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Fantasy takeaways from 2026-27 NBA regular-season schedule release

After three days of gradual releases, the entire 2026-27 NBA regular season schedule was released on Thursday. That offers another resource for fantasy managers to consider when crafting their draft strategies for the fall. Below are a few takeaways from the schedule, beginning with the reigning Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs.

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans
What Are the Best Games of the 2026-27 NBA Season? Top Matchups, Finals Previews, LeBron’s season with 76ers
Everything starts Oct. 20 on NBC and Peacock — and there are a lot of must-watch games to follow.

The Spurs are tied for most rest days with 94.

Of course, it isn't just about how many rest days a team gets, but also about where they land on the calendar. The Spurs, who improved their depth this offseason with the signing of Tobias Harris and selection of Tarris Reed Jr. (Jayden Quaintance is coming off another knee surgery), will have 94 rest days during the 2026-27 regular season. That should help keep Victor Wembanyama relatively fresh after he needed a waiver to be eligible for postseason awards in 2025-26.

The 7-foot-4 phenom played in 64 regular-season games for the Spurs, finishing third in MVP voting and winning Defensive Player of the Year. Wembanyama is in the conversation to go first overall in fantasy drafts, along with Denver's Nikola Jokić, and those rest days may lead some to go with the younger talent when crafting their rosters. However, it's important to note that San Antonio will play two back-to-backs in its first five games of the season. Given the timing, that should not be a significant issue, but you never know.

The Knicks are tied for the fewest road back-to-back games with five.

Having to play the second game of a back-to-back on the road is never great, but it's a reality for all teams. New York will only have to do this five times, which should be good news for their key fantasy options. Head coach Mike Brown took the necessary steps to reduce the workload of his key players last season, and that approach contributed to the Knicks winning their first title in 53 years.

All five Knicks starters appeared in at least 66 regular-season games, and three (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges) appeared in 74 or more. Those road back-to-backs may be most impactful for streaming options, whether it's guards Miles McBride or Jose Alvarado or second-year wing Mohamed Diawara. But it should not change anything regarding the Knicks who qualify as must-draft players.

The 76ers have the fewest stretches of three games in four nights.

Given the addition of LeBron James and Joel Embiid's injury history, this is good fortune for the 76ers and fantasy managers who wind up rostering their key players. While he has played 23 NBA regular seasons, James appeared in 60 or fewer games in five of his eight seasons with the Lakers. He played in 60 games last season, which made him ineligible for postseason awards. The good news for fantasy managers was that he missed just four games in March and April, the playoff time for most fantasy leagues.

Embiid's situation is more suspect, as he's appeared in 39, 19 and 38 games his last three seasons. He appeared in a total of five games in March and April last season, including Philadelphia's final three games of March. Having the fewest sets of three games in four nights could bode well for Embiid, and the 76ers need it to be, given the options currently behind him on the depth chart (Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti).

Denver won’t have its first back-to-back until November 29-30

The Nuggets were done a favor on two fronts regarding back-to-backs. First, they'll only have to navigate 12, which is tied for the fewest in the NBA. Also, the Nuggets won't play their first back-to-back until November 29-30. Jamal Murray (75 games) and Nikola Jokić (65) played enough to qualify for postseason honors in 2025-26, but there are other Nuggets who may benefit from the 2026-27 schedule.

Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson (who remains a restricted free agent) all played 54 games or fewer last season, negatively affecting the season-long fantasy values of each. If a lighter back-to-back workload can benefit them, that would be good news for fantasy managers.

The Lakers are one of three teams with three sets of five games in seven nights.

Those congested schedules in which teams are required to play four games in five nights or five in seven can be very demanding, and not just on the players. For some, that may require finding a capable streamer to cover for a player sitting out due to injury management. The Lakers are one of three teams that will have to play five games in seven days on three separate occasions this season.

Luka Dončić (64 games in 2025-26) and Austin Reaves (51) are coming off a season in which they missed extended periods due to injury, and offseason acquisition Walker Kessler only played five games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. While there may not be much margin for error in the middle of the Western Conference, there may be times when a Lakers star gets a night off, opening the door for someone else to step up as a potential streamer.

The Pelicans have two back-to-backs in their first five games.

The Spurs aren't the only team that will have to play two back-to-backs in its first five games. New Orleans is also on that list, and there may be greater concern for them given their injury history. Zion Williamson appeared in 62 games last season, a step in the right direction, but there will always be concerns about his availability. Trey Murphy and Herb Jones have dealt with injuries in the past, but the former did appear in 66 games in 2025-26. And Dejounte Murray did not return from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in January 2025 until after the All-Star break, appearing in 14 games before being shut down in early April.

In addition to those two back-to-backs to begin the season, New Orleans will play nine before the calendar flips to 2027, and they have the most instances of three games in four nights (27). Figuring out the direction the Pelicans are headed can be tricky, especially with the need to further incorporate Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Beyond the back-to-backs, this may be a team to keep an eye on at the trade deadline, given its mix of veterans and young players.

Boston, Dallas and New Orleans lead the league with 16 back-to-backs.

