The Mets came back from an early 3-0 deficit to beat the Tigers, 9-4, on Thursday afternoon at Citi Field and complete a three-game sweep.
Here are the takeaways...
- With the score tied, 3-3, two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and Carson Benge on second base (after he lined a single and swiped a bag), the Mets pounced.
First, Juan Soto stroked a single up the middle to drive in Benge and put New York up, 4-3. Mark Vientos followed that up by launching a no-doubter of a two-run homer deep into the seats in left field to increase the Mets' advantage to 6-3.
The Mets added on in the sixth, seventh, and eighth.
In the sixth, after Marcus Semien walked, A.J. Ewing cracked a single that moved Semien to third base. Hayden Senger then dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt/safety squeeze that brought Semien home to make it 7-3, Mets -- with Senger beating out the play to reach first base.
In the seventh, Soto led off by drilling a homer to center to increase the lead to 8-3.
In the eighth, Semien roped a leadoff shot off the foul pole in left field to up the advantage to 9-4.
- Leading off the third inning, Ewingjumped on a 1-0 pitch from Keider Montero and sent it over the right field fence for his first big league homer to trim New York's deficit to 3-1 -- the ball came off his bat at 110.5 mph.
Aside from Ewing's jack, the Mets' offense was kept in check by Montero over the first 3.2 innings. But they staged a two-out rally in the fourth. After MJ Melendez walked, Brett Baty smoked an opposite-field homer that tied things, 3-3.
- It was an inauspicious start for the usually-dominant Nolan McLean, who struggled with his command and didn't have his usual swing-and-miss-stuff in the first inning.
After a one-out walk followed by a single, the Tigers capitalized with two outs when Gage Workman lofted a three-run homer that landed just over the wall in left-center field to give Detroit a 3-0 lead.
Those were all the runs Detroit would get.
May 14, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
McLean, who battled with his command throughout and didn't have his best stuff, fought through seven innings where there was constant traffic on the bases -- his only clean frame was the second.
In the seventh, McLean closed his outing in emphatic fashion, striking out Jake Rogers swinging and Kevin McGonigle looking to end the inning before unleashing a primal scream as he fist-pumped while making his way off the mound.
McLean's final line: 7.0 innings, three runs, six hits, three walks, one hit batter, seven strikeouts. His ERA for the season is 2.92.
- Ewing became the first player in Mets history to have a triple and home run (in either order) for his first two career hits, and just the seventh MLB player in the last 20 seasons to accomplish that feat (h/t Sarah Langs).
Tanking will be at the top of the agenda when the NBA owners meet later this month, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is out doing public relations for his latest "fix" to the issue that bothers the league office and some content creators more than fans of the teams doing it.
The proposal, called the "3-2-1" system, would expand the lottery to 16 teams (or 18 in some versions) and is named after how many ping pong balls each team would get, depending upon their finish — with the worst three teams getting two balls while the teams that finish 4-10 would get three. Silver said why he thought this was a good idea when appearing on Stephen A. Smith’s radio show on Sirius XM (quotes via Tim Bontemps of ESPN).
"What we've essentially done, and we have a proposal that we're going to be bringing to our team owners at the end of May, and that is to create essentially a system of flat odds, so that you have no particular incentive to be bad. There's even something we're calling draft relegation, that if you're one of the bottom three teams in the league, you'll actually have worse odds than teams that sort of are four through up until teams make the playoffs."
The new proposal would also grant more power and leeway to Silver and the league office to punish teams it deems to be tanking. That happened this year when the league fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for trying to skirt the tanking regulations by playing their stars 20 minutes in a game but benching them in the fourth quarter. (Utah adjusted, came up with injuries for their guys, and just sat them all game.)
"And also ultimately additional authority for the league office that if we do see that type of behavior where there's a sense that teams aren't going all out to win, that we can actually take away draft lottery balls, we can change the order of the draft. Teams have to know it's not just about paying a financial fine, which they may think is worth it in order to get a top pick, but that it'll directly impact their ability to get a top draft pick."
Tanking was particularly intense this season — with nine teams actively not looking to win games by the end of the season — because this is a particularly deep and strong draft class. That is not expected to be the case the next couple of seasons, at least, because the next two draft classes are not expected to be particularly strong. The league could have done nothing, and there would be less tanking next year.
The league's 3-2-1 proposal breaks out like this:
• The teams with the three worst records in the league would fall into a "relegation zone" and be penalized by only getting two lottery balls, not three like other teams that missed the playoffs. Those three teams would have a 5.4% chance at the No. 1 pick, and could fall as far as 12th in the draft.
• Other teams that missed the playoffs — teams four through 10 at the bottom of the standings — would get three lottery balls and an 8.1% chance at the No. 1 pick.
• Teams that finish as the No. 9 and 10 seeds in each conference will each get two lottery balls.
• Teams that lose the 7-8 play-in for each conference get one lottery ball (2.7% chance of landing the No. 1 pick).
• Teams cannot win the No. 1 pick in consecutive years or have three consecutive top-five picks (as an example, this would not have allowed the Spurs to draft Dylan Harper No. 2 last season, pairing him with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, both top-five picks).
• This system would expire in 2029, at which time it could be extended, modified or scrapped entirely.
• There are reports that teams expect there to be less trading of first-round picks as part of packages to get star players because the value of those picks feels diluted. Teams will want to see how the new system plays out (or what it will look like in a few years) before moving picks as they have in recent years.
While the 3-2-1 plan may disincentivize a "race to the bottom" to get the best lottery odds, this system of more teams and flatter odds also means the teams struggling to win games because they don't have enough talent on the roster will find it harder to get that talent through the draft. For many smaller and mid-market teams, the draft is the best and only way to get the kind of talent that makes them a top-four team in the conference; free agents are not going to flock there.
