The Knicks are four wins away from their first NBA title since 1973, but Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs stand in their way.
Wembanyama is one of the most physically gifted athletes to ever play in the NBA. At 7-foot-4, 235 pounds, Wembanyama is a two-way force, winning this season’s Defensive Player of the Year award while also averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 3.1 blocks per game.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Wembanyama praised the Knicks and said he expects them to come out with a purpose in the series.
“It’s a great team of experienced guys who are not here by chance,” Wembanyama said. “They play with relentless effort over the years, and very different career paths for all of them. They’re right where they’re supposed to be, in my opinion, and all of them are going to be super hungry in their own way.”
Just 22 years old, Wembanyama has been a force for the Spurs during their playoff run, averaging 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks.
In five career regular season games against the Knicks, Wembanyama has averaged 30.4 points, 14.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. That excludes a performance in the NBA Cup Championship where the Knicks limited him to 18 points and six rebounds.
He’ll obviously present quite the challenge for the Knicks on both sides of the floor, forcing the Knicks to stay within their gameplan to try to slow him down.
“Obviously, he’s a special talent and the NBA’s blessed to have him and to be able to showcase his talent to the world,” said Karl-Anthony Towns. “For us, we just have to have discipline in our gameplan and execute at a high level.”
“Watching him as a player, it’s pretty unbelievable,” said Jalen Brunson, “the things he’s able to do on both sides of the ball, people have never really seen before for a person at his size. It’s incredible to watch from a fan’s perspective.
“As an opposing player, he’s someone you constantly have to be on watch for. You just never know the things that he’s capable of doing. That’s why our game-planning and gameplay discipline and attention to details are so important, because he’s pretty incredible.”
While Wembanyama has led the way for San Antonio, he’s far from the only threat the Spurs possess. Five other San Antonio players are averaging double-digit points this postseason (Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie), and the Knicks know they’re facing a very deep Spurs team that goes far beyond Wembanyama’s lengthy reach.
“They’re a very versatile team, very deep,” said OG Anunoby. “They have talent all over the court at all positions. They can all shoot, drive, do everything. They rebound really well too. If they’re getting the rebound, they can push, one-man fastbreak or really just push the pace. They speed the game up. They do a great job of doing that.”
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals tips off in San Antonio on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.
So the fact that Judge is now sidelined with what the team is calling a bone bruise near his right rib cage, which is impacting his shoulder when he swings, is certainly alarming.
Aaron Boone said Judge, out of the lineup on Tuesday against Cleveland in The Bronx, got imaging Monday after the injury had been “nagging for a couple of weeks” and worsened over the weekend against the A’s in Sacramento.
“I noticed it on a couple swings,” Boone said.
Judge received imaging Monday and was scheduled to meet with a doctor Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury.
“Hopefully it’s day to day [or] a few days,” Boone said. “It could be longer based on how he’s feeling. Hopefully we avoided something serious.”
Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) looks on during the seventh inning against the Athletics. Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
While Judge still has some of the best numbers in the game, he mostly struggled in May.
Now, his June is off to a worrisome start.
Dr. Spencer Stein, NYU Langone sports orthopedic surgeon, said that the type of injury Judge suffered can have a wide range of healing time.
“It needs rest,’’ Dr. Stein said by phone. “This injury can happen with repetitive overuse, so it could be as simple as resting for a week or two, but if it’s more like a stress fracture, that could be more like 8-10 weeks.”
That’s far from a worst-case scenario for the Yankees, who overcame Judge’s brief injured list stint last season when he suffered a flexor strain in his right elbow that impacted much of his second half, but were derailed in 2023 by the impact of a torn ligament in his right big toe when they missed the playoffs.
Boone said the injury may have been behind Judge’s slump.
In his previous 22 games, Judge was 17-for-82 with just six extra-base hits, 14 walks and 26 strikeouts and he also went through a 2-for-26 rut late last month, which featured seven straight strikeouts.
Dr. Stein said the bone bruise could affect Judge’s swing path or weaken the swing.
Judge had four hard-hit balls on Saturday against the A’s, but little to show for it in Sacramento, when Boone approached the slugger.
“I said something to him this weekend and was paying close attention to it the last couple days,” Boone said.
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Without Judge, José Caballero started in right field on Tuesday.
Jasson Domínguez, sidelined with a sprained left shoulder after crashing into the fence in left field at the Stadium last month, is set to face live batting practice for the first time on Wednesday and could begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday.
Max Fried has been out for over two weeks with a bone bruise in his left elbow, but Boone said there’s no comparison between the injuries because Fried is a pitcher.
Even with Judge’s numbers being down for the season — and especially in the past few weeks — the Yankees offense has been solid, entering Tuesday fourth in the majors in runs scored. They also scored 47 runs in their five games on the trip.
“Hopefully we avoided something serious,’’ Boone said.
We got word that the Colorado Avalanche granted the Nashville Predators permission to speak with Chris MacFarland about the Predators’ General Manager position. That news quickly led to the announcement of his hiring and his move on from the Avalanche organization.
CMac, thank you for 11 seasons of hard work and dedication to our organization and for helping bring another Stanley Cup to Colorado.
The former GM in Colorado just so happens to be proven and beloved Avalanche legend Joe Sakic, who will now resume the duties he held for the Avalanche from 2014 to 2021.
It looks like Joe Sakic will resume his GM duties in Colorado for the “foreseeable future.” #GoAvsGo
Sakic was promoted to President of Hockey Operations in 2022, at which time Chris MacFarland was promoted to GM of the Avalanche. He and Sakic worked together to build the 2022 Cup champion and every Avs team since then.
After Colorado’s untimely and unexpected elimination from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, fans and pundits looked to see what changes would result from the collapse.
Well, we have an answer: Chris MacFarland out, Sakic back in, and we have word that the Avalanche will not be moving on from Jared Bednar.
Also, about Colorado: there is word Jared Bednar is staying as the Avalanche’s coach
Now, I’m not going to pretend I have been a fan of every single move we’ve seen MacFarland make over his tenure in Colorado, but I will say he did plenty to prove that any team in the league would do well to secure his services.
He successfully re-vamped an Avalanche crease that was costing the team dearly, leveraged Mikko Rantanen for a 100-point scorer that’s signed into the future, and a depth centerman that could be a focal part of the bottom six for years to come.
