A former Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick will officially be staying with the Boston Bruins.
Former Blackhawks forward Lukas Reichel has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Bruins for the 2026-27 season. At the NHL level, Reichel will have a $950,000 cap hit.
This new deal is a pay decrease for Reichel, as he had a $1.2 million cap hit over each of the last two seasons. While this is the case, Reichel will now be looking to take that next step and cement himself as a key part of the Bruins' forward group after landing this new one-year deal.
Reichel had an eventful 2025-26 season. He was first traded by the Blackhawks at the beginning stages of the campaign to the Vancouver Canucks. He then was dealt to the Bruins by Vancouver at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. With this, he played on three NHL teams in one season. He also made appearances at the AHL level with both the Abbotsford Canucks and Providence Bruins this season.
Now, Reichel will be looking for more stability next season with Boston. The young forward has had trouble breaking out in the NHL, but the 23-year-old will be aiming to change that with the Black and Gold after landing this new deal.
Reichel was selected by the Blackhawks with the 17th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and was once one of their top prospects. In 174 games over five seasons with Chicago, he had 22 goals, 36 assists, and 58 points.
There will be a plethora of Florida Panthers participating in the IIHF World Championships this month.
As players are making their way to Switzerland for the annual hockey tournament, several members of the Panthers, to include five players and five staff members, will be representing their respective countries.
Florida captain Sasha Barkov and fellow centerman Anton Lundell will be suiting up for Team Finland.
For Barkov, the tournament will be some of the first true game action he’s seen since last year’s Stanley Cup Final.
Barkov suffered a serious knee injury during training camp in September and missed the entire 2025-26 NHL season while recovering from surgery.
Representing the United States will be Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.
Tkachuk will be seeking to become the first American hockey player to join the Triple Gold Club.
The three ‘golds’ are an Olympic gold medal, a Stanley Cup win and an IIHF World Championship gold medal.
Earlier this year, Tkachuk helped the United States win their first Olympic gold since 1980. In the two Junes before that, he won a pair of Stanley Cup titles with the Panthers.
Now we’ll see if he can help Team USA win their second straight World Championship gold.
If they do, Tkachuk will also become the first player in NHL history to win all three legs of the Triple Gold Club in a 12-month span.
Joining Tkachuk with Team USA are Panthers Assistant General Manager Brett Peterson, who is the GM for the US at the tournament, along with Florida Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards and Head Athletic Trainer Dave DiNapoli.
Panthers GM Bill Zito is serving on the team’s advisory group.
Representing Latvia at Worlds will be 22-year-old Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis.
Coming off an impressive 19-game NHL debut this season, Vilmanis will suit up for his country for the second time this year, also playing for Team Latvia during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
He earned three goals and five points during those 19 games in the NHL while racking up 17 goals and 38 points in 48 games for AHL Charlotte.
Another Panthers prospect who made his NHL debut this season and is also heading to the World Championship is Marek Alscher.
The 22-year-old will be representing Czechia after playing his first four games in the NHL earlier this season, dishing out three assists for the Panthers during his time with the club.
Team Canada tapped Panthers AGM Gregory Campbell to assist team executives with evaluating players and constructing their roster.
The tournament begins on Friday and runs through May 31.
Photo caption: Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Matthew Tkachuk of United States in action with Renars Krastenbergs of Latvia in men's ice hockey group C play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 5: Bob Myers and Josh Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Denver Nuggets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 5, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 125-124 in overtime. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been a tumultuous few days for the Sixers’ organization.
Then again, those days all ended in “y.”
Two days after the ownership group made the decision to part ways with Daryl Morey after six seasons, managing partner Josh Harris and HBSE president of sports and former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers spoke to reporters.
The pair spoke about what the franchise is looking for in its next lead executive, what Myers’ role looks like moving forward and the fallout of the Jared McCain trade. Here are five takeaways from the availability.
Where do they go from here?
If you were hoping for answers as far as the direction the team is going, you didn’t get much. Several questions were asked about the futures of Joel Embiid and Paul George, and how those older veterans mesh with the young backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Myers didn’t divulge much, basically insinuating the new executive the team hires will have major input. He acknowledged how early it is in the process and how there’s still much fact-finding to be done and people within the organization to speak to about what went wrong this season.
Harris was asked specifically about Embiid and his future. Take his answer how you will.
“I think that he’s an important player on our roster,” Harris said, “and he’s a warrior. … some of the things that you said are also true [about his injury history]. So, I think we’re looking forward to welcoming him back on our team.”
If you were looking for a ringing endorsement for Embiid, it wasn’t provided. Nor was there any clear indication of how the team views the plausibility of its current dual timeline.
But Myers’ answer to Derek Bodner’s question about the viability of the three-star model in today’s CBA was interesting.
“Well, we didn’t get it done this year with three guys, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. … I think it’s a smart question in that, ‘what’s the modern roster supposed to look like with the second apron, really? Which oftentimes operates as kind of a hard cap. The truth is, depth may be more important than it’s ever been. Maybe that’s the pace of play. Maybe that’s what we require of our players more. Not to say that this model doesn’t work, but we have to look at what happened this year and be honest about it. We got to be honest about can this model work, right? And that’s really the question, and also understanding the depth is key, and you only have certain amount of resources to spend. So that’s all part of the questions. It’s all part of what we need to figure out going forward.”
