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Pacome Dadiet, NBA Champion

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There have been 75 first-round picks in the long, 80-year history of the New York Knicks.

Some of them have been iconic. Some of them made the Hall of Fame. Some of them went on to be known as something other than a Knick. And, as we all know, a lot of them were pretty forgettable.

There’s an exclusive list of those 75 within Knicks lore. In the first 79 years of the franchise, only eight of them had ever won a title with the franchise that drafted them, all between 1965-72:

Bill Bradley (2nd overall, 1965)
Dave Stallworth (5th overall, 1965)
Cazzie Russell (1st overall, 1966)
Clyde Frazier (5th overall, 1967)
Bill Hosket (10th overall, 1968)
John Warren (11th overall, 1969)
Dean Meminger (16th overall, 1971)
Tom Riker (8th overall, 1972)

But now, as we bask in the glory of the end of a 53-year title drought, a ninth name has been added to the list.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 13: Pacome Dadiet #4 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait after winning Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 13, 2026 at 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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Pacôme Dadiet was born on July 27, 2005, in Aubagne, France, a decent-sized town of 50,000 in southern France, just a few miles from the Mediterranean coast and the city of Marseille. Basketball ran in the family. His older brother, Maxence, represents their dad’s home country internationally, representing Côte d’Ivoire.

As one of the four foreign-born players on the roster, his journey to this moment was a lot different than most. He didn’t go through the American AAU and high school circuits before embarking on a college career, he played for youth clubs as a teenager and built his NBA stock overseas.

In fact, from the age of 6, he played in the Saint-Charles Charenton development program, similar to the way the big European soccer clubs do with young players. By the time he was in his teens, he was rubbing elbows with some of the best young talent in France, including future teammate Mo Diawara and lottery pick Tidjane Salaün.

He moved on in 2020, joining the youth program of Centre Fédéral before eventually joining Paris Basketball in 2021-22, where he was a star for their U21 team at just 16. In that season, he was even recalled for eight games to play sporadic minutes for the premier club in LNB Pro A as one of the youngest players in Europe.

His upward trajectory was stalled when he looked to leave France as a whole, signing with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, but his debut was delayed several months due to a contract dispute. He was also relegated to their farm team, which played in Germany’s third level of competition.

In 2023-24, he finally got a chance to be a regular starter for a strong European club, and while his stats didn’t pop out, he fit the mold of what teams were looking for in an international player: a raw, versatile wing with all the right physical traits.

After Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly went in the lottery in 2023, there was a run on top French talent in 2024, with Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Salaün all going in the top 10. Add in the non-French prospects going in the lottery, like Matas Buzelis and Nikola Topić, and the conditions were right for Dadiet to slip into the first round, so after the Knicks traded out of No. 24 (and later No. 26), they decided to use their first first-round pick in three years on Dadiet at No. 25.

The Knicks have had a history of drafting French natives in the first round, a history that has, unfortunately, been pretty bleak. Frédéric Weis is one of the most infamous picks in franchise history, selected 15th overall in 1999 just after the team’s improbable run to the NBA Finals. We all believed in Frank Ntilikina, who was picked eighth in 2017, but he was out of New York after his rookie contract.

It didn’t help that the team’s aversion to the second apron contributed to them drafting Dadiet. He agreed to a buyout with Ratiopharm Ulm to immediately sign with the team instead of being a draft-and-stash, and as such, the team asked him to take just 80 percent of his Year 1 slot value, the absolute minimum, to save $900,000 against the salary cap.

He agreed to the move, one that’s relatively unprecedented, and it resulted in the Knicks being able to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns. How about that?

Dadiet had a quiet Summer League, and it was pretty clear that he wasn’t going to play much as a rookie, especially with Tom Thibodeau as coach. He was raw, he wasn’t really ready, and his minutes were limited, even if he was technically in the Opening Night rotation in the 2024-25 opener against Boston, albeit briefly.

In his first two seasons, it’s been more about what he’s done down in the G-League and over the summer. He had consecutive 30-point games down in Westchester in March while occasionally suiting up for the big league club.

Over the last two seasons, Dadiet has only played in 47 games, scoring just 78 points. He’s scored double figures just twice, and one was in a garbage-time barrage in Denver. Even in this postseason, where he’s played seven games and has put up a higher points-per-game average due to just how many blowouts the Knicks had, he didn’t log a minute in the NBA Finals.

He still has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but even as the first two years of his NBA career haven’t resulted in much, he’s made some history.

Because newly drafted players come into the league much younger than they did in the 1970s, Dadiet is the youngest NBA champion in Knicks history, barely beating out his countryman Diawara. He’s not able to buy a drink in the United States until late July.

He’s also added his name to the list of Knicks’ first-round picks to win a title, a list that includes a legend of the game in Clyde Frazier. He also now has a 12.5% chance of becoming a senator like Bill Bradley, if the rules follow accordingly.

Congrats, Pacôme!

–

(P&T will be doing player-by-player article tributes over the next few weeks to commemorate the special team that ended our long, half-century nightmare)

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Islanders & NHL News: Pageau, Bear & Cup tales

He’s a Bear. | Getty Images

I have a Bernese Mountain Dog named Bear. He’s an absolute doofus, a rescue that we foolishly adopted after he’d basically run the streets of a rural area for the first two years of his life. So he knows not personal space nor manners. He drools — and flings his drool — more than any dog we’ve ever had (and we’ve had some drooling gentle giants). He yelps like an absolute baby when you so much as tap his paw, yet barrels headfirst into you without pain whether your napping, cooking, reading or walking.

But…Bear would not intentionally hurt a fly. He loves EVERY human, dog, or car (because they contain humans, typically) that he sees and cannot fathom why they would not want to make his acquaintance. Bear does not understand his own size and cannot grasp why others might be intimidated and recoil from 100 lbs. of galloping black fur and drool.

Rescuer’s remorse? Not exactly. We’ve had big drooling giants before (Great Pyrs), but we definitely bit off a different breed with this one.

All of which is my slow offseason-day way of saying, when the Isles send out a press release headlined “Islanders Sign Bear,” I pause and chuckle.