Most impressively, he helped Sakic form the stacked 2022 Stanley Cup Champion team.
I would argue the “cup window” pressured MacFarland into short-sighted dealings, and where I see his shortcomings, I really see the risk side of a high-risk/high-reward strategy.
Most fans and pundits agree with the philosophy because you can’t waste Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar’s prime to develop younger, less proven talent.
Announcing the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award finalists… 🏆 #NHLAwards
This award is presented annually to recognize the work of the top general manager in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/2Z45rPNabJ
When Joe Sakic got the GM gig in 2014, fellow Avs legend Patrick Roy was the head coach of a team with budding superstar talent in Nathan MacKinnon, but Roy’s time as head coach was stained by a sophomore slump for MacK and an older, less successful group in 2015. That, along with issues with roster control and management, led to Roy’s leaving in 2016 just ahead of training camp.
When the Avalanche looked for a replacement, Joe Sakic chose Jared Bednar, who many viewed as a shoo-in for the gig as soon as Roy left. With little time to get prepared, Bednar’s Colorado Avalanche stumbled out of the gate.
Many viewed Bednar’s hiring as a huge risk as he had zero NHL coaching experience at the time, but had won at every level below.
When Bednar’s Avalanche only amassed 48 points in Colorado’s worst regular season ever, Joe Sakic gave Bednar a vote of confidence in the following quote for the Denver Post.
“As I told you last time, there is no thought otherwise. He’s coming back… I like the way Jared handles himself. He didn’t make excuses. He came to work every day.”
We all know what happened after that, but I’ll sum it up: Jared Bednar won a cup at the NHL level and is the Avalanche’s all-time winningest head coach.
Needless to say, if Sakic is back behind the GM’s desk, Jared Bednar is still his guy.
The Philadelphia Phillies hope to improve on a strong start under manager Don Mattingly when they host the San Diego Padres tonight.
The Phillies are 21-10 so far with Donnie Baseball at the helm, and my Padres vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks break down why they’re set to punish Randy Vasquez in a loud way on Tuesday, June 2.
First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET on TBS.
Who will win Padres vs Phillies today: Phillies -1.5 (+156)
I keep waiting for the shoe to drop on Randy Vasquez, whose 3.28 ERA is a far cry from his 6.21 xERA. I think tonight’s where we see it happen.
May saw him regress towards the mean, unsurprising given his 13.2% barrel rate and 45.6% hard-hit rate.
Among qualified pitchers, Aaron Nola ranked in the 70th percentile in GB%, soft contact rate, and GB/FB rate in May. He will utilize his curve to key on San Diego’s 47.2% GB% the past two weeks.
I see value on the run line down to +140.
COVERS INTEL:Of 124 SP with 20+ IP in May, Vazquez ranked in the Bottom 15% in soft contact rate (10.9%), GB% (31.9%), and FB% (49.5%).
Padres vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (+113)
While I expect Nola to perform better than Vasquez, there’s still a path to a high-scoring game.
The Padres rank 10th in road wRC+ the past two weeks (116 wRC+), while ranking eighth with a .179 ISO. Meanwhile, hitters are slugging Nola’s fastball at a ridiculous .904 clip.
Vasquez is going to struggle with the trio of Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, and Bryce Harper. Against RHP in May, Harper posted a 46.7% HR/FB rate and 190 wRC+, while Schwarber posted a 61.5% pull% and 41% hard-hit rate.
I’m taking the Over down to +100.
Jason Ence's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 9-13, -4.94 units
Over/Under bets: 14-8, +5.28 units
Padres vs Phillies odds today
Moneyline: Padres +106 | Phillies -117
Run line: Padres +1.5 (-190) | Phillies -1.5 (+165)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-112) | Under 8 (-108)
Padres vs Phillies trend
The Phillies have hit the Moneyline in 20 of their last 30 games (+7.00 Units / 17% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Phillies.
How to watch Padres vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
TBS
Padres starting pitcher
Randy Vasquez (5-3, 3.28 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.72 ERA)
Padres vs Phillies latest injuries
Padres vs Phillies weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Nashville Predators have hired Chris MacFarland to be their president of hockey operations and general manager, luring him away from their Central Division rival Colorado Avalanche.
MacFarland, who has spent the past 11 seasons with the Avalanche, will take over the duties performed by general manager Barry Trotz. Trotz announced his retirement on Feb. 2, but will stay on with the Predators in an advisory role.
In a news release, Predators majority owner Bill Haslam said that MacFarland was one of their main targets throughout the search. The Avalanche were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Western Conference finals on May 26.
"We conducted an exhaustive search and were able to meet with several very qualified and impressive candidates," Haslam said. "But all along, we were hopeful to interview Chris (MacFarland). He turned out to be a perfect fit for us, just what we were looking for to lead our organization moving forward."
MacFarland, 56, has been with Colorado since 2015, when he was named assistant general manager. In 2022, he took over the general manager position from Joe Sakic, who was elevated to president of hockey operations.
Sakic will move back the general manager role at least through the start of free agency.
While MacFarland was with Colorado, the Avalanche built a loaded roster that includes Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon and two-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar. MacFarland is directly credited with signing MacKinnon to an eight-year deal in 2022, but he also worked alongside Sakic during the Avalanche's rebuild era — an era that developed MacKinnon into a superstar and the drafting of Makar in 2017.
MacFarland also oversaw several key trades, including sending Matt Duchene to Ottawa in 2018 in exchange for three draft picks and defenseman Samuel Girard in a three-team deal.
Colorado's success the past decade is undeniable. After finishing in last place in the league in 2017, the Avalanche have made the playoffs nine consecutive seasons (2018-2026) and won the Stanley Cup in 2022. This season, they won the Presidents' Trophy with the best record in the league. Accurately assigning credit for that success is difficult, but MacFarland had a role during all of it.
Prior to his time in Colorado, MacFarland was director of hockey operations and assistant general manager with the Columbus Blue Jackets for 14 seasons (2000 to 2015).
According to the Avalanche website, MacFarland has "worked in nearly every facet of the organization including scouting at the professional and amateur level, player contract negotiations, salary cap management and arbitration, collective bargaining agreement administration, budgeting and team scheduling issues."
