SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 04: Senior Director of Hitting Strategy Edgar Martinez sits with Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at T-Mobile Park on May 04, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mariners players have a plethora of team-issued t-shirt options to choose from. One of the most popular designs comes from the high performance team, featuring a modified Rod of Asclepius on the front, where the wings are swapped for the Mariners trident; on the back, (AVAIL)ABILITY, with “ABILITY” highlighted in white. It’s a play on the old chestnut “the best ability is availability” – a slogan meant to encourage players to center the importance of proper conditioning.
But it’s important that availability never overrule the needs of the body: something Cal Raleigh might have run up against after landing on the IL for the first time in his career.
“To be honest, I wanted to play,” Raleigh said, meeting with the media on Friday. “I wanted to see if I could do it – to what extent it was going to affect me, and I told the trainers, if it ever got to a point where I was hurting the team or I couldn’t go anymore, I’d let them know. And essentially it just got to that point where I didn’t want to hurt the team.”
For those who grumble about players pushing through playing hurt, put oneself in Raleigh’s shoes: he’s an everyday catcher, used to shrugging off daily bumps and bruises that would require a weeklong stay in a Victorian-era convalescent asylum for the rest of us mere mortals. And he’s not just any catcher; he’s the Mariners’ iron man, either leading or being near the top of the leaderboard for innings caught every year of his career. Anyone who has watched any significant amount of Mariners baseball has seen Cal Raleigh get knocked down seven times and stand up eight – often in the same game. Therefore, we can forgive Raleigh, for whom pain hums constantly like an overhead fluorescent light, for thinking he could push past this latest ailment, one in a long string of problems faced, fought with, and conquered.
The question, now, is if Raleigh can forgive himself, or at least find a détente with the nebulous forces of baseball injury luck.
“It’s tough,” he said. “You get frustrated, because you know…it’s nothing really I could have controlled or done better. I prepared the same way, and it just kind of happened on a swing. So it’s out of my control. Something that doesn’t normally happen. So, you know, obviously frustrated. But I’m optimistic that it’s going to get better.”
It’s understandable why this situation is especially frustrating for Raleigh, who works tirelessly to control the controllables – not just for himself, but for his entire pitching staff. His work ethic is legendary: always one of the first players in the building, his daily agenda presidential in density, rarely idly scrolling his phone at his locker, never goofing off in the player lounge. Even a half-decade into his big-league career, Raleigh doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself on an off-day, wandering the clubhouse in squishy foam slides and loose athletic shorts, iced coffee clutched in hand; relaxed, but unable to disconnect entirely. Back at spring training, he left for the WBC like a concerned parent leaving his pitching staff with the babysitter, double-checking everyone knew where the important numbers were, lingering at the door, jokingly demanding to be sent updates from the media on if his pitchers were misbehaving in his absence.
But Raleigh isn’t having to go through this experience – his first time landing on the IL – alone. One of his closest friends on the team, Luke Raley, just went through this same injury last season. Raleigh recounted watching his friend, whose dedication to “availability” rivals his own, struggle to even swing a bat, and has taken the advice from his equally-tough friend to heart.
“It was just so hard on him, mentally,” Raleigh said. “And we knew what kind of teammate he was, so watching him go through that last year was really hard. And we talk a lot, so that’s something – I obviously had to listen to him about it.”
Obliques are notoriously tricky injuries to rehab, in that they won’t present with soreness until the muscle is called upon, often when it’s too late to be mitigated – especially not in baseball, a sport that is all about core rotation. Raley has talked about his own struggles with the uncertainty that comes with this particular injury.
The good news for Raleigh is that according to Mariners GM Justin Hollander, the scans the team just got back are “similar or slightly improved” from the ones he had done early in May, when Raleigh first felt the discomfort, meaning Raleigh didn’t further injure himself trying to play through the injury. When pressed to put a grade on the strain, Hollander said a one, not even a one-plus.
Raleigh had an anti-inflammatory shot on Friday and will be shut down for the next week, minimum. Once any trace of lingering soreness is gone, the team will re-evaluate, and if all looks good, he’ll be cleared to restart baseball activities, most likely in Arizona. Hollander said that based on the scans, he doesn’t anticipate a lengthy layoff, but emphasized how careful the organization needs to be given the nature of the injury.
“We want to make sure that when he’s next in the game, he’s doing it with full confidence and pain-free. The hesitation that can come with not knowing if it’s going to hurt a little bit when you swing, or when it will hurt, is probably not good for him or for us.”
The Mariners think sending Raleigh to Arizona will be the best for his recovery: he’ll have a full staff of rehab experts to work with, access to equipment and training facilities they don’t have space for in Seattle, and the complex league teams to get competitive at-bats against. He’ll be able to focus solely on his rehab.
But it will also involve Raleigh having to be away from his team and fully disconnect for the first time, in-season, in his career. Unless, of course, he talks the Mariners out of it.
“If that involves Arizona, that involves Arizona,” he said on Friday, apparently having not listened to Hollander’s declaration that he would be headed there. “But if they need me here and they need me to do things off the field, then I will gladly stay and do that as well.”
Of course he’d gladly stay, tear up the list of important numbers and send the babysitters home. But would it be the best thing for him? Maybe not. Even before the injury, Raleigh was off to a tough start to the season, perhaps a knock-on effect from missing regular spring training while at the WBC. Now, he’s been handed an opportunity to take a step away – being strong-armed to do so, in fact. What might the baseball gods be asking Raleigh to learn from that?
“I don’t know,” he said, brow furrowed. “Patience, maybe?”
“Obviously, the last few weeks have not been great, performance-wise, health-wise, so I don’t know. Maybe just take a step back and just take a deep breath, relax a little bit, maybe watch the game from a different point of view and see where I can get better, what I can do better as a player, as a leader, as a teammate. Usually you don’t have that kind of time to reflect during a season, but within this scenario, maybe that’s something that I can do better.”
Cal Raleigh has been given the gift of time to reflect – a gift not asked for, maybe not wanted, but a gift nonetheless. A time to decide what “(avail)ability” might mean for him, going forward.
Feb 17, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryan River (77) throws during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Friday in Albuquerque showcased a pair of players who may very well find themselves with the Dodgers within a few weeks.
Player of the day
River Ryan struck out four and allowed only one run on the moon at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, with four strikeouts. It was his first start since April 11, after missing a month in between with a hamstring injury. Ryan only allowed two singles and a walk while throwing 53 pitches during his four frames.
With both Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow on the injured list in Los Angeles, Ryan is a potential option for the Dodgers rotation, though perhaps after another start or two at least in Triple-A.
“The most important thing is his progression. If everyone isn’t on board with that and speeding it up, it’s moot, it’s just not going to happen,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Anaheim on Friday. “But if the training staff feels that it’s okay and you’re not compromising him and the progression, then it’s a conversation.”
Triple-A Oklahoma City
As usual there was a ton of scoring in a minor league game in New Mexico, but the Comets accounted for nearly all of it in a rout of the Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies).
Four Comets had three hits, including Alex Freeland, who homered and drove in five runs, and Jack Suwinski, who homered, stole a base, and drove in four, plus James Tibbs III, who reached base six times.
Kiké Hernández reached base five times with three hits and two walks, and scored three runs in his sixth rehab game for Oklahoma City. All of them so far have been at third base, including seven innings at the hot corner on Friday. Roberts earlier this week said Hernández will likely also play some second base and outfield during his rehab assignment, which will run through next weekend in Triple-A.
