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Benson Has “That Kind Of Smirk On His Face That Irritates You”

The Buffalo Sabres practiced on Tuesday in preparation for the opening of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. The club finished off the Boston Bruins in six games, while Les Habitants went the full seven games with Tampa Bay. One of the keys to the Sabres' victory over the Bruins in the series finale was the play of youngster Zach Benson, who scored the insurance goal in the third period to give Buffalo some breathing room.

Throughout the series, the BC native was the focal point of the Bruins ire and an irritating presence on nearly every shift, something that Boston should be familiar with since they had Brad Marchand on their roster for 16 seasons. That pestiness provoked Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy to take a baseball swing at Benson after the Sabres winger tripped him near the end boards. 

"He's hard to play against. There's the pest that's real annoying, there's a pest that's really hard to play against, and I think he's a real hard player to play against," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. "He plays the game the right way. He has the puck a lot. He can score. I mentioned yesterday that he's annoying, because he gets to the net all the time. He gets to the puck. He's the first touch. If he's not the first touch, he's all over you to try to get it back. Then he's got that kind of that smirk on his face that he irritates you too as an opposition player. It makes me smile when it annoys other people."

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X factors in the Montreal-Buffalo series.

Benson has played over 200 games in the NHL since being drafted 13th overall in 2023 and posted a career-best 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists), but has slowly evolved into the role of an irritant and seems to enjoy chosen path.

"It's part of the game that he likes. Being in another team's face and being annoying and being called a pest. I don't think it's something that bothers him one bit." Sabres linemate Josh Doan said. "He enjoys this part of the game. It's that competitive side of him. He's not going to be the biggest guy and blow you up, so if he's going to get in your head, it's going to be from being annoying and stripping you or or crashing into your paint and being around your goalie as much as you can. I think he doesn't get as much credit for how strong he can be in those areas. It's not very easy to get him out of there, so over a long over a long series, it gets tiring."

It is likely that Benson will attempt to rile players such as Montreal defenseman Arber Xhekaj or forward Josh Anderson, hoping to draw the Canadiens more physical players into penalties. The Sabres will need to take advantage of those opportunities, after going 1 for 24 on the power play against the Bruins. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Brandon Nimmo wants Mets 'to do well,' believes trade to Rangers was strictly 'a baseball decision'

Former Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo returned to New York as a visiting player for the first time on Tuesday, and even though he was in the Bronx to face the Yankees, he fielded many questions about his Mets tenure and the current state of the team.

“I want them to do well,” Nimmo said. “I’ve played here before when things aren’t going well, and it’s not fun. I wish the best for them, but also I’m trying to take care of things here and make sure we’re trying to play good baseball here.”

Nimmo, of course, was traded to the Rangers this past offseason in the deal that brought Marcus Semien to the Mets. The trade came just three years into Nimmo’s eight-year, $162 million contract, and he had to waive his no-trade clause to complete the deal. 

Nimmo said that he reached out to a lot of people before making his decision, including Pete Alonso, who told him the Mets hadn’t reached out to him at that point.

“When Pete said they hadn’t even reached out to him, there was definitely a lot of uncertainty as to which direction they were going. But ultimately, I had to make other phone calls and talk to other people and deliberate over it for many more days. So, it wasn’t just his conversation that went into it. I talked to dozens of people. It was just a piece of the puzzle that helped in the decision-making process.”

“I obviously would have loved to have seen Pete retire in a Mets uniform,” he later added. “He’s the Mets’ home run king and has all these titles that go along with it. I think that would have been awesome, but it wasn’t in the cards for what they felt like were the best baseball decisions.”

When president of baseball operations David Stearns traded Nimmo and let Alonso and Edwin Diaz depart in free agency, rumors swirled that there was an alleged rift in the Mets’ clubhouse, particularly between Nimmo and Francisco Lindor. 

Both players have since said there was no truth to those rumors, and Nimmo said again Tuesday that he thought his trade was purely a baseball move.