A New York native, MacFarland played hockey at Pace University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business in 1992 and a law degree in 1998. He began his career as an intern in the NHL’s New York office in 1993-94 and also worked in the NHL's productions office.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
Some celebs were too superstitious to talk to The Post about the Knicks — but these famous superfans let nothing stop them from showing love for New York City’s blue and orange.
Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan greets Jose Alvarado on the court at Madison Square Garden. NBAE via Getty Images
“30 Rock” alum Tracy Morgan says his favorite moment as a Knicks fan was the playoffs’ now-legendary Game 1 against the Cavs — but that could change “because we might win a championship and that’s going to be the greatest moment.” Even sitting on Celebrity Row, the Bed-Stuy native “felt like everybody in that arena, overjoyed. It was fire.” And even in low moments — like “last year when we lost to Indiana. I felt really bad for my team. I felt really bad for us fans” — Morgan has remained optimistic. “I bounced back. I just said, ‘There’s always next year.’ Now look where we are!” And his hope is totally unbridled right now: “I believe we’re going to take the championship because I don’t believe no team on the West Coast can handle us.”
Michael Imperioli
Michael Imperioli on the Knicks’ Celebrity Row. for the NY POST
“The Sopranos” star first fell in love with the Knicks while watching games in the nosebleeds with his father. Now he’s much closer to action — and calls Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals “the most electric game, of any sport, that I have ever attended.” In 2000, Imperioli even flew on the team plane with actor Chazz Palminteri to Detroit “to entice Grant Hill to play for NY.” While the attempt failed, it sparked a long relationship with the team and MSG. “The greatest celebrity perk in all of showbiz is being a part of that [MSG] family,” he said, adding that he had a “full circle” fan moment when he got to sit courtside with his dad.
Emmy Rossum
Knicks superfan Emmy Rossum owns a cap autographed by her all-time favorite player, John Starks. FilmMagic
“I grew up in the city. I honestly don’t remember ever not being a Knicks fan,” said the actress, whose favorite player of all time is John Starks. “I remember watching him growing up, his passion and intensity. I really identified with him as a kid in the ’90s. I recently found a journal entry from my childhood talking about his fire. I have an autographed ball cap from him I cherish. No one puts that cap in the wash!” Currently, her #1 is Jalen Brunson. “He’s the pulse of the team. Every time I’m there and see him in person, he’s so cool headed, he’s never in a rush, he’s got an elegance and he always delivers the goods,” Rossum said. Just don’t ask her how these next games are gonna go: “I’m too superstitious to make any predictions. LGK!”
Matthew Modine
Matthew Modine hugs it out with Josh Hart at MSG. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“When I moved to New York City in the late 1970s I became a New York sports fan. Knicks. Rangers. Giants. Yankees. I grew up in Utah, where there was no NBA, NHL, MLB or NFL teams. So it was a dream come true going to the Garden and seeing the Knicks,” the “Full Metal Jacket” and “Stranger Things” actor told The Post. “My favorite moment, no question, is LJ’s [Larry Johnson’s] 4-point play in Game 3 of the ’99 Eastern Conference finals. But it’s impossible to pick a favorite player. Currently, I adore Josh Hart. He’s shows up and plays with all his heart every game. When that dude smiles — he lights up the entire Garden. And Jalen Brunson understands leadership and leads by example. He’s a stud.”
Michael Rapaport
Michael Rapaport and Spike Lee at the Garden. WireImage
“Going to the Garden as a kid, watching the Knicks since 1979, was beyond special. We always sat in the blue or green sections, which weren’t close, but it was magical,” said the actor, who grew up on the Upper East Side. “I was born and raised a Knicks Fan. It’s in my blood. My favorite Knick ever is probably Charles Oakley — he represented everything that New York is at its core: hard working, tough and plays for the city. As for my favorite moment, it hasn’t happened yet. I’m waiting for a championship.” When Rapaport isn’t at the Garden, he has his own tradition at home: “I watch games quietly, which may surprise people. It’s very emotional.”
Benny Safdie
Director Benny Safdie has been a Knicks fan since he was a kid growing up in the city. Ben Safdie/ Instagram
“I am not exactly sure when I became a Knicks fan. It is something that sort of creeps up on you as a New Yorker. Especially growing up around the ’90s-era Knicks,” said “The Smashing Machine” director. “It becomes a part of you. And that’s what makes the heartbreak so intense [when they lose]. I feel like I can never be comfortable. Everyone has it out against the Knicks, and we have to fight that on top of everything else. I try to always believe, to always feel like it’s our year. But I never want to say that out loud. So, never mind.”
Josh Safdie
Josh Safdie (in red) cheered on the Knicks with Pete Davidson and Chris Rock. Getty Images
“A very nice person I know is a casual fan. I don’t fault her for it. Any fan of the Knicks is a friend of mine. In 2012, she called me about a pair of courtside tickets she had access to, asking if I wanted them for a Utah Jazz game,” the “Marty Supreme” director recalled. “She had no idea what happened the previous game vs the Nets: Jeremy Lin was inserted into the starting lineup and was about to cement what became Linsanity. I couldn’t wait for that game [against the Jazz] to begin. I lucked out. It was one of the greatest experiences ever as a Knicks fan. Sitting wood, I was a sixth man: I spared nothing and didn’t care what the referees thought, who I called out to using their first names. The Knicks felt it. Lin saw it, I know. Jared Jeffries rushed to me at the end of regulation and give me a huge hug. I was not normal. After the game, we went car yelling — where you yell at the cars as they leave the VIP ramp on 33rd.”
Susie Essman
Longtime Knicks fan Susie Essman sat on Celebrity Row with “Curb Your Enthusiasm” co-star Larry David. NBAE via Getty Images
“I became a fan In 1971 when I was in high school,” said the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actress, who grew up in Mount Vernon. “My boyfriend was a fan. He turned me on to basketball and the Knicks, so I got to experience some glory years” — including the ’73 championship. “There were some tough years between now and then, but here we are and it’s glorious once more. My favorite player of all time is Walt Frazier. He was always the coolest person in the room. He still is,” Essman said. “I don’t have a favorite current player because I love how they play together as a team, from the starters to the bench, and the group dynamic is what makes them so special. I think they will win in six and the Garden will rock as only Madison Square Garden can with the greatest fans in the world.”
