ATLANTA - Mikal Bridges has been a Knick for two years. So he understands what’s going to be said/written about him over the next two days.
“I’ve got to take it on the chin, handle it how I’m supposed to and be ready for the next one. You know, it’s going to suck. It is what it is. I’ve just got to be better to help my team out there.”
The Knick wing missed all three of his shot attempts and had four turnovers in Game 3. New York was outscored by 26 in Bridges’ 20 minutes on the floor. Bridges was benched for nearly all of the second half as Mike Brown replaced him with Miles McBride.
McBride delivered in all the ways Bridges fell short: he hit five threes, had two steals and helped stabilize the Knicks defense. It obviously wasn’t enough in the end. But McBride’s performance leaves Brown and the coaching staff with an interesting decision ahead of a must-win Game 4.
Should Brown shake up his starting lineup and replace Bridges with McBride?
The Knicks got off to a terrible start on Thursday, falling behind by as many as 13 in the first quarter. So maybe Brown and his staff believe McBride can help them avoid another start. Maybe they think Bridges can get going off the bench.
Whatever decision Brown comes to will be crucial.
The Knicks can’t afford to get off to another slow start in Game 4. A loss on Saturday would put the Knicks on the brink of a disaster.
As you know, this is a team that is supposed to reach the NBA Finals, not fall out in the first round.
A loss to the Hawks would almost certainly lead to major changes – whether they be to the roster, coaching staff or front office.
It would also lead to heavy criticism of the decisions to trade for Bridges and Towns and fire Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks gave up five first-round picks to acquire Bridges. Team president Leon Rose & Co. saw him as the perfect complement to their core.
They certainly didn’t see him being a non-factor in a pivotal playoff game.
But that’s what happened on Thursday. If you go back to the second half of Game 2, Bridges is 0-for-7 with four turnovers and a -37 net rating against the Hawks.
He acknowledged that it was tough to be on the bench in the fourth quarter of a close game.
“But I’ve just gotta be better so I can be out there,” Bridges said.
In his news conference after Game 3, Brown said he believes Bridges will bounce back.
“I’m not concerned. Mikal is a pro. He’s been there,” Brown said. “He’s played hundreds of basketball games, so he’ll be fine.”
Maybe Brown is right. But the more important question is whether Bridges will be in the starting lineup on Saturday.
The answer to that may define the rest of this series – and the rest of this season – for the Knicks
In an attempt to remake a starting rotation expected to lose a two-time All-Star, the Astros traded two prospects from a barren farm system to acquire Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates last December.
An 11th round pick by the Pirates in 2018, Burrows finally made his Major League debut in 2024 and put himself on the map by posting a 3.94 ERA with a 24.1 percent strikeout rate and a 7.7 percent walk rate, both better than league average. Burrows emerged as an above-average starting pitcher, and with five years of club control it’s the type of high-ceiling move smart clubs make.
So far, the trade has been a flop.
Burrows is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his first five starts with the Astros. His walk rate has dipped slightly from last season, but his strikeout rate is down to 20.5 percent. He has finished the sixth inning just once and allowed three runs or more in all but one start.
Burrows arrived in Houston regarded as having one of baseball’s best changeups. While it hasn’t been quite as effective this season, opponents are batting just .188 with a 37.1% whiff rate against it. His biggest problem has been his fastball getting crushed.
Lefties are 8 for 16 with three home runs against Burrows’ four-seam fastball, while righties are 8 for 20 with a homer against his two-seam. Burrows didn’t throw the two-seam often with the Pirates, so it’s not surprising he’s experiencing some early growing pains with it, but the four-seam needs to be better. Left-handed hitters batted .270 with two homers against it in 2025.
But there are reasons for optimism.
For 14 batters against the Cardinals on Sunday, Burrows looked like the pitcher the Astros thought they were getting. He retired all 14, seven via strikeouts, before Masyn Winn singled through the left side of the infield. The next four batters also reached, and Burrows couldn’t finish the fifth inning despite starting the game 14 up, 14 down.
“I don’t want to take away from how well he pitched those first four innings,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “I think the fifth doesn’t speak for how well he threw the ball. He had his stuff working.”
There are two main reasons the Astros should be confident that Burrows can make the first 14 batters from his last start more the norm than the final five.
There is always an adjustment after changing teams. Aside from the obvious change of leaving the only organization you’ve ever known, your new team is going to ask you to tweak certain aspects of your game. The Astros have been no different with Burrows.
