When Apple and MLS announced their 10-year streaming tie-up in 2022, there were two key financial components: a $250 million annual guarantee from Apple, plus the opportunity for MLS to get a share of additional revenue if the new Season Pass subscription product achieved a certain level of success. But starting next season, MLS Season …
Alex de Minaur reaches ATP Finals last four after gutsy win over Taylor Fritz
Australian defeated world No 6 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 but had anxious wait
Semi-finals spot confirmed after Carlos Alcaraz beats Lorenzo Musetti
Alex de Minaur has shown extraordinary resilience to bounce back from the depths of misery and book an “incredible” place in the last-four of the ATP Finals in Turin.
The Australian No 1, a picture of despair just a couple of nights earlier after feeling he had thrown away victory during defeat to Lorenzo Musetti, started his unlikely resurrection with a backs-to-the-wall 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win over Taylor Fritz on Thursday, his first ever victory at the season-ending championship.
Continue reading...The Wraparound: Will The Tkachuk Bros Grow The NHL?
The Wraparound has a new episode full of rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics.
Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Adam Kierszenblat discussed in this episode:(insert full episode if possible, otherwise megaphone link)
Will The Tkachuk Bros Grow The NHL? by The Wraparound0:00: Was Shane Pinto’s extension a fair deal for the Ottawa Senators?
3:48: Will Brady and Matthew Tkachuk’s new podcast help attract a wider audience to the NHL?
7:50: Can Corey Perry be an X-factor for the Los Angeles Kings this season?
12:55: Could Bo Horvat earn a spot on Team Canada?
17:30: Is Josh Morrissey one of the NHL’s most underappreciated defensemen?
20:55: Will David Pastrnak become the Boston Bruins’ all-time leader in goals?
25:29: Breaking down the top WHL prospects to watch at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge
28:02: Do the Colorado Avalanche have a goaltending tandem capable of winning a Stanley Cup?
See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.
Is making the CFP with three losses possible? + Brian Kelly suing LSU
Will a three-loss SEC team make the CFP? Is Lane Kiffin going to be a distraction for Ole Miss down the stretch? Brian Kelly is suing LSU. A full Week 12 preview.
MLS owners vote in favor of summer-to-spring league calendar beginning with 2027 season
The league will also move to a single-table system that will include five divisions.
Mets inducting Carlos Beltran, Bobby Valentine, and Lee Mazzilli into team’s Hall of Fame
The Mets are adding three new members to the team’s Hall of Fame.
Carlos Beltran, Bobby Valentine, and Lee Mazzilli will be inducted during a ceremony at Citi Field during the 2026 season.
Beltran, 48, is currently working in New York’s office after making his mark in Queens as one of the best all-around players the team ever had.
From 2005 to 2011, Beltran starred in center field for New York as he made five All-Star teams, won three Gold Glove awards, and was a driving force during the club’s run to the 2006 NLCS.
In seven seasons for the Mets, Beltran slashed .280/.369/.500 with 149 home runs, 208 doubles, 559 RBI, 551 runs scored, and 100 stolen bases.
His best season in Flushing came in 2006, when he blasted 41 home runs to tie what was then the single-season club record, had a career-best OPS of .982, and finished fourth in voting for the National League MVP award.
"Carlos’ impact on the organization was and continues to be invaluable," Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a news release. "His unique blend of power, speed and defensive grace made him one of the most dynamic players ever to wear a Mets uniform. He is a respected voice inside the clubhouse, sharing his wisdom as a Special Assistant to David Stearns. We are extremely hopeful that he receives positive news this January when the Baseball Hall of Fame announces its 2026 class."
Valentine, 75, was one of the most colorful managers the Mets ever had.
He went 536-467 during his tenure in New York from 1996 to 2002, helming the Mets’ trip to the NLCS in 1999 and to the World Series in 2000.
Valentine also had a stint as a player for the Mets from 1977 to 1978 and was a coach from 1983 to 1985.
"Bobby served as the charismatic manager of the Mets from 1996 to 2002," said the Cohens. "He ranks third in franchise history with 536 wins and became the first skipper to guide the team to consecutive Postseason appearances, in 1999 and 2000 — a run that culminated in a trip to the World Series in 2000. Known for his innovation, baseball intellect and relentless pursuit of every competitive edge, Bobby V left a lasting mark on the Mets organization."
Mazzilli, a 70-year-old Brooklyn native, was one of the Mets’ most popular players from his rookie campaign in 1976 through 1981 in what was his first stint in Queens.
He earned an All-Star Game nod in 1979, during a season when he hit .303/.395/.449 and had an .844 OPS.
In August of the 1986 season, the Mets brought Mazzilli back after his stint with the Pirates ended, and he was an important cog for the team down the stretch and in the playoffs. Mazzilli singled to ignite New York’s sixth-inning rally that tied Game 7 of the World Series against the Red Sox.
Mazzilli remained with the Mets until the middle of the 1989 season.
"Lee was drafted by the Mets as an 18-year-old prospect out of Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn," said the Cohens. "He debuted three years later for the 1976 Mets. He quickly became a fan favorite during the late 70s and hit the first home run by a Met during an All-Star Game in 1979. Mazz returned to the Mets in 1986 and became a key contributor off the bench for the World Championship team, delivering clutch hits in the most crucial moments."
