DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Nacho Elvira will head into the final day of the Dubai Invitational with a two-shot lead after a 3-under 68 in Saturday's third round, while Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also remained in contention.
Elvira started the day tied for the lead with Lowry and started slowly with six pars and a bogey on the seventh, but birdies on the ninth, 10th, 13th and 17th meant he pulled away with an 8-under total of 205.
Lowry is in a three-way tie for second with Marcus Armitage and Dylan Fritelli, who recorded the best round of the day with 65.
McIlroy is one shot further back in fifth after making three birdies on the back nine for a 68.
Elvira's only previous wins on the European tour came at the Cazoo Open in 2021 and the Soudal Open in 2024.
The Dubai Invitational is held every other year. Two years ago, Tommy Fleetwood benefited from two huge errors on the back nine from McIlroy to win the tournament following a back-and-forth final-round duel. Fleetwood was tied for 20th on even par Saturday.
Next week sees the Dubai Desert Classic, which McIlroy has won four times. He has also won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai three times.
The NBA trade deadline is three weeks away, leaving plenty of time for movement and speculation among the 30 teams in the league.
The trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks served as the biggest trade in the days leading up to the 2025 deadline. While 2026 has already seen the Atlanta Hawks trade away Trae Young, both were drafted early in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft before being traded for each other.
Guard Trae Young may not be the only point guard moved before the deadline. Here’s who else could be on the move.
Point guard market
Ja Morant could be on the move from Memphis, with his career stalling in recent years. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Sacramento Kings could be a team to watch, as long as it doesn’t "involve giving the Grizzlies any significant draft capital."
The Minnesota Timberwolves could be in the market to add a point guard, according to an ESPN report, but it remains to be seen if that happens and who those potential candidates could be.
The Timberwolves would be expected to move on from one of their key players to make a notable trade happen due to the lack of “tradable first-round picks” available for the franchise.
What could the Warriors do?
Jonathan Kuminga made his intentions clear earlier this week with his demand for a trade. The Golden State Warriors make the most of the situation and bring in a player who may be better suited for them in the process.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton believes Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. could be a player Golden State could consider. Porter has a $38 million salary, but would add another long-range shooter with size to the lineup. The Warriors would likely have to send a player over, such as Moses Moody, to make that deal come together.
Who else is in the market for Porter? ESPN's Zach Kram believes Porter could also be a major upgrade for the Detroit Pistons, who remain a contender at the top of the Eastern Conference.
There will always be the consideration of Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded away by the Milwaukee Bucks. Whether it will actually happen remains to be seen.
"I'm just not sure who the team is that would be willing to go all-in right now for him," a scout told ESPN's Jamal Collier regarding Antetokounmpo. "Teams are looking to hold onto their cards until the summer."
Ken Rosenthal says there will be calls for a salary cap but that baseball has plenty of other problems to work through as well in order to avoid a work stoppage.
The Dodgers signed a 25-year, $8.35 billion deal with Time Warner Cable in 2013, and the team co-owns the network.
By comparison, the Royals received $45 million in 2024 from their broadcast deal with Bally Sports Kansas City, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.
Following the 2024 season, the parent company of Bally Sports KC voided its deal with the Royals. Bally Sports rebranded as FanDuel Sports KC and agreed to a restructured deal with the Royals, likely for less money.
So where does that leave the Royals with Bubic? There is absolutely still interest. One source told me the Mets are very interested. They are definitely in on Framber Valdez, but if he goes elsewhere, it sounds like they’d pivot to Bubic. The Orioles, I’m told, had interest at some point. I don’t know how deep it was, but they’ve also traded for Shane Baz and re-signed Zach Eflin. That’s not to say there wouldn’t be starts for Bubic, but it’s a crowded room there. I’ve heard some rumors about the Braves having interest. I wonder if the Phillies would jump in. They have a lot of uncertainty in their rotation. And I’ve been told the Padres are just sort of hanging on the periphery here.
My guess, at this point, is that Bubic isn’t traded, but I’m not terribly confident in that. The teams with interest just don’t match up all that well.
Good morning everyone! The stove is on fire this week with several major remaining dominoes falling. Let’s get you caught up on all of that and more.
In Mariners news…
In a recent edition of the Baseball America podcast, J.J. Cooper and Jesus Canó took a deep dive into the Mariners farm system.
Around the league…
The Mets quickly pivoted after losing out on the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, signing infielder Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126M contract to be their starting third baseman.
