Former NBA star Lamar Odom is celebrating 100 days sober — sharing an uplifting message with his nearly 1 million Instagram followers.
“There are days I don’t think I could make it,” the former Lakers star wrote Thursday. “But with God’s grace, the love of the people around me, and a commitment to myself, I’m still standing.”
Lamar Odom celebrated 100 days of sobriety on Thursday. Javiles/Bruce / BACKGRID
Authorities claimed they pulled him over for going well over the posted speed limit of 65 MPH and he allegedly reeked of marijuana during the ensuing traffic stop.
They also stated he failed subsequent field sobriety tests. The criminal case against him remains ongoing.
It’s unclear if the incident sparked Odom’s abstinence from substances, though he was nonetheless clearly proud of how far he’s come since the run-in with cops.
Lamar Odom played seven seasons for the Lakers in his NBA career. Getty Images
“To anyone out there fighting their own battles — whether it’s addiction, depression, or just trying to find your way — keep going,” Odom wrote on Thursday. “Better days are ahead. I promise. YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!”
Odom’s issues with substances have been well-documented — a Netflix film titled “Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom” recently dropped and it delved deep into the topic and how it related to his near-death experience in Nevada as well as his high-profile relationship with Khloe Kardashian.
Odom himself has also brought up the matter recently during a February appearance on Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady’s “Cousins” podcast. He explained to the NBA icons he used to have “cocaine summers,” and he believed it all ultimately cost him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
“I should be where y’all at,” he said.
In wrapping up his Thursday post, Odom asked his fans for their continued prayers.
“I appreciate every single one of you,” he said. “Thank you!!!”
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is less than two months away. Due to this and the draft lottery now passed, The Athletic's Scott Wheeler recently released his first 2026 NHL Mock Draft.
In it, Wheeler predicted that the Sabres will end up selecting forward Ryan Roobroeck as their first-round pick this year.
Roobroeck is a fascinating prospect who has shown plenty of promise at the OHL level. This was especially the case during the 2024-25 season, as he recorded 41 goals, 46 assists, and 87 points in 64 games with the Niagara IceDogs.
Roobroeck also had strong offensive numbers for the IceDogs during this season, posting 30 goals, 28 assists, and 58 points in 49 games. With numbers like these, it is clear that the 6-foot-3 winger has good upside.
While the Sabres are cementing themselves as legitimate contenders, it is still important for them to boost their prospect pool as they enter their window. Taking a gamble on a big prospect like Roobroeck would make sense for Buffalo if he is still available because of it.
It will be interesting to see if Roobroeck ends up becoming a Sabre at this year's draft. However, for now, the Sabres' focus is beating the Montreal Canadiens in the second round.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 6: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 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
Every now and then, you see something that’s just hard to put into words.
A specifically timed (and context-dependent) moment of humor. An unusual sequence of events. A coincidence bordering on a glitch in the Matrix. And one of the first things you do is look around and see if anyone else is around to share in the moment. And yet, somehow, that is almost never the case.
It’s as if the moment was plucked from the immensity of the cosmos and placed there just for you, and you alone.
Depending on the event, it can be the sort of thing that makes you question your sanity and your senses. You’re not even sure that you should share the story because it’s so outlandish.
That’s not what last night was.
When I was in my early 20’s, I helped run a print and copy shop in New Braunfels.
In contrast to the otherwise humble appearance of the shop, it did quite a lot of business (from both corporate and individual sources), and this led to a steady stream of customers entering and exiting the building.
The printing industry has a way of attracting a wide breadth of eccentricity. Just about everyone has ideas, but only those most certain of their vision pursue having that vision printed out.
I will, for instance, never forget the lady who wanted know if we could print on oversized tortillas for a retirement party (and brought them with her). Or the gentleman who regularly paid a pretty penny for mounted full-scale blueprints of his favorite science-fiction star ships. Or the one and only time I received a request for a combined quinceañera+baby shower invitation. Oh, the stories I could tell.
The point being that any given day one might encounter an architect with unusual CAD drawings that required multiple blueprints to be taped together, or an artist upset at how the color printer can’t perfectly replicate the vivid shades of their artwork off of the glass, or the recently bereaved wife of a Lombardi-era Green Bay Packer needing assistance duplicating treasured keepsakes.