The Astros have overhauled Burrows’ pitch usage. His two-seam fastball, which has produced poor results, is now his primary pitch against right-handed hitters after being used less than 10 percent of the time last season. They’ve also lowered his arm slot from 48 degrees to 39.
Burrows has also been somewhat unlucky so far this season. His FIP is nearly two runs lower than his ERA, and his BABIP is almost 90 points higher than league average despite a lack of hard contact. Opponents have a 33.8 percent chase rate against him, more than six percentage points higher than a season ago.
Per Baseball Savant, no pitcher has been hurt more by his defense. Through Sunday’s start, the Astros are at -4 runs prevented with Burrows on the mound and -5 outs above average.
Burrows hasn’t lived up to the high expectations the Astros had for him when he was acquired last winter, but they didn’t make the trade for five starts. The Astros traded for Burrows because they thought he could help lead their rotation for the next five seasons, and there are still reasons to think that could still be the case.
New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT
LINE: Knicks -1.5; over/under is 214.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Hawks lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Hawks host the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Hawks won the last meeting 109-108 on Thursday, led by 24 points from Jalen Johnson. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29.
The Hawks have gone 27-25 against Eastern Conference teams. Atlanta has a 7-8 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Knicks are 35-17 in Eastern Conference play. New York ranks fifth in the NBA giving up only 110.1 points while holding opponents to 46.0% shooting.
The 118.5 points per game the Hawks score are 8.4 more points than the Knicks allow (110.1). The Knicks are shooting 47.8% from the field, 0.4% higher than the 47.4% the Hawks' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 18.9 points over the last 10 games.
Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson is averaging 19.6 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 46.0% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 6-4, averaging 116.3 points, 44.1 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points per game.
Knicks: 6-4, averaging 111.5 points, 43.5 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Jock Landale: out (ankle).
Knicks: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (45-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando, Florida; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT
LINE: Pistons -2.5; over/under is 214.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Series tied 1-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic host the Detroit Pistons in game three of the Eastern Conference first round with the series tied 1-1. The Pistons defeated the Magic 98-83 in the last meeting on Wednesday. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 27 points, and Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 19.
The Magic are 26-26 in Eastern Conference games. Orlando has a 19-19 record in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Pistons are 39-13 against conference opponents. Detroit has a 10-6 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The 115.7 points per game the Magic average are 6.1 more points than the Pistons give up (109.6). The Pistons average 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Magic allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Magic. Desmond Bane is averaging 17.1 points over the last 10 games.
Cunningham is averaging 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 7-3, averaging 115.1 points, 45.0 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 10.2 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.8 points per game.
Pistons: 7-3, averaging 116.0 points, 44.7 rebounds, 30.0 assists, 10.0 steals and 7.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points.
INJURIES: Magic: Jonathan Isaac: day to day (knee).
Pistons: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18, first in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (45-37, seventh in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Thunder -9.5; over/under is 214.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Thunder lead series 2-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference first round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Thunder won the last meeting 120-107 on Thursday, led by 37 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 30.
The Suns have gone 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix has a 7-10 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Thunder are 41-11 in conference play. Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference giving up just 107.9 points per game while holding opponents to 43.7% shooting.
The Suns average 112.6 points per game, 4.7 more points than the 107.9 the Thunder allow. The Thunder score 7.9 more points per game (119.0) than the Suns allow their opponents to score (111.1).
TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Gillespie is averaging 12.7 points and 4.6 assists for the Suns. Devin Booker is averaging 23.5 points over the last 10 games.
Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring 31.1 points per game and averaging 4.3 rebounds for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 4-6, averaging 108.5 points, 43.0 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.6 points per game.
Thunder: 8-2, averaging 121.0 points, 44.3 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 11.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.7 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Mark Williams: day to day (foot), Jordan Goodwin: day to day (calf).
Thunder: Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Denver Nuggets (54-28, third in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Nuggets -1.5; over/under is 229.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Timberwolves lead series 2-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Timberwolves won the last meeting 113-96 on Friday, led by 25 points from Ayo Dosunmu. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 27.
The Timberwolves are 9-7 in division matchups. Minnesota is seventh in the league with 118.0 points and is shooting 48.1% from the field.
The Nuggets are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Denver is seventh in the Western Conference with 44.0 rebounds per game led by Jokic averaging 12.9.
The Timberwolves average 118.0 points per game, 1.1 more points than the 116.9 the Nuggets allow. The Nuggets are shooting 49.6% from the field, 3.4% higher than the 46.2% the Timberwolves' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves. Dosunmu is averaging 13.7 points over the last 10 games.
