They assigned forward Rutger McGroarty to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after he was a healthy scratch for Wednesday's season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers.
It also comes after forward Ben Kindel fully participated in Thursday's practice. Kindel is currently week-to-week with an injury that he aggravated during the Penguins' first pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres.
McGroarty played in 24 games for the Penguins last year, compiling three goals and six points. He also played eight games in the 2024-25 season, scoring one goal and totaling three points.
Overall, he has racked up four goals and nine points in 32 NHL games.
He'll now go down to the AHL to help WBS get off to a strong start to its 2026-27 AHL season. He'll likely be back with the NHL club later this year, especially if he plays well or injuries pile up.
The Penguins will play the Montreal Canadiens in their home opener at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
A baseball fan anxiously pulls at his hair as he listens to the first playoff game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis, Missouri. October 1, 1946.
I love the film Moneyball for a lot of reasons, but one part of the film really resonates now.
If you recall, Billy Beane’s life was baseball — once as a player and, as the movie starts, as the general manager for the Athletics.
But he doesn’t watch the games. At first pitch, he might be working out in the gym. He might go for a drive. But sit in the stadium and watch every excruciating pitch? No way.
Well, I never played baseball and nothing in my personal life depends on the outcome of the Rays postseason and yet….when the postseason starts I feel so stressed that I can barely watch.
When it’s a series against a rival like the Yankees I’m nearly comatose with anxiety. The pain of losing to THOSE guys – with their air of entitlement, the sense that the world begins and ends with them. Their stupid minor league stadium dimensions (and then their fans griping if an opponent actually beats them shooting “home runs” to the short porch); their acting like they are better than the rest of us but then using a b-tier electronics store jingle ad to signify a strikeout. The thousands of New Yorkers who flee their region to enjoy OUR weather and OUR low taxes while continuing to root for the Yankees, and who then boast that they outnumber the Rays fans (which they don’t by the way, they are just very loud and obnoxious) when in fact they have priced long time Floridians out of the region.
Oh and by the way did I mention, I’m from New York City? So I really am entitled to call these folks out.
Anyway!
I thought baseball was the thing I did to escape the difficult parts of life. Work can be stressful, family can be complicated, there are fires and floods everywhere, so of course we turn to baseball, that traditional, pastoral sport for escape.
When we get to the postseason, however, it’s the baseball part that seems stressful.
In 2023 I decided to address this by going all in on participation. I bought tickets for all the Wild Card games (of which just two were played), got a new postseason shirt, cleared my work schedule and immersed myself in the game. And I was rewarded with the two worst Rays games I’ve ever seen, and I was around for the Devil Rays.
This year I’ve decided to stay home (clearly I was the bad luck charm) and I’m looking for ways to get into the right mindset to actually, you know, enjoy baseball. Ice cream? Meditation, with my new mantra: “Any October baseball is good. Any October baseball is good.”
Or maybe alcohol. I’ve created a drinking game where I take a shot every time someone — baseball folks, random fans on social media — says some variation of “who are these guys?” Double shots if a ball hits a catwalk. I invite you to join me, or if you aren’t a drinker substitute your substance of choice.
I also line up all my Rays swag and bobbleheads around my TV and light a few candles. That should surely help.
And if things get tense, well, I’ll go to the store.
Where are you on the anxiety-to-joy continuum? What is your strategy for dealing with the many Yankee fans certain to cast a dark shadow over the Trop this week?
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 07: Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks calls the bullpen during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Torey Lovullo will return as Diamondbacks manager. The club will hold a press conference later today.
So far, what we know is that it is a two-year deal, which means he is staying in the dessert through at least 2028. Of course, plenty can change before then, but this seems the most likely outcome, especially given all the uncertainty regarding the sport as a whole. The looming lockout is nothing to be trifled with. This move saves the club from having to find a new management team in the short period of time they will have before the lockout starts or in the even shorter window after the lockout is over and games begin.
Stay glued to the Pit for updates once the team holds the announcement presser.
