LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 15: Alex Karaban #33 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the second half of the 2026 NBA Summer League game against the Boston Celtics at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
He revealed that the number-one ingredient in winning that most people overlook is accountability.
“If we’re hard on each other and we’re holding each other accountable, it’s going to make us closer… I think now people could be afraid to say what’s on their mind, and if someone is messing up, people just don’t want to critique people anymore.”
He continued the interview, talking about how Dan Hurley “completely changed my life” and how he would not be the person he is today without Hurley.
“He’s the best college basketball coach. He’s going to make you a better player,” Karaban said. “I wouldn’t talk to people; I was super quiet. I wasn’t confident, and he really changed me to be more outgoing.”
In terms of changing the winning culture in Sacramento, Karaban said that his time with UConn will help make a difference with the Kings.
“Coach was the same person on a daily basis, no matter how we felt, win or loss; he was the same. He expected the same standards every single day, not just on the court, but who we are off the court, being on time or carrying yourself the right way.”
Karaban is bringing that same mindset to Sacramento: the intensity, the passion, and the foundation for the organization to have for the future.
The Kings traded up to draft Karaban at 29th overall. When asked about how that feels, he said, “It means everything to me. I was super excited. The energy that Scott [Perry] Head Coach Doug Christie had and how excited they were… For them to have the belief in me gives me all the confidence to come in here and be myself and make an impact.”
Karaban suffered an ankle injury just before heading to Las Vegas and started off the Summer League a bit slow, going against the Clippers on 0-for-6 shooting and a 4-point outing against Brooklyn. He followed those games up with a great performance, putting up a team-high 21 points and eight rebounds in an 82-76 loss to Boston on Wednesday night. Karaban shot a great 5-for-7 from downtown in the loss. Karaban’s three-point numbers towards the end of his final season were lower than usual, so it is great to see the former Husky back on track from three-point land.
Alex Karaban, the 29th overall pick, led the Kings in scoring tonight at @NBASummerLeague!
Karaban finished the Summer League averaging 10 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in an average of 27.5 minutes per game. While the early games presented a learning curve, Karaban’s response down the stretch showed the composure of a seasoned performer. By regaining his stroke from beyond the arc and contributing across multiple categories, he proved he can adapt quickly when given the opportunity. As he moves forward, this Summer League stint serves as a promising stepping stone toward carving out a reliable role in Sac Town.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Keon Ellis #14, Michael Porter Jr. #17, Terance Mann #14 and Noah Clowney #21 of the Brooklyn Nets attend the game between the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The dog days of summer, and those of the NBA offseason, are officially upon us. While the World Cup gave general sports fans a longer lease on that golden spring-to-early-summer stretch where playoff basketball and hockey run wild, baseball returns, and dew points are manageable, we’re now well past that.
The Brooklyn Nets also concluded their Summer League run last week. From this point and until training camp in late September, most access to the team’s players will come via the various social platforms they’re active on.
But First, a Farewell
Before we get into the current Nets, a former one had some goodbyes to say this week. Nic Claxton’s fiancé, Mariah Castro, posted a farewell message to the Nets and Brooklyn on Instagram not long after Clax’s trade news broke. However, the big man posted his own on X earlier this week.
“Through the ups an downs this city watched me grow into a man,” he wrote. “I will always cherish my time spent there. I created so many beautiful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. I will forever be grateful I was able to call Brooklyn home. With all of that being said, it was time to move on. Thanks again for rocking with me. I will see y’all again.”
We wish Nic and his family all the best going forward.
Workout Time
Workout videos are a common find on NBA social feeds this time of year. Development coach Tyreek Dupree recently tagged Day’Ron Sharpe in one. Footwork, ball-handling and post-move drills were largely on display.
Terance Mann and Noah Clowney recently got some work in as well with NBA and WNBA development coaches Cory Smith and Chris Johnson. They’ve trained with LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Johnson, and countless other pros before.
To no surprise, Egor Dëmin has also been in the lab with long-time trainer Zack Gonzalez. When he’s not with Dëmin or fellow BYU product AJ Dybantsa, Gonzalez works as a trainer/coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nets still haven’t announced the Moe Wagner signing yet. They’re likely trying maintain flexibility as they look leverage their remaining $11 million in cap space. However, Wagner hasn’t been sitting around, waiting for the checks to hit. He, his brother Franz, and Adidas hosted a youth basketball academy in Berlin this week.
Michael Porter Jr. spent a large part of his summer’s first half with his current teammates, but now looks to be off hanging with some old friends, and maybe, just maybe, recruiting. We wrote extensively about Porter Jr. and all the posts featuring him and Peyton Watson earlier this week. The two were seen enjoying a beach, some wine and at the World Cup across a variety of social accounts last week.
Dëmin seems to have followed MPJ into the vlogging sphere as well. He dropped two videos last year, one during the team’s preseason trip to Macao, and another during All-Star weekend. He’s kicked up posting cadence recently, however, dropping a “Summer Side Quests” episode last month and one from the Summer League yesterday.
On the topic of Dëmin and the SL, Terance Mann also gave him a shoutout on X earlier this month, to which Egor responded to by calling TMann his “big brother.”
“Great opportunity ahead. Great organization. Made me really comfortable to start,“ Randle said earlier this month. “So, you know, got a lot of young talent. Got some good vets. Excited to see what we can put together.”
Miles Bridges thinks Booker deserves a ring, and he’s ready to go to war to get one. We can all agree on that. The Phoenix Suns fans deserve a Booker ring, too. The entire Valley, from the transplant Bulls fans to the born Phoenicians with closets full of Lakers gear, deserves a Booker ring, but did the Suns front office put enough around Booker to truly contend for one?
Brian Gregory couldn’t be more excited about adding Miles Bridges. There was a defiant sparkle in his eye as he sat next to Bridges at the introductory press conference. To me, he clearly thinks he got away with something when he finally managed to pry Bridges away from the Hornets. Gregory confidently took every question that was asked regarding Miles Bridges’ history with domestic violence, acknowledged it, and explained what the Suns liked about Miles from a basketball fit. He has a long history with Miles Bridges going back to MSU.