Double-A Tulsa
The Drillers allowed the tying run in the eighth inning, then nobody scored until the Springfield Cardinals won with three runs in the top of the 12th inning.
Josue De Paula and Kendall George both doubled and reached base multiple times. Zyhir Hope singled and stole a base. Catcher Griffin Lockwood-Powell walked three times and doubled in his four plate appearances.
High-A Great Lakes
The Loons put up crooked numbers in three different innings in a rout of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), with a pair of Eduardos figuring prominently in the win.
Third baseman Eduardo Guerrero had three singles, a walk, and a stolen base, and drove in four runs. Center fielder Eduardo Quintero doubled, singled, walked, stole a base, scored three times and drove in another.
Left-hander Jakob Wright struck out four and allowed one run in five innings for the win for Great Lakes.
Class-A Ontario
Kellon Lindsey hit one of three Tower Buzzers home runs, part of a 6-1 lead through three innings, but the San Jose Giants dominated the rest of the way.
Lindsey also doubled and scored two runs in his third game back off the injured list. With Emil Morales and Joendry Vargas moving around the left side of the infield this season, the shortstop Lindsey in his first three games for Ontario has played second base.
Chase Harlan reached base four times in the loss with a double, single, and two walks.
Hyun-Seok Jang allowed three runs in five innings with six strikeouts in his start. Through six games and 26 innings for Ontario in his repeat season of Class-A, Jang has 27 strikeouts against nine walks to go with his 3.81 ERA.
Transactions
Triple-A: River Ryan was activated from the injured list. Charlie Barnes was called up to the Dodgers with Blake Snell getting placed on the major league injured list.
For the first time in 11 years, the Bell Centre will be filled to the rafters for a Saturday night playoff game when the Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres tonight at 8:00 PM. For a second round in a row, the Habs will have an opportunity to eliminate their rival in Game 6. They couldn’t do it against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but they still treated their fans to an instant classic. An unforgettable game that was still 0-0 after regulation and ended after nine minutes of overtime hockey with a Gage Goncalves goal. Two weeks later, will the young Habs be able to put the Sabres down for good?
In the last three games, Martin St-Louis’ men have had a slow start, and they’ll be looking to get rid of that bad habit. Cole Caufield has scored in the last three games, and 21 of his 51 goals in the regular season were scored on Saturday night, earning him the Mr. Saturday Night moniker. Are the stars aligning for a storybook ending to this series?
Historically, teams that have won Game 5 of a tied 2-2 series have qualified for the next round 80% of the time, with a 371-94 record. When they trail 3-2, the Sabres have a 1-14 record, for a measly .067 winning percentage. When the game is on the road, they have a 1-4 record, for a .200 winning percentage. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have a 36-28 record in Game 6 (.563); however, when that game is played at home, they are 19-10 for a .655 winning percentage. When they lead 3-2 in a series, the Habs have a 28-3 record for a whopping .903 winning percentage overall, and they are 8-1 (.889) when the game is played at home.
Fresh off their big 6-3 win, the Canadiens should start the game with the momentum, but the Sabres will be fighting with despair to save their season. If there’s no doubt about who will be in the net for Montreal, it’s a lot less clear for the visitors. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started the last game but was pulled after 40 minutes. Alex Lyon spent just under 14 minutes on the ice, allowing one goal before Lindy Ruff elected to pull him and use six skaters in a bid to come back into the game, or at least get some momentum back. The Canadiens could score in the empty net, but the Sabres were unable to generate grade-A opportunities, even though they enjoyed a two-minute power play.
There are also some question marks up front for the Sabres. Tage Thompson is having a tough series and has been undisciplined in the last two games. At this stage, one has to wonder if he’s playing injured; what we’ve seen in this series does not reflect what the big winger can do when he’s on top of his game. Alex Tuch hasn’t even been a shadow of himself; the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent has yet to get on the scoreboard in this series and is minus-eight against the Sainte-Flanelle. So far, Zach Benson, Josh Doan and Josh Norris have been doing the heavy lifting, but life would be much easier for the Sabres if their top players found a way to have a positive impact. Captain Rasmus Dahlin has points in the last three games, but he’s still minus-one in this series, and like Thompson, he took a costly penalty in the last game. It will be interesting to see if Lindy Ruff elects to shake things up a bit with his team on the brink of elimination.
You can catch the game on CBC, TVAS, SN, and ABC at 8:00 PM, and if you’re planning to attend in person, make sure to leave early. There are several roadworks in Montreal this weekend, so public transportation may be your best option. Make sure to be in your seats by 7:50 PM if you do not want to miss the opening ceremony. According to BPM Sports’ Max Lalonde, Larry Robinson will be the torchbearer. Francis Charron and Gord Dwyer will be officiating, while Jesse Marquis and Scott Cherrey will be the linemen. If the Canadiens eliminate Buffalo tonight, they will start their third-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night; if they fail, Game 7 will take place on Monday night in Buffalo.
Over the past decade-plus, Steve Kerr has coached some memorable games.
From Golden State’s run to its first NBA championship in 40 years during the 2014-15 season to that unforgettable 2022-23 campaign when everyone had counted them out — there’s no shortage of magical moments for Kerr to refer to.
And even despite the Warriors’ rocky 2025-26 season with injuries and inconsistencies, Kerr shared that the team’s electric NBA play-in win over the Los Angeles Clippers was a top-10 game for him.
“Well, first of all, it’s one of my all-time favorite games,” Kerr said Friday on “The TK Show.” “We’ve had so many amazing games, it’s probably a top-10 game in the 12 years we’ve had, and that’s saying something. It was just the first play-in game, we didn’t even qualify for the playoffs, but that’s how much the game meant to me and to those guys, probably because of the way this season went.
“The fact that Steph [Curry] missed 27 straight games, the fact that we were on life support, basically, going into that game, it just was so special. It was such a great win, and ultimately, this is what we do it for, that the players do it to feel that moment. The coaches work every day to achieve that level of play, and it hadn’t worked all year. We just couldn’t reach that level, and then to dig deep and to find it was so meaningful.
“It was probably a good metaphor for, like, you can’t get this anywhere else in life — you just can’t. And there’s a reason coaches get addicted to this work, it’s exhilarating. The camaraderie, the companionship, collaboration, it’s beautiful. And that was a wonderful moment.”
With their season on the line, the Warriors rallied from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Clippers 126-121 at the Intuit Dome. Curry led the comeback with 35 points — 27 in the second half — and Al Horford hit four 3-pointers in the final frame to secure the victory.
Draymond Green also displayed a defensive masterclass against Kawhi Leonard.
And even though the magic expired two days later with a crushing loss to the Phoenix Suns, that special win in Los Angeles will forever be one of Kerr’s favorites.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Anthony Huezo #47 of the Houston Astros bats during the sixth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous days recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (19-24) lost 4-1 (BOX SCORE)
Pecko got the start and had some struggles in the first inning allowing 3 runs. He ended up allowing those 3 runs over 3.2 innings. The offense got on the board in the 6th inning on a Price solo home run. The pen was solid allowing just one run but the offense was quiet the rest of the way as Sugar Land fell 4-1.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (16-21) lost 6-5 (BOX SCORE)
Hader got the start in a rehab and tossed a scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts. The Hooks offense got on the board in the third inning on an Encarnacion solo home run. Swanson relieved Hader and went 4 innings allowing 2 runs. The offense picked up another run in the 6th on a wild pitch. The pen struggled a bit allowing 4 runs over the 6th and 7th as the Hooks found themselves down 6-2. They rallied in the 8th scoring 2 runs on a Holy RBI single and Austin RBI double. Holy added an RBI double in the 9th but he was stranded at second base as the Hooks fell 6-5.