Islanders News

  • J-G Pageau discusses his summer, on Long Island and with a trip to Italy. [Isles]
  • The Isles announced signing Ethan Bear to another one-year, two-way deal. He missed time with injuries last year but if healthy he could be a good veteran callup option. [Isles | Post]
  • Could a refurbished Belmont Park host an outdoor NHL game? Ask the Cheeseman. [Newsday]
  • Dan and Mike reflect on offseason news, the Cup final, and whether the Knicks’ stunning title after half a century changes our outlook. [Islanders Anxiety via LHH]
  • The first offseason buyout window has opened. Will Ondrej Palat get a call? [THN]

Elsewhere

Tuesday at the World Cup, Lionel Messi scored a hat trick, ho hum — albeit his first in a World Cup — while Norway dumped Iraq and France dispatched Senegal.

  • Mitch Marner opens up a bit about the “dark” days in Toronto, importance of mental health and family support. [ESPN]
  • Speaking of his old Leafs, they traded goalie Joseph Woll in a curious deal. [NHL] A third-pair defenseman, is apparently why. [Sportsnet]
  • Carolina’s Cup win is proof hockey analytics nerds and jocks can get along. Canes GM Eric Tulsky — who used to share neutral zone research here with us at Lighthouse as well as lots lots more on Broad Street Hockey — is quite the story. [ESPN]
  • Brandon Bussi, journeyman hero. [NHL]
  • And Jackson Blake, getting emotional enjoying the cup with his dad, Jason. [NHL]
  • Three change-of-scenery trade candidates this summer. [Sportsnet]
  • John Carlson will head to free agency, enjoyed Anaheim but wants to play back east. [Athletic]
  • Former NHLer Kyle Calder has died at age 47. [TSN]
  • Colorado’s old GM acquired his old player Ross Colton for the Predators. [NHL]
  • The Golden Knights are done with their little John Tortorella sugar boost. [ESPN]
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What would you consider a successful rookie year for Spencer Jones?

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees runs to first base after hitting a solo home run in the second inning during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The White Sox deserve a lot of credit for already exceeding expectations this year, fresh off a 102-loss season in 2025 and of course the modern record 121-loss 2024. They’re neck and neck with the Guardians atop the AL Central, and a Wild Card spot is possible as well given how light the American League looks this year. That’s really great!

But the Yankees should still beat them, especially in the Bronx. And boy did they do that last night, handling the best that the South Side has to offer, righty Davis Martin. He’d allowed three homers in 78.1 innings thus far (a league-best 0.3 HR/9) while racking up 3.2 rWAR and a 2.41 ERA. Well, the Yanks doubled that total in one outing, as each of Spencer Jones, Ben Rice, and Paul Goldschmidt took him deep in a smooth 12-2 victory.

Let’s talk about Jones for a minute. His laser to right field was his first ever at Yankee Stadium, and combined with two walks, he’s up to a .239/.340/.391 triple slash and a 109 wRC+ in his first 53 career plate appearances — no small feat considering how overmatched he looked during his first promotion in early May.

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We’re likely to see a decent amount of Jones over the next few weeks with Trent Grisham recently joining Aaron Judge on the injured list and no clear return in sight for Giancarlo Stanton. While the clock might still be ticking on Jones’ return to Triple-A—another demotion certainly seemed possible prior to Grisham’s injury since Jasson Domínguez was finishing a rehab apperance—he will likely end up with at least a representative sample of at-bats for 2026.

So what would you consider to be a successful first foray for Jones? I don’t expect high averages or even medium strikeout rates from the big fella, but to me, if he can run into a pitch every now and then, take his walks, and avoid whiffing on too many pitches clearly outside the zone, then he’s doing his job. I’ve calibrated my own expectations such that a 109 wRC+ is probably more than I honestly expect. I can’t do cartwheels, but I’d be metaphorically doing them if he did that while Grisham and Judge are out.

Even with their absences, the Yankees are fortunate to have a number of quality bats in the lineup, so Jones doesn’t have to put too much pressure on himself. He can focus on developing while also playing good defense and running the bases well. Those are somewhat-overlooked aspects of his game too, as it would be a disservice to asssume he’s lumbering around out there. The man can move!

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Today on the site, John will discuss one of the more forgotten players on the roster, Ryan Yarbrough. Madison will run through Rivalry Roundup, Jonathan will celebrate an overlooked-but-quietly-important Yankee’s 65th birthday, Peter will break down Ben Rice’s go-ahead bomb in Toronto for his At-Bat of the Week feature, Kento will break down why Cody Bellinger’s contract might age better than he initially thought, and Estevão will look back at how the Yankees and White Sox have narrowly avoided playoff matchups over the years. Chicago is the only AL team who they’ve never faced in October.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox

Time: 7:05 p.m. EST

Video: Amazon Prime Video, Chicago Sports Network

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

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Andrew Sears leads Erie to victory, Franyerber Montilla injured in Lakeland

Toledo Mud Hens 2, Rochester Red Wings 1 (box)

Troy Watson gave the Mud Hens a pretty good outing, and the bullpen held a slim lead to take the first of six in Rochester on Tuesday.

Watson fired five innings of scoreless ball, allowing just one hit while punching out three Wings.

Andrew Navigato opened the scoring with a solo shot in the third, his second homer since rejoining the Tigers organization. In the fifth, a two-out single from Navigato sparked another run when he stole second and Ben Malgeri singled him in for a 2-0 lead.

Konnor Pilkington allowed a Trey Lipscomb solo shot in the sixth, but he locked it down from there. Tanner Rainey and Jack Little followed him with scoreless appearances, with Little earning his second save on the year.

Navigato: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, HR, SB

Malgeri: 1-3, RBI, BB, K, 2 SB

Watson (W, 2-2): 5.0 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 1:05 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.

Erie SeaWolves 3, Harrisburg Senators 1 (F/10)(box)

The SeaWolves offense struggled all game long, but so did the Senators. In the end this one was decided in 10 innings as the SeaWolves plated a pair in the top of the ninth and then Tanner Kohlhepp locked down the bottom of the 10th.

LHP Andrew Sears made his first start of the year back with the SeaWolves after numerous rehab outings in A-ball. He looked good, allowing just a fourth inning run and striking out six in 3.2 innings of work. Yoniel Curet, down from Triple-A, finished the fourth and spun a scoreless fifth, striking out three hitters. Johan Simon, Trevin Michael, and Luke Taggart took it from there in regulation, blanking the Senators.

