BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 30: Brandon Young #63 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Houston Astros in game two of a doubleheader at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 30, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles will look to pick up their first win over the Yankees tonight. Baltimore found itself on the wrong end of a four-game sweep at the beginning of May.
Taylor Ward will leadoff and play left field. Adley Rutschman will handle the catching duties, but Samuel Basallo will still start as the DH against LHP Ryan Weathers. The lefty opponent will lead to Weston Wilson at third base and Blaze Alexander at second.
Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso will complete the infield. Tyler O’Neill will get a chance in right, and Leody Taveras will play up the middle.
Brandon Young will get the start for Baltimore.
There’s absolutely no benefit to dropping a fifth consecutive game to the Yankees. The Orioles will need their struggling offense to backup Young as he faces Aaron Judge and a talented New York lineup.
You can check out more about the three-game set against the Yankees here.
Edit: Samuel Basallo was scratched with left knee discomfort. MASN’s Roch Kubatko reported that the discomfort was a product of yesterday’s collision at the plate. Additionally, the Orioles selected the contract of LHP Josh Walker. The team optioned RHP Trey Gibson.
Mathys Tel scored a wonderful goal and conceded a penalty as Spurs got one more point in the fight against relegation
1 min: Peeeeep! Leeds, clad all in black (well, black and some funny blurry shapes), get the game going.
The players are out! The display of flags was a little underwhelming, only partly because if you’re watching on TV it was mostly covered up by a sequence of graphics.
NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Danilo gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks shoots a three-pointer against Ron Artest #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers on January 22, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Just hours after Knicks fans collectively exhaled at the news that OG Anunoby had avoided a major hamstring injury, I got the opportunity to hop on a call with former Knick Danilo Gallinari.
Before getting into basketball, there was one thing worth acknowledging first: Gallinari had just won a BSN (Baloncesto Superior Nacional) championship. When congratulated on the title, he seemed pleasantly surprised that it was brought up, flashing a brief but unmistakably genuine smile before offering a quick thank you.
For a player whose NBA journey began in New York, it felt only natural to start with his first impressions of the Knicks organization and the city itself. “I didn’t know much about the organization,” Gallinari admitted. Relaxed and candid throughout the conversation, he explained how the franchise laid out its vision for the future after drafting him in 2008 before joking, “Obviously I didn’t stay long,” with a laugh.
His introduction to the NBA, however, came rather brutally. “When most people think about a welcome moment, it’s good,” Gallinari said. His was anything but. Even now, he recalled the week of February 1, 2009 in remarkable detail. First came Kobe Bryant, who walked into Madison Square Garden and dropped 61 points on the Knicks in what was then the highest-scoring game ever by an opposing player at the arena. Two nights later, LeBron James followed with 52 points, 11 assists, and what Gallinari still remembers as a triple-double, despite one rebound later being taken away.
For Knicks fans, those games remain burned into memory for all the wrong reasons. But for Gallinari, the welcome tour still wasn’t over. That Friday, the defending champion Boston Celtics came into the Garden and beat New York 110-100. More than anything, Gallinari remembered the awe of suddenly sharing the floor with the biggest stars in basketball night after night.
That experience, he explained later in the conversation, is part of what makes New York such a difficult place to play. “You got to be strong-minded,” he said. “New York is a tough place to play with tough fans, so you have to be able to take that.”
Because of how the latter stages of his career unfolded, it can be easy to forget just how productive Gallinari was at his peak. Across a 10-season stretch, the 6’10” forward averaged 16.7 points per game while building a reputation as one of the league’s most skilled offensive forwards. A player capable of handling the ball, shooting from deep, posting up smaller defenders, and attacking off the dribble, Gallinari was a very good player for a very long time.
Naturally, that versatility meant drawing some difficult defensive assignments. When asked about that, after pausing for a few seconds, Gallinari gave his answer decisively. “Metta World Peace.” Then came a few more names. “Tony Allen, Kawhi [Leonard], Draymond [Green]. They defended me well.”
