Game Thread: White Sox at Guardians, ALDS Game 5

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Sean Burke #59 of the Chicago White Sox looks on prior to game four of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field on October 08, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. — Randal Grichuk may be the Best Dad Ever, but Sean Burke represents Chicago’s only hope to advance to the ALCS. | (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

After a detestable start to the season, logic-defying climb to .500, command of the AL Central after the All-Star Break, September swoon, desperate attempt to claw back to first place, dominant start to the playoffs and utter collapse in front of a rabid and hungry home crowd, the White Sox head to Cleveland for only the second winner-take-all postseason game in their history and a chance at the first win in such a game.

No biggie, White Sox, just 126 years of history on your backs.

But, thanks to the strange twist at the end of Cleveland’s Game 4 rout, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt opted to use Cade Smith unnecessarily for a second straight two-inning stint (OK, the eighth inning of Game 3 made some sense), burning his closer for two innings again. The decision came back to bite him, and now not only has Vogt exposed Smith’s stuff to the White Sox needlessly (for the record, I don’t buy into a “book” hitters write on elite high-leverage arms like Smith and Grant Taylor, certainly not when the bigger factor is overworked pitchers getting tired and losing sharpness, something Taylor seemed to directly acknowledge after Game 4), but he forced Game 5 starter Gavin Williams in “close out” a 9-3 win.

Remember when Cleveland had such an “advantage” heading into the end of the series, with starters Parker Messick and Williams on full rest to finish things up? Well, throw that advantage out now, as a full inning of pitches on Wednesday certainly will affect Williams today — if not in efficiency, in durability. What could have been a six-innings target for the K machine is a more realistic four-five inning “open” now.

Therefore it’s advantage, White Sox, as Sean Burke (a better starter in the regular season than Williams, to begin with) starts Game 5 on full rest and coming off of the best outing of five-plus innings anyone’s had in this series.

Burke set a White Sox postseason record with 13 straight batters retired in Chicago’s Game 2 win in Cleveland, going 5 ⅓ innings total and allowing just one run on one hit. If that is the Burke we get on Saturday, the Guardians are in trouble.

Not sure it Miguel Vargas murdering Williams offsets Steven Kwan having great numbers against Burke, but perhaps Andrew Benintendi owning Williams as well flips some of the key matchups in our favor?

As you well know, though, advantages are all relative in 2026 between the White Sox and Guardians. Through 17 games, the White Sox still lead the season series, 9-8, but with the “blowouts” in Chicago the Guardians now have outscored Chicago in 2026 by all of five runs. Thirteen of 17 games in 2026 between the two clubs were decided by three runs or fewer, eight were one-run games and four ended on walk-offs. The White Sox were in first place for 96 days in 2026, Cleveland 89. And of course, the two teams finished one game apart in the standings after Cleveland’s hot finish to the season.

With Williams pitching, the White Sox will utilize their (stronger) lefty-heavy lineup, taking away any temptation to play Tommy Pham for significant innings and rendering him a pinch-hitting bat off the bench. However, in a twist, Braden Montgomery is benched for Game 5 despite facing a right-handed pitcher.

Cleveland, licking its chops at getting a righty starter in Burke, hopes to prove tonight how wise it was for Venable to dance with four consecutive lefty openers in the series — or, if the Guards fall back to the punchless offense they were in Games 1 and 2, expose such paranoid thinking as a ruse.

As to the pressure of the game, it’s hard to determine whose backs are more against the wall. Given that only three teams have ever rallied back to win after losing two straight home games to open the series, you’d think the pressure is weighing heavily on the White Sox. But here’s where their frat-boy dopeyness could help: If Colson Montgomery didn’t realize he was on the precipice of an infamous season strikeout record or that such a record even existed, do we think the clubhouse cares a whit about “pressure” to win in Game 5?

This idea was addressed, as much of this game thread was, in our pregame podcast, if you care to have a soothing voice calm your nerves as we near game time:

So friends, here we are, with a third chance to close out the Guardians. Let’s make it stick tonight.

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October 10, 2026

Wizards vs. Pistons discussion

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 8: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards and AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards high five during the game against the New York Knicks during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Washington Wizards play the Detroit Pistons tonight at 7 p.m. ET. Watch on Monumental Sports Network. Read the preview here. Let’s get to 2-0 in this young preseason!

October 10, 2026

Open Thread: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Colorado Avalanche (5:00 P.M. MT)

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 25: Brock Nelson #11 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on January 25, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After coming home with a split on the road, the Colorado Avalanche are back on home ice for another Saturday night showdown!

Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs make their only regular season visit to Denver, with a few new faces in their lineup!

Colorado Avalanche (3-1-0)

The Opponent: Toronto Maple Leafs (2-2-1)

Time: 5:00 P.M. MDT/7:00 P.M. EDT

Watch: ALT, ALT+ (Avalanche Local Broadcast Area), NHL Network, NHL Center Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – US), SN+ (Canadian National Broadcast)

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM

Colorado Avalanche

The Avs return home after splitting their first pair of back-to-back road games. They lost 3-2 on a (literal) last minute goal this past Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, but rebounded with a strong showing against the Calgary Flames in a 7-3 victory this past Thursday. The loss in Winnipeg was the first for Mackenzie Blackwood this season, while Scott Wedgewood earned his first win in his season debut against Calgary.