Sports betting is everywhere. One place – or person, rather – where you won’t find any support is with San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.
According to the American Gaming Association, sports betting revenue surged to a record $16.96 billion in 2025, a staggering 22.8% year-over-year increase. That figure was bolstered by a 22% annual growth of the online sports betting market.
Despite the popularity, and despite the potential revenue Wembanyama could net, he’s not interested in those endorsements.
“Absolutely not,” Wembanyama told reporters Thursday, Oct. 1 when asked if he would ever become a brand ambassador for a sports gambling company. “I would never do that. Honestly, I think it’s very sad to see some players promote it, in my opinion. Everybody does whatever they want, but without me.”
As the landscape for sports betting and prediction markets has exploded in recent years, several players have profited by signing deals to endorse these companies.
Recently, LeBron James’ previous deal with DraftKings expired, so he partnered with Polymarket. In February 2026, Giannis Antetokounmpo took a passive equity stake in Kalshi that is less than 1%, and he’s doing promotional work for the prediction market. Boardroom, a sports and entertainment media network co-founded by Kevin Durant, has partnered with FanDuel, with Durant frequently appearing in ads and even floating proposed parlay bets that fans and users can tail.
Wembanyama, 22, has repeatedly been outspoken about several cultural and societal issues, from his rejection of soda products, to saying he was “horrified” of fatal shootings of civilians by federal immigration enforcement officers.
Similarly, Wembanyama has expressed a desire to be very intentional about the brands he partners with.
“In the past, a dimension of money, but not anymore,” Wembanyama said. “But even with that, I refused much, much more money than I’ve made for things that were not to my values. And now I want to promote things that have a good impact, have a good influence with who I can share messages and values. The one thing that’s very important for me: our biggest strength is not our millions and millions (of dollars), our biggest strength is by inspiring. And we can inspire in a good or bad way.
“I want to inspire in a good way; that’s the strongest thing I can do.”
Receiving the club’s best and fairest award on Thursday, the player apologised for ‘extreme difficulty’ and says absence was ‘heartbreaking’
Isaac Heeney says he “can’t wait” to continue his AFL career at the Sydney Swans after the midfielder was crowned the club’s best and fairest player.
In a two-minute pre-recorded video to mark the 30-year-old’s third Bob Skilton medal, Heeney voiced his determination to resurrect his playing career after serving a club-imposed suspension throughout finals.
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In 1969, the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers — who were the Seattle Pilots for one season — were founded as MLB expansion teams.
Now, 58 short years later, the perennial National League contenders are meeting in the postseason for the first time.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, the best-of-five NLDS will get underway at Milwaukee’s American Family Field with the Brewers’ ace and Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski (16-5, 1.80 ERA) on the hill.
Following a two-game stint in the Cream City, the series will move to SoCal for a pair of contests at San Diego’s PETCO Park. They’re slated to take place:
If you’d like to be there, tickets are available for both high-stakes hypothetical San Diego showdowns.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets for either game was $121 including fees on Vivid Seats.
Prices start at $99 including fees for the three potential meetings in Milwaukee.
Before this series, the Padres got revenge against the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round, sweeping MVP hopeful Pete Crow-Armstrong’s club at home after losing to them in three games to open the playoffs last year.
“They’re playing great baseball right now,” San Diego manager Craig Stammen said about his club.
Next up, they have a tall task taking on MLB’s winningest team in 2026.
Oddsmakers project the Brewers are -180 favorites going into the NLDS.
Yet, it should be factored in that San Diego took four of their six meetings over the course of the regular season including a clutch 4-3, eleven-inning victory on Aug. 12.
Is this the year that one of these two clubs finally gets over the hump and returns to the World Series?
While we can’t say for certain we do know that their first-ever postseason meeting with some of the game’s hardest flamethrowers in Misiorowski and Mason Miller should be downright electric.
Don’t miss this one. We just might have an instant classic on our hands.
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the Padres vs. Brewers 2026 NLDS below.
What do tickets cost to see the Padres at home in the 2026 NLDS?
