There has been chatter surrounding a Giannis Antetokounmpo-Knicks union for years, as the star repeatedly refused to shut down the possibility of leaving the Bucks.
This summer, things got real.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Knicks and Bucks discussed a potential Antetokounmpo trade in August after the star singled out New York as "the only place" he wanted to play outside of Milwaukee.
The talks between the clubs were described to ESPN by a source as "an exclusive negotiating window."
A source confirmed to SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley that the Knicks and Bucks had cursory talks about an Antetokounmpo deal in August. The talks did not reach an advanced level.
Begley reports that winning a title in New York appeals to Antetokounmpo, and would be one reason why he sees them as a destination.
Per Begley, the Knicks -- and many other teams -- have monitored Antetokounmpo's situation and will continue to do so.
The majority of the discussions this summer between the Knicks and Bucks took place after the Knicks and Mikal Bridges agreed to an extension, reports Begley. Due to the extension, Bridges was unable to be traded -- and can't be dealt until Feb. 1, 2026.
Begley notes that -- as was the case over the summer -- Antetokounmpo would need the Bucks to work with him on a trade destination in order to wind up in New York. Another route? The two-time MVP can make things uncomfortable by forcing his way out of Milwaukee. He could use his pending contract extension (he's eligible in October 2026) to dissuade other teams from trading for him.
The Knicks, who dealt a ton of their draft pick capital while trading for Bridges last year, might have to get creative if Antetokounmpo hits the market again during the season.
While the Bucks -- who finished 48-34 last season and were the No. 5 seed in the playoffs -- are still a viable threat in the Eastern Conference, it's the Knicks and Cavaliers who are viewed as the favorites to emerge this season in a conference where the Celtics (without Jayson Tatum) and Pacers (without Tyrese Haliburton) are severely weakened.
GLEN COVE, NY -- Since becoming an owner of the New York Islanders, Jon Ledecky has made an effort to talk with fans every chance again. Whether he's walking around the UBS Arena concourse or going out in the community for local events, he always wants to know what fans are thinking about the team.
So, ahead of opening night in Pittsburgh on Thursday, I spoke with Ledecky about the vibe he's getting from the Blue & Orange faithful.
"They're incredibly excited," Ledecky said. "I think there'll be a honeymoon period with the team. I think the team has obviously been transformed. The roster has been transformed. We're getting younger. We're getting faster. And I think there's a lot of excitement around Matthew Schaefer's debut game in the National Hockey League."
After being selected first overall at the 2025 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old defenseman made the team out of training camp, deservingly so. It seemed obvious from the moment he hit the ice, but making an NHL team at such a young age is something worth celebrating.
"Obviously, his first game will be on the road. But when he comes back for our opener on Saturday, I think it's going to be a joyous moment to say, hey, congratulations on being the number one pick and congratulations on making the final roster," Ledecky said. "That was not easy. We have some really good players. We have a lot of great defensemen in the system. So for him to make the team was really an accomplishment. I think people have not really thought about that as much as they should.
"It was a hard camp, and he came through with flying colors."
Per my colleagues over at NHL.com, "Schaefer was the fifth defenseman picked No. 1 since 2000, and first since Owen Power, who was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. The others were Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres, 2018), Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers, 2014), and Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues, 2006)."
He'll also become the eighth player to face Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin in his first two NHL games, as the Islanders host the Washington Capitals on Saturday night for their home-opener.
Schaefer will begin the season alongside veteran Scott Mayfield on the third pairing, while also quarterbacking the second power-play unit.
He's already a fan favorite, and his only goal is to make the fans proud every time he steps foot on the ice.
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The former Wales and Pontypool scrum-half has written an autobiography on a life blighted by violence and reflects on the punch that ended his international career
Imagine, for a moment, the following scenario. Having broken his neck in a freak rugby accident and avoided paralysis by a millimetre, the player concerned is back for a meeting with his spinal consultant. The specialist advice is crystal clear. Make the most of your second chance and, if you fancy staying alive, never do either of the following again: dive off a high board or resume playing rugby.
And now just imagine being the kind of guy who leaves the room and immediately nips home to pick up his swimming trunks before heading to the nearest swimming pool. Who puts on the swimmers, climbs up to the highest platform and dives straight off. Not once but twice. The rationale being that, if he survives, there will be no reason not to give rugby another go.