Jamal Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 7.1 assists for the Nuggets. Jokic is averaging 22.8 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 116.8 points, 41.1 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.0 points per game.
Nuggets: 8-2, averaging 123.6 points, 47.1 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.7 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: out (illness), Jaylen Clark: out (illness).
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: out (calf), Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
ATLANTA — On his long list of things he believed went wrong, Mike Brown included the officiating.
When asked about the Hawks’ ability to close out on 3-point shooters after the Knicks’ 109-108 Game 3 loss at State Farm Arena, Brown explained how he wanted his players to drive past them and get into the paint.
But, when they got to the paint, Brown believes they weren’t getting deserved fouls.
Mike Brown talks to reporters after the Knicks’ 109-108 Game 3 loss to the Hawks on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“They’re closing out hard,” Brown said. “And when they close out hard, we gotta drive the basketball. I do think it’s a tough game for the officials to officiate. But I know we got fouled on a few of the drives that didn’t get called. It’s tough to see 20-26 [free-throw discrepancy] in a one-possession game when you know for sure there were a couple of fouls that should’ve been called.”
The lineup Brown used for most of the fourth quarter as the Knicks mounted their comeback — Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, with Mikal Bridges benched — was plus-24 in 14 minutes across the whole game.
“They did a good job of taking care of the basketball,” Brown said. “They were pretty aggressive. Atlanta, they’re trying to get up in us, they’re trying to speed us up, they’re playing physical, and when you face that type of defense, you can’t play on your heels. You can’t be passive at all. You got to be able to rip that ball through and get to the rim. Or if they close out hard, you gotta be able to snap drive and get to the rim.
“That group did a pretty good job of it. They did a pretty good job of trying to get out in transition, too. And then they did a pretty good job of trying to get stops defensively. That’s something that we all have to recognize and embrace.”
Would Brown consider inserting McBride into the starting lineup?
BREAKING NEWS!!! To absolutely nobody, while I’m sure many BYU fans out there were crossing their fingers, holding out hope AJ Dybantsa would run it back for one more year, that stuff simply doesn’t happen. Cooper Flagg played with the same gimmick last year as well. These top prospects need to give their fans a break and stop acting like there’s even a one percent chance they skip out on the NBA Draft.
Dybantsa will continue to take his classes at BYU online, although something tells me he won’t need that degree too badly.
The projected No. 1 NBA draft pick, @AJ_Dybantsa, just dropped a bombshell on “Deseret Voices.” What’s behind him weighing a return to Provo for another season?
Dybantsa, clearly regarded as one of the biggest prizes in this historic 2026 class, with some even thinking he’s the clear choice to be selected number one. I would personally argue with you on Dybantsa vs. someone like Darryn Peterson, but there’s no doubt Dybantsa is an incredible prospect, and there is no limit to how far he can go in the NBA.
Honestly speaking, Dybantsa would be a perfect fit on almost any team that had the opportunity to draft him, but let’s be honest, he would fit especially well on the Jazz. Obviously, you have the BYU connection with Ryan Smith, Danny Ainge, and of course Austin Ainge. It’s not just college in which Dybantsa spent his time in Utah—he also spent his last year of high school at Utah Prep in Hurricane, Utah.
Dybantsa would slide right into this Jazz lineup, and honestly, he’d instantly make them one of the contenders in the Western Conference. Dybantsa and Ace Bailey on the wing would be like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown reincarnated! Thank you, Danny Ainge!!
There’s no doubt that if the Jazz do end up selecting Dybantsa, and he pans out how we all expect him to, he could go down as the greatest athlete in the state of Utah’s history. Obviously, we’re still a long ways from that—only about two weeks from now the draft lottery will take place, and we’ll all find out where the Jazz will be picking. If they do get the number one pick, there’s a very strong case for the Jazz to select AJ Dybantsa.
The Jazz have never moved up a single spot in the NBA Draft Lottery’s history.
Utah has also never selected at No. 1 overall.
If you’re looking for a team historically overdue for lottery luck, Utah stands out.
We’ll see what happens, but it’s now official—Dybantsa will be playing NBA basketball next season, and only a few months from now in Summer League. Let’s cross our fingers for lottery night, Jazz fans!
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Anton Forsberg #31 of the Los Angeles Kings watches a shot in front of Artturi Lehkonen #62 of the Colorado Avalanche and Brian Dumoulin #2 during the first period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After taking care of business and earning a 2-0 series lead as the games shifted into Los Angeles, the Colorado Avalanche continued to roll right along as they secured a 4-2 win over the Kings, and a 3-0 series lead with the possibility to complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Let’s take a look at the action from tonight!