The conversation eventually shifted from the NBA Gallinari entered to the one that exists today. At 37 years old and officially retired, Gallinari was asked whether there are any current players who remind him of himself.
“Cooper [Flagg],” he answered immediately before laughing. “He had a few more posters than I did as a rookie.” Gallinari pointed to Flagg’s versatility. His ability to handle the ball, shoot, and play multiple positions were all traits that he resonated with.
That naturally led to an interesting thought: what might Gallinari’s own career have looked like had he entered the league in today’s pace-and-space era? He agreed that today’s NBA may have suited him even more, though he was quick to credit his first NBA coach, Mike D’Antoni, for already implementing an early version of the modern game. That style, Gallinari explained, fit him perfectly.
Still, the funniest moment of the entire conversation came when discussing the differences between eras. “The money,” he said with a grin.
Beyond styles of play, Gallinari also reflected on how much the perception of international basketball has evolved since his initial years in the NBA. As one of the most successful international players of his generation, he has witnessed that change firsthand. “Just the global level has gotten so much higher,” he said. “It’s a bit easier now. When I came into the league, there were stereotypes.”
That comment stood out.
It wasn’t long ago that international prospects, particularly European ones, were often labeled as soft. Since then, though, those preconceived notions have slowly disintegrated, and the league has become increasingly dominated by international talent.
Gallinari has partnered with AT&T for the AT&T Dunk Bus, a traveling game-day experience designed to bring fans closer to the game and the league through live dunk showcases, NBA 2K competitions, and player meet-and-greets.
Gallinari spoke enthusiastically about the partnership and how it creates an interactive experience for fans before revealing one final detail with a laugh.
“I don’t know if AT&T knows this,” he said, “but I’ve been a customer of theirs for 18 years, so it’s a neat opportunity.”
The latest cult sandwich spot in Los Angeles isn’t tucked inside a trendy strip mall or an influencer trap — it’s hiding in an industrial corner of Santa Clarita, next to warehouses and storage units.
Chef James Dalton — the longtime private chef to Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts — quietly opened Table 504 last week, a low-key sandwich shop that’s already generating quite the buzz.
The star of the menu is the 12-day pastrami sandwich, which, you guessed it, takes 12 days to prep. The process involves a 10-day brine followed by eight hours in the smoker, on bread baked fresh in-house.
Chef James Dalton (L) is the longtime private chef to Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts (R). Instagram/@table.504Dalton’s culinary résumé is a far cry from your average sandwich slinger. Instagram/@table.504
Locals are also raving about the 504 Italian, another $20 must-order, made with prosciutto, imported mortadella, sweet soppressata, burrata, red-wine vinaigrette, house-pickled pepper spread and served on house focaccia.
Dalton’s culinary résumé is a far cry from your average sandwich slinger. The Florida-born chef has spent 26 years in hospitality and eventually transitioned into private cheffing for Betts after the MLB superstar moved from Boston to Los Angeles.
Dalton has spent 12 years in hospitality. David Buchan for Ca Post
After years of working together, Dalton and Betts launched the Table 504 brand.
“Ive been a Dodgers fan all my life and came to try the 504 Italian sandwich but also hoping to bump into Mookie!” Jesse Mark, 30, told The Post while grabbing a bite Monday.
Jesse Mark takes a bite out of the 504 Italian at Table 504. David Buchan for Ca PostThe shop is described as “hidden in an industrial area behind Public Storage” in a minimalist space serving up items that look more like they’re coming out of a high-end tasting kitchen than a warehouse-district lunch spot. David Buchan for Ca PostThe star of the menu is the 12-day pastrami sandwich. David Buchan for Ca Post
Social media videos showcasing the shop describe it as “hidden in an industrial area behind Public Storage” in a minimalist space serving up items that look more like they’re coming out of a high-end tasting kitchen than a warehouse-district lunch spot.
Betts, one of the most decorated active players in today’s game, is scheduled to return to the Dodgers lineup Monday. He suffered an oblique strain during LA’s 10–5 victory over the Nationals on April 4 and immediately went on the injured list.