Silver is concerned about how tanking turns off fans, but another way to lose an entire market of fans is for their team to keep losing or being mediocre for years because they can't get the talent to win and have lessened hope of doing so.
The NBA Board of Governors is expected to pass this plan when it meets later in May.
Last week, Roman Kantserov ended his contract with Metallurg of the KHL. This was a play made to come to North America and play for the Chicago Blackhawks.
On Thursday, the Chicago Blackhawks announced that his deal is official. He will play pro hockey on North American soil in 2026-27. Kantserov's entry-level deal will carry a cap hit of $1.075 million for three years.
it's officially official, everyone say 'hi Roman!!'
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) May 14, 2026
There is a chance that he starts in the American League with the Rockford IceHogs, but all signs point to him playing in the National Hockey League with Chicago. In fact, he may be given an early opportunity to play in the top six right away.
Kantserov is an intriguing prospect, as are most young stars coming out of the KHL. In 2025-26, he led the league in goals and had one of the best seasons a player of his age (or younger) has ever had.
With a young core already in place and developing, Kantserov fits right in as he will be 22 right before the 2026-27 campaign begins. As a former 2nd overall pick in 2023, he is the perfect age and has the skillset to match his peers.
Is it going to take some time for Kantserov to adjust to playing in North America both on and off the ice? Of course it is. However, the tools and resources are there for him to make that transition properly.
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In a series of moves the last few days, the Brooklyn Nets gained a new assistant general manager and lost their head scout. The moves are typical of this time of year and don’t seem to be related.
The Nets promoted Makar Gevorkian, their capologist the last several years, to assistant GM joining long-time front office veterans B.J. Johnson and Andy Birdsong. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls hired Acie Law IV, the Nets player personnel director, for a similar position in the Windy City. The job is essentially the organization’s top scout.
The changes may not end there. Steve Hetzel, Jordi Fernandez’s No. 2 assistant coach, is seen as a leading candidate for the New Orleans Pelicans open head coaching job Hetzel also got recent mention as a possibility for the Trail Blazers top spot.
Gevorkian, who’s close to Sean Marks, has held a number of jobs related to the salary cap and has been part of trade discussions over the past several years. Having recently completed his sixth season with the Nets, Gevorkian joined the franchise in 2020 as a basketball operations assistant. He went on to serve one season as a salary cap and strategy associate and two seasons as the director of salary cap before being promoted to his most recent position, vice president of basketball operations alignment & strategic planning, in 2024.
Gevorkian, 32, is a lawyer. He graduated from the prestigious University of Chicago Law School where was a researcher for Appellate Court Judge Richard Posner, seen as one of the top legal thinkers on the federal bench. Prior to joining Brooklyn, he had worked at one of Silicon Valley’s top law firms, Wilson Sonsini. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount in economics and a minor in applied mathematics
Gevorkian only joined the Nets organization in 2020; he began his professional career with a law degree from the University of Chicago and was an associate at two white-shoe law firms, only to join the Nets as a basketball operations assistant. He has since climbed the ranks in Brooklyn and was promoted this summer by general manager Sean Marks to a higher-ranking position in the front office running the Nets’ cap strategy planning, as the franchise navigates a new forward-looking path.
Said Sean Marks of the hire: “Makar’s strategic, forward-thinking mind, along with his comprehensive knowledge of the league’s salary cap structure, have made him a valued voice within our front office and we are excited to elevate him to this well-earned role.”
The Nets press release didn’t detail what parts of the front office would be Gevorkian’s responsibility. Johnson and Birdsong have essentially served as Mr. Outside and Mr. Inside, with Johnson responsible for the team’s outward facing aspects and Birdsong managing team operations.
Meanwhile, Law is leaving after a year in the job as director of player personnel, aka top scout. He arrived last season from Oklahoma City where he had been director of amateur scouting. Although neither Nets nor the Bulls have made any announcements yet, beat reporters in Chicago suggested that Law’s hire shouldn’t be surprising. Bulls newly minted GM Bryson Graham is filling out his front office and Law and he have been good friends going back to their days playing together at Texas A&M.
The timing however is surprising. It’s expected that Law will be in the Chicago Draft Room on June 23-24 rather than the Nets but no official word.
Law’s replacement as top scout will be the team’s fourth in four years, following J.R. Holden, Drew Nicholas and Law. One name suggested by league sources is Matt McDonald, currently the general manager of the Long Island Nets who also has some scouting responsibilities and was previously the Nets scouting operations coordinator.
Earlier this week, another veteran Brooklyn international scout Richard Midgley was named assistant GM of the California Berkeley men’s basketball team. Midgley credited the Nets and Marks with providing valuable experience. He and Marks traveled together to Australia on a scouting tour last year.
“My time with the Brooklyn Nets, learning from Sean Marks and the front office group there, was incredibly valuable,” Midgley added. “The perspective I gained — especially in roster construction and organizational alignment — will stay with me as I step into this role at Cal.”
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville speaks to the media ahead of Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Facing elimination for the first time this postseason, the Anaheim Ducks have home ice in Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Game 5 came down to a pair of special shots from the Golden Knights' Pavel Dorofeyev, who won the game in overtime.
Ducks forward Ryan Poehling left the game in the first period with an upper-body injury due to a hit from Brayden McNabb and did not return. He is out indefinitely. McNabb had a hearing with NHL Player Safety on Wednesday afternoon and was given a one-game suspension.
With Poehling out, Jansen Harkins is expected to draw back in after being a healthy scratch in Games 4 and 5. Mason McTavish is expected to center the Ducks’ third line, with Jeff Viel and Cutter Gauthier flanking him.