This is an extract taken from our weekly rugby union email, the Breakdown. To sign up, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
Toronto defeated New York almost commandingly and took a 2-0 series lead at home before the series shifts to the Yankees' diamond on Tuesday. The Jays hit five home runs, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sending a grand slam into the bleachers in the bottom of the fourth.
"Yeah, it was an unreal vibe in the city," John Tavares said on Monday. "Obviously, the way the boys played, it was an unbelievable atmosphere. With Trey (Yesavage) doing what he was doing on the mound, and then when Vladdy hit the Grand Slam, it was pretty cool.
"Obviously, it put them in a pretty good spot in the series. So it was a lot of fun to be a part of, go as a group, and get to enjoy it."
The Maple Leafs had their own box for the postseason matchup. It's the perfect team-bonding experience ahead of what's going to be a busy regular season.
"I think that's exactly what you want this time of year, right?" Max Domi said. "Guys are starting to get excited, be together, spend as much time as possible off the ice. We're all champing at the bit to get going here."
Domi posted a photo on his Instagram ahead of the Blue Jays' first game of the postseason. He's pictured alongside his father, Tie, on the field of the Rogers Centre, playing catch with one of the then-Blue Jays.
What does he remember about that moment?
"Sweaty palms. I was so nervous," he smiled. "But I forget who I was playing catch with before. I'll have to ask my pops. But I got a nice little warm-up, got the arm going. It's a good time."
Although Toronto went up for a few days to Muskoka earlier in camp for a team-bonding trip, this outing is a bit different. Going to a game of that magnitude will allow players to connect more, but it also gives the team's newly acquired players (Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, etc) a view of what the city is like during the playoffs.
"You know, you take it in from a different perspective, right? Going in and enjoying the game and being a fan, yeah, it gives you a different perspective," Tavares said.
"I think it's just great to be together as a team, especially when we're at home, which at times — everyone with families and different things going on — can be more challenging when you're on the road. But it's just a great way to kind of finish off training camp and enjoy the playoff baseball.
"So really good to spend some time together. And whether you're younger or you're older, a lot of experience, not much experience, just a great way to come together and to enjoy the city and enjoy how much Torontonians love their teams."
The 2025 MLB postseason is in full swing. After a thrilling Wild Card round and a Division Series round which included an instant classic between the Mariners and the Tigers, the road to the 2025 MLB World Series continues. How inevitable are the Dodgers, exactly? We're about to find out.
Below is everything you need to know about the 2025 MLB postseason schedule and format.
Who Has Home-Field Advantage For the 2025 World Series?
Home-field advantage goes to the team with the best record. If the teams have the same record, home-field advantage will be determined by tiebreakers.
The Brewers finished the regular season with the best record in baseball at 97-65. However, since they were eliminated by the Dodgers during the NLCS, home-field advantage for the World Series is up for grabs.
If the Mariners (90-72) win the American League pennant, the Dodgers (93-69) would have home-field advantage. If the Blue Jays (94-68) come back to beat the Mariners, they would have home-field over the Dodgers.
What is the 2025 MLB Postseason Schedule?
⚾ Championship Series: October 12-21
(ALCS airing on TBS, truTV and HBO Max; NLCS airing on FOX, FS1, and FOX Deportes: Game times are TBA)
*if necessary
Date
Matchup
10/12/25
Mariners at Blue Jays (ALCS Game 1)
SEA 3, DET 1
10/13/25
Mariners at Blue Jays (ALCS Game 2)
SEA 10, DET 3
Dodgers at Brewers (NCLS Game 1)
LAD 2, MIL 1
10/14/25
Dodgers at Brewers (NCLS Game 2))
LAD 5, MIL 1
10/15/25
Blue Jays at Mariners (ALCS Game 3)
TOR 13, SEA 4
10/16/25
Brewers at Dodgers (NLCS Game 3)
LAD 3, MIL 1
Blue Jays at Mariners (ALCS Game 4)
TOR 8, SEA 2
10/17/25
Blue Jays at Mariners (ALCS Game 5)
SEA 6, TOR 2
Brewers at Dodgers (NLCS Game 4)
LAD 5, MIL 1
10/19/25
Mariners at Blue Jays (ALCS Game 6)
8:03 p.m. ET
10/20/25
Mariners at Blue Jays (ALCS Game 7)*
8:08 p.m. ET
⚾ 2025 World Series: October 24-November 1
(World Series airing on FOX: Game times are TBA)
*if necessary
Date
Series
Matchup
10/24/25
World Series, Game 1
League Champ #2 at League Champ #1
10/25/25
World Series, Game 2
League Champ #2 at League Champ #1
10/27/25
World Series, Game 3
League Champ #1 at League Champ #2
10/28/25
World Series, Game 4
League Champ #1 at League Champ #2
10/29/25
World Series, Game 5 *
League Champ #1 at League Champ #2
10/31/25
World Series, Game 6 *
League Champ #2 at League Champ #1
11/1/25
World Series, Game 7 *
League Champ #2 at League Champ #1
2025 MLB Playoff Rules
What Are The Replay Rules for the 2025 MLB Playoffs?