In recent years, the NBA has made strides in limiting the number of back-to-backs teams are asked to play. All 30 will play between 12 and 16 in 2026-27, with the Celtics, Mavericks and Pelicans leading the way. Dallas is a team to watch here due to Kyrie Irving missing all of last season while recovering from a torn ACL, and centers Daniel Gafford (55 games played) and Dereck Lively II (seven games played) missing extended time due to ankle and foot injuries, respectively. Those back-to-backs may not give Irving much room for error regarding postseason honors, while the availability of the post players will impact rookie Morez Johnson Jr.'s fantasy ceiling.

As for the Celtics, Jayson Tatum appeared in 16 regular-season games upon returning from a ruptured Achilles, and Paul George totaled 78 games in two seasons with the 76ers. Of the two, Tatum is the one who will merit first-round consideration in drafts, especially with Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia. As for George, while the Celtics' offensive system could benefit him, the availability concerns may still knock him down most draft boards.

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Yankees' bats quieted in 1-0 loss to Mariners

The Yankees couldn't complete the series sweep, falling to the Seattle Mariners by a score of 1-0 on Thursday afternoon in the Bronx.

Here are the key takeaways...

--Max Fried, who has been terrific since coming off of the IL, pitched 5.0 innings of one-run ball, but he didn't have his sharpest stuff. He only allowed five hits, one of which was a Weston Wilson solo home run in the top of the second inning, and struck out four while walking two. But he threw 88 pitches (55 of which were strikes), and he seemed to have a lot of trouble locating his breaking ball. 

--After breaking out for 10 runs on Wednesday night, the Yankees bats couldn't do much of anything against Mariners starter Logan Gilbert. The righty went 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out seven and walking only one. 

-- The Yankees caught a big break in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Jose Caballero was dead to rights trying to steal second base, but Colt Emerson dropped the ball on the tag. The inning stayed alive, but Amed Rosario was called out on strikes with runners on the corners to end the threat.

--The Yankees didn't have a ton of chances to score, but Trent Grisham didn't help matters in the bottom of the third, when what should have been a double was erased because Grisham popped up on the slide and was tagged out. The Yankees should have had runners on second and third with one out, but instead it was the second out of the inning, and the third out came quickly after.

The Yanks struck out 10 times and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. 

-- The Yankees' bullpen did a good job of keeping the Mariners at bay following Fried's outing. Ryan Yarbrough, Yerry De los Santos, and Fernando Cruz combined for 4.0 scoreless innings.

Game MVP

Gilbert, who put a zero on the board through 6.0 innings.

Highlights

Next Up

The Yankees head to Toronto for a weekend series against the Blue Jays, starting on Friday night at 7:15 p.m.

Gerrit Cole will face Shane Bieber.

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The top five Wizards home games to see this season

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles past Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards finally have a team worth watching for more than whoever happens to be visiting Capital One Arena. With AJ Dybantsa beginning his NBA career in the nation’s capital, several home games stand out — especially when another top player comes to town.

Here is a very subjective top five home games to see in person this season now that the 2026-27 schedule is out.

1. Philadelphia 76ers — Wednesday, Mar. 18, 7 p.m. ET

This is the obvious No. 1: Dybantsa vs. LeBron James.

With James now in Philadelphia, this matchup adds to the relative regional rivalry between D.C. and the City of Brotherly Love. At 42, there also aren’t going to be many more chances to see James play in Washington.

While Philadelphia returns on April 2 at 7 p.m., it’s also possible that the 76ers (or the Wizards) could start taking “load management” measures before the postseason.

2. San Antonio Spurs — Thursday, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET

Dybantsa vs. Victor Wembanyama on New Year’s Day.

That’s enough to make this one of the year’s best tickets. It’s San Antonio’s only trip to Washington, and the 5 p.m. holiday start makes it a great time to watch an NBA basketball game after celebrating New Year’s Day the night before.

3. Utah Jazz — Friday, Mar. 6, 7 p.m. ET

Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson were the two biggest names entering the 2026 NBA Draft, and now Washington gets its first Capital One Arena look at the two young stars against each other. This is also a matchup between Dybantsa’s current team against an NBA team in the state where he played college basketball last season at Brigham Young.

Utah only visits Washington once, making March 6 the date for anyone who wants to watch what could become one of Dybantsa’s intra-draft class rivalries.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder — Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m. ET

This is a measuring-stick game.

Rather than another rookie storyline, Dybantsa and the Wizards get to see how they stack up against one of the NBA’s elite teams and the 2024-25 NBA champions. Besides the fact that OKC is a Western Conference team, the Thunder are still a pretty young team, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s like this is the Wizards playing a potential future version of themselves.

5. Golden State Warriors — March 27, 7 p.m.

Stephen Curry is getting older, which means every remaining trip to Washington is worth appreciating. When this game is on a Friday night, and when Dybantsa faces off against Curry (though not directly), this is a good game to circle.

What about the Knicks?

I’ll be honest. The New York Knicks are the defending NBA champions. They’ll visit Washington twice: Friday, December 18 at 7 p.m. and Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. If I had a sixth slot and really wanted to see the Wizards play the defending champions at home, the December game is the better bet.

That said, Washington will be an underdog to New York either way, and matchups against Western Conference teams are scarce. They just play in D.C. one time a year.

What keeps New York outside my top five is simply scarcity. You get two opportunities to see the Knicks. There is only one home game against Wembanyama, Peterson, Gilgeous-Alexnader and Curry. James on the other hand is the oldest player and still one of the best players in the league, so watch him while you still can.