Note: Holy is hitting .375 in Double-A this season.
Josh Hader, LHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Nic Swanson, RHP: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Ramsey David, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Alex Santos, RHP: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Jose Guedez, RHP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (9-28) won 23-11 (BOX SCORE)
The Asheville offense came to play last night. They jumped out to an early lead scoring 6 runs in the first on a Thomas solo home run, Frey RBI double, a run on an error, Nunez 2 run home run and Powell RBI single. They scored 4 in the 2nd inning on a Walker 3 run double and Powell RBI double. The offense got 7 more runs in the third inning on a Frey RBI double, Call 3 run home run, Walker solo home run and Thomas 2 run single. Smith got the start and pitched well allowing just one unearned run over 6 innings. The offense add more runs in the 5th scoring 3 runs on a Schiavone 2 run single and run on a double play. They added 3 more runs in the 6th on a Walker RBI double, Powell groundout and a run on a wild pitch. The pen struggled a bit but the offense did more than enough damage as Asheville won 23-11.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (16-21) won 9-3 (BOX SCORE)
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning scoring 3 runs on a Huezo solo home run and Newman 2 run triple. Weber got the start and went 4 innings allowing 3 runs. The offense got another run in the 4th inning on a Huezo RBI double. In the 6th, Huezo added a 3 run home run to extend the lead. The offense added 2 more runs in the 9th inning on a Cauro RBI single and Ramirez sac fly. Serrano tossed 5 no-hit innings to close it out as the Woodpeckers won 9-3.
If you were concerned either that the Cub offense wouldn’t return to form or about how long it would be before it did, then Friday night was a comforting game. The pitching was a little rough around the edges. Most concerningly, they allowed three homers. But that Cub offense had 14 hits and drew six walks. The Dodgers offense had a pretty good night offensively themselves, but the Cubs output was enough to bounce back into the top on-base percentage position among major league teams.
The fun part is the White Sox slugged three homers (not fun) and managed five total runs. The Cubs four doubles among their 14 hits, but managed 10 runs. Generally the team that slugs better is a good bet to win a game, but that didn’t hold here. The Cubs only slugged .439 while the Sox were at .576. So it wasn’t even a little close. The thing is, that’s a better than average slugging percentage for the Cubs and all the more impressive when you consider that they had 48 plate appearances (though the divisor is at bats and not PA).
All nine Cub starters had hits and four of the 10 players either drew walks or were hit by a pitch. So this was a diverse and balanced offensive output. Six different Cubs scored runs and six drove in a run. Eight of the nine starters and nine players overall had either a run or run batted in. All in all, the Cubs forced Sox pitchers to make 194 pitches. We haven’t talked about that this year, but that’s the kind of thing that could potentially win an additional game later in the series. The White Sox had to use five relievers and Jordan Hicks threw 35 pitches. That could affect his availability later in the series.
It wasn’t particularly easy, but things broke loose quite a bit. Hopefully, this win carries the team through the weekend. The Saturday game was the one that Fangraphs had as the most likely Sox win of the bunch. So nothing totally unexpected in this win. But it was just what the doctor ordered, just the same. This offense tends to either be locked in or out of whack. Maybe this locks them back in. The Sox are going to score some runs with the power they have in their lineup. The general path to victory is going to be scoring a handful (or two) of runs.
Three Positives:
Carson Kelly had three hits, one of them a double, and drove in four runs.
Trent Thornton had two key innings, striking out two and facing the minimum of six batters to do it. He quieted the game right when it was important for the Cubs to take control.
Seiya Suzuki had a single and a double, drew a walk. He drove in a run and scored two.
Game 45, May 15: Cubs 10, White Sox 5 (29-16)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Trent Thornton (.281). 2 IP, 6 BF, 2 K
Hero: Carson Kelly (.274). 3-5, 2B, 4 RBI
Sidekick: Matt Shaw (.078). HBP, BB, RBI
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Ryan Rolison (-.243). 0.1 IP, 4 BF, 2 H, BB, ER
Goat: Edward Cabrera (-.105). 4.2 IP, 19 BF, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 ER, 2 K
Kid: Nico Hoerner (-.026). 1-6, R
WPA Play of the Game: With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning, the score tied, Carson Kelly had an infield single, driving in a run. (.183)
White Sox Play of the Game: In the bottom of the sixth with the Cubs up one, Miguel Vargas led off with a solo homer. (.183)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 44 Winner: Brown 173 of 231 votes
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Michael Busch/Shōta Imanaga +13
Michael Conforto +12
Ian Happ +7.5
Ben Brown +5.5
Caleb Thielbar -6
Phil Maton -7
Matt Shaw -10
Dansby Swanson -11
Seiya Suzuki -17
Current Win Pace: 104.4 wins
Up Next: Game two of the three-game series Saturday night on the South Side. Jameson Taillon (2-2, 3.94, 45.2 IP) gets his ninth start of the year. Last time out, he was pretty good against the Rangers, despite taking the loss. He allowed one run on four hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He’s been better at home but also better at night, so this is a decent spot for Taillon. The one issue is that his Achilles Heel has been allowing homers. He’s served up 11 of them already in 45.2 IP.
29-year-old Davis Martin (5-1, 1.62, 50 IP) makes his ninth start of the year. He’s been flat out terrific for them. He’s pitched in parts of three previous seasons with a combined career ERA of 3.88 (306 IP). Last time out, he got a no-decision against the Mariners despite allowing only one run over six innings. He struck out nine and walked only two in that one. Martin was a 14th round pick of the White Sox back in 2018 (408th overall). All of his splits are pretty good but at home he has a 1.02 ERA. He doesn’t walk a lot of hitters.
It isn’t hard to see why Fangraphs likes this one for the Sox. Let’s ignore the script and get one anyway.
With the Knicks set to tip off the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday, legendary center Patrick Ewing takes a shot at some playoff Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: What would you tell these Knicks if you were standing in the locker room about the opportunity that is in front of them right now?
A: What I would tell them is they have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No one knows if it’s going to come back around. When we got there in ’94, I definitely thought that we were going to have another opportunity in ’95 — take advantage of this opportunity. Continue to do the things that they’ve been doing. Continue to play as a team. The five guys on the floor got to do their part, the bench has to do their part. So remember that it’s about team, this is not tennis with one person against another person, all five have to be locked in, be unselfish, be selfish when you need to be selfish, and just play a team game,
Q: Why do you believe these Knicks can win an NBA championship?
A: Anything is possible. These guys have been putting in the work, the coaches have been putting them in great positions to accomplish that. That’s everybody’s goal at the beginning of the year to win a championship, and we’re all hoping that happens.
Q: How do they do it?
A: They have to continue to do what they’ve been doing. We’ve been definitely hot in these last two rounds. We have to continue to do the same thing that we’ve been doing — playing as a team, both offensively and defensively taking care of business, no turnovers, just all the things that they’ve been doing.
Q: Could you paint the picture for me of what the city would be like if the Knicks won it all?
A: Hey … You see the way that the fans have been acting during these first two rounds. You saw the way the fans did when the Rangers won it or the Yankees won it. The whole city, the whole state would be so happy to be so proud to … I think the whole city would go wild.
