Westbrook, 37, spent one season in Washington after the team acquired him in a December 2020 trade that sent John Wall and picks to the Houston Rockets.
The standout guard averaged a triple-double — 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds per game — during his lone season with the Wizards. Washington made the playoff as the No. 8 seed before losing in five games to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Westbrook spent 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder before stints with the Rockets, Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings. His 27,176 career points ranks 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
His Hall of Fame resume is as follows:
• 9x All-Star
• 9x All-NBA
• 3x Assists leader
• 2x Scoring champion
• 2016-17 MVP
In 2017, the UCLA alum became the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double across an entire seasons — a feat he accomplished four times in his career. He recorded his record-breaking 182nd triple-double in a Wizards uniform in a May 2021 game against the Atlanta Hawks and remains the NBA’s all-time triple-doubles leaders with 209.
Westbrook’s 38 triple-doubles during the 2020-21 season cleared everyone else on the Wizards’ all-time list. The next closest is Darrell Walker with 15, followed by John Wall’s seven.
Current Wizards guard Trae Young congratulated Westbrook with an X post saluting his career.
Damn Brodie… an absolute Legend! What a hell of a career! 🫡 @russwest44
A lot to love on this beautiful Wednesday, as I have found three plus-money player props for us to sink our teeth into this evening.
Join me as I dive into why I'm also expecting big nights from Munetaka Murakami and Griffin Conine in my three favorite MLB player props for Aug. 12.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Griffin Conine
Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI
+105
Carmen Mlodzinski
Over 2.5 Earned Runs
+123
Munetaka Murakami
Over 1.5 Total Bases
+131
Griffin Conine Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI (+105)
I have to run back Miami Marlins outfielder Griffin Conine after flying out to the wall in his first at-bat last night, only to later be robbed at the wall. I think Conine is beyond due for a massive outing, and today he draws an even better matchup against Pittsburgh Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski.
The Pirates right-hander has allowed a 50% hard-hit rate and 11.36% barrel rate to opposing hitters over his last five starts. Against the last 60 left-handed hitters he has faced, they own a .352 xBA, .538 xSLG and .367 xwOBA. During that stretch, those hitters are generating a 47% hard-hit rate and 29.8% ground-ball rate.
With Conine carrying a .529 SLG and .264 ISO while producing a 50% hard-hit rate and 22.75% barrel rate over his last ten games, I think he is primed to go off this evening.
Plus money for a guy performing at the level Conine is right now feels like a steal. I would try my best to get this prop at plus money, but I’m comfortable playing it down to -105.
As mentioned above, he has been allowing a ton of hard contact and barrels to opposing hitters while struggling against left-handed hitters. The Marlins will have five hitters batting from the left side this evening.
Mlodzinski has allowed a 51.72% hard-hit rate and nearly a 14% barrel rate to opposing hitters over his last three starts, while sporting a 5.18 xERA against the last 60 lefties he has faced. It is going to be a long game for Mr. Mlodzinski.
The Marlins have posted a 138 wRC+, .366 wOBA and .823 OPS over their last 12 games at home, while also owning an 11% walk rate. On top of that, the Fightin’ Fish rank eighth in first-five scoring at home this season, averaging 2.84 runs.
The amount of hard contact Mlodzinski has been allowing should continue this evening, and the Marlins will feast on his offerings.
Take this down to +110.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MIAM, SNP
Munetaka Murakami Over 1.5 Total Bases (+131)
We are getting a ton of value on Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami to go Over his 1.5 total bases prop this evening, with it sitting at +131.
Murakami owns the highest rating in this matchup on Batters-Box, while covering nearly 100% of Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder’s entire pitch mix. Through 47 elite ratings this season, the White Sox slugger has surpassed this prop 53.19% of the time, going over in seven of his last 10 elite ratings as well.
Over his last 10 games, the first baseman is slugging .512 while owning a 30% ground-ball rate, 61% hard-hit rate and 21.7% barrel rate.
Meanwhile, Lowder, on the road against left-handed bats, is allowing just a 32.6% ground-ball rate while allowing a 41.8% hard-hit rate.
I would take this down to +120, but +131 is a fantastic price.