Managers get just one challenge during the regular season, but they are afforded two challenges in the postseason. If a challenge is successful, the manager keeps their challenge; they lose one of their challenges if the original call is confirmed. From the eighth inning onward, the crew chief can still review certain calls if a team has exhausted their challenges.
Will the Runner-on-Second Rule Apply in Extra Innings During the 2025 MLB Playoffs?
No. As opposed the regular season, the bases will be empty to begin extra innings and the game will be played under those circumstances until completion.
Can MLB Teams Replace Injured Players During the Playoffs?
Yes. Teams can replace an injured player during a series, but that player will be deemed ineligible for the remainder of the series and the following round should the team advance.
Additionally, a pitcher may only be replaced by another pitcher and a position player may only be replaced by another position player.
MLB Postseason Roster Eligibility Rules Explained
Any player on the 40-man roster or injured list as of noon ET on September 1 is eligible for the postseason. Players who were in the organization (and not on the 40-man roster) by that deadline may also replace someone on the 10-day or 60-day injured list, provided the injured player has served the minimum required time (10 days for the 10-day IL, 60 days for the 60-day IL). The substitute must also be added to the 40-man roster before joining the postseason roster.
SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey’s second offseason in charge should be a busy one, and not just because it’s starting with a search for a new manager, which in turn will lead to the hiring of several new coaches and possibly other changes. Posey also needs to fill out most of his bullpen and sign multiple starting pitchers while addressing several minor needs on the position player side.
One thing he won’t have to do, however, is worry too much about arbitration.
The Giants in recent years have had several key players — Mike Yastrzemski, Tyler Rogers, LaMonte Wade Jr. etc. — come up for arbitration every offseason, but this year’s class will be a small one. Camilo Doval was set to be their most expensive player in arbitration for the 2025-26 offseason, but he was traded in July. Patrick Bailey and Ryan Walker had both hoped to qualify for “super two” status, but they likely will just miss.
That leaves just three players, according to MLB Trade Rumors’ yearly projections, which are generally extremely accurate in terms of salary guesses. Catcher Andrew Knizner and pitchers Joey Lucchesi and JT Brubaker are all arbitration-eligible, and it would be a shock if the Giants brought that whole group back.
Lucchesi had the best season in San Francisco, taking over as the top lefty in the bullpen after Erik Miller went on the IL. He posted a 3.76 ERA and 3.97 FIP in 38 appearances and at times pitched late in games for Bob Melvin after the trade deadline and injuries decimated the bullpen.
MLB Trade Rumors projects that Lucchesi will make $2 million in arbitration, and he would certainly fill a need if he’s back. Miller was fully cleared by the end of September, but the only other lefty option this past year was Matt Gage. It’s not an area where the Giants have a lot of depth in Triple-A, either, particularly with Reggie Crawford sidelined by a second shoulder surgery.
Knizner, projected to make $1.3 million, was Bailey’s backup for the final four months of the season. He hit .221 with a .598 OPS and one homer. The Giants will need better catching depth next spring, but they could have an in-house backup for Bailey already in Jesus Rodriguez, who was acquired at the deadline and spent the final week on the taxi squad so he could learn the big league staff.
Brubaker made five appearances down the stretch for the Giants, allowing six earned in 12 2/3 innings. He also made 12 appearances for the New York Yankees earlier in the season. He’s projected to make $2.1 million if he goes through arbitration.