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The 5 most difficult Celtics road trips, ranked

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talks with Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics after their game at Chase Center on January 20, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026-2027 NBA schedule is out, and the Celtics now know where they’ll be from October to April as they look to bounce back from a first-round exit last year. 

While there’s no telling exactly how the year will play out – and which teams will under- and overachieve – it’s already clear that the team will embark on several lengthy road trips that will help shape the trajectory of the season.

The Celtics have one 6-game road trip, three 4-game road trips, and three 3-game road trips on the books. Here are their most difficult road trips, ranked. 

1. December 30th – January 9th: 6-game road trip that includes games against the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers. 

    The Celtics haven’t had a 6-game road trip since March of 2025, when they became the first team in franchise history to go a perfect 6-0 in one road trip. They’ll look to replicate that success this winter when they face three Western Conference playoff teams from last year, and a Jazz squad that could be much-improved. The Bulls and Clippers should be easier outs, but there’s no telling how competitive this road trip will end up being. 

    2. November 6th – November 11th: 4-game road trip that includes games against the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors

      The Hornets, 76ers, and Raptors are all expected to be in the playoff mix this season, and the Celtics will face all three teams as part of their first 3+ game road trip of the season. Philadelphia just might end up being the best team in the East after adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in the offseason, and the Raptors are expected to add Kawhi (pending a conclusion to the end of the Aspiration investigation). The fact that Philadelphia and Toronto are on a back-to-back doesn’t make things easier.

      3. March 27th – April 1st: 4-game road trip that includes games against the Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, and Cleveland Cavaliers

        The Heat and Pacers should both be better than last year now that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton are in the mix. And, the Cavaliers should once again be among the East’s top teams. This trip could end up featuring three Eastern Conference playoff opponents in less than a week.

        4. November 18th-  November 24th: 4-game road trip that includes games against the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and Washington Wizards 

          The Nuggets are no longer one of the perennial teams in the WNBA, but they’re still led by one of the best duos in the game in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray — and they’re not even three years removed from a title. Golden State is probably not a playoff team, and neither are the Wizards, but both teams should at least be better than they were last year. But the lack of back-to-backs and quality opponents makes this trip potentially easier.

          5. February 28th – March 5th: 3-game road trip that includes games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Detroit Pistons 

            This is yet another trip that features three likely playoff teams, including last year’s top team in the East, the Pacers (with Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubak), and a Timberwolves squad headlined by Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.

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              What Are the Best Games of the 2026-27 NBA Season? Top Matchups, Finals Previews, LeBron's season with 76ers

              It's like Christmas in August.

              The full 2026-27 NBA Season has been released, all 1,230 games. It's a lot, so we've broken out the best games, the can't-miss games, the appointment-viewing games from the full NBA schedule to make it a little easier. Here are the days and games you need to circle on the calendar.

              Opening Night, Oct. 20

              There are three games, all exclusively on NBC and Peacock — including LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers coming to Madison Square Garden on Ring Night to spoil the party. We also get the first San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City showdown of the season.

              • Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons (3 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              • Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks (7 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              • Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)

              Curry vs. Jokic

              The Warriors vs. the Nuggets is the first game of the season exclusively on Peacock and features two of the league's biggest stars, Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic.

              • Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET, Peacock)

              Jaylen Brown returns to Boston

              Jaylen Brown makes his much-anticipated return to Boston to face Jayson Tatum and the only team he had ever known on Jan. 21. Brown's first game against his former team comes on Nov. 10, but in the comfort of home in Philadelphia — and you can see it on NBC and Peacock.

              • Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (Nov. 10, 8 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              • Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
              • Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (Feb. 27, 8 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)

              Antetokounmpo returns to Milwaukee

              The biggest game of the season for the Bucks comes on Jan. 28 when Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat come to town — Antetokounmpo's return to Milwaukee. What kind of reception will he get? It should be nothing but love, like he showed the city for so long and in bringing it a championship.

              • Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks (Jan. 28, 9:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video).

              LaMelo returns to Charlotte

              LaMelo Ball returns to Charlotte on Presidents' Day, Feb. 15, 2027, with a game you can watch on NBC and Peacock. Expect him to feel the love from the crowd. Also that day, Victor Wembanyama vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo.

              • Minnesota Timberwolves at Charlotte Hornets (12 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              • San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat (5 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)

              Ja Morant returns to Memphis

              Morant was a fan favorite and will feel the love despite wearing a new uniform.

              • Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

              Christmas Day

              It's the NBA's showcase day, and this is a must-watch lineup of games where you can plop yourself in front of the television and enjoy while wearing that new sweater from your uncle. It starts off with an NBA Finals rematch and is highlighted by LeBron James' return to Los Angeles.

              • San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks (12 p.m.m. ET, ABC and ESPN)
              • Miami Heat at Boston Celtics (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN).
              • Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers (5 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN)
              • Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves (8 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN)
              • Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN)

              Dybantsa vs. Peterson

              The first meeting of the No. 1 and No. 2 picks from last June's draft — Washington's A.J. Dybantsa and Utah's Darren Peterson — doesn't come until February, but it should be worth the wait.

              • Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz (Feb. 27, 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

              Sunday Night Basketball

              Sunday Night Basketball — the marquee game of the week, highlighted on Sunday night — returns to NBC on Jan. 24 and continues through the rest of the season. That first game is can't-miss.

              • Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors (Jan. 24, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)

              2027 NBA All-Star Weekend

              The NBA All-Star Game — and the entire weekend of events — descends upon Phoenix this year, from Feb. 19-21 (the All-Star Game is on the 21st). Friday night will feature the Rising Stars Game. Saturday, Feb. 20, will be All-Star Saturday Night with the 3-Point Contest, Dunk Contest, and more. The All-Star Game itself is on Feb. 21. The entire weekend of events will be exclusively broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

              NBA Cup title game

              A year ago, the New York Knicks won the NBA Cup then went on to win the NBA title. Two years ago, Oklahoma City made the NBA Cup Finals then went on to win the NBA title. Tune in to see which team looks like a champion. This year's title game will be played at Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

              • NBA Cup championship game, Dec. 11, Prime Video.

              Doncic vs. Durant

              Luka Doncic vs. Kevin Durant. Two iconic stars. Two teams trying to prove they belong at the top of the West. Watch it on Nov. 30, exclusively on Peacock.

              • Los Ángeles Lakers at Houston Rockets (7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock).

              Nikola Jokic in Madison Square Garden

              Playing in Madison Square Garden brings out the best in players, and when Nikola Jokic is putting on a show there is nothing like it. Tune in Jan. 11, 2027, exclusively on Peacock.

              • Denver Nuggets at New York Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock)

              Wembanyama in Paris

              Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are playing two international games this season, each against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. Wemby in Paris is worth tuning in for, and the second game will be the NBA's first-ever game in Manchester, England (a place the league hopes to put an NBA Europe team).

              • New Orleans Pelicans at San Antonio Spurs in Paris (Jan. 14, 2 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
              • San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans in Manchester (Jan. 17, 10:30 a.am. ET, Prime Video)

              Martin Luther King Jr. Day

              NBC and Peacock will broadcast a four-game slate on Jan. 18, 2027, the day honoring the civil rights leader. It includes the traditional games taking place in Atlanta and Memphis.

              • Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers (12 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              • Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              • Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks (5 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              • Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies (7:30 p.m. ET, Peacock)

              Lakers vs. Celtics

              The most historic rivalry in the NBA is renewed, this year between two quality teams.

              • Los Ángeles Lakers at Boston Celtics (Feb. 2, 8 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)

              Knicks vs. Thunder Finals preview?

              New York and Oklahoma City might have met in last year's NBA Finals if the Thunder had been healthy — and we could well see that matchup this season. Tune in for this potential Finals preview on Sunday Night Basketball.

              • New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder (Feb. 7, 9:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock)
              Durant vs. Antetokounmpo

              Another Sunday Night Basketball gem featuring two of the greatest bucket-getters the game has ever seen, Kevin Durant vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo.

              • Miami Heat at Houston Rockets (Feb. 28, p:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock.
              Finals Rematch

              Getting late into the season, we get a rematch of last season's NBA Finals — and potentially a preview of a repeat. All of it on Sunday Night Basketball. (The teams also meet on Christmas Day.)

              • New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs (March 7, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock).

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              Spurs 2026-27 regular season schedule released

              SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 8: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates during the game against the Houston Rockets on March 8, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

              We have finally hit Day 3 of the NBA’s schedule release. We already knew that the Spurs would open at home against the Thunder on October 20 and get hosted by the Knicks on Christmas, as well as their NBA Cup schedule, and now we have the complete regular season schedule.

              Observations

              • 34 games will be nationally televised or streamed on NBC/Peakcock, ESPN or ABC and Prime, and a whopping 25 of them come in the second half of the season (game 42 or later). If you’re like me and use League Pass for local broadcasts, make sure you get to know whoever the Spurs new announcer is early, because you won’t hear him and Sean Elliott much after that.
              • I count 12 back-to-backs, which isn’t bad. I also see four miniseries: their two Europe games against the Pelicans in mid January at Paris and Manchester, both games at Golden State at the end of January/beginning of February, and a home-away against the Nuggets at the end of February/beginning of March (with the “home” game being in Austin), and both home games against the Phoenix Suns at the end of March.
              • Is it just me, or does it look like more away games than home? Those at’s stand out dramatically, especially since they’re so clumped together thanks to several long road trips. There are three four-game road trips plus the 8-game Rodeo Road Trip, with the Memphis and Denver games on Feb. 26 and 28 being in Austin. There’s also a 9-road-in-12-games stretch from December 15 through January 3, as well an 8-in-12 streak from March 14 to April 4.
              • On the other hand, the Spurs only have two streaks of four or more home games in a row, with a streak of five January 2o through the 27th, and four straight to close the regular season. Speaking of which, the last three games are all against should-be playoff teams in the Cavaliers, Nuggets and Trail Blazers, which is notable assuming they’re in another battle for the top seed, which they barely missed out on last season.
              • The Rodeo Road Trip itself will be no cakewalk either, with every game also being against playoff contenders except the two Memphis games. That March four-game road trip is also a bruiser as at least on paper, it could very well be against the four of the six playoff teams out of the East.

              Other than that, not much stands out. It’s amazing the difference in looking at the schedule from a contender’s perspective compared to being a bubble or bad team. Fewer teams or stretches look “daunting”, and you just expect to win every game (knowing full well you won’t). What else stands out to you, Pounders?