Rory Kerins Set for Flames Return as Calgary Seeks Offensive Boost
The Calgary Flames will add a fresh dose of skill and energy to their lineup tonight, as forward Rory Kerins is set to draw in against the San Jose Sharks after being recalled from the AHL on Thursday.
Kerins has been one of the Wranglers’ most reliable producers to start the season, posting 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) in 13 games, placing him eighth in AHL scoring. The 23-year-old credits a strong, consistent start for the confidence he brings into his return to the NHL.
“Very comfortable coming back up here and seeing everyone, and it’s fun,” Kerins told reporters Thursday.
“I feel like I’ve been pretty consistent down there… I feel good about my game and confident.”
Kerins is projected to skate alongside Nazem Kadri and Joel Farabee - as reported by Sportsnet 960’s Pat Steinberg - a trio that has the potential to form one of Calgary’s more dynamic offensive lines. With the Flames in clear need of scoring support, the opportunity arrives at an ideal time.
This isn’t Kerins’ first look with the big club. Despite limited NHL action last season, he made an impression—four assists in five games, finishing plus-3, and showing notable poise for a 2020 sixth-round pick. His track record suggests that his upward trajectory is no fluke.
The offensive instincts have been there for years. His final OHL season with the Soo Greyhounds remains a defining example: 118 points (43g, 75a) in 67 games, a breakout display of elite vision and playmaking ability.
He carried that momentum into last year with the Wranglers, scoring a career-high 33 goals and leading the team with 61 points, further reinforcing his status as one of Calgary’s most intriguing young assets.
Kerins also made an early statement in preseason, scoring the game-winning goal on the power play and adding an assist in a 4–1 victory over Seattle on September 23.
Now, the question shifts to whether he can hold down a spot in the NHL. The Flames, battling for consistency and searching for an offensive spark, could certainly use someone with Kerins’ creativity and pace. This recall provides him with a legitimate opening—one he’s been working toward for years.
If his development curve is any indication, Kerins may be stepping into the right role at the right moment.
"It's A Fine Line": Red Wings' Nate Danielson On What Makes the NHL A Whole Different Beast
The Detroit Red Wings are nearing the quarter mark of their centennial season, which has featured a notable youth movement.
Four rookies have already appeared in multiple games so far. Forwards Emmitt Finnie and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, along with defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, earned roster spots thanks to strong performances in both training camp and the preseason.
Although Brandsegg-Nygård was eventually returned to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins after nine NHL games, Detroit soon called up Nate Danielson, making him the fourth rookie to skate with the club this season.
NHL (@NHL) on X2023 ninth overall pick Nate Danielson will officially make his NHL debut today in Detroit! 🐙
Welcome to the League!Danielson, Detroit's first pick (ninth overall) in the opening round of the 2023 Draft, likely would have made the team out of Training Camp had it not been for an injury.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
During his NHL debut on Sunday afternoon, he fired four shots on goal while playing in 15:16 of total ice time as part of Detroit's 5-1 setback against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks while centering the third line.
Following Thursday’s morning skate, Danielson said the biggest difference he’s noticed between the AHL and the NHL is just how thin the margin for error is, as mistakes at the NHL level can cost your team far more quickly than in the AHL.
"The most challenging is just the execution. I feel like it's a fine line, up here if you make a mistake, it'll probably be capitalized on and end up in the back of your net, whereas in the AHL it might not be," Danielson said. "Just a fine line with that, and I think it's pretty easy to come since (I had) a good Training Camp and do all the same stuff down in Grand Rapids."
Danielson then said that he's leaned on advice from some of the older veterans on the team, all of whom have made the transition for him coming from the Griffins a smooth one.
"For sure, they're all super good about it," Danielson said about his Red Wings teammates. "Everyone's been super helpful with me in making the transition easy."
Danielson, who previously played in the WHL for both the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Portland Winterhawks, spent his first full AHL season in 2024–25 with the Griffins. He scored 12 goals and added 27 assists in 71 regular-season games, then added a goal in three Calder Cup Playoff appearances.
Before being called up to the Red Wings, Danielson already contributed a goal with four assists in five games with the Griffins so far this season.
"It's A Must": Todd McLellan Directly Challenges Red Wings' Secondary Scorers Who Aren't Producing Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan has directly challenged some of Detroit's secondary scorers who aren't producing as they should. Following practice earlier this week, head coach Todd McLellan pointed to the offensive struggles of some players on the Red Wings roster combined with Danielson's strong Training Camp as the reasons behind his promotion.
“Danny’s here because he played really well at Training Camp,” McLellan said. “We have some players that are struggling right now, and we thought he could inject a little life and some enthusiasm into the team and maybe provide us with some offense. He’s earned the right to do that after training camp."
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Detroit's AHL Griffins Add Former Habs Star Goaltender Amid Injury Woes
The Grand Rapids Griffins announced Thursday that they have signed veteran goaltender Dustin Tokarski to a professional tryout (PTO), adding a seasoned presence in net as the team battles through injury troubles at the position.
Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) on X. @CopperRockGR Building Strong Update: The Griffins signed goaltender Dustin Tokarski to a professional tryout #GoGRG
DETAILS | 🔗 https://t.co/Jtq5BHD4PkTokarski, 36, was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round (122nd overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot goaltender has built a 16-year professional career, appearing in 444 AHL games and 86 NHL contests since making his debut in the 2009–10 season. He is best remembered for his standout performance with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2013–14 campaign, when he started five playoff games against the New York Rangers, posting a 2–3 record with an impressive 2.60 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. That run included a memorable highlight, a spectacular stick save on New York’s Carl Hagelin.
Last season, Tokarski appeared in six NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes, compiling a 4-2-0 record with a 2.18 goals-against average (GAA) and a .902 save percentage. He spent most of the campaign in the AHL with Chicago, posting an 11-8-1 record, 2.84 GAA, and .897 save percentage.
A two-time Calder Cup champion (2012 Norfolk, 2019 Charlotte), Tokarski also competed in the 2013-14 AHL All-Star Game and led the league in wins (32) during the 2011-12 season with Norfolk. Over his AHL career, he owns a 227-154-41 record with 30 shutouts, a 2.58 GAA, and a .910 save percentage, having suited up for Norfolk, Syracuse, Hamilton, St. John’s, San Diego, Lehigh Valley, Hartford, Charlotte, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Rochester, and Chicago.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
At the NHL level, Tokarski has played for Tampa Bay, Montreal, Anaheim, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Carolina, compiling a 27-36-12 record with three shutouts, a 3.08 GAA, and a .902 save percentage in 86 regular-season games.
Before turning pro, Tokarski was a standout in the junior ranks, finishing as a WHL champion (2008) and Memorial Cup champion (2008) with the Spokane Chiefs, where he was named the Memorial Cup Most Outstanding Goaltender and won the Stafford Smythe Trophy as tournament MVP. Internationally, Tokarski captured gold with Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships.
The move comes as the Griffins continue to navigate injuries to both of their regular goaltenders, Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava. In recent weeks, Grand Rapids has experimented with short-term tryouts to stabilize the crease, including signing goaltender Luke Pavicich to a PTO. Pavicich did not see any game action behind ECHL call-up Carter Gylander and was later released from his tryout, returning to the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings.
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Klay Thompson slams ex-NBA player's 'disgusting and disturbing' reference to Megan Thee Stallion
Klay Thompson didn't hold back after a former NBA player used a graphic term in reference to the Dallas Mavericks star's girlfriend, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, on a podcast this week.
Jason Williams was discussing Thompson's shooting struggles this season with his "Hoopin' N Hollerin'" co-hosts, fellow ex-NBA player Patrick Beverley and Barstool Sports personality Rone.
Thompson, who won four NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors, is 35 and playing in his 13th NBA season, not counting the two-plus seasons he missed from 2019 to 2021 while recovering from tears to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and his right Achilles tendon.
His team, the Dallas Mavericks, has struggled to the second-worst record (3-9) in the Western Conference and fired general manager Nico Harrison.
Read more:Mavericks fire GM Nico Harrison, who traded superstar Luka Doncic to Lakers last season
Nonetheless, Thompson's relationship with the Grammy-winning hip-hop star was mentioned as a possible explanation for his career-low statistics (8.5 points per game, 32% shooting). The couple went public with their relationship in the offseason, and the "Not My Fault" singer has attended multiple Mavericks games since then.
Williams used an explicit term for female genitalia to make his point.
“I’m from West Virginia, man. I’ve been taught a lot by some old folks, old white folks. They say p—’s powerful," Williams said. "They say it’s so powerful … it only takes one ... to drag a battleship across a desert, that’s how powerful it is.
"Klay Thompson — I ain’t saying that’s what it is, but that might be what it is. That ain’t taking nothing away from Megan Thee Stallion. She might be a great girl, great for him. But I don’t know if she’s great for the shot."
Read more:How one aspect of Rui Hachimura's game reminds JJ Redick of Michael Jordan
A video clip of the discussion — that added a graphic that featured a photo of Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion together and the caption "What's going on with Klay Thompson?" — was posted to the podcast's Instagram account. Thompson called out the show's hosts in the post's comment section.
"Referring to my GF as a 'p—' is so disgusting and disturbing," Thompson wrote. "Especially from someone who played in the NBA . How would yall feel if I referred to your wives in such a way ? ...
"Do better fellas. Very disappointing"
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Why trade market could appeal to Dodgers, and help them weigh short and long-term goals
After back-to-back winters in which they aggressively pursued the free-agent market, the early signs this offseason suggest the Dodgers could explore a different path.
They have not materialized as the kind of clear-cut frontrunner for top free-agent prize Kyle Tucker, as many around the industry had expected over the summer.
They have downplayed their few areas of potential roster “need,” touting their returning talent and internal depth instead.
While they have staked out a few early targets in free agency — specifically in the bullpen, where back-end relievers Devin Williams and Raisel Iglesias have emerged as two names of interest, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly — they could nonetheless be hesitant to add another longer-term contract to their already aging core.
Read more:Dodgers seek another back-end reliever. But will they be willing to do another long-term deal?
Even with more than $60 million coming off the books from last year’s payroll, their focus “is less about how do we just spend money,” general manager Brandon Gomes said at this week’s annual general managers’ meetings, “and it's much more about who's available in the market, whether that's free agency or otherwise, to make this team as good as possible to try to win a third [World Series] in a row.”