“I believe it was probably just a baseball decision. Like I said last year and even in these interviews in the spring, I really didn’t see anything wrong with the chemistry between the guys,” Nimmo said. “And if it was happening, I didn’t know about it, so they were keeping it hush-hush, which is kind of tough to do in a clubhouse where you spend most of the day with each other. But from my standpoint, I think it was a baseball decision, and I think it was something that David felt would better the New York Mets and (general manager Chris Young) felt would better the Texas Rangers.”

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Who are top picks in new AI NBA mock draft ahead of 2026 lottery?

The 2026 NBA Draft lottery is on Mother's Day this year, with every team that didn't make the playoffs seeking the gift of the right ping-pong ball combination on Sunday, May 10. A whole batch of franchises tanked this past season just to have a better shot at securing the best choice possible in what's considered a strong draft class. So much so that NBA commissioner Adam Silver is considering radical changes to the NBA draft lottery system.

Teams have been lining up for the top of the draft board. BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson of Kansas, Duke's Cameron Boozer and UNC freshman Caleb Wilson have largely been considered the best four prospects but in varying orders. The potential prizes extend beyond that this year, though. The latest first-round mock draft conducted by USA TODAY Sports through Microsoft Copilot's artificial intelligence chatbot shows – when compared to one done just two weeks earlier with the same team order – the perception of this draft is fluid before its exact order is known.

The top five picks remained the same, but there was plenty of movement from there. New prospects were elevated into the first round by AI or higher in the NBA draft pecking order with another two weeks of intel. Other players were dropped out of the top 30 selections. More will be decided over the next week or so, when the NBA Draft lottery and NBA Draft Scouting Combine are held in Chicago.

Here's Microsoft Copilot's latest 2026 NBA mock draft heading into the draft lottery, as curated by USA TODAY Sports

NBA PLAYOFFS: From stars to sixth men, key players to watch in conference semis

EXCLUSIVE: Kingston Flemings did everything Houston asked, now he’s ready for NBA draft

2026 NBA mock draft by USA TODAY Sports

You can compare AI's picks to the latest USA TODAY 2026 NBA mock draft by clicking here.

2026 NBA mock draft: AI picks first round

USA TODAY Sports asked Microsoft Copilot AI to generate a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft featuring only players who could be eligible this year. Microsoft Copilot assigned the draft order based on regular-season NBA records and the latest draft lottery tiebreakers, with the worst record getting the No. 1 pick and the best record getting the No. 30 pick. It used current mock drafts from reputable websites, as well as team needs, prospect analysis and potential pick swaps/protections, to determine the first-round selections for each team in this exercise.

AI models still have issues with accuracy as seen in the mock draft below. Of particular note, Microsoft Copilot had several picks inaccurately assigned to teams based on previous trades and pick swaps.

Here's a 2026 NBA first-round mock draft, according to Microsoft Copilot AI, as of May 5:

Note: The Hawks receive the better pick between the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks through a trade during the 2025 NBA draft. The Bucks get the lesser of the two selections.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA mock draft 2026: AI makes first-round picks for every team

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Smith to the i.l., Foscue up

MESA, AZ - FEBRUARY 21: Justin Foscue #56 of the Texas Rangers looks on during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on February 21, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Bailey Orr/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Texas Rangers have placed infielder Josh Smith on the injured list with a right glute strain, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled infielder Justin Foscue.

Smith, who took over at second base this season for Marcus Semien, has gotten off to a difficult start to the 2026 season, putting up a .217/.324/.239 slash line while also having issues out in the field. In his previous two games he went 4 for 7 with a walk, with those four hits representing 20% of his hit total for the season, but he will now be sidelined for the time being.

Foscue, the Rangers’ first round pick in 2020, is in his fourth season at AAA Round Rock. He has slashed .287/.407/.426, with as many walks as strikeouts. He has split his time between first base, second base and DH this season. He will look to improve on his career major league slash line of .059/.094/.098 while he is up.