Miles Bridges answered every question thrown his way as well. He spoke on his off-court issues but also talked about how he can help the Suns as a basketball player and that he might surprise fans who aren’t familiar with his game. He mentioned that he’s an underrated playmaker, he emphasized defense and rebounding, and acknowledged that part of his role is to get Booker his points. He saw the Suns’ playoff series against the Thunder and clearly came away with some of the same takeaways the rest of us did, as to where the Suns need to improve moving forward.
Everything Miles Bridges said about his game is everything I wanted for this team as a Suns fan. A physical four who can body someone up on the boards, and get his offensive game off without stopping the ball. That’s not the Miles Bridges that Charlotte got, but the second-chance theme is a big part of the Miles Bridges trade, whether talking about the off-court issues or the basketball fit. I believe Miles Bridges when he says he’s ready to go to war to win a championship with this Suns team.
Is Booker?
Whether or not you think Booker is a superstar on the court, he’s unquestionably a superstar off the court. He’s involved with the Kardashians, gets his name dropped in Drake lyrics, has his own signature shoe, and is respected by every player around the league. He’s been to the doorstep of greatness and was turned away. It’s not an easy road to get back. It’s a battle, or as Bridges said, a war. Does Booker, who has already achieved so much in basketball and in life, have the edge to claw his way back?
I understand roles change with age and I think Book’s game is evolving in a way that could be beneficial for the Phoenix Suns, but watching Booker make right play after right play in the playoffs as the Thunder funneled the ball to Brooks and Green to the tune of forty plus shots, makes me wonder if the Booker who was so comfortable deferring on the playoff stage, still has that desire to lead a contender in a league that continues to add more young talent every year.
Miles Bridges, as described in the press conference, is going to improve the Suns but the question of contending, of getting Book that ring everyone thinks he deserves, still comes down to the Phoenix Suns being able to optimize the production of Devin Booker. It’s my personal opinion that, in order for the Suns to do that, there needs to be a second All-Star next to him. It’s the only way he’s going to get the space he needs to get his shot off.
Is Miles Bridges a capable third or fourth option on a potential championship team? I could be talked into that. I just don’t think the Suns’ biggest hurdle to securing a championship is their third- or fourth-option players. The Suns’ problem is at the top of the roster. Is Jalen Green the number two that the Suns need to pull defenders off of Booker? He wasn’t in the Thunder series. Does Devin Booker still have an appetite for the work it will take to add a championship to his already impressive resume? He didn’t play the Thunder series like a superstar desperate to survive.
I don’t think the Suns have a championship team as currently constructed, but I don’t think that has anything to do with whether they have Miles Bridges on the team. The Suns’ ceiling will be set by the performance of the players at the top of the roster.
So welcome to the Valley, Miles Bridges. We think that Booker deserves a ring, too. I just don’t know if the Suns have the team to do it. Yet.
Mandalorian cosplayers walk through the convention center during San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, on July 22, 2026. (Photo by Chris DELMAS / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
PARODY PARODY PARODY
This weekend, I’ll be recording a live episode of my Star Trek podcast, Trek Marry Kill, at San Diego Comic-Con as part of the official convention (come say hi!*), but it wasn’t the only panel I submitted for consideration. I figured that since sports fans are as fanatical as comic book and pop culture fans that it’d be okay to sprinkle a little sports into the mix, and there are plenty of weirdos out there like me who dances between these worlds with ease; but folks, would it surprise you to learn that none of my San Francisco Giants panels were accepted? So, for your reading pleasure, here are San Francisco Giants-themed panels rejected by Comic-Con.
Willie Mays: The World’s First Superhero
It’s been said that Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game was invented solely for the great Willie Mays, and when you look at all of his highlights he seems as close to human beings have come to seeing Superman in real life. He was so famous that they even made a comic book of the story of his life! Baseball blogger Bryan Murphy from SB Nation’s McCovey Chronicles is joined by Superman director James Gunn and baseball legend Barry Bonds to discuss his legacy.
What if it’s all a simulation? Yes, even that.
The 2026 San Francisco Giants will go down as one of the worst teams in franchise history and has an outside shot of having one of the worst seasons in professional sports due to a combination of on-field incompetence and off-field statements, but is this misery they seem keen to inflict on a quasi-captive audience (their devoted fans) evidence of Simulation Theory? Is this season proof that Giants fans live in The Matrix or have stumbled into The Amazing Digital Circus? Come test the bounds of reality with baseball blogger Bryan Murphy from SB Nation’s McCovey Chronicles along with actors Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, Destination Wedding) and Michael McKean (Spinal Tap, the episode of Star Trek: Voyager where he plays a clown that tortures people caught in his simulation).
Posters: The Last Generation
Back in the late 1900s, Bay Area baseball fans could collect two iconic wall posters: THE BASH BROTHERS, featuring disgraced sluggers Mark McGwire & Jose Canseco and PACIFIC SOCK EXCHANGE, featuring the problematic duo of Kevin Mitchell & Will Clark. Baseball blogger Bryan Murphy from SB Nation’s McCovey Chronicles is joined by Giants fan Lars Ulrich (Spinal Tap II: The End Continues) and A’s fan Andy Samberg (Zootopia 2) to decide which was the better poster and why it’s been tough to follow in either’s footsteps.
Baseball Movies That Suck
Whether it’s Robert De Niro stalking a star player or Austin Butler playing a washed up star, the San Francisco Giants have really gotten a raw deal when it comes to on-screen portrayals, despite being one of the winningest franchises in pro sports and home to legends like Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, and Buster Posey. Is that because Hollywood is run by Dodgers fans or is it because they’re a franchise that’s inherently un-cinematic?Baseball blogger Bryan Murphy from SB Nation’s McCovey Chronicles is joined by New York Times film critic Manohla Dargisto dissect and analyze this troubling issue.
Captain Sisko’s All-Star Team
Back in 1998, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine produced the episode “Take Me Out to the Holosuite,” where Captain Sisko put together a crew of Niners to take on some surly Vulcans in a baseball game on the holosuite and, thanks to the fandom of episode writer Ronald D. Moore, wore a San Francisco Giants hat.
If Captain Sisko could’ve used holographic players from 2026, who would he have chosen? Baseball blogger Bryan Murphy from SB Nation’s McCovey Chronicles is joined by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to discuss and decide.
So, your favorite franchise has been run into the ground. Now what?