Far right, Betts and Chef Dalton posing with friends on the field. Instagram/@table.504Betts practicing before the game at Dodger stadium today. Wally Skalij for CA Post
His return couldn’t come at a better time as the vaunted Dodgers offense has been ranked among the worst in the major leagues over the past three weeks.
Although Betts struggled to start the season, hitting just .179 in eight games, his mere presence in the lineup balances everything out.
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) and a trainer look in on New York Yankees shortstop José Caballero (72) when he was hit by pitch in the elbow during the third inning when the New York Yankees played the Texas Rangers Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
BALTIMORE — José Caballero’s hopes of remaining the Yankees starting shortstop hinge on a Tuesday morning MRI.
For now, a right middle finger injury was enough to keep Caballero out of the Yankees lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Orioles at Camden Yards, sustained while diving back into first base in the ninth inning of Sunday’s loss to the Brewers.
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After Monday’s game, Caballero will travel to New York to undergo an MRI and see team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and a hand specialist to determine the severity.
“I don’t think it’s a fracture,” Caballero said before pinch-running in the ninth inning and getting thrown out trying to steal second to end a 3-2 loss. “Not worried [about going on the injured list]. I’m just not happy that I have to be out of the lineup today.”
But Aaron Boone, who generally downplays any worries about potential injuries, sounded more concerned than Caballero.
“There’s definitely some concern because Cabby, he’s as tough as they come,” Boone said. “Just had a little hard time when he went to throw today. The good thing is hitting was good. So we’ll see. He’s going to get some tests [Tuesday] morning. See what we have over the next day or two.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) and a trainer look in on s shortstop José Caballero (72) when he was hit by pitch in the elbow during the third inning on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
Max Schuemann started at shortstop Monday night, and Boone indicated he would be comfortable with him (and perhaps Ryan McMahon in spot duty) filling the void if Caballero just needs a few days.
If Caballero has to go on the injured list, the recently demoted Anthony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera would be candidates for a call-up from Triple-A.
But first comes the MRI for Caballero, whose strong play on both sides of the ball over the first month-plus of the season forced the Yankees to change their plans for Volpe, whom they initially planned to reinsert at shortstop once he came off the IL last week.
“[Caballero] has been great,” Boone said. “He’s been such a good performer for us here to start the year, on both sides of the ball. He’s been a key part of our team to this point, but again, hopefully it’s just a day-to-day situation. We’ll have a better idea of that [Tuesday].”
Caballero dodged an injury concern last week after he was hit on the left elbow by a pitch, needing only a day out of the lineup Thursday to deal with some swelling before playing all three games over the weekend in Milwaukee.
He is still wearing tape on that left elbow Monday, but now has his right middle finger taped up as well.
The speedy Caballero was trying to steal second base in the ninth inning of a tie game Sunday when he dove back into first base, and while he was wearing a sliding glove on his right hand, it did not fully protect him.
“Didn’t work,” he said. “It’s just the part that is covering that part of the finger, it’s kind of soft, so it doesn’t really help much.”
And so the shortstop with a 1.6 bWAR — the fifth-highest mark on the Yankees entering Monday — was put on hold.
If Caballero does need to go on the IL, it would set up an interesting decision for the Yankees.
Volpe did not exactly set the world on fire in his first week at Triple-A following his activation off the IL and demotion to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In five games, he hit 4-for-24 (.167) with a .472 OPS.
Cabrera, who offers more positional flexibility, had a rough start to the season but has hit better of late, going 14-for-36 (.389) with a 1.032 OPS over his last nine games.
Boone said he had not spoken to Volpe since giving him the news last Sunday that he was being optioned to Triple-A, but has maintained that the 25-year-old is equipped to handle it well.
“Definitely it’s challenging to deal with that, but everyone has challenges they’ve got to deal with and some adversity they’ve got to deal with,” Boone said. “He’s mentally a very tough kid and that’ll serve him well as he navigates this.”
BALTIMORE - New York Yankees shortstop José Caballero will be sent back to New York for tests on his right middle finger after he injured it diving back into a base, manager Aaron Boone said Monday, May 11.