The price on Elly De La Cruz only will continue to rise, but the Reds have been unable to get their dynamic young shortstop to agree to a long-term contract extension.
Even before the 2025 season, De La Cruz rejected an offer that would have surpassed Joey Votto’s mark as the richest in team history, according to multiple reports.
The 24-year-old De La Cruz has made the All-Star team in two of his first three seasons with the Reds, finishing last year with 22 home runs, 37 stolen bases and a career-best 86 RBIs.
The Reds apparently didn’t offer Elly De La Cruz enough money. AP
“We made Elly an offer that would have made him the highest-paid Red ever,” team president Nick Krall told The Athletic on Friday. “That’s not where he is and you respect that. It’s their career. You keep going and you keep working on what you can do today.”
Votto, a six-time All-Star over 17 seasons with the Reds, signed a 10-year deal worth $225 million in 2012.
De La Cruz, who is represented by Scott Boras, is under team control for four more seasons and won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season.
“I let my agent take care of all of that,” De La Cruz told reporters at the team’s fan fest.
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. inked an 11-year, $288 million extension in 2024 to remain in small-market Kansas City.
Elly De La Cruz is still under team control for four more seasons. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Young stars such as Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna and Arizona’s Corbin Carroll also are among those to have signed nine-figure extensions in recent years to bypass arbitration and put off free agency.
Juan Soto, another Boras client, was a high-profile example of a player who turned down multiple extension offers early in his career, and he was traded from Washington to San Diego to the Yankees before landing a record $765 million contract with the Mets in free agency before last season.
The Reds signed pitcher Hunter Greene in 2023 to a six-year extension worth $53 million with a $21 million team option for 2029 to buy out multiple years of free agency.
“We’ve got a lot of guys on this club that are impact players that have a chance to be impact players,” Krall added. “Hunter took a deal and that was great. We love having him and he’s an anchor starter for us. We’ve had a lot of conversation over the years, it’s got to work out for both parties.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped four of their last five games, but they’ll be shorthanded tonight as they search for a win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Both teams are playing the first legs of back-to-back sets, and my Lakers vs. Trail Blazers predictions expect a low-scoring game, with young center Donovan Clingan active on the glass.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this showdown at Moda Center on Saturday, January 17.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers prediction
Lakers vs Trail Blazers best bet: Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds (+100)
Donovan Clingan is pulling down a career-high 10.7 boards per game this season, but he's averaged 11.9 rebounds across his last eight games. In that span, Clingan has secured 12+ rebounds five times, including 12 in his last game out.
Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes are both questionable, giving Clingan a favorable matchup against a banged-up Los Angeles Lakers frontcourt. The Lakers will be without their two leading scorers. The Portland Trail Blazers will likely be missing its top scorer and will potentially be without its second-leading scorer.
I’m expecting a low-scoring game and plenty of missed shots from two banged-up rosters. That should lead to ample rebounding opportunities for the second-year man out of UConn.
Clingan has averaged 11.2 rebounds per game at home compared to 10.2 on the road. Given his favorable matchup at Moda Center, I’ll take the Over at even money.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay
Austin Reaves is still out, and Luka Doncic will sit out Saturday, too. With so much offensive firepower on the sideline, someone else will need to step up for the Lakers.
Jake LaRavia has averaged 14.1 points across his last nine games as a starter, and he scored at least 16 points five times in that span, including two straight.
Without its two leading scorers, Los Angeles will struggle to score points in this one. Likewise, Portland is expected to be without leading scorer Deni Avdija, and second-leading scorer Jerami Grant is questionable.
The Lakers have hit the Under in six of their last 10, and the Blazers have gone Under in seven of 10.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers SGP
Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
Jake LaRavia Over 15.5 points
Under 223.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: James Dishes
King James is dishing just 6.9 assists per game this season, and he's recorded nine or more in just six of 22 appearances.
I'll take my chances on the Over with plus-money odds as Luka Doncic is sidelined. Doncic is averaging 8.7 assists per game, and with him out of action, LeBron James should be the team's primary facilitator tonight.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers SGP
Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
Jake LaRavia Over 15.5 points
Under 223.5
LeBron James Over 8.5 assists
Lakers vs Trail Blazers odds
Spread: Los Angeles +3.5 (-110) | Portland -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Los Angeles +135 | Portland -160
Over/Under: Over 223.5 (-110) | Under 223.5 (-110)
Lakers vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know
The Portland Trail Blazers have hit the Moneyline in 24 of their last 40 games at home (+15.15 Units / 29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Trail Blazers.