If there’s one thing Star Wars fans and baseball fans have in common, it’s complaining about the consequences of their favorite franchise’s poor leadership. By simply swapping out some proper nouns, Solo: A Star Wars Story can be easily compared to doing what the San Francisco Giants did this winter in hiring a college coach with no major league experience to manage their world-famous team into the ground(?). Baseball blogger Bryan Murphy from SB Nation’s McCovey Chronicles hosts a panel featuring Alex and Mollie Damon from YouTube’s Star Wars Explained, Mike Trout of MLB’s Los Angeles Angels, Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios, and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors.
Now, I’m sure these were all rejected for not being in tune with Comic-Con International’s goals, but I’m sure there’s a Padres component to this. Petco Park is right around the corner from the convention center. They’re a very big deal, and the Giants are a rival. Maybe I could’ve tightened up some of the descriptions or under-promised the Q ratings of the various panelists, but there you have it. What could have been, for comics and sports geeks alike.
*-Oh, to be clear: the Trek Marry Kill panel is the only real part of this parody post.
Left: Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy on May 30. Right: Former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 8, 2004. (Associated Press; LA Times)
Winning streaks bring a life of their own to a clubhouse, each day presenting another opportunity to extend the joy and methodically build a feeling of invincibility.
Inevitably the streak ends and everyone sighs, reflects and returns to work. The Boston Red Sox lost the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday to end a win streak that tied an 80-year-old club record when it reached 15 in the opener.
Boston interim manager Chad Tracy stepped into the clubhouse to say a few words afterward but saw veteran players Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray speaking to the team and allowed them the moment.
“We just won 15 games in a row, and I think all of us knew it was going to end at some point,” Tracy said.
Tracy had never managed, coached or played at the major league level before replacing Alex Cora on April 25, but he was well-versed in experiencing the glorious ride of a winning streak and its abrupt end. His father, Jim Tracy, managed the Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies from 2001-2012.
Like his son, Jim Tracy was given an interim manager title when he replaced Clint Hurdle in May 2009 after Colorado’s poor start. It took only a few weeks before the Rockies won 11 games in a row, 17 of 18 and finished 74-42 to make the playoffs.
This year’s Red Sox can only hope their U-turn under Chad Tracy mirrors his dad’s. Boston was 32-46 before winning 20 of 23, including the 15-game win streak.
No surprise that father and son discussed the similarities. Chad was a double-A first baseman with the Texas Rangers in 2009 and closely followed his dad’s fortunes.
“I remember the [Rockies’] run,” Chad said. “You know, we talk very basically about just, he’s excited [about the Red Sox]. He’s a baseball fan. He’s watching constantly, and he’s fired up for it. So, like, we haven’t done a whole lot of comparing to that, but he’s just — he’s a Boston Red Sox fan.”
Jim was rewarded by becoming the second interim manager in MLB history to win the Manager of the Year award. Chad could be in the running to be the third, especially if the Red Sox make the playoffs.
They already are only the sixth father-son combo to manage in the major leagues, following Bob and Aaron Boone, George and Dick Sisler, Bob and Joel Skinner, Buddy and David Bell, and Felipe Alou and Luis Rojas.
The achievement isn’t lost on Jim Tracy, who became so emotional upon learning his son was named interim Red Sox manager he pulled his car to the side of the road. He attended Chad’s first game, a victory over the Baltimore Orioles, on the top step of the dugout.
“One thing that jumped out at me,” Jim Tracy said, “was that when he was presented to the media, his body language in the dugout…. he was not overwhelmed or fazed with anything that was going on. He was ready to do whatever was asked of him.”
That Chad replaced Cora, who led the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series title in his first season, elicited mixed feelings. Cora played with the Dodgers from 1998-2004, including four seasons under Jim.
“It’s a wonderful day, but in some respects, it’s bittersweet,” Jim said the day of Chad’s managerial debut. “I’m proud of [Chad], but the Tracy family loves and respects Alex Cora.
“You have to go back with some special years I had in Los Angeles and Alex was very much a part of that. Bittersweet is the right word because Alex was so good to my son and took such good care of him. But it was reciprocated.”
Can any other National League team actually compete with the Dodgers and prevent them from winning a third straight pennant?
That’s what California Post baseball writers Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris are debating on the latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast, after the Dodgers continued their march toward a World Series three-peat with a series win over the Phillies this week.
The Phillies, of course, are supposed to be among the Dodgers’ stiffest competition in the NL this year, along with the Brewers, Braves, Cubs and others.
The Dodgers, including Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman, celebrate a series victory over the Phillies. AP Photo/Chris Szagola
But after the Dodgers took two of three games at Citizens Bank Park this week, Dylan and Jack discuss whether there is any team in the league that poses a serious threat to the club’s World Series aspirations.
Later, the two also discuss Kyle Tucker’s ongoing slump, the latest updates on Shohei Ohtani’s knee injury and Dalton Rushing’s progress while serving as starting catcher in Will Smith’s absence.
They also analyze the team’s plans for the upcoming trade deadline, and why — as of now — the Dodgers still seem unlikely to make any splashy acquisitions.
Then, as always, they open up the mailbag and answer questions from the audience, including whether the team would have been better off re-signing Cody Bellinger this winter.
Finally, they wrap up by reviewing their predictions from last week, making new ones for the Dodgers’ upcoming series against the Mets and quizzing each other with trivia.
All that and more on the latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast. Subscribe on YouTube or follow along on Apple and Spotify.
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Jul 17, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the video board during batting practice before a game between the Chicago White Sox and theToronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Game #103.
Some runs would be nice. Some defense too.
The Jays made another move, picking up outfielder Rudy Martin off waivers from the Orioles. The Orioles had just picked him up in trade from the Royals and DFAed him, which I imagine we’ll be doing soon enough.
He is a 30-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder who hasn’t played in the majors yet. In Triple-A he has hit .284/..414/.441 with 8 homers, 33 walks and 41 strikeouts in 244 plate appearance. I don’t know that we need another lefty hitting outfielder, but if we have a roster spot, why not?