All hypothetical Padres home game dates at PETCO Park and links to the cheapest tickets available are listed here:
Padres home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 3 Tuesday, Oct. 6
$121(including fees)
Game 4 Wednesday, Oct. 7
$132(including fees)
How much are tickets for Brewers 2026 NLDS games in Milwaukee?
A complete calendar of all potential Brewers home games at American Family Field and the lowest-priced tickets can be found below.
Brewers home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 1 Saturday, Oct. 3 7:30 p.m.
$111(including fees)
Game 2 Sunday, Oct. 4 3 p.m.
$99(including fees)
Game 5 Saturday, Oct. 10
$162(including fees)
Are Padres tickets available for later rounds?
Starry-eyed fans looking to get ahead of themselves can procure potential NLCS and World Series tickets before the NLDS even begins.
To grab seats for the game of your choosing, all hypothetical Padres playoff tickets can be found here.
How to watch the Padres in the 2026 playoffs
Fans that prefer to watch on the tube, you can catch Padres playoff contests on FOX, which can be found on DIRECTV.
Huge 2026-27 San Diego shows
The Yankees aren’t the only huge attraction in America’s Finest City these next few months.
Here are just five of the biggest acts headed to San Diego in the near future.
• Metallica
• Don Omar
• Gorillaz
• Los Tigres del Norte
• Teddy Swims
Who else is out and about? Take a look at this list of all the biggest artists coming to the Pechanga Arena these next few months to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
England’s identity under Steve Borthwick is not as clear as it should be this close to the tournament
It was not so long ago that the Rugby Football Union would host an annual Christmas bash. Executives, head coaches, assistants, members of staff and an invitation to the press pack. Mince pies and mulled wine, even a touch of merriment if we were lucky. Eddie Jones would sometimes make an appearance, but the mind goes back to one year when he did not.
To give him his due Steve Borthwick, his assistant at the time, did. He would probably rather have been anywhere else, but one of the more clear-eyed RFU employees, who had long-since figured out that the then forwards coach was destined for the top job, did their utmost to involve him. Alas, Borthwick soon had a long-distance train to catch and hours of in-depth analysis on a laptop ahead of him.
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 28: Jalen Green #4 and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at the 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
My annual “5 Lineups to look forward to” piece is finally here. The season must be getting closer, folks.
This is one of the deepest Suns teams in recent memory, even with the Mark Williams injury factored in. Thinking back to some of the past issues I’ve done this for, it was slim pickings. Now, I struggled to fit everyone in.
The question is, can Jordan Ott figure out how to maximize that depth with the right combinations and minute distributions? He has the rest of training camp and the preseason to figure it out.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 01: Khaman Maluach #10 and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate a win against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 01, 2025 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This lineup gives the Suns a strong blend of size and athleticism, while keeping just enough scoring on the court between Booker and Brooks to make it work. On paper, assuming Fleming and Maluach both make leaps, this could be the Suns’ best overall defensive unit. Oso may have something to say about that, but either way… this team would cause chaos.
Goodwin at the point of attack. Booker taking on the two. Brooks bodying the smaller wing/forward and Fleming harassing the larger wing/forward, with Maluach lurking in the back line. This could be a winning lineup.
Lineup 2: Bench Mob + Book + Floor Spacing
Collin Gillespie – Luke Kennard – Devin Booker – Jordan Goodwin – Khaman Maluach
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 28: Luke Kennard #8 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I tried to draft up the most optimal floor spacing unit for Devin Booker. Gillespie and Kennard at the 1 and 2, with Booker playing “up” as a wing and Jordan Goodwin at the 4, anchored by Man Man down low, who can also pick and pop.
This could be a unit we see occasionally, even with Bridges at the 4 here to give Green and Brooks run in a staggered lineup opposite of Book/Bridges. There could be some defensive concerns with this group, but it would questionably be their best shooting combination.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 28: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This lineup is basically surrounding your two best shooters and small(er) guards with three super athletic players. We may not see this specific lineup a ton, but it could be one of those late-game lineups that gets thrown out there whenever the game is already decided.