Caballero, who seized the starting shortstop job from Anthony Volpe with his early season play this year, hurt his finger diving into first base on a pickoff attempt in the ninth inning of the Yankees' loss at Milwaukee Sunday. He will need an MRI to determine the extent of the damage, but said he doesn't believe the finger was broken.
"There’s definitely some concern. He’s as tough as they come," says Boone. "So, just had a little hard time when he went to throw today. His hitting was good.
"He’s going to get some tests tomorrow morning. We’ll see what we have the next day or two."
Boone said Caballero will be examined by a hand specialist along with club physician Christopher Ahmad. Max Schuemann will start in place of Caballero Monday and likely Tuesday, Boone said, though he did not rule out third baseman Ryan McMahon making his second start of the season in this series.
Caballero's 1.6 WAR trails only outfielders Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger among Yankee position players. He has a league-average 100 adjusted OPS, batting .259 with four homers and 13 stolen bases in 17 attempts.
While the Yankees do not know if Caballero's injury will require a stint on the injured list, that scenario would generate intrigue about how the club would fill the roster spot. Volpe lost his three-year grip on the starting job when he was optioned to Class AAA after his rehabilitation from offseason shoulder surgery was complete.
Volpe is batting .205 with a .238 OBP through his first nine games at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
"I haven’t talked to Anthony since he went down, since we made that decision," says Boone. "It’s definitely challenging to deal with that. Everyone has challenges they gotta deal with, some adversity they gotta deal with. Whether it’s up here, it’s part of it.
"Anthony’s mentally a very tough kid. That will serve him well as he navigates this."
The club could also promote veteran utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera, who has filled the utility role in past seasons in New York. That would enable Volpe to play every day at Class AAA.
Either way, the club must, at least in this series, navigate life without one of their surprise stars.
"He’s been great. He’s been such a good performer for us this year on both sides of the ball," says Boone. "He’s been a key part of our team to this point. Hopefully it’s a day-to-day situation."
During the Spurs’ Game 4 loss to Minnesota in their second-round series, Wembanyama was tossed with 8:39 left in the second quarter after whacking Reid in the face after fighting for possession.
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama commits a flagrant foul against Timberwolves center Naz Reid during Game 4. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Status alert: Victor Wembanyama has been ejected Sunday after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul. pic.twitter.com/G02YylonQE
The hard contact from the 7-foot-4 center sent Reid to the floor, though he was fine to continue playing and finished the game with 15 points in 31 minutes.
With Wembanyama sidelined for much of the contest, the Timberwolves took their chance to even the series, winning 114-109.
Anthony Edwards finished with a game-high 36 points, while Wembanyama was forced to leave the floor with just four points in 12 minutes.
While Wembanyama will be available to play in a pivotal Game 5, his wallet may take a hit as a result of his actions on Sunday.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said he believes “there’s a chance” the reigning Defensive Player of the Year gets fined for his elbow.
Nonetheless, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended Wembanyama for sticking up for himself amid a perceived lack of protection by the referees from the Timberwolves’ physical play.
Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after he was ejected for a flagrant foul during the first half of Game 4. AP
“I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that,” Johnson told reporters.
“… But he’s going to have to protect himself if [the refs] are not. The amount of physicality that people play with, with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself.”
The Spurs will welcome Minnesota back to San Antonio on Tuesday night for a pivotal Game 5.
As Adou Thiero was standing in front of the scorer’s table at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City early in the second quarter of the Lakers’ Game 2 loss to the Thunder, a familiar face followed Thiero’s path with a message.
Luka Doncic, the team’s star player who’s been sidelined since April 2 because of a strained left hamstring, made the walk from his seat on the Lakers’ bench to the scorer’s table before putting his arm to Thiero.
“He just told me to go out there and play hard, just do what I do and don’t overthink anything,” Thiero said of Doncic’s message. “Just kept it simple and trying to lighten the pressure on me.”
Lakers rookie Adou Thiero has found himself in the rotation in Games 2 and 3 against the Thunder. NBAE via Getty Images
Thiero had a team-high eight rebounds in 13 minutes – five defensive rebounds and three offensive boards – and four points.