The SeaWolves got on the board first with a Chris Meyers solo shot in the second. They couldn’t take advantage of five walks issued by Harrisburg’s starter. In the top of the sixth, Harrisburg walked the bases loaded with no outs, but they still couldn’t push across a run.

So, this eventually got to extras. With John Peck starting on second base, Thayron Liranzo singled to left and then stole second base, drawing a throw. That throw from Senators catcher Caleb Lomavita sailed into the outfield, Peck scored, and Liranzo moved to third. A pair of strikeouts followed, but they intentionally walked Izaac Pacheco, and Peyton Graham ripped an RBI double to left to make it 3-1 SeaWolves.

That was all they’d get but it was enough. Tanner Kohlhepp took over in the bottom half, struck out the first batter he faced, and then got a routine grounder and fly ball combo to wrap this one up.

Graham: 2-4, RBI, 2B, BB

Meyers: 1-3, R, RBI, HR, 2 BB, K

Pacheco: 0-1, 4 BB

Sears: 3.2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 6 K

Coming Up Next: The SeaWolves take a 1-0 lead in the series into a 6:30 p.m. ET matchup on Wednesday.

West Michigan Whitecaps 4, Lansing Lugnuts 1 (box)

After the start time was pushed back to allow some storms to clear the area in West Michigan, Hayden Minton turned in another good start, and the much maligned Whitecaps’ bullpen was sharp after the offense broke through in the late innings.

The right-hander allowed just a run on two hits and two walks, striking out four. Thomas Bruss continues to struggle with some control issues but he pitched around two walks and a hit to throw a scoreless sixth. Logan Berrier, Zack Lee, and Ryan Harvey shut the Lugnuts down the rest of the way.

The Whitecaps really struggled to get anything going at the plate early on, but in the sixth they broke through. Samuel Gil led off with a single and Woody Hadeen and Jackson Strong walked to load the bases. Garrett Pennington struck out, but Bryce Rainer took a fastball in the back, forcing in one run. With two outs, Andrew Sojka walked as well to make it a 2-1 Whitecaps’ lead.

In the seventh, it was Gil sparking things again with a one-out double. Hadeen walked again, and the duo pulled off a double steal. A sac fly from Jackson Strong allowed Gil to tag and score, and Pennington came through with a double to plate Hadeen for a 4-1 lead, where it ended.

Gil: 2-3, 2 R, 2B, SB

Hadeen: 1-2, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB, K, SB

Minton: 5.0 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.

Dunedin Blue Jays 6, Lakeland Flying Tigers 4 (box)

Grayson Grinsell gave the Flying Tigers an okay outing, and the offense took control in the middle innings only to see the bullpen falter late.

The most important thing that happened in this game was the absolute worst. In his first game of the year after missing nearly a year’s time with an ACL injury, middle infielder Franyerber Montilla crumpled to the ground on a play in the second inning in which he appeared to slip over second base. He was in agony on the field with what looked like a knee injury and had to be helped off the field. I have no words. It was awful.

Grinsell gave up single runs in the first and second inning, and while he shut it down from there, he was only able to pitch into the fourth, though he did strike out six on the day.

So it was 2-0 Blue Jays when Beau Ankeney doubled to lead off the fourth. Edian Espinal singled him to third, where he scored on a double play ball from Jesus Pinto.

In the top of the fifth, Dunedin put together a scoring threat, but Zach MacDonald in left field caught a fly ball from Jake Cook and fired home to nail the runner tagging from third at the plate.

Finally in the seventh, the Flying Tigers really broke through. Pinto singled and stole second base and then Jude Warwick walked. Carson Rucker grounded into a force of Pinto at third, but Nick Dumesnil cracked a three-run shot to left center field for a 4-2 lead.

Luke Hoskins and Win Scott handled the middle innings after Grinsell with no trouble, but Yendy Gomez allowed four runs, three earned, over the final two innings to blow the lead.

Dumesnil: 2-3, R, 3 RBI, HR, CS

Espinal: 2-3, K

Grinsell: 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:00 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.

FCL Yankees 9, FCL Tigers 2 (box)

On Monday, lefty Carlos Rodriguez was knocked around for five runs as the Yankees took out the Tigers in Complex League play. Rodriguez struck out eight in 4.2 innings of work, but a pair of home runs really blew up his outing.

Cris Rodriguez hit his fourth home run to lead the offense, while Maikol Orozco and Ronald Ramirez each had a pair of hits in this one.

Orozco: 2-4, RBI, 2B

Rodriguez: 1-4, R, RBI, HR, 2 K

Rodriguez (L, 0-4): 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K

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Two Max, or not Two Max? Celtics face difficult roster decisions

Two Max, or not Two Max? Celtics face difficult roster decisions originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

As the Boston Celtics plot what the core of their next title team might look like, the pursuit of any marquee talent on the trade market doesn’t necessarily answer the biggest question facing the team. 

Is it still feasible to have two max-money superstars as the long-term centerpiece of a championship roster?

Whether it’s leaning into the familiar superstar tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, or any new-look superstar duo as rumors swirl about Boston’s potential pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics are navigating the math problems created by a prohibitive new collective bargaining agreement. 

The Celtics already felt the CBA squeeze last summer. Boston got ahead of the crunch and delivered the 2024 title season by building a deep and expensive roster. The team is now paying the late fees on that splurge, not in dollars but in diminished depth. Boston had to watch key pieces from that title team walk away, and traded others, to shimmy down off the second apron last summer. 

The Celtics can reset the pesky repeater penalties that make sustained spending nearly impossible by staying out of the luxury tax again this season. That’s a rather annoying hurdle for a team that has superstar players in their prime and yearns to build the best core around them immediately. Stomaching two max contracts — and putting a strong cast around them — becomes easier in the two years after the reset button is hit, but the new CBA is setting up a cycle where it’s basically impossible to splurge for more than those two seasons (teams pay the steep repeater rates for being in the luxury tax in three of four consecutive seasons).