Q: Why would Patrick Ewing have liked playing with Jalen Brunson?
A: Jalen is one of the most talented players that I’ve seen play. He not only can pass the ball, but he also can take a game over. I wasn’t fortunate enough to play with a talent like that. I think that having an opportunity to play with him would have only made my job that much easier.
Patrick Ewing sits on celebrity row during the first quarter of a playoff game against the Hawks.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: What do you think of Karl-Anthony Towns as an occasional hub of the offense?
A: Everybody has to learn how to play off each other. They’ve both been doing an outstanding job of learning each other. KAT has to continue to do all the things that he’s been doing, he’s been a facilitator and looking to score when he has an opportunity. I think both of them have to continue to do their part if we’re going to win.
Q: What makes OG Anunoby so invaluable?
A: To me, the last two series he’s been our best player. He’s been scoring, he’s been playing great defense. … I think all of them, you look at the team as a whole, it’s been all of them, all of those guys have been doing their part to help the team to get to where it’s gotten to. You can’t just say it’s Jalen or it’s KAT or it’s OG, I think that everybody has been doing their part — the whole entire team. When guys have had the opportunity to come in off the bench, they’ve been doing their part.
Q: From an intangible standpoint, does Josh Hart remind you of John Starks?
A: He definitely does. His heart and soul … John was a better shooter, but Josh wears his emotions on his sleeve, and I think that everybody on that team knows what he brings to the team and knows what he means to the team and he definitely has to continue to do all that.
Jose Alvarado #5 of the Knicks and Patrick Ewing hug before the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Round One Game Four on April 25, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: How has Mitchell Robinson evolved?
A: I think [assistant] Mark Bryant has done an outstanding job of tutoring him, of teaching him. When I look at the talent that he has, I think he still has a lot more that he has to learn. But his energy, his effort … he’s looking more comfortable shooting his free throws.
Q: What do you think of Mikal Bridges lately?
A: He is hitting his stride right now, and he’s only going to get better as the next series goes on an and hopefully into the next one.
Q: What have you learned about Mike Brown coaching this team this season?
A: Mike has been doing an outstanding job. He’s a great coach. His record proves for itself everywhere that he’s been.
Q: What are your three all-time favorite Knicks moments?
A: To beat Indiana to get to the [1994] Finals, finally. That was definitely one of them. … I was hurt, but Larry Johnson’s four-point play [vs. the Pacers in 1999]. It’s funny, when I look at pictures of that, my son was a ballboy on that team, and they have a picture from the other end down by Larry shooting the shot, you could see our bench and my son jumped so high celebrating that play. So definitely that. I’ve had so many great memories that I really can’t put them into order.
Q: How would you describe your emotions when you stood on the scorer’s table with your arms raised to the rafters after winning Game 7 against the Pacers to get to the 1994 Finals?
A: I think that what I was feeling right then and there is all the raw emotion of finally getting there. We had not reached the pinnacle or the goal, but this was the first step, and I just wanted to embrace the city and the city to embrace me, because it was a journey to get to that point. And we just finished a hard-fought series against a talented Indiana team.
Q: If these Knicks were to win it all, would you stand on the scorer’s table and reenact that pose with your arms raised high?
A: I don’t think I’ll stand on a scorer’s table, but I’ll be right in the huddle with them, because I think that Leon [Rose) and Wes [William Wesley, aka World Wide Wes] and Mr. [James] Dolan have done an outstanding job of bringing a majority of us back to make us feel like we are a part of this. So I would definitely be in there celebrating with them. Because I do feel like I’m a part of it.
Q: How would you describe your on-court mentality?
A: I was focused, I was locked in, I had my game face. … I was tunnel-visioned.
Q: Why didn’t New York scare Patrick Ewing?
A: Hey look, there’s nothing to be afraid of. New York is a big city, biggest media market. Like I said, I was tunnel-visioned, I tried to block out the noise, block out the media, block out everybody and just concentrate on my teammates, my coaches and try to be the best version of myself that I could be.
Patrick Ewing looks to drive around a defending Pacers Rik Smits during a playoff series. New York Post
Q: When I think of Patrick Ewing, I think a lot of people use the word warrior. How proud are you of that?
A: I’m very proud of it. I’m very proud of it. Because that’s how I perceive myself. People who play sports, we always talk about that we’re going to war. … It’s not literally, you’re not out there killing people, but we are competing against others. Our job or our goal is to try to dominate the next person. So that’s how I perceive myself, I had my game face on, I try to mentally prepare myself to try to dominate that next person. I’m very proud of it.
Q: What was the worst pain you ever played in?
A: I played in a lot of pain. What’s the worst? I tore my Achilles against Indiana … it was in Indiana. I went back in, I taped it up and I told Jeff [Van Gundy, coach], “I can’t move. I’m going to do my best to get every rebound. I’m not sure if I’ll be effective on the offensive end.” I was able to finish that game and then we flew back to New York. I didn’t know that it was torn. I got an MRI [exam], said I had obviously torn my Achilles. … Spraining my ankle in Game 6 against the Bulls, hobbling around, finished the game, we were able to beat them and go to Chicago where unfortunately we lost Game 7.
Q: What drove you?
A: To win, to try to be the best version of myself that I could be. I always wanted to win. I wanted to be able to bring a championship to New York. I thought it was going to be a lot easier when I was in college to win a championship than I found out that it really was. Growing up in Boston and learning about Bill Russell and those 11 championships that he won, I’m like, “I’m going to get me a few championships.” That’s what drove me, to try to be the best player I could possibly be, and to also bring a championship to New York.
Q: How difficult was it early on for you to be expected to be the savior?
A: That’s just part of the sport. In high school I was the best player on my team, and at Georgetown I was one of the best, I’m not going to say I was the best. I was the most famous. I was fortunate enough to play with some great talent — Reggie Williams, David Wingate, Michael Jackson, Bill Martin, some great teammates. They helped me to be the player that I also became. Then coming to the Knicks, us losing Bernard [King] the year before I got there and then losing him for the next year and a half, that didn’t help. And then when he came back I got hurt. So I didn’t look at it as me being the savior, I just was out there trying to do the best I could to help us to win.
Q: What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?
A: The biggest obstacle I guess was Michael Jordan (laugh). The biggest obstacle was definitely Michael Jordan.
Jes Kersey listens to Patrick Ewing plead his case as Michael Jordan looks on in the fourth quarter of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 1996. WA Funches Jr./ New York Post
Q: If there was no Jordan, how many championships do you think you might have won?
A: Hey look, he was out for two years and we had an opportunity. We got to the Finals, unfortunately we didn’t get it done. Great players want to be able to play great players. I consider myself a great player, so I want to definitely go against Michael, I definitely want to go against Hakeem [Olajuwon], I want to go against Shaq [Shaquille O’Neal]. I think those players make you perform at a high level, so I never looked at it as, “OK, Michael is here or not here, this is my opportunity,” or, “If he wasn’t here I would have won X amount of championships.” I just think that you go out there and perform at your best every time you play. One thing about me is that I have the love for the game, so it didn’t make a difference who was there, I was going to go out and try to perform at my best, and I think that I showed it night in and night out.
Q: What do you remember about the plane flight home from Houston after losing Game 7 or the 1994 Finals?
A: Now you’re bringing up bad memories (laugh). I really don’t remember too much about the flight. I just remember after the game walking off the floor depressed, down. … I think I left the arena with Alonzo Mourning because he came to the game to support me. … People just talk trash to us on the way out. So it was a bad feeling.