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 30: Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jonny DeLuca (21) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals on June 30, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 17: Brent Headrick #47 of the New York Yankees reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees’ offense still feels stuck in first gear but fortunately their bullpen has transformed into one of the most shutdown units in the sport, which alongside stellar starting pitching has led to three wins in their last four. One of the biggest factors in the bullpen’s turnaround in form has been the performances of Brent Headrick, who earns his second nod on Sequence of the Week.
We join Headrick with two outs in the top of the seventh in Monday’s series opener against the Pirates. The bases are empty, but Pittsburgh’s most dangerous hitter is stepping to the plate. Rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez has done nothing but rake since getting called up amid the Bucs’ rash of injuries, leading MLB with a 242 wRC+ since June 19th and seven home runs in eight games leading into the doubleheader. He represents the Pirates’ biggest threat as the Yankees attempt to protect their 8-5 lead.
Valdez has done the majority of his damage against the heater, but that doesn’t deter Headrick, who fearlessly attacks with a first-pitch four-seamer as if daring Valdez to beat his best with his own best.
Valdez doesn’t bite on this low four-seamer, only to watch it clip the bottom ledge of the zone for a called strike one as the pitch does not drop as much over its course toward home as one might expect. It’s such a valuable pitch to earn the strike one call as it now forces Valdez to respect any pitch that starts aimed at the bottom of the zone, thus opening up limitless opportunity for chase and whiff with secondaries below the zone.
That is exactly Headrick’s thinking, as he follows the heater up with a splitter below the zone looking for a chase.
This is a really impressive take from Valdez. The four-seamer exits Headrick’s hand out of a similar tunnel as the pitch that was just called a low strike, only to drop off the table about halfway toward home. Valdez reads it well as it bounces in the dirt beyond home for ball one.
Perhaps sensing that Valdez will not be easily tempted into chase below the zone, Headrick returns to the four-seamer.
It’s amazing how many whiffs Headrick gets on four-seamers just like this one. This pitch seems like a cookie at just 94 mph and pretty much down the middle. However, we see time and again how Headrick’s four-seamer almost explodes on the hitter, resulting in late swings beneath the pitch. That’s because Headrick gets elite extension and induced vertical break on the pitch, turning it into an invisiball of sorts as it plays up well above its velocity.
That whiff underneath the four-seamer is just the reinforcement Headrick needs to throw another one, he and Austin Wells looking to climb the ladder with the pitch.
This is the definition of a perfect four-seamer, dotted on the corner up and away with elite riding life. Once again, Valdez whiffs underneath, unable to adjust his swing path to a fastball that flies truer than many hitters are used to seeing.
Here’s the full sequence:
Headrick has been at the heart of the Yankees’ bullpen renaissance that has seen some unlikely heroes step up including Paul Blackburn and Angel Chivilli as well as a rediscovery of shutdown form from David Bednar. Those four relievers have allowed just six earned runs in their last combined 95.1 innings. Headrick in particular has quietly become one of the best relievers in MLB this year, placing in the top-ten in ERA (1.40), FIP (2.19), and fWAR (1.5). He has not allowed a run in 43 of his 51 appearances, which is the most in the majors, even more than the Padres’ historically good closer Mason Miller.
If the relief corps can keep up this level of performance combined with a starting rotation that just got Max Fried back with Carlos Rodón’s own return from injury looming on the horizon, this becomes a tough pitching staff to score against from top to bottom.
That roster move will not include a trade for Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. if Warriors coach Steve Kerr has anything to do with it.
This sentiment stems from a report that Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor made Wednesday regarding what moves the Warriors could make if and when James signs elsewhere.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr reportedly doesn’t want to add Michael Porter Jr. to his roster. for the NY POST
“Sources say that Steve Kerr didn’t want MPJ in February, and there is little reason to believe he would want him now,” O’Connor wrote.
O’Connor didn’t add why Kerr didn’t want Porter back then. But the fact that Porter is a versatile, athletic wing who averaged 24.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Nets last season indicates that it likely isn’t because of what Porter can do on the court.
Michael Porter Jr. (right) averaged more than 24 points for the Nets last season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostMichael Porter Jr. doesn’t look like he will be part of the Warriors’ plans. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Kerr has done a great job managing the big personalities in the Warriors’ locker room since he became their head coach in 2014, which is a huge reason they’ve been so successful. Perhaps he views Porter as a liability in that regard.
Regardless of Kerr’s reasoning, it doesn’t sound like Porter will be the Warriors’ back-up plan once the James sweepstakes ends.
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Former NBA star Ty Lawson was none too pleased about getting arrested last week.
His mugshot, obtained by The California Post on Thursday, shows he had a stoic look on his face as he was being booked in a Douglas County, Colo. jail on a shoplifting charge.
The ex-Nuggets point guard, wearing what appeared to be a jail-issued top, blankly stared at the camera while gray was visible in his beard.
Ty Lawson was arrested on July 16 after allegedly stealing a bottle of vodka. Sheriff of Douglas County
The 38-year-old was taken into custody by the Castle Rock Police Dept. at around 8 p.m. on July 16 after a liquor store worker accused him of drunkenly stealing a $34 bottle of vodka.
Ty Lawson #3 of the Denver Nuggets looks for a pass with pressure from Brook Lopez #11 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Barclays Center on December 3, 2013. Getty Images
Lawson, who allegedly took the bottle to a nearby restaurant, was confronted by police and thrown in handcuffs after he smelled “of an unknown alcoholic substance,” according to the arrest affidavit.
While in police control, Lawson was accused of being a nightmare to his arresting officer.
Lawson screamed and called the cop “bitch” repeatedly and a “white bitch” during the pre-booking process, the arrest affidavit stated.
Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena on Dec. 7, 2014. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He “at times” kicked his cell’s glass wall and yelled “stop” repeatedly, according to the arrest affidavit.
He did ultimately calm down and apologize for his behavior, the report stated.
Lawson addressed the incident on his X page on Thursday morning, writing, “Being black in America is tough…. Being lied by a pasty face white woman wild… stay outta castle rock Colorado!!!!”
He later added, “This the wildest and more racist s—t I been thru.”
Lawson is facing one charge of theft of less than $300 shoplifting and is due in court for a pretrial conference on Aug. 13.
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It's been more than three weeks since LeBron James formally told the Los Angeles Lakers he was not returning, and while he said from the start he would take his time with this decision, how long this has dragged out has become the story.