Before last summer’s teardown, the Celtics were staring at a projected $540 million roster cost. Brad Stevens won Executive of the Year, as voted by his peers, in large part due to maintaining a competitive team despite chopping over $350 million off the books.

And while Boston’s younger players thrived throughout the 2025-26 season, and the team displayed unexpected depth while finishing second in the East, the absence of those veteran players was accentuated as Boston came unglued and kicked away a 3-1 series lead against Philadelphia in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

That delivered the Celtics to this latest offseason crossroads. For the better part of the past half-decade, it’s been a no-brainer decision to build the best possible team around the Jays core. Now, Boston has to ponder if that’s still the most prudent path. 

Roster building gets a lot more complicated when two players account for 70 percent of the salary cap.

The question becomes, in what feels like a new parity era of basketball, are teams better off building around one big-money star? And are the most valuable players in the league now the superstars that only command, say, 25 or 30 percent of the cap?

The spotlight on roster building is brighter now in the aftermath of the Knicks’ title season. New York has one max-money player in Karl-Anthony Towns, who commands 34.6 percent of the cap next season. Jalen Brunson only accounts for 22.9 percent of the cap after agreeing to a team-friendly extension in 2024 that could have been far more lucrative if he had waited another season.

Brunson has been celebrated for giving the Knicks financial flexibility, though his decision had plenty of other factors — including injury risk management and the potential to get back to the table and negotiate a true max deal sooner. Undeniably, Brunson’s lower salary has allowed the Knicks to build out a deep roster with OG Anunoby (25.8 percent of the cap next season) and Mikal Bridges (20.3 percent of the cap next season) also on reasonable deals. The Knicks swung big on those two trades and were rewarded. 

New York will start to feel the squeeze of the tax moving forward, particularly if it yearns to keep all the pieces of its championship core. But the construct of the team this past season begs the question of money allocation.

Which brings us back to the Celtics. It’s somewhat maddening that Boston built a homegrown core and is essentially being penalized for those players becoming All-NBA talent. The league should take measures in future CBAs to limit the tax penalties on teams that draft and develop. But that’s not going to solve the current roster riddle.

Neither does trading for someone like Antetokounmpo. The presence of any two max-contract players leaves the Celtics tiptoeing around the tax line this season. They could potentially scale above the tax to start the year, assess their title chances, and plan to dip back below the tax line before season’s end.

But the reality is that Boston — and the rest of the league as well — is now limited in how it can build around two stars, and teams are going to ride a wave of spending to avoid apron penalties and brutal tax bills. 

Whether the Celtics keep the Jays core, or pursue Antetokounmpo or any other max-money star, they will be banking heavily on internal development of younger players. Guys like Neemias Queta, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, and Jordan Walsh might need to make another leap beyond the large strides made last season and greatly outkick the value of their current contracts. There are tougher choices about the futures of players like Derrick White (18.4 percent of the cap next season) and Sam Hauser (even at only 6.6 percent of the cap next season). 

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The Celtics have access to both the mid-level exception and a big-money traded player exception that could allow them to add impact talent this summer. But just how much they can spend must be balanced against the need to avoid the tax again. It’s a funky jigsaw puzzle, but one that won’t get easier to solve until next summer. 

No one wants to wait, though. Not with the Jays in their prime. Not with Tatum healthier after missing much of last season while rehabbing from an Achilles tear. Not with the Knicks parading around Manhattan with their first title in a half century.

The Celtics have intriguing choices to make this summer. So much of the attention will fall on the names of potential pursuits, especially given the megawatt star power of someone like Antetokounmpo. But this puzzle is bigger than that one piece. It’d be a lot easier to make that sort of move if the Celtics were in position to spend big to maximize what might be a limited window of a player on the backside of his career.

Boston’s path back to title contention hinges heavily on figuring out a math problem that the entire NBA doesn’t quite have an answer to yet.

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Warriors reportedly consider Clippers star Kawhi Leonard win-now trade to make

Warriors reportedly consider Clippers star Kawhi Leonard win-now trade to make originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors could take another crack at pursuing an NBA superstar they targeted before the league’s Feb. 5 trade deadline last season.

Golden State reportedly discussed a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for forward Kawhi Leonard in the final days ahead of the deadline before Clippers team owner Steve Ballmer stepped in and essentially killed any potential deal.

However, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported in a story published Wednesday that, despite Ballmer still firm in his preference not to deal Leonard, the Warriors once again view the seven-time All-Star as the ideal win-now move this offseason.

“Team sources continue to indicate [Leonard is] the type of established wing talent they would pursue in a win-now maneuver, depending on the price point,” Slater wrote. “The problem: League sources said Ballmer has maintained a firm stance against a Leonard trade, preferring to continue building around his star forward.”

The soon-to-be 35-year-old averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game on 50.5-percent shooting from the field and 38.7 percent from 3-point range in 65 games with the Clippers during the 2025-26 NBA season.

Leonard instantly would provide Golden State with one of the most lethal scoring tandems in the league alongside Steph Curry if the Warriors were to make a deal with their Western Conference rival, but for now, it seems unlikely.

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Andrew Castle says this year’s Wimbledon will be his last as BBC commentator

  • Former British No 1 is axed after 23 years at the mic

  • ‘I am lucky to have the best gig in sports broadcasting’

Andrew Castle has confirmed that Wimbledon this year will be his last at the commentator’s mic, the former British No 1 leaving the “best gig in sports broadcasting” after more than two decades as the BBC makes changes to its coverage.

The 62-year-old, who will remain in post as the All England Championships get under way on Monday, told the Times: “It’s been a hell of a journey. I can’t say I have enjoyed every minute because there have been moments of pressure and controversy, but it has been a huge privilege.

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Yankees news: Injury updates and painful prospect news

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: I guess the good news is that Austin Wells began a rehab stint on Tuesday night at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Now. Buckle in. Because that’s it for good news on the injury front. Trent Grisham will be out “a few weeks” due to his hamstring strain. There had initially been a vague hope that perhaps he would only miss the minimum 10 days; that won’t be the case.

But wait. There’s more.

As we know, Giancarlo Stanton, suffering from a calf strain (way to mix up the leg injuries, fellas), re-injured it while running the bases last week. Accordingly, both Yankee sluggers are now looking at July returns, assuming nothing else goes wrong. Here’s a little more on Stanton, from the YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits:

But wait. There’s more.