Q: Did your 1993-94 Knicks pride yourselves on intimidation?
A: I think we prided ourselves on being a great team. We weren’t trying to intimidate people, we weren’t going to back down from anybody, we weren’t going to take crap from anybody, but we also thought that we were a talented team and had a great opportunity to hopefully win a championship, and we got there but just fell short.
Patrick Ewing of the Knicks posts up against Hakeem Olajuwon of the Rockets during Game 1 of the NBA Finals played on June 8, 1994 at The Summit in Houston, Texas. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: How would the ’94 Knicks do against these current Knicks?
A: You know what, I’m not even going to go there. This team is a talented team, they’re in their era, my team was in my era, we played different brands of basketball. I think that Jalen is a special player, KAT’s a special player and the rest of the guys are special.
Q: What was the best motivational ploy coach Pat Riley used?
A: Pat had a lot of lot of different ploys, but I thought that we were self-motivated, I was self-motivated. Pat was a great coach, he’s won multiple championships, all you can do is take your hat off to him. Wish we could have been with him winning a championship in New York. He told a lot of different stories … but I was self-motivated.
Q: When you think about the ’99 Knicks, what do you think about?
A: The [lockout]-shortened season. I thought we had some talented guys on the team. We had Spree [Latrell Sprewell], we had Allan [Houston], Larry, Marcus [Camby], Kurt [Thomas], Charlie [Ward]. That’s the year I tore my Achilles and I couldn’t finish the year, but the guys did an outstanding job. Larry made that four-point play to help to propel us to the championship. When you talk about the biggest hurt, I would say that was the biggest hurt. Me physically not being able to play. I remember one game, we lost that game, and I went on the bus by myself and I broke down. I started crying, because I was so hurt that I was not able to play and help my team.
New York Knicks alumni John Starks (l) and Patrick Ewing (c) during the first quarter of a playoff game against the 76ers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: If you could go back in time and test your skills against any big man in NBA history, who would it be?
A: I felt like I played in an era where there were some great big men. You got Hakeem, you got Shaq, you got David [Robinson], Robert Parish when I was younger, Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] was at the end when I played against him but he was still kicking butt. I think that the guys I played against were fierce enough to play against, so I don’t think I need to go any further. … My idol was Bill Russell, watching him and Wilt [Chamberlain] battle it. But I’m going to say the guys I played against.
Q: Which was more rewarding, winning the 1984 national championship at Georgetown or coaching Georgetown to the 2021 Big East Conference Tournament championship?
A: Of course winning the national championship, that’s the pinnacle right there! But winning the Big East title was very rewarding. To be back at Georgetown coaching, I came full circle. … We went on a run at the right time, guys stepped up. I thought that Coach [John] Thompson was definitely looking down upon us, and we made him proud.
Q: Would you like to coach again?
A: Yes I would.
Q: Would you dream of coaching the Knicks one day?
A: That one I’m not going to answer. The Knicks have a great coach in Mike Brown, and I’m just happy to be there to support him and the team in any way that we can.
Q: Describe the 1980s St. John’s rivalry and Chris Mullin in particular?
A: We’re playing against one of the best or one of the greatest shooters to play this game in my opinion in Chris Mullin. Going against St. John’s … when people talk about rivalry, right, they always equate us with Syracuse. But I think of St. John’s as well. St. John’s had Chris and we both came into college together, we left together, we played with each other on both Olympic teams. … We hated each other back then, we didn’t become good friends until ’84 when we played in the Olympics and actually were around each other. But to compete against him, Walter Berry, Willie Glass, all those guys, those were some great memories.
Q: Whatever comes to mind: John Thompson.
A: Father figure. One of the best people that I ever got the opportunity to work with, or work for.
Q: Mike Jarvis.
A: The same. One of the best people I got to play for and build a relationship and a friendship with.
Q: Mark Jackson.
A: One of the best passers and teammates in the game.
Q: Rick Pitino.
A: One of the greatest coaches in college and NBA history in my opinion.
Knicks alumni Carmelo Anthony (l) and Patrick Ewing (r) sit on celebrity row during the third quarter for a game against the Thunder. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: Jeff Van Gundy.
A: One of the greatest minds in basketball. Great coach, a great friend.
Q: Him hanging on to Alonzo Mourning’s leg during a 1998 brawl?
A: (Laugh) Yes. He needs to learn that he’s small and can’t fight.
Q: Alonzo Mourning.
A: A great friend. One of the best players in the game. Great competitor, but a great role model. But I would say the best thing is a great friend.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Martin Luther King [Jr.], Malcolm X, Jesus.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: I think that from where I came from in Kingston, Jamaica, to where I ended up today, I’m proud of the journey. I’m proud of my mom and my dad working hard, scraping up their money to bring their family to a new country, and me falling in love with the game of basketball and what basketball was able to accomplish for us.
The Edmonton Oilers have been both directly and indirectly linked to the Vegas Golden Knights in recent days. As the Oilers move on from head coach Kris Knoblauch and reports suggest they've reached out to Vegas for permission to interview Bruce Cassidy, one insider has also linked John Tortorella to the Oilers.
Granted, Torts in the middle of a playoff run, but he fits the mold of the coaching style Edmonton might want to pivot toward -- a complete opposite when compared to Knoblauch's style.
Of course, with the recent sanctions levied against Vegas by the NHL, something that could have been avoided if Tortorella wasn't doing Tortorella things, it would be wise for the Oilers to stay away from going down that road.
Elliotte Friedman noted on the 32 Thoughts podcast that the Oilers are looking for a coach who can push buttons. Someone who has won has the respect of the players and isn't afraid to handle top stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Cassidy is deemed to be that guy, but so is Tortorella, who Friedman noted does not have a contract for next season.
The NHL insider wondered if Torts would actually be the kind of coach the Oilers are prioritizing. He's got a history of holding top players accountable, even if it causes a storm of controversy, and it's clear from his latest stunt that he doesn't care about optics.
What Edmonton has to be aware of is the downside of hiring a coach like that -- and there is a major downside, as the Golden Knights are learning.
The Golden Knights will ride this Tortorella train as far as they can during these playoffs. However, his stunt to avoid the media -- costing Vegas a second-round pick -- is not something the team will forget, even if they end up winning the Stanley Cup. With his childish defiance, Tortorella may have cost himself an extension, and it should almost definitely take him off Edmonton's radar.
There are coaches who push, and there are coaches who push to blow things up, bringing the wrong kind of attention and drama. Tortorella is the latter.
He eventually casts himself off every NHL team's island. He just can't help himself. His demeanor is unnecessary, and his attitude is tired. How do we know for sure? The NHL has finally said enough, having warned him and the Golden Knights for failing to follow league rules. The NHL almost never steps in and hands out a fine and punishment like this. They've decided it's time to set an example.
The Oilers need no part of that drama. It would put an unneeded target on their back.
If the Golden Knights want to be known for their ruthless ways and they're prepared to deal with a coach like Tortorella, let them. It seems to be the modus operandi. For the Oilers, the optics around how they run things are already being questioned. There is no need to pile on if Tortorella becomes available this summer.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: Daylen Lile #4 and Nasim Nuñez #26 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after a 3-2 victory against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park on May 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Whenever the Nats have a chance to get to .500, they fall on their face. This is not just a gut feeling, we have the numbers to back this up. The Nats have lost the last 15 times they have had the chance to get to .500. They will have a chance to snap that embarrassing streak this afternoon against the O’s.