That “otherwise” might be where the Dodgers best line up to make impact moves this winter.
The trade market, given the current state of their roster, could better suit both their near- and long-term goals.
In the short term, the team could use an outfielder. While Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández will occupy two starting spots in that position group, others behind them on the depth chart, like deadline acquisition Alex Call and recently promoted minor-leaguer Ryan Ward, might be used in more of platoon roles. And after watching Michael Conforto struggle in left field last year, finding a more established upgrade would certainly help the Dodgers’ three-peat quest.
That’s why the Dodgers were seen as such a logical fit for Tucker coming into the offseason. After their exorbitant spending the last couple winters, even his potentially $400 million to $500 million price tag didn’t seem out of their range.
The Dodgers, however, already have five players in their 30s signed to contracts that could extend into the 2030s.
They also have a burgeoning crop of outfield prospects — highlighted by Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Eduardo Quintero and James Tibbs III — who are on track to break into the big leagues by 2027, if not the end of next season.
Those are the kind of circumstances that disincentivize additional lucrative, long-term deals; especially for a Dodgers franchise that remains focused on keeping its championship window open as long as possible.
"I think it's always a balance of, how do you win this year without falling off that cliff [later down the line]?” Gomes said, echoing a common refrain of top executive Andrew Friedman.
This winter, the trade market could be the answer, presenting opportunities to add impact players in the present without incurring the same kind of long-term financial risk and commitment.
There is utilityman Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, whom the Dodgers were linked to at last year’s trade deadline and would add further versatility to their roster (all while making just over $5 million in salary and coming with two more years of team control).
There is, potentially, Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians, a splashier name who is less likely to move, but is considered one of the best left fielders in the sport (and also projected for a relatively modest $9-million salary with free agency still two years away).
There is a glut of other possibilities around the league, as well — especially for pitching-hungry teams like, for example, the Boston Red Sox, whose overabundance of outfield depth could prompt Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu to be available in exchange for young arms.
The Dodgers and their top-ranked farm system have that in spades. Their crop of young arms could be a key area for them to deal from in any potential offseason trades. It's the kind of valuable trade bait that few other contenders could easily match.
The Dodgers would still be selective, of course, all-too-aware of the fact that preserving pitching depth will be crucial coming off the burdensome toll of consecutive World Series.
Read more:Kyle Tucker? A top closer? Dodgers deciding between wants and ‘needs’ as offseason begins
They won’t be entirely punting on the free-agent market, either.
Bullpen additions remain a priority, whether it be Williams or Iglesias (whom the Dodgers would likely prefer on shorter-term deals), or a pivot to another option depending on how their markets develop (there will be plenty, including past trade targets Pete Fairbanks and Ryan Helsley).
And while Tucker doesn’t seem to fit their plans, there could be other free-agent options to consider. Familiar face Cody Bellinger is the next best outfield bat, and could also slide to first base later in an extended contract (mitigating some of his long-term risks). Harrison Bader is someone who was on the Dodgers’ radar at last year’s deadline, and could be had on a shorter-term deal.
For now, the trade market seems like a place the Dodgers could do their primary shopping this winter; providing a potential middle ground for them to bolster next year’s roster, while preserving some flexibility in the seasons to follow.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NHL Hot Seat Radar: Is Maple Leafs' Craig Berube's Seat Warming Up?
Welcome back to The Hockey News' NHL Hot Seat Radar, where we're looking at who's facing more or less pressure to perform in the past week.
To be clear, not every person on the hot seat is in danger of losing their job or being traded. But if their seat is warming up based on recent results, they're facing pressure to turn the results around and get back on a better track.
As we noted last week, Calgary Flames coach Ryan Huska and Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette were on the hot seat, and their seats haven't cooled off any. So we're focusing this week partly on a couple of Maple Leafs and a Blues GM whose job isn't at risk but does have increasingly important work ahead of him.
But first, we return our focus to the Buffalo Sabres.
Red-Hot Seat: Kevyn Adams, GM, And Lindy Ruff, Coach, Buffalo Sabres
Ruff and Adams were also on the Hot Seat Radar last week, the Sabres are 0-3-0 in the past week, so their seats warm up even more.
Buffalo simply doesn’t have the depth of difference-makers, and that’s on Adams. And the Sabres don’t outwork many opponents. That’s on Ruff.
The logjam ahead of them in the Eastern Conference makes Buffalo’s road ahead extremely difficult. Their current stretch of four games in six days could either keep Buffalo somewhat close to the playoff battle or far out of it. They lost the first game of this stretch 5-2 against the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday.
There’s just too much not going the Sabres’ way to imagine that they’re going to overcome much of it and salvage their season. And the status quo with Buffalo’s management team is not going to stand. Unless the Sabres start stacking wins, Ruff and/or Adams may soon find themselves in the unemployment line. It’s that straightforward in Western New York.
Will Kevyn Adams' Lack Of Trades Cost Him The Sabres' GM Job?In the NHL, sometimes it's the trades you don't make as a GM that get you fired. Could Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams be next in that regard?Warming Up: Craig Berube, Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs
Don’t look now, but the Maple Leafs have backslid into 15th place in the Eastern Conference and 27th in the NHL. This, from a top-five team in the league last season. They've been outscored 15-10 in the past week, with a 0-3-0 record.