Bailey and Walker would have gotten nice raises had they reached arbitration early. They arrived at Oracle Park on the same day in May of 2023 and haven’t gone down since, but both are expected to miss the “super two” cutoff — which allows a small group of players to reach arbitration before accruing three years of service time — by just a few days when MLB makes the list official.
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts tags out Nick Castellanos at third base for the first out of the ninth inning in the Dodgers' 4-3 win in Game 2 of the NLDS on Monday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Even Dodgers fans steeped in the lore of Kirk Gibson might not remember the name of Mel Didier.
Didier was the scout who had issued this warning to the 1988 Dodgers: If you’re facing Dennis Eckersley, the mighty closer for the Oakland Athletics, and the count runs full, he’s going to throw a backdoor slider.
Eckersley threw it, Gibson hit it for a home run, and the Dodgers went on to win the World Series.
If these Dodgers go on to win the World Series, no one will struggle to remember the name of Mookie Betts, of course. On Monday, however, Betts pushed the Dodgers to within one win of the National League Championship Series — not with his bat and not with his glove, but with memory and aptitude to rival Didier.
“His mind is so far advanced,” Dodgers coach Dino Ebel said of Betts. “That was the ballgame right there.”
With the tying run at second base and none out in the ninth inning, he was the calm in a screaming madhouse. As the Dodgers infielders gathered at the mound and Alex Vesia entered from the bullpen, Betts thought back to a play he had participated in once, in an August game against the Angels. Miguel Rojas had taught him the so-called "wheel play."
“All he had to do was tell me once,” Betts said. “To me, that was like a do-or-die situation. Them tying the game up turns all the momentum there. If we can find a way to stop it, that would be great.
“I just made a decision and rolled with it.”
On the mound, amid the bedlam, Betts put on the wheel play. It’s a bunt coverage: with a runner on second base, the third baseman and first baseman charge home, with the idea that one would field the bunt and throw out the runner at third.
In any previous decade, the Dodgers would have practiced this play in spring training, repeatedly.
“We don’t really even practice the wheel play, with pitchers not hitting any more,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “There’s very few times where you’re 100% sure that a guy is going to bunt.”
This was the time. The Phillies had opened the ninth with three consecutive hits, including a two-run double from Nick Castellanos.
The Dodgers led, 4-3, with none out and Castellanos on second base. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he wanted to play for the tie and take his chances to match his team’s bullpen against the Dodgers bullpen in extra innings.
And for the “never bunt” crowd: the chance to score one run is slightly higher with a runner on third base with one out than with a runner on second base and none out. The Phillies had the bottom of the order coming up — starting with infielder Bryson Stott, whom the Dodgers had evaluated as a good bunter.
Betts remembered how he had asked Rojas when to run the wheel play.
“In a do-or-die situation,” Rojas had told him.
So Betts took charge and put on the play.
“I don’t know if it was very comfortable, but somebody’s got to do it,” Betts said.
“I figured, if there was ever a good time to make a decision and roll with it, that was the time.”
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy throws to third after fielding a bunt from Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott in the ninth inning in Game 2 of the NLDS on Monday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Muncy would charge and, if the ball was bunted to him, would throw to Betts covering third base. First baseman Freddie Freeman then said he would charge and, if the ball was not bunted to him, would cover second base so Stott could not advance there, since second baseman Tommy Edman would be covering first. Later, on his PItchCom, Vesia said he heard an order to cover second base.
“When Doc came out and made the pitching change, we talked to him about it and he was all on board,” Muncy said. “I am going to credit Mook. It was his idea.”
Said Betts: “That was one of times where Doc called on us and said, you guys figure it out — in a very positive way. And we did.”
Rojas called Betts “an extension of the manager on the field.”
Said Rojas: “I’m happy that he called it right there on the field. Because it was the right play with the right runner, knowing the guy was going to bunt.”
All of this speaks well of Betts’ intuition and intelligence, but the postseason is not the time for “trust the process” blather. The postseason is the time when the right call is the one that actually works.
For Stott or anyone else, Thomson said, a batter that sees the wheel play in motion should forget about the bunt and swing away, given the holes left by two infielders charging the plate and the other two rushing to cover a base.
Stott bunted.