MLB.com | Jared Greenspan: George Lombard Jr., crown jewel of the Yankee farm system, left Tuesday’s game with an apparent injury. Not to his leg, though. This looks like an injury to an upper body extremity, just to keep things from getting boring. Bo Naylor slid directly into Lombard’s left hand while attempting to steal second, prompting the youngster to double over in pain. He stayed in the game for another inning but ultimately departed early. Here’s hoping he’s OK. As of late on Tuesday night, there have not been any updates.

The Athletic | Brendan Kuty ($): The José Caballero pitch clock controversy, perhaps the dumbest controversy in recent memory, is not going away. Apparently, MLB informed manager Aaron Boone Monday night that Cabbie “must appear ‘alert’ and engaged with the pitcher when the pitch clock strikes eight seconds” lest umpires discipline him. Caballero’s militant adherence to the limit of the rules, and subsequent refusal to let pitchers dictate his at-bats, apparently offends and annoys other teams, the umpires, and Major League Baseball itself. Caballero is absolutely in the right here. If MLB doesn’t like it, change the rule again in the offseason. Until then, sleep in the bed you made.

MLB Trade Rumors | Steve Adams: Seth Brown, who had been playing at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees’ system, triggered his opt-out clause. Accordingly, the Yanks released him rather than add him to the 40-man roster. The seven-year veteran (all with the A’s) has struggled greatly against left-handed pitching at Triple-A, striking out 52.4 percent of the time in 42 plate appearances. When he has the platoon advantage, Brown has hit .247, slugging .466. A club who might be missing some pop from the left side of the plate may be interested in Brown, with the article listing the Padres and Phillies.

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Where Warriors, Kings sit in post-NBA Finals power rankings ahead of 2026 draft

Where Warriors, Kings sit in post-NBA Finals power rankings ahead of 2026 draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The best part of the New York Knicks winning their first NBA Finals in 53 years is knowing that they earned it. The grit and diligence on display when faced with peril was as astonishing as any champion in any sport in recent memory. They ate deficits for dinner.

The worst part of the Knicks winning it all is we’ll spend an eternity hearing about New York supremacy. It will be loud enough to obscure the San Antonio Spurs’ miscues, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s misfortune and the Cleveland Cavaliers sucking their collective thumb.

But with the 2026 NBA Draft arriving next Tuesday, followed a week later by free agency, all 30 teams are exploring paths to improvement. Each has studied its roster to determine offseason priorities, which we attempt to address in the almost-summer Power Rankings:

30. Washington Wizards

Tanking regulars acquired established but flawed stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Priority should be to keep both, allowing their abused fans to dream of the NBA playoffs.

29. Sacramento Kings

Watching Mike Brown and De’Aaron Fox in the Finals had to hurt. It should have. The front office priority is to do something that follows logic, like add a quality point guard.

28. Brooklyn Nets

Chasing lottery luck instead of wins has kept them in the NBA swamp. Jordi Fernandez is a terrific coach. Time to use cap space and the No. 6 pick to give him a respectable roster. 

27. Chicago Bulls

Their baffling FO (Kings of the East) has shed good coaches, good players and loyal fans. The priority for the new GM is to rebuild with enough savvy to prove real change is here. 

26. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant, the last piece of a once-formidable group, must go even though his value has plummeted. The FO, with the rebuild already under way, knows the assignment.

25. Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most attractive trade chip in the league. A two-time MVP should be enough to launch a rebuild with promising youngsters and a couple culture-shifting veterans.

24. Dallas Mavericks

Proven architect Masai Ujiri needs only his phone and two years. Kyrie Irving with Cooper Flagg is a fine start. Now keep Dereck Lively II healthy and add some shooting.

23. New Orleans Pelicans

Here comes Jamahl Mosley to revamp a 23rd ranked defense. With no first-round pick, the priority is internal improvement and keeping Zion Williamson healthy and productive.

22. Phoenix Suns

Rookie coach Jordan Ott was impressive, guiding them to 45 wins. They have enough firepower to match that – if they reduce turnovers. They could use stronger paint presence.

21. Los Angeles Clippers

They went from awful to scary last season before landing on mediocre. Coach Tyronn Lue is secure, but Kawhi Leonard’s future, there or elsewhere, will be pivotal.

20. Utah Jazz

After so many years of overt tanking, they’re put together a long, athletic roster built to compete for the playoffs. They have a long way to go, but the turnaround is in view.

19. Charlotte Hornets

They generated enough momentum last season to excite the fan base. They’ll compete if LaMelo Ball plays smart. Add a strong defender, they could make the playoffs.

18. Portland Trail Blazers

Tiago Splitter coached wonderfully but got no love from the frugal new CEO. The entire league is curious to know if this franchise will prioritize excellence or cost savings.

17. Miami Heat

Eric Spoelstra kept them competitive, but if they can add Giannis to Bam Adebayo while re-signing Norman Powell, they’ll have a top-four roster in the East.

16. Golden State Warriors

The second half of the season exposed a flimsy roster behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III. Shot creators and a POA defender are wanted, but two-way wings are needed.

15. Toronto Raptors

The young core, led by Scottie Barnes, showed signs of real progress. The defense is superb, but the offense needs more deep shooters; they were 21st in 3-point percentage.

14. Philadelphia 76ers

Love the backcourt, but Bob Myers and new GM Mike Gansey must decide whether to pray for Joel Embiid’s health, or a miracle that delivers a way out of his mega contract.

13. Orlando Magic

Moseley was undone by injuries and poor shooting, so Sean Sweeney brings a new voice to a roster the FO surely knows is limited by inadequate shooting. Can they find it?

12. Los Angeles Lakers

Their limitations mostly trace to the holes in their defense. The must address that while also getting desirable contractual outcomes with LeBron James and Austin Reeves.

11. Atlanta Hawks

Trading Trae Young was the right move. They have two first-round picks, solid talent and superior athleticism. Adding size and re-signing veteran leader CJ McCollum are priorities.

10. Indiana Pacers

Losing Tyrese Haliburton sank last season, but his return puts them back in the playoffs. With Ivica Zubac replacing Myles Turner, can the FO find a reserve stretch-5?