Where do things stand with LeBron's decision? Where is LeBron going and when will he make his announcement? Here is all the latest information.
Where will LeBron James play next season?
Only one person knows that, and he's not talking. Yet.
This is LeBron's call, and his friend and agent Rich Paul has said publicly — echoing what some teams in the mix have said privately — that even he doesn't really know where LeBron is going. Or when the decision is coming. This is all on LeBron, and he had his circle keep things tight and don't leak info. Even his son and teammate in Los Angeles, Bronny James, doesn't know.
LeBron has talked about weighing a lot of factors — family, the chance to compete for a title, his fit with the players on said teams — while trying to make this call.
What we do know is five teams are in the mix:
• Miami Heat • Cleveland Cavaliers • Philadelphia 76ers • Golden State Warriors • Minnesota Timberwolves
The front offices of all those teams have made their pitch to LeBron through his agent Paul, as well as many making a more public appeal as well. Players from each of those teams have reached out to LeBron directly, including LeMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards from Minnesota.
It should be noted that NBC Sports has been told by sources these teams aren't looking to make another move right now to impress LeBron — no Anthony Davis to the Warriors is on the horizon — and ESPN’s Shams Charania echoed that on Thursday.
Who is the frontrunner in this race varies depending upon who you talk to and when. That's because nobody knows. Except LeBron, and he's not talking. Yet.
When will LeBron James make his decision?
Soon. Or soonish. There's not really a better answer, unfortunately.
LeBron said on July 16, "I won't hold you guys up too much longer." Then a few days later, his agent and friend Rich Paul said, "We're not going to be rushed. It's his choice to make, and when he makes the choice, he'll make it."
Right now, a lot of league business is being held up waiting on LeBron: Free agents James Harden (Cleveland) and Draymond Green (Golden State) have opted out of their contracts to give their teams financial flexibility to sign LeBron and others, and they won't re-sign until LeBron makes his call. Then there are free agents like DeMar DeRozan, or players looking for sign-and-trades like Jonathan Kuminga, whose markets are stalled out until LeBron decides (then the losers in the sweepstakes may chase those two). Whenever LeBron announces, there will be a second wave of free agency to follow.
Even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver got in on the act, saying the league can't finish its schedule for next season until LeBron makes his call because where he lands will have a big impact on things like which teams might be playing opening night or on Christmas Day. Siver got pushback for this — and maybe it caused LeBron to drag this out even longer according to some speculation — but he's also right. Whatever team LeBron lands on will have more nationally televised games, including likely opening night.
LeBron James next team odds
After the Miami Heat accidentally leaked a link to a LeBron introductory press conference on Tuesday night (more on that below), the Heat instantly shot to be the betting favorite, odds via our partners at DraftKings. LeBron starts next season with team odds:
Miami Heat -200 Cleveland Cavaliers +225 Golden State Warriors +450 Philadelphia 76ers +700 Minnesota Timberwolves +4000 After those five, the Washington Wizards are +5000 (due to the Anthony Davis connection) and every other team is +10000.
Did Miami leak LeBron’s decision?
Tuesday night (July 21), someone connected with the Miami Heat posted a link to a YouTube stream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference | July 27, 2026."
It doesn't take much imagination to picture how that exploded on social media.
The Miami Heat’s official YouTube channel had LeBron’s introductory press conference scheduled for July 27
The Heat quickly denied everything, saying that their social media team was only preparing for the possibility of LeBron choosing the Heat, and they accidentally put the link live for a little while. The Heat said this had no meaning, and that every team is doing this. Okay. But only one put it live. That said, read into it what you want. This really could be nothing. Or, it could be everything.
LeBron James next team predictions
Kurt Helin, NBC Sports lead NBA writer: Cleveland Cavaliers
I feel the need to emphasize this: Nobody knows for sure what LeBron is thinking or going to do, outside of LeBron. However, the most informed people I talk to around the league about this point to a third stint in Cleveland, and that makes the most sense to me on a few levels.
First, if competing for a title is what matters most, LeBron is going to go East — this year's East is deeper than it has been (and maybe deeper than the West), but it lacks the juggernauts at the top the West does. There is a much clearer path to the Finals from the East. Cleveland reached the Eastern Conference Finals a season ago, and what LeBron brings to the playoffs — where he has a long history of stepping up in big moments — is exactly what a team with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell needs. Leading the Lakers past the Rockets last playoffs, LeBron showed he can still take over stretches of a game or a series, and with that Cleveland has a chance to advance.
Second is the comfort level — LeBron knows Cleveland, the franchise and the city. While his family would still be a long way away in Los Angeles (a big thing Golden State has going for it in this race), this is still home. Third is the narrative — this will play well with casual fans. That matters to LeBron, who has a film crew following him around this season to make a documentary about his journey and final(?) season. He knows the Cavaliers will give his crew the access it needs, and going home one final time is a universal story arc that plays well.
Jay Coucher, NBC Sports Lead Betting Analyst: Golden State Warriors
The Warriors were the frontrunner when free agency opened and the reasons why still remain persuasive. Of the teams in consideration they're the closest to LeBron's family and home base in Los Angeles. LeBron has long talked about his admiration for Stephen Curry and how "perfect" playing with Curry at the 2024 Olympics was. His fit with Curry on the court would be seamless and LeBron would get more ballhandling responsibility than he did in LA, or would in Cleveland, Philadelphia or Miami (people tend to forget how much Giannis loves playing de facto point guard).
LeBron's friendship with Curry and Draymond Green is well documented. Steve Kerr is a veteran friendly championship coach. A Curry-LeBron partnership would be box office, the story of the season. The Warriors may not give LeBron the best chance at a title but they seem to tick the most boxes overall.
Raphielle Johnson, NBC Sports Fantasy basketball lead analyst: Philadelphia 76ers
With the World Cup completed and NBA commissioner Adam Silver making it clear that the league is waiting for LeBron to make his plans known before finalizing the 2026-27 schedule, this has become the dominant storyline in American sports. Add in the recent video mishap by the Miami Heat, and it is once again "tinfoil hat" time in the NBA.