Thus, everyone in Toronto is on a hot seat of sorts, but Berube has to take his share of the blame and quickly find out how to turn things around, or things will get ugly in Leafs Land.
This is not to say Berube is in danger of getting fired anytime soon. But after he’s experienced the highs of winning a division title in Toronto, he’s in the early stages of finding out how hard things can be when the Leafs slump.
He's turned a struggling team around 180 degrees before, when the Blues went from last in the league to the Stanley Cup championship in 2018-19. Now, he's under pressure to find answers for the Maple Leafs before a warm seat gets hot.
Warming Up: Doug Armstrong, GM, St. Louis Blues
Armstrong has earned his job security in St. Louis, and Alexander Steen is becoming the Blues' GM next year, anyway.
That said, Armstrong has his work cut out for him to allow Steen to hit the ground running next season, when Armstrong stays on as president of hockey operations. And the pressure's building on the Blues to pick a direction.
The Blues are 29th in the NHL with a 6-8-3 record, but they have gone 2-0-1 in the past week.
Armstrong won’t be changing coaches the way he did last year when he hired Jim Montgomery, so other things will have to change with the Blues if they cannot build on this points streak.
If the Blues stay this far down the standings, the pressure will be on Armstrong to get something of note in trades for players like Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou if their futures look bleak in St. Louis.
NHL Rumor Roundup: Are Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou And Tage Thompson Trade Bait?Trade rumors continue to swirl around St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou, while teams are looking into the availability of Buffalo Sabres scorer Tage Thompson.The Blues made a stunning late-season run into a playoff spot last season, so the door shouldn’t be closed on them changing their status in the standings. But the longer the Blues languish at the bottom, the hotter Armstrong’s seat will get to either retool the way he did when he traded Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko in 2023 or make hockey trades that refresh St. Louis' window of contention.
St. Louis doesn’t have the type of generational talent true Western Conference teams possess, and that means Armstrong’s biggest job will be to convert his current group of talent into long-term puzzle pieces.
Warming Up: Anthony Stolarz, G, Toronto Maple Leafs
Stolarz was a feel-good story in his first year as a Maple Leaf, posting a 21-8-3 record, .926 save percentage and 2.14 goals-against average last season.
This year has been an entirely different story for the 31-year-old, who has a 6-5-1 record, an .884 SP and a 3.51 GAA. When you’re averaging a full goal per game more than you did last season, your seat is warming up.
Stolarz, who's unlikely to play Thursday due to an injury, has a new four-year contract extension that kicks in after this season, so he's sticking around. However, with tandem-mate Joseph Woll close to returning from a start-of-season absence, Stolarz may be in danger of losing the starter’s job if he doesn’t start to show he’s capable of being one.
The Leafs are in dire need of wins, and if Woll does come in and deliver wins, Stolarz may find his opportunities cut back. There’s no room for error in Toronto, and Stolarz’s struggles may wind up putting him into the No. 2 role until he improves.
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Magic's incomplete offensive identity has them leaning on defense in hopes of meeting preseason expectations
This was supposed to be the year that the Orlando Magic vaulted into a tier of true contenders in the Eastern Conference. After winning 47 games and earning the 5th seed in the playoffs in 2023-24, they posted a 41-win season and a 7th seed in 2024-25. Boasting the 5th-youngest roster in the league, this season was when their leap was going to happen.
Coming into the season, ESPN ranked the Magic as the 9th-best team in basketball and set their projected wins total at 48 games. The Athletic had the Magic ranked as the NBA’s 7th-best team, and general pre-season betting odds had them with the 9th-best odds to win the title and an Over/Under of 51.5 wins.
Yet, 12 games into the season, the Magic sit at 6-6 and are tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference. So what has happened in the early going that led the team to stumble out of the gate?
For starters, Orlando's shooting woes from last season have carried over into the new season as well.
Heading into Friday night's game against the Nets, the Magic are 20th in the league in effective field goal rate. They're hitting just 33.6% of their three-point shots, which is 24th in the NBA. Not a single player on the Magic averages two or more made three-point shots a game, and only four of them even attempt four or more three-pointers per game.
That was a big reason why the Magic went out andtraded for Desmond Bane this offseason. The 27-year-old is a career 40.7% shooter from beyond the arc and a 47.1% shooter overall. He was meant to provide the floor spacing and knockdown shooting that the Magic so desperately needed. Yet, so far this season, he is shooting just 30.2% from three and putting up just 4.4 three-point shots per game, well below his career mark of 6.3
Bane didn't just become a bad jumpshooter, so we have to expect that the shots are going to begin to fall for him, as they did on Wednesday against the Knicks, when he knocked down three of six from deep. However, Bane being fourth on the team in three-point attempts per game is more noteworthy.
Some of that can be attributed to the team's offensive scheme, which has not created many catch-and-shoot opportunities this season.
The Magic take just 22.1 catch-and-shoot threes per game, which puts them 28th in the league, and they make 34.2% of those shots, which is 23rd in the league. In fact, if you include shots from inside the arc, the Magic shoot just 36.2% on all catch-and-shoot opportunities, which is 21st in the NBA. What's more, 8.3% of Orlando’s shots this season are with a defender within two feet, which is the 4th-most in the NBA. On the season, the Magic are 26th in the NBA in percentage of threes that are deemed open (when the defender is within 4-6 feet). They attempt only 11.1 open threes a game, which is also 26th in raw amount. None of that is particularly good.
