Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello (66) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Fenway Park.
Brayan Bello does not want to hear any more talk about his role on the Red Sox.
Bello, 27, allowed eight runs and walked three through five innings of work in Boston’s 8-2 loss to the Orioles on Thursday before being optioned to Triple-A Worcester, according to multiple reports.
Following the loss, Bello told reporters that he wants people to “stop talking” about whether he is a starting pitcher or a reliever.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello (66) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images
“Just stop talking about bullpen and starting games,” Bello said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez, according to MassLive. “I’ve always been a starter. And when I’ve been successful as a starter, nobody has questioned whether I have to be in the bullpen or starting games.”
Questions have arisen about Bello potentially pitching out of the Red Sox’s bullpen due to his abysmal 10.35 ERA through eight starts. In comparison, he has a 0.71 ERA as a bulk reliever while pitching after an opener.
Brayan Bello makes it very clear he's done with the conversation about him starting or coming out of the bullpen.
"First of all, just stop talking about bullpen and starting games. I've always been a starter and when I've been successful as a starter, no one has questioned… pic.twitter.com/Eq1QWoAMz8
Bello did acknowledge that he’s been having a “bad season” so far, but insisted that he would be able to recover going forward.
“Just stop that talk because I’m just having a bad season. That’s it,” Bello said. “It’s not whether I’m a starter or I’m a reliever. I’m just having a bad season. But I know I can turn it around. I always have. And I think I will.”
When asked if a short stint in the minors would help him figure things out, Bello said, “I’m not thinking about that.”
“I’m thinking about making my adjustments in the big leagues,” he added. “I have a big league contract. That doesn’t mean the bosses … will take that into consideration. But I’m a big leaguer. I’m a big league starting pitcher. And I’ll make my adjustments here.”
Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026. CJ Gunther/UPI/Shutterstock
With the Red Sox sending him down to Triple-A, it appears that Bello will have no choice but to figure it out in the minor leagues.
Following Thursday’s game, Bello holds a 2-6 record with a 6.34 ERA across 61 innings pitched this season, noticeably worse than last year for the righty, who pitched to a 3.35 ERA through 28 starts in 2025.
“I don’t really know what’s going on,” Bello said. “I think I have the same mentality whether I’m starting or relieving.
Two nights removed from an excellent performance in his first game at Triple-A Syracuse, Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez had a night to forget as he works back from torn meniscus surgery in his right knee.
Alvarez was 0-for-4 tonight with three strikeouts, caught looking on one of them. His only other at-bat ended in a groundout to short.
Since Alvarez went under the knife on May 14, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has made it clear that his everyday catcher has to prove he's able to play back-to-back games in the minors before he is reactivated from the IL.
In Alvarez's absence, fellow Venezuelan Luis Torrens has been thrust into the starting role behind the plate. He was signed to a two-year, $11.5 million contract extension less than two weeks before Alvarez sustained his injury.
While Torrens has been struggling mightily at the plate, slashing .220/.287/.578, he is an excellent defensive catcher, ranking in the 94th percentile of all qualified MLB catchers for fielding run value (per Baseball Savant).
Meanwhile, DH Jorge Polanco, still yet to return to the Mets lineup as he recovers from Achilles bursitis and a wrist issue, was left out of the Syracuse lineup tonight.
Outfielder Nick Morabito was also on the bench for tonight's game. Ryan Clifford served as the team's DH and went hitless.
In the end, the Syracuse Mets walked it off to take the win against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 3-2 the final.
For the RailRiders, top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. batted leadoff and went 2-for-4, while Spencer Jones was 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
Don't run on Alvy!
Francisco Alvarez nabs Duke Ellis for his second straight rehab game catching a runner stealing! pic.twitter.com/radGUULHXt
PHOENIX –– Shohei Ohtani’s sub-1.00 ERA so far this season is even more impressive than it initially appeared.
Turns out, the two-way star has been nursing a small blister on the inside of his right middle finger.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has a small blister on the inside of his right middle finger. AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
The good news: The blister does not appear to be much of an issue.
In a scoreless six-inning start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, Ohtani was seen picking at his finger during the outing. A close-up photo of his hand later emerged from when he was sitting in the dugout.