For what it’s worth, it didn’t seem like Myers was being evasive in the availability. Morey was just let go on Tuesday and Myers’ search hasn’t even really begun. Perhaps when the draft comes around, those answers will start to materialize.
This answer from Myers was another interesting one, though:
“It was fascinating to hear from the current staff that I saw yesterday in Chicago, what was said at the exit interviews. I find that very impactful. I’m not going to tell you [what was said] — that’s not fair. All of it matters, all these conversations, all the things you learn about an organization when the game is over and you go in the locker room and you talk to the players, you talk to the coach, talk to the training staff, what happened this season, and until we get all of that, I’m not going to say we’ve got the answers to that question, but I do know this: we have to get better.”
Myers’ role moving forward
When Morey was let go, folks wondered if Myers would simply take on the role of president of basketball operations. That does not appear to be the case.
However, some eyebrows were raised when ESPN’s Shams Charania said Myers would “partner” with the team’s next lead executive. Given Myers’ success as an NBA exec, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll have a bit more say with the Sixers than, say, the New Jersey Devils or Washington Commanders, HBSE’s other franchises.
While the person the team hires will be in charge of day-to-day operations, it certainly sounds like Myers will weigh in on the franchise’s bigger decisions.
“They’ll have a lot of authority here, which they should,” Myers said. “What they’re going to get, and our fans are going to get, is them, plus me. I won’t be on a day-to-day level, but on the high-level decision-making, which is being here at the draft, being here leading up to the trade deadline, being available for free-agency discussions, free-agency meetings, things like that. I’m going to be involved at that level, and I can tell you that I imagine — and I’m not saying this lightly — I’ll be communicating with that person daily, if not five out of seven days a week.”
Could Myers one day go full Pat Riley mode and take things over? Who knows?
A comfort to Sixers fans concerned about the draft is that Myers is hoping to have someone in place by then and is allowing a front office group that’s drafted quite well to do its thing.
“… the goal would be to have someone in place for the draft to get acclimated with the new group. But by the way, the group is working now, and whoever we hire, not sure who that will be, will likely, possibly already be evaluating the draft, where they’re coming from. So that’s a benefit, in some ways, but, yeah, I’d like to, and I hope to, but it’ll be as much time as required to get the best person. Because again, sure, have someone by the draft, but the goal would be to have someone that’s the right person for a long amount of time after.”
On his draft philosophy:
“This group’s done a pretty good job drafting, to be honest. I don’t want to come in and run over anybody in this existing group, including Daryl. He’s drafted some good players — Maxey, VJ, good examples of very successful players that were picked. So I’m not an expert in that. I’ll give my opinion. I want to meet with the group, hear what they say. Each year is a little bit different as to what you’re looking for, see who might be available at that pick and partner with new leadership and see what their philosophies are on the whole thing.”
The Jared McCain trade
There was no way this one wasn’t coming up.
Myers was asked about it first. His answer was diplomatic, praising Morey in general, while saying the true analysis of trades for the organization doesn’t happen until we see all the results.
Harris confirmed the ownership group — including Myers — gave the OK on the deal.
“So, the way these things work generally with something like that is the front office makes a recommendation,” Harris said, “and then ownership, which included Bob at that point, and we OK’d it. So, I think we were involved in it. It was part of a bigger plan. … As Bob said, we don’t know the outcome of that trade right now. We are sitting here with the 22nd pick, but I understand what you’re saying, and I understand the question, and …obviously, I understand the view of it here.”
Well, here’s hoping they nail pick No. 22.
What are they looking for?
Myers was asked right off the bat what he’s looking for in an executive.
“I’m a big believer in character and leadership, and I’m looking for a person that embodies those things. But there’s many characteristics under that that I believe kind of qualify in making a modern GM a success. There’s front-facing responsibilities, there’s responsibilities of managing star players, there’s responsibilities of managing up to ownership, there’s contract negotiations, there’s draft process, there’s evaluating analytics, there’s medical staff.
“You go down the line, and these jobs have an enormity to them, so I’m looking to find someone that can check as many of those boxes as possible, but also raise their hand and say, ‘You know what? I’m actually not good in this space. I’m going to need some support.’ Because the misnomer about these jobs is … I had some success in my previous job, but it wasn’t me by myself. There are teams of people that make a team and organization successful, so making sure we have the right person to lead them, but also the right people underneath them, which is important.”
Harris faces tough questions
It goes without saying the Sixers fan base isn’t pleased with Harris and the organization. A decent example of that is how New York Knicks fans were able to take over Xfinity Mobile Arena last week. There is also a growing contingent of the fanbase who’d like Harris to sell the team, noting how his other teams are direct competitors with Philadelphia franchises.
Despite being asked a question about him not addressing “off-court things,” Harris kept his answers strictly to basketball and the Sixers.
“I think I’m very focused on setting up the team and the club to push through the second round and go to the NBA championship, achieve our goals,” Harris said. “I care deeply for the team. No one’s more frustrated than I am. I understand people’s frustration. And … going out and getting someone as talented as Bob to kind of help Philly achieve its goals — this is the next step and our evolution.”