Jaden Schwartz scored three goals across both contests. Fedor Svechkov scored his first goal in an Avalanche sweater against Winnipeg. Zachary L’Heureux, acquired with Svechkov from Nashville in the offseason, made his Avalanche debut against Winnipeg and recorded his first assist on Nathan MacKinnon’s eventual game-winning goal in Calgary. L’Heureux also had his first fight for the Avs in a short bout with Calgary’s Matt Coronato.

Devon Toews, who had a career-low three goals last season, scored a pair of goals against Calgary. His defensive partner in Cale Makar also scored a pair of goals against his hometown team.

T.J. Hughes also recorded his first point of his NHL career, assisting on Schwartz’s first goal on against Calgary.

While the Avs remain perfect on the penalty kill, the power play has gone three games without a goal since going 4/5 in the season opener against Los Angeles on September 30.

MacKinnon leads all skaters in points (8) and assists (5), while also sharing the team lead in penalty minutes (5) with L’Heureux. He also leads the team in goals (3), along with Makar, Schwartz, and Artturi Lehkonen.

The Avs have split every season series against Toronto going back to the 2017-2018 season. Their last victory on home ice came against Toronto was in a 7-3 victory on March 05, 2025.

Projected Lineup

Forwards:
Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas
Gabe Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Nazem Kadri
Jaden Schwartz – Fedor Svechkov – T.J. Hughes
Parker Kelly – Nicolas Roy – Zachary L’Heureux

Defense:
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Josh Manson – Brent Burns

Between the Pipes:
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Toronto Maple Leafs

The lottery balls finally bounced Toronto’s way this offseason, giving them the first overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft. At the draft in June, they selected left-wing Gavin McKenna, whom many projected to be the top pick of the draft.

The move was one of many offseason transactions for Toronto. They sent a fifth round pick in this year’s draft to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Darren Raddysh on June 19; Raddysh signed an eight-year, $68 million dollar contract with Toronto as part of the transaction. Toronto also acquired center Nick Paul from Tampa in exchange for goaltender Dennis Hildeby and a pair of draft picks in 2027 & 2028 on July 01.

Free agent goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky signed a three-year, $21 million dollar contract (more on him later). That same day, noted Avalanche killer Colton Sissons also signed to a two-year, $8.5 million dollar contract, and former Avalanche forward Brandon Duhaime also signed a three-year $7.8 million dollar contract.

Shortly before the start of the season, Toronto made their biggest move: they acquired right-wing Kirill Marchenko, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, and former Avalanche forward Miles Wood from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for left-wings Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz, defenseman Emil Andrei, and a 2027 second round pick.

Toronto 2-2-1 to start the season, and are coming into tonight’s game off a 4-3 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights this past Thursday. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, Toronto did the Leafiest thing possible in allowing Vegas to score three unanswered goals to tie the game and lose in the shootout round.

Hiller also mentioned that he does not expect John Tavares to play against Colorado tonight due to the birth of his son Tucker on Friday.

Toronto’s last victory over Colorado came on January 12th, a 4-3 overtime victory at Ball Arena last season.

Projected Lineup

Forwards:
Kirill Marchenko – Auston Matthews – Jack Roslovic
Easton Cowan – Nick Paul – William Nylander
Gavin McKenna – Teddy Blueger – Colton Sissons
Brandon Duhaime – Zack MacEwen – Bo Groulx

Defense:
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Morgan Reilly – Darren Raddysh
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Troy Stecher

Between the Pipes:
Sergei Bobrovsky
Anthony Stolarz

NOTE: Don’t forget to download the new SB Nation app for a more mobile-friendly way to follow tonight’s action and engage with Mile High Hockey’s match threads. Commenting and interacting with your communities is easier than ever before with the Game Chat feature. The app is currently available in the U.S. and Canada on iOS and Android devices.

October 10, 2026

MLB Divisional Round gamethread: White Sox at Guardians

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox in game four of the American League Division Series at Rate Field on October 08, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers, Brewers, and Rays are all into the league championship round. On Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on TBS, the final team will be decided in Cleveland in an AL Central matchup as the White Sox square off with the Guardians in a decisive Game 5.

Like any Game 5 scenario, this is a real toss-up as RHP Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.76 ERA) takes on the White Sox’s RHP Sean Burke (11-7, 3.34 ERA). Williams boasts one of the highest strikeout rates of any starter in the game, but he is a little more home run prone than Burke. Things aren’t as flashy on Burke’s side of the equation, but he had a really good season as well and has tended to keep the ball in the park more effectively. Like most games, there’s a good chance this comes down to who gives up homers and who doesn’t.

The White Sox offense is theoretically much better, as the Guardians were one of the worst scoring teams in baseball this season. However, with Jose Ramirez perking up after a rough season in which he dealt with a hook hamate fracture and surgery at mid-season, the Guardians lineup is probably better than it looks on paper.

Everyone is getting gassed this time of year, but the White Sox have also had to lean really hard on their bullpen in this series, and it hasn’t gone well for them after taking a 2-0 series lead. They’ll need to build a lead and keep it, as coming back in the late innings against the Guardians bullpen is no easy task.