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CHSN, CINR
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 387-752, -17.4 Units
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.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 7: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on August 7, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies managed to snag a 3-2 victory Tuesday night thanks to another inspired Tomoyuki Sugano start on the mound and a clutch two-run home run by Kyle Karros. Now, with the series tied, the Rockies face off against their most dreaded foe this season, the rubber match.
When a chance to win a series is on the line in the final game of a series, the Rockies have been, to be frank, abysmal. In 15 chances to win a series rubber match, the Rockies are 3-13. They previously lost a rubber match game last Sunday in St. Louis, 7-4.
The Rockies will try to change their luck by sending Ryan Feltner (4-6, 5.71 ERA) to the mound. He was solid in his last outing, going 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on four hits. His inconsistencies have been quite noticeable over the last two months as his command has waned, leading to a lot of contact and an uptick in walks, or he can work quickly and efficiently to cruise through a game. Home runs have been quite the issue this season, having given up 18 on the season, two shy of a career-high 20 in 2024. He has struggled to a 6.27 ERA over four starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks, including a 5.40 ERA in one start at Chase Field. He’ll need to be careful in hitting his locations and commanding his pitches because the Diamondbacks have shown they are ready to swing in this series.
The Snakes will send out Merrill Kelly (8-9, 4.88 ERA) to make the start. The veteran righty hasn’t been as crisp this season, as his walks are up and his strikeouts are down. He’s also been stung by the home run ball at a higher clip as well. Still, he is not one to be taken lightly, especially since he’s come back into form a bit over the last month. In his last outing, he allowed just one run on two hits over 5.2 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his previous start against the Rockies this season, he tossed a complete game at Coors Field in May, allowing just one run on four hits on 100 pitches. In his career, he has a 3.08 ERA over 18 starts against the Rockies with 105 strikeouts and 24 walks in 117 innings. In 90 starts at Chase, he has a 3.50 ERA.
In roster news, the Rockies have recalled Adael Amador from Triple-A Albuquerque and placed Kyle Karros on the 7-day concussion injured list.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reaches in on Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
This week’s announcement that the Sixers will be featured in the NBA’s Christmas schedule for the 2026-27 should come as no surprise. It was to be expected even before the acquisition of LeBron James as the Jaylen Brown trade was likely the second-biggest transaction in the NBA’s offseason behind only James signing in Philadelphia.
Not that getting selected to play on the biggest day on the league’s regular season calendar guarantees you anything, but we wanted to take this time to look back and remind fans of just how popular of a pick the Sixers have been for the Dec. 25 slate. Here are all the games Philadelphia has played in on Christmas Day since Joel Embiid was drafted in 2014:
2024 – Sixers @ Celtics
Final score: 118-114, Sixers
2023 – Sixers @ Heat
Final score: 119-113, Heat
2022 – Sixers @ Knicks
Final score: 119-112, Sixers
2019 – Bucks @ Sixers
Final score: 121-109, Sixers
2018 – Sixers @ Celtics
Final score: 121-114, Celtics (OT)
2017 – Sixers @ Knicks
Final score: 105-98, Sixers
Playing Boston twice and New York two times in this slew of six games over the last decade on Christmas should come as no surprise to Sixers fans. This season in Los Angeles against the Lakers, Philadelphia will play its first Christmas Day game against a Western Conference opponent since 2001. The opponent on Christmas Day a quarter century ago? Yeah, that was also the Lakers as the Sixers made the trip across the country for an NBA Finals rematch.
Of course, James joining the Sixers after playing for the Lakers for the last eight seasons is the driving force behind the matchup that will be in the marquee broadcast window for The Association on Christmas Day as well with tipoff set for 5 p.m. ET.
While this is not meant to relitigate “The Process” although that’s always fun, it is worth noting that after the 2001 Finals rematch in L.A., the Sixers did not start getting these Christmas Day games until Embiid was healthy and playing 50+ games per season which started in the 2017-18 campaign. Obviously the goal of “The Process” wasn’t to get scheduled on Christmas Day, but there is no doubt that Philadelphia has been a more desired team for the league to feature on such an important day in the regular season.