However, manager Dave Roberts said he “didn’t hear too much about it after the game” and “don’t expect it to affect him going forward.”
— Full-Count MLB取材班 (@fullcountmlbc2) June 4, 2026
“He’s dealt with it for the last couple starts,” Roberts said. “Thomas [Albert, the team’s head trainer] just kind of gives me information on how he’s feeling. And every time I’ve asked, it’s been a non-issue.”
Asked specifically if the blister was to blame for Ohtani’s recently inconsistent command –– he had walked eight total batters in his three previous starts before Wednesday, when he issued just one free pass –– Roberts again downplayed its impact.
“I don’t think so,” Roberts said. “When his command has been off, I think it’s a bigger thing than just a blister. Because it’s a small blister, it’s small. That’s just when his mechanics are out of whack.”
Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani has a 0.74 ERA through his first 10 starts this season. Getty Images
Despite all that, Ohtani has continued his dominant start to the year on the mound, returning to full-time pitching duties with a nearly historic 0.74 ERA through his first 10 starts.
“He’s the best player that’s ever walked this earth,” catcher Will Smith said after Wednesday’s game.
Ohtani was out of the Dodgers’ lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Dbacks, getting the kind of scheduled day off that might become more common the days following his pitching starts.
“Just the overall body soreness and fatigue is something that, if we can manage that, it kind of gives us a chance to get through the next days after,” Roberts said earlier this week.
At the start of the year, the Dodgers had attempted a different strategy to manage Ohtani’s two-way workload, keeping him out of the batting order in three of his early-season pitching outings before having him DH again the day after.
But last month, the club changed course, keeping Ohtani out of the lineup as DH for both his May 13 pitching start and the day immediately after. In each of his three pitching starts since then, he has played both ways, then gotten rest the day after.
“I think him knowing he’s down tomorrow is mentally freeing going into tonight,” Roberts said before Wednesday’s game, when Ohtani also reached base five times as a hitter (three singles, two walks) to push his batting average back over .300. “So, there is some value in him knowing he can empty the tank and know that he doesn’t have to go to it tomorrow as well.
Although the Calgary Flames haven't competed for a Stanley Cup for almost two decades, it doesn't mean the fans in the Stampede City haven't had local heroes, like Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar, to cheer for in the Final.
Currently, Carolina Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall, born in 1991 in Calgary, is looking to earn his first championship this year. Meanwhile, Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart, born in 1998 in Sherwood Park, AB, is hoping to lead his team to their second Stanley Cup title in four seasons.
Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Thanks to their performances, which some could consider career-defining, especially in Hart's case, Alberta is being prominently featured in this season's Final.
The Golden Knights netminder is in the conversation for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, trailing only his teammate Mitch Marner, who leads all playoff scorers with 22 points. Right now, Hart has a .921 SV% and 2.33 GAA and is only three wins away from a Stanley Cup victory with a 13-4 record.
Meanwhile, his Alberta counterpart, Hall, is no stranger to being in the spotlight. His father is Steve Hall, a Canadian Football player and member of the Canadian national bobsleigh team.
As the 2010 first overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers, Hall is leading Carolina in scoring with 16 points in 14 games, helping the team reach the Final for the first time since 2006. After 16 seasons, highlighted by a Hart Trophy win in 2018, Hall is playing in hockey's fourth round for the first time in his career, picking up his only playoff overtime goal (May 4, 2026) along the way.
Regarding their respective journeys to the NHL, both players took distinct paths. Hall moved to Ontario as a teenager and played minor hockey in Kingston, and then led the Windsor Spitfires to back-to-back Memorial Cup victories in 2009 and 2010.
Hart started in Alberta, playing AAA hockey in Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park, winning an Alberta Cup Championship in 2012. In the WHL with the Everett Silvertips, he was named the CHL Goaltender of the Year in 2016 and 2018.
By the end of next week, one of these gifted hockey players will have raised the Stanley Cup above their head, further cementing their status as a top player in today's game. Moreover, there is a good chance the Silver Chalice will visit Alberta this summer, whether it's Calgary or Sherwood Park is up to the Hockey Gods to decide.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 03: Kyle Tucker #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives Will Smith #16 after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With Will Smith filling in as the DH, the Dodgers play the Diamondbacks before returning home.