9. Cleveland Cavaliers

They learned that no matter where James Harden goes, his game shrinks in the playoffs. That can’t be minimized. But this team aches for an elite perimeter defender.

8. Houston Rockets

They tried to patch over the loss of Fred VanVleet and realized it didn’t fix the hole. His absence strangled the offense, especially in clutch games. If he returns healthy, look out.

7. Denver Nuggets

They were 27-9 when Aaron Gordon played, 27-19 when he did not. Expect a big-ticket player to be bounced, but their fix is a healthy AG and a legitimate two-way wing. 

6. Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzula was named Coach of the Year before his one-dimensional offense went one-and-done in the playoffs. This is an issue no matter what the FO does with Jaylen Brown.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle beats the world one night, curls into a ball another. If he is their No. 2, Anthony Edwards is handicapped. Fix that, and the Wolves can join OKC and San Antonio.

4. Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham is for real, but none of his teammates fit the No. 2 role. The FO must find a floor-spacing shooter because several No. 3s don’t equal a No. 2.

3. San Antonio Spurs

The best team in the league in the second half of the season tried and failed to jump the line to the top. As they await maturity for the tyros, their priority is to add another shooter.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

A healthy Jalen Williams away from the Finals, OKC is built to reload while unloading. Isaiah Hartenstein’s team option forces Sam Presti to make a tough decision.

1. New York Knicks

Great fusion of pizazz and fundamentals. Synergistic top eight. Hoping Jalen Brunson set an example for teammates by sacrificing $$, the priority is to maintain continuity.

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Yankees’ Jose Caballero seeks clarity on pitch clock rule as he continues to seek edge

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows A smiling José Caballero looks up to the sky after belting a solo home run in the eighth inning of the Yankees' 12-2 blowout win over the White Sox on June 16, 2026 at the Stadium

José Caballero said he entered Tuesday’s game against the White Sox still unclear of the pitch clock rule that he’s often been able to use to his advantage.

The issue stemmed from Sunday’s controversy in Toronto, where Caballero was issued a warning for not engaging with the pitcher with eight seconds left on the clock.

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“I’m still waiting [for] the actual rule,’’ Caballero said before going 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBIs in the Yankees’ series-opening 12-2 win against Chicago in The Bronx. “That’s it.”

Aaron Boone, though, said he had a lengthy chat with the league Monday and passed along some of the messaging to Caballero.

The issue, Boone said, is that the umpires need to see that Caballero doesn’t just have his head up by eight seconds, but is also “alert” at that time.

“I certainly understand what he’s trying to do, and he has a rhythm and a process to get locked in,” Boone said. “We think it’s within the rules.”

If there’s a change, it’s that Caballero has to understand what “alert” means — and that he doesn’t step out of the batter’s box unless the umpire says the pitcher hasn’t engaged him in time.

“I tried to get very specific and give José some instruction where we should be OK,” Boone said.

The Yankees don’t want to take away that aspect of Caballero’s game, with Boone noting that his ability to irritate the opposition is one of the aspects of his game that intrigued them when he was with the Rays.

Caballero, evidently still mystified, said he would ask the home plate umpire as he got to the plate for the first time to get the umpire’s interpretation of the rule.

“They’ve been changing the rule every single day,’’ Caballero said.

One potential issue is that Caballero occasionally holds his bat in a hitting position while not looking up for an extended period of time, which arguably violates the rule that prohibits hitters from trying to “deceive” pitchers.

A smiling José Caballero looks up to the sky after belting a solo home run in the eighth inning of the Yankees’ 12-2 blowout win over the White Sox on June 16, 2026 at the Stadium. Robert Sabo for New York Post

Toronto manager John Schneider was unhappy with Caballero on Sunday, saying he’s the only player who’s using his methods.

Caballero said he was unaware of and not interested in Schneider’s comments.

To Caballero, it’s about controlling the at-bat.

“I’m not gonna give my at-bat to a pitcher to determine my timing,’’ Caballero said.

He added he was “pretty annoyed” that he’s being stopped from what he believes is fair play.

And Boone tends to agree with his player.

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“I think the way he articulates it makes a lot of sense,’’ Boone said. “You see night in and night out, different pitchers try to hold the ball. Batters can take control of the situation. Every batter has a mentality of how to get focused and their process. That’s what he’s doing.”

The manager added he’s “surprised” more hitters don’t take a similar approach.

“He’s a smart, gritty player and there’s some gamesmanship to what he does,’’ Boone said. “He’s using the rules to the best of his ability to his advantage. There’s nothing he’s doing

. … Maybe I am surprised other guys don’t do that. The last thing I want to do as a hitter is be at the mercy of a pitcher for 15 to 17 seconds, where they can control the pace and tempo.”

And if it bothers the opposition, so be it.

“It’s heady stuff he does,” Boone said. “I’ve been on the other side. I understand it gets under their skin. Part of that is why we got him over here.”

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Three best wings Warriors could take with No. 11 pick in 2026 NBA Draft

Three best wings Warriors could take with No. 11 pick in 2026 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Skilled wings are every team’s dream entering the NBA draft. The position doesn’t run deep this year, which puts the Warriors in an interesting spot. 

Their own top two wings, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, will begin next season on the shelf as they recover from knee injuries. Will Richard can play up as a wing, as can Brandin Podziemski in certain lineups. Gui Santos bettering his outside shot allows him to play down as a small forward, too. 

Simply put, the Warriors need help on the wings, as they do with most spots on the floor right now. The top wings in the draft all provide a little something different, with differing levels of readiness and differing heights of their ceilings. So, here are the top three wings for the Warriors with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan 

There are a handful of reasons why Lendeborg is seen as a natural fit for the Warriors. They’re one of the teams that maybe wouldn’t mind using a lottery pick on a 24-year-old rookie. Lendeborg has NBA size at 6-foot-9 and 241 pounds with a wingspan of a little over 7-foot-3. He finished off his college career in perfect fashion as a national champion in a storied season, individually as well. 