Chris Distefano
Comedians Sam Morril and Chris DiStefano at the Garden. NBAE via Getty Images
The comedian, a Queens native, remembers the first Knicks game that “sealed his fandom.” In 1993, his father took 9-year-old Distefano to see NY beat the Orlando Magic. He recalled his dad telling him, “‘And the Knicks covered the spread, Chrissy!! They covered the spread.’ I had no idea what that meant until my mother explained it to me during the divorce.” Despite some lean years, the John Starks superfan remained loyal. “I never left. I just cried through the pain as I do when I put on my Spanx.” Now he’s counting on Jalen Brunson and putting his “faith in Jesus Christ and Mr. James Dolan.” His prediction: “Knicks win in six. And I get arrested for streaking down 7th Avenue but happily take my orange-and-blue butt cheeks to Rikers.”
Steve Schrippa
Steve Schirippa told The Post: “Of all the things I get to do being a half-assed celebrity, my favorite thing in the world is going to Knicks games.” GC Images
“I’ve been a fan since I was 8,” said the Bensonhurt-born “The Sopranos” and “Blue Bloods” star. “I even played at the Garden [while at Brooklyn College]. That was 100 pounds ago. When I was in college and had a student card, I think the tickets were $6.” Nowadays, he’s not up in the cheap seats. “I got to sit next to Clyde [Frazier] the other night … Of all the things I get to do being a half-assed celebrity, my favorite thing in the world is going to Knicks games,” the “WillieBoy Eats the World” author said. “Brunson has turned the franchise around. His jersey will be in the rafters someday.”
Sam Morril
Sam Morill went all out with the Knicks gear. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The comedian “fell in love with the ’90s Knicks” but that doesn’t mean they didn’t break his heart. In 1995, after Patrick Ewing’s missed finger roll against Indiana sent the Knicks packing, Morril said, it “hurt because I loved him so much. I wanted him to win. I was 11 and had to be carried out crying.” He calls the current squad “lovable.” He’s convinced the team is going all the way — “it’s time” — but to keep the winning juju going, he’s taking no chances: “I’m sick in the head. I have a Knicks candle I’ll light.”
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart sat courtside at the Knicks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 21. Getty Images
“I am so excited for the Knicks having been a fan since the 1970s when I used to go to game after game after game with my friends,” the Martha Stewart Living founder said. “I got to know Bill Bradley, Walt Frazier, and Patrick Ewing, and when I see them now at a Knicks game it’s so exciting. I’m so proud of the team.”
Pace bowler leads rout of hosts for 190 in 41-run win
Josh Inglis and Cameron Green helped set 232 target
Australia turned the tables on Pakistan, battling their way to victory on a difficult track at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to level the ODI series one-apiece with one to play. On a surface catered for spinners seamer Nathan Ellis was the star, returning 4-33 in his nine overs with some key wickets.
In the absence of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc Ellis stepped up to lead the attack superbly. With stand-in captain Josh Inglis and Cam Green both making half-centuries the makeshift Australian XI set Pakistan a challenging 232 to win.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Beck Way #95 of the Kansas City Royals poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 22, 2024 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals announced they have called up pitcher Beck Way from Triple-A Omaha and claimed outfielder Matthew Lugo off waivers from the Angels. Lugo has been assigned to Omaha, and the Royals optioned reliever Eli Morgan to the Storm Chasers as well. The Royals also announced Bailey Falter has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Omaha.
Way was part of the Andrew Benintendi trade with the Yankees in 2022. In 2023, he was the #11 prospect in the farm system, but he has struggled with his control since then. Last year he posted an ugly 5.93 ERA in 74.1 minor league innings, but he has rebounded this year with a 4.50 ERA in 19 relief outings at Triple-A with 42 strikeouts and 10 walks in 30 innings. He has a fastball in the mid-90s with a plus slider, and occasional change up.
Lugo was originally a second round pick by the Boston Red Sox out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico. He was traded to the Angels in 2024 as part of the Luis Garcia trade, and made his MLB debut last year. He appeared in 31 games with the Angels and hit .232/.243/.464 with four home runs. He was just the ninth non-pitcher since 2000 to have at least 70 plate appearances without a single walk.
Morgan appeared in 13 games and struck out 15 in 16.1 innings with a 5.51 ERA. He gave up two hits, a walk, and a run in an inning of work last night in Cincinnati. Falter was designated for assignment last week after he posted a 13.97 ERA in five games.
The addition of Way and Lugo gives the Royals a full 40-man roster.
Carter Hart starts in goal for the Golden Knights. Hart has a record of 12-4 and an average save percentage of .924 in 16 games this postseason.
Freddie Anderson starts in goal for the Hurricanes. Anderson has a record of 12-1, three shutouts, and an average save percentage of .931 in 13 games this postseason.
Golden Knights Lines
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Mitch Marner
Colton Sissons — Tomáš Hertl — Mark Stone
Cole Smith — Nic Dowd — Keegan Kolesar
Defense
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin — Rasmus Andersson
Jeremy Lauzon — Dylan Coghlan
Goaltenders: Carter Hart / Adin Hill
Hurricanes Lines
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Seth Jarvis
Taylor Hall — Logan Stankoven — Jackson Blake
Nikolaj Ehlers — Jordan Staal — Jordan Martinook
William Carrier — Mark Jankowski — Eric Robinson
Defense
Jaccob Slavin — Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller — Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere — Alexander Nikishin
Goaltenders: Freddie Anderson / Brandon Bussi
Special Teams
VGK power play: 23.9%, 4th
VGK penalty kill: 87.5%, 5th
Hurricanes power play: 12.5%, 13th
Hurricanes penalty kill: 92.5%, 2nd
Game Notes
The Golden Knights are 14-11 in Game 1s in franchise history. They have won both Game 1s during their two Stanley Cup Final appearances.
Historically, teams that take a 1-0 series lead go on to win 70.3% of the time.
The Golden Knights won both games against the Hurricanes during the regular season and outscored Carolina 10-4.
Mitch Marner is the postseason leader in scoring with 21 points (7G, 14A).
Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden lead the league with ten postseason goals.
Jack Eichel leads the league in assists this postseason with 16.
During Media Day on Monday, head coach John Tortorella reiterated that the most important thing for a player to have is the right mindset. He says that the Golden Knights have mental toughness, and that’s why they’re winners.