How to watch Lakers vs Trail Blazers
Location
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Lakers vs Trail Blazers latest injuries
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Yegor Sharangovich has enjoyed a lot of success on home soil of late, recording six points and 29 shots on goal over his last 10 in Calgary.
My Islanders vs. Flames predictions expect Sharangovich to be heavily involved in the offense once again in an out-of-conference matinee.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Saturday, January 17.
Islanders vs Flames prediction
Islanders vs Flames best bet:Yegor Sharangovich Over 1.5 shots (-145 at Bet99)
Yegor Sharangovich has some of the most drastic home/road splits you will find. He has averaged 2.6 shots on 4.6 attempts for the Calgary Flames this season, going Over his 1.5 line at a 76% clip.
Those outputs are night and day from what he’s accomplished on the road. Sharangovich has generated just 1.3 shots on 3.2 attempts in away games, going Over 35% of the time.
There’s a lot of reason to believe Sharangovich will continue finding success at home against the Islanders.
With Blake Coleman banged up, Sharangovich is sliding into his spot alongside Mikael Backlund and Matt Coronato. That line is going to get plenty of ice time.
The New York Islanders also rank 22nd in 5-on-5 shot suppression and 25th while undermanned over the last 10 games. They are giving up plenty of volume, which should lead to ample opportunity for Sharangovich to throw pucks on net.
New York is particularly vulnerable, where Sharangovich likes to pepper goaltenders with pucks. A ton of his volume comes from the slot, and the Isles sit 28th in shots allowed from that area over their last 10.
Rasmus Andersson has shot the puck a lot more frequently this season, especially on home ice. He is averaging 2.6 shots on 6.0 attempts and has cleared this line in 67% of his games in Calgary.
Lastly, we’re going with the Under. The Islanders rank dead last in expected goals generated over the past 10 games. They should struggle to generate offense against a Flames team that has conceded just 2.25 goals per night on home ice.
Yegor Sharangovich has recorded multiple shots on goal in eight of his last 10 home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Flames.
How to watch Islanders vs Flames
Location
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Puck drop
4:00 p.m. ET
TV
CBC
Islanders vs Flames latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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The Dallas Mavericks (16-26) meet the Utah Jazz (14-27) Saturday in a game with an early 4:00pm CST tipoff at American Airlines Center. If any of that sounds familiar, it’s because the two teams faced off Thursday, with the home team Mavericks winning in a blowout, 144-122. Both teams were coming off a loss the night before (Dallas lost to Denver 118-109, while Utah fell 128-126 to Chicago) and both teams were without their leading scorer, but Dallas’ crew of bench and two-way players made an effective supporting cast for Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall as the Mavs nursed a 30-point lead for much of the second half. Saturday’s clash, the finale of the season series between these clubs, caps a four-game homestand for Dallas.
Big and rich
The presence of forward Lauri Markkanen, who missed the Jazz’ last two contests with illness, has been the difference between the Jazz looking like a pretty competent outfit, as they did Monday in an impressive 123-112 road win against Cleveland, and the Jazz team that gave up 150 points to Charlotte Saturday and 144 to the Mavericks Thursday. Markkanen scored 33 and 28 in these teams’ first two meetings, both Jazz home wins in which they outmuscled Mavs lineups with and without Anthony Davis. Markkanen and center Kyle Filipowski took over in overtime Dec. 15 after the Mavericks had spent much of the game outscoring their opponents in the paint. In their next game Jan. 8 when the Jazz needed buckets after the Mavericks erased a 14-point deficit in the third quarter, they went after Daniel Gafford as Markkanen drew Davis away from the basket. With Markkanen sitting Thursday, the Mavericks turned the tide and pushed the smaller Jazz lineups around, harassing Filipowski into 1-of-5 three-point shooting and coming up with rebounds as they protected their lead.
Brice cooker
Guard Brice Sensabaugh was electric down the stretch against the Mavericks Jan. 8, drawing a charge on Cooper Flagg, finding Keyonte George and Markkanen for baskets, and doing some scoring on his own, including a huge three-pointer and a steal and layup in the final two minutes. Thursday’s contest was not as competitive but he scored 27 on 10-of-15 shooting, the latest in a run of recent efficient performances. Sensabaugh and Lewisville-born George, both third-year players, join a core of young players for the ostensibly tanking Jazz who are developing ahead of the team’s rebuilding schedule. Second-year forward Cody Williams is finally rounding into form after a shaky start to the season; the Jazz are not yet a good defensive team but Williams is a good perimeter defender whose offense is catching up. Ace Bailey, the No. 5 pick in last year’s draft, scored 15 most recently against the Mavericks but was held to one make on five tries from three.