Interesting nugget to add: Harris was asked directly if the front office is under a directive to stay below the luxury tax. Harris said no, and that the ownership group is investing in a new arena, which will cost much more than any tax penalties, and has signed multiple max players, at times going over the tax in the past.
Jun 22, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill (29) celebrates the win with catcher William Contreras (24) against the Minnesota Twins after the game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are back on the road, and this time, they won’t have to travel too far. Beginning this weekend, the Brewers are on a two-series trip through the Twin Cities and Chicago, as they’ll take on a pair of rivals in the Twins and Cubs. First up is Minnesota, as the Brewers will face the Twins for three games beginning Friday night.
The Crew is coming off a 5-1 homestand that featured a three-game sweep of the Yankees and a 2-1 series against the Padres — the only loss of the series came on a go-ahead three-run homer in the ninth inning of a 3-1 Padre win. Milwaukee is now 24-17 on the season, tied with the Cardinals for second in the NL Central.
On the opposite side, the Twins are 20-24 on the year, right in the middle of what has been a weak AL Central thus far. They took two of three from the Marlins this week, giving them four wins in their last five games after taking the final two games in Cleveland over the weekend.
In terms of injuries, the Brewers currently have a few players shelved and a few who are considered day-to-day. The day-to-day group includes Christian Yelich and Jacob Misiorowski. Yelich has been held out of the lineup for the last two games as he deals with minor back tightness, a lingering issue that has affected him for the last few years, while Misiorowski exited his start on Wednesday night after only the seventh inning as he once again dealt with cramps. He’s reportedly set to make his next start on schedule. Outfielders Brandon Lockridge and Akil Baddoo are both out with leg injuries, with Baddoo scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend and Lockridge expected to be out until at least mid-June. On the pitching side, Rob Zastryzny (late May), Brandon Woodruff (late May), Jared Koenig (late May/early June), Quinn Priester (early June), and Angel Zerpa (out for the season) are all on the IL.
The Twins IL several key players, so I’ll give the quick-ish rundown. The list includes starting pitcher Pablo López, who is out for the season with a torn UCL, as well as Garrett Acton, Cody Laweryson, David Festa, Mick Abel, Cole Sands, and Taj Bradley. Outfielder Byron Buxton is day-to-day with hip soreness, while Wisconsin-native Alan Roden is on the IL with Triple-A St. Paul. Top prospects Walker Jenkins (team No. 1, MLB No. 12), Emmanuel Rodriguez (team No. 4, MLB No. 54), and Charlee Soto (team No. 9) are all on the IL in the minors.
Offensively, the Brewers are led by Brice Turang, who seemingly gets better every game. He’s hitting .298/.422/.511 with six homers, 10 doubles, 27 RBIs, 33 runs, and eight steals this season. Jake Bauers adds six homers, and Gary Sánchez has five. Other key contributors include William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn, Jackson Chourio, and Yelich (when healthy). Rounding out the position player group, those guys are joined by Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Joey Ortiz, David Hamilton, Luis Rengifo, and Blake Perkins. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .245/.336/.359 (.695 OPS ranks 19th), with 27 homers (last), 209 runs (eighth), and 43 steals (fifth).
Buxton leads Minnesota’s offense with 15 homers this year, and he’s hitting .260/.319/.580 over 40 games. Ryan Jeffers has added six homers, while Brooks Lee ranks third with five. Austin Martin has quietly been one of the better hitters for the Twins, hitting .333/.454/.429 over 38 games, and Luke Keaschall leads the team with 10 steals this year. Victor Caratini, Kody Clemens, Royce Lewis, Tristan Gray, Josh Bell, Ryan Keidler, Trevor Larnach, and James Outman round out the Minnesota offense. As a team, the Twins are hitting .236/.325/.385 (.710 OPS ranks 13th), with 49 homers (tied for 12th), 211 runs (seventh), and 40 steals (tied for sixth).
The Brewers bullpen is anchored by the fireman duo of Aaron Ashby and DL Hall, as Ashby leads the majors with a perfect 7-0 record across 20 appearances, with a 2.00 ERA and 43 strikeouts across 27 innings. Hall has a 1.80 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 20 innings. Grant Anderson hasn’t appeared as often recently, though he still ranks second on the team with 19 appearances. Abner Uribe has now blown two saves with a 4.96 ERA, though he’s still one of the best pitchers on the team when he’s playing well. Trevor Megill has bounced back after an ice-cold start, allowing just two earned runs over his last 10 innings (1.80 ERA). Jake Woodford, Shane Drohan, and Brian Fitzpatrick round things out. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.35 team ERA (third), including a 3.27 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.44 bullpen ERA (seventh). They’ve struck out 402 batters (fourth) over 365 1/3 innings.
As you’ll see with the team stats below, the Twins’ bullpen hasn’t been great this season. Former Brewer Justin Topa leads the team with 21 appearances, and Anthony Banda is right behind him with 20 appearances, though both have ERAs over 7.00. Kody Funderburk (who is now at Triple-A, thanks to some control issues) was probably the best pitcher, at least statistically, with a 2.81 ERA over 16 innings. The current group of Eric Orze (4.26 ERA), Taylor Rogers (4.41 ERA), Andrew Morris (4.67 ERA), and Luis García (10.57 ERA) has all had their share of troubles this season. The newest bullpen edition, Kendry Rojas, has been solid through three appearances, with a 2.45 ERA over 7 1/3 innings. As a staff, the Twins have a 4.49 team ERA (23rd), including a 3.88 starter ERA (ninth) and a 5.38 bullpen ERA (29th). They’ve struck out 332 batters (26th) over 387 innings.