Last year, I chose to call the team visiting the Cubs this week the “Sacramento Athletics.” That usage didn’t really catch on, and since MLB and most media (including baseball-reference.com) are just calling them “Athletics,” that’s what I will do — until they complete their move to Las Vegas.
And that’s true even while I show you a photo (above) of the A’s wearing their alternate jerseys that say “Sacramento” on them.
For more on the A’s, here’s Connor Ashford, manager of our SB Nation A’s site Athletics Nation.
The Athletics enter this series in their biggest slump of the season. They’ve lost seven of their past nine games, including a home sweep at the hand of the division-rival Mariners that dropped us to second place in the AL West for the first time in a while. Things didn’t improve this weekend as they dropped two of three to the Yankees and now sit three games below .500 as the calendar turns to June. The A’s season was derailed around this time last year as well so that’s been a cause for concern for the fanbase these past few weeks.
A lot of the team’s struggles can be tied to the pitching, which has performed about as many expected. Veteran Luis Severino has been hot and cold but just found himself placed on the IL this weekend. Lefty Jeffrey Springs was the Athletics’ best pitcher the first few times through the rotation but has come back down to earth in recent outings. Same with offseason addition Aaron Civale, who has gotten hit hard his last two times out on the bump. Things have been much worse for Jacob Lopez in his second season with the squad, and his struggles have finally caught up with him as the team announced he was being sent to Triple-A after getting crushed by the Yankees on Sunday.
It hasn’t been all bad on the pitching front, though. Righty J.T. Ginn has seemingly begun his breakout season as he has a 2.87 ERA on the year. He’s been even better since joining the starting rotation, posting a 2.56 ERA in 10 starts. And the A’s have finally promoted one of their best pitching prospects in Gage Jump, who will get the ball for his second career start tomorrow evening in the first game of the series. The team has yet to announce Thursday’s starter but all signs indicate it could be another one of our young pitching prospects in right-hander Kade Morris, who will be making his big league debut when he gets into a game.
The relief unit has been a bit up and down as well. The team hasn’t used one specific closer all season long, with manager Mark Kotsay instead going with the best option at the moment. Four different relievers have three or more saves (Hogan Harris, former CubMark Leiter Jr., Joel Kuhnel, and Jack Perkins). It hasn’t been backbreaking but the relief unit has cost this team multiple games. If the A’s are going to contend for the long haul this summer, the bullpen is one area the A’s could use some improvement in.
On the hitting side of things, the A’s big and expensive bats have all had disappointing years to date. The team shelled out huge contracts to guys like Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, and Lawrence Butler but all three have been in season-long slumps. First baseman Nick Kurtz, last year’s AL ROTY, has been an on-base machine but the power has dried up in his second season in The Show while the second-place finisher shortstop Jacob Wilson is out with a shoulder injury.
It hasn’t been all doom and gloom though. Catcher Shea Langeliers has been an absolute monster with the bat as he’s hitting .293/.365/.544 with 14 home runs while consistently batting leadoff or #2 in the batting order. A’s fans were a bit skeptical about putting him in those two top spots since he’s not exactly the fastest base runner but the results are hard to argue with. They’ve also gotten solid production out of Zack Gelof, once considered a building block but a tough couple years has changed things for him. Since third baseman Max Muncy went down with an injury a few weeks ago Gelof has more or less become the everyday option at the hot corner and held his own with the bat. The A’s have also seemingly struck gold with corner outfielder Carlos Cortes, who leads the team with a .328 batting average while batting all over the lineup. Another young outfielder in Henry Bolte only just got promoted to the big league team as well. The team’s #5 prospect has held his own through his first 17 games and is already tied for third on the team with four stolen bases. Bolte provides a different look for the offense as they’ve relied more on the long ball in recent years.
The Cubbies are catching the A’s at the right time as they deal with injuries, inconsistent performances from their offense, and a fluctuating rotation that has more questions than answers right now. But they remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, which is where A’s fans were hoping we’d find ourselves in as June arrives. Could be worse.
Fun facts
“Sacramento” might not be on the Athletics’ uniform, but this is the first time in their history that the Cubs have hosted a team based in the California city.
On March 31 of last year, the Cubs demolished the A’s, 18-3, in the first game played in Sacramento, then completed a sweep by winning 7-4 and 10-2.
They also had swept three games in their previous two series vs. the A’s on the road, at Oakland in 2016 and 2023.
The Cubs lost two of three at Wrigley Field in 2024. They had won two of three in the three previous meetings on the North Side, in 2004, 2010 and 2019, so the Cubs are 7-5 at home vs. the A’s.
They are 17-7 overall. The 24 games are the fewest the Cubs have played against any active MLB team. They have played 25 vs. the Orioles and 27 vs. the Blue Jays and Red Sox.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 21: Mascots Dugout, Wally the Green Monster of the Boston Red Sox , and the Bird of the Baltimore Orioles pose for a photograph before the 2022 Little League Classic on August 21, 2022 at Bowman Field in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a rough time against the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves, the Red Sox packed up for the road and took two out of three against Cleveland. They’ll enter Fenway Park alone in last place at 25-33, two games behind the visiting Baltimore Orioles. The O’s have been playing better of late, breaking free from the tie for last in the AL East, but are nearly as disappointing as Boston this season. No matter what, if the Sox plan on playing in October, as stated by Craig Breslow this week, they need to win all three of these games. You can’t usually call for sweeps, but they’re facing a bad team and need to pile up wins in June. After hosting Baltimore, the Sox travel to the Bronx and St. Petersburg. It’s not getting easier. And that’s the first three of seven games against the Yankees this month.
Shane Baz, the former Tampa Bay Ray is pitching for the O’s more or less the same as he did for the Rays last year: not great. A few more walks, a few fewer strikeouts, and ERA around 4.50. He was hit hard by the Yankees and Athletics at the beginning of May before settling down against the Nationals and Rays. His last two times out, despite the pedestrian season numbers, he’s been hot: 13 total innings against his old club with just 2 runs allowed. He struck out 15 and walked 5. His last start broke a streak of five straight games allowing a solo homer. He missed Boston in April and hopefully they aren’t facing him at the peak of his powers before the next, eventual, bad outing. Baz will have to work hard though because he’s facing Connelly Early. Early is coming off a brilliant start against one of the best teams in baseball: the Braves. he shut them down for 7.0 innings in the one win the Sox managed to steal. Against Baltimore on the Sunday after The Firing he went 6.2 innings and allowed two solo shots as all the runs the Orioles would get.