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              Done in a weekend – the $12.5bn LA Lakers sale that shocked the NBA

              Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a basket
              Luka Doncic is a big star at the LA Lakers and has backed the new owners [Getty Images]

              It was a move that has left the NBA world in shock. And the deal was done astonishing quickly. The Los Angeles Lakers' record $12.5bn (£9.3bn) sale was agreed in the space of a weekend.

              News broke on Wednesday that Josh Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared, and former Disney chief executive Bob Iger were buying the controlling interest in one of the world's most iconic sports teams.

              Kushner moved fast to get the deal done.

              Only last Friday, he approached Mark Walter over the majority stake he purchased only last year. They got to work instantly to hammer out an agreement.

              If approved by the NBA's board of governors, the deal will become the most expensive sports team sale ever reported - and Walter will have made a $2.5bn (£1.9bn) profit on his investment in next to no time.

              Walter had not actively been looking to sell his majority stake in the NBA franchise, while Kushner's move was not influenced by the collapse of Fifa's controversial World Cup investment plan.

              Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Kushner, had been expected to lead the proposed investor group for the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal before it was abandoned.

              The speed of the Lakers agreement has added to the level of surprise surrounding the sale in the United States.

              When ESPN broke the story on Wednesday, it sparked a flurry of reaction and comment. NBA executives, insiders and other figures within the sport were all stunned.

              The Lakers were valued at $10bn (£7.4bn) in June 2025 - then a record for a sports team.

              So where does this deal rank in world sport? And will the deal be a good thing for the Lakers?

              A record breaking sports deal

              Joshua Kushner (L) and Bob Iger watch tennis
              Josh Kushner (left) and Bob Iger will be the new owners [Getty Images]

              Walter said after the sale was announced that owning the Lakers had been "one of the great honours" of his life and described it as an "extraordinary investment".

              Reasons for the sudden sale are unclear. Walter is facing an ongoing federal investigation into his company Delaware Life - but there is no suggestion that the Lakers sale was prompted by that investigation.

              The numbers involved in the Lakers deal underline why it has caused such a stir.

              It surpasses not only the Lakers valuation when Walter bought his stake in 2025, but also the $6.1bn (£4.5bn) valuation of the Boston Celtics when their controlling stake changed hands last year.

              It is more than three times the value set for the Phoenix Suns when they were sold to Mat Ishbia for $4bn (£3bn) in 2023.

              In addition, it beats the $9.6bn (£7.1bn) for which the NFL's Seattle Seahawks was sold last month.

              The deal is also worth significantly more than those involving leading Premier League clubs.

              Todd Boehly's consortium paid £2.5bn to buy Chelsea in 2022, although the overall deal amounted to£4.25bn ($5.7bn).

              Manchester United's Glazer family were reported to want £10bn ($13.5bn) to sell the club, but that was an asking price rather than a completed transaction. Sir Jim Ratcliffe instead bought a 27.7% stake for about £1.3bn in 2024.

              Magic Johnson backs the sale

              Kushner and Iger are coming in at a time when the Lakers are in transition.

              The Lakers have not won an NBA title since 2020, when LeBron James and Anthony Davis led them to their 17th championship.

              With James confirming his exit at the end of June and Luka Doncic the team's leading man, the Lakers are facing another fresh start. Doncic is preparing to work under his fifth different owner across just the two NBA teams he has played for.

              "I've gotten used to big changes over these last few years," he wrote on social media, before adding that he looked forward to "building something special in LA together".

              Kushner and his company have been looking at investing in the NBA for some time, although the sale still brings uncertainty over how the Lakers will be run.

              Basketball legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, backed the deal, though.

              "Lakers fans, you couldn't have two better owners. I've known Bob personally for over 40 years," he said on social media.

              "He has always loved the Lakers and basketball and he will bring championships back to LA."

              More on Basketball from BBC Sport

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              The Raptors unveil season schedule, face off with AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson

              Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference before 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

              The Toronto Raptors have released their game schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season, and it looks like it’ll be starting off with a bang. The Chicago Bulls, who defeated the Raptors in the play-in in 2023, are coming to Toronto to show the 6ix their new-look lineup.

              That first match on October 21st will have Caleb Wilson, Norm Powell, and Josh Giddey come to Toronto to test their mettle. The homecoming for Norm Powell will be an opportunity for Chicago to attempt to restart their blazing hot beginning to the season, as they had last year. Then, Toronto will hit the road for a game against the Wizards, getting a first look at what first overall pick AJ Dybantsa can do. Overall, our season begins with some opportunities to check out new-look teams with a trifecta of Chicago, Washington, and Minnesota, with the opportunity to pick up some easy wins against Orlando, who we play twice in October. November boasts a much harder schedule, with may premier teams from both East and West on the docket, with December looking not much lighter until its end. February and March are the beginning of some less stressful matches, as well as an exciting back-to-back on the road against Miami, where we’ll get to really see how well Giannis fares in South Beach.

              The Raptors will get a nine day home stand in January, while road tripping for eleven days in March. With the Raptors playing their divisional opponents the most contention with the monstrous lineups in Philadelphia and New York start early, with three games back to back against the two teams in November, with the rest of the matches spread out through the year. Toronto’s last game will be the same as last year’s, a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on April 11th, what will hopefully be a nice way to ease into the postseason. The NBA Cup will see four games played against Orlando on October 30th, Milwaukee on November 6th, Detroit on November 20th, and Brooklyn on November 27th. All together, a very manageable roster in my opinion, a perspective shared by our Editor-In-Chief, Kristian Cuaresma.