Probable Pitchers
Friday, May 15 @ 6:10 p.m.: TBD vs. RHP Joe Ryan (2-3, 3.43 ERA, 3.04 FIP)
The Brewers have not yet announced a starter for game 1 or game 3 of this series. Friday night’s starter would be lined up as Chad Patrick, but the Brewers have used him in a bit more of a bullpen role lately, as he went three innings in relief against the Yankees on Saturday before tossing a perfect inning against the Padres on Tuesday. I’d expect that whether or not he’s the starter, we’ll see him at some point in this one, and likely for multiple innings. The 27-year-old righty has a 3.06 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 26 strikeouts over 35 1/3 innings this season. Patrick made a start against the Twins last May, taking the loss as he allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts over six frames.
Ryan, 30 in June, is in his sixth MLB season, all with the Twins. An All-Star last season, Ryan has a similar stat line so far in 2026, with a 3.43 ERA, a 3.04 FIP, and 45 strikeouts over 44 2/3 innings. The former seventh-round pick went six innings against the Guardians in his last appearance, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out five in a no-decision. Ryan has made four appearances against Milwaukee in his career, with a 1-1 record, 3.18 ERA, and 25 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings. He went 1-1 against Milwaukee last season, with the win coming in the same game that Patrick lost.
The only officially announced starter for Milwaukee, this will mark Henderson’s fourth start of 2026. He’s allowed exactly two runs in all three of his starts this year, including two runs over five innings against the Yankees on Mother’s Day, striking out five and taking the no-decision as Brice Turang ultimately played hero. One thing of note: each of Henderson’s last two starts ended before the 80-pitch mark (76 on May 3 against the Nationals, 74 on Sunday). This marks Henderson’s first career appearance against Minnesota.
Prielipp, 25, was born and raised in Tomah, Wisconsin. A second-round pick out of the University of Alabama in 2022, he made his MLB debut just a few weeks ago, as this will mark his fifth career start. Ranked as Minnesota’s No. 5 team prospect by MLB Pipeline, he has a 3.32 ERA, 4.37 FIP, and 21 strikeouts over 19 innings this year. He went five innings against the Guardians in his last appearance, allowing four runs (just one earned) on four hits and two walks, striking out six in his first loss. This marks Prielipp’s first career appearance against Milwaukee.
Sunday, May 17 @ 1:10 p.m.: TBD vs. RHP Bailey Ober (4-2, 3.46 ERA, 3.84 FIP)
Rookie right-hander Brandon Sproat would be lined up to take the ball in the series finale if the last turn through the rotation holds. Sproat is coming off a decent start on Tuesday night against the Padres, earning his first MLB win in appearance No. 12 as he went 5 1/3 innings with three runs allowed on six hits and two walks, striking out six. For the season, he has a 5.75 ERA, 5.74 FIP, and 36 strikeouts over 36 innings. This would mark Sproat’s first career appearance against Minnesota.
Like Ryan, Ober, 30, is in his sixth MLB season, all with Minnesota. The former 12th-round pick has turned in a few solid seasons during his career, but he’s coming off his worst season to date, as he had a 5.10 ERA and 4.90 FIP over 146 1/3 innings in 2025. He’s looked better thus far in 2026, though, with a 3.46 ERA, 3.84 FIP, and 39 strikeouts over 52 innings. He’s coming off a complete game shutout performance against the Marlins, in which he threw just 89 pitches and allowed just two hits (no walks) with seven strikeouts in a 3-0 win. This marks Ober’s third career start against the Brewers. Both of his previous starts came in 2023, when he totaled 11 innings with four runs allowed (3.27 ERA) and 10 strikeouts, picking up a win and a no-decision.
How to Watch & Listen
Friday, May 8: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Saturday, May 9: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Sunday, May 10: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Prediction
Despite entering the season predicted to finish at the bottom of the AL Central (and possibly the entire AL or even MLB), the Twins have held their own thus far, as they’re just a few games under .500. Still, the Brewers seem to be playing some of their best baseball right now, which makes me confident they can take two of three here.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 27: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Four on April 27, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, including multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players with trade value. The following series will examine those decisions as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each.
Ever since his arrival, Collin Gillespie has taken the Valley by storm and shown he’s a piece of this future. Last year, when he took off on his two-way venture, many did not know his name, but he sure changed that sentiment real fast. After the Suns had seen some injuries (per usual), he was thrust into the rotation and made a name for himself.
That small sample size gave the Suns’ front office confidence to bring him back on a one-year deal. One that Gillespie wanted, as he knew his role would increase, and he could earn a hefty payday. This was deemed the right decision, as the guard exploded onto the scene and fans around the league started to realize he had some potential.
The guard had an electric year, not only showing up on the stat sheet but also breaking a franchise record in his first full year with the team. Gillespie doubled his minutes, now seeing almost 29 per game, and posted 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks while shooting 42/40/87 on the season. He also broke the Suns’ three-point record for most in a season, breaking Quentin Richardson’s record. Gillespie finished the year with 232 makes, which was an incredible feat to witness.