Or, an extremely suave gentleman, with two ladies in tow, dressed head-to-toe in a robin’s-egg blue colored suit, topped off with a cane and matching short-brimmed fedora.
I can recall with ease a great number of oddities and peculiarities from my time in the printing industry, but anomalies and foibles are the expected within that arena, rather than the exception. For every eccentricity I can recall, there are dozens more that have faded from memory.
But I will, never, ever forget the first time I encountered The Copy Pimp.
In all fairness to the gentleman in question, I never did get confirmation of what his occupation actually was. But each Tuesday, without fail, about an hour before closing, he would enter the shop in the company of those two ladies, bring me a new (and somewhat chaotic looking) flyer, and inquire as to which copier would be best suited to reproduce them.
I would then set up any needed manual adjustments on the copier of his choice and produce a test print for his review. He would then thank me, in a tone as smooth and rich as molasses, and sit down in a chair at the nearby customer kiosk, to supervise the ladies who would then take over the copying.
Sometimes he would come lean against the counter and ask me about pricing, and the ins-and-outs of the industry. About profit margin, foot traffic, custom work, bulk discounts, even who some of our biggest clients were — always asked with impeccable manners and the insight of a businessman.
“That is no kind of return, Sonny,” he once remarked when I told him that the profitability ratio of public-use copy machines was roughly pennies-on-the-dollar. “Y’all need to mark that up. Get your worth.”
When I replied that their purpose was really just to bring people into the store, he grinned appreciatively and saluted the intelligence of the owner by remarking that that was “…a proper honeypot.”
By this point we had a routine down. The song and dance really didn’t require much conversation, though he seemed to thrive on the ritual of it. I’d been witness to what (I believe) was his entire ensemble rotation. All pastels in green, blue, orange, pink, and a yellow suit that I only saw him wear once, the week after Easter.
The problem was, in sharing these stories with my coworkers, I found that no one else had ever encountered him.
Each mention brought forth an eye roll, and it was starting to concern me. Seeing someone that no one else has seen, after all while, starts to become concerning.
The problem, I reasoned, was a matter of timing. There were only seven us to begin with, counting the owners. By the time the Copy Pimp arrived, just before closing time, there were only two of us. One (usually me) working the front of the store, and the other (usually my coworker Drew) working in the back on our most time-sensitive or skill-specific jobs.
Convinced that this was the issue, I told Drew that I would come let him know the next time the Copy Pimp was in the store. The next Tuesday, at six o-clock, no one showed up.
Nor the following Tuesday. Nor the Tuesday after that. Until finally, almost a month later, the man himself finally appeared, clad in his signature robin’s-egg blue. It remains one of the few times that I have, without exaggeration, seen another person completely freeze, and their jaw literally drop.
As it turned out, the gentleman in question (who I estimate to have been about 60) had experienced a bad bout of pneumonia, which he explained as he very genteelly introduced himself to my stunned compatriot.
It was all I could do not to actually elbow Drew in the ribs after weeks of self-doubt and him giving me an incredibly hard time about my ‘delusions’.
And that is almost exactly what watching the Spurs last night felt like.
I almost radiated smugness as I watched the Spurs all but dismember one of the best remaining teams in the Western Conference bracket.
I watched with pride as they ruptured Minnesota’s vaunted defense with a dizzying series of Fox and Wemby pick-and-rolls that knocked them so off balance that they were left vulnerable to the battering drives of Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson, who worked the interior like a boxer works the body to open up avenues to the face.
I beamed with vindication as Minnesota players twisted themselves into all kinds of shapes in their attempts to avoid San Antonio’s titan-tier rim protector, after so many comments about goaltending and attacking the rim without fear, irrespective of his smothering presence.
And I outright chuckled as I watched Champagnie, Barnes, and even Lindy Waters III start raining threes down on the Timberwolves’ last gasp at a comeback rhythm.
This was the vision that I’d had for this team all year. Even the year before, before all the parts were assembled.
In the previous two seasons something big would go wrong to affect the overall win total, and there I would be, insisting that there was more to this team than that. That I could see it. That the underlying metrics were hinting at it. That there was greatness being shrouded by the heavy veil of timing.