“[I] prayed for moments like these and worked for moments like these,” Thiero said, “Just to get that opportunity has been special; go out there and do what I can for the guys.”
After spending the majority of the season in the G League, Adou Thiero now finds himself defending the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the postseason. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Thiero has felt the shift in focus and energy during the 19 combined minutes he played in Game 2 and Game 3 compared to when he’d get playing time in the regular season.
“It’s definitely very intense,” Thiero said. “You got a loud atmosphere. Everybody is into it. Every possession, leave it all out there. It’s very intense. I felt the change in pace and everything as soon as I got out there.”
Thiero’s inexperience showed when he was called for a moving screen while trying to initiate a dribble handoff with Rui Hachimura late in the third quarter.
Or other moments when he passed up shots, with his energy and hustle masking the fact the No. 36 pick in the 2025 draft only played 149 minutes across 25 regular season games before the playoffs.
“They told me I did a lot of good things, but there’s still a lot of things I need to work on, which, granted, I haven’t gotten that many reps. But still gotta be disciplined with what we’re doing as a team and keep picking up our principles.”
But if the Lakers hope to compete with teams like the Thunder, or even the Spurs, in the future, they need to develop players like Thiero into quality rotation players.
Thiero had only played 149 minutes across 25 regular season games before the playoffs. NBAE via Getty Images
Thiero, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward who impresses with his leaping ability and athleticism, not only represents what the Lakers lacked for most of the season, but also an advantage the Thunder and Spurs have over the Lakers.
The Lakers have lacked inexpensive, younger talent that they’ve developed who can be counted on to step up when needed.
Austin Reaves was once that player, but is 27, now five years into his NBA career and is set for a big pay day this offseason.
Max Christie, who the Lakers drafted in the second round in 2022, was turning into that type of player before they included him in the trade for Doncic last winter.
Both of the Lakers’ draft picks from 2023, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, are no longer in the NBA.
Their 2024 picks, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, have only played against the Thunder when the game results were essentially decided. James was in the rotation during the first round against the Rockets while Reaves was sidelined.
Selected with the 36th pick in the 2025 draft, the Lakers need to see if Thiero can emerge as a part of their rotation next season. AP
Compare that to the Thunder, who have multiple younger players on rookie scale contracts or inexpensive deals (Cason Wallace, Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell)) who have contributed to the 3-0 series lead they had going into Monday, and it’s clear the Lakers are missing out on an important factor for team building.
It’s why they need Thiero to get this playing time.
The Minnesota Wild are looking to even their second-round NHL playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4. The Avalanche won the first two games in Denver before Minnesota won Game 3 5-1. The Colorado Avalanche are favored by 1.5 goals with the over/under set at 6.5 goals.
How to watch Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Milwaukee.
The Bucks’ on-again, off-again relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo has entered a new chapter.
As was the case in February, when the Bucks ultimately decided to hold on to the Greek Freak, Milwaukee’s front office will reportedly be looking for a “young blue-chip talent” and/or a sizable package of draft picks.
The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly “open for business” on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade calls once again AP
Antetokounmpo, 31, has spent his entire 13-year career in Milwaukee and helped lead them to a championship in the 2020-21 season.
Talks between the two sides never materialized, as ESPN reported, while contenders like the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Celtics and Lakers are all said to have made calls on Antetokounmpo at this year’s deadline.
Antetokounmpo has just one more guaranteed year on his contract before a player option kicks in the following season.
Novak Djokovic (l.) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (r.) attend a EuroLeague game between Olympiacos Piraeus and Monaco in Athens, Greece on April 30, 2026. Euroleague Basketball via Getty
After Antetokounmpo reportedly expressed an openness to leaving Milwaukee last May, the team decided to hand a $108.7 million deal to Myles Turner in the summer to try to build a contender around their star player.
However, the Bucks never got going this season and looked to be heading for the exit with Antetokounmpo this winter.
That didn’t come to fruition, though, setting up for an awkward last few months of the season as the Bucks finished 32-50 and ultimately parted ways with coach Doc Rivers.