Today is tomorrow
The Mavericks’ bossiness near the basket Thursday was all that more impressive considering that the team was missing the top three big men on the depth chart, plus PJ Washington and Cooper Flagg, both out with ankle sprains. To make it work, the Mavericks leaned heavily on center Moussa Cisse, guard Miles Kelly, and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who all topped 20 minutes. Kelly made three of eight three-pointers, Cisse tallied his first career double-double, and Robinson-Earl debuted with 12 points and seven boards. While Flagg is considered doubtful to play Saturday, the possible return of Max Christie, who missed Thursday’s game with illness, would give the Mavericks some shooting and scoring at the rim which will be much needed if the Jazz have more of their starters available.
For the second straight season, injuries have the Mavericks needing to get creative to field a healthy lineup, using their recently awarded 10-day hardship exception to sign Robinson-Earl. There has been no shortage of tough news lately for the Mavericks, and the forecast after this game calls for six more weeks of winter- of the Mavs’ next 13 opponents between now and Feb. 20, all but two (the Bucks and Hornets) have a winning record.
How to watch/listen
You can watch the game on KFAA Channel 29 or MAVS TV (streaming), or listen at 97.1FM KEGL (English), and 99.1FM KFZO (español)
The San Diego Padres have had a relatively quiet offseason, especially when it comes to addressing the needs on their roster. However, the Padres did make some news Thursday when they hired former club members Bud Black and Wil Myers. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball sees the hiring of Black as a positive for San Diego and its new manager Craig Stammen. The former reliever who got the job this offseason after former manager Mike Shildt retired, has never managed and will need to lean on coaches and front office personnel who have been in his position, which makes the hiring of Black a solid move by the Padres.
Padres News:
The Padres signed eight international prospects on Thursday and Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball provides information on each one. The international signing period is open until Dec. 15, and San Diego has money left to spend, so there could be additional signings as the year progresses.
AJ Cassavell of Padres.com provided some answers to various questions he has received from fans on Redditt. Some of the questions asked of Cassavell were about A.J. Preller and a potential extension, what players he sees the team adding via free agency and what his thoughts are on the Los Angeles Dodgers adding Kyle Tucker to their lineup. You can read all the Q&A here.
JP Sears is a pitcher who may find himself pitching a lot of innings for the Padres this season. He is also the focus of the ongoing Padres roster review by Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Baseball News:
A day after Kyle Tucker signed with the Dodgers over the New York Mets and others, the Mets signed free agent infielder Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal. He joins a crowded infield and will play third base in New York, a position he has not played in MLB.
Framber Valdez is the top free agent pitcher on the market, but Justin Verlander is reportedly drawing interest from teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, who were considered to be one of the suitors for Valdez.
Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz declined an extension from the Cincinnati Reds last spring. The offer would have reportedly topped the 10-year, $225 million deal the team had with former first baseman Joey Votto.
The Los Angeles Angels who acquired Josh Lowe in a three-team trade Thursday, have said they are open to playing him in center field. In the same trade the Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder Gavin Lux and the team announced Friday the plan is for Lux to be the team’s second baseman.
BCB’s Sara Sanchez will have a wrap of some of the key Cubs Convention sessions later today or tomorrow.
For those of you not attending the convention but following the live coverage on Marquee Sports Network (and the channel is streaming all the sessions), this is an open thread for you to discuss what’s happening at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Here is today’s schedule (all times Central). It begins at 9 a.m.
I did want to mention, briefly, one thing I noticed about Friday night’s Opening Ceremony. During the ceremony the Cubs showed a couple of videos of highlights of the 2025 season. During these videos Kyle Tucker wasn’t shown — not even when the Cubs’ other two All-Stars, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Matthew Boyd, were noted.
Tucker’s not a Cub anymore, as we all know. But he was a significant part of the 2025 Cubs who won 92 games and made the postseason. He shouldn’t have been completely left out of the videos.
Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored as Man Utd ran City ragged in Michael Carrick’s first game in charge
Michael Carrick is the first manager of United or City to begin a spell in charge with a Manchester derby.
This is how Man Utd’s post-Fergie managers fared in their first derby; all were Premier League games.