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Malachi Moreno nearly cracks the first round in new NBA Mock Draft

Mar 13, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) goes around Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Kentucky Wildcats are nearing completion of their 2026-2027 basketball roster, with just a couple more spots to fill.

Kentucky native Malachi Moreno was expected back on the team after he tested the NBA Draft waters. However, some recent draft rankings and projections have left some wondering if he could actually stay in this year’s draft.

The Georgetown (KY) native was mocked 31st overall to the New York Knicks in Jonathan Wasserman’s latest mock draft at Bleacher Report, one spot shy of the first round. His pro comparison was former Wildcat Nick Richards, who saw great success in his junior year in Lexington.

As a few players could potentially withdraw from the draft process in the coming weeks, Wasserman believes Moreno could be a first-round pick based on his size alone.

“With NIL bringing back a handful of first round guys, Malachi Moreno has a chance to capitalize on that during the draft process,” Wasserman said. “There is already enough intrigue around a 19-year-old, 7-footer with strong shot-blocking and passing metrics, plus some touch indicators. Certain teams would prefer to gamble on a freshman with Moreno’s tools, production, impact, and historically translatable/valued archetype, rather than a projected 23-year-old rookie in a shallow draft.

“Scrimmages at the NBA combine will represent a huge opportunity for Moreno to generate more first-round interest.“

Moreno was invited to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago next week. This is a huge opportunity for Moreno to showcase his size and athleticism in front of NBA scouts, teams, and front offices. The scrimmages will be aired on television as BBN and Mark Pope will be keeping a close eye on the 7-footer.

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Updated list of Bruins draft picks for 2026 and future years

Updated list of Bruins draft picks for 2026 and future years originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins, for the first time in a long while, have a boatload of picks in the upcoming NHL Drafts.

Most notably, they have five first-round picks in the next three drafts, including the possibility of having three of them in the 2028 draft.

The Bruins did not get lucky in Tuesday night’s 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

They had a 58.2 percent chance of getting the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top-five protected 2026 first-round pick. But the Leafs won the lottery and will pick No. 1 overall. As a result, they will give the Bruins a 2027 or 2028 first-round pick to complete the Brandon Carlo trade from March of 2025.

  • If the Leafs’ 2027 pick is outside the top 10, it goes to the Flyers. The Bruins would then get the Leafs’ unprotected 2028 first-round pick.
  • If the Leafs’ 2027 pick is inside the top 10, they can choose to give it to the Flyers or Bruins. The team not chosen will get Toronto’s unprotected 2028 first-rounder.

What will the Bruins do with all these draft picks?

They can use all or most of them to add talented young players to the organization and bolster a prospect pool that still lacks high-end talent. The Athletic ranked the Bruins’ prospect pool 30th out of 32 teams in 2025, but it improved to the 19th-ranked prospect pool in this year’s rankings after a strong 2025 draft and other prospects showing on-ice improvement.

That’s an impressive jump, but it’s still middle of the pack.

The Bruins could also use some of these draft picks as trade chips to acquire immediate help. The B’s desperately need another top-six forward (preferably a center) and a top-four defenseman.

The players that make up Boston’s core are largely in the win-now portion of their careers, so it would make sense for the Bruins to prioritize adding veteran help to the roster after this season’s playoff run.

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Wild vs Avalanche Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's NHL Playoffs Game 2

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Nazem Kadri was a standout in Game 1, leading all players in shots on goal and scoring a goal in the process.

Our Wild vs. Avalanche predictions expect another active offensive night from Kadri in Game 2, with plenty of involvement around the net once again.

Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Tuesday, May 5.

  • UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & goal scorer pick.

Wild vs Avalanche Game 2 prediction

Who will win Wild vs Avalanche Game 2?

Avalanche:Cale Makar missed almost the entire opening period, and the Colorado Avalanche still scored nine goals while generating 17 high-danger chances. They have an unmatched level of firepower, and the Minnesota Wild aren’t stout enough defensively to slow them down.