May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Jansen Harkins (24) shoots and scores an empty net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
“I think all year long, you share responsibility,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said. “A lot of times, the guy coming in there doesn't have to be that guy, but I think everybody can absorb—whether it's more quality ice time or more ice time or you don't play as much, I think we adapted to the situations quite well. Everybody's excited about getting the chance to play more. (McTavish) might get more middle. We’ll see.”
“He’s just a tremendous part of this team,” Tim Washe said of Poehling. “But we’ve got some guys stepping up here. Everyone’s got to be at their best and help the team out any way they can.”
“It’s a hard role to fill,” Leo Carlsson said. “But we have a lot guys who can do it, too, so I'm not too worried.”
After registering eight points in the Ducks’ first round series against the Edmonton Oilers, Carlsson had just two points and a minus-3 rating through five games. His linemates Chris Kreider and Troy Terry have just two points apiece as well. Their line was guilty of not getting the puck out of the defensive zone prior to Dorofeyev’s overtime winner.
May 12, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) shoots against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game five of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
“Vegas plays tight defensively,” Quenneville said. “They don't give up much. (That line is) targeted and then for (Vegas) to be aware of them of being out there. But they've seen that throughout the whole season. And obviously the attention grows come playoff time. I think that tonight, we're gonna need them to be a factor. You don't have to score, just want to make sure that your line's going to be generating and spending some offensive zone-possession time and solid in the defensive structure.”
“Just need to play a little more simpler,” Carlsson said. “Breakout easier. They’re on us on breakouts, too, but just play a little bit simpler in the o-zone and (on) breakouts, too.”
Troy Terry, Alex Killorn, Jackson LaCombe and Mikael Granlund were all absent from Thursday’s morning skate, but all four are expected to be in the lineup for Game 6. Radko Gudas (lower-body) participated in morning skate once again, but Quenneville said that he is not likely to play in Game 6.
Golden Knights forward Mark Stone is again out with a lower-body injury that he suffered in Game 3. With McNabb serving his one-game suspension, Kaeden Korzcak will draw back into the lineup.
Ducks Projected Lines
Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Beckett Sennecke Jeff Viel - Mason McTavish - Cutter Gauthier Ross Johnston - Tim Washe - Jansen Harkins
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson Olen Zellweger - Ian Moore
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Golden Knights Projected Lines
Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Pavel Dorofeyev Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner Brandon Saad - Tomáš Hertl - Colton Sissons Cole Smith - Nic Dowd - Keegan Kolesar
BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Garrett Crochet #35 of the Boston Red Sox talks with media prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Starting pitching has not been the Red Sox problem in 2026. And with Payton Tolle performing well and Brayan Bello possibly bouncing back thanks to the use of an opener, the staff has more than held its own in the absence of Garrett Crochet. But Crochet isn’t taking any chances. Yesterday, he completed his first bullpen session since being sidelined with shoulder inflammation. And while he’s not ready to come back just yet, he hopes to skip any rehab assignments and head straight back to the Majors when he is. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Crochet returning without stretching himself out in the minors would not be without recent precedent. Sonny Gray also came right back to the big league team and has been outstanding. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
Exactly how good as the Sox’ rotation been lately? They have a 2.61 ERA in May. “I think pitching is contagious,” said Sonny Gray. “I think hitting is contagious. I think winning is contagious. So, I’ve enjoyed watching our staff, and there’s zero part of me that feels complacent or that feels that we’re there. I feel like when you start to feel that way, it’ll come up and find you. I feel we have a good staff, and I feel like you can definitely build off of one another. We’re just going to continue to push forward because I think we could still get better.” (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
It sure would be nice if Roman Anthony could return from injury, but things aren’t looking great in that regard. He’s due to come off the IL tomorrow, but is wearing a brace and has yet to resume baseball activities. According to Chad Tracy, the Sox are waiting until his grip strength improves before thinking of next steps. (Justin Leger, NBC Sports Boston)
Speaking of injuries, Sox catcher Connor Wong had a little bit of an injury scare last night, when he tripped over Edmundo Sosa’s leg while chasing after a foul pop-up in the eighth inning. “I think he banged on the outside bone part of the ankle,” said Chad Tracy. “They did some quick images. Everything’s negative. He was able to kind of jump on it. Just felt a little discomfort pushing off of it.” (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
And speaking of Red Sox catchers, Sam Kennedy spoke a bit about the recently fired reassigned Jason Varitek. “We have a personal relationship, all of us do, with Tek. We’re gonna give him all the time he needs given what went down. We respect him and appreciate him. There will always be a home for him in this organization. But we’re also gonna respect the fact he’s probably taking some time now, well-deserved time, but we’ll address that at the appropriate time.” (Lauren Campbell, MassLive)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 12: A detailed view of the No. 6 on the back of the hat of Walt Weiss #22 of the Atlanta Braves is seen prior to the first pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on May 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. The No. 6 is embroidered on the back of the Braves hats to honor Bobby Cox, Hall of Fame manager of the Braves, who passed away on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Long after Bobby Cox managed his final game on October 11, 2010, and stepped away from the game he dedicated his life to, the news of his passing on May 9 felt like the coda to a magical period in Atlanta Braves history.
As it did throughout a storied baseball career that began in 1959, Cox’s influence still reverberates through the Braves organization. His loss was felt not only by the hundreds of men who played under the legendary skipper for over three decades, but by generations of baseball fans as well.
Current Atlanta manager Walt Weiss counts himself as fortunate to have played for Cox and believes that his legacy and commitment to the game will continue to live on.