David Moyes 1-4 (A) 2013-14
Louis van Gaal 0-1 (A) 2014-15
Jose Mourinho 1-2 (H) 2016-17
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 0-2 (H) 2018-19
Ralf Rangnick 1-4 (A) 2021-22
Erik ten Hag 3-6 (A) 2022-23
Ruben Amorim 2-1 (A) 2024-25
[On Man Utd’s tactics] No, I don’t know. They could play with a four or a back five; they could play with a false nine or Mbeumo up front. I’d love to know but we have to focus on ourselves.
[On the importance Rodri’s return] It’s not news! He’s so important. He was out for a long time, then he had a setback. We’re trying to manage his recovery.
CALGARY, AB -- New York Islanders goaltender David Rittich will get the start against the Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon, the team that gave him his first opportunity to play in the NHL.
Rittich in the starter’s net at #Isles practice here in Calgary.
Back in 2016, a 24-year-old undrafted Rittich, who had been playing professionally in his native Czechia, signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Flames.
After playing the majority of the 2016-17 season in the AHL -- he made his NHL debut on Apr. 8, 2017, in relief of Brian Elliott -- he served as the club's backup from 2017-2021 before he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline for a 2022 third-round pick.
Rittich played in 130 regular-season games for the Flames over that five-year span, owning a 63-39-15 record with a 2.83 GAA and a .908 SV%. He did make one postseason appearance, allowing three goals on nine shots against the Dallas Stars, who won 7-3 to advance to the second round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Since leaving Calgary, he's played for Toronto (2021), Nashville (2021-22), Winnipeg (2022-23), Los Angeles (2023-2025) before signing with the Islanders this summer.
At 33, he's in the midst of a major bounce-back season, sporting an electric 2.39 GAA with a .910 SV% in 19 appearances.
Saturday will be Rittich's second start on this seven-game road trip, with this game being No. 5 of the trek. He stopped 26 of 27 in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators on Jan. 8.
Rittich is 0-3-2 in five career starts against Calgary, with a 3.89 GAA and an. 861 SV%.
After a rocky road trip, the Knicks (25*-16) return to Madison Square Garden tonight for a rematch with the Phoenix Suns (24-17).
Not ten days ago, New York lost in Arizona, 112-107. The game was tight until Phoenix hit the gas, leaning on Devin Booker’s shot-making and a timely third-quarter surge to seize control. Jalen Brunson led New York with 27, and the Knicks got balanced support from Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, and Mikal Bridges, but a 14–0 Suns run lopped off their heads.
New York’s offense runs through Brunson, whose sprained ankle makes him a game-time decision. When the Knicks stall, it’s usually because secondary creation dries up or the three-pointers aren’t falling. Or they turn over the ball too often. Or their defense degrades to one-ply. Or their bench players look like Encino Man discovering sports. Or their coach has a postgame, sideline rubdown with that night’s villain. For a team with championship aspirations (and Dolan’s expectations), the problems are manifold. When their troubles are all activated at once, as we saw on the recently completed road trip, the disappointment is spectacular.
Towns remains a confounding puzzle piece: his rebounding and interior scoring can fill up a scoresheet, but foul trouble, turnovers, and general aloofness are regular bugaboos. The eye test alone will tell you that something is off, and the numbers support it. Towns is shooting at, or almost at, career lows from the field and from deep. Furthermore, he is averaging below 21 points for just the third season of his career.
From our distance, we have no idea why the highly decorated big man is decomposing. He could be playing hurt, confused by the playbook, incompatible with his teammates, performing badly in Fortnite, getting old, annoyed by trade rumors, or anxious about his wedding engagement. Maybe he just wants a hug from Mike Brown, but instead watched the coach give that bully Draymond Green a full bear wraparound. Whatever it is must be addressed soon, for two reasons. First, the Knicks can’t win the Finals with their Number Two player underperforming like this. Second, he’s tanking his trade value. Has anyone else drawn a heart around February 5 on your calendar?
Is KAT alone to blame? Of course not. OG Anunoby has played inconsistently for a month, with some nice quarters (he tried to spark a rally on Thursday) offset by stretches when he looks positively wiped out. That can happen when you defend the opponent’s best player nightly, and clean up the slop let through by the point guard and center. The reticent Ogugua never spills tea, but aren’t you dying to know his thoughts about his teammates?
While I’m piling it on: the bench usually fails to contribute meaningfully. You can blame injuries to an extent. It definitely hurt to have Landry Shamet miss twenty-some games and Deuce McBride eleven. Mitch, I wrote about here.