Like Baz, Chris Bassitt has been better of late. His May ERA stood at 4.62 vs 5.46 in March/April. For the 37-year, old that’s all the O’s need to see. He held the Blue Jays to one run last time out but allowed three to the Tigers before that while not pitching out of the fifth inning. In two starts last year he first held the Red Sox to a single run in 5.2 innings in April, but then surrendered 9 in June over just 2.0 innings. Lefties in particular have hit him hard this year: .317/.399/.516 and righties still have an OBP of .340. That’s a lot of base clogging if a team can get some timely hitting. But we’re hoping it’s not all about that Bassitt and instead time to pay the toll. Tolle gutted his way through 4.2 innings against a tough Atlanta team and allowed only two runs. Unfortunately his relief was nothing of the kind and the game would end a blowout. But he’s gone at least 6.0 innings three times in his last five starts. This will be his first career appearance against the Orioles.
Trevor Rogers ends the series for Baltimore. Thankfully he hasn’t been on a hot streak. Since being on the losing end of the 17-1 game he hit the IL with the flu and returned to make four starts where he’s allowed 21 earned runs (22 total) in 18.1 innings. He has 11 strikeouts and 8 walks in that time. He’s allowed 5 home runs. He’s still pretty lost. He’s probably facing Brayan Bello and an opener, though the Sox haven’t said so yet. Respectfully, with the bases empty, Greg Weissert is holding batters to a .227/.277/.341 line. With men on base that balloons to .313/.382/.583. Maybe he could open? Orioles often go Right-Left-Switch (Ward, Henderson, Rutschman). Lefties are a bit better against him with a .727 OPS vs .681 for same-handed bats. But that’s not insurmountable. Maybe he’d have something the other openers haven’t?
Pete Alonso is second on the team in homers with 11 to Gunnar Henderson’s 13.
Jackson Holliday is back from the IL and hamate surgery.
One-year Sox fan favorite Tyler O’Neill is hitting .158/.266/.232.
Adley Rutschman is having a bounceback season posting a .798 OPS which would be his best mark since 2023.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Tuesday, June 2: Shane Baz (4.48 ERA / 4.07 FIP) vs. Connelly Early (2.95 ERA / 4.45 FIP)
Wednesday, June 3: Chris Bassitt (5.06 ERA / 4.54 FIP) vs. Payton Tolle (2.61 ERA / 2.66 FIP)
Thursday, June 4: Trevor Rogers (6.84 ERA / 4.82 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
We asked fans around New York: What would a Knicks championship mean for them and the city? In a word: Everything.
Dear Knicks . . .
“It’d be incredible. This team’s been getting close the past couple years. They’ve got a great young core. When the Knicks are doing well and they’re winning championships, it also helps us at the Stadium, man. The fans are pumped up here at every game. We’re rooting for ’em. We’ve got their back.”
— Aaron Judge, captain of the Yankees
“If the Knicks win, that means that my father is looking down on them and saying, ‘Yes, go, go, go.’ He passed away just before Mother’s Day. He was watching the finals. He was like, ‘Oh, my boys are going to do it,’ but he couldn’t see them do it. And thank God that they have swept everybody. This is amazing. And I’m so excited to actually be able to say, ‘This is for my dad.’ Go Knicks. You got an angel on your side.”
— Shukura Gardner-Petrus
“When you grow up in the streets of New York in the late ‘50s, rooting for the Knicks in the ’60s and getting that championship, it was awesome those two years of championship basketball. And now we get a chance once again. And there’s no doubt in my mind — don’t worry about Jalen Brunson being Second Team. He’s the best player in pro basketball this year. And OG, don’t worry about being Second Team Defense. You’re the best defensive player in the league. Go Knicks!”
— Rick Pitino, St. John’s basketball coach
“For my students here at Nesaquake, it’s a daily master class in resilience. It proves to these kids that if you put your head down, do the dirty work and play for the guy next to you, you can conquer the world.”
— Dan McCabe, principal of Nesaquake Middle School
Outside Madison Square Garden Knicks fans celebrate winning game 4 of the Eastern conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post
“It’s special. We’re all pulling for them. We’re watching every play, every game, every time we can. The whole city, the Mets, everybody’s behind you guys. Keep it rolling. Four more. It’ll be something special for all of us here in New York.”
— Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager
“2026 has been the year for New York City basketball. We had the LIU men’s basketball team win the NEC championship and make it to March Madness. And now the Knicks are only four wins away from an NBA championship. It was only a few years ago where no one would have ever thought this was possible for either one of these teams. What this Knicks run shows is that in the greatest city in the world, New York City, anything is possible. Fins up and best of luck bringing a championship home to New York.”
— David Pochapin
“A championship for the Knicks in the city would mean absolutely everything. A basketball championship in New York would be monumental for the city and bring fans together from all walks of life. Not to mention the maniacal fans of New York City and the way they’ve been craving for a championship for years it seems like this is our most favorable year to win it as well and I think everyone can feel that. For me personally, winning in the city is next to my child being born. It’s an experience that I’ll never forget, and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life – the memories and experiences you get from that are second to none, and I know the fans understand that and the players are craving for that feeling to share those memories with their family.”
— Victor Cruz, Giants Super Bowl champion
“1973 in New York City. Watergate. The Vietnam War. We were a divided city. But the Knicks brought us together with their championship against the Lakers of [Wilt] Chamberlain and [Jerry] West. Oh, it was Willis Reed and Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier. And now once again I’m reminded, as we’re on the cusp of another NBA championship, this is what’s bringing the city together. The suburbs, the urban area, where you could get together real Knick fans over the years. Real Knick fans who disagree on everything but come together for the good of a city that’s polarized, in which it’s negative, it’s divided. And the Knicks are bringing us all together, hopefully through the Canyon of Heroes, a championship parade where you’ll see the most unlikely people cheering the world champion Knicks together on the steps of City Hall.”
— Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels
Tattoo artist Val inks a Knicks logo on fan
Craig Stevens. Robert Miller for NY Post
“I think New York would be on the map like they wanted to be with the Knicks. For real. I think New York is definitely going to be wilding out, and I’m pretty sure if they made it this far, they’re going to make it all the way.”