And then, for at least one night in the playoffs, almost every single thing went right. And everyone was seeing it with me at the same time. And no one in their right mind could deny it. This team is special. The most special kind of special. Maybe it won’t result in a title (yet), but it’s more than just untapped/unrealized potential.
Months later, one of the owners admitted to me that she knew exactly who I was talking about (who wouldn’t), after I caught her having a conversation with our pastel-garbed patron. He’d been coming there for years, but she thought it would be fun to pull my leg a little bit.
I sometimes wonder if the universe-at-large shares that same sense of humor.
Before the end of the game, I compared it to the clinching blowout of the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, without Tony Parker and the Nephew-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
It turns out I was just one point off when it came to margin of victory.
I have seen so many highs in my 30-ish years watching the Spurs play basketball and have written about so many lows in the years after. And while there are certainly moments that stick out, so many more have blurred together. I confess that I’ve sometimes wondered what highs there are left for someone who’s seen so much undeviating victory.
But last night I saw The Copy Pimp. And so, I hope, did you.
Takeways
There were a lot of (reasonable) questions about how to cover/scheme for Julius Randle defensively entering the series. And after more-or-less defending Randle straight up in Game 1, to less than desirable results, the Spurs opted to double him and force him to pass the ball. A smart strategy considering passing is sometimes not a thing he likes to do. But just as revelatory was the defense that Keldon Johnson played against him during his minutes on the court. Over the years Keldon has (deservedly) been taken to task for his defense, but one thing we haven’t talked about a lot here is how good his defense has been since the arrival of defensive guru Sean Sweeney. I don’t know what Sweeney slipped into Keldon’s Wheaties, but last night was arguably his most impressive performance of the season on that end, and his hard-fought rebounds were critical in the earlier portions of the game, before the Spurs sent the Wolves into a death spiral. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: even when Keldon’s shot isn’t falling, he finds a way to contribute meaningfully. If this team wins a title, I think he’s getting a jersey in the rafters.
Last time I talked about my desire for Carter Bryant and Harrison Barnes to get into some kind of alternating rotation, and I don’t know if Mitch has been reading my articles, but it was great to see them splitting a kind of timeshare in this one. Usually time shares are pretty scammy, but this one really profited the Spurs, as Bryant was able to use that youthful athleticism to make Randle’s life harder, and Barnes was able to go harder than usual with those legs getting some rest in spite of the challenging assignment. If only they could be combined into one player, because Bryant brings the youthful stamina, and Barnes has the shot he needs. They combined for 14 points and +18 each. More of that, please.
Because we rarely see him, it’s easy to forget that Lindy Waters is the kind of player who can soak up real minutes without serving as a negative. He played heavier minutes in both Golden State and Oklahoma City, and he’d be within rights to feel like he’s deserving of more somewhere else. If that’s his mindset, though, no one has heard a peep about it, as he always seems ready to do his job when the time calls, which is knock down threes and play hard. He did both in equal measure last night, ensuring that the starters and heavy-minute backups could get a bit of extra rest without worrying about the lead. Those guys are important, and they’re on every team that has success. Goodness forbid that the Spurs suffer an injury that necessitates giving him more playing time, but it’s good to know he’s ready just in case. That’s classic Spurs behavior, and you love to see it.
The NCAA will expand its DIvision I basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams next season. The change isn't expected to radically disrupt the familiar bracket for most casual fans. Here is a breakdown of some key numbers to know:
0 — The number of mid-major schools that advanced past the first weekend of either tournament the last two seasons.
1 in 9.2 quintillion — The estimated odds against picking a perfect bracket even before adding eight games to the mix.
4 — Games matching No. 12 seeds and No. 16 seeds in the opening round.
8 — The number of teams being added to each tournament (men and women). It's also the number of new games being added to each tourney.
15 — The number of years since the NCAA last expanded the tournaments (from 64 to 68 in 2011).
120 — Total number of games for the two tournaments over seven days between the bracket announcement and the conclusion of the secound round.
131 — As in $131 million, the amoung of new revenue the NCAA expects to share with tournament participants under the expansion.