We all know by now that the NFL has decided to play on Christmas as well and the TV ratings blow the NBA’s ratings out of the water. Fortunately, for Philadelphia sports fans, the Eagles are the Christmas Eve game this season which gives the Sixers the full attention locally on Christmas Day. Regardless of what else there is to offer on Dec. 25, the NBA continues to prioritize the Sixers as one of the best teams they have to offer on a day they have no choice but to schedule its best teams and/or its biggest markets. Merry Christmas four months early, Sixers fans!
When the agreement was made for Mark Walter to sell the majority ownership stake of the LA Lakers to businessman Josh Kushner and former The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger at a historic valuation of $12.5 billion, there were more questions than answers.
But one thing that became apparent in the immediate aftermath of the pending sale: Iger will be the one most actively involved with the Lakers once the sale becomes official, a source told The California Post.
ESPN’s Joshua Kushner and Disney’s CEO Bob Iger have purchased the Lakers for $12.5 billion. (JASON SZENES) JASON SZENES/ NY POST
But they recently pivoted to aggressively pursue the majority ownership stake of the Lakers from Walter, who agreed to purchase the Lakers from the Buss family last June in a deal that became official in late October 2025 for a then-record valuation of around $10 billion.
It wasn’t clear as of Wednesday morning when the sale from Walter to Iger and Kushner would become official.
The transaction has to be approved by the NBA Board of Governors. The next board meeting is scheduled for September.
“As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” Iger and Kushner said in a joint statement.
“We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.”
Thrive Eternal is the capital holding company launched by Thrive Capital, which Kushner founded. (Getty Images) Getty Images
The latest sale of the Lakers came together came quickly.
Iger told The Post he and Kushner learned over the weekend that Walter could be interested in selling his stake in the Lakers that he purchased just over a year ago.
LA Laker Luka Dončić (right), pictured with Austin Reaves, has expressed his excitement over the change in ownership. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
And the sale is solely for Walter’s shares in the Lakers.
Walter, the CEO of TWG Global and Guggenheim Partners, is also the controlling owner of the Sparks in addition to having financial interests in Chelsea FC, the Cadillac Formula 1 racing team, the Billie Jean Cup and the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
Thrive Eternal will be the investing vehicle used in Iger’s and Kushner’s purchase of the Lakers.
Thrive Eternal is the permanent capital holding company launched by Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm Kushner founded.
The capital holding company is focused on owning and stewarding a small number of franchises “that we can own and steward over many decades,” according to its official website.
Thrive Eternal, which launched in April, acquired a minority ownership stake in the San Francisco Giants in the spring.
Kushner isn’t a stranger to NBA ownership, interestingly.
He became a minority owner of the Grizzlies in 2019 before selling his share to purchase a stake in the Heat in May 2025.
Kushner will have to divest his stake in the Heat to take control of the Lakers.
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Texas (60-60) and Los Angeles (46-74) meet for the third game of a four-game series. The Angels held onto a 3-2 win on Tuesday to follow the Rangers 4-1 win in extra innings.
Following their four-game winning streak, Texas has gone 1-2 over the last three games and the offense has struggled in August. Texas is hitting .220 (21st) with 37 runs over 10 games (T-21st) and the eight-most strikeouts (91). The Rangers pitching staff is holding a 3.48 ERA (T-10th) through 10 games (5-5 record), but giving out four walks per game in that span (8th-most).
Los Angeles broke a three-game losing streak with Tuesday's win. The Angels rank last in the MLB during August with a .191 batting average, as well as OBP, OPS, and SLG. Only the Mariners (20) have scored fewer runs than the Angels (20) and only two teams have less home runs than Los Angeles (7).