The Nats were in a similar spot the other day. They had just won a one run game thanks to a Daylen Lile home run. The boys were riding high, and were one win away from sweeping the Reds and getting to .500. However, they laid an egg in that contest, losing 15-1 in a game where Joey Wiemer had to pitch.
Final: Reds 15, Nats 1. The Nationals have lost 15 consecutive games when having a chance to reach .500. The last time they won: May 14, 2024 (exactly 2 years ago) in the opener of a doubleheader against the White Sox. They then lost the nightcap to fall back under .500.
After a close win in front of an electric Nationals Park crowd, the team is in a familiar spot. They are one win away from that .500 record. Getting that one win has proven to be very elusive for this group. For the fanbase, it is getting frustrating. The difference between being 23-23 and 22-24 is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. After all, it is a 162 game season.
However, getting to that .500 mark this deep into the season is meaningful for the fans, and it should be for the players as well. Spencer Nusbaum wrote an interesting piece about this the other day. His story had quotes from players and manager Blake Butera.
The Nats have lost 15 games in a row in which they had a chance to get to .500. Does it matter?
That depends on who you ask. More in here, free and unlocked to read:https://t.co/9kCOqkfMu6
There were mixed feelings about the concept. For some players, like Jacob Young, that .500 mark is very meaningful. Young talked about how close they have come to that milestone in the past couple years. However, it has eluded them, and eventually the team has faded down the stretch.
For newer members of the club, they are more committed to staying the course rather than focusing on the record. Blake Butera talked about how he cared more about what their record will be in August and September. He talked about how this team has bigger goals than to be .500 in the middle of May.
However, this team needs to get over the hump at some point. Sure, there are bigger fish to fry down the road, but getting to .500 is an important step in the process. For more process driven folks, it may not mean a ton, but it would mean a lot for this fanbase. Nats fans have not had a ton to cheer about since 2019, and getting to that big milestone would make them happy.
The Nats’ futility when they have a chance to get to .500 has gotten to the point where it is a running joke in the fanbase. People are making memes about it online and clowning the team for this dubious streak. It is just one of many things that has made Nats fans miserable over the past five years.
Getting to .500, especially against a rival like the O’s would be a big deal. It may not matter that much to Paul Toboni and Blake Butera, but it would mean a lot to the fans. Eventually they will break this streak, and this will be a .500 team. I trust the process and believe this team is heading in the right direction.
However, they need to get over that .500 hump at some point. Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later. In an ideal world, it would happen today. The Nats have Cade Cavalli on the mound against Chris Bassitt, who has struggled this year. On paper, the opportunity is there for the Nats.
Fans are not going to believe until they see it get done. In the grand scheme of things, getting to .500 on May 16th does not matter that much. However, for this fanbase that has seen so much losing in recent years, it would be fun to feel like winners again, even if it is for a brief and fleeting moment.
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks arrives to the arena before the game against the Atlanta Hawks on December 27, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We’ve reached a point where you can say the Cavs and the Pistons are doing this on purpose to prevent Knicks fans from enjoying New York basketball.
But hey, seven games on their legs? Can’t complain!
We’re the latest four days and a few hours from the ECF Game 1 tip-off. Finally.
OG Anunoby fully participated in Knicks practice today
On OG Anunoby returning as a full participant in practice:
“He practiced today in full. Everything we did today, he did. Anytime anybody is able to do anything like that, it’s always encouraging.”
On leaving the final decision about Anunoby’s availability to the medical staff:
“At the end of the day, I’m a wait and let the medical group tell me each day what he can do. We’ll see if they tell me something different tomorrow. But it’s definitely encouraging to see somebody be able to go out there and practice a full practice like OG did.”
On maintaining consistency after a long layoff:
“If we expect to be who we think we’re capable of being, we’ll find a way to stay consistent with what we’re doing. Whether it’s the energy level, the effort level, or embracing/focusing on the details that we have to be able to understand in order to go out and get a win.”
On ignoring outside noise and focusing on a championship goal:
“I don’t look at it like that. I literally do this to try to compete to try to win a championship. That’s what my focus is throughout the course of the year. Throughout the course of the year, there’s going to be noise out there. When [ex-San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich] was at his height, people talked about him. When [Golden State Warriors head coach] Steve Kerr was at his height, people talked about him. People can talk about Mike Brown for sure, but it’s my job to ignore the noise. It’s easy to do that because the pressure that I put on myself and the team puts on itself to be great or try to be the best team in the league, doesn’t even match up to what everyone else says.”
On weighing player suggestions before making adjustments:
“You can’t act upon everything. Because if you act upon everything, you’re going to be driving yourself crazy and everybody else crazy. It was just something where we were struggling to score [at the time] and I had been thinking about it for awhile and it finally came to me at that point. … I take suggestions from everybody. At the end of the day, it’s up to me to make the decision of yea or nay. The tough part about it is, sometimes when you have suggestions, and there are a lot of good ones out there, a suggestion is one thing, but trying to actually put the suggestion into something that can be real for the group and fit the group, not just that one person, that’s the tricky part. I’ve always been a guy that if you come to me with a suggestion, a lot of times, especially as a coach, you gotta have something to back it up. Some video, some analytics. Tell me how.”
On tailoring his system to the personnel he has:
“We kind of figured it out along the way. [KAT and Sabonis] do a lot of stuff that are similar. You have an idea [coming into a new job with a new team] of what you want to do offensively [and] defensively, but then it’s your job as a coach to try to figure out, ‘Does this really fit the group that you have in front of you?’”
On the challenges of implementing changes in Year 1:
“That’s why it’s always tough to do things in Year 1, because it takes some time to get used to the group, not just what their strengths are as skill players, but their personalities and other things that make them tick. Trying to put a guy like Sabonis at his strength, trying to put a guy like KAT at his strength is something that, as a head coach, it’s my job to think constantly about, as long as it enhances everybody else.”
On embracing collaboration while retaining final authority:
“I take suggestions from everybody. And at the end of the day it’s up for me to make the decision of yay or nay. I’ve always been a guy who if you come to me with suggestions especially as a coach. You have to have something to back it up. Some video or analytics. At the end of the day, I have to say this makes sense let’s do it, but this is how we’re going to do it.”
"I believe luck is not given, it's earned. I've earned my luck. I've put the work in outside of the basketball court…that keeps me healthy and feeling good. I've earned the right to have luck in my situation because I put the work in."
On watching potential Eastern Conference Finals opponents with his fiancée:
“My fiancee [Jordyn Woods], she loves watching basketball a lot. It’s always something, even when I’m not thinking about it, maybe I’m thinking of talking to my family, my niece, my nephew, [Jordyn] has the game on. She’s constantly updating me on what’s happening. She knows ball now, after all these years together. She’s talking about flex screens, UCLA cuts and stuff like that.”
On staying connected with his former Minnesota teammates:
“I definitely am tuned in. I watch the games, especially on the days that we’re not playing, and the Wolves are playing. I’m always tapped in, I’m watching, I’m texting Ant [Edwards], I’m texting Rudy [Gobert], I’m texting those guys and just watching them play.”
On approaching the coaching staff about changing his role:
“You’re down 2-1, obviously it’s not the end of the world but you guys understand the importance of the next game. … You go in there and say how you feel, your feelings, your idea and see if it’s received. And it was received.”
On embracing a facilitator role:
“I’ve always loved this role. I’ve always wanted this role, so [I’m] happy we got to this point.”