300 — As in $300 million, the extra funding the NCAA expects to get from new advertising opportunities tied to expansion, including the addition of liqour ads that had largely been off limits.
2032 — The year the current $8.8 billion broadcast deal between the NCAA and partners like CBS, TNT and others expires, raising the potential for more change.
350,000 — As in $350,000, the value of a NCAA-distributed "unit' for a men's team that reached the tournament.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Perhaps even better than taking Game 1 of the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers is that the Detroit Pistons best player, Cade Cunnigham, didn’t actually play that well until the closing minutes when he needed to put the game away. The fact that the Pistons were able to walk away with a 111-101 win despite a subpar offensive showing from Cade. If you remove the final 5 minutes of crunch time, the star point guard was just 5-of-17 with equal parts turnovers and assists — four. The Pistons were thriving because so many other players were performing so well. Jalen Duren had more freedom than against the Magic, the ball was moving more freely side to side, which opened up shots for Duncan Robinson and driving lanes for Daniss Jenkins. Yes, the Pistons might not be able to rely on a plus-9 free-throw advantage tonight, but this might also be a much better Cunningham performance. If the Pistons can play as loose on offense, as intense on defense, and Cade unlocks more of his game, the Pistons could be up 2-0 by the end of the night. They will need to continue to force Donovan Mitchell and James Harden into tough looks while at the same time not losing sight of Cleveland’s big men or its roster of reliable shooters. But Detroit certainly has the defense capable of answering that call.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Prime Video Odds: Pistons -3.5
The Lakers have been without their leading scorer since April 2 when he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in a loss against the Thunder. Doncic missed the Lakers' remaining regular-season games and start of the postseason, including a first round, 4-2 series win against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers advanced to face the Thunder in the conference semifinals, where they are down 1-0, following a 108-90 loss in Game 1 on May 5.
Doncic has been seen shooting at Lakers' practices. He told reporters after their Wednesday practice that he is doing "everything he can" to get back on the court and join the team in the playoff battle amidst a championship chase.
"I'm feeling good and working out every day, trying to come back," Doncic told reporters. "Right now, I'm running, but I haven't done any contact."
Luka Doncic’s first press conference since he injured his hamstring on April 2. He said his timeline to return to the #Lakers was 8 weeks. He’s ramping up. But still a ways to go. pic.twitter.com/Qux41bcTO0
A game to suit departing Stones, West Ham’s Pablo under scrutiny against Arsenal and Maddison can rouse Spurs
Liverpool have eased one self-inflicted headache by listening to their fans and scrapping plans to raise some ticket prices for the next three seasons. Anfield’s attention can now focus squarely on eradicating another as Arne Slot’s side seek to salvage a desperately poor season with Champions League qualification. Liverpool will secure a top-five finish should they beat Chelsea and Bournemouth fail to win at Fulham. Slot could not have hand-picked a better opponent to potentially complete the job than the shambles that is this Chelsea team, even taking into account his frontline injury-list. The visitors are a collection of individual egos who turn up when they feel like it, which is Wembley and the FA Cup on current evidence. Chelsea have lost seven successive league games only once in their history – from November to December 1952 – but could equal that unwanted record with defeat at Anfield. They have lost their last two away matches by a three-goal margin, conceded at least three times in four of their last five league games, and it would surprise no one if they decide to save themselves for the FA Cup final. Andy Hunter
Liverpool v Chelsea, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)
Guard Sam Merrill was ruled out for Game 2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons Thursday night with a left hamstring strain.
Merrill was on the court testing the leg during warmups, according to reports, but the team announced he would not play after he returned to the locker room.
He exited Game 1 on Tuesday after just 6 minutes and 41 seconds. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday and did not practice. Now, the Cavaliers, already down 1-0 in the series, are facing Detroit’s defense without their best shooter.
That’s a big issue for the Cavs.
The Pistons basically dared the Cavaliers to beat them from outside in Game 1. Without Merrill, Cleveland struggled. The Cavs turned the ball over 20 times, and the Pistons converted that into 31 points in the 111-101 win. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combined for 45 points but also combined for 10 of those turnovers.
Merrill shot 42.1% from 3 during the regular season and averaged a career high of 12.8 points. He is in the first year of a four-year, $38 million extension with Cleveland.