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Rangers at Angels
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Time: 10:10 PM EST
Site: Angel Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: ESPN
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Rangers at the Angels
The latest odds as of Wednesday:
Moneyline: Texas Rangers (-134), Los Angeles Angels (+125)
Spread: Rangers -1.5 (+114), Angels +1.5 (-138)
Total: 9.0
Probable starting pitchers for Rangers at Angels
Wednesday’s pitching matchup (August 12): Cal Quantrill vs George Klassen
Mike Trout is hitting .176 in August (6/34) with 16 strikeouts
Zach Neto is hitting .159 in August (7/44) with 16 strikeouts
Vaughn Grissom is hitting .182 in August (6/33) with nine strikeouts
Jake Burger is hitting .226 in August (7/31) with zero home runs
Corey Seager is hitting .206 in August (7/34) with one home run
Joc Pederson is hitting .208 in August (5/24) with two home runs
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rangers at Angels
Texas is 56-64 ATS, ranking sixth-worst
Los Angeles is 58-62 ATS, ranking 10th-worst
Texas is 61-53-6 to the Over, ranking seventh-best
Los Angeles is 68-51-1 to the Under, ranking second-best
Texas is 26-35 ATS on the road, ranking third-worst
Los Angeles is 31-29 ATS at home
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rangers and the Angels
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Rangers and the Angels:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Angels on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Angels at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.0
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San Diego Padres SP Walker Buehler (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Walker Buehler played spoiler to the Milwaukee Brewers’ hopes of evening the series at a game apiece. He allowed one run and three hits over six innings in a 11-2 victory.
The San Diego Padres continue their hot streak with a 17-hit attack. Luis Rengifo’s grand slam set the tone of the evening. Luis Campusano added a two-run home run, and Fernando Tatis Jr. blasted a solo shot.
Today’s daytime affair is the final game of the three-game set. The Padres are looking to sweep and climb in the competitive National League Wild-Card standings. Currently, they’re tied with the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks for the final two playoff berths.
Taking the mound: Dustin May (MIL) vs Robbie Ray (SD)
This afternoon’s starting pitching matchup features two trade-deadline acquisitions that are expected to bolster each team’s rotation. Dustin May (6-7, 4.30 ERA) is facing off against Robbie Ray (10-7, 3.24 ERA).
May is having a rebound season after a disastrous 2025 campaign; he posted a 4.96 ERA, splitting time between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. His troubles were allowing 138 base runners.
This season, the right-hander has been impressive with attacking the strike zone. He regained his elite velocity after enduring several arm injuries. His four-seam fastball, slider, and cutter have registered over 96 MPH on the gun this summer. May should surpass his career strikeout total of 123 before Labor Day.
Today, he is put in a tough situation, but May has past success against the Friars. The right-hander threw an impressive one-hit shutout for the St. Louis Cardinals in June. Some believe it was the best start of his seven-year major league career.
The Padres have razor-thin starting rotation depth and desperately needed to add another arm at the trade deadline. Ray was the Friar Faithful’s desired choice because they love his confidence whenever he faced San Diego.
Few starters were as dominant as Ray over the last two months. Before his debut with the Brown & Gold, the left-hander was 7-0 with a 1.09 ERA in 12 starts. Ray allowed one run or less in nine of those outings.
His anticipated debut was disappointing, but could it have lived up to expectations? Ray’s command betrayed him, as he issued five walks over five innings. The only good news was that his velocity was still clocking in at 93 MPH for the four-seam fastball and 86 MPH for the slider.
Ray has the pedigree to out-duel his pitching counterpart in today’s contest.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 11: Kyle Karros #12 of the Colorado Rockies walks off the field with a team trainer and manager Warren Schaeffer #4 after a collision with Ezequiel Tovar (not pictured) during the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 11, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon prior to their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks that third baseman Kyle Karros has been placed on the 7-day concussion injured list.
Karros, who has largely been the Rockies’ everyday starting third baseman this season, suffered a head injury during Tuesday night’s game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. In the bottom of the sixth inning he collided with shortstop Ezequiel Tovar while attempting to field a ground ball of the bat of Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte.
The 24-year-old has been enjoying a breakout season during his second year in Major League Baseball. In 112 games, Karros is hitting .265/.361/.424 with 20 doubles, two triples, ten home runs, and 44 RBIs while being worth 1.6 wins above replacement per Baseball Reference. He also leads the Rockies in walks with 47.
In a corresponding roster move, infielder Adael Amador has been recalled from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.
Amador, 23, was once a top prospect in the Rockies organization but has experienced limited success over multiple call-ups in 2024 and 2025. In 164 big league plate appearances, he has hit .176/.242/.250 with eight doubles and a home run.
In 86 games with the Isotopes this year, he is hitting .261/.370/.432 with 19 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 58 RBIs while drawing more walks than he has struck out. Amador has largely been the starting second baseman in Albuquerque, but has recently begun expanding his skill set to left field. He is also capable of playing shortstop.