“I wish everybody in the game could either play for Bobby or work with Bobby for at least one year just to see how it’s supposed to be done,” Weiss said. “He was different. He was a different type of leader, different type of person, really. He just created loyalty with how he treated people and that respect always came back to him.”
The passing of Cox added to an emotional week for the team as it closely followed the death of longtime owner and media mogul Ted Turner on May 6. Those two men were instrumental to the Braves’ rise to prominence in a true golden era that was the 1990s.
Cox led the team both on the field and the front office during two separate stints in Atlanta, while Turner established Braves baseball as a staple of his television empire on TBS.
As the club memorialized both men on Tuesday at Truist Park, the memories, testimonials and deep reverence shared by many who experienced those years was palpable.
Though Turner led from afar for most players and coaches in the organization, Cox’s fingerprints were all over the design of the team. His death struck a resounding chord for those who experienced life with the Braves during Cox’s time as a stalwart of the organization.
“I think everybody’s done a really good job of just communicating the legacy of Bobby Cox,” Weiss said on Tuesday. “A lot of great stories and just a lot of confirmation about what a great leader he was the impact he had on so many people.”
Though baseball is the ultimate game of numbers and those accomplishments may garner significant glory, Cox received universal praise for his loyalty and belief in his teams. The way he interacted with, utilized, and thereby instilled confidence in his players was second to none.
“He was a great encourager, and he had a knack for always making you feel like you were playing better than you actually were,” Weiss said. “Even in times where you struggled, he went out of his way to make you feel like maybe it wasn’t as bad as you thought. That’s probably the biggest thing I take from him, because I’m always in tune with that.”
Weiss, who is in his second stint as a major league manager, carries the lessons learned during a 14-year playing career with him to this day. The final three of those seasons were spent in Atlanta playing for Cox, who Weiss witnessed balance fiery competitiveness with steadfast loyalty.
Having the opportunity to pay those lessons forward is important to Weiss.
“With guys that are struggling, especially, [I] go out of my way to check in with them,” Weiss said. “I enjoy encouraging guys. I know how hard the game is. Over the course of my career, I struggled at times as much as anybody in this game, so I don’t ever want to forget that. That’s why I think it’s important to be an encourager. You have standards and you want to hold guys accountable to those standards, too, but at the same time you’ve got you got to encourage them. That’s the sort of thing Bobby was great at.”
Striking a balance between the tangibles and intangibles that lead to victory is one of the many responsibilities a major league manager signs up for. Playing for Cox allowed Weiss to gain a deeper understanding of just how much winning can be done in moments when not even a single pitch is thrown.
“Look, at the highest level, the margin of victory is razor thin,” Weiss said. “The difference between first and last place is one win a week. That’s 26 games out at the end of the year. So, you look for ways to create the edge, because it is razor thin. Maybe it’s encouraging a guy or speaking confidence into him so that he plays better ultimately. That’s where the culture comes in. Any way that you can create an edge could be a difference-maker in this game because it’s difficult to win at the highest level. Bobby was always so in tune with those things, and he always had great culture.”
Even though Weiss had already played for great teams and a World Series champion with the Oakland Athletics early in his career, it did not take him long to realize Atlanta’s way of doing things was different. By the time Weiss arrived, the World Series was an annual expectation.
“I remember coming in my first year in spring training as a Brave, because they were in the middle of that run I was thinking, ‘Man, I don’t want to be the one to screw this thing up,’” Weiss said. “So, you get on board and you do things the way that Bobby wanted them done.”
In doing so, Weiss was able to be a part of some special teams during his three-year stay in Atlanta. While the Braves did not realize the dream of becoming World Series champions again, Weiss recognized that he was experiencing something truly rare with Cox’s revered leadership style.
“I think that the greatest compliment I can give him is that in 1999, we lost in the World Series to the Yankees and every guy in the room felt like we let Bobby down,” Weiss said. “I mean, that doesn’t happen in professional sports. A lot of times it becomes self-preservation because it’s such a cutthroat business, but he had that kind of impact where you knew when we didn’t play well. In that instance, we didn’t win the World Series for him, and we felt like we let him down. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that before and at this level.”
The drive to baseball’s postseason begins when the team reports to spring training. In addition to the physical preparation required over the course of a marathon season, the club sets its intent through intense commitment to one another and the organization.
The Braves franchise underwent a tonal shift when the 1991 club went from worst to first in the National League West and set off a string of events that would establish Atlanta as a perennial contender.
After decades of irrelevance in the standings, expectations changed. So too did the Braves’ standards. Atlanta captured 14 consecutive division titles, won five NL pennants, and defeated the Cleveland Indians to win the 1995 World Series during their incredible run under Cox.
In many ways Cox was an instrument of change, right down to how the team dressed.
“I stand up in front of the club and talk about our standards or rules – I like to call them standards not rules – but and we continue the tradition of taking care of the brand,” Weiss said. “I communicated that on the first day of spring training, how important that is to me and how important it’s been to a lot of people before me. We’re going to continue to respect that and honor it in the way that we wear the uniform, the way that we respect the brand. The brand means something really special to a lot of people. A lot of people have worked hard to make it this brand special and Bobby is at the forefront of that. So, as long as I’m here, we will always honor that.”
That is certainly a fitting tribute to Cox and his legacy.
While the game continues to evolve, the uniform standard remains sacrosanct to the Braves. It was of the utmost importance to Cox. Though his playing days were long behind him, Cox still wore his traditional stirrup socks and metal spikes every single day he put on a Braves uniform. It was a small but meaningful symbol of his reverence for the game.
Even in something as relaxed as the batting practice environment, Weiss believes just as Cox did all those years that the Braves brand is always on display.