“You can’t replace what Sam brings,” forward Jaylon Tyson said Wednesday. "He’s a key piece of this team. Our best shooter. Somebody’s got to step up for him.”
Tyson, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder figure to absorb the minutes. In Game 1 without Merrill, that trio shot 5-of-11 from 3 and combined for 22 points in 56 minutes
Rick Tocchet didn’t hide from the daunting thought of a 3-0 series deficit against the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
To put it simply, the Flyers needed to win Game 3 in this best-of-seven second-round matchup. Without dumping a load of pressure on his players before the game, the head coach knew it.
Once again, the Flyers were unable to crack the Hurricanes as they lost Thursday night, 4-1, at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Trevor Zegras made it a 1-1 game 2:31 minutes into the second period when he scored on a delayed penalty. But Carolina picked apart the Flyers on special teams with two power play goals and one at shorthanded.
“It’s tough to come back in a series 3-0, I’m going to be honest with you,” Tocchet said at morning skate. “We win this game, we’re back in the series. If we lose, now we’re really behind the eight ball.”
They’re behind by three games and now have to be perfect for four straight if they want to somehow keep their season alive.
In the history of the NHL, only four teams have survived a 3-0 series hole. The Flyers, of course, were one of them. They pulled it off in the second round of the 2010 playoffs and made a run to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Hurricanes have yet to lose in these playoffs. They’ve won all seven of their games and have surrendered just eight goals.
Going back to the start of the 2021-22 season, the Flyers have lost 19 of their last 22 games against Carolina.
The first dagger was from Andrei Svechnikov on the power play, which put the Flyers down 3-1 just 3:52 minutes into the third period. Cam York was in the penalty box for goaltender interference.
The final dagger came from Nikolaj Ehlers, who padded the Hurricanes’ lead on a breakaway. Rasmus Ristolainen made a poor read when he pinched in the neutral zone.
Jordan Staal handed Carolina a 1-0 first-period lead with a power play goal. Sean Couturier was in the penalty box for tripping. Jalen Chatfield swung the game in the second period when he gave the Hurricanes the lead on the penalty kill.
The Flyers were on the power play after Travis Sanheim was boarded by Taylor Hall. Sanheim and his teammates weren’t happy with Hall, who had a five-minute major penalty reduced to a two-minute minor.
Carolina netminder Frederik Andersen stopped 18 of the Flyers’ 19 shots.
The 36-year-old has held the Flyers to just three goals in the series. The Flyers have scored only eight goals over their last six games after putting up 11 through the first three games of the playoffs.
The Flyers had some quality looks early on Thursday night, but they couldn’t shake their scoring struggles.
Travis Konecny was denied just 59 seconds into the action after he found his way behind the Hurricanes’ defense. Porter Martone hit the post 3:36 minutes later and then Alex Bump was denied in close with 8:11 minutes left in the first period.
Jaccob Slavin, one of the league’s top defenders, kept the Flyers off the board with 1:35 minutes to go in the opening stanza. After a Ristolainen shot snuck through Andersen, the Carolina defenseman corralled the puck and flung it away before it could cross the goal line.
• After giving up the go-ahead shorthanded goal, the Flyers’ power play had 1:15 minutes of a 5-on-3 opportunity. The Hurricanes’ bench was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Flyers’ power play, however, failed to take advantage of a golden chance to tie the game.
A prevailing opinion coming into the playoffs was that the league-worst power play would cost the Flyers at some point. It absolutely did in Game 3.
The Flyers have gone 3 for 33 on the power play in the playoffs.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 5: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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On Tuesday night, the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery was conducted. The Toronto Maple Leafs won the first overall pick, the San Jose Sharks won the second overall pick, and every non-playoff team was pushed down in reverse order of the standings.
The Vancouver Canucks dropped down to third, which means the Blackhawks ended up with the fourth overall pick. That isn’t the ideal outcome for either team, but both will still get an incredible prospect.
Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson confirmed that he is interested in the best player available, no matter what their position is, assuming he doesn’t trade the pick. This is how the draft could look for the 16 lottery teams with the Blackhawks selecting 4th:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
Winning the draft lottery changed the entire off-season outlook for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Instead of trading Auston Matthews or Matthew Knies, they could add Gavin McKenna to play with them at even strength and on the power play. His skills are close to being NHL-ready, and he should be a star in short order.
2. San Jose Sharks - Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie
For a long time, Ivar Stenberg was a lock to be right there with McKenna for first overall. However, San Jose winning the second overall pick changes things a bit. They need prospect depth on defense, and there are three elite ones for them to think about here. Ultimately, Chase Reid's two-way game gets him compared to Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer. Only time will tell if he can be that good, but the base could make the Sharks think twice about passing him.
3. Vancouver Canucks - Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford
Vancouver needs help down the middle more than help on the wing. That may make them consider Caleb Malhotra, whose father Manny is the head coach for their AHL team, the Abbotsford Canucks. Caleb is a strong two-way centerman who has flown up the draft board this season because of his dominance with Brantford.
4. Chicago Blackhawks - Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda
Ivar Stenberg falling to the Chicago Blackhawks is the best-case scenario for them, but it is very possible that they get him due to the circumstances ahead of them in the draft. Drafting Stenberg would give Anton Frondell a friend and World Junior teammate to play with, in addition to a winger who can make all of their centers more lethal.
5. New York Rangers - Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
Keaton Verhoeff, who may have the highest offensive ceiling of any defenseman in the draft, would be perfect for the suddenly rebuilding New York Rangers. Learning from a star like Adam Fox would be great for his development, and he could be able to help them get back to winning sooner rather than later.
6. Calgary Flames - Carson Carels, D, Prince George
The Calgary Flames round out a clear top-six in the draft. Carson Carels, whether he's the first, second, or third defender drafted, is going to make the team that selects him very happy. The Calgary Flames could be the team of the decade in the 2030s with the rate at which they're building, and Carels would be just another great weapon.
7. Seattle Kraken - Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit
The Seattle Kraken would see a major improvement on their blue line in their organization if they selected Alberts Smits. They are desperate for star power there, and Smits could develop into a star. For a young player who was an Olympian for Latvia and was very good, he could be on an NHL roster quickly after being drafted.
8. Winnipeg Jets - Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert
The Winnipeg Jets did not expect to be in this spot after winning the President's Trophy in 2024-25. Now, they have a chance to add a great prospect with what they hope is a one-off top-ten pick. Adding Daxon Rudolph so he can develop in their system could help them sustain success once they get back on track.
9. Florida Panthers - Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
Perhaps even more than the Winnipeg Jets, the Florida Panthers having a top-ten pick is shocking. The Chicago Blackhawks fully anticipated landing a second first-round pick from Florida in this draft, but their landing in the top ten pushes it back a year. Tynan Lawrence from Boston University would be a great get for them, as they could add another strong center to the mix.
Viggo Bjorck would be perfect for the Nashville Predators. He was one of Sweden's best young players alongside Stenberg and Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell this year. Bjorck played a big role in Sweden winning Gold at the World Juniors, and now he has the opportunity to make waves as an NHL prospect.
11. St. Louis Blues - Oscar Hemming, RW, Boston College
Boston College has been pumping out first-round NHL prospects at a high rate for years now. Oscar Hemming is the best one coming out this year, and the St. Louis Blues make so much sense for a winger like him. Whether they trade Robert Thomas and/or Jordan Kyrou or not, Hemmings is a winger worth drafting and developing.
12. New Jersey Devils - J.P. Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops
The New Jersey Devils are always looking for new wingers to give a chance with Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier. J.P. Hurlbert, who will play for Michigan next season, would fit in well with New Jersey, which has been great at drafting Wolverines. At Michigan, Hurlbert should be one of the best players in college hockey and help lead a dominant team.
13. New York Islanders - Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor
The New York Islanders didn't get as lucky in this lottery as they did in the last one, but their pipeline of young players is very strong. Ethan Belchetz, out of Windsor, is another one to add to the mix.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough
The Columbus Blue Jackets need to continue adding young forwards to the group if they want to sustain their success once they start to reach it regularly. Adam Novotny is good for them at 14.