The Consensus All-American would obviously be on the older side as a rookie, but he also has shown growth and continued development throughout his unique path to get here. After three years in junior college, Lendeborg was a two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Year at UAB, where he was a rebounding machine. Then, in his one season at Michigan, Lendeborg showed vast improvements as a shooter and the ability to play multiple positions. 

Lendeborg could have been included in our “big man” section, but he believes the 3 is his best position and he did just shoot 37.2 percent on 4.5 threes per game at Michigan with an 82.4 free throw percentage. He says his upside is yet to be fully seen, and now it’s up to the Warriors if they believe that to be true. 

If so, Lendeborg does check all the boxes for them. 

Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor 

For those who question Lendeborg’s upside, Carr is the perfect combination of a prospect with huge potential and the ability to still help in the now. As Lendeborg put a stamp on a sensational senior season at Michigan, Carr was one of college basketball’s breakout stars as a redshirt sophomore. Again, at 21 and turning 22 in late November, Carr brings balance to the present and future. 

His college career began in disappointing fashion. Carr played in only 18 games for a total of 102 minutes during his first two years at Tennessee and then left the program during his second season. A change of scenery at Baylor saw him burst onto the scene, averaging 18.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He dropped 28 points in his first game at Baylor and had 15 games of 20-plus points. 

Carr is 6-foot-5 with a massive 7-foot-1 wingspan, giving him all the tools to be a perfect 3-And-D player. It’s easy to see him as a top-notch 3-point shooter with his picturesque shot and length. That was on full display at the combine when Carr played in one scrimmage and impressed everyone with 30 points, seven rebounds and six 3-pointers. 

While he will need to add strength to his lanky 184-pound frame, Carr uses his 42-inch vertical leap to throw down dunks in transition, and he can be an impact defender with his length as a shot blocker and overall disruptor. 

Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

Welcome to the ultimate boom-or-bust prospect of this year’s draft. How many players can handle the rock and shoot off the dribble at 6-foot-10? It’s clear why Ament was a top high school recruit, and why he’s now an enigma in the lead-up to the draft. 

The idea of Ament is what has kept him in lottery discussions as a possible top 10 pick, not how he played as a freshman at Tennessee. Ament averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, but he shot a lowly 39.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent behind the 3-point line while having just three more assists than turnovers. He scored 20 or more 11 times last season, and also missed all his threes in 12 games. 

Ament is 19 and turns 20 in late December. Teams with years to let him learn through mistakes and see him blossom into who many thought he would be at Tennessee could jump at the opportunity to add Ament. Others could easily be scared away. 

Where the Warriors land in his camp will say everything about how they view the franchise going forward. Another option could be trading down and seeing a wing like Texas’ Dailyn Swain or Mexico’s Karim Lopez still available.

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Guardians News: Twins Prevent AL Central From Being Swept

AYODHYA, INDIA - 2023/12/27: A man sweeps the street on a foggy winter morning in Ayodhya. The winter season, which starts in October and lasts till March, is the best time to visit Ayodhya. Temperatures during this season range between 20°C during the day and 5°C at night. (Photo by Biplov Bhuyan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

We usually start this type of post by talking about the Guardians, so I’ll do that briefly. If you’ve been following this team at all closely as of late, you probably had a strong feeling about how last night’s game was going to go. “But you can’t predict ball!” the naysayers will say. You can when the Guardians offense is involved, and last night’s game was one of the most predictable sporting events I have watched in my lifetime. Right down to the Brewers reliever who keeps lucking into Pitcher Wins lucking into yet another.

And onto other stuff…

• The Tigers, White Sox and Royals also lost. The Twins picked up a full game on all 4 of their rivals.

• You may have already seen CTC’s depressing headlines about Jose being out 5-7 weeks and Angel Martinez being out a similar amount of time.

• Also hitting the IL was Randy Arozarena.

• Also getting injured was Colt Keith…

• And Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper…

• And Michael Harris…

• And Maikel Garcia.

• And Luis Rengifo was DFA’d. Anybody who is a fan of a FO that has a Bad Hitter Fetish should be nervous.

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From the Pocket: Damien Hardwick’s Suns face a challenge that may be beyond even him

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Damien Hardwick had another one of his gripes last week, teeing off at the officiating and the clamorous Geelong crowd. Lots of things have raised his ire over the years – umpiring, rules, fixturing, trade speculation, panel show inanity, journalistic pestering and woke governments. We shouldn’t be too hard on him for that. We want coaches to speak their minds, and to hate losing. In the absence of proper leadership at the AFL, they’re often the ones best placed to drive change. The more premierships they’ve won, the more emboldened they are to be critical. Chris Scott does it with a studied passive aggression. Hardwick rarely bothers with the passive part.

Hardwick pushes back on the view that he and the Gold Coast Suns have had everything handed to them on a silver platter. “Mate, we don’t get much,” he said last year. But he’s enjoyed some of the softest fixturing an algorithm could conjure up. He has a dozen top-10 draft selections on his list, and half of those were top-three picks. He’s enjoyed all the fruits of the Suns academy. He has the reigning Brownlow medallist, a former Norm Smith medallist, and the current leader of the Coleman medal count. So why is there that familiar drift? And why are so many players angling to leave?

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Former Kings Winger Dies at 47 After Brief Illness

Former Los Angeles Kings forward Kyle Calder, a hard-nosed winger who built a decade-long NHL career through relentless effort and determination, has died at the age of 47.

Calder passed away Monday, June 15, following what the Los Angeles Jr. Kings described as a brief illness. His daughter, Madison, confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional social media post, remembering the man she called not only her father, but her greatest influence.

"Dad, there will never ever be enough words in the world to describe how incredibly lucky I was to have you as my dad. Never in a million years would I have thought this day would come. There will forever be a void in my heart, but forever a spot just for you."

She continued:

"The father, husband, son, man, friend, coach, hockey player, and everything in between that you were is truly indescribable. The lessons you taught me, the strength you showed me, and the person you pushed me to become every single day—I carry all of it with me."

Madison ended her tribute with a message that reflected her father's lifelong love for hockey.

"I love you more than anything in the world to the moon and back infinitely. Save me a spot on the ice, Dad. I know you're skating around in heaven cheering all of us on from above. Fly high ♥️🕊️🏒 6/15/26."

No official cause of death has been released.