“We don’t go out there in t-shirts and cutoffs and that kind of thing,” Weiss said. “We wear the uniform. We’re going to respect the Braves brand. We’re going to wear a hat the right way. Bobby’s thing was that we don’t put the sunglasses over the ‘A’ so that people can see the ‘A.’ We’ll continue to do that. It’s just a respect for the game a respect for the brand.”
With Cox already immortalized in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, his lasting legacy will be one of a man who held a deep respect for the game, fostered relationships, elevated the people around him, maximized talents, and left baseball better than he found it.
“I said this when I got hired, that I was proud that in some small way as it relates to me that Bobby’s lineage continues,” Weiss said. “He’s been foundational to the Braves’ success over the last few decades, so I’m proud of that… I’m proud that in some small way I’m an extension of Bobby.”
In possession of the 13th pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, the New York Islanders will have an opportunity to bolster their already strong prospect pool.
General manager Mathieu Darche made three first-round selections in his first draft with the team in 2025, selecting Matthew Schaefer (No. 1), Victor Eklund (No. 16), and Kashawn Aitcheson (No. 17).
With draft season here, one name that has been linked to the Islanders is Ryan Lin, a 5-foot-11, right-shot defenseman from the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Lin is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman known for his hockey IQ.
While his ability to frequently join teammates on the rush has given fans the impression he is an offensive defenseman, he also knows when to prioritize his defensive responsibilities, truly lacking any glaring weaknesses, including in his own zone.
Love this clip from the U18s. Oliver Suvanto pushes 6-foot-4 Lucas Ambrosio out of the way like it's nothing so he can drive the puck behind the net, but 5-foot-11(ish) Ryan Lin says "Nope, not on my watch" pic.twitter.com/tThNSIQndh
As an alternate captain for the Giants, he recorded 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists) in 53 games this season, the second-highest point total on the team and the highest among defensemen, as well as six points (one goal, five assists) in five games for Canada at the U18s.
Lin's 57 points ranked third among draft-eligible WHL defensemen, trailing only Daxon Rudolph (78 points) and Carson Carels (73 points), who are each projected top-10 picks.
Islanders scouts are likely already familiar with Lin's game, as he has spent the past two seasons in Vancouver alongside goaltender Burke Hood, the New York's 170th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Looking ahead, Lin is committed to the University of Denver for 2026-27, one of the most esteemed NCAA programs in recent seasons.
— Locked On NHL Prospects (@LO_NHLProspects) May 11, 2026
Under head coach David Carle, Denver has won three of the past five national championships while developing some of the top defense prospects to come out of the NCAA in Zeev Buium and Eric Pohlkamp, the 2025 and 2026 Hobey Baker Award finalists, respectively.
It is also worth noting that, like Lin, Buium and Pohlkamp are undersized, standing 6-foot and 5-foot-11, and they each spent two seasons with Denver.
Pohlkamp played his freshman season at Bemidji State University before transferring to Denver. During that season, he won gold at the World Junior Championship while playing for Carle.
With both Buium and Pohlkamp playing professionally, Lin will have some big shoes to fill, but there is no better place than Denver for a defenseman to develop.
Projected to play alongside at least three other drafted defensemen, Lin is projected to develop his game as a top-pairing option for Carle while competing for a national championship.
In the long-term, Lin projects as an NHL top-four defenseman, capable of leading a power-play unit.
The Islanders organization is weak on the right side of the defense, so Lin would provide an immediate boost to the team’s long-term outlook.
Notably, the Islanders have not selected a right-shot defenseman in the draft since Tomas Machu (No. 221) in 2021, and the only right-shot defensemen under contract for the 2026-27 season are Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield, who are 31 and 33 years old, respectively.
With Lin’s NHL ETA projected closer to Spring 2028 or the 2028-29 season, the Islanders would need to be patient, but if all goes according to plan, they could add another young defensive piece to an already exciting group led by Schaefer and Aitcheson.
Rankings have Lin projected to go in the 8-18 range, so he may not be available for the Islanders at 13.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Michael McGreevy #36 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park on May 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will wrap up their west coast swing Thursday afternoon as Michael McGreevy will start the game against the Athletics. Left-hander Jacob Lopez is scheduled to take the mound for the Athletics. First pitch scheduled for 2:05pm central time in Suter Health Park in Sacramento. Game broadcast on Cardinals.tv.
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 3: The sneakers worn by Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 3, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
This season marks the first time the Sabres have advanced past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since they advanced to the 2007 Eastern Conference Final. The Sabres have earned three playoff series victories over the Canadiens in franchise history. Buffalo last faced Montreal in the playoffs in the 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals, a series in which the Sabres won four games to none.
The Sabres also defeated the Canadiens three games to none in the 1983 Adams Division Semifinals and four games to two in the 1975 Semifinals. Buffalo’s win in Game 4 marked the first Sabres playoff victory in which their opponent had at least seven power-play opportunities since May 4, 2007 vs. NY Rangers (7). The win marked the third time Buffalo has earned four wins in the team's first five road contests in a single playoff year. The Sabres also did so from April 11 to May 2, 2001 and April 22 to May 14, 1998.
In his last five games, Zach Benson has registered six points (3+3), including the game-winning goal in Game 4 at Montreal on Tuesday. Benson has four goals in the playoffs and is the first Sabres skater age 21 or younger to register four or more goals in a single playoff year since Pierre Turgeon in 1988 (4; 18 years old). With one more goal, Benson would become the first Sabres skater age 21 or younger to register five or more goals in a single playoff year since Danny Gare in 1976 (5; 21 years old).