On whether he feels vindicated by the adjustment:
“I’ve always said since the beginning, I’ll do whatever it takes to impact winning. I’m glad I’ve been able to do that with this changing role and be able to help our team win. That’s the most important thing. And utilize my talent.”
On entering Year 1 under Mike Brown without expectations:
“I really didn’t have any expectations. I didn’t know what to expect.”
On crediting Brown for the team’s current position:
“He’s done a great job of adjusting our team to give us the best chance to win. The spot we’re in now is because of his courage and trust to change what we were doing and putting us in a better position.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s impact:
“[Robinson’s] one of the most impactful players on our team. I think all of y’all know how important he is to us.”
"Both great opponents, we respect both of them. We'll be ready to go."
On how the offense naturally evolved through Towns late in possessions:
“Using KAT sometimes at the end of the [shot] clock, we started using him more [in that role]. And then we kind of naturally started getting into it. Obviously, our coaches are taking notice. It’s kind of what we’ve been doing all year, but I think the more it started happening when, at the end of the clock, guys were [playing] off of him and then we started using it, guys playing off the ball, and then we kind of just started making it a point of emphasis. I felt like it was something [Towns] was always capable of.”
On believing Towns could handle the expanded responsibility:
“I felt like it was always something he was capable of. You don’t get a lot of practice time. I always feel like it’s tough to figure it out — but again — that’s what the regular season is for.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s continued growth and value:
“It feels like every year Mitch just continues to get better. He’s so important to our team. And when it’s time for him to show up, he shows up. … It’s huge for us creating opportunities at the offensive end. And obviously being at the rim and helping us in so many ways is huge.”
“He’s always wanted to have open dialogue since day one. And obviously he’s still the coach and he’s going to make the decisions and everything. But I mean, we give our opinions, and whether they’re good or bad opinions, they’re talked about and they’re decided on later.”
“Sweep is great right… but dog. 7 days? No games? That’s torture. I’m over here doing nothing… We’re in a good rhythm right now. JB’s passing the ball, KAT’s passing the ball, not yelling at the refs, Kal hooping, Mike Brown… pic.twitter.com/lW0vBkfFbG
On revisiting his postgame comments about Philadelphia:
“I was wrong in part of my post-game interview. I said Philly wasn’t a sports town. I thought it was, but it’s no longer is. It’s not a sports town. They’re diehard and they love the Eagles. What’s the definition of a sports town? You can’t be a sports town if another team fan base takes over your arena. You cannot be a sports town if that happens. Boston? Sports town. You won’t see anyone take over their arena. So yes. (Los Angeles) is more of a sports town than Philly. Because the Rams, they just got back. So I mean, it’s going to take a little bit of time to kind of, you know, cultivate that environment, but they’re almost there. But we’ve taken over Philly. We’re down the street from Boston. Have we ever taken over TD Garden? No. And you will never see Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum sitting there saying, fans, we need y’all to come out because if y’all don’t, the Knicks are going to [take over], they’re never going to say that because they don’t have to.”
“It’s just been amazing, like, ‘Who are these guys?’ ”
On the similarities to the 1970s championship teams:
“They remind me so much of Frazier-to-Bradley-to-Barnett-to-Reed-to-DeBusschere. The way the ball is moving around the court. The way they hit the open man.”
On how stagnant the offense once looked:
“I kept hoping. A lot of times they were stagnant, too much dribbling. And sometimes when Jalen was playing so well, it was like the other guys would stand transfixed, and they weren’t moving like they are now, all of them realizing how equally important they all are. And then KAT happened.”
On Towns’ creativity as a passer:
“Some of the passes are really just very impressive. You know, Globetrotter-like, extraordinary where he has the ball in one hand, behind his back, but that’s the other thing that’s fascinated me is the moving and grooving. How does that happen all of a sudden? Bridges is going back door? OG’s going back door. All these guys, it doesn’t matter, the second unit. They’re all moving the ball.”
On adapting alongside Earl Monroe during the 1973 title run:
“He had to play more defense here than he did in Baltimore. And I had to make sure he shot the ball enough because he didn’t want to come across like a ball hog. We figured it out.”
On his excitement about this Knicks team winning the title:
“Yeah, man, let’s go. Let’s go Knicks!”
"The humble warrior. He just wants to play basketball. … He definitely just wants to win."
“The humble warrior. He just wants to play basketball; he definitely just wants to win. He definitely just wants to win. [Brunson] definitely is a guy that’s going to take over when he needs to. But he knows he needs his team. He knows everybody in that locker room, so he’s going to do whatever he’s got to do and say whatever he’s got to say for everybody to be together.”
You never know who you'll see on the street @Shift4
If the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been building toward a collision of power, speed, and star talent, the Western Conference Final has arrived exactly as advertised.
The Colorado Avalanche, champions in 2022 and winners of the 2025–26 Presidents’ Trophy, will meet the Vegas Golden Knights, the 2023 Stanley Cup winners, with a place in the Final now the only thing separating them from another championship run.
Game 1 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, marking the start of a matchup that features two of the league’s most complete and explosive teams.
Paths To The Conference Final
Colorado reached this stage by sweeping the Los Angeles Kings in four games before eliminating the Minnesota Wild in five. Vegas advanced after a six-game series win over the Utah Mammoth and followed it with another six-game victory against the Anaheim Ducks.
Both teams arrive tested, but not worn down—each carrying the confidence of having handled adversity without losing control of their identity.
A Clash Of Modern Powerhouses
The Avalanche and Golden Knights are not strangers to deep playoff runs. Colorado won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Vegas captured the Cup in 2023. Now, both franchises are one series away from returning to hockey’s biggest stage again.
This is Colorado’s eighth Western Conference Final appearance since relocating to Denver. The Avalanche hold a 3–4 series record at this stage, and in each of their three previous wins at this level, they went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Vegas, meanwhile, is making its fifth appearance in the round just before the Final in its first 10 seasons, also reaching the Western Conference Final in 2018, 2020, 2023, and now 2026, along with a semifinal berth in 2021 during the league’s realignment playoff format. The Golden Knights hold a 2–2 series record at this stage and have already won one Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Stars Driving The Series
Colorado enters with momentum and depth. The Avalanche lead all playoff teams in scoring at 4.11 goals per game.
Nathan MacKinnon remains the engine, producing 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points, while maintaining a 1.44 points-per-game average this postseason. That number has also lifted his career playoff scoring rate to 1.31 points per game entering the 2026 playoffs, underscoring his long-term consistency in pressure moments.
Perhaps most strikingly, Colorado has had scoring contributions from 17 different players this postseason, marking the seventh time in NHL history a team has had at least 17 goal scorers through its first nine playoff games. Only the 1983 Calgary Flames, 1985 Chicago Blackhawks, 1987 Montreal Canadiens, 1988 Calgary Flames, 1988 Boston Bruins (who had 18), and 1993 Los Angeles Kings have matched or exceeded that level of scoring distribution.
Goaltending has also stabilized Colorado’s run. Scott Wedgewood has posted a 2.21 goals-against average, the second-best among remaining goaltenders, along with a .914 save percentage, tied for fourth among goalies still active in the postseason.
On the other side, Vegas brings one of the most dangerous offenses in the playoffs, averaging 3.67 goals per game, the third-highest mark in the postseason field.