Calder appeared in parts of two seasons with the Kings during a 10-year NHL career that also included stops with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks. Though his playing days eventually came to an end, his passion for the sport never faded.

From 2020 to 2022, he returned to Southern California as a coach with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, helping develop the next generation of players and remaining an active presence in the hockey community.

The NHL Alumni Association remembered Calder as a player whose toughness was matched only by his generosity.

"Kyle embodied the values that make our alumni family so special: his loyalty, toughness, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to those around him.

"He was tough as nails on the ice, a fierce competitor who never backed down, yet behind that grit was a teddy bear heart. Kyle cared deeply for his teammates, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know him. He was a protector, a loyal friend, and someone who always put others before himself.

"Kyle will be greatly missed and forever remembered by our NHL Alumni Hockey family. The friendships he built, the lives he touched, and the memories he created will remain with us always."

Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round of the 1997 NHL Draft, Calder carved out a career that far exceeded expectations. Despite standing 5-foot-9, he became known for his fearless style of play and willingness to battle against anyone on the ice.

Over 590 NHL games, Calder recorded 87 goals and 194 points while earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike for his work ethic and competitive spirit.

Chicago Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz also paid tribute to Calder's impact, both during and after his playing career.

"The Chicago Blackhawks mourn the loss of Kyle Calder and extend our deepest condolences to Kyle's family during this extremely difficult and tragic time. Kyle approached life with the same passion, intensity and incredible dedication that defined his play."

Wirtz added:

"His commitment to the game remained strong long after his professional career ended, sharing his love for hockey with all generations of players through his work with Little Blackhawks, local youth teams and the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni Association. While Kyle's time with us was far too short, I'm comforted in knowing his legacy will live on for many years to come."

For Kings fans, Calder's tenure in Los Angeles represented only a small chapter of his NHL journey, but his return years later to coach young players ensured his influence reached far beyond the scoresheet. He leaves behind a legacy built on perseverance, passion, and a lifelong commitment to the game he loved.

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Shohei Ohtani homers, Justin Wrobleski pitches gem as Dodgers blank Rays

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Shohei Ohtani belts the game-winning solo homer in the sixth inning of the Dodgers' 1-0 win over the Rays on June 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, Image 2 shows Justin Wrobleski held the Tampa Bay scoreless through six innings in the Dodgers win over the Rays

For the first 5 ½ innings on Tuesday night, there was a whole lot of nothing at Dodger Stadium.

Then, Shohei Ohtani came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth and put a long-awaited jolt into the game.

On a first-pitch, center-cut cutter from Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen, Ohtani sent a no-doubt home run sailing deep to center field, opening the scoring in the Dodgers’ eventual 1-0, series-clinching win.

“Old-school baseball game, 1-0,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Really fun baseball game to be part of.”

The blast was Ohtani’s 15th home run of the season, his seventh in the last 17 games, and his fifth in the last nine.

It was the latest sign that he is rediscovering his power stroke, after a stretch of 39 games from April 13 to May 26 in which he hit only three long balls.

“He’s seeing the baseball well, swinging at good pitches,” Roberts said. “And when he uses the big part of the field, there’s just no one better.”

More importantly, it also gave the Dodgers some much-needed run support on a night Justin Wrobleski turned in a scoreless six-inning start.

Up to that point, Wrobleski and Rasmussen had been dueling, keeping either team from even sniffing an opening run.

Shohei Ohtani belts the game-winning solo homer in the sixth inning of the Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Rays on June 16, 2026 in Los Angeles. Getty Images

After Ohtani’s home run, the rest of the night flew by similarly, with the Dodgers bullpen producing three scoreless innings in a second-straight game –– one each from Will Klein, Kyle Hurt and Tanner Scott, who combined to face the minimum nine batters –– to sew up a shutout that took just 1 hour, 52 minutes, the Dodgers’ quickest nine-inning game since 1992.

“Under two hours is pretty cool, especially when we’ve got a noon game tomorrow,” Wrobleski said. “That’s good for the boys.”

What it means

The Dodgers (47-27) don’t have the best winning percentage in the majors. But after the Atlanta Braves had their game Tuesday postponed by rain, the club does now own the title of winningest team in MLB, surpassing the Braves’ win total with their 47th victory.

Tuesday also secured the Dodgers a series win over the Rays (41-29), improving their home record this season to 24-12.

Who’s hot

Coming off a hamstring contusion last week and pitching on “just” four days of rest (making him only the second Dodgers pitcher to do so this year), Wrobleski had a short leash, getting pulled after just 67 pitches.

Justin Wrobleski held the Tampa Bay scoreless through six innings in the Dodgers win over the Rays. Getty Images

But, the left-hander made his six innings on the mound count, delivering his fifth scoreless start of at least that length this season to outshine Rasmussen in Tuesday’s pitchers’ duel.

It was a prototypical Wrobleski start, keyed by efficiency, soft contact and little need for much swing-and-miss.

Wrobleski held the Rays to only three hits while striking out five batters (three of which came against his first four hitters of the game). He let only one baserunner even reach second. He retired nine of the last 10 he faced.

He is now 8-2 on the season with a 2.72 ERA, continuing to build his case for an unexpected All-Star selection.

“That’s kind of what drives me, is just being the best version of myself and see where that falls,” Wrobleski said of potentially reaching the Midsummer Classic. “It’d be super cool but not (focusing) on it too much. I just want to come in there and contribute each time out.”

Tanner Scott accepts congratulations from catcher Chuckie Robinson after picking up the save in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Rays in Los Angeles. AP

Who’s not

Anyone worrying about Ohtani’s left knee injury.

On the eve of his next scheduled pitching start on Wednesday, Ohtani threw a bullpen session before Tuesday’s game in what was a final check of his knee after he dealt with swelling coming out of his last trip to the mound last week.

After the game, Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will be good to go for Wednesday’s start, though noted the two-way star will not DH in the game, as well.

Still, it’s another encouraging sign that his knee injury will not be a long-term issue.

Clearly, it’s not affecting him at the plate.

Up next

The Dodgers will go for a three-game sweep of the Rays on Wednesday afternoon, with Ohtani (6-2, 1.06 ERA) set to face Tampa Bay left-hander Shane McClanahan (6-4, 3.23 ERA).