— Emily Colon
“I am the pastor of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. It’s exactly one-half block away from Madison Square Garden. I’ve been a Knicks fan for over 50 years. I was there when it happened, when they won the championship in 1973. The Knicks will win the championship this year when they beat their opponent next week. This is a great joy for New York City. Let’s go Knicks.”
— Father Brian Jordan
“A New York Knicks victory is like Joey Chestnut winning on the 4th of July. You know everything is right in the world.”
— George Shea
utside Madison Square Garden Knicks fans celebrate winning game 4 of the Eastern conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post
“What would a Knicks championship mean to me? I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life. New York City needs this, man. Fifty-three years since 1973. No, we need this. We need this”
— Gil Vazquez
“Not IF the Knicks win the championship — WHEN they win the championship. This place is going to be on fire. Tri-state area. Oh my goodness. Let me tell you something. The mecca of basketball is New York. And the greatest fans, sports fans in the world, come from New York and they deserve this. So I’m so proud of the Knicks. I can tell you Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, Earl ‘The Pearl’ Monroe. Once you win a championship in New York, you’re never forgotten.”
— Jayson Williams, former Nets player
“It would mean the world to me, honestly. There’s a blue and orange that needs to get it right ’cause the Mets, you know, I’m also a Mets fan. But they’re gonna do it, I believe it.”
— Joshua Lopez
“Growing up a Knicks fan my whole life, every birthday was a new Knicks jersey. Do it for me, do it for Carmelo [Anthony], do it for [Patrick] Ewing, do it for those guys. We don’t want any more jerseys, we want a trophy!”
— Louie Selvaggio
“It would mean everything to me. We’ve been waiting for this for more than 50 years. We probably have to write new legislation to rename laundromats because of how he’s been washing these teams.”
— Mayor Zohran Mamdani
“This will be the single biggest licensed event in the history of New York. And more importantly, it will bring the whole city together unlike any other win than any team in New York’s history.”
— Mitchell Modell, former CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods
“Everything. It’s the one franchise since the ’70s that has not won anything. Giants had it. Rangers had it in the ’90s. They haven’t won since the ’70s. This is probably the one fandom team that does not split in New York City. You have the Brooklyn Nets and everything, but it’s the one fandom that never splits anybody. We have Rangers, we have Islanders, we have Jets, we have Giants. Giants won championships. Rangers won championships in the ’90s. If you’re from New York and you’re an original New Yorker, the Knicks are your team. And I’m 37 years old and never seen one. You see the crowd out here. You see how they react. It’s amazing.”
— Nicholas Ramos
Knicks fans celebrate winning the eastern conference championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Getty Images
“If the New York Knicks win the championship this year, that’ll be the greatest thing I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime. It’d be amazing. I feel like the whole city will go wild, including me. I might crowd surf. There are a lot of things that I might attempt to do if the New York Knicks win a championship. That’s for certain.”
— Nisaun White, a server at Roberta’s in Penn Station
“Have you been outside? Everybody’s polite for no reason. Everybody’s smiling. Republicans are celebrating with Democrats. Ultra-conservatives are celebrating with ultra-lefties. The New York Post, of all people, asked me about my opinion.”
— Public Advocate Jumaane Williams
“It is a great time to be a Knicks fan. In 1999, we were in the finals, but we didn’t go all the way, unfortunately. You got to go back all the way to 1973 where the Knicks went all the way and won the NBA championship. This is our time. History is with us. We’re going to take that championship and bring the cup home to New York City and all of New York. Let’s go Knicks. Let’s do it. It’s been waiting a long time. We’re all Knicks fans. We can’t wait for them to beat San Antonio over the head.”
— Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine
“I’m really excited for them. I’ve had the fortune of getting to know a couple of their guys over the last couple of years. To see the level they’re playing at right now is really fun to witness. The run — what, they’ve won, 11, 12 games in a row in dominant fashion? The West is going to be tough but I feel like they have a special, special thing going on and hopefully they can bring one home.”
— Aaron Boone, Yankees manager
“So, let’s pray for the Knicks. Let’s pray for the players, their managers, and all the fans just for these next couple of days to be united as one and, yeah, just whatever happens, give glory to God. So, we ask you to send your blessing upon the Knicks in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
— Father Steven McClernon, Beach Catholic in Long Beach
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures after scoring during a game against the Clippers on April 15 at Intuit Dome. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
The four-time NBA champion has spent his entire playing career with the Golden State Warriors and is under contract through the end of next season.
He has been playing without a shoe deal, however, since parting ways with Under Armour in November.
That won’t be the case when Curry starts his 18th NBA season in the fall. The man who holds the NBA record for most career three-pointers announced on Monday that his Curry Brand is teaming with Chinese sportswear and athletic equipment company Li-Ning for a partnership that is “bigger than a shoe deal” and “bigger than a signature series.”
“This is the partnership of a lifetime. The future of Curry Brand is with Li-Ning,” Curry wrote in a post announcing the deal on his Thirty Ink site. “I couldn’t be more proud to build a long-term vision with Li-Ning that will fuel Curry Brand for years to come and unlock the full potential of this company on a global scale.”
ESPN reports that the deal is for 10 years. Terms were not released.
Curry signed with Nike for the first four seasons of his career before switching to Under Armour in 2013. After announcing his sneaker free agency early in the 2025-26 season, Curry wore shoes from a variety of companies during warmups and games. In April, Curry auctioned off more than 70 pairs of those shoes through Sotheby’s, raising more than $1.7 million for his charitable foundation.
While many of his shoe choices had special significance — like when he honored Kobe and Gianna Bryant by warming up in Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Mambacita” sneakers — Curry also was doing his due diligence as a businessman.
“Throughout my sneaker free agency, I was impressed by the quality, comfort and performance of Li-Ning’s shoes,” Curry said. “It was during that time playing in Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler’s sneakers, that I knew that Li-Ning could be the right partner that can deliver on the innovation and design that I want Curry Brand to stand for.”
The Li-Ning company was founded by Li Ning — the Chinese gymnast who won six medals, including three gold, during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics — in 1990. A handful of NBA players have signed with the company, starting with then-Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones in 2006 and also including former Clippers guard Baron Davis and future Hall of Famers Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.