However, a more generous way to view the slow shooting start for both Bane and the Magic is that the team is still learning how to play with one another.
"We're still trying to figure out playing with each other," said Anthony Black after the win over the Knicks. "It looks a little different. Rotations are a little different. So I think, as we're finding out where to be on the floor, we're getting better looks, and we're figuring out how to convert... Dudes are starting to find their rhythm, their confidence, so I think we can keep that going and start to make more shots."
"It takes time," added Bane. "It’s new for everybody, so we're trying to get this thing to come together."
In addition to Bane, another new piece in the rotation is guard Tyus Jones, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason. The Magic are also adjusting to who is no longer on the court. Last season, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaged nearly 30 minutes a game in 77 games with the Magic. Mo Wagner played nearly 20 minutes a game in his 30 games, and Cole Anthony averaged just over 18 minutes per game in 67 games. None of them are on the Magic roster currently or healthy (Wagner tore his ACL last December).
"I think that was a big portion of it," responded Magic coach Jamahl Mosley when asked about his team's performance on offense. "Guys finding a way to click together, both offensively and defensively. Putting some new pieces together, having that chemistry flow... Guys not being on minutes restrictions anymore. I think those things all play a part."
Part of the process of figuring each other out is also going to be encouraging Bane to be more selfish when looking for his own shot.
"Dez gets downhill really well," said Black. "You know, we joke around and say we need him shooting some of those shots that he's attacking, but he just does such a good job getting into the paint. He's fast getting past his man that it just makes it easy for the other dudes to play off of him."
While there is certainly nothing wrong with attacking the paint and looking to get looks for your teammates, Bane has the second-highest pass rate on drives of any player in the Magics' rotation, but just an 8.5% assist rate on those opportunities. That ranks 78th out of 121 guards in the NBA playing at least 20 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Bane is attempting just 1.1 corner threes per game and 3.3 above-the-break threes per game after taking 4.9 above-the-break threes per game last year and shooting 41.2% on them.
He's also been involved more as a pick-and-roll ballhandler than he was in Memphis, but that's a major part of Orlando's offensive DNA. As a team, the Magic run the pick-and-roll the 4th-most of any team, but they rank 24th in points per possession on the pick-and-roll and 20th in effective field goal percentage. They are 19th in scoring frequency on pick-and-rolls, so even though they have a propensity for utilizing it, it hasn't been overly successful so far this season.
Some of that could be that teams know it's how Orlando wants to attack, and Orlando doesn't have the luxury of adjusting that approach with their two highest-usage players.
The Magic use Paolo Banchero as a pick-and-roll ballhandler 24.2% of the time. However, he has recorded just 0.89 points per possession and a 46.1% eFG% in that role. Among players who average at least one opportunity as a pick-and-roll ballhandler per game, that ranks 93rd and 129th of 209 players. The Magic also score on 40.8% of the plays in which Banchero is the pick-and-roll ballhandler, which is 98th out of 209 players, one spot ahead of teammate Jalen Suggs.
The team also uses Franz Wagner as a pick-and-roll ballhandler 26.8% of the time after he was the main focus of the offense against the Knicks. He has been slightly better than Banchero in that role, but his 0.94 ppp and 49.2% eFG% are sitting around league average, which is not ideal if that's one of your team's main ways to create offense.
“I think teams switch us because they want to stall us out," explained Mosley before the Knicks game. "They both know those guys [Banchero and Wagner] get downhill very aggressively and get to the paint. So we talk about the screening angles because, if we know teams are switching, where you set the screen is going to be very important. Sometimes you set it, sometimes you slip, sometimes you set a low angle in order to create a problem because now that opens up for others."
Perhaps more time on the court and execution in practice will make those pick-and-roll opportunities more efficient as the year goes on. So far, it hasn't hurt the overall effectiveness of the team's starting five, which ranks 5th in the NBA in net rating for any five-man lineup that has played at least 50 minutes together. That lineup of Banchero, Wagner, Bane, Suggs, and Wendell Carter Jr. is also 2nd in the league in pace, and that's a huge component of how Orlando wants to play basketball.
As a team, Orlando is 10th in pace. They want to get a full head of steam and then use their size and physicality to attack opponents in the paint. They came into Wednesday's game against the Knicks 5th in the NBA in field goals made on drives with 11.5 per game. They were also 8th in the NBA in drives per game at 52.3, 10th in the NBA in the percentage of points that come on drives, and 7th in the league in points that come in the paint. That has also led them to average 10.2 free throw attempts per game on drive, which was 2nd in the NBA. As a team, the Magic average 32.6 free throws per game. They are the only team in the NBA to average over 30 attempts per game.
So their offensive pace does create opportunities at the rim and free throw chances, but their over-reliance on it as their only consistent source of scoring has been problematic in the past and has continued to be so this year. Yet, while Orlando may need to diversify its offensive identity to be more than physical attacks at the rim, that same level of physicality on defense has been central to their success over the last couple of seasons.