Wild vs Avalanche best bet: Nazem Kadri Over 2.5 shots on goal (+115)

Nazem Kadri was a one-man shooting gallery in the series opener, generating a game-high eight shots on nine attempts.

Kadri’s shooting success against the Minnesota Wild is nothing new. He has averaged 4.4 shots on 6.8 attempts over five head-to-head matchups this season.

That should come as no surprise given the Wild allowed the fourth-most shots to centers during the regular season.

They also ranked 29th in defending the slot, which is where Kadri likes to set up home base — at both 5-on-5 and on the power play.

Wild vs Avalanche Game 2 same-game parlay

Kadri spent a lot of his 5-on-5 time against the Michael McCarron line, which is a matchup that favors the Colorado Avalanche. He also skated on the top power play unit alongside Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, et al.

That is very favorable usage, and makes Kadri a likely candidate to find success in Game 2.

Mats Zuccarello has recorded multiple shots on goal in nine of the last 11 against the Avalanche, including Game 1. With so much attention paid to Kirill Kaprizov, there will be opportunities for Zuccarello.

Wild vs Avalanche SGP

  • Nazem Kadri Over 2.5 shots on goal
  • Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 points
  • Mats Zuccarello Over 1.5 shots on goal

Wild vs Avalanche Game 2 goal scorer pick

Brock Nelson (+305)

Brock Nelson had plenty of good looks in Game 1. He generated six scoring chances, trailing only Kadri and Ryan Hartman – both of whom found the back of the net. 

Nelson is a plus-finisher and the Wild bleed shots to centers, making him a standout value play at such a high price.

Wild vs Avalanche odds for Game 2

  • Moneyline: Minneosta +160 | Colorado -190
  • Puck Line: Minnesota +1.5 (-145) | Colorado -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)

Wild vs Avalanche trend

Nazem Kadri has picked up a point in five of his last six home games against Minnesota. Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs. Avalanche.

How to watch Wild vs Avalanche Game 2

LocationBall Arena, Denver, CO
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVESPN, CBC

Wild vs Avalanche latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Yankees Injury Notes: Latest on Ben Rice, Carlos Rodon on cusp of return

Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided updates on a few injured players ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Rangers...

Ben Rice's progress

The young Yankees slugger is out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game after getting hit awkwardly with a Max Fried pickoff attempt in Sunday's matchup with the Orioles.

The Yankees skipper was asked what Rice would need to do to be used off the bench, and Boone said the next few hours will determine the first baseman's availability. 

"He hasn’t really started hitting yet," Boone said. "If he starts doing some light hitting and then can ramp it up even more, and do the things he needs to do to get a swing off, then we’ll have a conversation. We’ll see how the next few hours are here."

Rice has been the Yankees' most consistent hitter and their most dangerous bat alongside Aaron Judge. In 33 games, Rice is hitting .342 with an OPS of 1.214 to go along with his 12 home runs and 27 RBI. 

Carlos Rodon's next start 

Rodon is set to make his latest rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday night. Boone was asked if everything went well in this start, whether the southpaw's next step will be to return to the Yankees, and the manager confirmed that.

Tuesday will be Rodon's third rehab start since offseason elbow surgery. His first start was with High-A Hudson Valley, where he allowed one hit and one walk over 4.1 innings. His second start saw him dominate Double-A with Somerset. Rodon struck out eight batters and allowed one run on five hits across 5.1 innings on April 30.

 

Latest on Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole

Boone was also asked about both Stanton and Cole, and where they both were in their separate recoveries.

On Stanton, Boone revealed that the slugger has started to hit in the cage but is still not running as he recovers from a calf strain. Boone did say the calf injury is lingering a "little bit" but they are taking their time with it.  

"It still feels minor, but not ready to push it yet," Boone said.

As for Cole, Boone was asked if the former Cy Young winner was going to make a couple of more starts before returning to the team. The Yankees skipper tempered expectations, saying Cole is "still a little ways away." 