In addition, right-handed reliever Jeff Criswell (right shoulder strain) has been activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Criswell, 27, returned from Tommy John surgery this season and has appeared in three games for the Rockies and has given up two earned runs on four hits and three walks over four innings. He has struck out three batters.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: A detailed view of the Jordan cleats and socks of Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers on third base against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers arrived back home on fumes, having lost eight of their previous nine games. They’ve eked out two one-run wins over a last-place Kansas City Royals team, and on Wednesday have a chance to do something that’s been a long time coming: sweep a team.
Last time the Dodgers swept a team was June 22-24 against the Twins in Minnesota, and are just 20-19 since. Their last sweep of a team at home was June 15-17 against the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Dodgers are just 10-11 at Dodger Stadium since, and have been swept twice themselves.
Last season was a more sweep-heavy season at home, with 10 sweeps in 26 series at Dodger Stadium — eight for the good, two times getting swept — en route to a 52-29 home record.
So far in 2026, the Dodgers played 18 home series before this week, and swept four teams. They were swept twice at Dodger Stadium — by the Arizona Diamondbacks from July 10-12 and by the Boston Red Sox from July 31-August 2.
That all adds up to a 35-23 home record, a perfectly fine mark that’s sixth-best in baseball. That .603 winning percentage translates to 49 wins in 81 games. This is going to sound like someone complaining about the brand of caviar at a fancy party, but the Dodgers haven’t been this “bad” at home in eight years.
Dodgers recent home records
2018: 45-37 (.549)
2019: 59-22 (.728)
2020: 21-9 (.700)
2021: 58-23 (.716)
2022: 57-24 (.704)
2023: 53-28 (.654)
2024: 52-29 (.642)
2025: 52-29 (.642)
2026: 35-23 (.603)
Three previous times this year the Dodgers had a chance to sweep at home but lost the final game — against the Texas Rangers (April 10-12), Angels (June 5-7), and Padres (July 2-5). On the road the Dodgers left unfinished sweeps in Toronto (April 8), West Sacramento (July 1), at Yankee Stadium (July 19), and at Citi Field (July 26).
Dodgers have a chance to finish the job against the Royals on Wednesday night.
AMES, IA - MARCH 1: Former Iowa State guard and Olympic Gold Medalist Tyrese Haliburton, who plays for the NBA Indiana Pacers speaks to the media on March 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. Haliburton was honored with a halftime ceremony that included his banner being dropped as an Olympic Gold Medalist. He is the eighth Cyclone to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics and the first in men's basketball. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Two-time NBA All-Star and former Iowa State standout Tyrese Haliburton is set to return to his collegiate roots as the Indiana Pacers face the Minnesota Timberwolves in an exhibition game at Hilton Coliseum. Scheduled for Oct. 7 at 6 p.m., the contest marks the fourth time an NBA exhibition has been held at the venue and the first such event since 2018.
Haliburton, who is entering his seventh NBA season and fifth with the Pacers, has quickly ascended to the elite tier of professional guards. After finishing third in the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year voting, he earned All-NBA Third Team honors in both 2024 and 2025. During the 2023-24 campaign, he led the league with 10.9 assists per game, eventually guiding Indiana to the NBA Finals in 2025 for just the second time in franchise history.
“It’s special that I’m able to go back there and play for a preseason game,” Haliburton said during a press availability Wednesday. “I’m very appreciate to our organization for making that happen.”
His recent success extends to the international stage, where he became the first former Iowa State basketball player to win an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games. While he is the eighth Cyclone overall to earn gold, his achievement remains a historic milestone for the university’s basketball program.
Before his professional rise, Haliburton was a dominant force for the Cyclones. During the 2019-20 season, he led the Big 12 in both assists (6.5) and steals (2.5) while averaging 15.2 points per game. Despite a season-ending injury after 22 games, he was named a Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award finalist and an All-Big 12 Second Team selection.
Previous exhibitions at Hilton have featured Cyclone legends such as Jeff Grayer, Jeff Hornacek and Fred Hoiberg.
Tickets for the Pacers-Timberwolves matchup will be available for purchase starting Sept. 9.