The NLCS will get underway on Sunday with a heck of a pitching matchup as Tarik Skubal squares off against Jacob Misiorowski and the Brewers.

Time to battle pic.twitter.com/8koCzZbCEB
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 10, 2026

Why not us?#GuardsBall | #StandGuard pic.twitter.com/7APBFg7cAZ
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) October 10, 2026

October 10, 2026

Shaikin: Here's why the Dodgers-Brewers NLCS might have been decided in August

Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal in the first inning of Game 1 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

The National League Championship Series starts Sunday. The series could have been decided on Aug. 1.

That was the day the Dodgers traded for Tarik Skubal. The Milwaukee Brewers wanted him badly, but they declined to include a promising young pitcher in the deal.

So, on Sunday, the scenario the Brewers most hoped to avoid comes true: Instead of starting for them in Game 1 of the NLCS, Skubal starts against them.

If the Dodgers win the series, the Milwaukee winter could be cold and long, with fans tortured by visions of Skubal and presumptive Cy Young winner Jacob Misiorowski starting four games in the series.

“Obviously, that wouldn’t be very fun to come in here and face Miz then Skubal,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said.

Instead, the Dodgers could get four starts out of Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

“Every night when you play these guys, you know you’re going to face a Cy Young-caliber pitcher,” Brewers captain Christian Yelich said. “It’s the reason why they’ve been so good as a team.”

In the alternate reality, the Dodgers start Yamamoto — perhaps the world’s best big-game pitcher — followed by Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and maybe Emmet Sheehan. Snell and Glasnow each starred last October, but each walked five in his division series start while failing to complete five innings.

In actual reality, the Brewers are expected to follow Misiorowski with rookie Logan Henderson, with whom they would not part in the Skubal trade. That’s no easy assignment for the Dodgers: Henderson posted a 2.47 earned-run average in 18 games this season, better than Yamamoto (2.53) and Skubal (2.72).

If Henderson can outshine the bigger names, the Brewers could be OK. But, if the Brewers fall behind in the series, they could be faced with coming back behind the likes of ex-Dodger Dustin May and rookie Robert Gasser.

Not surprisingly, Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold had little to say about his team facing Skubal in Game 1 rather than trading for him — and keeping him away from the Dodgers.

“Every team was looking to acquire good players at the deadline,” Arnold said, “and, ultimately, they landed a really good one there in Tarik Skubal.”

Said Misiorowski: “The dude’s insane. I’m just hoping that these guys can do their job and handle business with him and let me do my thing and try to get that side taken care of.”

It is entirely rational that the Brewers decided six years of Henderson would be more successful and certainly more cost-effective than two months of Skubal, who is eligible for free agency and is likely to receive the largest contract ever awarded to a pitcher (the current record: Yamamoto’s $325-million deal with the Dodgers).

It is unfortunate, too, in the sense that the Brewers are not some plucky underdog but the team that won the most games in the NL this year and last year.

“We’ve been expecting having to play them in this round since spring training,” Yelich said.

Flags fly forever. The Brewers, founded in 1969, never have won the World Series. If you’re not going all-in during a season in which you won a franchise-record 103 games, when are you?

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete against the Dodgers, because they obviously have proven to be a dominant baseball organization,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “You can complain or explain or say it’s this or it’s that, but the opportunity to get in the ring and do that is pretty special.

“That’s the way you’d want this storybook ending — when you’re writing the last words of the Milwaukee Brewers championship, you’d want it to go through the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s the way it has to be if it’s an incredible story, for lack of a better adjective.”

The Brewers should be offended at the premise behind the owners’ push for a salary cap. The owners claim small-market teams cannot compete effectively or consistently without one. The Brewers — the team that plays in baseball’s smallest market — have won a division championship for four consecutive years, and five out of six.

“Nobody here is worried about that right now,” Arnold said. “We’re focused on trying to win, and I think we have for awhile. Regardless of what the economics look like, the guys in there believe, and so do I.”

The owners have argued the system needs reform because a small-market team has not won a World Series in 11 years. Do the Brewers consider their run of success as a failure?

“I wouldn’t,” Arnold said. “I would consider it an opportunity to go win it this year.”

In the big picture — what this all means to Major League Baseball — this series makes no difference. The owners are hell-bent on their demand for a salary cap whether the underdog Brewers win, or the big, bad Dodgers do.

In the local picture here, the Brewers have to ask what every manager or coach does: Did we put our players in the best position to win?

If the Brewers win this series, good for them. If they don’t, they got their answer on Aug. 1.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

October 10, 2026

Lakers ‘not committed’ to Walker Kessler making preseason debut Tuesday

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Lakers player Walker Kessler speaks into a microphone during media day, Image 2 shows Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings

It remains to be seen whether Walker Kessler (jammed finger) will make his preseason debut for the Lakers on Tuesday.

“I would say we’re not committed to that,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said at Lakers practice on Saturday.

The Lakers’ new franchise center has missed all three exhibition games after jamming his finger against the backboard during training camp.

Los Angeles Lakers player Walker Kessler (14) poses during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Redick said Kessler at first fully participated in Saturday’s practice, but then his injury started bothering him.

“He was a live participant initially, and then we were doing a drill and he hit his finger,” said Redick, who added that Kessler went on to do everything else Saturday except for the live action drills.