Cole is set to take the mound for High-A Hudson Valley on Tuesday night. The right-hander has made three previous rehab starts between Hudson Valley and Somerset. In those starts, he's allowed a combined seven earned runs across 14.1 innings (4.40 ERA), allowing 11 hits, one walk and striking out 10 batters. 

 

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Bryce Elder gets the ball with Braves’ series streak on the line

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 30: Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images) | Getty Images

So, it’s come down to this. With the 2026 Braves’ haven’t-lost-a-series-yet streak on the line, it’s up to Bryce Elder and his teammates to win tonight, and then hopefully win tomorrow as well to keep it rolling.

Elder started off the season in exciting fashion, with three stellar starts and one hiccup. Since then, there hasn’t been much to write home about unless you really enjoy penning missives about his low HR/FB rate. He had a 6/2 K/BB ratio with a dinger given up against the Nationals, then a 2/1 K/BB ratio in seven innings (somehow) against the Phillies, and then a really weird start last time out where he had a 5/3 K/BB ratio and the lowest groundball rate of his career against the Tigers. The Braves lost each of those last two outings.

On the season, Elder has a 46/78/97 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-). Over those last three starts, it’s 78/88/111. For his career, his line is now 102/104/100. For all the changes he’s made, he’s definitely looked, in aggregate, like the same ol’ Bryce Elder… just with all the benefits that come with a much lower HR/FB rate.

Elder’s mound opponent will be George Kirby, who has had a much better career to date, but has a similar-if-you-squint 2026. Kirby was a bit homer-prone (three dingers) but highly effective in his first four outings (83/92/80), but has been more meh and reliant on not giving up homers in three starts since (66/87/107). Even so, the Mariners have won all three of those outings, and four of his starts in a row overall. This game could very well come down to which hurler the HR/FB gods decide to smile on with greater frequency.

Overall, Kirby is a very good 93/82/84 guy for his career, with over 4 fWAR per 200 innings pitched accumulated so far. He had a couple of 4+ fWAR seasons in 2023 and 2024, and could’ve gotten somewhere around there in 2025 had he not gotten a late start due to some inflammation in his throwing shoulder. He’s probably something like a top 20 arm in MLB, though his strikeout rate is seriously diminished this year, which appears to be related to some issues he’s having getting his four-seamer to carry the way it did previously.

Elder has one career start against the Mariners, which came in Atlanta back when he was Good Start of 2023 Elder: a 6/1 K/BB ratio in six innings. Kirby has two career starts against the Braves: one where he dominated them in 2022 in Seattle, and another where he lasted seven innings but took a loss despite a 6/1 K/BB ratio thanks to a dinger and some other well-struck balls back in 2023.

With Raisel Iglesias back in the fold and everyone in the bullpen theoretically available sans Tyler Kinley, who gave up the game-winning homer last night, the Braves could have an opportunity to shorten the game — provided that Elder, HR/FB, and the bats-versus-Kirby cooperate.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 9:40 p.m. EDT

Location: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA

TV: BravesVision, Gray TV

Streaming: MLB.tv (and Braves.tv if you’re in-market, etc.)

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan

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LeBron James couldn’t believe he was on the floor with Bronny, torching Rockets

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point basket during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

From Luke Kennard’s Game 1 performance, to Marcus Smart’s offensive surge in Game 2, to Deandre Ayton’s play in Game 6, there were so many great moments for the Lakers during their series win over the Rockets.

While LA’s victory lap has to come to an end as they prepare to face the Thunder in the second round, one lasting memory that deserves an immediate look back is the string of plays LeBron James and Bronny had in Game 3.

With the Lakers looking to take a commanding 3-0 lead and needing a road win to do so, the family duo delivered.

James set a screen for Bronny and he nailed the three. On the next possession, LeBron lobbed it to Bronny, who converted a reverse layup to give LA a 12-point advantage.