              I agree wholeheartedly that Kawhi’s presence would be the nail in the coffin for most of these teams, but that even without him, we proved to be able to manage all of these teams last year, winning every season series save for the one against Detroit. However, with Jalen Duren likely off the team, Motor City is looking much more manageable, and I believe we’ll be real contenders in the Cup this year.

              The picture of the 2026-27 season is still up in the air for the Raptors due to the Kawhi Leonard debacle and the league’s sloppy and overly secretive handling of the investigation, which has left Raptors fans grasping at whispers and rumours rather than able to make full assessment of the team’s circumstances. Many NBA teams have gotten considerably better this past year, through massive trades, free agency, and last year’s stacked draft. That means that the Raptors will just have to push even harder, and hopefully, secure Leonard’s play for this season, as he’ll be a weapon I don’t think we can afford to leave at the gunshop if we want any chance of contending this year. While it’s difficult to say what exactly the Raptors will look like at this standpoint, building around Scottie Barnes has been working thus far, and with the right pieces, I can see the regular season schedule mattering little enough, as fans can shift their focus to the playoffs with certainty.

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              Lakers again have most nationally televised games on their schedule

              The Lakers' 2020 NBA championship banner is unveiled in a ceremoney on May 12, 2021.
              The Lakers, with 17 NBA championships, remain a big draw. They hung their last banner after the 2019-20 season. (Harry How / Getty Images)

              LeBron James has moved back to the Eastern Conference, but the Lakers remain a major box office draw for the NBA.

              With an almost brand new rotation after a busy offseason that elevated Luka Doncic to the team’s unquestioned leader, the Lakers have the maximum amount of nationally televised games in the NBA this season with 34, according to the league schedule released Thursday. The Lakers open the season against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21 on ESPN.

              The slate is highlighted by a much-anticipated Christmas Day reunion with James that will be televised at 2 p.m. on ABC. The matchup at Crypto.com Arena will be James’ return to L.A. after the four-time NBA champion signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this summer following eight seasons with the Lakers. James will play on Christmas Day for the 21st time in his 24-season career, and the Lakers will play on the holiday for the 28th consecutive time.

              The Lakers don’t meet James in his new home until March 4, when they finish a four-game trip in Philadelphia.

              The Lakers have a frantic start to the season, playing 13 games in the first four weeks. They have three back-to-back sets during the busy stretch from the opener to the end of a three-game trip in Milwaukee on Nov. 11.

              The traditional Grammys trip begins in Indiana on Jan. 28 followed by a back-to-back set in New York (Jan. 30) and Charlotte (Jan. 31). The Lakers then continue the seven-game trip by circling back north from Charlotte to Boston (Feb. 2) and Brooklyn (Jan. 4), then heading West with stops in San Antonio (Feb. 6) and Phoenix (Feb. 8).

              Read more:Bob Iger, Joshua Kushner to buy Lakers from Mark Walter's ownership group for $12.5 billion

              The reigning NBA champion New York Knicks, Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs and James’ 76ers each have 34 nationally televised games. The final two games of the 82-game season will be determined in December as the NBA Cup midseason tournament plays out.

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              This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

              Posted on

              Draymond Green sounds off on basketball fans after Russell Westbrook retirement

              Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green didn’t hesitate to call out the hypocrisy of basketball fans.

              On his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” Green asked fans, “Why is it that Russell Westbrook has to announce his retirement unexpectedly to finally see the love that he deserves?”

              Green opened the segment by telling basketball fans, “Y’all suck,” as he went on to defend Westbrook, who released a video on his social media Wednesday to make his retirement announcement.

              Draymond Green sounds off on basketball fans after news broke of Russell Westbrook’s retirement.
              Westbrook released a video on his social media Wednesday to make his retirement announcement. NBAE via Getty Images
              Green opened the segment by telling basketball fans, “Y’all suck.” (Getty Images) Getty Images

              “Because for the last 8 to 10 years, all this guy has heard is how bad he sucks, how he stat pads, and how he messes up teams,” Green said.

              The four-time NBA champion continued to call out fans by addressing the nickname “Westbrick,” which was coined for Westbrook during the 2018–2019 season when his free-throw percentage dropped from 73.7% the year before to 65.6%.

              “The moment he steps aside, ‘Oh man, y’all did Russ wrong. Can’t tell me he couldn’t be on a team. Wow, how he played the game. Gonna miss him,” Green said of NBA fans.

              Westbrook had an 18-year career and at one point was considered a future Hall of Famer when he was leading the Oklahoma City Thunder, alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden.

              Westbrook is defended by Green on “The Draymond Green Show.”
              Green called out fans over the nickname “Westbrick,” which was coined during the 2018–2019 season. (Getty Images) Getty Images

              During his time with the Thunder, Westbrook was the league’s MVP in 2017; he was selected as a nine-time All-Star and was the leader in triple-doubles.

              At 24 years old, Westbrook led the Thunder to the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance, but would ultimately end up falling to a LeBron James-led Miami Heat team through five games.

              Harden would depart from the Thunder in the following offseason, and Durant would also end up leaving the team to join Green in the Golden State in 2016.

              Westbrook would stay with the Thunder until 2019 and play for six more teams.

              As a member of the Sacramento Kings last year, Westbrook averaged 15.2 points with 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds.