Not garbage time, the time just before it hits garbage time, where there’s just too much time left to call it that. That’s when they’d throw this unit out there.
Lineup 4: Balance
Devin Booker – Luke Kennard – Dillon Brooks – Miles Bridges – Oso Ighodaro
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 30: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns keeps teammate Dillon Brooks #3 away from Nae'Qwan Tomlin #35 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of an NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 30, 2026 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. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This lineup has a decent blend of scoring, shooting, size, and just enough playmaking, with Oso handling some point center duties along with Booker as the primary ball-handler.
It very well could be one of the first subs we see (or Collin Gillespie) to take over Green’s spot alongside the starters for floor spacing or playmaking purposes, depending on what they feel they need most.
Lineup 5: Athleticism over everything
Jalen Green – Miles Bridges – Koa Peat – Rasheer Fleming – Khaman Maluach
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 28: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is a very realistic chance that we do not see this lineup next season at all. Miles Bridges at the 2?! Why not. Let’s get weird. It’s a requirement to throw at least one curveball your way in these pieces.
I really wanted to find somewhere to place Pat Spencer. With the Booker/Green backcourt plus Gillespie, Kennard, and Goodwin off the bench, it’s a tough ask. Ryan Dunn was also omitted due to my affinity for Fleming and Peat.
What lineups are you looking forward to the most? Let us know below!
In a year where the (not particularly inspiring) tagline for playoff baseball is “No Time Like October”, only one out of four Wild Card series made it to today, the actual first day of the month. Aren’t we so lucky that it was Braves vs. Phillies? /s
Two games into the postseason and three sweeps later, the Padres, Yankees, and papally-blessed White Sox have punched their tickets to the next round. The swift eliminations of the Cubs, Red Sox, and Astros means the singular scenario for a night game at Truist Park has come to fruition.
Tonight’s winner-take-all game will decide which NL East team will board the plane to Los Angeles for the weekend to play in the National League Division Series, aiming to deny the two-time defending World Series champions their shot at a three-peat.
Doesn’t it feel like it was always destined to come down to this? A pair of divisonal rivals, with fanbases that passionately hate each other, both trying to dispel a miasma of past playoff failures. Apparently, this makes for tremendous baseball for those without a specific rooting interest or stake in it.
Unfortunately, we here at Battery Power are rooting very hard for the home team. And we would do pretty much anything to trade exciting and entertaining baseball for easy and comfortable victories. But if you’ve been following the team this season, you know they like to do things the hard way. So here we are.
The Atlanta Braves will send Ray Kerr to the mound to start for Game 3. Kerr returned to the majors on August 16 after missing two years due to Tommy John surgery and long rehab process. The lanky lefty is capable of multiple innings and had a 1.47 ERA and .600 WHIP in nine games.
Kerr faced the Phillies for a solid third of his 18.1 innings pitched in the regular season. His two outings were as follows:
September 5: 3.1 innings of one-hit ball (a single by Kyle Schwarber) and one strikeout
September 13: 3.0 innings of one-hit ball (a double by Bryce Harper) and four strikeouts
In the latter game, Kerr relieved starter Grant Holmes. The roles will reverse today; we can expect Holmes to follow for the bulk of the innings. A Braves bullpen unit that has been so strong all year faltered yesterday afternoon, but it is likely that all hands will be on deck to get all 27 outs tonight.
The Phillies are in the same mode and will counter with right-hander Aaron Nola. He is their most-rested option, but Zack Wheeler, Game 1’s starter Jesús Luzardo, and yesterday’s winning pitcher Andrew Painter are all also on the table. Closer Jhoan Duran was unavailable yesterday, and his status for tonight is not yet known.
The Braves are very familiar with Nola, of course. He has a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the team in 2026. He last pitched in Saturday for the pentultimate game of the regular season on short rest, lasting one inning after allowing three runs on four hits on 21 pitches.