LeBron piled on another five straight points, meaning the James family had scored 10 consecutive Lakers points. During Tuesday’s episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast, LeBron reflected on the iconic moment.

“We had that mini-run between the two of us, and that was just something that I will never, ever forget. Something that I’ve learned, obviously, at my elder stage and being 41 years old to kind of like appreciate the small wins in the moment. That was one of the moments where I kind of, I’ve always, like, always been locked in, and that moment right there, throwing him the lob, seeing him make the three, we kind of going back and forth, I kind of blanked out for a little bit and just really accepted and relished in that moment.

“That’s pretty cool for me as a dad. And then us as colleagues and then our whole family, like, I think I mentioned at one point, like my mom being at the game and her being able to watch her son and grandson in a postseason game at the same time. My wife was there. His sister was there. I think Bryce was back home from college. You can’t even write that script in Hollywood better than what’s going on. So just being super appreciative of it.”

After all the hoopla and screaming about nepotism and privilege, it’s great to see that Bronny has silenced those ridiculous criticisms. He stepped up for a shorthanded Lakers team and played meaningful, playoff minutes for LA during the early parts of that series.

Thanks in part to Bronny’s efforts, the Lakers survived without Austin Reaves, and now that he’s back, they’ve advanced to the next round.

LeBron should take this all in as much as he can because these moments are still amazingly cool and unique. Absolutes aren’t wise to say in any sport, but it’s unlikely we’ll ever see another father-son duo playing at that high a level in the NBA again.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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The Pindown I Reacting to the AMAZING Finish in Round 1

Somehow, someway, the Pistons clawed their way back from a 3-1 series deficit to win in 7 games. They scrapped their way to a historic second-half comeback in Game 6. This team just won’t roll over, we saw that for 82 games, now we’ve seen it in the playoffs. Wes and Blake come to you just before the beginning of the Second Round of the NBA playoffs to react to the extraordinary Round 1 victory, giving specific props to the superstar that is Cade Cunningham, the leadership of Tobias Harris, and the mind of strategies from JB Bickerstaff. They then turn to the upcoming series against the Cavaliers. Do the Pistons have any advantages? Are the Cavs able to employ the same defensive strategy that the Magic did? And, ultimately, what both teams will need to do to secure a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

We’ve got you covered for all this and more in this week’s episode!

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You can watch the entire episode on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Islanders promote Rocky Thompson to NHL staff after one year as AHL head coach

The Islanders have promoted AHL head coach Rocky Thompson to their NHL staff as an assistant.
The Islanders have promoted AHL head coach Rocky Thompson to their NHL staff as an assistant.

The Islanders are promoting from within.

After a strong first season behind the bench of the Isles’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, Rocky Thompson earned a place with the varsity club as an assistant coach, the team announced on Tuesday.

Thompson, 48, led Bridgeport back to the playoffs this year for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Posting a 34-30-8 record, Bridgeport tied its franchise record in wins and points (76) under Thompson’s direction.

The Islanders have promoted AHL head coach Rocky Thompson to their NHL staff as an assistant. Getty Images

Bridgeport was ultimately eliminated from the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs on April 23, after the team was swept in the first round by the Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

Their encouraging 2025-26 season marked the end of the franchise’s 25-year tenure in Bridgeport. The team is set to relocate to Hamilton, Ontario starting next season.

After breaking into the NHL as an assistant for the Oilers in 2014-15, Thompson spent a couple seasons as head coach of the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL before serving three seasons at the helm of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves from 2017-20.

He even won a Memorial Cup Championship with the Spitfires in 2017.

Thompson will reunite with current Isles assistant coach Bob Boughner, who brought the Calgary native on as an associate coach for a couple of seasons when he was the bench boss in San Jose from 2020-22.

Most recently, Thompson was an assistant coach for the Flyers for three years before joining the team in Bridgeport.