The first problem for the Phillies was that they had no one available to pinch-run for Castellanos. Aside from a backup catcher, they had two position players left: Harrison Bader, playing with a sore groin, and Weston Wilson, whom the Phillies had to save to run for Bader.
The second problem for the Phillies was that the Dodgers had only run the wheel play once this season, so even the best advance scouts could not have been warning the Phillies to beware.
“It’s something we have under our sleeve,” Rojas said.
The third and most critical problem for the Phillies was that Betts had lingered close to second base, shadowing Castellanos. By the time Stott could have seen Betts take off for third, it was too late.
“Mookie did a great job of disguising the wheel play,” Thomson said.
Muncy fielded the ball cleanly, and Betts beat Castellanos to the bag by so much that Betts had time to drop his knee and block the bag before tagging out Castellanos, holding onto the ball even as Castellanos upended him.
“Those guys executed it to perfection,” Roberts said. “It was a lot tougher — they made it look a lot easier than it was. And for me, that was our only chance, really, to win that game in that moment.”
If Muncy did not field the ball cleanly or did not make a good throw, or if Betts did not beat Castellanos to the bag or tag him out, the Phillies would have had the tying run at third base and the winning run at first base with none out.
But they did not, which meant the ensuing single did not tie the score. Two batters later, the Dodgers had won.
The play would be difficult enough for a lifelong shortstop. Betts is in his first season as a full-time shortstop.
“It shows his intuition in the game,” Muncy said. “It’s second to none out there. It doesn’t matter what position you put that guy at — he knows what’s going on. It’s honestly really impressive.”
Said Ebel: “He’s obsessed with being a great player. And he’s still learning. He’s still going to get better. That’s the scary thing about it.”
As the Dodgers headed for a happy flight back to Los Angeles, Betts offered this game a five-star review.
“I’ll take off my Dodgers hat and just put on a fan hat,” he said. “I think that was a really dope baseball game.”
Now it’s time to see how the Celtics plan to build back up their frontcourt after all those offseason departures.
Can Neemias Queta build off his success from EuroBasket? Will Luka Garza blossom with more minutes than he saw in Minnesota? Can Xavier Tillman carve out a more consistent role after dealing with knee woes last season? Will the Celtics go double-big with veteran Chris Boucher at the forward spot, or lean more heavily into small ball lineups?
If you’re optimistic about the Celtics’ chances to compete this season, it likely hinges on the team’s obvious perimeter talent. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, and Sam Hauser give this team ample firepower. The “big” question is how quickly the new-look frontcourt gets settled and whether this group can bring the same sort of defensive impact that has become standard for this team.
Regardless of how the new season plays out, there’s one question that needs to be answered: Is the starting center of Boston’s next title contender is already on the roster? Will someone grasp the opportunity in front of them, or does center remain the biggest area of need as Brad Stevens and Co. determine how this team will look moving forward?
Four preseason games aren’t going to answer that question, but they’re a chance for all of the younger bigs on this new-look roster to make a first impression as they step into a harsher spotlight.
2. Fast and the furious
You may have heard the Celtics want to play faster. Outside of Tatum’s rehab, it’s been the most relentless storyline since Boston huddled last week for Media Day and the start of training camp. Brown went so far as to suggest recently that he doesn’t play for a basketball team, he plays for a track team given the way that Mazzulla has been running his team throughout camp practices.
Brown was quick to note how that’s not a bad thing. He wants to run. And the numbers back up his desire.
Brown was one of only six players to average five-plus transition possessions per game during the 2023-24 season. (The others: Giannis Antetokounmpo, De’Aaron Fox, RJ Barrett, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and LeBron James.) Brown was one of the best high-volume transition finishers while averaging 1.25 points per play during the 2022-23 season.
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But the Celtics ranked 28th in transition plays finished last season, too often plodding into their offensive sets. That was down from 10th in transition opportunities during the 2024 title season.
Now, it’s time to shift back to a higher gear. And Brown could be the biggest beneficiary.
Talking after practice Monday at the Auerbach Center, Brown stressed that the Celtics need to play both fast and smart. The Celtics absolutely have to maximize possessions and limit turnovers, even while trying to make quick decisions.
Preseason play is usually sloppy out of the gates, and Boston’s new crank-the-tempo play style might accentuate any growing pains. But the Celtics clearly yearn to mask some of the talent drain that occurred this summer by playing faster and harder than their opponents.