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              Posted on

              Nets' 2026-27 NBA regular season schedule

              The Nets will open the 2026-27 NBA regular season by hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 21, the league announced on Thursday.

              Brooklyn, coming off a rough 20-62 season, has just two games on national television for the season: a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 23, in JuliusRandle's first game after arriving in an offseason trade, and when they host the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 20. The Nets will also play 16 back-to-back games.

              The Nets will lock horns with their defending champions from across the river four times, playing the first two games at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2 and Dec. 27. They will host the Knicks on Feb. 1 and April 2. 

              In the NBA Cup, New York will face Detroit (Oct. 30) and Orlando (Nov. 20) at home and travel to Milwaukee (Nov. 25) and Toronto (Nov. 27) in group play. The knockout round games will be on Dec. 4, 5, 8, 9, and the title game on 11, if they advance that far.

              LeBron James and the new-look 76ers will visit Brooklyn for the first time on Nov. 16 and Feb. 25. The Nets will travel to face the Sixers on Jan. 14 and Feb. 8. 

              The Nets will have a tough stretch toward the end of the season when they play just twice at home during an 11-game stretch, which includes five straight on the road from Feb. 27 through March 7 against the Bulls, the Nuggets, the Suns, the Clippers, and the Lakers.

              They will have a stretch of seven of eight games at home, including six straight games at Barclays Center starting in mid-December. 

              Here's the rest of Brooklyn's 2026-27 schedule:

              Posted on

              Pistons 2026-2027 Schedule Released

              After a relatively quiet offseason for the Pistons and a pretty large Jalen Duren-sized elephant in the room yet to work itself out, it is time to generate some excitement with the release of the 2026-2027 schedule. We are now a couple months away from the return of NBA basketball! The biggest takeaway is that the Pistons play every team in the league once again. Here is the full schedule:

              In all seriousness, there are a few standouts with the schedule. First off, the first four games of the season are pretty brutal with the 3 pm home opener against the Boston Celtics followed by three road games against likely-playoff teams in the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks.

              The Pistons are a good team now, so I don’t think you need to anticipate an 0-4 start like you would have during the dark days a few years ago, but it will definitely be a challenge early-on. They do follow up that difficult stretch with a few winnable games, so there is an opportunity to get back on track if they struggle early.

              The Pistons will have 19 games in total on National Television with 12 on ESPN or NBC and 7 on Peacock or Prime. This is far and away the most they have had in recent memory, which also comes with the territory of being a good team. There is also a likelihood they get more National TV games added as the season plays out as long as they continue to build off the momentum of last season.

              There’s only so much analysis you can do with a schedule in which you play every team in the league, but there are a few other things that stand out to me. The Pistons group for the NBA Cup is very favorable with Brooklyn, Orlando, Milwaukee, and Toronto. They have failed to make it out of the group stage since the introduction of the NBA Cup, so maybe this is the year it finally happens.

              Another standout with the schedule is that all of the games against the New York Knicks will be on some National TV platform. The Knicks got the last laugh with winning the NBA Championship last season, but this is definitely a matchup from the East that the NBA is trying to heavily promote after their heavily contested playoff series a couple years ago.

              We will have more analysis on the schedule and all things Pistons as we get closer to the start of the season, but it is nice to have something to look forward to and build hype during the dog days of the Summer.

              Posted on

              Sabres Top 40 Prospects – #26

              The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.  

              Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games. 

              Other Sabres Stories

              Sabres Emotionally Devastated By Game 7 Overtime Loss

              26. Evgeny Prokhorov - Goalie (Dinamo-Shinnik Jr. - MHL Russia)

              The Sabres continued their practice of selecting players with longer development windows, since they do not have to sign them within two years. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, players drafted out of the KHL development system have their rights retained by their NHL club until 27 years old,  because there is no transfer agreement between the KHL and NHL.   

              Who had the best and worst offseasons in the Atlantic Division?

              With the first of two seventh-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Sabres selected Belarusian goalie Yevgeni Prokhorov. The 19-year-old played 28 games in the junior-level MHL for Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk in his draft year, posting a 2.19 GAA, and .903 save percentage, and went 3-3, with a 1.95 GAA and .943 save percentage in six playoff games. 

              Last season, Prokhorov’s numbers improved even more, posting a sub 2.00 GAA (1.96), and better save % (.925) in 29 games, as well as a 1.92 GAA and .938 save % in 10 playoff games. 

              With Belarus subject to the ban from the IIHF along with Russia due to the war in Ukraine, Prokhorov will not get any international experience like playing in the World Junior, and will likely play in the MHL again next season, but could see some time in the second-level VHL or KHL depending on his performance. 

              Follow Michael on X, and Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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              Posted on

              Tigers shutout Guardians without a single strikeout

              DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 13: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers tries to turn a double play around Angel Martínez #1 of the Cleveland Guardians in the eighth inning at Comerica Park on August 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

              The Tigers collected a win to edge their way into a Wild Card spot after beating the Guardians 3-0 to win the series two games to one. Next up? The division leading Chicago White Sox come to town on Friday night.

              Nothing quite like afternoon baseball on a nice August day in Detroit. The Tigers were hoping to wrap up their series against the Guardians with a win, after dropping the second game on Wednesday night. To get the job done they had the reliable Keider Montero on the mound up against the sometimes scary Parker Messick for Cleveland.