The healthy guys haven’t been much help, either. Veteran Jordan Clarkson has logged a zero or less in the plus-minus column twenty times this season. He has recorded double-digit plus-minus figures seven times, but only three of those games came against teams with winning records. Fellow guard Tyler Kolek has by turns glowed like a savior and looked as lost as a jay-vee high schooler. Mohamed Diawara and Kevin McCullar Jr. both had fleeting moments in the sun, followed by disappearances. Who knows what’s up with Trey Jemison III? And I’m blanking on someone. Wasn’t there another kid, way down there on the pine, partial to baguettes? Pac Man something?
What does all this add up to? Me feeling less optimistic than ESPN.com is about today’s tilt, that’s what (they give New York a 65% chance). Maybe the oddsmakers factored in that Booker is a game-time decision due to a sore ankle. Ignore all that. Booker loves to play at the Garden, and Brunson knows his team needs a hero. I’d bet you a donut—if I knew you and had a donut—that both suit up.
Back home and looking to reset, the Knicks will need sharper defense and steadier offense. Controlling the glass, defending the arc, and finishing possessions are what it takes. Phoenix won the first meeting late by loading up on Brunson and capitalizing on 18 turnovers. New York must counter more strongly this time, and perhaps they will with the Garden crowd at their backs. Let’s predict that our heroes dig deep, wipe the smugness from Dillon Brooks’ and Grayson Allen’s faces, and prove they still got it down the stretch. Knicks by four.
Game Details
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Place: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, NYC TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn’t count.
Mike Francesa has a message for Steve Cohen after losing out on Kyle Tucker: You’re no Bobby Axelrod.
The popular former WFAN host ripped the Mets’ deep-pocketed owner and the team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns, after they failed to land the No. 1 free agent in Tucker, who instead chose the Dodgers’ four-year, $240 million offer.
Francesa’s comments came before the Amazin’s pivoted to shortstop Bo Bichette, stealing him from the Phillies on a massive three-year, $126 million deal.
“He looks like a weak, ineffective billionaire, who doesn’t know what he’s doing and is being led astray by a guy (Stearns) who doesn’t understand what it means to have muscle and be in the biggest city in the world,” Francesa said Friday on his self-named podcast.
He added: “What (Tucker signing with the Dodgers) also does is it completely minimizes the importance and the strength and reputation of one Steve Cohen.”
While no one can question Cohen’s willingness to spend, the Dodgers — not the Mets — have been the team that seemingly signs any player they want in recent years.
Kyle Tucker swinging during the NLDS. AP
In prior offseasons, the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell, among others.
This offseason, fresh off two World Series titles, the Dodgers inked Edwin Diaz from the Mets and now prevented Tucker from landing in Flushing.
Cohen had a major win last offseason when he bested the Yankees to land Juan Soto on a 15-year, $765 million deal, the largest contract in North American sports history.
However, many expected after he became owner that he would simply not be denied for players he truly wanted since he could outspend them all.
He would simply be his “Billions” character in Bobby Axelrrod.
MLB even created the so-called “Cohen Tax” to try to prevent him from just winning every bidding war.
Yet, the Mets have now lost multiple bidding wars to the Dodgers for Ohtani, Yamomoto and Tucker.
“If you’ve never watched the character (Axelrod) that this man (Cohen) is supposed to be, he is supposed to be a ruthless, ‘I win every time,’ kind of guy, and he’s getting punched this way and that way and knocked down and humiliated in baseball right now,” Francesa said.
Francesa noted that Stearns may factor into how the team has operated in free agency, saying that it’s “not working” with the former Brewers’ top executive.
The Mets went to the NLCS in 2024 in Stearns’ first season, but endured one of their most disappointing campaigns ever in 2025 by missing the playoffs with an 83-79 record.
Francesa said Stearns seemingly wants to build a small-market team in a big market for Cohen.
“He looks like an ineffective, soft, middle-of-the-road owner who talked big game and doesn’t get the job done, Francesa said, “and puts people in place to do the same thing.”
Cohen responded to losing Tucker by flexing his financial might to land Bichette, a strong hitter who will man third base for the franchise.
Steve Cohen did not win a bidding war against the Dodgers. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Mets still could use an outfielder and a starting pitcher despite already being in the highest luxury bracket, meaning they will pay 110 percent on any contract.
“He hasn’t been what everybody thought he would be. …The guy who was supposed to be Bobby Axelrod…,” Francesa said of Cohen.
“The bottom line is he was going to be (late Yankees owner) George (Steinbrenner) on steroids. Baseball was so worried about this guy’s Wall Street reputation and his outrageous wealth that they put in a guardian with him in (former Mets president) Sandy Alderson.”