When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, there may be no one more in tune with the historic franchise than Magic Johnson.
As a player, Johnson led the franchise to five NBA championships, and he has also been a coach, executive, and minority owner with the franchise.
The Naismith Hall of Famer took to social media Aug. 12 to sign off on the sale of the team to businessman Joshua Kushner and former Disney chief executive Robert Iger. The reported price tag for the sale is a record $12.5 billion, the highest price paid for a North American sports franchise.
Laker fans, you couldn’t have two better owners. I’ve known Bob personally for over 40 years - he has always loved the Lakers and basketball and he will bring championships back to LA.
"I want to congratulate my good friend Bob Iger and Josh Kushner on their purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers!" Johnson said on X."
Johnson previously praised Mark Walter, the Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner who bought the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion and was only approved as an owner in October 2025. Walter's tenure as owner will last less than a year.
Johnson said he has known Iger for more than four decades and made a bold prediction about the new ownership group getting the Lakers back to the top of the league.
"Laker fans, you couldn't have two better owners. I've known Bob personally for over 40 years – he has always loved the Lakers and basketball and he will bring championships back to LA," Johnson said.
Tarik Skubal was supposed to put the Dodgers rotation over the top, but the southpaw has yet to flash his ace form with his new team.
Through two starts (11 innings pitched), the former Tiger has allowed five earned runs, walked four and struck out 12, leaving Hall of Famer CC Sabathia to assess his early returns in Los Angeles on the latest episode of MLB According to CC.
For [Skubal] to have four walks in two starts is something that tells me he’s pressing a little bit and trying to impress a little too much. He just needs to relax and be himself.
Sabathia believes a "big relief" awaits Skubal if the lefty ace can focus on doing "his part" with the Dodgers, where he's no longer forced to carry a bigger responsibility with the Tigers.
"The Dodgers traded for him because of who he is," Sabathia said. "You don't have to go out and try to be anything extra. You're already on a great team, you don't need to throw shutouts. This team is going to score runs."
CC Sabathia lays out why the Dodgers will ultimately be “fine” despite their recent struggles, with back-to-back years of playing through the World Series potentially catching up to them as August rolls on.
Sabathia also explored Skubal's comments on leaving the Tigers and his desire to eventually return to Detroit. While Sabathia fully understands the complex emotions of being traded, he reiterated that it's time for Skubal to "move on" to what's in front of him right now.
You’re in Dodger blue. You’re on a mission right now to try to get them their third championship and your first. You’re trying to get yourself paid. Let’s not look back ... They low-balled you in arbitration and then they traded you. Let it go.
Veteran star Freddie Freeman sits down with Jason Benetti ahead of Sunday Night Baseball, where he reflects on the Dodgers landing ace Tarik Skubal via trade, why the team’s “selfless” nature fuels them and much more.
New episodes with CC and Ahmed Fareed drop every Wednesday on Peacock, NBC Sports NOW, NBCSN, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 07: Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday, August 7, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Athletics enter this afternoon’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, facing the threat of being swept once again at home. After gaining momentum from Monday night’s crazy comeback victory, the Rays crushed six home runs on Tuesday night in a blowout series-clinching victory. Now, it is up to the A’s to salvage the series finale and avoid potentially falling to last place in the American League, capping the team’s swift fall from grace.
Roster Move
Before today’s game, the team shook up its bullpen as it continues tinkering to find the best possible group of relievers.
Hayden Juenger returns to the majors four days after he was optioned to Triple-A in the wake of a bad relief appearance. Left-hander Drew Rom, whom the A’s claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday, joins him. Rom, the team’s latest scrap-heap acquisition, will look to carve out a role in the A’s bullpen over the rest of the season.
Rom replaces Josè Suarez, who landed on the injured list with a right hip strain. Juenger takes the spot previously held by right-hander Yunior Tur, who allowed a three-run home run over two innings of relief yesterday before being optioned back to Triple-A.
Game Preview
Taking the ball for the home team will be right-hander Jack Perkins, who will face the Rays for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old enters his 29th appearance and 11th start of the season with a 2-8 record, a 7.04 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, three saves and 92 strikeouts across 76 2/3 innings pitched.