Add this to his great playmaking and recognition to run an offense, and it was beneficial for the team. Whether it was the starting unit with Jalen Green out or the bench unit when everyone was healthy, he was one of the true initiators on this team. He also grew a nice connection with big man Oso Ighodaro, one that seemed to flourish when they were together.
All of this discussion surrounding him and how he found this path on the Suns should prompt the Suns to re-sign the guard. The question, though, remains: how much would it cost?
Even if he did run into a shooting slump late in the year, I think the best version of Gillespie on a healthy team will resemble his start of the year. In a role where he can come off the bench and be that true six-man and even close out games if he is hot offensively, is where he will thrive.
With the Suns having early-bird rights on his contract, they can go over the salary cap to bring him back. This will be a big factor in the ability to keep him, as opposing franchises could outprice the Suns if they want to sign him.
Finding a contract that reflects his play and his value to the franchise can be hard, but a happy medium of around 11-13M annually seems like a good price to meet. On a three-to four-year extension that would resemble some other solid backup point guard contracts.
With him making just over 2M this season, this will be a huge payday for the guard, who I believe would be more than happy to continue his journey here in Phoenix. This is the team that allowed him to get into the spotlight, and they should not let that talent walk out the door.
The Suns want to stay competitive and keep building on this successful season. Re-signing Gillespie lets you do that while keeping the fans happy. That being said, I think the Suns should bring him back at any cost.
It's the offseason for most teams around the NBA and squads are meeting with draft prospects at the combine in Chicago.
While some teams are weighing their options, others are considering whether they will use their pick and select a draftee or trade the pick for other assets.
The Warriors are going after those guys, or players of their caliber. Golden State wants to bring in another star ... but not at the expense of their No. 11 pick. The team has no plans to part ways with their draft pick, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears.
"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people, the Warriors like to keep that pick," Spears said during a May 14 appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today."
The Warriors are expected to keep the 11th pick of the draft, per @MarcJSpears
"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people the Warriors like to keep that pick" pic.twitter.com/xAYydFiRL8
The NBA league office declared that officials were right to withold their whistles in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter of Wednesday night’s Cavaliers-Pistons Game 5 in Detroit, won by Cleveland, 117-113, in OT .
In a tie game with about a second left in regulation, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen appeared to step on and trip Detroit’s Ausar Thompson as the latter went for the loose ball.
Rather than call a foul and send Thompson to the line, the referees let play go on, sending the game to overtime.
“[Jarrett Allen] fouled Ausar,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said during the postgame press conference. “It’s clear. He trips him when he’s going for a loose ball. End of game situation, that’s tough.”
“That’s a foul,” the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham said. “It’s been a foul the whole game — wasn’t a foul at that time.”
“We, the Pistons, we know it was a foul,” Detroit’s Daniss Jenkins added. “But we don’t expect that.”
Jarrett Allen appears to step on Ausar Thompson’s leg during a loose ball. The Pistons weren’t happy with this no-call during the final seconds of regulation in their Game 5 loss to the Cavaliers. @bkoz02/X
“Allen and Thompson legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact,” the report read.
The league’s ruling echoes what crew chief Tony Brothers told a pool reporter after the game.
“During live play, both players were going for the ball and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball,” Brothers said.
With the win, the Cavaliers will have a chance to close out the series in Cleveland on Friday, with the Knicks waiting in the Eastern Conference finals.
During a dreadful month of April, it felt like whenever the Mets fell into an early deficit, the game was over.
Of late though, they’ve started to show more fight.
We saw it as they battled to take the series opener in extras last weekend in Arizona, and then in all three games of the homestand-opening set with the Detroit Tigers.
For just the third time in franchise history, New York came back from multiple runs down in each of the matchups as they locked of their first series sweep of the season.
“It’s great to see,” manager Carlos Mendoza said following Thursday's victory.
New York fell behind 2-0 in the top of the second on Tuesday night before they rattled off 10 unanswered runs, sparked by a spectacular big-league debut from top prospect A.J. Ewing.
They came from behind again on Wednesday night after Detroit was spotted a pair of runs in the first, eventually winning it in the bottom of the 10th on Carson Benge’s first career walk-off hit.
And then on Thursday afternoon the offense homered five times and Nolan McLean put forward his gutsiest outing thus far, battling through seven innings of work despite not having his best stuff.
Overall, it was one of the Mets’ most complete showings to this point in the season.
"During that tough stretch it felt like every time we got down a couple of runs the game was over," Mendoza said. "Now we’re down three runs in the first inning and you still feel good out there -- you can just sense it in the dugout.
"The pitching is going to keep us in games, they’ve done it all year -- it’s good to see the guys fight back -- they’re resilient. They aren’t going to give up, they aren’t going to put their heads down, they are just going to keep going."
Even with the majority of their regulars in the starting lineup sidelined to injuries, the Mets have now won three of their last four series and eight of their first 12 games to open the month of May.
They’ll look to keep rolling this weekend against the suddenly struggling Yankees in the Subway Series.
“We just have to do it one day at a time,” Mendoza emphasized. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves -- you enjoy today, but then you have to come back tomorrow, understanding you have a really good team coming to town.