Mitch Marner has been at the center of it all, recording 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points, including his fifth multipoint game of the 2026 playoffs in Game 6 against the Anaheim Ducks—matching his career high for multipoint games in a single postseason, previously set in 2023 with Toronto.
Pavel Dorofeyev has surged into the spotlight with back-to-back multi-goal performances in Game 6 and enters the series as the leading goal scorer in the 2026 playoffs with nine goals.
Meanwhile, Brett Howden has carved out a unique niche in special teams dominance, scoring his third short-handed goal of the postseason, placing him in an eight-way tie for the most short-handed goals in a single playoff year in NHL history.
Betting Lines
Oddsmakers slightly favor Colorado, listing the Avalanche at -240, with Vegas at +200.
On the Stanley Cup futures board, Colorado sits at +130, while Vegas is listed at +700, reflecting both their dominance and the respect for their playoff consistency.
Everything points toward a tightly contested series between two teams capable of controlling games in different ways—Colorado through depth, pace, and scoring distribution, and Vegas through star-driven offense and timely finishing.
A Series Built For The Biggest Moments
There is no shortage of history between these two franchises. Colorado previously eliminated Vegas in six games during the 2021 playoffs, adding another layer of familiarity and unfinished business to the matchup.
Now, with both teams carrying championship pedigree and elite offensive form, the margin between them feels thinner than ever.
One series will define a return to the Stanley Cup Final. The other will end a season that still felt built for something more.
It’s do or die for the Buffalo Sabres tonight in Game 6, while the Montreal Canadiens can clinch their berth to the Eastern Conference Finals on home ice.
Lane Hutson has been a stud for the Habs this postseason, and he highlights my Sabres vs. Canadiens predictions along with Josh Doan and Rasmus Dahlin.
Keep reading for my NHL picks for Saturday, May 16.
Best Sabres vs Canadiens props for Game 6
Player
Pick
Lane Hutson
Over 0.5 assists
-170
Josh Doan
Over 0.5 points
-125
Rasmus Dahlin
Over 2.5 shots
-145
Game 6 Prop #1: Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
-170 at BET99
The Montreal Canadiens are one win away from the Eastern Conference Final, and Lane Hutson has been a major driver behind the team’s success.
The blueliner has 10 assists in 12 games, with at least one helper in four straight contests and seven of his last nine.
Hutson has consistently tilted the ice in Montreal’s favor, controlling over 52% of the shot attempts at even strength – the second-best mark among all regulars in the Habs lineup.
Montreal has scored in bunches, averaging 4.2 gpg this series, and Hutson will have no problem factoring on at least one tonight.
Game 6 Prop #2: Josh Doan Over 0.5 points
-125 at BET99
Twenty-four-year-old Josh Doan has emerged as an important offensive piece for the Buffalo Sabres, sitting second on the team in playoff scoring with 10 points in 11 games.
Doan has found the score sheet in six straight outings, and the Sabres will need him to be productive in Game 6 to avoid elimination.
Doan has been dominant in terms of possession, controlling over 59% of shot attempts and 60% of expected goals at even strength. His 18 high-danger chances this postseason also lead the Sabres, and that’s another reason why he’ll pick up a point in Game 6.
Game 6 Prop #3: Rasmus Dahlin Over 2.5 shots (-145)
-145 at BET99
With the Sabres’ backs against the wall in Game 6, they’ll be throwing everything at the Canadiens net. That’s just business as usual for Rasmus Dahlin, though.
The Sabres captain has logged Over 2.5 shots on net in four of five games this series, and seven of his last eight overall.
Dahlin leads Buffalo in shots (38) and shot attempts (76) this postseason, and he won’t be shy to fire the puck with his team’s season on the line.
img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL. (not available in Ontario)
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.
The best way to score runs in bulk is with the longball but hitting homers will be a difficult challenge for both teams in this matchup.
Elder has done a fantastic job of suppressing power, allowing 0.49 homers per nine innings while posting a remarkably strong 3.5% barrel rate. That puts him in the 90th percentile league-wide.
It's difficult to square up either of these arms, and stringing together hit after hit is also a tall order given Elder and Tolle both rank 83rd percentile or higher in xBA.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 17-10, +3.48 units
Over/Under bets: 11-15-1, -6.41 units
Red Sox vs Braves odds
Moneyline: Red Sox +120 | Braves -140
Run line: Red Sox +1.5 (-170) | Braves -1.5 (+145)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)
Red Sox vs Braves trend
The Braves have hit the Under in 23 of their last 35 home games (+12.2 units, 32% ROI) Find more MLB betting trends for Red Sox vs. Braves.
How to watch Red Sox vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Cumberland, GA
Date
Saturday, May 16, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
NESN, BravesVision
Red Sox starting pitcher
Payton Tolle (1-2, 2.78 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Bryce Elder (4-1, 1.81 ERA)
Red Sox vs Braves latest injuries
Red Sox vs Braves weather
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.
May 15, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Justin Foscue (14) reacts after being picked off during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Good morning, LSB.
The Rangers lost another frustrating one last night, falling 2-0 to the Astros.
With the Buffalo Sabres one loss away from elimination and a roaring Bell Centre already primed for celebration, Game 6 has turned into something simpler—and far heavier—than strategy or tactics: survival.
The Sabres will face the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series on Saturday night at Bell Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with Montreal holding a 3-2 series lead and a chance to close out the series on home ice.
A Season On The Brink
For Buffalo, there is no ambiguity left.
Win, and the series returns to KeyBank Center for a winner-take-all Game 7. Lose, and one of the franchise’s most emotional seasons in nearly two decades comes to an immediate end.
The weight of that reality is only amplified by the setting.
Saturday night at Bell Centre. “Hockey Night in Canada.” A building already known as one of the loudest arenas in the sport, now preparing for what Canadiens fans hope becomes a series-clinching celebration. Montreal defenseman Alexandre Carrier captured the anticipation in a single word: “unreal.”
Montreal’s Momentum Swing
That energy didn’t appear out of nowhere. It was earned in Game 5.
The Canadiens erased three separate Buffalo leads on Thursday night before pulling away with a 6-3 win, powered by a dominant middle stretch that flipped the series. Nick Suzuki led the charge with a goal and two assists, Juraj Slafkovsky added three helpers, and Cole Caufield extended his scoring streak to three straight games. Montreal closed the night with four unanswered goals to seize full control of the series.
Buffalo, for stretches, looked dangerous.
The Sabres got goals from Jason Zucker, Josh Doan, and Konsta Helenius, and even outshot Montreal 36-26. But the details that matter most in May turned against them—defensive breakdowns, lost structure under pressure, and momentum that slipped away too quickly. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pulled after allowing five goals, with Alex Lyon finishing the night in relief.
Do Or Stay Alive
Now the series swings back into Montreal’s building with everything tilted toward the home side.
The Canadiens know how quickly a clinching game can unravel. Earlier this postseason, they failed to close out the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 before ultimately finishing the series in Game 7 on the road. Head coach Martin St. Louis put it plainly: closing out a playoff series “takes your best. And more.”
Buffalo, though, has already proven it can walk through pressure this spring.
The Sabres eliminated the Boston Bruins in six games in the opening round—ending a 19-year playoff series drought—and they’ve already shown they can win at Bell Centre earlier in this series.
That matters now more than ever.
Because for all the noise waiting inside Montreal, the Sabres are not walking in searching for comfort or rhythm. They’re walking in with one purpose left to define their season: find a way to live to fight another day.
Lane Hutson
Josh Doan
COVERS INTEL: The Braves lead the league with 