Josh Doan and Peyton Krebs’ plus-5 ratings are tied with Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad from April 22 to May 11, 2006, and Matthew Barnaby from May 8, 1993 to May 7, 1997 for the best mark by a Sabres forward in the first 10 games of their playoff career. In his last seven games, Doan has registered nine points (2+7), including at least one assist in each of his last five contests. An assist tonight would make Doan the first Sabres skater since Alexei Zhitnik from May 14 to 27, 1999 (six games; 1+6) to register an assist streak of six or more games in the playoffs (within a single playoff year).
He would become one of five Buffalo skaters (Dale Hawerchuk, Pat LaFontaine, Gilbert Perreault, Zhitnik) to record an assist streak of six or more games in the playoffs at least one time. • Any point tonight would make Doan the first Sabres skater to post a point streak of six or more games in the playoffs since Thomas Vanek from April 14 to 27, 2007 (six games; 5+2).
Tage Thompson has tallied 11 points (4+7) in 10 playoff games thus far, including two points in each of the last two contests. Thompson’s four multi-point games in the playoffs were tied for the second-most among all NHL skaters entering play on Wednesday. A multi-point effort tonight would make Thompson the first Buffalo skater to register three or more consecutive multi-point games in the playoffs since Miroslav Satan from April 14 to 17, 2001 (three games; 2+4). A goal in tonight’s game would make him the first Sabres forward to record a goal streak of three or more games in the playoffs since Jason Pominville from April 18 to 25, 2007 (three games; 3+0). Thompson is the first Sabres skater to record at least one point per game through the first 10 playoff games of their career since Tim Connolly from (April 22, 2006 to April 14, 2007; 5+7). Thompson is the only Buffalo skater to do so in a single playoff year.
In his last six games, Rasmus Dahlin has posted six points (2+4), including an assist in back-to-back games. With an assist tonight, Dahlin would join Doan, Thompson and Owen Power as the only Sabres skaters who have registered an assist streak of at least three games in this year’s playoffs.
Bowen Byram has recorded four goals in the playoffs and is one goal away from recording the most goals by a Sabres defenseman in a single playoff year all-time.
Mattias Samuelsson (42 hits; three goals) was the only NHL defenseman with 40 or more hits and three or more goals in the playoffs entering play on Wednesday. He was one of just two NHL skaters who had both (Ivan Barbashev; 61 hits and three goals).
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 12: Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a three point basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs has been … interesting. On one hand, there’s been two yawner series, with the Thunder comfortably (albeit not dominantly) sweeping the short-handed Lakers, while the Knicks swept a tired, limping 76ers team in the East. On the other, you have two thrilling (but not “beautiful”) series heading into Game 6’s on Friday, with the Spurs up 3-2 on the Timberwolves, while the Cavaliers upset the Pistons in Detroit in Game 5 to take the series lead (in part thanks to a controversial no-call at the end of regulation).
Spurs-Timberwolves has been by far the more interesting series (of course, I could be biased) in large part thanks to its unpredictability, differing factors in each game, and strange outliers. It all started with no one knowing that status of Anthony Edwards coming in, and everything has stayed weird since. For example in Game 1, Victor Wembanyama set an NBA playoffs record with 12 blocks, which you would think would doom an offensively-challenged team like Minnesota, but instead, the overexertion he caused himself chasing blocks robbed him of any energy on the offensive side, and a historic defensive performance still resulted in a Spurs loss.
Then, Wemby getting himself ejected early in the second quarter of Game 4 was arguably the biggest factor leading to that loss, but otherwise the Spurs have won the other three games in which he has stayed within himself by a combined 74 points, playing like the superstar he is without doing too much or too little.
However, Wemby isn’t the only factor that has helped determine how the games have gone. It certainly helps when at least two of the guard trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have above average games, and Keldon Johnson finally having his postseason breakout was huge in putting Game 5 away after Minnesota had rallied back, but perhaps the most interesting stat line to follow for both teams has been three-point shooting.
Both are shooting a poorly from the arc in this series, with the Wolves hitting 53-156 (34%) and the Spurs an even worse 55-166 (33%). It isn’t too surprising to see Minnesota struggling outside the arc with Donte DiVincenzo out and Edwards hobbled, but that is a surprising stat for the Spurs. Even so, you might be thinking, “But if the Spurs have only hit two more threes than the Wolves in the entire series and at close to the same rate, how is this a big factor?
Good question, and the answer is probably what you expect: because of the way it influences the rest of the Spurs offense. When you break it down game-by-game, it generally follows a pattern. In the three games they won, the Spurs hit 39-104 (including tying a franchise record for makes in a playoff game with 16 in Game 2) for 37.5%, which is better than the 36% they averaged in the regular season. Overall, they have hit a total of 7 more threes than the Wolves in those games, with the outlier being Game 3 when the Wolves hit two more thanks to strong shooting off the bench from Naz Reid and Ayo Dosunmo. Interestingly, the Spurs still won this game because they were more accurate in seven fewer attempts.
So while the Spurs aren’t necessarily winning by the three, they have shown they are capable of losing by it. In their two losses in Games 1 and 4, they shot a combined 16-66 from the three (24%), including a combined 0-12 showing from Wemby and Fox in Game 1 and Fox, Castle and Julian Champagnie combining to hit just 3-18 in Game 4, which still accounted for half of the team’s makes. In other words, while they can win this series by merely being average from three, they can certainly shoot their way out of it. Often, their worst stretches on offense come when they get rushed or anxious, which results in them jacking up threes early in the shot clock, usually missing, instead of running some offense.
As the Spurs have shown throughout the season, they don’t always need Wemby to be a generational offensive player to win games. Instead, their best offense often comes not directly from him, but rather by the gravitational pull he has on opposing defenses, which generates more open looks and driving lanes for his teammates. Once defenses have to respect his teammates (which also requires them to make their shots), then it becomes easier for him to get clean looks.