15. St. Louis Blues via Detroit Red Wings - Brooks Rogowski, RW, Oshawa
The St. Louis Blues have yet another lottery pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, as they will add the 15th overall selection to their crop of young players. Here, it's Brooks Rogowski, another winger.
16. Washington Capitals - Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver
The future of Alex Ovechkin in the NHL is near the top of mind in the hockey world, but the Washington Capitals will be thinking about their organizational future when they come up to make the 16th overall pick in the draft. Ryan Lin of Vancouver is a great defenseman who could help their blue line's potential for years to come.
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DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers reserve guard Sam Merrill is out of the lineup with a hamstring injury against the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their second-round series on Thursday night.
Merrill was injured early in a Game 1 loss to the Pistons on Tuesday night. He had an MRI and was held out of practice on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Merrill averaged 12.8 points during the regular season and scored in double digits twice in the seven-game, first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.
The Philadelphia Flyers have been a great story this year, and they are in the second round of the playoffs this spring because of it. Yet, with the Flyers still being a team that is focused on the future, they will certainly be hoping to have success at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
The Flyers have their first-round pick for this year's draft. In his most recent mock draft for The Athletic, Scott Wheeler predicted that the Flyers would end up selecting defenseman Juho Piiparinen with their first-rounder this summer.
Piiparinen is a big right-shot defenseman with good upside, so it would make a lot of sense if the Flyers decided to select him with their first-round pick this year. The 6-foot-3 blueliner is known for his steady defensive play, and he could be a nice pickup for the Flyers because of it.
Piiparinen played in 29 games this season with Tappara of Finland's Liiga, where he recorded three assists and a plus-6 rating. He also played in 15 games for Tappara's U20 team, where he posted one goal and 13 points.
With the Flyers needing help on the right side of their blueline, it would make sense if they took a chance on Piiparinen with their first-round pick. The potential for him to blossom into a top-four defenseman is there, and it is no secret that NHL teams will forever value big right-shot blueliners like him. Thus, it would not be a bad thing at all if the Flyers added him to their system.
The Mets lost to the Rockies on Thursday after Craig Kimbrel allowed a grand slam.
DENVER — Craig Kimbrel didn’t record an out until he faced his fifth batter Thursday, by which time the Mets’ sweep dreams had been mostly obliterated.
Offensively, the Mets sputtered following a recent uptick, but the afternoon went haywire in the eighth inning when Kimbrel entered a tie game against the Rockies and loaded the bases with nobody out. Jake McCarthy smashed the second pitch for a grand slam, sending the Mets to a 6-2 loss at Coors Field that snapped their three-game winning streak.
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Kimbrel, chosen to pitch the eighth a day after the Mets used much of their bullpen and then went heavy on relief following a short Christian Scott start, threw a 94-mph fastball that McCarthy hooked around the right field foul pole — the home run call stood on replay — leaving the Mets feeling Rocky Mountain low.
“There is not really an angle there where you can tell if it’s fair or foul,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “And it didn’t go our way there.”
Luke Weaver, who pitched an inning the previous night, is Mendoza’s preferred choice in the eighth inning but was unavailable. That left the job to the 37-year-old Kimbrel, who previously had given the Mets three straight scoreless appearances.
“We had to use a lot of our guys [Wednesday], and some of them weren’t available today,” Mendoza said. “I am not going to blame that on them. We had chances today.”
The Mets fell to 4-2 on the road trip and will begin a three-game series Friday at Arizona.
Kimbrel allowed singles to TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston to begin the winning rally before walking Willi Castro to load the bases. McCarthy jumped on the second pitch.
Craig Kimbrel reacts after allowing a grand slam during the Mets’ May 7 loss to the Rockies. APJake McCarthy hits a grand slam during the Rockies’ May 7 win over the Mets. AP
“On the home run pitch, it was location; I was trying to go up and I aimed it down,” Kimbrel said.
At the plate, the Mets went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Scott was removed at 82 pitches before he could face the Rockies a third time through the order. The right-hander allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks over 4 ²/₃ innings with six strikeouts. Scott, returning from a missed season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will be handled with care, according to Mendoza.