“It’s going to take a consistent, good brand baseball, executing and just playing our best at the highest level -- I’m confident with the personnel that we have in there that we’re going to be able to do that.”
Paul Boutilier, a defenseman who played five seasons with the 1980s Islanders and helped the team win a Stanley Cup, has died, the NHL Alumni Association confirmed Thursday.
Boutilier was 63 years old. No cause of death was announced.
“We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, friends, and former teammates during this incredibly difficult time,” the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement.
Islanders defenseman Paul Boutilier with the puck during a March 1984 game. Getty Images
Boutilier’s career in the NHL spanned parts of nine seasons, playing for the Islanders organization from 1981-86. He would make stops with the Bruins, North Stars, Rangers and Jets.
He played a small role with the Islanders during their final championship of the dynasty era, appearing in 29 regular-season games in the 1982-83 season and playing in two postseason contests, which earned him the right to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Boutilier played junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Castors in 1980 and was taken by the Islanders in the first round of the 1981 NHL Draft.
He made his NHL debut on Halloween 1981 and scored his first NHL a little more than a year later on Nov. 18, 1982, at Nassau Coliseum against the Bruins.
Boutilier split time between the QMJHL and the NHL during the 1982-83 season and then played for the Islanders and the CHL’s Indianapolis Checkers during the 1983-84 campaign.
He played 213 regular-season games with the Islanders during his career, along with another 36 appearances in the playoffs for the Isles.
Islanders defenseman Paul Boutilier (right) defends the Rangers’ Ron Greschner (center) who tries to sneak the puck past goalie Kelly Hrudey during a November 1985 game. Getty Images
During the 1986-87 season, Boutilier played for the Bruins, North Stars and the Rangers, lacing up his skates in four games with the Blueshirts.
Boutilier represented Canada on a number of occasions and won gold during the 1982 World Junior Championship.
After he finished his playing career, Boutilier moved into coaching, where he served as an assistant coach for Saint Mary’s University in Canada.
He served in the role from 1991-93 and then was promoted to head coach, remaining in that position until 1997.
Pat Cummins has rubbished reports he is among a group of Australian cricketers considering quitting the Big Bash to play in South Africa’s T20 competition unless they get higher pay offers.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 9: Zack Gelof #20 of the Athletics bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 9, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Bill Streicher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After an especially tough loss — such as when you are quite literally a strike away from winning and lose — everything feels more bleak. Just as after an exhilarating win the team might feel invincible. As always the truth is somewhere in between.
As I write following a disappointing loss, I see more positives than negatives but that optimism is also measured. This A’s team, as currently constituted, is very talented and very flawed, so it feels about right that the team sits around the .500 mark, now 1 game over at 22-21.
The A’s have come by their record losing some games they should have won and winning some games should have lost. But they have ultimately achieved what had to be the overarching goal for April-May: stay with the Mariners, stay in contact with the .500 mark, hang in there while hopefully the roster gets some key fortification, e.g., perhaps Gage Jump sooner and even Leo De Vries later.
Now the way the A’s have kept pace with and even stayed ahead of, the Mariners has to do largely with Seattle playing surprisingly poorly the first 7 weeks. Projected by analysts to win more like 96 games than 80, nonetheless the Mariners have sputtered out of the gate and that has kept the A’s in good stead.
But here’s the reason for my “leaning towards optimism”. It’s not just that the A’s have gotten where they are with two key pieces, Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom, greatly underperforming, though this does offer some hope that “the best is yet to come” for this team. That’s not it, because as Butler and Soderstrom progress, surely Shea Langeliers and Carlos Cortes will not continue to masquerade as a batting leader and one who would lead even Langeliers if he had enough PAs to qualify. Though they are welcome to, of course.
The reason even today’s game was not as bad as it feels is that the A’s may have solved 2 positions that were very iffy going into the season.
Zack Gelof’s play at 3B combined with his work at the plate have been true revelations, to where it feels quite reasonably like the A’s may have found their 3Bman for the long haul. In the field, despite the limitations of his arm strength Gelof has looked smooth and effective, using the Mark Ellis great footwork/positioning and quick release, with accurate throws, to offset the weak arm.
At the plate, Gelof is not swinging and missing nearly as much and his contact is back to being more lethal. For the season now Gelof is up to .270/.316/.527, which is noteworthy when you put it next to his 2023 rookie half season that generated so much excitement: .267/.337/.504.
For the A’s to have found, in the most roundabout way, a quality every day 3Bman who contributes on both sides of the ball, is huge for the last 119 games.
Meanwhile, Henry Bolte’s debut was exciting enough but in some ways today’s game was even better. Bolte consistently hit balls hard, even though he wound up with only one single to show for it: EVs of 100, 104.4, 109.4 on the 3 balls he hit. He has also opened his big league career striking out in just 1 of his 8 plate appearances.
There is/was understandable concern around whether Bolte’s tantalizing skills would translate to the big leagues, and even if they did whether they would anytime soon. Just 22, Bolte has elite raw skills — speed, power, bat speed — but has come with some important red flags, e.g., high K rates, high whiff rates.
If Bolte is, in fact, at the level of “a legit starting CFer,” that’s also huge for a team that has crossed its fingers that Denzel Clarke can hit over the Mendoza line and has settled for throwing Butler out in CF even though neither his bat nor his glove have been adequate.