“… So, [he] was in for about half the practice,” Redick said. “We’ll see [Sunday] if he can do live.”

The Lakers play the Warriors on Tuesday in their penultimate exhibition game.

So, the team has two more chances to try to get Kessler on the floor to get a glimpse of what their Big 3 will look like ahead of their season opener on Oct. 21.

Redick emphasized that Kessler’s injury is of no concern.

“Yeah, he’s fine,” Redick said.

Redick added that Collin Sexton (lower leg) is “a little bit further behind” Kessler in terms of making his preseason debut. He said Arthur Kaluma participated in Saturday’s practice, but Ziaire Williams is still dealing with a foot contusion.

“Again, it’s not a concern,” Redick said of Williams.

Luka Doncic is looking forward to see how things shape up when everyone becomes available, especially Kessler, whom the Lakers acquired in a sign-and-trade from Utah, giving up two unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps, signing him to a four-year, $130 million deal.

“I’m very excited,” Doncic said Saturday. “Obviously, kind of involved, not signing him. but there was a lot of communication with [Lakers general manager and president of basketball operations] Rob [Pelinka] and JJ about him, so I’m very excited to just share the floor with him.”

October 10, 2026

Braves reportedly declined to involve Didier Fuentes in Tarik Skubal trade talks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Didier Fuentes #72 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Just because the Atlanta Braves are done for the year here in 2026, that doesn’t mean that the rumor mill needs to stop. In fact, apparently we’re still learning new details about trades that didn’t happen all the way back in August around the Trade Deadline.

We learned a while back that the Braves were reportedly willing to send Spencer Strider out to Texas in exchange for Jacob deGrom and now we’re learning about a player who they were willing to keep when trying to swing a deal for the biggest name of the deadline, Tarik Skubal.

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, the Braves refused to include Didier Fuentes in any trade talks with the Tigers for Skubal. The words that Abraham used is that the Braves “wouldn’t part” with Fuentes. I’d imagine that if Alex Anthopoulos is unwilling to move the 21-year-old hurler for a pitcher the caliber of Skubal then that means that Fuentes is likely set to be here for the long haul and could be an important part of the team going forward.

The good news for the Braves is that it’s not like pitching was the issue for them – especially during their Postseason run. Sure, Fuentes had an up-and-down experience in October, himself, but that’s to be expected from someone as young as he was. Plus, the “up” was a massive flash of brilliance in Game 2 of the NLDS which is when Fuentes retired 11 batters in a row during a crucial part of the contest. Walt Weiss repeatedly contended that Fuentes was his “best” reliever and the faith that was placed in him during the playoffs was proof of that belief.

It also seems to indicate that the Braves have bigger plans for Fuentes. After all, he did initially start life as a big leaguer in 2025 as a starter and this appears to be an indication that Fuentes could return to that role in some point. I don’t think they’d be willing to hold on to him if they figured that he was simply going to be a high-leverage reliever going forward.

There’s also no telling as to who all else was involved in the trade talks – though MLB Trade Rumors did name JR Ritchie and AJ Smith-Shawver as prospects who were deemed to be available. We’re likely not going to hear Anthopoulos lay out the whole trade discussion between the Braves and the Tigers unless he decides to randomly drop a bombshell during some random appearance on the radio (similarly to how he sort of randomly revealed earlier this Summer that the Braves were close to acquiring Kyle Schwarber a few years ago) so we likely won’t get to know whether or not Fuentes was the difference between Skubal wearing navy blue-and-red instead of Dodger blue any time soon.

Either way, it seems like everyone involved got their way. The Braves held on to a very talented hurler with a bright future, the Dodgers added to their constellation of stars and the Tigers got a return that they’re happy with. It’s a very interesting story and all we can do is wait to see how the long-term situation plays out.

October 10, 2026

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks game preview

MACAO, CHINA - OCTOBER 9: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets jumps the opening tip against Morez Johnson Jr. #14 of the Dallas Mavericks during the 2026 Macao Games on October 9, 2026 at The Venetian Arena in Macao, China. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Houston looked pretty good on Friday morning in their 135-117 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Fred VanVleet’s return to the lineup was triumphant and Alperen Sengun snagged a triple double in just 22 minutes. Were the Rockets perfect? Of course not. 21 turnovers leap off the stat sheet and defense was optional in the second half, but in a preseason overseas, you have to expect some issues.

For Dallas, Dusty May has stated that he expects Kyrie Irving to play one of the two games. Since Irving didn’t play on Friday, well the process of elimination sort of does the work for us. Kevin Durant is also listed as a game-time decision. Again, the league wants the stars to play and the teams know that, so we’ll see how May and Ime Udoka play this.

Houston’s next (and final) preseason game is on Thursday in Houston against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then there’s no basketball until the following Wednesday (October 21) when Houston takes on these same Dallas Mavericks to open the season.

Tip-off

5am CT

How To Watch

NBA TV and Space City Home Network

Injury Report

Rockets

Kevin Durant: GTD

Mavericks

Do you really care?

The Line (as of this post)

I can’t find one and honestly, if you really need this line, please get some help.