"Defense has been our calling card since I came here," admitted Black. "I think that's what leads to a lot of our wins, even a lot of our offensive success. So I think the more we keep getting into the ball, being physical, creating turnovers, I think that'll keep leading to better offensive performances and just a better vibe and just a better feel out there."
The evidence of that was on display on Wednesday in a win over the Knicks. The Magic jumped on the Knicks early, hounding the ball on the perimeter and showing active hands in the passing lanes. That led to 10 steals and forced the Knicks into 14 turnovers.
Yet, that type of performance hasn’t been the norm for Orlando this season. Coming into that Knicks game, the Magic were 15th in the NBA in defensive rating, but they had been 2nd at the end of last season. Part of that is due to Orlando being less active and effective in the passing lanes. This year, they’re 23rd in the NBA in steals with 7.8 per game, but they were 6th in the league last year with 8.9 steals per game. Last year, the Magic were also 6th in the league in deflections with 17.7 per game. This year, they’re 24th at 15.9 per game.
According to Coach Mosley, some of that was just due to preparation and execution: “We gotta do a better job of knowing personnel and then being able to keep them out of the lane, but also being able to get out to shooters at the same time."
The Magic are still hounding opponents on the perimeter, so their aggressive nature hasn't changed. Last year, Magic opponents took 7.9% of their field goals with a defender very tight (within 2 feet), which was 3rd-best in the NBA. 31.3% of their opponents' shots were with a defender tight (2-4 feet), which is also 3rd in the NBA. This year, the Magic are also third, so the issue has been more about poor execution as the Magic defenders close out on the perimeter, which has caused the Magic to average almost three more fouls per game than last year.
"We got to be smarter," admitted Coach Mosley. "That's a big portion of it. Understanding we are a physical team, but we got to be smart about how we're physical, where we're grabbing...A lot of those things that happen in the lane, those guys go up, you make sure you're showing your hands [to avoid foul calls]. I'm screaming it on the sideline. We got to make sure we're communicating that with our guys when they break that three-point line, we've got to be able to show our hands too."
When the Magic do complete a successful defensive possession, they also need to capitalize more often than they have been. This season, their defensive rebounding rate is down to 69.1%, which is 14th in the NBA. Last year, they were 6th in the league at 72%.
"The shot goes up, you don't watch the ball," said Coach Mosley. "You turn and check to see if that man is flying in. You make contact with him, and then you've got to know where that ball is flying off, and then you go pursue it. After you've cleared the box out, you don't just go chase the basketball, and you've got to put your body on them and make sure that after that, once it's secured, then you can get out on the break."
For the Magic, everything is about getting out on the break, but they need to execute their defensive principles in order to do that. "That's who we are, a defensive team that can get out and run and create opportunities because of our defense."
That wasn't who they were early in the season, but it's who they are becoming again. Perhaps heading into Madison Square Garden to take on a Knicks team that had yet to lose a home game was the extra motivation the team needed, but Coach Mosley doesn't believe the opponent the Magic defeat is any more important than what the Magic are doing themselves.
"It's not a statement [win]. It's our process. If we can sit down and guard the right way every single night, trust the pass, share the ball, get out on the break and convert on the break, do a better job defending without fouling That's our process, and the result will take care of itself, but we've got to continue to focus on our process, and it starts on the defensive end of the floor."
Focusing on that end is how the Magic have rebounded from a 1-4 start and won five of their last seven games. It's how the Magic emphatically defeated a potential title contender on its home court. It's how the Magic elevated themselves into the playoff conversation the last couple of years, and it's how they will be able to take the next step towards being a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. Just as all the pre-season predictions anticipated.
“I think the expectations of the outside are always going to be there no matter what we say," reflected Coach Mosley, "but our ability to just focus on our game plan and how we're trying to approach this game is going to be more important...Our guys know exactly how they can play, how good [our] team has been playing, and how we're trending.”
Now it's time for them to deliver that night in and night out.
Who's won the most MVPs in MLB history? Where Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani now rank
Who's won the most MVPs in MLB history? Where Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani now rank originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have gone back-to-back.
The New York Yankees slugger and Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star were named the American League and National League MVPs, respectively, for the second straight year on Thursday.
It’s the third straight season Ohtani has picked up an MVP trophy and his fourth win overall. And all four of his MVPs were awarded in unanimous fashion.
While Judge was also a unanimous MVP winner last year, he faced fierce competition from Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh this time around. Judge earned 17 of 30 first-place votes en route to 355 total points, while Raleigh finished as the runner-up with 13 first-place votes and 335 points.
So, after Judge and Ohtani added to their MVP hauls, where do they now stand on MLB‘s all-time leaderboard? Here’s what to know:
How many MLB players have won multiple MVPs?
Since 1931, when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America started voting for MVP, 30 players have won the award multiple times, according to MLB.com.
How many MVPs has Aaron Judge won?
Judge has pulled into a tie with 10 other all-time greats, including Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, for the third-most MVP awards with three. Judge took home AL MVP honors in 2022, 2024 and 2025.
How many MVPs has Shohei Ohtani won?
Ohtani, meanwhile, stands all alone in second place with four MVP trophies. The two-way sensation won AL MVP with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023, before repeating as NL MVP with the Dodgers in 2024 and 2025.
Ohtani is the first player across the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB to ever win an MVP and a championship in each of his first two seasons with a team, according to OptaSTATS.
How many MLB players have won MVP in both leagues?
Ohtani last year joined Frank Robinson as the only players to ever win MVP in each league, and he’s now the first player to win multiple AL and NL MVPs.
Who has won the most MVPs in MLB history?
Ohtani sits three MVP award wins away from matching Barry Bonds‘ all-time record. MLB’s home run king captured the award seven times over his 22-year career, more than any other player in baseball history.
Bonds won MVP twice with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1990 and 1992 before repeating as the winner for the first time in his debut 1993 season with the San Francisco Giants. He then won MVP four straight times with the Giants from 2001-04.
MLB players with the most MVPs
Here’s a full look at every player with multiple MVPs (* = active player):
1.Barry Bonds: 7
2. Shohei Ohtani*: 4
T-3. Yogi Berra: 3
T-3. Roy Campanella: 3
T-3. Joe DiMaggio: 3
T-3. Jimmie Foxx: 3
T-3. Aaron Judge*: 3
T-3. Mickey Mantle: 3
T-3. Stan Musial: 3
T-3. Albert Pujols: 3
T-3. Alex Rodriguez: 3
T-3. Mike Schmidt: 3
T-3. Mike Trout*: 3
T-14. Ernie Banks: 2
T-14. Johnny Bench: 2
T-14. Miguel Cabrera: 2
T-14. Juan Gonzalez: 2
T-14. Hank Greenberg: 2
T-14. Bryce Harper*: 2
T-14. Carl Hubbell: 2
T-14. Roger Maris: 2
T-14. Willie Mays: 2
T-14. Joe Morgan: 2
T-14. Dale Murphy: 2
T-14. Hal Newhouser: 2
T-14. Cal Ripken Jr.: 2
T-14. Frank Robinson: 2
T-14. Frank Thomas: 2
T-14. Ted Williams: 2
T-14. Robin Yount: 2
Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published in November 2024.
Who's won the most MVPs in MLB history? Where Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani now rank
Who's won the most MVPs in MLB history? Where Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani now rank originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have gone back-to-back.
The New York Yankees slugger and Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star were named the American League and National League MVPs, respectively, for the second straight year on Thursday.
It’s the third straight season Ohtani has picked up an MVP trophy and his fourth win overall. And all four of his MVPs were awarded in unanimous fashion.
While Judge was also a unanimous MVP winner last year, he faced fierce competition from Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh this time around. Judge earned 17 of 30 first-place votes en route to 355 total points, while Raleigh finished as the runner-up with 13 first-place votes and 335 points.
So, after Judge and Ohtani added to their MVP hauls, where do they now stand on MLB‘s all-time leaderboard? Here’s what to know:
How many MLB players have won multiple MVPs?
Since 1931, when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America started voting for MVP, 30 players have won the award multiple times, according to MLB.com.
How many MVPs has Aaron Judge won?
Judge has pulled into a tie with 10 other all-time greats, including Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, for the third-most MVP awards with three. Judge took home AL MVP honors in 2022, 2024 and 2025.
How many MVPs has Shohei Ohtani won?
Ohtani, meanwhile, stands all alone in second place with four MVP trophies. The two-way sensation won AL MVP with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023, before repeating as NL MVP with the Dodgers in 2024 and 2025.
Ohtani is the first player across the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB to ever win an MVP and a championship in each of his first two seasons with a team, according to OptaSTATS.
How many MLB players have won MVP in both leagues?
Ohtani last year joined Frank Robinson as the only players to ever win MVP in each league, and he’s now the first player to win multiple AL and NL MVPs.
Who has won the most MVPs in MLB history?
Ohtani sits three MVP award wins away from matching Barry Bonds‘ all-time record. MLB’s home run king captured the award seven times over his 22-year career, more than any other player in baseball history.
Bonds won MVP twice with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1990 and 1992 before repeating as the winner for the first time in his debut 1993 season with the San Francisco Giants. He then won MVP four straight times with the Giants from 2001-04.
MLB players with the most MVPs
Here’s a full look at every player with multiple MVPs (* = active player):
1.Barry Bonds: 7
2. Shohei Ohtani*: 4
T-3. Yogi Berra: 3
T-3. Roy Campanella: 3
T-3. Joe DiMaggio: 3
T-3. Jimmie Foxx: 3
T-3. Aaron Judge*: 3
T-3. Mickey Mantle: 3
T-3. Stan Musial: 3
T-3. Albert Pujols: 3
T-3. Alex Rodriguez: 3
T-3. Mike Schmidt: 3
T-3. Mike Trout*: 3
T-14. Ernie Banks: 2
T-14. Johnny Bench: 2
T-14. Miguel Cabrera: 2
T-14. Juan Gonzalez: 2
T-14. Hank Greenberg: 2
T-14. Bryce Harper*: 2
T-14. Carl Hubbell: 2
T-14. Roger Maris: 2
T-14. Willie Mays: 2
T-14. Joe Morgan: 2
T-14. Dale Murphy: 2
T-14. Hal Newhouser: 2
T-14. Cal Ripken Jr.: 2
T-14. Frank Robinson: 2
T-14. Frank Thomas: 2
T-14. Ted Williams: 2
T-14. Robin Yount: 2
Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published in November 2024.