So, where does James, who turns 42 in December, land? While the Warriors appeared to be in the mix early on, it seems that the future Hall of Fame forward is most likely headed East. While the circumstances are different in Cleveland and Miami than they were for each of LeBron's previous stints, he's "been there, done that." So, why not Philadelphia? Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid have led the way in recent years to no avail, and the franchise has reeled in another former champion in Jaylen Brown. If the goal is to add to his title haul, Philadelphia appears to be the best option, even though the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
Plus, if the Knicks were to be part of the conversation before ending their 53-year title drought, wouldn't this argument work in Philadelphia's favor? The 76ers have not won an NBA title since 1983; the Phillies and 76ers have hung banners in the City of Brotherly Love since then. With players like Maxey, Embiid, Brown and VJ Edgecombe on the roster, LeBron won't have to do as much heavy lifting over the course of the season, which is key given his age. Philadelphia feels closer to a title than any of the other options on his supposed list, so that's my pick.
Why is it taking so long for LeBron James to decide?
That's the question everyone around the league is asking. Nobody has an answer. LeBron put it this way at a CNBC/Boardroom event at Fanatics Fest last week in New York.
"There's so many other factors that I'm factoring in right now: What best fits me as a player, what best fits me as a person, what best fits me and my happiness and also my family as well. I won't hold you guys up too much longer, but the family portion is huge for me."
With a vacuum of information, speculation and rumors about what is dragging this out fill the void.
For example, Cleveland radio host Andy Baskin said a source told him that LeBron and his camp were ready to announce last week at Fanatic Fest in New York but were annoyed with Adam Silver pushing them to make a decision, so they decided to wait longer. Maybe. Also, that could be just someone projecting what they expected onto LeBron because — as said from the outset of this piece — nobody really knows except LeBron and his wife (and maybe some of his inner circle).
Another theory is that LeBron is waiting for another shoe to drop — the Warriors to trade for Anthony Davis or another team to land Kyrie Irving. That's not what NBC Sports heard from teams involved, and ESPN’s Shams Charania said the same thing on Thursday: "My sources tell me that LeBron James isn't waiting for another domino right now... They're not waiting for anybody else to move around."
One popular theory bouncing around in Summer League was that LeBron was enjoying basking in the free agency spotlight one last time and is in no rush to end that. Rich Paul pushed back hard against that idea, but it still persists around the league. If true, it's worth noting that the vibe is shifting in league circles about this — everyone is done with the drama.
How old is LeBron James?
LeBron is 41 years old, having played 24 NBA seasons — he has played more minutes, regular season and playoffs, than any other player in NBA history.
LeBron will turn 42 just after Christmas (Dec. 30), and the question is how much longer he is going to play. Will this coming one be his final season? Or, if he feels pretty good at the end of it and has a positive experience wherever he chooses, does he come back for one more season?
That's the next LeBron drama, but we need to get through the current drama first.
Los Angeles, CA – April 18: Former Lakers player Lamar Odom attends the Lakers-Rockets game during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Crypto.com...
Lamar Odom formally reached a deal with prosecutors this week to close out his DUI case.
Court records viewed by The California Post on Thursday show the former Los Angeles Lakers star pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of DUI of alcohol and/or controlled or prohibited substance, first offense at a hearing in Las Vegas on Tuesday, and in exchange, officials dismissed the speeding and improper lane change charges he had been facing.
Following Odom’s plea, a judge ruled the DUI charge will be amended to a reckless driving count if he completes a laundry list of conditions over the next three months.
Former Lakers player Lamar Odom attends the Lakers-Rockets game during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Odom must stay out of trouble, attend DUI school, complete a victim impact panel, pay a $1,000 fine and perform 67 hours of community service.
Officials wrote in the court records that if Odom “picks up a new DUI during this case, or is arrested or cited for Driving with a Suspended/Revoked License,” he will be sentenced to 180 days in jail.
Additionally, if Odom does not satisfy the conditions of his agreement with prosecutors, the records show he will be convicted of the misdemeanor DUI.
“I think it was a fair resolution given the facts of the case,” Odom’s attorney, Kevin Coburn, said of the deal to KSNV.
Lamar seen at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors at the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League Semifinals this month. NBAE via Getty Images
The case stems from a run-in Odom had with the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol on Jan. 17.
Odom was pulled over for allegedly driving over 100 MPH in a 65 MPH zone on a Vegas highway. Police stated in an incident report that he smelled of marijuana and failed field sobriety testing.
Odom, Khloe Kardashian’s ex who played in the NBA from 1999 to 2013, said in May he began a lengthy sobriety streak in the days following the arrest.
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July 23, 2021, will be remembered by Vancouver Canucks fans as the day the organization made one of the worst trades in franchise history. Then GM Jim Benning agreed to a deal with the Arizona Coyotes that saw Vancouver acquire Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland from the Arizona Coyotes for Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, a 2021 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, and a 2023 seventh-round pick. Here is a look at the trade five years later.
Before diving into the trade, it is important to add some context. The Canucks were coming off a disappointing season in which the organization missed the playoffs. For Benning, it was a chance to potentially upgrade not just the defence, but also add a scoring winger to the lineup.
Unfortunately for Benning and the organization, this trade turned into one of the biggest swings and misses in franchise history. Starting with Ekman-Larsson, he struggled for two seasons before being bought out in the 2023 off-season. Due to his long-term deal and significant cap hit, Vancouver was hit with a dead cap penalty, which will continue until the 2031 off-season.
As for Garland, he produced 221 points in 371 games over his five years. He also played a crucial role in the Canucks' 2024 playoff run. Five years later, however, Garland is no longer with the organization, as he was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets last season.
While Garland was at least productive in a Vancouver jersey, he is not at the level of the player the Coyotes selected with the first-rounder in 2021. That player was Dylan Guenther, who has developed into one of the NHL's brightest stars. The 23-year-old has 183 points in 227 games so far in his career, and his coming off his first career 40-goal season.
Even if the Canucks did not take Guenther in that spot, there are a handful of NHL regulars who would have been available at ninth overall in 2021. Some other notable names include Cole Sillinger and Matthew Coronato. Instead, Vancouver missed the chance to once again draft in the first round as they had to wait until 41st overall to make a selection.
In the end, this trade led to a trifecta of negativity for the Canucks. The deal caused one of the biggest buyouts in NHL history, led to significant problems in the locker room and forced fans in Vancouver to watch a high-end prospect thrive in another market. While it isn't the worst deal in Canucks history, the Ekman-Larsson/Garland trade remains near the top of the list five years later.