Aug 31, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) high fives teammates after scoring on a sacrifice fly out hit by designated hitter Ivan Herrera (not pictured) in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
We now know that the St. Louis Cardinals will finally have Lars Nootbaar back in the Major League lineup as he’s being activated for the homestand versus the Cincinnati Reds starting Friday night. There’s been a lot of discussion about what that will mean for the roster moving forward, but I’d like to focus on something that Lars Nootbaar’s return gives the team that statistics cannot track.
In case you missed the announcement that was reported on by MLB Trade Rumors, Lars Nootbaar is headed back to St. Louis. No additional roster move was required because St. Louis sent rule 5 pick Matt Pushard back to the Marlins. The expectation is that Lars will take over his spot in left field which has been covered by Jose Fermin, Bryan Torres, Nelson Velázquez and Thomas Saggese since Nathan Church was injured. There’s a good chance that Lars will be slotted 5th, 6th or 7th in the batting order which should be an upgrade over the production from the bottom of the lineup so far this season. These are important and tangible differences that having Lars back will make for the St. Louis Cardinals.
May I introduce one other factor that I haven’t seen mentioned so far about what Lars Nootbaar’s return will provide the St. Louis Cardinals? If I were one of the Sabermetrics experts here in the VEB community (spoiler alert: I’m not), I’d call my intangible metric TOE. Tarps Off Energy.
One of my favorite parts of the St. Louis Cardinals 2026 season compared to the past 3 years is the competitive energy that the team’s young players bring to the table. I can count on one hand the number of games this year where I’ve felt the team lacked intensity. Now, imagine Lars Nootbaar bringing his personality and fire to what we’ve already seen this season. I can’t wait.
I was not surprised to see ESPN mention today that they believe Lars will become a trade deadline candidate if he stays healthy. That may be so and I don’t disagree that the team should listen to offers and move if the right one is presented. I have to wonder if his playing time between now and the trade deadline is enough to show his value to another team. There’s also the issue of whether Lars can remain healthy which has been his challenge for the past few seasons. However, even if that happens, that gives Lars nearly two months to make a positive impact on the Cardinals young lineup.
Having a career 9.4 WAR player added to the bottom of the lineup which needs help can only be a good thing. There are many that believe Nootbaar being back will also enable the Cardinals to move Victor Scott II back to the minors for more development time once Nathan Church is able to return in the next week or so and I don’t disagree. But, I still believe one of the biggest pluses of having Lars Nootbaar back with the St. Louis Cardinals active roster is the energy he will bring. Let’s hope his positive mojo will be like adding fuel to an already burning fire this young team has already shown.
The physical demands of the NBA Finals can be more than a player’s problem — just ask Timothée Chalamet.
The Hollywood A-lister — and Knicks superfan — posted a picture to his Instagram story of him with two plastic bags of ice on his knees while resting on a couch in Texas and donning a Knicks playoff shirt.
Chalamet, seemingly worn out from cheering on the sidelines during the Knicks’ 105-95 Game 1 win over the Spurs on Wednesday, posted the picture to his 21.2 million Instagram followers.
Timothée Chalamet was seen icing his knees following the Knicks’ Game 1 win. @tchalamet/Instagram
“Ppl underestimate the wear and tear on the body of a fan throughout the playoffs,” Chalamet said in a corresponding Instagram story post. “Self care is important.”
He also posted a video of himself drinking from an outdoor stream, but it’s unclear if that too is a part of his recovery process.
Chalamet, a New York native, has been a mainstay on the sidelines during the Knicks’ playoff games, often being spotted alongside his girlfriend, star socialite Kylie Jenner.
The “Dune” actor, along with Celebrity Row staples Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan and Ben Stiller, invaded San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center to cheer on the Knicks on the road against the Spurs.
Chalamet has been a manstay on the sidelines rooting on the Knicks. @tchalamet/Instagram
Chalamet was also right in the middle of the Knicks’ celebration after clinching their first NBA Finals berth in 27 years with their 130-89 win over the Cavaliers.
He embraced Knicks president Leon Rose, with the two seen side by side in a picture on the court at Rocket Arena.
Video also showed the movie star calling Knicks swingman Mikal Bridges “The GOAT.”
“Self care is important,” Chalamet said. @tchalamet/Instagram
“Bro, I got your jersey in my house,” Chalamet could be heard telling him.
It’s likely that Chalamet will be in attendance for Game 2 in San Antonio, which will start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 29: Patrick Saunders, President of the BBWAA, introduces Claire Smith during the 2017 Hall of Fame Awards Presentation on Doubleday Field at the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday July 29, 2017 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
Long-time Denver Post sports reporter Patrick Saunders announced today on X that he would be leaving the newspaper on June 24, 2026.
Some bittersweet personal news. I’m leaving The Denver Post, having taken the company buyout. My last game is June 24. Too many people to thank here. I’ll miss so many, but especially @harding_at_mlb. The Adventures of Bonnie and Peaches will continue. Thanks! #Rockiespic.twitter.com/fRAMiqpJSL
Saunders has worked for the post since October 1998 when he began writing about the Denver Broncos.
In 2005, he moved to covering the Colorado Rockies, only missing two years when he served as The Post’s online sports editor (2010-2011).
The third-generation Colorado native, Saunders was recognized in 2018 as the Colorado Sportswriter of the Year. He also served as president of the Baseball Writers’ Association in 2017.
Saunders has degrees in history and education from Fort Lewis College and earned a master’s degree in journalism for the University of Colorado where he works as an adjunct faculty member teaching journalism courses.
Thoughts and well wishes have poured in from the Rockies media community:
This one is tough. @psaundersdp hired me at The Daily Times-Call in 1996. My life and career have been better because of Patrick. He is a total pro in every way. And will be missed https://t.co/zrNaR4I5jB
Man, Rockies fans are losing one of the best writers in the business. Patrick has been through the highs and lows (lots of lows) covering the Rockies. The press box at Coors Field won’t be the same! https://t.co/qUxa8ydyUD
Good man and a cornerstone of #Rockies coverage. Many are saying the Magic Johnson of the Coors Field press box can never be replaced, and they're absolutely spot on.
On a personal note, Saunders’ departure marks a significant loss of institutional memory on the Rockies beat. In watching Patrick work, he has an ability to ask difficult questions in ways that elicit thoughtful answers. He has worked tirelessly to cover the Rockies and share stories that might be overlooked.
Plus, he’s very funny.
Whatever’s next for Patrick, we here at Purple Row appreciate all that he’s done and look forward to seeing what’s next.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“It was quick. I think we let that one go” was all Victor Wembanyama said when asked when he and the Spurs felt the game “slipping” away from them.
After all the talk about how emotional Wemby has been throughout the postseason, he sure was calm after the Game 1 loss. This press conference was a departure from the norm for Victor Wembanyama. Like most players, Wembanyama seems to not revel in the postgame presser. Perhaps in an attempt to make him comfortable; perhaps as an accommodation for his height, adjustments are made to the conference room before he enters. The press table is completely cleared, and a wireless microphone is set for him. Wemby prefers going handheld.
When asked a question, there is usually a pause before he answers. Whether he is internalizing the question, translating his response in his head before speaking, or trying out different versions of an answer to find the most relevant, it’s one of the main identifying characteristics of a Wembanyama presser.
None of that was present Wednesday night. Instead, Wemby sat upright as he faced the media, answering questions with an easy manner, as if he knew what would be asked and had crafted the answers beforehand. His confidence was evident, and as he discussed elements of the game that were unsuccessful, Victor didn’t sound the least bit disheartened.
“We let them get an offensive rebound,” Wembanyama stated about a specific moment in the fourth quarter run that secured the game for the Knicks. “So that’s on us. After that, that’s an experienced team, they know how to play with momentum. We had the momentum until late in that game. That’s why I said we let that one go.”
The Spurs, after being criticized for their inexperience, have made adjustments this postseason and persevered as a result. As they have overcome one obstacle after another, resilience has been the antidote to inexperience. As the playoff rounds have progressed and the opponents have changed, Wembanyama’s growth as the Spurs leader has developed in real time.
As the press conference continued, it was as if Wembanyama’s calm had been transfused into the rest of the team. Though they had just lost a Finals game, they seemed upbeat. Not a moment or expression of head-hanging or self deprecation. Every Spur who took the stand carried themselves with an awareness that while this series wouldn’t be easy, the challenge New York offered was not insurmountable. Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell each echoed Wemby’s manner, revealing just how tight the team is and how much faith they have in their superstar.
“It’s almost not like I have anything to figure out. It’s almost like I have to play normal, not even good,” Wembanyama said. “It’s just like doing the right thing is enough. When we play bad, when I play bad, is when we shoot ourselves in the foot. This is why I’m not worried. We’re going to be so much better. I’m going to be so much better.”
If the Spurs overcame the West riding Wembanyama’s emotional high, perhaps they will follow his serenity back into this series.
PEACH SPRINGS, AZ - DECEMBER 21: A general view of tourists climbing "Guano Point" at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon in the Hualapai Indian Reservation on December 21, 2019, near Peach Springs, Arizona. "Guano Point" derives its name from U.S. Guano Corp, the company that constructed a $3.5 million dollar tramway system to extract guano from a nearby bat cave. (Photo by Paul Rovere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DODGERS
DIAMONDBACKS
Mookie Betts – SS
Ketel Marte – 2B
Freddie Freeman – 1B
Corbin Carroll – RF
Andy Pages – CF
Gabriel Moreno – C
Kyle Tucker – RF
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Will Smith – DH
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Max Muncy – 3B
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Ryan Ward – LF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Dalton Rushing – C
Jose Fernandez – DH
Alex Freeland – 2B
Tommy Troy – LF
Justin Wrobleski – LHP
Ryne Nelson – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: LHP Phillip Abner (No. 50)
Recalled from Reno: RHP Kade Strowd (No. 24)
Optioned to Reno following last night’s game: RHP Brandon Pfaadt
Placed on family medical emergency list: RHP Taylor Clarke
The big move is, of course, the exit of Pfaadt from the active roster. Little more than a year ago, he had signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension covering the years 2026-30. That bought out his arbitration years, and gave the team an option for 2031, as well as a mutual option for 2032. Despite his success in the 2023 playoffs, it was an interesting move considering Pfaadt at the time had made 50 regular season starts and been replacement level, with a 5.06 ERA. Things since he inked the deal have only gone downhill: a 5.25 ERA in 2025, and a 5.94 ERA in three starts this year, before getting bumped to the bullpen. Things hardly improved (5.91 ERA), and led to today’s move.
It’s not an enormous surprise, Torey Lovullo saying they wanted to get Pfaadt stretched out as a starter again. He hasn’t thrown 40 pitches in a game for more than a month. Along with the news that Corbin Burnes won’t be back until September (if at all), it means the team has little starting depth, if any replacement for the current rotation were to be needed. So far, the team has been lucky, needing only six starting pitchers. But with Mitch Bratt currently on the minor-league IL, we’d perhaps be looking at a call-up for Thomas Hatch. A 4.01 ERA across 11 starts in the Pacific Coast League is good. But he’s only averaging fourteen outs per game for Reno.
We also note the temporary absence for Clarke. Don’t know any of the details, and it’s frankly none of our business. But I hope whatever it is, gets taken care of, and Clarke is able to come back with a good mind. He has been an excellent part of the bullpen with a 1.73 ERA (and almost of that due to the Opening Day blow-up in LA), and his 26 relief innings leads the club this season. We’ll see whether it’s Abner or Strowd who becomes a long-term resident of the Diamondbacks bullpen, with the other presumably going back down when Clarke returns.
ABC reported that he went to the hospital for further evaluation.
The defenseman was one of the stars of Game 1 as he had three assists in the Golden Knights’ 5-4 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes. He never had more than two assists in a playoff game before Tuesday's game.
The Knicks have their eyes on the ultimate prize: the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
In news conferences conducted earlier today, following an exhilarating comeback victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals over the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks showcased their composure and focus, both as individuals and as a group.
Star point guard and de facto team captain Jalen Brunson, who battled through pain to put his stamp on the victory with signature fourth quarter heroics, set the tone for the team's mindset moving into Game 2 and beyond.
When asked about Karl-Anthony Towns being able to limit Spurs superstar center Victor Wembanyama to under 30 percent shooting from the field, Brunson shifted the focus of his praise and insight away from his teammate alone.
"It's all about coming together and figuring out what we have to do to be better," he said. "The chemistry that we have is still continuing to grow and that allows us to play better."
Towns himself echoed the sentiment when asked about how he felt taking on the man-to-man assignment against Wembanyama, coolly affirming that "whatever the team needs me to do to impact winning and to help us get over the hump, I'm willing to do."
This selfless attitude has been showcased by the Knicks not just in their resilient Game 1 win, but throughout the postseason.
Arguably, no player has embodied that mentality better than Josh Hart, whose versatility, relentless effort, and camaraderie with his teammates has made him a cult hero in New York.
Last night, Hart scored just three points on five shots from the floor. However, he was a team high +22 on the floor in his 26 minutes of action, pulling down 15 all-important rebounds, dishing six assists without committing a turnover, and making his presence felt on defense with four steals and a block to boot.
Hart was asked how he was able to continue providing the Knicks with his energetic spark in spite of his shooting struggles in Game 1, and responded exactly how Knicks fans have come to expect from the team's glue guy.
"It takes humility and a willingness to sacrifice... when you have a group of guys that have that, [it] breeds a championship culture," said Hart.
The Knicks may be just three wins away from securing that championship, but in the words of Karl-Anthony Towns, "It's 0-0. The next game is the most important game of the year."
Game 2 of the NBA Finals tips off tomorrow night in San Antonio at 8:30p.m. EST on ABC/ESPN.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3 Dylan Harper #2, Victor Wembanyama #1, De'Aaron Fox #4, Stephon Castle #5 and Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs have to be kicking themselves after Game One of the NBA Finals. A fourteen-point lead evaporated in the third and fourth quarters. San Antonio had a chance to come back at the end of the game, but squandered the opportunity in a 105-95 loss. The Spurs have now lost home court advantage and find themselves in a somewhat desperate situation in Game Two as they try to tie the series 1-1.
It was a disappointing game from the Spurs’ two stars, Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. Neither shot the ball well and made some critical mistakes on the defensive end. They were thoroughly outplayed by the New York Knicks’ best players, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite the poor performance in Game One, the Spurs are -220 favorites on FanDuel to win Game Two.
Wembanyama and Fox will be the focal point of our player grades for Game One. As a quick reminder, player grades are based on each player’s on-court performance, going beyond just the stat sheet. A “C” grade represents the average performance for an individual (yes, this has been changed). If a player logs fewer than 5 minutes or plays only in garbage time, their grade will be incomplete.
For a brief stretch in the fourth quarter, it looked like Wembanyama would will the Spurs back into the game. Some errant shots and a turnover off his own foot quickly dashed the Spurs’ chances of a win. Wembanyama didn’t get the ball in many advantageous situations offensively. The Knicks did a great job at keeping him out of the paint and forcing him to take tough jumpers. It looked like he was frustrated and started forcing his offense, rather than letting it come within the flow of the game. That played right into New York’s hands.
Towns outperformed him on both ends. KAT held up against Wemby defensively and torched him several times on offense. Wembanyama applied a lot of pressure to Towns on the perimeter, but couldn’t keep up when he blew by him for easy layups. If Wembanyama is going to continue to guard Towns, he needs to find a way to give him space without allowing open jumpers.
Fox was ice cold and took some bad shots from deep, including a couple of erratic pull-up threes. He did a decent job passing the ball, but the Spurs missed open shots. His defense was shoddy. He made a costly mistake in the last minutes of the game, fouling Mikal Bridges on a jump shot after missing a bunny in the paint that would have tied it. Fox is clearly still struggling with an ankle injury, but he needs to give them something offensively if they want to win this series.
Castle kept the Spurs in the game offensively when the Knicks were starting to pull away in the fourth. His mid-range jumper was working for the most part, and he was one of the few Spurs who could get to the rim. He missed a few out-of-rhythm threes as the Knicks closed out more aggressively than he’s seen in previous series.
Castle played effective defense on Brunson and slowed him down significantly in the first half. The problem is that the Knicks made Castle switch off of him way too often. He wasn’t guarding Brunson much in the clutch when the Knicks’ star sealed the game.
Champagnie picked up where he left off in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals, hitting threes in the first half. He cooled off in the second half and never got back on track. The Knicks hunted him on offense down the stretch, setting screens to get him switched onto Brunson. New York’s star guard destroyed him one-on-one late in the game in the run that ultimately led to the Knicks’ victory.
Vassell did a nice job on defense when switched onto tougher matchups like OG Anunoby, Brunson, and Towns. Maybe the Spurs should look at having him take one of those matchups full-time. Vassell’s shot still isn’t falling, even the open ones. He is trying to make up for his cold shooting by playing aggressively everywhere else – Vassell grabbed a team-high four offensive rebounds in the loss.
Harper was the Spurs’ most effective offensive player. His size, strength, and ball control allowed him to punish New York’s smaller guards, particularly in transition. Like Champagnie, he also cooled off significantly in the second half and was noticeably absent in clutch time. It makes sense to trust a veteran like Fox to close out a high-stakes game, but when Harper had proven to cause such a matchup problem for the Knicks, it was a bit confusing to see him watching from the sideline as they pulled away.
Johnson didn’t play much in Game One, partly because he didn’t make the most of his offensive opportunities. He wasn’t able to use his size to bully his way into the paint like he normally does. He hit one open three, but didn’t contribute much outside of that.
Grade: C
Luke Kornet
10 minutes, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 3 fouls, -7
The Kornet minutes weren’t as stark as they have been in previous series. It looked like the Spurs would thrive with Kornet on the floor after he broke up a Mitchell Robinson lob. But in his next stint on the floor, Robinson landed an and-one dunk on his head. With Wembanyama looking more and more worn down by this long playoff run, Kornet’s minutes become even more critical. San Antonio has to survive when Kornet is on the floor so Wembanyama can get a breather. They were a step closer to that in Game One.
Barnes played the second-most minutes off the bench. He gave them some needed offense as a forward who can put the ball on the deck a bit and hustle after rebounds. But he continues to struggle from three-point range. If he’s not shooting the ball well, it’s hard for him to make a large impact on the game.
Bryant was brought in to play physical defense on Brunson, and it backfired. Brunson is too smart and in control of his body to let an undisciplined defender like Bryant take him out of his rhythm. Bryant would be better served guarding one of the Knicks’ more physical players, like Anunoby or Towns. This might not be the series to play the rookie.
When a team continuously fails to get over the hump or meet expectations, there comes a time when its best players decide they've had enough.
There are a handful of situations beginning to reach that threshold in the NHL. Toronto Maple Leafs star center Auston Matthews has been the subject of some trade chatter. The same goes with Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk and Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, who each have two seasons until becoming unrestricted free agents and whose teams have fallen short.
But it appears one player in a similar situation may be primed for a breakup with his current team sooner rather than later.
Up to this point, there has been no comment from Larkin, agent Pat Brisson, or Red Wings management. However, according to Friedman, it seems the apparent request stemmed from a rocky relationship between Larkin and Detroit management - more specifically, general manager Steve Yzerman - dating back to contract talks in 2023.
Of course, if Larkin is available, every contender and every team aiming for contention will want his services.
It's been repeated countless times at this point, but Penguins' GM and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said in his season-ending press conference on May 12 that he wanted Pittsburgh to take a "big step toward sustainable contention" next season. He also reiterated - on several occasions - the need for the team to acquire high-end talent in their mid- to late-20s any way they can, which includes through the trade market.
Larkin turns 30 this summer, so he isn't exactly the youngest option available. Someone like Robert Thomas is 26 and is also a legitimate top-six center signed long-term at a bargain cap hit, and someone like Matthews (28 years old) is, obviously, one of the best in the league but will come at a very steep price.