Overall, you can’t point to three-point shooting as the deciding factor of this series because it has been relatively even, and the Wolves have actually been more consistent from game-to-game. However, the Spurs are slightly more dependent on the three and therefore have been better in the games when they shoot well. While that may seem like a “well, duh” point, the point is it has still mattered more than the overall series stats suggest.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers checks an iPad in the dugout during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the first time of 2026, the Dodgers on Thursday won’t have Shohei Ohtani starting for them in any capacity, a planned rest day during the final game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
“It might be a good thing to take a little bit of a load off his plate offensively,” manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday.
That means no start for Ohtani on Thursday, though Roberts did say Ohtani would be available to pinch-hit later in the game if needed. Roberts also had advice for Ohtani’s first real rest day of the season, which is directly in the middle of a stretch of 13 game days in a row for the Dodgers.
“I would say show up late, start the day much later, build up some R and R,” Roberts said. “But as the game goes on, start reading the scoreboard and seeing if the situation potentially could arise, to then prepare for that spot.”
Teoscar Hernández had his second multi-hit game of the series on Wednesday night as he filled in at designated hitter while Ohtani was focusing only on pitching. Dalton Rushing has the other three non-Ohtani starts at DH this season, collecting a home run and double in his 11 at-bats, with four RBI. Throw in Alex Call’s pinch-hit double on May 5 in Houston, the non-Ohtani designated hitters are hitting .313/.313/.625 (5-for-16) with two doubles, a home run, five runs scored and five RBI in four games, with another coming Thursday night.
The Dodgers are 8-5 in the final game of series this season, but just 3-4 in such games at home. Thursday is the end of the fourth homestand of the season, with the Dodgers splitting the final games in each of their first three homestands of 2026.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 26: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on April 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fresh off of winning a series in Dodger Stadium to cap off a successful road trip out West, the Atlanta Braves are now looking to keep this fantastic run going by not just picking up a series win against the Chicago Cubs but capping off the three-game set with a series sweep of the current NL Central leaders.
The pitching has been a big reason behind Atlanta’s success in this series so far (and the season as a whole), as the raves have only given up three runs on five hits through both games so far. The Cubs came into this series slumping after having been shut out during their final two games at Texas and the Braves have done a good job of extending that misery with their efforts on the mound and their defensive quality as well.
It only figures to get better for the Braves coming into this game, as it’s Chris Sale’s turn in the rotation. Outside of a rough outing in Anaheim against the Angels last month, Sale has ben pretty consistent and a very steady figure in the rotation so far — which is exactly what you’d expect from the future Hall-of-Famer. Sale’s last outing saw him perform well enough to keep the Braves competitive against the Dodgers but ultimately, the three runs (two eanred) that he conceded were enough for the Dodgers to eke out a win. Still, those two earned runs were the most that Sale had given up in any outing outside of the one against the Angels — all of the others saw him give up at least one run or fewer while going at least six innings as well.
That’s to say that Chris Sale has been very consistent on the mound so far for the Braves and you always have to like Atlanta’s chances of winning any given game that he’s pitching in. While this does seem like an ideal situation for Sale and the Braves to thrive in considering how anemic the Cubs lineup has been in recent days, one thing to keep an eye on is that the Cubs have done pretty well against left-handed pitching so far this season. As a team, they’re hitting .267/.364/.425 against lefties with 15 home runs, a .352 wOBA and 126 wRC+ and that wRC+ mark is the top mark in all of baseball so far. If the Cubs do wake up tonight, it may not be all that surprising.
With that being said, it also wouldn’t be surprising if they just kept on struggling. The Cubs have faced left-handers Dylan Lee (who FanGraphs has noticed is doing a fantastic job so far) and Martín Pérez for three innings combined over the course of this series and they’ve collected zero hits, zero walks and struck out six times against the two of them. It is possible for left-handers to have success against the Cubs and maybe we’ll see that from Chris Sale tonight.
If they continue to struggle, then the relevant stat could be that the Cubs’ lineup isn’t nearly as imposing away from The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. At home, the Cubs are hitting .263/.364/.496 with a .377 wOBA, 29 homers and a wRC+ of 128. Away from the North Side, those numbers go down to .227/.319/.378 with 23 homers, a .317 wOBA and a wRC+ of 100. Now granted, it’s not hardly surprising to see a team hit better at home than on the road but for comparisons’ sake, the Braves wRC+ goes from 123 at home to 119 on the road. That much of a drop off is enough to take notice of and maybe it could be that the Cubs are just a different team once they put on the road grays (or blues).
So while the Braves may have the advantage in their attempt to go for a sweep, it won’t be easy. That’s because the Cubs are sending Ben Brown to start tonight’s game. There’s been a lot of uncertainty about whether or not the Cubs want to make Brown a starter instead of keeping him in the bullpen and as of right now, he’s got the nod to be a starter. His most recent outing was a successful one where he tossed four scoreless innings against the Rangers and that was part of a lovely stretch that he’s been on since April 11 where he’s thrown 19 innings and given up three runs (with only one of those being earned) on 10 hits and five walks while striking out 16 batters.
While that start against the Rangers was actually a spot start, the Cubs clearly believe in Brown enough to give him a shot against this very potent Braves lineup at Truist Park, so we’ll see if Chicago’s faith in their talented pitcher will be paid off. He’s entering this game with an ERA of 1.82 (46 ERA-) and a FIP of 2.63 (66 FIP-) so if he keeps that up, he will provide some tough opposition for the Braves this evening.