Last night, Athletics right-hander Mason Barnett turned in a poor start, allowing six runs on five hits, three of which were home runs, over just four innings. If the A’s want to have a chance at salvaging this series finale and avoiding another embarrassing defeat, they will need Perkins to step up and post a quality start, giving his team a chance to win.
Perkins enters this start in the midst of a rough stretch, as his last two outings did not go well. In his last start against the Boston Red Sox, Perkins allowed five runs on five hits over just three innings. He has not won any of his last seven games, compiling an 0-5 record with an 8.22 ERA.
Here’s how the Athletics’ lineup stacks up tonight for the series finale against the AL East foe:
Last night, Tyler Soderstrom rested to protect his ailing hip. Today, it’s banged-up Jacob Wilson’s turn to get the day off, with Donovan Walton starting at shortstop in his place. Zack Gelof starts at second base, his third position in three games since returning from the injured list. Right fielder Lawrence Butler, who hit a two-run home run yesterday, seeks to have another productive day offensively this afternoon.
The bottom third of this lineup stick out, which means the A’s need offensive contributions from one or more of them to have a shot at ending this series with a win. Wilson’s hitting approach has rubbed off on Tommy White, who has gone from a power-hitting slugger in college to a swing-at-everything singles hitter in the majors.
Tampa Bay meanwhile has Drew Rasmussen getting the start for them. The longtime leader of the Rays’ rotation earned a well-deserved second AL All-Star nod last month. The 31-year-old right-hander is having another excellent season, as he enters his 23rd start with an 11-5 record, a 2.75 ERA, an exceptional 0.91 WHIP and 130 strikeouts across 124 1/3 innings pitched.
Unlike Perkins, Rasmussen comes into his start today in unhittable form. He has not allowed a run in any of his past three starts, pitching at least six innings in all three games. Most recently, he tossed seven shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing only two hits while striking out eight.
Taking into account his dominance and the fact that the A’s lineup is missing several injured starters, this will be a difficult test for the A’s offense, which will have to capitalize on any mistake pitches Rasmussen leaves over the plate and any errors the Rays’ defense makes behind him.
The Rays lineup has certainly enjoyed the hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park, scoring double-digit runs in both games of this series so far. Third baseman Junior Caminero has shown why he is one of the best power hitters in the league, blasting huge home runs in each game.
The strategy for Perkins is simple: He must throw strikes while avoiding middle-middle fastballs and hanging breaking balls. If he struggles for a third straight start, A’s manager Mark Kotsay will be forced to go to his bullpen earlier than expected for a second consecutive game.
Let’s get back to our winning ways and play some spoiler. Let’s go A’s!
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros finish up their six-game West Coast road trip this afternoon as LHP Bryan King will make his first career start in the rubber match at Oracle Park.
The Giants will sending out former Astro RHP Adrian Houser (3-7) to start the series finale.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 41-29 since May 22, which is the second best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: The Astros lead the AL in SLG (.412), while ranking second in OPS (.732), home runs (162) and hits (996).
In the Majors, the Astros rank third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (174) and Yankees (167).
OPENING FESTIVITIES: LHP Bryan King will work as an opener for the Astros this afternoon, marking his first career Major League start.
Today marks the second use of an opener by the Astros this season, as LHP Steven Okert started and tossed 0.2 of an inning on May 4 vs. LAD.
King last pitched on Sunday at SD and ranks third on the Astros with 47 appearances this season.
Today’s start will also be King’s first professional start, as all 86 of his career minor league games have also been in relief.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros close out their six-game road trip this afternoon needing a victory to go 3-3 on their visit to the West Coast, which also included a stop in San Diego.
Houston has gone 24-16 (.600) on their last five road trips and are 30-22 (.577) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season Houstonis 31-31 overall on the road in 2026.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 119 different lineups in their 121 games, repeating a lineup just twice on the season.
DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 108 times.
LAST NIGHT’S GAME: The Astros had their three-game series in San Francisco evened last night with a 4-1 loss to the Giants at Oracle Park.
DH Yordan Alvarez (0x1, RBI, BB, HBP) drove in the Astros’ run with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning.
3B Isaac Paredes (2×4) logged his third multi-hit game through five games this road trip…RHP Hunter Brown (5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) made his 12th start of the season and was dealt just his second losing decision of the year.