Jake McCarthy rounds the bases during the Rockies’ May 7 win over the Mets. Getty Images
“We had a number of pitches in mind, and he pretty much went over that number of pitches,” Mendoza said. “He did his part. We just couldn’t close it out.”
It was Scott’s second start of this road trip in which he kept the Mets in the game. Last week, he held the Angels to three earned runs over five innings before the Mets rallied for the victory.
“[The Rockies] did a good job of making me work the second time through the order,” Scott said. “I would have liked to work deeper into the game, but they did a good job of making me battle there.”
The Mets jumped on Jose Quintana for two runs in the second to take a 2-0 lead. Andy Ibáñez drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly and Tyrone Taylor’s RBI single extended the lead. Austin Slater’s leadoff single and Marcus Semien’s ensuing walk started the rally, with the runners advancing to second and third on a wild pitch.
Juan Soto’s one-out triple in the third was wasted when Mark Vientos, following a walk to Bo Bichette, grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Mark Vientos breaks his bat during the Mets’ May 7 loss to the Rockies. Getty Images
Scott sailed into the fourth before allowing an RBI single to Castro that trimmed the Mets’ lead to 2-1. Tyler Freeman bunted for a single and Johnston walked before Castro delivered. But with runners on the corners, Scott struck out McCarthy to avoid further damage.
Huascar Brazobán got the final out in the fifth after Scott walked Edouard Julien and was removed. Brazobán surrendered a bloop RBI double to McCarthy in the sixth that tied it 2-2. Austin Warren walked Kyle Karros to load the bases before striking out Brett Sullivan to end the inning.
Soto batted with runners on first and second in the seventh, following walks to Francisco Alvarez and Vidal Brujan, but popped up for the final out.
“You are always trying to get [the sweep],” Mendoza said. “But then you look back and say, ‘OK, we won the series, move on to the next one.’ That is the bottom line. We have got to continue to win series.”
The St. Louis Cardinals head to Southern California for a four-game series with the San Diego Padres beginning Thursday night.
The opener features Matthew Liberatore and Michael King on the bump, and will be televised on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET.
My Cardinals vs. Padres predictions and MLB picks for Thursday, May 7 are taking a shot on the underdog Redbirds to win outright.
Who will win Cardinals vs Padres tonight: Cardinals moneyline (+150)
The San Diego Padres are a tad overvalued in this spot due to starting pitcher Michael King’s 2.95 ERA.
He’s achieved that with a bit of smoke and mirrors. His botERA of 5.21 is a red flag, as is his career-low Stuff+ (93) — down from 101 a year ago.
The St. Louis Cardinals rake against right-handed pitching (109 wRC+). San Diego is less potent against LHP (88 wRC+) and will face southpaw Matthew Liberatore (4.39 botERA, 99 Stuff+).
I’ll take the value with the Cardinals, winners in seven of their last nine contests and one of the hottest teams in The Show.
COVERS INTEL:King has pitched around loud contact (20th percentile barrel rate) thus far, but that’ll be difficult to manage against a St. Louis ballclub with the second-highest barrel rate (11.1%).
Cardinals vs Padres Over/Under pick: Under 8 (+102)
This is a high total for a night game at Petco Park, which has the second-lowest Park Factor (97).
San Diego’s poor results against LHP (.661) inspire bearishness on the offense, whereas King has been effective enough on the mound to demand a certain level of respect.
Mason Miller leads a Padres bullpen with a stellar 3.18 SIERA (second in MLB). The Cardinals will have all of their top relief arms available and are well-rested thanks to Tuesday’s rainout, and closer Riley O’Brien (1.43 FIP) has thrown just three pitches in the last four days.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 10-9, -0.99 units
Over/Under bets: 13-7, +5.62 units
Cardinals vs Padres odds
Moneyline: Cardinals +150 | Padres -178
Run line: Cardinals +1.5 | Padres -1.5
Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Cardinals vs Padres trend
The Cardinals have won five of Liberatore’s seven starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Padres.
How to watch Cardinals vs Padres and game info
Location
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Date
Thursday, May 7, 2026
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Cardinals starting pitcher
Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
Padres starting pitcher
Michael King (3-2, 2.95 ERA)
Cardinals vs Padres latest injuries
Cardinals vs Padres weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
COVERS INTEL: