San Diego, California - September 07: Yuki Matsui #1, Wandy Peralta #58, Griffin Canning #17 and David Morgan #66 of the San Diego Padres walk to the dugout after the game against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
The Padres officially announced they declined the option on right-hander Nick Pivetta while designated hitter Miguel Andujar declined his mutual option and the team declined mutual options on Griffin Canning and Lucas Giolito. It has to be said that San Diego could try to re-sign any one of these players on a new mutually agreed to deal, but considering the myriad of health issues and ineffectiveness that hampered these players at different points of the season, it is unlikely.
The decision to pick up Hart’s option is can be looked at both ways. He is a left-hander with starting experience. Hart had moments last season where he was very good, but he also had moments where he was very bad. He served as a long reliever on a couple of occasions, but the thought may be that getting bullpen arms that are familiar with the system at what may prove to be a low dollar amount is the way to go, especially if the Padres want to re-sign Adrian Morejon.
The Matsui decision may help in the recruitment pitch for Morejon as well. With the Japanese left-handed back in the bullpen, it’s another reason for Morejon to want to remain with the only MLB team he has ever known. He will no doubt be one of if not the most sought after bullpen arm on the market and teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers were throw an unknown amount of money at him to add him to their roster. The hope for the Friar Faithful is that Morejon really does want to be in San Diego and that general manager A.J. Preller can convince new owners Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones to make him an offer. Will it be enough? That remains to be seen, but letting him go without a fight would be a misstep in their effort to show the fans they will invest in bringing a championship to San Diego.
Dustin Harris proved to be a solid addition to the San Diego roster last season and should have an impact in 2027. Read how Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ballgraded Harris’ efforts in 2026.
If there are any questions about the Knicks’ commitment post-championship, or their distraction level amid contract negotiations, none of them can be pointed at Karl-Anthony Towns.
Coming off a legendary postseason run that helped secure his place in New York immortality, Towns has been his team’s most locked-in player of the new season, averaging 21.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game on 65.5 percent shooting from two and 41.4 percent from three.
This, despite being the key hang-up in the Knicks’ extension talks and coming off a busy summer of celebration. Let’s dive into Towns’ hellacious start and what it means to the team.
One difference from Towns this season is his frame. He came into the season considerably thinner than in years past, though he plans to bulk up as the year progresses.
This seems to only have benefited Towns’ game. His mobility looks better and there haven’t been major sacrifices on the defensive end or boards.
His inside finishing has been particularly efficient, while that was a weakness early last season.
Otherwise, it’s been a lot of the Towns we know and love, specifically out of the hub offense that turned around last season's playoffs. The Knicks are leaning into it more now having the blueprint, and Towns looks as comfortable as ever with head coach Mike Brown’s schemes.
It hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet as many would have liked — Towns’ turnovers have spiked while his assists are flat. But much of this is due to how teams have adjusted against this look.
They’ve been more aggressive in switching the flex screen and helping off the weak side, forcing the Knicks into the third and fourth option on these plays. There’s also some sloppiness on Towns’ part as he gets reacquainted and sees what passes he can force or not.
But these bumps are to be expected, the net is positive, and even some early hiccups are ultimately helpful toward the ultimate goal. The fact that the Knicks haven’t made shots like normal is also skewing the numbers.
Inside or out of the hub offense, Towns has looked the part. His 41.4 percent three-point shooting mark could come on higher volume, but he’s picked his spots well with deep catch-and-shoots off trails and even some self-creation in the clutch.
Towns has seen the most action in fourth quarters, scoring 7.3 of his points per game in that period. Unfortunately the Knicks haven’t turned to him in the closing moments enough, as he’s taken two shots in the eight minutes of crunch time in games New York’s played thus far.
That the Knicks have lost most of these tight contests to fall to 2-4 record could be in part due to this. Until others pick up their slack, this may need to be more of a Towns-centric team.
Fans know first hand how these Towns reps will ultimately pay off in the playoffs, when the Knicks will need multiple answers and know they can depend on their big man. But they’ll also play a role in the coming contract negotiations.
Towns can either hit free agency or re-sign long-term with the Knicks, with both parties seemingly favoring the latter -- just at different prices. He will have much more leverage walking in with continued dominance like this.
Towns can point to New York’s falling point differential when he steps off the court, or the mixed results they’re getting from their alternative second options on the wing. He can point to being second in the league in rebounds per game and first to the rim to defend it.
Hopefully this ends in an inked extension and repeat run. In the meantime, Towns is aiming to put together one of the best seasons of his career, and the early returns are promising.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 12: Caleb Durbin #5 of the Boston Red Sox, Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox, and Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox react in the dugout before a game agains the the Philadelphia Phillies on May 12, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We knew this was coming, didn’t we? The defensive brilliance of Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Caleb Durbin was so evident all season long that last night’s announcement of the 2026 Gold Glove winners was a mere formality as far as the Red Sox were concerned. As expected, all three took home with award, the first for Durbin, but the the second and third consecutive awards for Ceddy and Wily, respectively.
Only five players in Red Sox history have won more than Wilyer’s 3 Gold Gloves. But he still remains 5 behind the team’s all-time leader. If you can’t already guess who that is, here’s a hint: he played the same position as Abreu.
Now we turn our attention to the American League Platinum Glove, which will be handed out on Friday. The Platinum Glove, which goes to the single best fielder in the league at any position, has been held in pretty high esteem since it debuted in 2011. But should it be?
Gold Gloves themselves were viewed as something of a joke for a while. For years the award was voted on by a pool of MLB managers and coaches and, frankly, they did a terrible job. That isn’t all that surprising considering that managers would see some players only 6 times a year. More often than not the award went to the best hitter at each position rather than the best fielder — everyone remembers the infamous 1999 AL first base Gold Glove that was given to Rafael Palmeiro, despite the fact that he played only 28 games at first base that year.
In 2013, a selection of sabremetricians was added to the voting pool, which has given the award renewed legitimacy. But with the Platinum Glove, the powers-that-be went in the opposite direction and made it into a fan vote. The fans have to select the Platinum Glove winner from amongst the Gold Glove winners, so there’s never been a truly egregious winner. Nevertheless it seems strange to deliberately strengthen the legitimacy of the Gold Gloves, while more or less ignoring legitimacy as a concern whatsoever with respect the Platinum.
Oh well, it won’t the only thing MLB does this winter that I’m going to complain about…
Talk about the Gold Gloves, take a guess at the Red Sox all-time leader, and use this space to discuss whatever else you want. And as always, be good to one another.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles past Tre Jones #30 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on December 26, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 6-1 Philadelphia 76ers have a golden opportunity to continue their winning ways on Monday when they host a struggling Chicago Bulls squad.
Getting injuries out of the way, at the time of writing Monday morning Joel Embiid is currently listed as questionable to face the Bulls for planters fasciitis injury management. This is also the designation that Embiid had when he missed the second leg of the weekend back-to-back on Saturday. Of course, any injury designation for Embiid makes us all nervous, but one could also speculate that the Sixers may just feel they shouldn’t need the big fella on Monday and are giving him the extra rest. We will just have to wait and see how things develop.
Dominick Barlow remains out with the low back stress reaction that has delayed his participation to start the season. For the Bulls, Nic Claxton is doubtful with a hamstring strain while Jalen Smith (finger) and Tobe Awaka (ankle) are probable.
Not to be too harsh on Chicago, but the Bulls are struggling mightily to start off this season. At 1-5 and coming into Monday on a four-game losing streak, there’s just a lot of things on the wrong trajectory for them. They’re currently 29th of 30 in the league in field goal percentage sinking just 41.4% of shots from the floor; dead last in three-point percentage hitting just 28.1% from long range; 25th in offensive rating and 28th in defensive rating; 24th in turnovers per game; and 28th in personal fouls per game.
Yes, the season is still very new, and we all know how much can change over the marathon of an 82-game season… but right now, there are a lot of weaknesses the Sixers can look to exploit. If I’m Nick Nurse, I want to see my squad take advantage of those turnovers and get out in transition with the speed they have shown already, and I want to see them drawing as many fouls as possible. Take the easy points when you can get ‘em, and hopefully you’re never worrying about playing catch-up the way the Sixers have in a number of games to start their season. Maybe you won’t even have to play Tyrese Maxey for 40 minutes just to snag the win.
One bright spot for Chicago thus far has been rookie Caleb Wilson. The 2026 4th-overall pick out of the University of North Carolina has been leading the Bulls to start the season putting up 21.2 points per game with 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Thirty-three-year-old veteran Norman Powell has been right there with Wilson chipping in 20.7 points per game. Josh Giddey has been the main playmaker for Chicago averaging 7.5 assists per game, with the next highest mark in that category for the team being Tre Jones averaging just 3.0 assists off the bench.
All in all, with or without Embiid, this is a game the Sixers shouldn’t struggle with. If anything, this is a game Philadelphia fans should really hope to see them not have to fight with all their might or stage a comeback in. This is a one-game homestand before the Sixers hit the road for a few games, so it would be in their best interest not to make things harder than they need to be.
Whether they do that, though, is always up in the air.
The Sixers and Bulls tip off in South Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Game Details
When: Monday, November 2, 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
Welcome to our weekly Monday Morning NBA notebook, a quick hit of NBA news and injuries from around the league to catch you up on the past seven days. My opinion on the first two weeks of this season? I stand with Jeff Stotts (of InStreetClothes.com).
Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren all out for OKC
This was simply as bad a week as a team can have.
Jalen Williams suffered a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula from a fall last Sunday against the Clippers. "This is an injury that generally we see more in football players," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. In that same game, starting guard Cason Wallace left with a shoulder injury that turned out to be a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which will also require surgery. While the Thunder will not put a timeline on either player, it's unlikely either of them plays again this season.
Later in the week, the Thunder announced that Chet Holmgren underwent a "biological treatment today to address a small patellar tendon tear" and will be out 8-10 weeks. That likely puts his return around New Year's or in the first couple of weeks of 2027. (If you're wondering what a "biological treatment" is, a league source suggested it's platelet-rich plasma, PRP, therapy.)
While Holmgren will return, the injuries to Williams and Wallace diminish their title chances. Oklahoma City will still be very good behind two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a deep roster. However, they go from a playoff team that can beat anyone regardless of style to one that will be more matchup-dependent (how do they stop elite wings such as Anthony Edwards or Luka Doncic in the West without Williams or Lu Dort, whom they traded away this summer for financial reasons).
What you shouldn't expect is Presti and OKC to panic into a trade to "fix" things. That's not how Presti operates, and he's been in this job 19 years he's not at risk of getting fired. The Thunder will go forward, see what their team looks like, who is reasonably available, then make a call.
Anthony Edwards has knee scoped
Minnesota's Anthony Edwards underwent arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee and that could sideline him up to two months. Which sucks, Edwards had played at an MVP level to start the season, averaging 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 40% from 3-point range.
The positive spin for Timberwolves fans is that this is a proactive move by Edwards and the team: Get the work done now, have him back and healthy around Christmas, or heading into 2027. Looking at the landscape of the West this is a team with sky-high expectations but it needs that MVP-level Edwards to get there.
In the short term, Minnesota needs more of the Charlotte version of LaMelo Ball: One who takes on a larger scoring load and lifts up teammates. So far, Minnesota is 1-2 since Edwards went out.
Ja Morant out with hamstring
Portland — and how well the Ja Morant and Damian Lillard backcourt was clicking — was one of the early-season stories. This news just threw cold water on it.
Morant left his return to Memphis early and the next day came the news that he would be out at least a month with a strained hamstring. Expect Jrue Holiday to move into the starting five, but the real guy to watch is Scoot Henderson, who is going to get a real chance after starting the season coming off the bench and not looking sharp (7.5 points per game on 34.4% shooting)
Morant looked the best he has in years to start the season, averaging 16.3 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 58.8% overall and 44.4% from beyond the arc. He had a more mature game.
Kawhi Leonard out with knee swelling
The timing of this sucks: Kawhi Leonard will miss his one game this season at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
Leonard is out due to swelling in his left knee and will be re-evaluated later this week, the team announced last week. Toronto said in its release that Leonard "will undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program to address swelling in his left knee. Medical imaging revealed no acute injury." Leonard said this on social media.
The reality is the Raptors knew what they were signing up for when they traded for Leonard, that he would miss time and there would be load management. Expect Leonard to miss a couple of weeks as the Raptors will keep him in bubble wrap this season.
Tyrese Haliburton injury
After missing so much of last season, it's been great to see Tyrese Haliburton back on the court — except now we won't see him for at least a couple of weeks due to a left hamstring strain.
This is trouble for the Pacers, who are getting outscored by 10.4 points per 100 possessions when Haliburton is off the court this season, and they are now 0-3 since he went out after falling to previously winless Brooklyn on Sunday.
Jaren Jackson Jr. injury
It's been a rough start to the season in Utah and this just piles on top of it: Jaren Jackson Jr. is out with a torn MCL in his right knee. The good news is that it doesn't require surgery. Utah says Jackson Jr. will be reevaluated in six weeks but expect him to miss closer to eight weeks,
Utah was going to roll out a big front line this season with Jusuf Nurkic, Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. Except we haven't seen it. Nurkic has yet to play due to a partial plantar plate tear in the second toe of his right foot, and now JJJ is out until Christmas or later.
Jalen Suggs out with knee bone bruise
Already without Paolo Banchero, more bad injury news for Orlando with the news guard Jalen Suggs is out with a right knee bone bruise and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. The good news is an MRI revealed no other structural damage.
Sean Sweeney, welcome to coaching Orlando.
Other news and notes
• It's the end of an era. After 37 years, beloved host Ernie Johnson is stepping away from "Inside the NBA" after this season, he announced on X.
• We aren't done with the injury news: The Washington Wizards announced that forward Justin Champagnie underwent a surgical procedure to repair a fracture in his right foot, something he suffered during last week's game against Charlotte.
• Former NBA player Malik Beasley, who was indicted earlier this year for federal gambling crimes, will be changing his plea to guilty. Beasley was charged with manipulating his play in four games while he was with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season to help him pay off a loan after falling into debt
• Philadelphia applied for a disabled player exception due to Ariel Hukporti's season-ending Achilles tear. It's not much, it's just a $1.7 million exception (half of Hukporti's salary this season), but it's something they might use.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Ezequiel Duran #20 of the Texas Rangers looks on prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Friday, September 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Shawn McFarland writes that Duran went from afterthought to indispensable for the Rangers in 2026 and now he’s a Gold Glover.
And, Dayn Perry checks out the top 25 potential trade candidates this offseason where you will find Jacob deGrom and Corey Seager with Texas looking for an off-ramp on spending.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 07: Mauricio Dubon #14 of the Atlanta Braves fields a ground ball during the first inning of Game Four of the Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on October 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mauricio Dubon won another Gold Glove for the “utility position” yesterday. Good for him! It wasn’t a standout defensive year for him overall (+3 FRV in ~460 innings at shortstop; +1 FRV in 125 innings in center field, and +0 FRV in ~680 innings in the outfield corners), but there are also aren’t a lot of utility guys playing at a high defensive level either, so it was probably well-deserved.
But, it raised a different question for me: what even are the criteria to qualify for the utility Gold Glove, and more importantly, what should they be? I remember I did the post when the finalists were announced, and Dubon’s two co-finalists didn’t even feel like they were really “utility guys” — Jared Triolo had ~260 innings at third, ~530 at shortstop, and fewer than 30 at other positions (first base, right field, along with a lone inning in center); Ildemaro Vargas did technically appear at six positions, including pitcher, but exceeded 35 innings at just first and second.
Should a utility player have to play both infield and outfield (and/or catcher), or are utility infielders acceptable? What should be the innings cutoffs for a position to “count?” It doesn’t look any of this is outright defined; further, the utility Gold Glove is the only one where instead of a 75/25 split of manager/coach vote versus data, it’s just entirely data-oriented (though with unclear criteria and cutoffs).
So, I’m just throwing it out there: if you were designing this from the ground up, how would you determine who even qualified to get one?
Sep 19, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) and catcher Gabriel Moreno (14) celebrate after scoring in the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Team news
[Dbacks.com] D-backs Win Club-Record-Tying 3 Gold Gloves with Moreno, Carroll and Perdomo – The Arizona Diamondbacks have a franchise-record-tying 3 winners (first time with 3 position players) for the 2026 National League Rawlings Gold Glove Awards with 2-time winner C Gabriel Moreno and first-time winners RF Corbin Carroll and SS Geraldo Perdomo. Since 2017, the D-backs’ 14 Gold Gloves are tied for second in the Majors with the Guardians, behind the Cubs (15). Moreno, Carroll and Perdomo are now up for Rawlings’ “best of the best” Platinum Glove Award® for the National League’s best defender. The fan-vote honor is live at rawlings.com through Thu., Nov. 5 at 9:59 p.m. PHX/11:59 p.m. ET.
[SI] Geraldo Perdomo’s 1st Gold Glove Shows D-backs Made Right Shortstop Choice – Considering the fact that his bat — which broke out to near-MVP levels in the 2026 season — had a relative down season, it’s encouraging to see Perdomo provide just over 5.0 WAR in a year where he wasn’t destroying the baseball… Perdomo has been viewed as a captain-like figure for manager Torey Lovullo and an emotional leader in Arizona’s clubhouse. But the shortstop position is no easy task. It can make even some of the more sure-handed athletes look like minor-leaguers. Not only has Perdomo excelled and grown into a staple of the Diamondbacks’ identity, he’s taking one of the hardest defensive jobs on the field and making it his own.
[Dbacks.com] Could 10-time Gold Glove winner Arenado switch positions? – As much as Arenado fights against Father Time with an intense work ethic, at 35 years old, he is also realistic about how many games he can play each year. “I think it’s taken a toll on him physically a little bit,” Hazen said. “So we’re trying to be mindful of that.” From the Diamondbacks’ perspective, having Arenado play first base at times would give them a bigger pool of players to choose from as they look to add another bat this winter. “It could help us, depending on what’s out there in the market for available players, by giving us more flexibility,” Hazen said. “It opens the door for us, externally, to consider different ways to improve the team.”
[Yardbarker] 3 questions facing the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason – Will second baseman Ketel Marte be on the Opening Day roster? His stock took a hit in 2026. Marte had a down year by his standards, posting a .249/.316/.432 batting line with 22 homers and 31 doubles in his 624 plate appearances. He disappeared in August, missing a game in Boston before being placed on the Restricted List and, eventually, a stint on the Injured List. Marte’s maturity issues, down season, and the fact that he will earn his 10-5 rights in April make moving Marte a difficult proposition.
[Arizona Sports] Diamondbacks expected to listen to Ketel Marte trade offers once again – For the second straight offseason, the Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to listen to trade inquiries for star second baseman Ketel Marte, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro. The D-backs believe changes are needed after a third straight season of narrowly missing the postseason. Gambadoro reports they will “gauge the temperature on trade interest in players on their roster,” including Marte. Talks to this point have been surface level, but November could be busier than normal for player movement given the threat of a potential lockout when the collective bargaining agreement ends on Dec. 1.
[Burn City Sports] D-Backs’ Merrill Kelly gives trick-or-treaters a surprise they won’t forget – For most trick-or-treaters, Halloween night is all about collecting as much candy as possible. But for a few lucky visitors at Merrill Kelly’s house, the Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher had something a little different waiting at the door. Instead of handing out chocolate bars and handfuls of sweets, Kelly gave trick-or-treaters signed cleats to those who stopped by his house on Halloween. In a TikTok video posted by user talariarider_x3, Kelly is seen greeting trick-or-treaters and giving away the autographed footwear, leaving young fans stunned by the surprise.
And, elsewhere…
[AP] Japanese players Sato, Taira, and Itoh enter MLB posting system – Infielder Teruaki Sato of the Central League’s Hanshin Tigers and right-handers Kaima Taira of the Saitama Seibu Lions and Hiromi Itoh of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the Pacific League are entering Major League Baseball’s posting system and will be available to teams to sign as a free agent from Monday until Dec. 16. Infielder Si-Hwan Roh of South Korea’s Hanwha Eagles is entering the posting system and can sign as a free agent until Dec. 1. Sato, a left-handed-hitting 27-year-old third baseman and occasional outfielder, hit .306 with 39 homers and 106 RBIs this year, winning the Central League’s Triple Crown.
[Reddit] In 2027, Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League will officially adopt the Designated Hitter rule, making it universal across all major professional baseball leagues – Since the National League adopted the DH in 2022, NPB’s Central League has been the last major league that required pitchers to hit. The NPB season ended on October 28, after the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks swept the Yokohama DeNA BayStars 4-0 to win the Japan Series. Like the World Series, the Japan Series uses a 2-3-2 format, and the Central League’s BayStars had home field advantage. Thus Game 2 of the 2026 Japan Series, played on October 25 at Yokohama Stadium, was likely the last baseball game played in any major professional league to not feature the designated hitter.
[MLB] Who’s the best free-agent starter after Skubal? Let’s dive in – There is no doubt about the top free-agent starting pitcher available this winter: Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner whose elite stuff remained intact following a remarkably quick return from in-season elbow surgery. But the identity of the next-best starter is far less clear, adding uncertainty to the most consequential cohort of the free-agent market. The drop after Skubal is significant, but there should still be value for teams that choose wisely. The question isn’t necessarily who was the best pitcher in 2026. It’s which starter offers the best combination of near-term performance, durability, upside and age-adjusted risk over a likely multi-year contract.
Hope everyone had a good Halloween! For October, given the lack of playoff baseball, I spent the month watching 31 horror films from 31 different countries. That was… quite the experience. Here’s the one from Ukraine: the full review has a link at the bottom to all 31.
The Witch: Revenge (2024)
Rating: B
Dir: Andriy Kolesnyk
Star: Tetiana Malkova, Olena Khokhlatkina, Pavel Vishnyakov, Taras Tsimbalyuk
The local tag-line for the movie translates into English as “This is a film where a Ukrainian witch kicks the shit out of Russians.” Straightforward and to the point, considering that the two countries have been actively at war with each other for close to five years now… It’s not the first film to use horror as some kind of coping mechanism for conflict. Infamously, the director of A Serbian Film has claimed it was a commentary on the effect of the wars in the region. But there is typically some kind of distancing involved. The Witch may be the first horror/war movie to come out, while the bloodshed in question is still an ongoing activity.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 19: Jake Bird #59 of the New York Yankees walks off the mound after being taken out of the game during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on May 19, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Some players make an instant impact when traded to the Yankees. Some players take time to get their feet under them playing for the most heavily scrutinized team in the league. And then you get those players who struggle out of the gate upon joining the Yankees and never get close to the player they were before switching teams — essentially a bust from day one. Jake Bird certainly falls into this final category.
2027 Contract Status: Entering second year of arbitration eligibility, projected to earn $1.3 million.
As the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline approached, teams lined up to make a run on relief pitching, contenders hoping to shore up their bullpens in advance of the postseason. The Yankees were by far the most proactive team when it came to reinforcing their relief corps, trading for a pair of closers in David Bednar and Camilo Doval as well as someone who should have been a potent middle inning threat in Bird. They were far from the only team interested in his services — he was a spin rate darling with multiple breaking balls and three-plus years of team control. As such, acquiring Bird required the Yankees to part with the highest-ranked prospect they would deal at the deadline despite the superior track records of Bednar and Doval, New York sending second baseman Roc Riggio — their fourth round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft and a consensus top-25 organizational prospect — alongside Ben Shields to Colorado to complete the deal.
Bird’s Yankees career could not have gotten off to a worse start as he gave up a grand slam against the Marlins in his team debut and a walk-off homer to the Rangers three days later. He was swiftly demoted to Triple-A and would not sniff the majors for the rest of the 2025 season. However, after working with the pitching coaches over the winter, Bird was named to the 2026 Opening Day roster with a shot at some serious redemption.
That redemption never came. Though he opened his season with four straight scoreless appearances, Bird surrendered three runs to the Marlins without recording an out on April 5th and then coughed up another three runs in one inning against the Angels a week later. This resulted in a 12-day demotion to Triple-A with Bird sporting an ugly 7.71 ERA in eight appearances totaling seven innings.
After working on his mechanics in the minors, Bird was called back up for a sustained stretch in the bigs. He acquitted himself well, pitching to a 2.91 ERA in 25 appearances totaling 21.2 innings, though a 4.48 FIP hinted that regression could be on the horizon. Indeed, Bird began to stumble again in mid-July, allowing two runs in 0.2 innings on July ninth before suffering what would ultimately prove the death knell of his Yankees career — five runs on four hits and two walks while recording just one out in an ugly 8-2 loss to the Dodgers on July 19th.
He was promptly sent back down to Triple-A and would not return, getting traded in the middle of a relief appearance with the RailRiders on August 2nd. The Yankees sent Bird alongside Yovanny Cruz, Ben Grable, and Jack Cebert to the relief-starved Nationals for Luis García Jr., who at the time was leading the NL in slugging at .564. In this sense, Bird’s greatest contribution in his year with the Yankees was to net the Bombers the immediately-impactful García, whose seven home runs and 104 wRC+ helped stabilize their ailing offense, halting the summer swoon to clinch a postseason berth.
I’m not sure why it all went so wrong for Bird in New York, given he profiled as exactly the type of pitcher that Matt Blake and the rest of the pitching coaches would love to work with. Bird is a spin rate and pitch movement specialist who frequently placed among the league leaders in sinker vertical break and curveball horizontal break. You might be tempted to say he was the victim of bad luck as evidenced by more than two-run drop-off from his ERA (7.24) to his FIP (5.02) during his Yankees tenure, but this doesn’t tell the whole story. There was a common pattern to his blow up outings, Bird getting pulled after putting multiple base runners on, only for the inheriting pitcher to immediately allow most if not all to score. The Yankees simply did not trust him to get out of his self-made jams, the misfortune entering when the guy that replaced him failed to do any better.
At the end of the day, despite all that movement, Bird was never precise enough with his sinker and curveball command. Too often his misses would be over the heart of the plate rather than a waste pitch out of the zone. This led hitters to bat .305 with a pair of homers against the sinker and .526 with another pair of homers against the curveball. This tells me part of the issue was with pitch selection and sequencing as well — his sweeper and four-seamer both held opponents below the Mendoza line and I wonder how things might have turned out had he stuck with those two pitches. Regardless, Bird never looked likely to break into Aaron Boone’s circle of trust, and the Yankees made the right move flipping him for a difference maker rather than try to force something that just wasn’t there.
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 1: Paul George #13 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 1, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Following a 4-1 month of October, the Boston Celtics opened up November with their first road win of the season, taking down the Orlando Magic 108-97. This extends their winning streak to 5 games, tying their longest winning streak from last season.
In Halloween fashion, the Magic gave Boston a scare after coming back from a 15-point lead the Celtics held midway through the third quarter. However, some clutch shot making by Jayson Tatum and Paul George down the stretch of the fourth quarter allowed Boston to escape the house of Disney World with a victory.
1. Magic Drew First Blood, Tatum Finished it
Jayson Tatum had a great first quarter, finishing with 8 points on 3-6 shooting but at the end of the quarter he was hit in the head, resulting in a cut that saw him bleeding and having to go back to the locker room. Much like Rambo saying, “they drew first blood, not me,” Tatum finished the game with another spectacular performance, finishing with 32 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 8-19 shooting from the field, 1-5 from three and 15-17 from the free throw line.
A bad third quarter made Tatum’s final numbers look worse than it was but the thing that impressed me the most was his ability to get to the free throw line. We have seen Tatum already set a new career high in free throws attempted against the Nets on Tuesday and with 17 more in this game, he became the first Celtic since Paul Pierce in 2008 to attempt 54 free throws in a 4 game span according to Dick Lipe. It feels like he has become a lot less reliant on the three-point shot and is just bullying his way to the basket on most of his possessions.
Tatum’s defense was a stand out as well. There were multiple possessions where the Magic decided to go one-on-one against Tatum and he stood his ground. He was fighting around screens and did a great job on constantly putting pressure on Orlando’s ball handlers. It really is just a pleasure to watch him on the court, further cementing the fact that he is one of, if not the best two-way player in the game.
When clutch time hits, there is also no one I would rather have than Jayson Tatum on the floor controlling the offense. After a long stretch off to start the fourth quarter, he came in and immediately hit two pull-up jumpers to build Boston’s lead back up to 8 points. Tatum is now averaging 31.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 7.0 APG on 61% TS% in his last 5 games and looks prime for a run at potentially an MVP.
2. Hugo Gonzalez First Start
We saw a change to the starting lineup for the first time this season as Joe Mazzulla decided to start Hugo Gonzalez in the place of Jordan Walsh. Gonzalez held his own in 14 minutes of play, finishing with 7 points, and 2 steals on 3-5 shooting from the field and 1-3 from three.
All of Gonzalez’s points came in the first quarter but he looked to be holding his own on the offensive end. He hit a three and had a couple nice finishes in the paint. When it came to his work on the glass, I feel like the best way to describe it is the epitome of a bulldozer. He was able to clear out space a ton and it opened up the Celtics to get more offensive rebounds.
💥🇪🇸 ¡HUGO GONZÁLEZ NUNCA SE RINDE! ☘️🏀
💪 Rebote ofensivo. 🔥 Se tira al suelo para salvar la posesión. 🎯 ¡La jugada termina con tiros libres para Tatum!
I hope we get to see more of Hugo Gonzalez in the starting lineup moving forward. Even in the limited sample size he was on the court, he looked comfortable amongst the rest of the Celtics starters and specifically thrived next to Jayson Tatum. The idea of Walsh as a starter isn’t bad, but I feel like Gonzalez can do pretty similar things to him and might have a little bit more upside.
3. Grand Theft Auto: Boston
Although Grand Theft Auto VI is going to be based in Florida, the Celtics played their own version of the game when it came to their defense against the Magic. Boston hounded Orlando into 16 turnovers, 9 steals, and 7 blocks on the game, holding them to only 97 points.
The Celtics set the tone early in this game, forcing the Magic into 8 turnovers in the first quarter alone. Although it could be chalked up to sloppy play by Orlando, Boston’s defense was a big factor and it helped them get out from an early deficit after the Magic started the game on a 13-4 run. The defense came up huge again in the fourth quarter, as they held Orlando to 7-24 (29.2%) shooting from the field and 2-9 (22.2%) shooting from three. A gritty effort by the Boston defense.
4. No Threes, No Problem
We all know Boston is known for their three point shooting and we also know the Celtics have shot themselves out of games in the past when they are missing from beyond the arc. However, we saw the Celtics shoot 12-44 (27.3%) from three in this game against the Magic and still came out with the victory. This was due in part to the fact they shot 25-40 (62.5%) from inside the arc and more specifically shot 12-16 (75%) at the basket.
It’s good to see Boston have some more variety when the threes aren’t falling. It is a huge help that Jayson Tatum and Paul George are proficient when it comes to shooting in the midrange and it will make them all the more dynamic of an offense this season.
Celtics Shot Zone Chart (Via NBA.com)
5. Neemias Queta Presence
Hugo Gonzalez wasn’t the only the only change to the starting lineup ahead of today’s game, as Mitchell Robinson was ruled OUT do to rest since the Celtics are playing a back-to-back. This gave us a chance to see Neemias Queta back in the starting lineup and he was able to show out a little more. He finished with 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 4-9 shooting.
The first half saw Queta showcase his talents on the offensive end, rolling to the basket and finishing with monster slams or nifty reverse layups. The second half is where we saw his defense come in to play, specifically in the fourth quarter. Queta had 2 huge blocks in the final two minutes of play that the Celtics up to hit the dagger and put the game out of reach.
Celtics process has been outstanding all night and they stuck with it through a rough shooting night
Block on one end but miss the open 3 go right back down with guys hurling to contest a layup then they get the made 3 pic.twitter.com/bPZ64y4JtP
I hope we get to see Queta in the starting lineup more. He has been fine coming off the bench this year but Mitchell Robinson hasn’t really impressed in the starting role so far. Queta was a great starter last year and has great chemistry with Tatum. I feel like Boston could go either way with the starting center but as of now it feels like Robinson would be better suited for a bench role.
6. Luka Garza: Magic Killer
If you were watching this game with the Orlando Magic’s broadcast team, you would have heard them call Luka Garza the “Magic Killer” because every time he sees their shade of blue he has a big game. That is a true statement after last year where in the final game of the season he finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds on 10-18 shooting including the game winning three. Garza was once again a force against Orlando in this matchup as the Celtics second string center, finishing with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists on 4-7 shooting from the field and 2-4 from three.
Garza is known for turning into the “Garzilla” when it comes dominating the offensive glass but it was his three point shooting that was the biggest factor in this game. He hit his first three in the second quarter to end a 1-15 drought to begin the game for Boston and his second came in the fourth quarter during a big Celtics run. Garza played some huge minutes as the only backup center Boston played in this game and just continues to be a consistent presence off the bench.
One thing that has jumped out to me about the Celtics offense this year is the amount of assists that they are able to rack up. In this game against the Magic they finished with 29 and the ball movement was beautiful to watch. Even with the shots not falling in, Boston was able set up their teammates with a lot of wide open opportunities and they kept Orlando’s defense on their heels all game.
However, a stat that the NBC Sports Boston broadcast brought up was the fact that the Celtics have tallied 25+ assists in all six of their games this season. It is the longest streak in franchise history and is a testament to the way Boston has been playing. The unselfish brand of basketball the Celtics have been known for is flowing to start this season, with Boston ranking tied for 4th in assists per game as a team at 28.0. They are also ranked 9th in the league with a 1.83 Assist/Turnover rate.
8. Huge Non-Tatum 4th Quarter Minutes
Going into the fourth quarter, the Celtics led the Magic 77-74 with Jayson Tatum scoring 11 points in the third. Tatum was going to sit to begin the fourth quarter and Boston was going to have to fill some big minutes without their best player on the floor. In that time, the lineup of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Paul George, and Luka Garza weathered the storm.
They outscored Orlando 20-17 with Tatum on the bench including an 18-6 run that gave them a 12 point lead with 5:02 remaining. Tatum was set to come in after Paul George shot free throws but Joe Mazzulla decided to hold him back a little longer, trusting the group that had the momentum. It almost back fired entirely with Desmond Bane and Tristan da Silva hitting back to back threes to cut it to a 6 point game with 4:22 remaining, but I liked the sentiment.
Mazzulla was trying to reward the guys on the floor who put out a double digit lead and maybe it lasted a little too long, it was still a fine decision. It not only gave Tatum time to rest a little more given the Celtics were on the first half of a back-to-back, but it also allowed him to come in fresh and takeover the game. Loved what I saw out of that group and it gives me more confidence in them moving forward.