In some ways, it could be argued that Larkin does not fit the long-term picture for what the Penguins are trying to do. However, if they are trying to contend "as urgently as possible," as Dubas has alluded to on several occasions, the team is going to be hard-pressed to find a better option - especially one who is locked up for the next several years - than Larkin.
And make no mistake: Larkin is a legitimate difference-maker.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pound veteran center has put together five consecutive seasons of 30 or more goals, hovering just below the point-per-game mark. He has also represented Team USA for years, with his most recent representations being at 4 Nations and the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, where he helped lead Team USA to a gold medal.
Again, he is going to come at a premium. First-line centers in the NHL don't grow on trees, and he is a good one. However, one thing working against the Red Wings in this scenario is that Larkin has a full no-movement clause, meaning he entirely controls where he goes. Because of this, they will lose a good bit of leverage in any negotiations, and a bidding war shouldn't ensue to a crazy extent because teams can't really bid for a player who gets to select exactly where he wants to go.
The return will still be substantial, though. Detroit does not own a first-round pick this summer, so that will be part of it. They also do not own a second-round pick in 2027, so that's almost a given, too. A player like Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, or Erik Karlsson going the other way is almost guaranteed.
And the Penguins can pretty much say goodbye to one or, more likely, two of Bill Zonnon, Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Harrison Brunicke, Will Horcoff, Tanner Howe, Avery Hayes, and Owen Pickering, too.
But that's the price you pay for an impact player like Larkin, who will probably play out the remainder of his current contract at a pretty high level. He's the type of late-20-something player that Dubas was referring to in his press conference, and the fact that he is a center makes paying a hefty price for him far more palatable.
If Larkin is truly available, Dubas should be picking up the phone. Of course, Larkin would have to want to come to Pittsburgh, which is a whole other conversation. But, if a trade is possible, the Penguins should pull out almost all of the stops to get it across the finish line.
The Spurs have a “serious problem” if Karl-Anthony Towns can build on his Game 1 dominance for the rest of the NBA Finals.
ESPN star and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins lauded the Knicks’ center for his outing on Wednesday night and declared that he “exposed” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
“Imma tell the Spurs fans this, y’all got a problem…y’all have a serious problem,” Perkins said Thursday on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Karl-Anthony Towns’ performance in Game 1, especially when matched up against Victor Wembanyama, powered the Knicks’ 105-95 win on June 3, 2026 in the NBA Finals opener. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Towns’ dominant performance saw the big man post 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in New York’s 105-95 win — but his contributions went far beyond the offensive side.
Kendrick Perkins says KAT EXPOSED Victor Wembanyama last night:
“Imma tell the Spurs fans this, y’all got a problem. Y’all have a serious problem. The DPOY got exposed last night…. He showed the world that Wemby can’t guard him!” pic.twitter.com/HcG8DbOlJE
Wembanyama, who finished third in NBA MVP voting, was kept to a pedestrian 26 points on 6-of-21 shooting, including an abysmal 2-for-12 mark with Towns as the primary defender.
The 7-foot-4 phenom also committed four of his six turnovers with Towns covering him.
“The Defensive Player of the Year got exposed last night,” Perkins said. “‘Imma say this. Yes, Towns played the best defensive game of his life last night, but offensively, he showed the world that Wemby can’t guard him. He is a matchup problem for the Spurs.
Karl-Anthony Towns, driving on Victor Wembanyama, finished the Knicks’ Game 1 victory with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“The way his ability to stretch the floor, and then he showed his versatility by his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He was going through Wemby’s chest. He wasn’t shying away from physicality. And when they decided to put a smaller player on him, guess what the Knicks did? They searched him out. Here we go, go to you. And when Wemby came to double, he was dropping no-looks, he was dropping passes, he was finding shooters.
Towns was instrumental in the Knicks’ 14-point comeback win, including a monster third quarter where he notched 10 points and four rebounds — while also hyping up his teammates.
Knicks coach Mike Brown praised Towns’ versatility after the thrilling victory.
“He’s a problem. You put a small guy on him, he’s got a chance to offensive rebound. You put a big guy on him, he’s got a chance to pick-and-pop and go around guys,” Brown said.
“We have to just keep trying to move him around based on who is guarding him throughout the course of the ballgame, but he was huge for us with his double-double.”