3. Pull the cord on the Lawn Mower
After Brown held a state of the union on Boston’s new up-tempo ways, newcomer Josh Minott stood in front of reporters Monday and confidently declared himself the fastest player on the roster. Pull the cord on the man nicknamed the Lawn Mower, and let’s see just how fast he can go.
Minott has all the physical traits to thrive in Boston. His penchant for cleaning the glass could be important for the size-deprived Celtics, while his desire to run will be welcomed if the team leans heavily into the up-tempo ways.
Nearly half of Minott’s shot attempts came at the rim last season. One of his top highlights came on a dunk over Derrick White, who made a bit of a business decision in not trying to contest the high-flying Minott while scrambling with help defense.
Minott’s offensive development could be key to unlocking maximum playing time. Defensively, he has the ability to be a menace with his ability to block shots, create steals with his length, and be impactful on the glass.
Minott is still only 22 years old. There’s been a good amount of camp hype about his ability to impact Boston in a positive way. Let’s see if the Lawn Mower can win fans over this preseason.
4. Away we Hugo
There hasn’t been much playing time for rookies during the Mazzulla era, but we’re eager to see if rookie Hugo Gonzalez gets a chance to change that this season.
Maybe nothing emphasizes the way Gonzalez plays like the clip of him diving to save a ball in the Celtics’ Spike Ball tournament at camp this week. Gonzalez is going to bring energy and grit. HIs 3-point shot looks notably smooth in post-practice shooting.
Maybe he ends up spending most of the early season up in Maine getting extra reps. But the Celtics need to build a bench, and they need defensive energy in that second group.
We’re eager to see if Gonzalez can make an early impression and earn Mazzulla’s trust.
Once again, those in attendance were ultra-boisterous, the fireworks blasted during the national anthem, the red towels waved (though the rally part of them didn’t do much) and the chants drowned out everything at Citizens Bank Park during the Phillies’ Game 2 against the Dodgers in this National League Division Series.
It has been the recipe for four years now during Phillies home playoff games, making CBP the toughest place for visitors to compete in a playoff game.
But guess what? It isn’t just tough on the opposition. It can be quite draining on the home team also. And the sellout crowd on Monday had to be wondering that as the Phillies didn’t get their first hit of the game until second baseman Edmundo Sosa’s bloop single to right on the 72nd pitch by Dodger starter Blake Snell.
The Dodgers went on to win the game, 4-3, while holding the Phillies scoreless for the first seven innings. The big bats at the top of the lineup aren’t hitting, Los Angeles is getting the timely hits, and with that loss on Monday, the Phillies are now 3-7 in their last 10 postseason games at CBP.
So, what gives?
No Phillies players, nor the manager, nor those in the front office will ever complain about the atmosphere that CBP provides during playoff time. In fact, the reaction to the bedlam seems to garner more gratitude each time it happens. But still, something is amiss.
How could it be the Phillies lost the final two World Series home games to the Houston Astros back in 2022, including a no-hitter in Game 4? Can you explain losing two in a row to the Arizona Diamondbacks at CBP after coming home with a 3-2 lead in the NLCS in 2023? Then there was Game 1 against the Mets last season in the NLDS when the Phillies gave up five runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to New York in a 6-2 loss.
And now, two straight losses to the Dodgers to begin this year’s NLDS.
This veteran group of Phillies doesn’t make excuses for losses. That really isn’t their nature. And, again, they crave playing in front of this frenzied crowd whenever they can. But the task is harder than any of us can imagine. Because when the good is good, it is a tidal wave of emotion. But so is the bad.
J.T. Realmuto said after Game 1 that he looked up at the scoreboard at one point and couldn’t believe it was only the fourth inning. He said he was exhausted. Simply because the amount of emotion thumping through that stadium can be as draining as exhilarating.
“I think there are some big spots where I think you’re trying so hard that it just gets you,” third baseman Alec Bohm said. “Everything is so heightened and you’re so hyper-focused that you see something, and you don’t even know why you swung. It just happens. That’s the part of the game where you gotta try to slow it down and stay within yourself. Everybody just wants to help the team win.”
The want is there, no doubt. The effort, too. But when things begin to get pressurized, CBP can be a bit of a difficult place to play for the home team.