VS. THE GIANTS: The Astros have a long history with the Giants, having played them 743 times, their second-most against a single opponent, trailing only the Reds (860g).
This series marks the Astros’ first trip to Oracle Park since June 10-12, 2024 (Giants went 2-1).
The Astros have a pair of players who spent portions of their Major League careers with the Giants in LHP Steven Okert (2016-18) and OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (2021-25).
CAM JAM: RF Cam Smith has homered three times and logged two three-hit games through his first four appearances of this current road trip, including his fourth career multi-homer game last Friday at SD.
So far this road trip, Smith has batted .467 (7×15) with six runs, three homers and four RBI…he has also hit safely in nine of his last 11 games (since July 29 at LAA), batting .425 (17×41) with 11 runs, two doubles, one triple, three home runs, eight RBI and a 1.174 OPS over that stretch.
In the AL since July 29, he ranks first in OPS and third in batting average (min. 40 AB).
YESTERDAY’S MOVES: OF Nelson Velázquez (No. 30) reported to the Major League team yesterday and made his Astros debut with a start in LF.
To make room for Velázquez on the active roster, the Astros optioned OF Jake Meyers to Triple A Sugar Land following Monday’s game.
Velázquez, 27, has played in 229 career games at the Major League level, appearing with the Cubs (2022-23), Royals (2023-24) and Cardinals (2026), along with the Astros.
Velázquez owns a career .731 OPS vs. left-handed pitching in the Majors.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez holds a share of the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.322), T-1st in HR (35), and RBI (87).
Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.058), OBP (.435), SLG (.623), and TB (269).
In the AL, he ranks first in hits (139), extra-base hits (60) and runs (80), and is tied for second in walks (83).
HADERADE: LHP Josh Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in early June, going 4-1 with a 1.00 ERA (3ER/27IP), 38 strikeouts, a .110 opponent batting average (10×91) and a 0.74 WHIP, while also converting all 16 of his save opportunities.
Since being reinstated from the IL on June 3, he ranks second in opponent batting average (.110), third in SO/9 (12.67) and fifth in ERA among AL relievers (min. 25 IP).
THREES COMPANY: 2B Jose Altuve enters today’s game with 224 career games of 3+ hits, which is just one game of 3+ hits from tying Hall of Famer Craig Biggio (225) for the most in Astros franchise history.
Altuve has multiple hits in six of his last 13 games (since July 28 at LAA), batting .319 (15×47) with a .781 OPS in that span.
BEET RED HOT: OF Taylor Trammell has posted a .965 OPS (.404 OBP/.561 SLG) with 10 runs, one double, four home runs, eight RBI and nine walks in his last 13 games (since July 26 at CWS).
His .965 OPS since July 26 ranks eighth among AL players in that span (min. 50 PA).
BIG WES: RHP Hayden Wesneski parroted the first two successful outings of his season by matching his career high of 7.0 innings in Monday’s win, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Wesneski has gone 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA (8ER/18.2IP) through his first three starts of the season after missing 14 months due to Tommy John surgery.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2:45 p.m. CT
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
With the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to billionaire businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Robert Iger for a reported $12.5 billion, the question remains about the status of team governor Jeanie Buss.
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As Lakers governor, Buss serves as the main decision-maker in all business matters and represents the team at the NBA's Board of Governors meetings. Team governors must maintain at least a 15% ownership of a franchise to continue in the governor's role.
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Buss remained a team governor despite the 2025 sale of the team to Mark Walter, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chelsea soccer team owner, for $10 million.
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Buss, 64, has been governor of the team since 2013, when her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, died, leaving the franchise in the hands of his six children. Buss was then named controlling owner of the team in March 2017.
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Jeanie Buss status with Lakers
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According to the terms of the sale of the team to Walter, it stipulated that Buss would remain the team's governor for at least the next five years. This continues the family's involvement with the team since Dr. Buss first bought the team in 1979.
The sale to businessman Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Robert Iger would mark the highest amount ever paid for a North American sports franchise, surpassing the $10 billion that Walter paid for the Lakers.
Griffin Conine
Carmen Mlodzinski
Munetaka Murakami