Jan 31, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland (8) pursues Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (95) in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 01: Hunter Goodman #15 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with his dugout after hitting his 27th home run of the season in a game against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on July 01, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
Hunter Goodman has been one of the more delightful developments for the Colorado Rockies over the last two seasons. The power has been unreal as he has emerged as not just one of the best sluggers in franchise history, but also one of the best sluggers in all of baseball.
This season has seen Goodman take his game to new heights as he chases down Johnny Bench’s single-season home run record for a National League catcher (45), as well as a potential shot at becoming the first Rockie with 50 home runs in a season. Last Sunday, Goodman founded a brand new club for the Rockies as he became the first player to hit three home runs in a game multiple times in a single season, having done it the first time a few weeks ago in Minnesota.
Over the course of franchise history, the Rockies have had a player hit three home runs in a game 22 times, with 17 total players accomplishing the feat. With all of this fresh on the mind, let’s take a trip down memory lane to remember these incredible performances.
Andres Galarraga (1995)
It wasn’t until the Rockies’ third season of existence that a player hit three home runs in a game, and it’s only right that it was the Big Cat himself, Andres Galarraga.
Facing the San Diego Padres on the road on June 25, 1995, the game was relatively low-scoring, as the Rockies held a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth inning. After being walked in his first two at-bats, Galarraga unloaded on a 3-2 offering from Scott Sanders for his first home run of the day to drive in two. In the seventh inning, he greeted a 1-1 pitch from Willie Blair with another blast to left field for his second homer, a two-run shot. Then, facing Fernando Valenzuela in the eighth inning, Galarraga launched his third home run of the day down the left-field line for three runs, his 12th overall on the season.
The Rockies ended up winning the game 11-3 with Galarraga going 3-for-3 with seven RBI.
Larry Walker (1997, 1999, 2004)
Larry Walker, the only player in franchise history to hit three home runs in a game three times, had prodigious power that contributed to his enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.
His first time came on April 5, 1997, on the road against the Montreal Expos. Facing his former team with a 6-0 lead, the future MVP launched a fourth-inning solo home run off Anthony Telford. Two innings later, Walker sent a 1-2 pitch from Omar Daal to right field for another solo home run. Then, future Rockie Dave Veres surrendered another solo home run to Walker in the seventh inning as the Rockies went on to win 15-3 and he went 4-for-5 with five RBI.
The next instance for Walker came on April 28, 1999, at Busch Stadium II. He kicked things off with a three-run homer in the first inning, followed by another one in the second inning, both off future Rockie José Jiménez. Walker proved to be the difference-maker in a close game in the seventh inning when he delivered a two-run home run off Scott Radinsky to give the Rockies an eventual 9-7 win as he went 4-for-5 with eight RBI.
Before he was traded to St. Louis five years later, Walker still had plenty of highlights with the Rockies, one of which came on June 25, 2004. Facing the Cleveland Indians on the road, Walker belted a couple of solo home runs off starting pitcher Jason Davis in the second and sixth innings. The game went into extra innings tied 8-8, and Walker broke the tie with a two-run home run in the top of the 10th against his now-former teammate José Jiménez.
Walker went 4-for-4 with five RBI as the Rockies won 10-8.
Mike Lansing (1998)
Perhaps a forgotten Rockie by most, Mike Lansing had a solid first season in Colorado in 1998.
While he’s best known for his historic four-inning cycle in 2000, Lansing became just the third Rockie to hit three home runs in a game, and the first to do so at Coors Field. Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 22, 1998, Lansing collected his first two home runs against starting pitcher Omar Daal, including a two-run shot in the sixth inning. His third homer came as a solo shot in the eighth inning against Aaron Small.
Despite Lansing going 3-for-4 with four RBI, the Rockies played from behind the whole game and lost 8-6.
Vinny Castilla (1999)
There are plenty of exciting Rockies moments for the legend Vinny Castilla, and his three-home-run performance came on June 5, 1999, at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. Leading off the second inning against Hideo Nomo, Castilla hit a two-run shot the opposite way. Castilla delivered another opposite-field home run in the seventh, a solo shot, off Rafael Roque to get the Rockies back within three runs. In the next inning, with the score tied 11-11, Castilla turned on a pitch from Eric Plunk to put the Rockies up 12-11 as they held on for the win in the ninth. Castilla went 4-for-5 with five RBI.
Todd Helton (2000, 2003)
The early 2000s were legendary for Todd Helton as the Hall of Famer showcased the damage he could do at the plate.
On May 1, 2000, at Coors Field, Helton put the hurt on the Expos in an eventual 15-8 Rockies victory. In the third and fifth innings, Helton launched a pair of two-run home runs against Dustin Hermanson, the second of which gave the Rockies an 8-7 lead. Then, up by seven in the seventh, Helton sent an Anthony Telford offering to deep right field to cap off the scoring for Colorado. He ended up going 4-for-5 with five RBI.
The next instance came on May 29, 2003, against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Facing starting pitcher Odalis Pérez, Helton hit a two-run homer in the first inning, followed by a solo shot in the third. With the Rockies up 10-5 in the eighth inning, Helton added another two-run homer off Éric Gagné to fuel the Rockies’ 12-5 victory as he went 4-for-5 with six RBI.
Jeff Cirillo (2000)
In another classic Coors Field slug fest, the Rockies would need every bit of production from the offense, and Jeff Cirillo delivered the goods on June 28, 2000. Facing the San Francisco Giants, Cirillo’s first two home runs came against future Rockie Liván Hernández, a two-run shot in the third and a solo shot in the fifth. The Rockies eventually tied the game 12-12 when Cirillo stepped up to the plate in the eighth against John Johnstone, and he promptly hit a go-ahead solo home run.
The Rockies went on to win 17-13 with Cirillo going 4-for-5 with six RBI and being named an All-Star not long after.