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can

Thursday evening against the Oklahoma City Thunder

October 10, 2026

Philadelphia 76ers (1-1) at Boston Celtics (1-0) Preseason Game #2 10/10/26

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 3: Joel Embiid #21 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during practice on October 3, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in their home preseason opener. The 76ers have played 2 games so far, winning the first and losing the second. They sat their starters in the first game and won and played all of their starters in the second game and lost. Philly has one preseason game left after this one, at home against the Celtics. The Celtics have 2 more preseason games, one at home against Charlotte and the final game on the road at Philadelphia.

Jaylen Brown’s play with the 76ers will be a point of interest for Celtics fans all season. He was the only regular starter to play in both games. Nick Nurse has said that he will play his starters in one of the 2 games against Boston and it will likely be their home game. Since the Celtics starters sat out the first game. I expect them to play at least the first half in this one. But, with Joe, you never know.

The 76ers made one of the biggest moves of the off season, trading Paul George to get Jaylen Brown. They also signed LeBron James, Dean Wade, Ariel Hukporti and Anfernee Simons as free agents. They drafted Labaron Philon, Jr with the 22nd pick in the draft. Along with Paul George, they lost Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre, Jr and Andre Drummond.

I’m not going to post possible starters for this game. Both coaches are unpredictable and I’m sure whatever lineups I pick, the coaches will start someone else. Philadelphia started Caldwell-Pope, Edgecombe, Brown, Wade and Hukporti in their first game. They started Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, James and Embiid in their second game. The Celtics started Conley, Scheierman, Walsh, Gonzalez and Garza. He may go with the starters in this game or possibly even all the end of the bench guys.

The Celtics have just one player on the injury list and that is Ron Harper, Jr who is a game time decision with a shoulder injury. The 76ers have 5 players listed as out including Taco Fall (hip), Dminick Barlow (back), Adem Bona (foot), Ariel Hukporti (Achilles), and Anfernee Simons (hamstring). I’m sure there will be at least a few players out for rest as well. With Hukporti out for the season and Bona nursing a sore foot, they are weak at the center.

Boston Celtics Roster
Chris Cenac, Jr
Mike Conley
Luka Garza
Paul George
Hugo Gonzalez
Ron Harper, Jr
Sam Hauser
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Mitchell Robinson
Baylor Scheierman
Jayson Tatum
Jordan Walsh
Derrick White

2-Way Players
Dillon Mitchell
Amari Williams

Exhibit 10 Players
Devin Carter
Tucker DeVries
Hayden Gray
Gabe MccGlothan
Milos Uzan

Injuries
Ron Harper, Jr (shoulder) game time decision

Players to Watch

Jayson Tatum and Paul George

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Philadelphia 76ers Roster
Jaylen Brown
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
VJ Edgecombe
Justin Edwards
Joel Embiid
LeBron James
Tyrese Maxey
Labaron Philon, Jr
Dean Wade
Jabari Walker

2-Way Players
Caleb Love
Rayan Rupert

Exhibit 10 Players
Taco Fall
Dillon Jones
Duke Miles
Jameer Nelson, Jr
Saint Thomas

Injuries
Taco Fall (hip) out
Dominick Barlow (back) out
Adem Bona (foot) out
Ariel Hukporti (Achilles) out
Anfernee Simons (hamstring) out

Players to Watch

VJ Edgecombe and Jabari Walker

Head Coach
Nick Nurse

What to Watch
How Jayson Tatum Plays – Jayson Tatum played in just 16 games last season, plus 6 playoff games. He looked good and averaged almost 22 points and 10 rebounds, however, he didn’t seem to have the same explosion that he did before the injury. He also played along side of Jaylen Brown for the past 10 years and will be playing as the Alpha without him for the first time in his career. We didn’t get to see him in the first game, so hopefully he will play in this game.

How About the New Guys– Conley looked good in the start on Thursday and may or may not play in this one. How will Paul George’s game fit with Jayson Tatum and how will he play in the Celtics’ system. Does he still have a lot in the tank and can he still play at a high level? Will Mitchell Robinson start or come off the bench and how will his game fit with Mazzulla Ball? Can he hit his free throws? Chris Cenac, Jr, Dillon Mitchell and Devin Carter all impressed in game 1. Can they do it again in this game?

Offensive Rebounding – The Celtics dominated the boards on Thursday against the Cavaliers. They had 21 offensive rebounds to just 6 for the Cavs. Can the starters do just as well? Rebounding will be a key for the Celtics this season. The 76ers had 10 offensive rebounds in their first game and 6 in their second. The Celtics need to once again dominate the boards in this game.

3 Point Shooting – The Celtics picked up where they left off last season, shooting 47 three pointers and hitting 36.2% of them The 76ers reserves shot 46 threes in the first game against New York and hit 34.8% of them. In their second game against Brooklynwith the starters in, they shot just 27 threes and hit just 29.6% of them.

X-Factor
It’s the Preseason – The preseason is a time for the coaches to get a look at players who may or may not make the team, to experiment with lineups and different plays. Wins and losses are not as important as learning things about the players and the team. We certainly won’t see the regular rotation for either team and that’s ok.

October 10, 2026

What we learned as Yaxel Lendeborg shines again in Warriors' win over Kings

What we learned as Yaxel Lendeborg shines again in Warriors' win over Kings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – Playing their fourth game of the preseason, the Warriors had their regulars back on the floor Saturday night at Chase Center against the Sacramento Kings.

Steve Kerr again opened the game with a starting five of Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green. A tight contest all game concluded with a 111-106 Warriors win.

Less is more for Curry in the preseason, and he continued to only play the first half. Curry in 14 minutes scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting and made two of his four 3-point attempts.

What a connection 😮‍💨
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/yEBSrmmDCO
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 11, 2026

Golden State’s biggest story wasn’t two quarters of Curry. Lendeborg opened more eyes by displaying an array of skills that have Warriors fans already dreaming of a Rookie of the Year campaign. Lendeborg put up 23 points in 23 minutes on 10-of-14 shooting and also had 10 rebounds and six assists.

Flex on ‘em, Yax 💪
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/ABkJhdYVFI
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 11, 2026

Kings top pick Darius Acuff Jr. was a problem for the Warriors and exposed their point of attack weakness. Acuff dropped 25 points in 27 minutes and blew past a list of Warriors.

Ben Simmons made his Kings preseason debut and scored seven points in eight minutes.

Here are three takeaways from a Warriors win that improved their preseason record to 2-2.

Follow Yaxel’s Lead

He’s 24 years old, spent six years in college – including three in junior college – and hasn’t played a regular-season game in the NBA. Yet Lendeborg continues to play like a seasoned veteran. The game just looks easy to him, especially on the offensive end.

Lendeborg scored eight of the Warriors’ first 12 points and finished the first quarter with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and six rebounds. The Warriors’ first two possessions were a two-man game of Green and Lendeborg. Green first found him cutting behind the defense for an easy layup and then hit him in the right corner for a three after getting to the middle of the paint.

The Vet ➡️ The Rook
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/tVM0lWL9Qr
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 11, 2026

But the most interesting part was how the second possession began. Lendeborg brought the ball up the court before relocating and knocking down a three. Kerr already feels comfortable using Lendeborg as a ball-handler and is giving him the freedom to learn on the fly.

At Lendeborg’s size, he’s an automatic mismatch initiating offense as a playmaker, and using his length around the rim. He went coast to coast multiple times and couldn’t be stopped. Lendeborg in the first half scored an easy 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting and also had eight rebounds, three assists and no turnovers.

The end of the third quarter was another perfect example of what Lendeborg can do. He came with eight seconds remaining, grabbed a rebound off a missed free throw, took it the other way and found Brandon Williams for a three at the buzzer.

B Will beat the buzzer 🚨
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/FoF9BTWXxB
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 11, 2026

Don’t Forget Gui

Even when they aren’t being seen as championship contenders, there still are so many talking points about the Warriors. Curry and Green always will garner headlines. So will Lendeborg’s rise throughout his rookie year, and Jimmy Butler’s rehab.

Santos can still get lost in the spotlight shuffle, despite coming off a breakout season. Saturday night was a reminder why he can’t be forgotten.

The forward started off slow in the first quarter and found his groove in the second. After taking just one shot and scoring two points off two free throws in his first seven minutes, Santos was a perfect 5 of 5 from the field in the second quarter for 10 points. All his work was done around the rim, with the furthest shot he made being eight feet away.

It was a display of fancy footwork for Santos. A patient approach of rip-throughs and euro steps was his ticket to scoring and the Kings’ defense didn’t have an answer.

Gui is FEELIN' it 🔥
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/GHojxZfqJ2
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 11, 2026

Santos ended with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and six rebounds, but his five turnovers are a number Kerr will want to see cut in half.

Money Man

The morning began for Podziemski by reportedly signing a new five-year, $110 million extension. The night ended with him doing what he does and stuffing the stat sheet.

Podziemski scored a modest 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range and 3 of 4 at the free-throw line. He cut to the rim and found his way to the free-throw line early. He also hit back-to-back threes in the third quarter.

Plus, Podziemski’s seven rebounds were second to Lendeborg’s 10.

It won’t get talked about much but Podziemski’s ability to draw fouls is huge in his growth. Podziemski shot 63.3 percent from the free-throw line as a rookie and has improved ever since. He was up to 75.8 percent in his second season and 79.7 percent last season.

If Podziemski can be 80 percent or above, he can average north of 15 points per game and stack 20-point performances.

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October 10, 2026

Waiting for the swagger: Anticipation grows for Mikel Brown Jr. debut

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks during a press conference at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

No word yet on whether Mikel Brown Jr. will make his preseason debut Monday night in Washington vs. the Wizards and overall No. 1 pick, A.J. Dybantsa. A lot presumably will depend on how he does during practice on Sunday afternoon at HSS Training Center.

Last we heard from Brian Lewis at the Nets Fan Fest last Sunday, the No. 6 pick had been undergoing contact drills with the team’s coaching staff, having rolled his left ankle during workouts prior to the start of training camp. If he doesn’t play Monday, then it’s likely he and fans will have to wait till the final preseason game Wednesday in Miami vs. the new-look Heat.

The wait has been excruciating for fans anxious to see how the 20-year-old will perform, particularly when paired next to Egor Demin. In his first two preseason contests — both wins — Demin has looked like a different player and he didn’t look bad either during last season or Summer League. Fans see the two, the highest Nets back-to- back picks in 30 years, as the backcourt of the future. Brown Jr. and Demin do, too, each calling the other his “brother.”

In the meantime, fans have had rely on what others are saying about MBJ, starting with the man who picked him back in June, GM Sean Marks. Marks told Sirius/XM recently Brown Jr. has been acting more like a veteran rather than a rookie, organizing team dinners, taking teammates under his wing and emerging as a vocal leader on and off the court:

“He doesn’t act like a rookie. He has a presence about him that you’d say, he’s kind of been there, done that before. Took guys to dinner, took guys under his wing. He’s a vocal leader,” said Mark describing his “swagger“

”He shares the ball, very encouraging teammate… He wanted the best for others, and that really resonated within the locker room.”

Julius Randle, the team’s veteran leader with 13 years experience and it’s most accomplished player, agrees. He also thinks the Louisville product is the real deal.

“Usually when you’re a young player, you want to try to get a basket every single time, but he’s coming off a pick and roll and really understands how to read and play the game,” Randle said.

None of this is that much of a surprise to two people who have mentored him, his father Chris Brown Sr. and Bootsy Thornton, a shooting guard who played for St. John’s and coached Brown Jr. in Orlando. C.J. Holmes of the Daily News spoke to both in recent days.

Dad told Holmes what Mikel’s day entails.

The days have filled up quickly. Since Summer League, Chris said, Mikel’s alarm has gone off at 6:30 a.m. He reaches the facility around 7:30 and works with the team through early afternoon. Then comes the lifting, recovery and a massage. Most evenings, he returns to shoot around 7 p.m. and finishes close to 10 p.m.
Some of the work is learning the people who will share the court with him. Chris said his son studies his teammates’ tendencies and the shots they are trying to add. Mikel watches film with the coaches every day, sometimes going through the same material several times so he can carry it into the next practice.

“It’s one thing to make the NBA, it’s another thing to stick in the NBA,” Chris Brown Sr. said.

Thornton thinks that in the Nets system, with its emphasis on versatility and quick decision-making, Brown Jr. is a point guard but one who doesn’t shy away from the big shot.

“I envision him as a point guard, to be honest with you,” Thornton told Holmes. “He’s a point guard who can score.”

Thornton also said that he expects Brown Jr. will help the Nets immediately with his scoring and passing, adding that he’ll rack up so-called hockey assists, making the pass that leads to the pass that sets up the score.

One issue that the team and Brown Jr.’s recognize is that Brown’s slight frame is likely to make him a target for opponents. Indeed, Chris Brown Sr. told Holmes said the Nets have focused on Mikel’s base and core, building the foundation that will help him absorb contact and keep his balance through a drive.

Personally, Brown Jr. admits he has to be more patient, as he told Holmes.

At Louisville, defenders could sit in the paint and crowd his drives. The space in Summer League caught his attention. So did the touches he spoiled by rushing into it. Brown recalled getting stuck on drives, playing off one foot and making the wrong decision. He’s since worked on finding his spots and stopping on two feet, bringing his body under control before deciding where the ball should go.

“I just got to really slow down,” Brown added. That won’t affect his mindset, Brown Jr. advised.

“That swagger is going to stay regardless. And I’m a high-risk, high-reward guy. Obviously I know sometimes it’s better to hit the single and that’s what I’ve been talking to my coaches about, and I’ve gotten better at that.”

The Nets, as an organization, have embraced that swagger, producing a six-minute video of him at Media Day.

“I ain’t no model. I am a basketball player,” he’s quoted as saying. “I take the orange ball and put it in the orange hoop.”

Nets fans hope to see that soon.

October 10, 2026

How to watch Warriors vs. Kings

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 13: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks to drive to the basket pasZach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 13, 2025 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors return home for Saturday night’s preseason matchup as they take on the Sacramento Kings. The game will be played at 5:30 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.

Weekend hoops on Warriors Ground.

🏀 GSW vs. SAC
🕠 5:30 pm PT
📺 @NBCSAuthentic
📻 @957thegame
📱 https://t.co/6fWWQpq2o1
🎟️ https://t.co/CHS4EdsrDb #DubNation pic.twitter.com/DMZdXUVMv4
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 10, 2026

Previously with the Warriors:

The Warriors suffered a 123-118 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their most recent preseason game Wednesday night, however, Golden State was without most of its key players, as they did not make the trip to Portland. The matchup marked the Warriors’ third game in four days, a stretch that began in Hawaii, as well as the second night of a home-road back-to-back.

Despite being shorthanded, the Warriors remained competitive behind strong performances from Dalen Terry and Miles Kelly. Terry finished with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field, including four three-pointers, while playing a game-high 43 minutes. Kelly led the team in scoring with 24 points, doing most of his damage from beyond the arc as he knocked down six of his 11 three-point attempts.

Dalen Terry put on a show in Portland 🍿 pic.twitter.com/elehYkcLGf
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 8, 2026

What to watch for tonight:

Tonight’s matchup against the Kings marks Golden State’s fourth game of the preseason. The team’s usual starters are expected to return to the lineup, including shooting guard Brandin Podziemski. The 23-year-old will enter his fourth NBA season and is fresh off signing a five-year, $110 million contract extension ahead of Saturday night’s game. Podziemski was the only Warriors player to appear in every game last season and figures to play an important role for the team once again this year. Through two preseason appearances, he is averaging 11.5 points per game.