First Period
It didn’t take long for Gabriel Landeskog to get the scoring started for the Avs on a really flukey goal. Landeskog shot the puck from the top of the offensive zone, and the puck bounced off the boards, off of Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg’s skate, and into the back of the net. With that score Colorado enjoyed a 1-0 first period lead which would carry into the first intermission.
Second Period
The Kings would tie the game at 1-1 early in the second period with a flukey goal of their own, as a shot deflected off of Trevor Moore, who was tied up with Josh Manson, and went into the back of the Avalanche net.
Los Angeles had hope in this game for about six minutes but then Cale Makar would give Colorado the lead once again, as a seeing-eye shot found its way past Forsberg, beating him cleanly and giving the Avs a 2-1 lead, which is how the second period would end.
Third Period
Early in the third period the Kings had another opportunity to tie the game with a power play but Artturi Lehkonen erased that possibility as he would make it 3-1 Colorado on a shorthanded goal, as he was able to beat Forsberg through the five-hole with Logan O’Connor streaking towards the net.
Los Angeles would get another power play opportunity late in the third period, and they would convert on the opportunity for the third time in the series by pulling the goaltender to go 6-on-4. Adrian Kempe would tip the puck past Scott Wedgewood off a shot from Artemi Panarin.
Still, it wasn’t enough to rattle the Avalanche as Brock Nelson would simply score an empty net goal for Colorado after that, putting them back up by two goals, securing a 4-2 win, and a commanding 3-0 series lead for the Avalanche
Takeaways
That game looked and felt more like Avalanche hockey. Finally, they were able to break through more on offense than they were able to do in the first couple of games despite getting outshot 26-23. I’m sure it’s been said before, but it wasn’t exactly a secret that the Kings wanted to play the defensive, muck-it-up game that they’ve been playing this series. That’s what they’re good at, and how they’re successful, so the first two games ending up the way they did weren’t all that surprising.
Instead, what has pleasantly surprised me is Colorado’s willingness, seemingly, to play this way with the Kings instead of the other way around, and being patient and playing with them has paid off so far, clearly. They’ve been the better team this series (minus the power play, which is officially 0/7 this series), and were rewarded for it more tonight, as they were finally able to beat Forsberg a few more times tonight than they were in the first two games. Now, they have the opportunity to close this series out on Sunday in LA.
Upcoming
Colorado takes on the Kings for Game 4 of this first-round series looking for the sweep on Sunday, April 26. Puck drop will be at 2:30 p.m. MT.
Missing Aaron Gordon wasn’t the only issue the Denver Nuggets had in Game 3.
The Minnesota Timberwolves completely handled Denver, 113-96, Thursday, April 23, taking a 2-1 series lead over the No. 3-seeded Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
Throughout the game, offense was the issue, with three starters — Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones and Christian Braun — combining to score just 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
It was a team effort, but Minnesota’s anchor down low, center Rudy Gobert, had a special night.
Gobert was a force on defense, especially on Nuggets All-Star and Most Valuable Player finalist Nikola Jokić. This has come on the heels of Gobert publicly expressing his displeasure that he was not named a finalist for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award, which went to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.
Jokić did end up with 27 points, but it came on an inefficient 7-of-26 (26.9%) shooting night, including a 2-of-10 showing from 3-point range.
Gobert was a big part of that. It also means that Jokić has now gone 15-of-46 (32.6%) over his last two games against Gobert and the Timberwolves. By comparison, Jokić shot the ball at a 56.9% clip this season.
Here’s a look at some of the defensive and offensive highlights of Gobert getting the best of Jokić Thursday night:
Carson Benge has had a bit of a rough start to his big league career.
The young slugger put together a much-needed big night at the plate on Thursday, though, helping the Mets pick up their second straight win over the Twins.
Benge opened his showing jumping on a first pitch Joe Ryan fastball up in the zone, ripping it 95 mph off the right-center fence for a one out double.
He came around to score a few batters later on a sacrifice fly.
The lefty did even more damage against Ryan his next time up, this time leading off the fourth by lifting a second-pitch splitter 388 feet over the right field fence.
This one left the bat at a whopping 105.7 mph.
Benge struck out in his next plate appearance, then Tommy Pham pinch-hit for him when a lefty was brought in to the game with two on in the bottom of the eighth.
Pham, of course, drew a walk and then Bo Bichette delivered his first big knock as a Met with a go-ahead bases-clearing double into the left-center gap.