If it comes down to it, the Braves may just have to once again find a way to get to their opposition’s bullpen and make something happen in the later innings. As it turns out, the Braves have been the best-hitting team in baseball from the seventh inning onwards. Atlanta is hitting .275/.344.459 with a wOBA of .353 and a wRC+ of 125 in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning of games so far — all of those numbers are either at the top of the baseball leaderboards or in the top five when it comes to that particular stat, so it’s pretty clear that if the bullpen does get involved, the Braves are capable of turning the game around at that point in time.
The pitching matchup is certainly intriguing and it’s one that makes you think that the Braves can afford to get greedy and go for a sweep here. Going 5-1 against two of the best teams in the National League so far would be a true statement of intent to the rest of baseball that this Braves team means serious business here in 2026. You could argue that that statement has already been made with their series win but a sweep just seems so much nicer, doesn’t it? It’s not going to be an easy task for the Braves but with the way they’ve been rolling so far, it’s not hard to believe that they can pull it off. Let’s see what happens, y’all.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jalen Brunson’s 2025 postseason run was, once again, special.
Just like pretty much every other playoff appearance he’s made as a Knick, he made history, joining lists filled with names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, and Steph Curry. Statistically, it was his second-best one, inferior only to the year prior’s, as he averaged 29.4 PPG, 7 APG, and 3.4 RPG while shooting 46.1% from the field. Pretty insane stuff. But somehow, Brunson, as he’s made a habit of doing, has one-upped himself.
While his scoring average is down nearly two whole points at “just” 27.4PPG, Brunson’s game has taken a turn for the better. In years prior, whether by choice or by necessity, Brunson had not just been the focal point of the offense, but at times, the only offense. When Julius Randle and RJ Barrett turned into shells of themselves in the postseason, nobody could blame them. When Randle was hurt, he didn’t really have a choice. But last year, a combination of Brunson’s playstyle and Tom Thibodeau’s heliocentric offense led to a stagnant offense that resembled more of a slog than the well-oiled machine that the Knicks’ offense resembles today.
The good news for Brunson, the Knicks, and their fans is that not only is this a more fun product to watch, but it’s also a better brand of basketball, and a much more sustainable version of it. And that may be why this current postseason run has been more impressive. Brunson has reached the pinnacle of scoring, where he has maximized his on-ball isolation ability, while also mixing in his deadly off-ball game. It is a beautiful combination that requires immense skill and a high level of basketball IQ, balanced with sacrifice and commitment to his head coach.
Heading into the Eastern Conference Finals, Brunson is actually averaging more points per 36 minutes (28.4 points) due to the fact that he’s playing over three full minutes less per game these playoffs. Not only that, his willingness to allow the Knicks to play through Karl-Anthony Towns and utilize his gravity for the betterment of the team has led to a very significant rise in the percentage of Brunson’s field goals that have come assisted. Last postseason, only 19.3% of Brunson’s makes came off of assists. While incredibly impressive, that often meant a lot of tough, if not downright bad shots, made by the captain. This season, though, that number has risen all the way 35.7%. That’s nearly double what it was last year, and over a third of his shots made.
Brunson is also displaying such an extremely high level of shot-making right now that only 18.6% of his points have come at the free-throw line, which is lower than the 22.6% he was at last postseason. Not that the foul-baiting narrative ever made much sense, but he’s proved that nonsense as a farce. For reference, Kevin Durant (34.8%), Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (30.4%), James Harden (29.4%), Joel Embiid (29.3%), Jamal Murray (27.5%), Paolo Banchero (27.2%), Cade Cunningham (26.1%), Nikola Jokic (25.9%), and Jalen Johnson (23.9%) are all noticeably higher. In fact, Brunson ranks 81st out of the 230 qualified players this postseason.
The Knicks averaged 283 passes per game in the second round vs. Philly
That's their highest in any series in the Jalen Brunson era… The first round vs. Atlanta was their second highest pic.twitter.com/1jZjDUR6ja
That doesn’t mean Brunson’s ability with the ball has declined at all, though. He’s become even better in isolation situations. Last playoffs, Brunson scored 1.11 points per possession on 4.8 isolation plays per game. This year, though, he’s scored 1.16 points per possession on 3.8 isolations per game. As we’ve seen these playoffs, when the Knicks need a basket, they, rightfully so, feel very confident in giving Brunson the ball and asking him to get them a bucket. It may not be the smartest or easiest shot, but there’s a luxury in having a player you can trust to almost always get off a shot, and one that often has a chance of going in. But unlike in the years prior, the “clear everyone, and let Brunson make something out of nothing” offense is no longer the go-to default; it’s now just the “only break in case of emergency” button.
— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) May 12, 2026
Brunson’s selflessness, growth, and skills have allowed the team overall to flourish, while still giving them the safety blanket that Mike Brown mentioned last week. That’s led to Brunson being fresher and more efficient than ever, while also squeezing out as much from the rest of the team as possible. And for maybe the first time during Brunson’s tenure in New York, the offense looks to be significantly better than the sum of its parts. Obviously, Brown, as well as the collective buy-in and the play of Brunson’s teammates, deserve significant praise as well.
Jalen Brunson is asked if he, as a star, is bothered at all by not having the ball in his hands as the Knicks' offense adapts:
The Knicks head coach has done a great job of blending his patented motion offense with the strengths of his players. And the collective group of OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, and the aforementioned Towns have risen to the occasion and have played incredible basketball over the last seven games. But there’s no denying that Brunson remains the engine of this team, especially when the going gets tough, and the game comes down to the final moments.
Brunson is on another magical run, which has been a welcome sight after so many around the league, including an odd number of Knicks fans, claimed that he was on the decline due to an up-and-down end to the regular season. He’s once again saved his best for the playoffs, and if the Knicks want to lift their first Larry O’Brien trophy in over 50 years, chances are, he’ll have a little bit more saved up his sleeve.