The Bucks will be juggling Antetokounmpo’s future with their plans for the NBA draft, after landing the No. 10 pick in Sunday’s lottery.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to complete a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in their Western Conference semifinals series. The defending NBA champion Thunder won the first three games by an average of just under 20 points. Oklahoma City will advance to the West finals with one more win. Oklahoma City is favored by 10.5 points with an over/under set at 214.5.
How to Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers
Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers +406 (18.9%) / Oklahoma City Thunder -552 (81.1%)
Over/Under: 214.5
Series schedule, results
Game 1:Thunder 108, Lakers 90 Game 2:Thunder 125, Lakers 107 Game 3:Thunder 131, Lakers 108 Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles (Monday May 11, 10:30 ET, Prime Video) Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City (Wednesday May 13)* Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles (Saturday May 16)* Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City (Monday May 18)*
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 21: Jakob Junis #16 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field on April 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for May 11, 2026 against the Arizona Diamondbacks: starting pitchers are Jakob Junis for the Rangers and Michael Soroka for the D-Backs.
The Rangers, who haven’t allowed a run since the seventh inning of Friday’s game, find their scoreless streak in greater jeopardy now that Nathan Eovaldi has been scratched. Texas is going with a bullpen game fronted by Jakob Junis. Cal Quantrill, the long man — and also the last Ranger pitcher to give up a run — threw 70 pitches on Friday, so he’s likely unavailable.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Duran — 2B
Seager — SS
Jung — 3B
Carter — CF
Pederson — DH
Osuna — 1B
Higashioka — C
7:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -126 favorites.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to even their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Detroit Pistons in Game 4. The Cavs won Game 3 after the Pistons took the first two games in Detroit. Cleveland is favored by 3.5 points. The over/under is set at 213.5.
How to watch Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers -167 (60.0%) / Detroit Pistons +140 (40.0%)
Over/Under: 213.5Series schedule, results
Game 1:Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101 Game 2:Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97 Game 3:Cavaliers 116, Pistons 109 Game 4: Detroit at Cleveland (Monday May 11, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock) Game 5: Cleveland at Detroit (Wednesday May 13) Game 6: Detroit at Cleveland (Friday May 15)* Game 7: Cleveland at Detroit (Sunday May 17)*
The Los Angeles Lakers' season ending at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder in a disappointing — albeit expected — four-game sweep has most in the basketball world asking: Will LeBron James retire?
King James enters the summer as a free agent after completing his contract with the Lakers. Set to turn 42 years old in mid-December, LeBron averaged 20-plus points for a 23rd straight season, to go with 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game across 60 regular-season games. He elevated his game once again in the playoffs to average 23.2/6.7/7.3 over 10 games.
Will he return to the Lakers (or another team) to chase a fifth championship ring? We make our NBA picks for the offseason's hot-button topic below.
Will LeBron James retire?
Traders at Kalshi, one of our best prediction market apps, are giving LeBron James a 25.6% chance of announcing his retirement before the 2026-27 season following the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The market has drawn $429,529 since it opened on June 14. James was initially given an 11% chance of retiring before the 2026-27 campaign. It peaked at a high of 46% in mid-January but has dipped again.
The Lakers failed to make the third round of the playoffs for a third straight year. But James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves can keep this team competitive for several more seasons.
Percentages courtesy of Kalshi.
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LeBron James' contract
LeBron James completed the final year of a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers that carried a $59.5-million cap hit this season, according to Spotrac. The 23-year NBA veteran has reportedly not yet made any decisions on his playing future.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me, obviously, as it stands right now tonight,” the 41-year-old James said, according to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press. “I’ve got a lot of time now.
“I think I said it last year after we lost to Minnesota. I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them, and then obviously when the time comes, you guys will know what I decide to do.”
LeBron's son Bronny James averaged 2.9 points, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 rebounds per game over 42 games in the regular season, and averaged 5.3 minutes per game in the playoffs — he didn't play in Game 4 against the Thunder. Bryce James took a redshirt year as a freshman at Arizona, and will need to wait until at least the 2027 NBA Draft.