If today moved the needle on anything, it only solidified the notion that the A’s may have found a quality 3Bman and a quality CFer to carry them going forward. That depth also enhances a currently weak bench, allowing for players such as Butler, Cortes, and Max Muncy to potentially offer luxuries as utility players or part-time starters.
None of this analysis has really touched on the pitching, other than a passing mention of Jump. The A’s may go only as far as their rotation can provide some stability and more length than it has offered to date. The bullpen has been volatile and still has few relievers that allow fans to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
But here the A’s are, over .500, ahead of the Mariners in the standings, and having possibly identified quality players at two of their weakest positions going into the season. As Al Pacino would say, “22-21, 1 game up on Seattle……and I’m just getting warmed up!” Hoo-ah.
With baseball’s two challenge systems, it feels rare when the sport has a managerial ejection with some extra fire.
But A.J. Hinch brought back some of the old days during a Thursday matinee.
The Tigers manager was tossed in the fourth inning of Detroit’s 9-4 loss to the Mets at Citi Field when he boiled over following a controversial decision on a challenge call at third base.
A.J. Hinch was ejected for arguing a challenge call during the Mets’ 9-4 win over the Tigers on May 14, 2026 at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
With Gage Workman on second and nobody out in the top half of the frame, Zach McKinstry blooped a single in front of Mets left fielder MJ Melendez.
Workman saw the play in front of him and then bolted for third, but Melendez’s throw to third baseman Brett Baty was in time for a tag and the first out.
Or was it?
Hinch challenged the call, and multiple replays — including one on the big video board in center field — appeared to show Workman not only beat the tag, but stay on the base as Baty kept the glove on him.
A.J. Hinch got his money’s worth before he left the ballgame. Robert Sabo for NY PostTigers manager AJ Hinch argues with the home plate umpire and is ejected. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
After a lengthy review, home plate umpire Jordan Baker announced to the New York crowd that the call on the field stood. Hinch was incensed and started barking toward Baker, who, before turning off his microphone, could be heard saying: “Not me. You’re gone!”
Baker was likely referring to the fact that he was not the one in charge of making the decision on the review, as once a play gets challenged, the decision gets sent to the MLB Replay Command in Manhattan.
Either way, Hinch came barking out the dugout and pointed angrily at the home plate ump after he was officially tossed.
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A.J. Hinch just got tossed arguing an out call at third base after the play was upheld pic.twitter.com/drm2WCom99
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 14, 2026
“They showed it on the board, which I think is the biggest board in baseball,” Hinch said afterward, according to The Detroit News. “If they’re going to do that, I’m going to defend my team.”
“[Baker] threw me out from the dugout. I didn’t say anything I thought was worthy of it. And then I’ve got to come out of the dugout. I was very frustrated with it. Just the whole thing, from the play being shown from multiple angles on the field, the fans, players, coaches, me we all watched it. But they didn’t see it in New York
so the call stands. You guys saw the rest.”
Gage Workman was called out, which stood on a replay review. Robert Sabo for NY PostBrett Baty tags out Gage Workman during the fourth inning of the Mets’ win over the Tigers. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
He got his money’s worth for about 30 seconds before walking back to the visiting dugout and subsequently the clubhouse.
One pitch later, Spencer Torkelson hit into an inning-ending double play, and the Mets, who were trailing by three runs at the time, rallied for nine runs, largely on the strength of a season-high five home runs.
The Tigers, after getting swept three games in New York, have now lost eight of nine games.
Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay blasted the Mets’ president of baseball operations over his offseason moves, which included shedding several franchise mainstays in favor of short-term deals for oft-injured veterans.
Even with their three-game winning streak, the Amazin’s 18-25 record is tied with the Giants for second-worst in the majors.
Michael Kay blasted David Stearns over his offseason moves. AP
Superstars Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto have both missed time with injuries, while offseason additions Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Bo Bichette and Luke Weaver have battled prolonged absences or slumps of their own.
Michael Kay took issue with David Stearns for letting Mets mainstays walk in favor of oft-injured veterans. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“Every move he made has not worked,” Kay said Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Michael Kay Show.” “It’s like some of these things didn’t even come to David Stearns’ mind as he was putting the team together.
“This guy is operating under his own guidelines when the rest of the sport is operating completely differently.”
Kay criticized Stearns for overlooking red flags in injury histories such as Polanco and Robert Jr., and for trying to fill the third base vacancy with a player (Bichette) who had never played the position.
While the Mets are in the midst of a three-game winning streak, the team endured a brutal losing streak earlier in the season.
Additionally, Kay hit Stearns for allowing Pete Alonso, the franchise’s all-time leader in home runs, to leave for the Orioles despite his durability.
“You took Pete Alonso and this is a guy who you wouldn’t sign to a five-year deal,” Kay began. “But one thing that Pete Alonso gave you was availability. He played every game; the guy was a bull. You never had to worry about him being scratched or being injured — he played every game.
“Instead, you sign a guy [Polanco] who can’t get healthy. How’s that looking now? Just an awful maneuver by David Stearns.”
During his seven seasons in Flushing, Alonso missed just 24 games, while Polanco already has missed 29 games because of Achilles and wrist injuries.