Breaking: Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has agreed to a five-year, $110 million fully guaranteed rookie-scale contract extension, his agent tells @ShamsCharania.

Get breaking news alerts from Shams through the ESPN App: https://t.co/Vy9NIoK9HT pic.twitter.com/E9c6npFmC2
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 10, 2026

Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!!

Projected Starters

Warriors: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Yaxel Lendeborg, Draymond Green, Al Horford

Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, De’Andre Hunter, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis

How to watch Preseason Game 4

Who: Golden State Warriors (1 – 2) vs. Sacramento Kings (0 – 2)

When: Saturday, October 10th, at 5:30 p.m. PT

Where: Chase Center — San Francisco, California

TV and Streaming: NBC Sports Area

October 10, 2026

Yankees could use a little less conformism, a bit more indignation

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Giancarlo Stanton #27 and Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees look on from the dugout during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game two of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 05, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Remember the line from “The Great Gatsby” in which the protagonist fights the notion of being unable to repeat the past? Although it is a slippery slope, the Yankees, more than any other team in baseball, must—in the first step towards a journey to the top spot in the sport—look to their past. It isn’t about trying to recreate exactly what we once saw because that can never be done; it’s a necessary effort to understand the disconnect between the fan base and management as to what exactly dictates desired success and how far off they are from each other.

Before the late ’90s dynasty, the Yankees had lean years as a trigger-happy team in the hands of George Steinbrenner. Winning it all was all that mattered, and the inability to see certain moves through created plenty of turmoil. That is not what we want, but nearly as disappointing is the current feeling that the front office is content with a ticket to the dance and let it be what it will once it arrives.

The Yankees are now coming up on nearly two decades without a World Series title. And with a winning club for the entirety of this run plus resources second to none in the American League, it is unfathomable that not only have they not won a title, but they also haven’t come close to one—going down 3-0 before losing the World Series in five in misery back in 2024, their sole appearance to the Fall Classic since 2009.

Plenty of the Yankee teams in this period have been good, even very good, but have any of them been great enough long enough that you could justify management’s conformism with just running it back enough times until they eventually pull through? There are tough breaks here and there, but if we look through the list of the most dominant teams in the sport over the past 10 years or so, how many Yankee teams could make the list? How many times did it truly feel like an injustice that they came up short? It has routinely seemed like the 2018 Red Sox, the 2020 Dodgers, and the 2022 Astros have been more well-rounded, naming a few.

So much of the focus is on Aaron Boone for continuously dropping playoff series against teams with a better record. Obviously he has a lot of blame there, but can we stop to figure out why the Yankees keep coming up against superior opposition in the postseason in the first place? Take these last two seasons, for instance: the Yankees couldn’t even be the best team in their division. And it’s not as if, outside of Aaron Judge’s missed time, you could point to a high level of underperformance in the regular season that’s a factor among other sustained contenders. In fact, several of the key players performed well above expectations, such as the likes of Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler.

Disappointment comes in different shapes and sizes. The one from the last two seasons is much more about the built-up frustration of a long drought than the letdown of a team you truly believed would win it all. The here we go again feeling has gotten a little too familiar.

That said, the Yankees don’t have a talent issue, but you can count on one hand the number of times during this run that they fell short of a title, and you truly felt like they got the short end of the stick as the top team. That should be the goal—not to build just one of the very good teams, but to be the absolute best, and then if you are, eventually the breaks are going to go your way—eventually you’ll make your own breaks.

October 10, 2026

Kings Vs Golden Knights Game Preview

The Kings are looking for their 1st win of the 2026-27 NHL season as they set their sights on Vegas in tonight's matchup. The Kings are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, and in that game, Alex Laferriere was the Kings' lone goal scorer. The Kings have had a slow start to the season, with a 0-2-1 record. The Kings are looking to change that tonight against Vegas.

Projected Kings Lines

Here are the projected lines for the Kings tonight:

Artemi Panarin - Quinton Byfield - Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore - Erik Haula - Alex Laferriere

Joel Armia - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright

Andre Lee - Samuel Helenius - Corey Perry

Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke

Brian Dumoulin - Drew Doughty

Mikey Anderson - Cody Ceci

Darcy Kuemper

Anton Forsberg

Projected Golden Knights Lines

Here are the projected lines for the Golden Knights tonight:

Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Mark Stone

Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner

Trevor Connelly - Tomas Hertl - Raphael Lavoie

Marc Gatcomb - Nic Dowd - Braeden Bowman

Shea Theodore - Brayden McNabb

Parker Wotherspoon - Rasmus Andersson

Jeremy Lauzon - Noah Hanifin

Carter Hart

Adin Hill

Game Notes

The Kings will miss Mats Zuccarello (upper-body injury), Alex Turcotte (undisclosed), and Kevin Fiala (leg surgery) tonight. They also scratched Erik Gustafsson. The Golden Knights are without Victor Olofsson (undisclosed), and they have scratched Dylan Coghlan.

Tonight's matchup pits Darcy Kuemper of the Kings against Carter Hart of the Golden Knights. The Kings need to be at their best, as the Golden Knights are coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Maple Leafs, including a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The Kings take on the Golden Knights tonight at 10:00 PM EST as they look for their first win of the season.

October 10, 2026