A right wing drafted 72nd overall by the Flames in 1995, Thompson went on to enjoy a 10-year professional playing career that included 25 NHL games between the Flames (1997-99) and Panthers (2000-02). A majority of his career was spent in the AHL, where he finished with 69 points and 1,919 penalty minutes in 566 career games.

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How to watch Lakers vs. Thunder Game 1 for free: Start time, livestream

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows LeBron James dribbling the basketball in his purple Lakers uniform, Image 2 shows Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shooting a free throw

Two NBA heavyweights will meet in the playoffs for the first time when Lebron James’ Lakers visit reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunders to kick off Round 2 of the playoffs.

After winning three straight against Houston in the first round, it took the Lakers until Game 6 to advance into the second round in a series that saw the return of Austin Reeves. Now, the Lakers will take on the No. 1 seed in the West.

The Oklahoma City Thunder advanced easily, sweeping the Phoenix Suns in four games. The defending NBA champs come into this series having already swept their season series against the Lakers. Of the four wins, only one was decided by less than a 29-point gap.

Both teams are heading into the second round missing key players. The Lakers are still without Luca Doncic after he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 (in a game against the Thunder), but sources told the California Post that he’s expected to miss the first two games, leaving a door open for a Game 3 return.

Lakers vs. Thunder: what to know
  • What: NBA Playoffs Second Round, Game 1
  • When: May 5, 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
  • Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams has also been out with a hamstring injury, and his status for tonight’s Game 1 is uncertain.

The next game in the Lakers-Thunder series is scheduled for Thursday night.

Lakers vs. Thunder start time:

Tonight’s (May 5) Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and OKC Thunder is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Lakers vs. Thunder for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ESPN (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

You can also stream the NBA playoffs with a subscription to Peacock, which costs $16.99/month after a seven-day free trial.

Lakers-Thunder second round playoff schedule

  • Game 1: May 5 (8:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
  • Game 2: May 7 (9:30 ET, Prime Video)
  • Game 3: May 9 (8:30 ET, ABC)
  • Game 4: May 11 (10:30 ET, Prime Video)
  • Game 5: May 13*
  • Game 6: May 16*
  • Game 7: May 18*

* if necessary

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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Patrick Copen wins Texas League pitcher of month for April

TULSA, OK - JULY 22: Patrick Copen #41 of the Tulsa Drillers pitches during the game between the Springfield Cardinals and the Tulsa Drillers at ONEOK Field on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Sara Crosley/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Dodgers minor league right-hander Patrick Copen had a strong 2025 season, and started his 2026 season on a heater. On Tuesday, Copen was named Texas League pitcher of the month for April after a strong start for Double-A Tulsa.

Copen had a 0.96 ERA, 2.72 FIP, and 3.69 xFIP in five starts for the Drillers, allowing six runs (three earned) on 14 hits and 14 walks in his 28 innings, with 37 strikeouts during April. He had two different starts allowing no runs on one hit in 6 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts — April 10 at the Springfield Cardinals (not allowing the hit until the seventh inning), and April 23 at the Frisco RoughRiders. He won Texas League pitcher of the week for the latter start, one of two Tulsa pitchers to earn weekly honors in April along with left-hander Luke Fox.

Last season, Copen made 10 starts for High-A Great Lakes before getting promoted to Tulsa to make 17 more starts in Double-A. In all he posted a 3.59 ERA in 27 starts and led all Dodgers minor league pitchers with 152 strikeouts. Copen only allowed two home runs all last season, one in Double-A, and has yet to allow a home run in 2026.

Copen’s numbers have improved in repeating Double-A so far this season:

  • 2025 with Tulsa: 17 starts, 4.52 ERA, 3.98 FIP, 23.1-percent K rate, 16-percent BB rate
  • 2026 with Tulsa: 5 starts, 0.96 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 33.6-percent K rate, 12.7-percent BB rate

Copen is scheduled to start next on Wednesday afternoon for the Drillers, on the road to face the Arkansas Travelers, a Seattle Mariners affiliate.