9. Paul George Closer
Paul George has been better than anyone could have hoped when it comes to the beginning of his Boston Celtics career. There are shades of Clippers PG on offense still apparent in his game now it came out in full force against the Magic. George finished with 17 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks on 6-14 shooting from the field and 3-10 from three. However, in the fourth quarter he turned it on the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points on 3-4 shooting from the field and 2-3 shooting from three, including the dagger with 1:32 remaining to give the Celtics the win.
George was the main facilitator of the Non-Tatum minutes and has thrived in that role throughout this season. Via databallr, the Celtics have a +25 net rating when Paul George is on the court without Tatum including an offensive rating of 138.8 per 100 possessions. Those are just the basic numbers without anything filtered so there could be an outlier there but those are still some pretty great numbers. George continues to impress me every game he plays with Boston and he fit into this system about as perfect as anyone could have imagined.
10. Road Dogs
There always seems to be something off anytime the Celtics play against the Magic in Orlando. Every time they play in the Kia Center Boston and Orlando always seem to have a heavy weight match that ends in a pretty close contest. The Celtics were 1-4 playing in that arena over the last seasons with the one win coming last season so there was bound to be something going on today.
Even with the gods of the Kia Center working against them, Boston gutted out a win over a Magic team who is a lot better than people give them credit for. Desmond Bane and Tristan da Silva are legit flame throwers every time they play the Celtics and even though Franz Wagner had a bad game, he can also light you up. This game was the first of twelve road games that Boston is going to play in the month of November, so I expect to see more gritty wins like this one as the Celtics World Tour across the country continues.
Inspired by the legendary Milan sides of his youth, the manager gave his side a lift with a tactical victory over Inter
Ruben Amorim had waited a lifetime for his first Milan derby. As a kid growing up in Lisbon, he supported two football teams. There was the local one, Benfica, whose games he attended so early in life that his father has recalled changing nappies in the stands of the old Estádio da Luz. And the other one that captivated him from overseas.
“I remember watching tapes of that Milan team with [Paolo] Maldini, [Franco] Baresi, [Ruud] Gullit, [Frank] Rijkaard, [Dejan] Savicevic,” Amorim told Portuguese newspaper Expresso back in 2017. “My childhood dreams were to play for Benfica and Milan. I’ve fulfilled one. Now I suppose I’ll have to become a coach for the other!”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 30: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting a single against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning in game two of the American League Wild Card Series at Daikin Park on September 30, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We should start again by going back over where we have been and where we are going. Simply put, with the lockout coming up, there will likely be little movement in terms of trades, free agent signings, and other player news. I am doing a deep dive into the Hall of Fame Index. Obviously, it is not something for everyone, but the lab is a place where people that are more into analytics can go and get some more in-depth analysis than what you might typically find on the internet. It is also a place where people that don’t know much about analytics can learn a little on the fly.
Admittedly, diving into the gritty details on baseball history and the Hall of Fame isn’t for everyone. What the index does is use a systematic approach to evaluating past and current players. We look at the index itself which we did in parts one and two. We look at more advanced offensive and defensive statistics. We are evaluating current players like Jose Altuve to the Hall of Fame average in this edition. The final edition will look at the more traditional counting numbers that casual fans like to look at.
Keep in mind that the Hall of Fame average excludes the very top and very bottom of the Hall of Fame register and focuses on the ten players in the middle. If we were to take the entire group the average might actually be similar, but we want to remove players that are not particularly relevant as points of comparison. The general idea is to identify who Jose Altuve (or Marcus Semien and Ketel Marte) are most similar to. Are those players Hall of Famers? If so, then the current player (Altuve in this case) should be a Hall of Famer.
Offensive Statistics
OPS+
Rbaser
rOBA
OW%
RC
Jose Altuve
126
15
.361
.616
1384
Marcus Semien
107
24
.332
.526
969
Ketel Marte
120
6
.355
.612
857
HOF Average
118
31
.374
.612
1312
In many respects, these numbers are more meaningful than WAR and that is why we include these tests. Altuve looks like a Hall of Famer here. The only category he comes up significantly short in is base running runs (RBaser). We as Astros fans know where that comes from. Altuve is usually good for a base running gaffe every other week. Those add up over the course of a career. If you gave him those runs back then it is quite possible that both his offensive winning percentage and rOBA move even higher.
The reason why these numbers are compelling is the comparison between Altuve and his other contemporaries. Semien is just a cut below offensively. Now make no mistake, these numbers are in comparison to the league average overall. Most second basemen are a cut below that average, so Semien is a comparatively good offensive player. He’s just not Altuve. Marte looks a lot closer, but he also has not begun a decline phase yet.
This is where things get interesting for Altuve. With each passing season his overall career averages will drop. They could drop below the HOF average if he continues on for another three or four seasons. So, he will continue to add runs created, but he will also drop in the other areas. There is always a downside to continuing your playing career past your prime.
Fielding Statistics
Rfield
FG
DWAR
TZ/UZR/OOA
Jose Altuve
-113
-1.8
-5.8
-39
Marcus Semien
56
4,4
14.2
43
Ketel Marte
22
1.5
5.7
11
HOF Average
36
10.1
11.1
60
Legacies are a complicated thing. When Altuve is voted into the Hall of Fame, he will be the worst defensive second baseman in the Hall of Fame. He will surpass Craig Biggio for that “honor.” That means he will be very similar historically to Derek Jeter. Both were gifted offensive players. Both were high octane postseason performers. Both will go down as the worst defender at their position in the Hall of Fame.
Looking at fielding is difficult when comparing old players with new players. Total zone and Ultimate Zone Runs really aren’t a thing anymore. Fangraphs has shifted to outs above average and fielding run value. The concept of the last column is still the same. The runs represent what they have done at second base alone. Fangraphs considers Altuve to be merely below average. It’s not historically awful, but we have to remember that most Hall of Famers are better than average defenders at their position at the very least.