“I think that the stadium is good on both sides,” Nick Castellanos said. “When the game is going good, it’s wind at our back. When the game is not going good, it’s wind at our face. So, the environment can be with us, and the environment can be against us.”
Don’t sneer at that quote as an excuse. Instead, think about it. As a fan, you feel the anxiety you have with winning runners on base, two outs and your team trying to tie a playoff series. The heart and head pound. Hands clench and emotions run high. Now think about being a player in that spot. He has to perform. He has the same emotions but has to try to contain them while 45,000-plus rain down their feelings on that player.
“I wouldn’t say that it drains but it can definitely take you out of your center,” Castellanos added. “It’s super stimulating and euphoric if everything is going for us. But then it’s a very uphill climb when you can feel that everything is amplified negatively, like if you do something bad, you’re going to get a negative response. So, it makes it harder to play freely. If everything is going good, and we’re rolling, it’s a b—h to play here if you’re an opposing team because the environment is amazing. But if we roll into adversity and the tide shifts, we’re playing more tight because we don’t want to be reprimanded for something bad and playing becomes more difficult.”
Again, not an excuse, just the reality of something we as observers will never feel.
“Everything in an environment like this is amplified,” Castellanos said. “One run could seem like more than it actually is. When it’s going good, you’re on the expressway. When it’s going bad, it just takes something to take the ball rolling.
“Besides (Jesus) Luzardo, because pitching was phenomenal, as far as an offense we had two times that momentum was being built. So, when those dominoes start to fall, that’s important. Just like on the other side here. When good things start to happen, it’s like a snowball effect.”
No one can imagine saying that getting away from Citizens Bank Park may be a good thing for the Phillies in this series. But right now, it just may be. Not because of the fans’ reaction, but because of the reaction the team is causing with their play. The players know that.
So now, the almost unimaginable task of winning two at Dodger Stadium is right in the Phillies’ face.
“Got nothing to lose now,” Trea Turner said. “It’s not over. … It’s not over and we’re not going to quit until they tell us to go home. We got a great team. We’ve won three games in a row before, we’ve swept good teams. We’ve played good baseball. We got to find that. We’ve got to find it quick. I feel like we’ve played pretty decent these last two games, we just haven’t had enough to get the win. I don’t feel like we’re really beating ourselves. We’re playing good defense, we’re getting some hits here and there. It just doesn’t seem like enough each step of the way.”
If they get two wins in Los Angeles, no doubt Citizens Bank Park will be an atmosphere the players will crave.
Coach Steve Kerr detailed his vision for Kuminga’s usage during an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke on “Dubs Talk.”
“I think the role is right there for him,” Kerr told Burke. “We need JK’s size, athleticism on the wing, his ability to guard the big wing guys like Luka [Dončić], LeBron [James] and Kawhi Leonard. So, the role is right there for him. I know it hasn’t always been easy for him because he’s wanted more of a role, being more of a focal point in our offense.
“But right now, we have Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler — two of the best players in the league. So, JK has to do what every player on our roster has to do, which is embrace whatever role we ask and help us win. If he does that, I’m confident that his role will grow over the coming year.”
Kuminga certainly has the ideal size and physical traits to be a key focal point of the Warriors’ defense, with Golden State’s point-of-attack success poised to play a major role in determining its ceiling during the 2025-26 NBA season.
Kuminga’s agent recently said there was a bit of a miscommunication between his client and the Golden State braintrust, a notion that Kerr disagreed with.
Kerr explained that he understands Kuminga’s situation differs drastically from the other top picks from the 2021 NBA Draft, with the 22-year-old immediately joining a championship roster and not having the same room for error that other prospects in his class were afforded in their first few seasons.
The Warriors coach also urged Kuminga to be “patient,” and that there still is plenty of room for him to grow as a player entering his fifth NBA season.
“Our communication is fine. We have film sessions all the time,” Kerr said. “There’s no confusion about what his role is. What I understand is his desire for more of a role. I think his agent misspoke, frankly, when he talked about confusion. I’m really clear with all my players, exactly what I ask of them, what’s to be expected. I think the difficult part for JK is that everyone in his draft class around him were given big roles right away on bad teams, frankly, that were able to play through mistakes, play 35 minutes.