It would be great to see the team in the home uniforms be the ones to Let It Fly – the leaders in home runs off Nola are Austin Riley with 7, Matt Olson with 5, and Ronald Acuña Jr. with 4.
Welcome to October. Who will shine brightest under the Truist Park lights?
Game Info
Game Time: Thursday, October 1, 8:00 pm EDT
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Watch: NBC/Peacock
Radio/Audio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM, ESPN Radio
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 28: Kelly Olynyk #8 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 28, 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
During the free agency waiting game this summer, many players were linked to the Golden State Warriors. While the Dubs ultimately went in a different direction, veteran center Kelly Olynyk was one name that came up in multiple reports. Now, it seems, Olynyk was unable to get an offer he wanted from an NBA team this offseason so he’s heading abroad. According to a report by Alessandro Magro of the Italian outlet Superbasket, Olynyk is expected to sign a deal with BC Roma in Italy.
While it’s technically possible that Olynyk could eventually return to the NBA, it seems most likely that his career in the most prestigious basketball league in the world has come to an end after 13 seasons. Now 35, Olynyk began his pro career with the Boston Celtics, who acquired the 13th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft to select him out of Gonzaga.
Olynyk immediately became a mainstay in the Celtics rotation as a valuable stretch big. He would subsequently play for the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, and San Antonio Spurs. Over his NBA career, Olynyk averaged 9.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 21.8 minutes per game on 48.6%/36.9%/79.4% shooting in 842 games (283 starts). However, this past season, Olynyk had the smallest role of his career on the Western Conference champion Spurs. He appeared in just 42 games, averaging just 8.6 minutes per appearance.
Darcy Kuemper’s return to the Kings’ crease could hardly have gone worse.
In Wednesday night’s season opener at Ball Arena, Kuemper surrendered eight goals on 29 shots, including four on the power play, as Los Angeles was overwhelmed by a Colorado Avalanche team that has given it fits for quite some time.
Yes, the Kings didn’t do their goaltender many favors. There were defensive breakdowns throughout the night, and Colorado made them pay for virtually every mistake. But Kuemper’s preseason struggles followed him into the opener, raising an immediate question about head coach Peter Laviolette’s decision to hand him the start.
That decision looks even more puzzling given what happened the last time these teams met.
The Kings were swept by Colorado in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, but they were far more competitive than the final result might suggest. A big reason for that was Anton Forsberg, who repeatedly gave Los Angeles a chance to stay in games against a talented Avalanche roster.
Colorado’s power play, meanwhile, was hardly a factor during the regular season despite the Avalanche entering the postseason as the Presidents’ Trophy winners. That clearly wasn’t the case Wednesday.
Colorado scored four times with the man advantage, turning what was already a difficult night for the Kings into a rout.
And while it would be unfair to pin all eight goals on Kuemper, it’s also fair to question why Laviolette went back to him in the first place.
Kuemper struggled through the preseason, and Forsberg had already shown he could handle the pressure against Colorado. Yet when the regular season arrived, Laviolette opted for the more expensive, more established option.
The result was an eight-goal night and a very bad start to the season.
Here’s the bottom line: If you put Forsberg in net, the Kings at least give themselves a legitimate chance to win that game.
Look back at the four-game playoff series against Colorado. Forsberg allowed an average of 3.25 goals per game and, despite the Kings being swept, repeatedly gave them an opportunity to stay within striking distance. Mackenzie Blackwood, meanwhile, gave up four goals in his season debut Wednesday.
You can make the argument that Kuemper had to get the start because he’s the Kings’ $5.25 million goaltender while Forsberg makes $2.25 million. But if that’s the reasoning, fine.
Just understand that when your decision results in an eight-goal embarrassment on opening night, criticism is going to come with it.
Laviolette made the call. Now he has to own this. Either way, the Kings’ goaltending situation has suddenly become one of the biggest storylines of their young season.
The Kings don’t have much time to dwell on the loss. They’ll head to San Jose on Saturday to face Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks, giving Laviolette his first opportunity to respond to what happened in Colorado.
