.
Those moves came amid reports that Walter’s Guggenheim Partners investment firm was trying to raise capital for its insurance operations, and rectify the so-called “affiliated” loans that had drawn the scrutiny of federal investigators and state regulators.
Mark Walter, chief executive officer of Guggenheim Partners, primary owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and a 12.7% owner of BlueCo, is seen on the field after the FIFA Club World Cup Final against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Icon Sportswire) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On Tuesday, while speaking with the Post in a call that also included Friedman, Walter for the first time publicly stated his intention to not only continue owning the Dodgers, but supporting them with the same level of financial resources that have allowed them to set MLB payroll records each of the last two seasons.
“We’ll explore every avenue we can to make this team stronger,” he added.
Los Angeles Dodgers owner and chairman Mark Walter speaks during a ceremony to unveil a statue of former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
Walter declined to address the federal investigation into his insurance companies, saying it was “not appropriate for me to comment while the investigation is ongoing.”
However, he was adamant that the sale of the Lakers had “nothing to do with the Dodgers at all,” and that he wasn’t actively shopping the basketball team until Kushner approached him with a record-setting offer that he agreed to within 72 hours.
Walter also declined to comment on recent reporting from Bloomberg that he is looking to sell the WNBA’s Sparks, but again reiterated that it will have no bearing on his Dodgers’ ownership status.
As one of MLB’s 30 principal owners, Walter will have involvement in the league’s ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement; which are taking place amid a messy labor fight with the MLB Players’ Association that is likely to lead to a lockout this offseason and could threaten the beginning of the 2027 campaign.
While the league has already begun to push for a salary cap, Walter declined to address his stance on the issue.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) receives his ring from Mark Walters at the World Series ring ceremony before game two of the series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Friday, March 27, 2026. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
What he was confident in was that, regardless of any new (and potentially stricter) spending rules a new CBA might entail, the Dodgers should be well-positioned to continue the run of dominance they have enjoyed as three-time World Series champions, five-time National League pennant winners, and 13-time NL West champions during his 15-year tenure as owner.
“It’s not just spending,” he said. “Our farm system is pretty strong, and that and player development are really big things for us. So I think on any playing field, we’ll still be among the elite teams.”
Friedman echoed that sentiment, pointing to the Dodgers’ organizational track record of success under Walter’s ownership.
“At every turn since I’ve been with the Dodgers, the financial backing and aggressiveness [from Walter] has been seemingly unmatched,” Friedman said, adding: “I think all of us being in lockstep on that has contributed to the success we’ve had looking back, and I think keeps us well-positioned for future success.”
Despite the uncertainties that have surrounded him this year, Walter was insistent that future would continue to feature him as the Dodgers’ owner.
“I really hope that the fans feel how much we appreciate them, because we’re all fans too,” he said. “And this [year] was a kind of bad end to the season for us. But you’ve got to look at how we’ve done every year and really realize they’re gonna come back and support us again next year, because we’re going to be out there fighting again for a World Series.”