In addition to Curry’s Golden State teammate Butler, other current NBA stars signed with Li-Ning include Atlanta’s C.J. McCollum and Washington’s D’Angelo Russell.
According to Curry, Li-Ning will open Curry Brand stores in the United States and China.
“We’ll be proudly building Curry Brand into a future leading company that will leave its mark in Basketball, in Golf and across the lifestyle space,” Curry wrote.
“We’ll aim to create game-changing products, launch elevated platforms and bring storytelling that will inspire young boys and girls around the globe. My hope is for young athletes to find the same purpose, joy and drive through sports that I’ve long enjoyed throughout this journey.”
The San Antonio Spurs have a rather extraordinary championship pedigree despite being a relatively young NBA franchise.
Since their inaugural season in 1967-68 (then as the Dallas Chaparrals before moving to San Antonio in 1973-74), the Spurs have won five championships — all in a 15-year window between 1999-2014. The run was overseen by head coach Gregg Popovich, who remains the team’s president of basketball operations.
The first title, which came during the lockout-shortened season, was in '99 against the Knicks, who have returned to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years to face the Spurs again this season.
With the NBA Finals beginning Wednesday, June 3, here's a look at the Spurs' championship history:
When was the last time the Spurs won a championship?
In 2014, San Antonio won the championship by beating Miami in four out of five games.
The Spurs won the final three games by at least 17 points, effectively ending the Miami career of LeBron James (who returned to Cleveland in the middle of his record run of eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances).
Kawhi Leonard was named MVP of the series after averaging 17.8 points per game with 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks. Parker, Duncan and Ginobili also averaged double figures in scoring for the series.
When was the last time the Spurs were in the NBA Finals?
It was also in 2014. After the championship nucleus of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili retired, the Spurs went through a playoff drought of six seasons from 2019-25.
San Antonio returned to the postseason this year behind superstar Victor Wembanyama, who immediately led the team to the NBA Finals during his playoff debut in his third season.
How many championships do the Spurs have?
Five, and here's the breakdown:
1999: 4-1 over the New York Knicks; MVP: Tim Duncan
2003: 4-2 over the New Jersey Nets; MVP: Tim Duncan
2005: 4-3 over the Detroit Pistons; MVP: Tim Duncan
2007: 4-0 over the Cleveland Cavaliers; MVP: Tony Parker
2014: 4-1 over the Miami Heat; MVP: Kawhi Leonard
San Antonio Spurs NBA Finals history
The Spurs are 5-1 in the NBA Finals. The only loss came in 2013 when they fell 4-3 to the Miami Heat, which staved off elimination in a Game 6 win by forcing overtime with a 3-pointer by Ray Allen with 5.2 seconds left.
1999 NBA Finals: Knicks vs Spurs
In their first meeting 27 years ago, the Spurs won the championship in five games over the Knicks.
San Antonio, which had an NBA-best 37-13 record in a 50-game regular season shortened by a lockout, entered as the favorite over New York, which barely made the playoffs as the East's eighth seed with a 27-23 record.
San Antonio marched to the NBA Finals with an 11-1 record, defeating Minnesota 3-1, the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 and the Portland Trail Blazers 4-0.
New York had a tougher road, escaping with a 3-2 first-round win over Miami on a clutch jumper by Allan Houston, and then advancing past Atlanta 4-0 and Indiana 4-2.
The Spurs opened the NBA Finals with consecutive double-digit victories at the Alamodome. The Knicks won 89-91 in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.
The Spurs closed it out with two wins in a row. Duncan scored 31 points in a 78-77 clinching victory in Game 5.
Knicks vs Spurs head-to-head history, record
The Knicks are 2-1 against the Spurs this season, including a 124-113 victory to win the NBA Cup on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas.
San Antonio won 134-132 at home on Dec. 31 behind 36 points by Julian Champagnie. In Madison Square Garden on March 1, New York won 114-89 with 25 points from Mikal Bridges and 24 from Jalen Brunson (snapping an 11-game winning streak for the Spurs).
In regular-season meetings, there have been 107 games between the Knicks and Spurs, who lead the series 60-47.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 05: Josh Hader #71 of the Houston Astros in action against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on August 05, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news on the Houston Astros!
Josh Hader will be activated today.
Astros closer Josh Hader will be activated off the injured list today, manager Joe Espada told @SportsMT. What it means going forward, what his usage may look like and how the Astros may manage Hader upon his return – https://t.co/WlWNifhpkq
The Astros made a series of roster moves today (and one yesterday):
#Astros roster moves: LHP Josh Hader reinstated from 60-day IL. IF Carlos Correa transferred to 60-day IL. OF Zach Cole recalled from Triple A. IF Braden Shewmake was placed on 10-day IL w/ right adductor strain (retro to 5/31). RHP Logan VanWey optioned to Triple A (6/1)
Everyone on the Astros knows how good Yordan Alvarez is. From Bob Nightengale’s latest notebook:
Can you imagine how good the Dodgers would be if they didn’t trade an 18-year-old prospect by the name of Yordan Alvarez to the Houston Astros for reliever Josh Fields in 2016?
Alvarez, scouts and baseball executives will tell you, may be the greatest all-around hitter they’ve seen since Barry Bonds, with his teammates now even calling him Barry. He went into Saturday slashing .301/.415/.641 with a league-leading 1.056 OPS, with 20 homers and 39 RBIs.
“There is a level of intelligence and calm through his at-bats that I have never, ever seen in my career,” Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters.
You can read the entire piece here:
Will MLB add new teams once they agree to new CBA? Several executives and owners say it makes little economic sense ' https://t.co/5TKYoZu3Vv
IF Pascanel Ferreras has been promoted from Double-A to Triple-A:
Pascanel Ferreras has been promoted to Triple-A Sugar Land. He was hitting .263 with 3 home runs, 16 runs batted in and a .763 OPS in 30 games in Double-A. #Astros
I was going to include this piece as a look into what a prominent MLB.com writer thinks about the Astros at the deadline, but the one team he FORGOT TO MENTION was the Houston Astros. Also, he may have failed to properly count…
The Trade Deadline is two months away. Here are 10 big questions that will shape trade season: https://t.co/KYohkfQtw1
COVERS INTEL:
Kurt Helin