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Aside from Walker Kessler’s four-year, $130 million deal, the largest contract the Los Angeles Lakers handed out to an external free agent this summer went to Quentin Grimes, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal. With two open spots available in the starting lineup to join Kessler, Reaves and Luka Dončić, the Lakers will likely hope one of their biggest money signings of the offseason can solidify himself as a member of that quintet.
Other than Grimes, candidates to earn a starting spot on the wing are players like Jake LaRavia looking to rebound from a tough second half in 2026-27, Ziare Williams trying to fully break through in the NBA and Matisse Thybulle aiming to put a few injury-riddled years behind him. Grimes is embracing that spirit of competition and believes it will ultimately benefit the Lakers.
“You want to be competitive every day in practice. I want to fight for [a starting spot], I want to earn it,” Grimes said. “You don’t want anything handed to you or given out to you. So, I feel like having that competition aspect to go out there and try to fight for a starting spot is going to be big for our team.”
Beyond his floor-spacing and ability to attack closeouts, Grimes was signed for his point-of-attack defense. While he didn’t flourish in that area as much during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, it was perhaps his greatest skill back when he played for the New York Knicks and he sounds ready to set the tone defensively for a Lakers roster that certainly skews toward the offensive side of the floor.
“I feel like I take a lot of pride defensively…Everybody wants to have responsibility, whatever it is on the court, and mine happens to be defensively,” Grimes said. “I know what I’m capable of offensively and they know that as well.
“So, just to be able to know that and guard the best player every night, take on that challenge, want to be competitive, want to do whatever I can to help this team win. That’s all I want is that responsibility.”
Although the box score doesn’t reflect an intensely competitive game, tempers flared in the stands at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night.
A big fight broke out in the upper deck during the Yankees’ 9-2 Game 2 win over the Red Sox, which swept Boston out of the playoffs.
A viral video of the brawl captured a Yankees fan wearing black shirt throwing punches left and right on a Red Sox fan, who was wearing a yellow Boston jersey.
Fans in the upper deck were seen brawling in the Bronx during Game 2 of the Wild Card. pic.twitter.com/gdkONCzDOL
Yankees and Red Sox fans brawl during Game 2 of the Yankees-Red Sox wild-card series on Wednesday night. X/mkell__
Another Red Sox fan, wearing a red jersey and who appeared to be with the fan in the yellow jersey, ended up getting in a blow to the Yankees fan’s head.
It knocked the fan backwards into the stairs of the section and gave the Red Sox fan in the yellow jersey enough time to gather himself and retaliate.
The fan got in a few punches before the Yankees fan stood back up and began fighting back again.
As the chaos went on, many fans around the fight didn’t take action.
Instead, many watched and recorded the incident on their phones.
The Red Sox fan in the red jersey eventually pushed the Yankee fan away, towards the exit, but he didn’t go quietly.
The fan said “F–k you” toward the Boston supporters while flipping them the bird before putting their Yankee hat back on and leaving.
Since, the Yankees knocked out biggest rivals for the second consecutive season in the wild-card round, there was bound to be some tension and outbursts during the series.
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox fans brawl in what turned into a viral video on Wednesday night. X/mkell__The Yankees fan begins to leave the fight and the upper deck section during the Game 2 playoff matchup. X/mkell__
The upper deck battle wasn’t the only notable altercation of the night in The Bronx.
It may have seemed surprising that Bradley Beal chose to re-sign with the Clippers this summer.
Gone are Ivica Zubac, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, as well as any chance to compete.
The Clippers were embroiled in the salary cup circumvention scandal, which led to them being stripped of five first-round draft picks, the franchise being given a $30 million fine and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer being suspended for a year, among other penalties.
Bradley Beal of the Los Angeles Clippers poses for a photo at the Los Angeles Clippers Media Day at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. Getty Images
To put it mildly, the Clippers weren’t exactly a shining beacon for free agents.
“Obviously, I’m getting older,” Beal told reporters. “I can go try to win and go chase winning, and I had plenty of opportunities to go do that. But I can’t be of service to them, either, if I’m not healthy. My biggest thing is being healthy and making sure that I can consistently play, consistently be available.”