Kay praised the Mets’ decision to promote top prospect A.J. Ewing, who has enjoyed a hot start to his MLB career.
After reaching base four times in his debut Tuesday, Ewing hit his first career homer Thursday in the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Tigers, which sealed a three-game sweep.
“So you look at this, and you go, ‘Well, that’s kind of a panic move.’ And I go, ‘Good. They need to panic. They need to panic. They still have a chance,'” Kay said. “You can’t keep rolling out the same lineup that doesn’t hit and expect things to change.”
Nolan McLean reacts during the Mets' win against the Tigers on May 14.
Nolan McLean gave up a three-run home run to the fifth batter he saw Thursday afternoon, but the Mets rookie still pieced together an encouraging outing.
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After some early struggles with his command, McLean pushed through seven innings and finished with six hits, three earned runs and seven strikeouts.
“I mean, got to take it for what it was,” McLean said after the victory. “Obviously, gave up the homer in the first, so it was a quick 3-0 lead for them. Like I’ve talked about a bunch, my job is to go as deep as I can regardless on how well I’m pitching or not. So I’m pretty happy with getting into the seventh today.”
Nolan McLean reacts during the Mets’ 9-4 win against the Tigers on May 14, 2026 at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg
The 24-year-old exploded with emotion after capping the seventh with back-to-back strikeouts of Jake Rogers and Kevin McGonigle.
In the wake of his slow start, McLean said he had to find what was working and get creative “a couple of times” to find the pitches that were connecting.
He found his curveball late, he noted, before his sinker control came back to him a bit.
“Man, he was pretty impressive,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Because not only did he give up that three-run homer, but I thought stuff-wise today was a little light. The sinker wasn’t there — just it took him a while. And for him to go seven innings there, it was pretty impressive. He fought, he battled, and he just kept trusting his pitches. I thought him and [catcher Hunter] Senger were on a really good page there.
“He takes a lot. You get hit on the face the first inning and then you just see it, stuff-wise, it was a battle for him.”
Juan Soto was in the lineup after the Mets’ $765 million man exited Wednesday night’s game due to an injury scare.
He batted third as the DH, going 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs.
Asked if he was concerned about an injury, Soto didn’t seem like it.
“I wasn’t concerned much,” he said. “I’d done it before. The point is, I wasn’t able to push. It was getting slow in big times, so I was just like trying to make a smart move, you know? But definitely, I know how to handle it.”
“The timetable is kind of what we announced, but we’re looking at the eight-week mark,” Mendoza said.
Francisco Lindor isn’t expected to return to the lineup anytime soon.
“He’s getting better, showing sign of healing,” Mendoza said. “Now we’re moving to the phase where [it’s] the strength part. In the weight room, before he starts his running progression. Positive sign. We just got to let it heal.”
Mendoza said he didn’t think Lindor needed any more imaging done on his left calf, which he strained April 22 while running the bases against the Twins.
Though the Mets manager didn’t have an updated timeline, he acknowledged the 32-year-old infielder was still a ways away.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during a press conference after Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Austin Reaves taking a leap this season was not new to his career. He’s made a habit of steady improvement throughout his career.
What was different about this season was that it came in a contract year. On the brink of his next big payday, Reaves played at an All-Star level. An untimely injury kept him out of the mid-February exhibition game, but it did not change his level of production.
For the fifth straight season, Reaves saw his scoring increase, this year jumping up to 23.3 points per game. And as a result, he’s set to rake in a whole lot of cash this summer. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the expectation around the league is that Reaves will get a contract around $40 million per year.
While team and league sources believe that the Lakers and Reaves will eventually land on a contract that makes sense, the door for Reaves to walk is open should he get a big offer elsewhere. Rival executives predicted Reaves could command $40 million a season due to a combination of his play, his age and, perhaps most importantly, a free-agent class completely devoid of players as productive as him in their prime.
While that number seems high, in the new NBA, it’s going to become far more standard to see deals this big. On the flip side, a number that big is going to limit the teams that could even offer him that in free agency. Woike also detailed the teams that could target Reaves.
At present, the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, who both have needs at the guard position, are the only teams with the sort of salary-cap space available to meet that sort of financial mark. Other teams that are known to have some interest in Reaves — like Utah and Atlanta, per league sources — would need to make roster moves to find the necessary space. League sources say winning will be a significant factor in Reaves’ thinking.
Having said all that, there have been no indications that Reaves is going to leave for another team. Luka Dončić has campaigned for him, Austin has made it clear he wants to return and the Lakers want him back.
The other good news is that his big deal won’t stop LA from making deals this summer. His cap hold will be about half of that expected $40 million salary. As our own Bryan Toporek previously wrote, his low cap hold will be the key to the team’s free agency plans.
Since Reaves is an undrafted free agent rather than a first-round pick, he’ll have a relatively modest free-agent cap hold. As long as his 2025-26 salary ($13.9 million) is above the league’s average salary, his cap hold will be only 150% of his previous salary, or $20.9 million…The salary cap is projected to be north of $170 million in 2026-27, so Reaves would be eligible for a maximum starting salary of $42.5 million as a free agent.
Fortunately for the Lakers and Reaves, they should be able to have their cake and eat it, too. They can make free agent moves and then give Reaves the payday he has earned.