“JK came to a championship team. We won the whole thing his rookie year. This has not been easy for JK, and I recognize that. But I also think that he could be patient, recognize that he’s 22 and that there’s a lot of things he can improve upon and that we are asking him to do. That’s all a part of being on a team and being a part of a group. He’s a good, young guy. We have a great rapport. I know he’s frustrated, but we will get through it.”
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 47 appearances during the 2024-25 season, showing tremendous promise before an ankle injury derailed his season. In his absence, the Warriors added Jimmy Butler into the mix, further complicating Kuminga’s fit as Golden State reeled off a notable run of success en route to the NBA playoffs.
On a positive note, Kuminga noted that his ability to share the floor with Butler during Golden State’s Western Conference semifinal series with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season allowed him to begin building crucial on-court chemistry with the six-time NBA All-Star.
Ideally, that chemistry and a clear line of communication between Kuminga, his teammates and coaches will allow the young forward to make the most efficient impact possible on an aging roster that is desperate for an impact from its younger pieces.
Briton retires when trailing 6-1, 4-1 against Ann Li
Novak Djokovic vomits on court but wins in Shanghai
Emma Raducanu’s brutal run of form and luck in Asia continued at the Wuhan Open as she retired because of illness from her first-round match at the WTA 1000 event, while trailing 6-1, 4-1 against the American Ann Li.
Raducanu is the latest player to crumble in tough conditions across China, with temperatures rising to 31C with 67% humidity in Wuhan on Tuesday afternoon.
The Warriors are zigging while the rest of the NBA zags, but coach Steve Kerr remains confident Golden State’s foundation built on older superstars still is a recipe for success.
Kerr detailed why the duo of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler remains a lethal pairing during an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke on “Dubs Talk.”
“Steph is our solar system. He’s the sun. Everything else revolves around the sun,” Kerr told Burke. “We have Steph Curry. He is one of the all-time great players. We thrive – and Steph thrives – when there’s spacing, ball movement, flow. This is why we have built our team around Steph, and then Jimmy arrived last year and gave Steph another threat next to him. Jimmy is the best isolation player in the league, analytically. When you give him the ball and you space the floor, you give him a good shot.”
Curry’s credentials need no introduction, with the two-time NBA MVP spending the last decade as one of the most feared offensive players in league history. While Curry’s gravitational pull is generational, the addition of Butler gives Golden State a different one-two punch than the Warriors had throughout their dynastic run.
The Warriors felt Butler’s immediate impact after acquiring him from the Miami Heat, posting a 23-7 record in the six-time All-Star’s 30 regular-season appearances with Golden State during the 2024-25 NBA season.
Kerr explained that Butler’s isolation value isn’t limited to just scoring, but also by creating opportunities for others, which creates a need for plus shooting on the floor around him.
“A lot of that, though, is [Butler] creating a shot for someone else, and so we need spacing,” Kerr said. “The combination of Steph and Jimmy last year, once those two guys were together, I think we went like 26-8. [We] beat Houston in the first round of the playoffs, the No. 2 seed. Our identity is built around those two guys, and we have a chance to be really good. Everyone else on the team has to see that, embrace it and find a role within that. That could be difficult at times for certain players, easy for others. But as a coaching staff, we just have to do whatever we think to win each game.”
While Butler’s instant integraton into the Warriors’ roster certainly was impressive, Kerr also highlighted the benefits of having the five-time All-NBA selection experiencing an entire training camp with Golden State.
“I think having Jimmy from the start will help with our chemistry, our continuity, just the guys getting used to one another,” Kerr said. “The good thing: it was an immediate fit last year, but we didn’t even put anything in. We just gave them the ball and it kind of cleared out. He was really good with that. I don’t think we’re going to do anything earth-shattering offensively, changing our attack a ton. But I do think Jimmy will get more and more comfortable with the stuff that we already do and with the teammates around him.”
Butler averaged 17.9 points, 5.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game with Golden State last season while also providing a boost with his leadership and high-IQ play that can’t be quantified in a traditional box score.
Based on the track record in a relatively small sample size, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic Curry and Butler can pick up right where they left off. The question remains: can the duo stay healthy and contribute at that level for a full season and the grind of postseason basketball?
If, and it’s a big if, they are able to, there’s no reason to think Golden State won’t be right in the thick of things among NBA title contenders this season.
Matthew Pouliot