How old is LeBron James?
LeBron James, now done his 23rd NBA season, is 41 years old, and will turn 42 in December. The first overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft played at least 45 regular-season games each year of his career. He played 60 games this season and didn't miss a playoff game.
Prediction
Despite several NBA teams likely to have interest in pursuing James as a free agent this offseason — including the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and potentially the Los Angeles Clippers — I firmly expect James to call it quits before next season.
A $100 investment on James to retire at a Yes price of 22 cents at Kalshi would return a profit of $355.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Do you know the craziest part of the Lakers’ second-round playoff series against the Thunder?
There’s such a wide chasm between the two teams that it has all-but-nullified what would’ve been a burning question in every other series involving LA.
Would things have been different had Luka Doncic played?
Without knowing it then, the Grade 2 hamstring strain Luka Doncic suffered on April 2 was the last time he took the court this season. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic, who has been sidelined since April 2 because of a strained hamstring, was a top-five MVP contender. He led the league in scoring (33.5 points), was third in assists (8.3) and sixth in steals (1.6). He became the second player in NBA history to score 600-plus points in March alongside Michael Jordan.
Would a generational talent like that have swayed things?
Nope. And it’s very obvious.
So obvious that pundits have hardly postulated about the question on talk shows. Journalists haven’t really mulled over it in columns.
The Thunder are that good.
Even without Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City looks like a juggernaut and the favorites to win the NBA title again. AP
Sure, the Lakers would’ve had an easier time scoring if Doncic had been on the court.
But it still wouldn’t have been enough.
The Thunder’s top-rated defense would’ve collapsed on him and they still would’ve had ample depth to swarm everyone else.
It’s really incredible.
Players one through five on the court for Oklahoma City at all times are gnats, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell.
The Lakers’ offense simply wouldn’t have been able to withstand it.
Wallace has discombobulated Austin Reaves. Dort has frustrated LeBron James. Luke Kennard has only made a dent in one game this series. Really, Rui Hachimura has been the only Laker who has consistently shot well.
As for the other end of the court?
Doncic would’ve been a defensive liability. He would’ve been yet another target for the Thunder to attack with their dribble-drives, alongside Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard, who have basically been rendered unplayable together this series.
Doncic has missed the entire postseason after leading the NBA in scoring during the regular season. NBAE via Getty Images
Get past them?
Deandre Ayton has been largely ineffective patrolling the paint.
Chet Holmgren has had his way down low. Mitchell has had his way everywhere.
The Lakers one bright spot on the defensive end is they’ve stunningly held Gilgeous-Alexander to 21 points a game this series, a marked dip from the postseason-leading 33.8 points he averaged in the team’s first-round sweep against the Suns, but that hasn’t even made a dent.
The Thunder are simply too deep, They have no holes.
Meanwhile, they took a floodlight to the Lakers’ roster, exposing their many deficiencies.
This was no surprise. The Lakers lost their four regular season games to the Thunder by an average of 29 points. When Doncic was on the court, nothing changed for them. And nothing would’ve changed now.
With Doncic on the sidelines, the Lakers trail the Thunder 3-0 in the Western Conference semifinals heading into Monday’s Game 4. Getty Images
As for Lakers coach JJ Redick, when asked if he has thought about how differently things could’ve looked if Doncic had been on the court, he didn’t hesitate.
“Never,” he said.
He likely didn’t want to waste his time on hypotheticals. He had too much on his plate. But we all know this wasn’t a burning “what if” question anyway.
Even an MVP-contender couldn’t have plugged the Lakers’ problems.
They need to remake their roster. They need to have a huge offseason. It’s obvious they can’t compete against the reigning champions. They can for a quarter. Maybe two. Three on a good day. But they simply aren’t deep enough to sustain that effort for an entire game.
If they had Doncic, they likely would’ve won one game.
But the outcome of this series wouldn’t have changed.
Even though he wasn’t available for the end of the season, the Lakers are expected to build around Doncic in the offseason. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