Todd Hollandsworth (2001)
Mostly a fourth outfielder type during a mostly successful three-season stint in Colorado, when on the field, Todd Hollandsworth delivered a memorable performance on April 15, 2001, despite only playing 33 games that season. Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field, Hollandsworth collected his first home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, a two-run shot off Curt Schilling. In the eighth inning, with the game tied 5-5, Hollandsworth put the Rockies ahead with a two-run shot off Greg Swindell. The Diamondbacks tied it up 7-7 and the game went to the bottom of the 10th, where Hollandsworth delivered a three-run, walk-off homer against Matt Mantei to win 10-7. He went 3-for-7 with seven RBI.
José Ortiz (2001)
How many guesses would it take you to land on José Ortiz as one of the Rockies to hit three home runs in a game?
After joining the club via trade at the end of July, Ortiz hit three of his 14 career home runs (all with Colorado) in a single game on August 10, 2001. Facing the Florida Marlins at Coors Field, Ortiz launched a two-run home run off Ryan Dempster in the fifth inning. Ortiz then added a solo shot against Vladimir Núñez in the sixth to extend the lead to 10-5. His third home run came in the eighth inning when he sent a 3-1 pitch from Ricky Bones to left field for a solo home run. The Rockies won 12-5, and Ortiz went 3-for-5 with four RBI.
Jason Giambi (2011)
After Walker’s 2004 performance, the Rockies wouldn’t see another three-homer game until Jason Giambi became a one-man wrecking crew on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 11, 2011. I covered this game extensively in a 2021 article, which you can check out. In his first at-bat against future Rockie Kyle Kendrick, Giambi blasted a three-run home run to get the Rockies on the board. His second time up against Kendrick, Giambi blasted a two-run home run to put the Rockies up 5-0. In the fifth inning, he hit another two-run homer, this time against Danys Báez, to put the Rockies up even further.
He went 3-for-5 on the night with seven RBI as the Rockies won 7-1.
Carlos González (2012, 2013)
There didn’t seem to be anything Carlos González couldn’t do when he stepped up to the plate in the 2010s. On May 30, 2012, CarGo delivered one of the more memorable moments in an otherwise abysmal season. Facing the Houston Astros at Coors Field, CarGo kicked things off with a go-ahead solo home run in the fifth inning against Lucas Harrell. He came up to the plate in the sixth against Xavier Cedeño and blasted a two-run shot to put the Rockies up 12-6. He capped off the night with a solo home run against David Carpenter in the eighth to cap the scoring and give the Rockies a 13-5 victory.
CarGo went 4-for-5 with four RBI. And just for fun, he homered in his first at-bat the very next game.
The following season, CarGo launched three home runs in Cincinnati on June 5, 2013. Pedro Villarreal was the primary victim of CarGo that night as he surrendered a solo home run in the first inning and a three-run shot in the fourth inning that put the Rockies ahead. Manny Parra then coughed up a two-run homer to CarGo in the eighth inning as the Rockies went on to win 12-4 with CarGo going 3-for-5 with six RBI.
Charlie Blackmon (2016)
Five years after Giambi, Charlie Blackmon would invoke his spirit by putting up a three-homer game against the Phillies on August 12, 2016. Blackmon’s first home run came in the third inning as he hit a solo shot off Jake Thompson. He later hit his second solo shot in the seventh inning off Edubray Ramos. Still trailing in the ninth, Blackmon hit a third solo home run, this time against David Hernandez. The Rockies lost 10-6, but Blackmon went 3-for-4 with three RBI as the leadoff hitter.
Nolan Arenado (2017)
During the height of Nolan Arenado’s Rockies tenure, he delivered plenty of jaw-dropping performances.
On July 19, 2017, Arenado displayed one of his greatest offensive games at Coors Field against the San Diego Padres. The Rockies pounded the Friars 18-4 with Arenado going 5-for-6 with seven RBI. His first home run was a solo shot in the fourth inning against Clayton Richard. His other two came against Kevin Quackenbush as he belted another solo shot in the fifth, followed by a three-run blast in the sixth inning.
Arenado became the first player in franchise history to have five hits and three homers in a single game.
Trevor Story had his fair share of incredible home run feats in Colorado, but where were you when he delivered three mammoth home runs in a game at Coors Field on September 5, 2018? The oddity of this game was that Story hit all three homers against Giants starter Andrew Suárez, and all of them were solo shots. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI as he hit a home run in the first, fourth, and sixth innings. The Rockies eventually won the game 5-3. At the time, Story hit a towering blast to left field that landed on the concourse that was initially measured at 505 feet. Somehow MLB eventually decided that was inaccurate and dropped it down to 487 feet.
Ryan McMahon (2021)
It was always a joy to see Ryan McMahon tap into his power, and he provided an early highlight for the club in the wake of the Arenado trade that happened the season started. Facing the Diamondbacks on April 6, 2021, McMahon greeted Luke Weaver with a solo home run to lead off the second inning. When he faced Weaver again in the fourth, McMahon launched a ball to left-center for another solo shot. He then hit another solo home run in the seventh, this time against Alex Young.
The game eventually went 13 innings with the Rockies losing 10-8, but McMahon went 4-for-6 with four RBI.
There was never much power for second baseman Brendan Rodgers. Between the myriad of injuries and lack of production at the plate, it was a surprise when he hit three homers on June 1, 2022. Facing the Miami Marlins in the second game of a doubleheader, Rodgers kicked off his day with a solo home run against Trevor Rogers in the second inning. He then hit a solo homer off Louis Head in the fifth inning to get the Rockies within a run. The game eventually went to the 10th with the Rockies down 12-11 and Rodgers leading off. On a 3-2 pitch from Cole Sulser, he sent the ball to left field for a walk-off home run and a 13-12 victory. Rodgers went 3-for-5 with four RBI.
Michael Toglia (2024)
The final player to hit three home runs in a game before Goodman was Michael Toglia on July 14, 2024. Facing the New York Mets on the road, Toglia hit solo home runs from the right side against Jose Quintana in the fifth and sixth innings. In the eighth inning, the switch-hitting first baseman flipped over to the left side against Adrian Houser and blasted a third solo shot to left-center. The Rockies won the game 8-5 with Toglia going 3-for-4 with three RBI.
Conclusion
The history of three-homer games for the franchise is interesting.
There are plenty of names you’d expect to see, but several that seem to have come out of nowhere. It’s also interesting to see how many have understandably come at Coors Field but also the incredible performances that have happened on the road as well. I eagerly wait to see the next time a Rockie accomplishes the feat.