Beal is a three-time All-Star and averaged more than 30 points in consecutive seasons from 2019-2021. But he has missed at least 29 games the last five seasons due to various injuries. He’s currently out for the start of Clippers training camp because of right knee inflammation.
“It’s been a knock on me the last four or five years. And I can’t shy away from that,” Beal said. “My biggest thing is who gives me the best advantage of being available, being myself consistently. And I have a great relationship with the staff here. And I entrusted them with putting me in that position.
“I feel like if I went anywhere else, I’d be starting all over again, kind of putting a lot of unnecessary stress and pressure on myself to perform and do things. And I can’t answer and necessarily check that box yet. So giving myself time to be able to check some of those boxes before making those types of moves.”
Beal, who only played six games for the Clippers last season after suffering a left hip fracture that required season-ending surgery, is clearly prioritizing his mental and physical health over the prospect of winning a title.
The revamped Heat, who acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in June, showed interest in Beal in free agency. The Celtics and Warriors had varying degrees of interest in him as well.
Dec 25, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) walks down the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The back-to-school-like excitement that surrounds Boston Celtics Training Camp is unmatched. The Patriots stink, Drake Maye may be a fraud, and the Red Sox just played 18 innings of torturous baseball in a humiliating Wild Card Series sweep vs. the rival Yankees.
Many, if not all, Boston sports fans are wondering what Lucky has for them this fall. Washed away in all of the preseason wonder is Payton Pritchard’s new extension eligibility. As of Thursday, the Celtics can offer Pritchard an extra three years for a total of $67 million — roughly $22.3 annually.
The seventh-year guard still has two seasons remaining on his current four-year, $30 million contract. Said deal has become one of the most valuable in the league ever since the former Oregon standout hit his stride two years ago en route to a Sixth Man of the Year worthy campaign. He’s averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game on 46.8% from the field and a crisp 39.3% from beyond the arc during that span.
There’s no disputing that he’s earned a proper payday at this point.
Pritchard’s recent emergence clearly played a role in the front office’s decision to shake up the roster this summer. His consistency on the ball, last season in particular with Jayson Tatum sidelined for the majority, gave Brad Stevens and Co. the confidence to build a roster with an expanded role for him in mind.
He was more than comfortable being aggressive offensively, and the team was better for it. Quite frankly, the most frustrating part of the playoff collapse against the Philadelphia 76ers was Pritchard’s lower usage as the series went on.
Unfortunately, with the way the league works today with all of the financial restrictions, there’s no guarantee that a deal comes together smoothly. The Celtics have the challenge of trying to maximize every dollar they spend to avoid finding themsleves facing the dreaded apron penalties again.
In 2026, two years before an extension would kick in, it doesn’t feel like there’s much risk to paying Pritchard. The reality that Boston’s executives have to live in is that of 2028. The six-foot-one-inch guard will be entering his age 31 season.
As Celtics fans have witnessed with former small stars like Isaiah Thomas and Kemba Walker, time isn’t always kind to the little guys. Thomas’s career was derailed after his age 27 season when he played through a hip injury in the playoffs, and Walker wasn’t ever the same after his age 30 season when recurring knee issues limited his quickness.
Because of their size disadvantages, small guards typically have to rely on quickness and athleticism to thrive in the NBA.
It would be unfair to put Pritchard in a box and pretend like his game is entirely dependant on his burst. It’s a big part of it, but his elite skills play a huge role too. The West Linn native is the Celtic that I am most confident in every time he fires up a three. His patience on drives and attention to detail with his footwork make him a menance for opposing defenders to deal with.
Neither of those skills should go away with age. In fact, I’m pretty sure most shooters will be able to shoot it until the day they retire.
Paying Pritchard, whatever the number is, will most likley work out for the Celtics. The question is more about their eagerness to get a deal done — something to pay attention to over the next two and a half weeks during No. 11’s eligibility window.