Semien fits in defensively, so as we can see, different tests will tell us different things. We are looking for a preponderance of the evidence. Most voters would consider offensive contributions to be more valuable than defensive contributions, so everything is not created equal. At any rate, we should take a look at how each player has fared in the MVP voting and subsequent BWAR rankings.
MVP Test
MVP
BWAR
Difference
Jose Altuve
27
15
12
Marcus Semien
15
23
-8
Ketel Marte
11
8
3
HOF Average
20
27
-7
Last time, we looked at why we are using this test. Essentially we want to compare how the voters perceived the player at the time versus what they actually produced. Given Altuve’s defensive struggles, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the voters overvalued him. He also has the 2017 MVP award and BWAR agreed he was the most valuable player in the league that season.
If you can imagine a checklist then this sort of test would appear on the list. Was the player ever the best player in the league? Were they the best at their position? Checking no is not meant to disqualify a player, but the more often you can check yes the better it ends up looking for him. Altuve checks both of those boxes even if he had only two such seasons where he was among the best ten players in the league in terms of value.
Semien has been underappreciated because most of his value comes from the glove. He has also been more inconsistent offensively which plays into this particular test. He has either been very good or very ordinary over the course of his careers. When he marries very good offense with very good defense he ends up finishing high in the BWAR rankings. When he isn’t then he doesn’t.
The Playoff Test
PA
SLASH
HR
Runs
RBI
SB
Jose Altuve
492
.270/.335/.507
28
90
57
9
Marcus Semien
122
.270/.336/.423
4
19
14
0
Ketel Marte
96
.344/.385/.589
3
10
13
3
HOF Average
114
.286/.351/.423
2
13
11
4
Playoff performance is a function of opportunity. There really is only one player in baseball history with a similar resume as Altuve. Derek Jeter ranks first in almost every category other than home runs. Altuve is second all-time in runs scored and second in home runs. He is also second in plate appearances. Do we give him extra credit for that? I suppose one could, but that means you take credit away from other players that didn’t get the same opportunity.
For instance, you could easily claim that Marte is a superior postseason player. He has a higher average, higher OBP, and higher slugging percentage. Obviously, he doesn’t have nearly the opportunities. With opportunities come moments like the walk off home run in the 2019 ALCS. It comes with two rings. These are things that are hard to put into numbers or to quantify. It applies the fame element of the Hall of Fame.
The problem comes when you compare an Altuve with an earlier player. Current MLB has four layers of playoffs. The earlier Hall of Famers had one. That’s not an apples to apples comparison. One could take just World Series numbers, but that would ignore some of Altuve’s biggest moments. There really is no satisfying way of doing it, but we include the test because it is unsatisfying to ignore it completely.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 06: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves walks back to the dugout in the second inning during Game Three of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Braves defense returned to being a strength of the team in 2026. And for the second straight year, Mauricio Dubon and Matt Olson won Gold Gloves as big reasons for the rebound. Both players played pivotal roles in the Braves defense supporting the pitching staff, with Dubon filling in all over the place while Olson ensured he was reliable as possible to get outs at first. Both players are among the best defenders in their respective roles over the past decade in all of baseball, so seeing them receive just recognition once again is awesome.
NEW YORK, NY - UNKNOWN: Jerry Koosman #36 of the New York Mets poses for a photo with Jerry Koosmans Big Bite Fan Club prior to a National League game on an unknown date at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Louis Requena/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Jerry Koosman, the greatest left-handed pitcher in Mets history and the man who clinched the first World Series in team history, has died at 83.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 29: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays defense on Jock Landale #31 of the Atlanta Hawks during the game on October 29, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks entered Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans hoping to avoid the significant injuries already disrupting teams across the NBA. They finished it facing uncertainty surrounding two important contributors.
Jalen Johnson exited with a left ankle injury, while Jock Landale left with a left hip injury. Neither returned to the game, leaving Atlanta awaiting more clarity on both players.
Their departures brought an uncomfortable league-wide storyline directly into focus for the Hawks. Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant are among the notable players sidelined early this season. Before teams have reached even 10 games, availability has already become a major concern.
Now Atlanta has its own injuries to monitor. Neither player’s absence from the remainder of Saturday’s game establishes how much additional time, if any, he will miss. Still, seeing Johnson and Landale leave the same game creates understandable concern for a team trying to find its footing.
The Hawks know how quickly an injury can change their outlook. During the 2024–25 season, Johnson suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required season-ending surgery. That setback interrupted his development and forced Atlanta to adjust without one of its most important players.
BREAKING: Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams has a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula; Cason Wallace has a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Both will undergo surgery and be sidelined for several months — most, if not the entire season. pic.twitter.com/62OxZtIGRc
Saturday’s ankle injury should not be equated with that previous diagnosis. However, the memory reinforces why Johnson’s availability carries so much weight. His scoring, rebounding and playmaking influence nearly every part of Atlanta’s offense, making his presence difficult to replace through a simple lineup change.
Landale’s situation also matters. He provides an experienced option behind Onyeka Okongwu, giving Quin Snyder another interior presence and a different offensive look. Any absence would test a frontcourt already operating without Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye.
Atlanta added depth this offseason, but losing multiple contributors at the same position would stretch those resources. Depending on the updates, other frontcourt players could be asked to take on greater responsibilities sooner than anticipated.
That uncertainty arrives during a season in which the Hawks hope to build on last year and respond to their disappointing playoff exit against the Knicks. Developing chemistry and establishing consistent rotations become harder when injuries force changes before those combinations have settled.
Injuries are an unavoidable part of basketball, and no amount of roster planning can eliminate them. Depth can help a team navigate absences, but keeping its core available remains essential to understanding what the group can accomplish.
For now, the Hawks’ immediate concern is learning more about Johnson and Landale. What began as a hope that Atlanta could avoid the NBA’s growing injury wave has become a much more immediate question about the health of its own roster.