              Chase DeLauter got things going for the Guardians with a one-out walk in the first. He then stole second, but thanks to a fielding error from McGonigle, DeLauter ended up at third. I love Kevin but the fielding has been wildly inconsistent the last couple of days. The gaffe didn’t end up costing the Tigers, though, as the next two batters were out. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.

              Montero was in a nice groove in the second, getting the Guardians out in order. In the bottom of the inning, Spencer Torkelson reached on an error by the pitcher, and ultimately wound up at second base. The Tigers weren’t able to take advantage of having a runner in scoring position though and Messick didn’t end up causing his own unearned run.

              Brayan Rocchio got a one-out single in the third, but two outs quickly followed to leave the runner stranded. In the home half, Javier Baez got a leadoff double. Ben Malgeri was then hit by a pitch. The bases were soon loaded as Gleyber Torres walked. Not sure if that second inning error shook Messick’s confidence, but this certainly wasn’t the version of the pitcher we were expecting to see today. A Dillon Dingler groundout scored Baez, putting the Tigers on the board first. They had to settle for just the one run, but it was a good start.

              The Guardians went 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers did much the same.

              Another three-up, three-down outing for Montero in the fifth. Nice stuff from him today. And once again, the Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.

              With two outs in the sixth DeLauter singled. Jose Ramirez then walked, and that was a situation where the Tigers would have loved to not have squandered all their ABS challenges because it shouldn’t have been a walk, but there was nothing to be done. Montero got out of the jam by inducing a flyout to end the inning.

              View Link

              In the home half with two outs Eduardo Valenica hit a solo home run to left field. The rookie continues to swing an extremely hot bat with five homers and a ludicrous 248 wRC+ in 46 plate appearances. Spencer Torkelson walked and that was it for Messick, who was replaced by Craig Yoho. Yoho got the final out of the inning.

              View Link

              Jo Adell grounded out to start the inning, but the Guardians challenged, claiming Torkelson came off the bag. It did look like Tork’s foot was off the bag when he caught the ball, but it was hard to say definitively. The Tigers got exceptionally lucky and the call was upheld for the first out of the inning. That was also it for Montero, whose final line for the game was 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K on 88 pitches. For a game without a single strikeout, Montero really dominated the Guardians, inducing a lot of weak contact to keep them off the basepaths. A nice outing from him. Tyler Holton came in to replace him. He got the final two outs of the inning. In the bottom of the inning Malgeri got a two-out single but the Tigers weren’t able to bring him home.

              Angel Martinez got a leadoff single in the eighth. Steven Kwan then hit into a force out to eliminate Martinez and put Kwan on, but the next batter was an out to leave him stranded. In the bottom of the inning Franco Aleman came in, and man don’t you think the Brewers wish they had a guy named “Aleman” in their bullpen? Yes, I know it’s not pronounced Ale Man, but still…) Kevin McGonigle got a one-out single. McGonigle stole second, then a pinch-hitting Colt Keith took a walk. Torkelson then singled to bring McGonigle home. Tim Herrin was the new pitcher after that. Keith advanced to third on a passed ball, but the Tigers would have to settle for just the one extra run, as Herrin got the two outs to end the inning.

              Can the narrative survive this terrible truth?

              Up to this point the Tigers had managed to maintain a shutout without striking out a single batter, so it remained to be seen if Kenley Jansen could continue the trend and also keep the Guardians scoreless in the ninth. Malgeri made another nice play on the warning track to retire Jose Ramirez. Sometimes the best thing you can do to improve your high leverage relief is to play better defense. A foul pop-up between third base and home plate should have been an out but McGonigle or Dingler both pulled up just short and it dropped on the ground. That’s not what we were looking for, defensively, but Jansen still managed to get the final outs of the inning on a fly ball to Clark and a line drive straight to McKinstry in left to complete the win without a single strikeout.

              That is the first shutout without a strikeout in the major leagues since Rick Porcello’s 95 pitch Maddux back on July 1, 2014. It’s only happened nine times since 1995.

              Final: Tigers 3, Guardians 0

              Posted on

              Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Game Thread

              WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 12: Jackson Kent #25 of the Washington Nationals pitches in his Major League Debut during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on August 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

              The Nats have had no answers for the Cubs’ fearsome offense so far this series. Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki and PCA have overwhelmed the Nats. However, they will get the chance to salvage a contest this afternoon. With their ace on the mound, this is a game the Nats need to have.

              With a righty who is actually slightly better against lefties on the mound, Blake Butera has a different looking lineup. CJ Abrams and Abi Ortiz are the top two. However, righties like Dylan Crews, Andres Chaparro, Brady House and Andrew Pinckney are in the lineup. Jorbit Vivas is also in for the struggling Nasim Nunez. As mentioned, ace Cade Cavalli is on the bump.

              The Cubs are also making a couple changes. With a righty on the mound, Michael Conforto is at DH. That moves Pedro Ramirez to second base, who gives Nico Hoerner a day off. Miguel Amaya will also do the catching. Deadline addition Kevin Gausman will make his second start for the Cubs.

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              Game Info:

              Stadium: Nationals Park

              Time: 4:05 PM EST

              TV: Nationals.TV

              Radio: 106.7 The Fan

              Getting swept after finally getting a sweep would be a real bummer. The Nats need to do whatever it takes to avoid that. Limiting this Cubs offense will be tough, but it is necessary. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!