The 23-year-old finished 2-for-3, with the knocks being his second double and second homer of the season.
“He was just getting the barrel though the hitting zone and hitting balls to the pull-side,” Carlos Mendoza said. “The first off the wall and then the homer, overall I think it’s just shorter and more direct to the ball.”
Benge is still hitting just .159 on the season, but it was encouraging to see him show off some of that pull-side pop.
BOSTON — In his 38th career plate appearance as a pinch hitter, Cody Bellinger tripled his RBI total.
After starting Thursday’s game on the bench, Bellinger entered in the seventh-inning with the bases loaded and the Yankees trailing by a run and came through with a two-run single that sent them to a 4-2 win over the Red Sox, completing a sweep at Fenway Park.
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Bellinger only had one career pinch-hit RBI before Thursday, but picked a clutch spot for his next two, coming against righty reliever Greg Weissert to help get Cam Schlittler the win in his first hometown start.
“It’s a hard thing to do,” Bellinger said. “But we got a bunch of guys in here, a lot of success this year [pinch hitting] and I just want to continue doing that. You really just prepare as much as you can and when your name’s called, I stick within myself and my plan and take my swing.”
Aaron Boone, who said he told Bellinger, “Nice off-day,” said he was not surprised to see him deliver.
“I mean, that’s Cody. He’s getting paid handsomely because he’s good at that,” Boone said of the outfielder who re-signed on a five-year, $162.5 million contract in January. “Just a really good at-bat, smoking the ball the other way and putting us in a great spot. He’s a great player, simple as that.”
Cody Bellinger rips the go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 4-2 win over the Red Sox on April 23, 2026 at Fenway Park. Jason Szenes for New York Post
Gerrit Cole made his second rehab start Thursday with High-A Hudson Valley, building up to 52 pitches across 4 ¹/₃ innings in which he gave up two runs and five hits while striking out four.
The ace is expected to use most, if not all, of his 30-day rehab clock as he finishes off his comeback from Tommy John surgery.
“[My arm] is feeling good,” Cole said, according to video provided by the Hudson Valley Renegades. “It’s responding good to all the new stimulus, so we’ll keep plugging away.”
Carlos Rodón will make his first rehab start Friday with Hudson Valley, and Boone reiterated that the left-hander is “closer” to a return than Cole. Rodón is expected to make at least three rehab starts.
Anthony Volpe had Thursday off from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he is expected to play nine innings at shortstop Friday and Saturday and then DH on Sunday, at which point the Yankees will reevaluate whether he is ready to return to the big leagues.
Boone declined to say whether Volpe could be in play for the Yankees series against the Rangers that begins Monday in Arlington, Texas, though it would not be surprising if they waited to activate him until they return home next Friday for a series against the Orioles.
“He’s getting close,” Boone said. “As this weekend unfolds, we’ll get a better idea.”
Ben Rice, Schlittler, Will Warren and Boone went to Boston Children’s Hospital this week to visit patients including Walker, a 7-year-old Westchester native who is awaiting a heart transplant.
He made a sign that read “Play like a [heart] warrior today” that the Yankees hung up in their clubhouse at Fenway Park on Thursday.
“It was awesome,” Boone said. “Grateful I got to go do that, to meet him and a few of the other kids over there. Walker’s family was awesome. He’s got a lot of personality and super upbeat. Just fun hanging with him. I know he’ll be yelling, ‘Let’s go Yankees’ around six o’clock over there. Hoping we hear it from the hospital.”
The league told Boone that Ryan Yarbrough’s balk against the Angels last Thursday — which ultimately led to the manager getting ejected for arguing the call — was not actually a balk.
The Savannah Bananas game scheduled for Saturday at Yankee Stadium has been moved to Friday at 7:30 p.m. because of the threat of inclement weather.
It was another close game between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche in Game 3, and it was shaping up to be another exciting finish. After that disappointing loss on Tuesday at Denver, where the Kings held a 1-0 lead for nearly a minute in the final frame before losing in overtime as a result of an Avs game-winner, this next game at Crypto.com Arena was their biggest of the season, as they looked to avoid going down 3-0.
But, just as the Kings tied up the game 1-1 midway through the second period, they failed to add on to their goal with several minutes of puck possession and a power play, giving the Avs multiple chances to retake the lead and never look back.
After a slow start for Colorado on offense, they eventually picked it up, scoring late in the second period and third period to hold onto a 4-2 victory to put the Kings in a 3-0 series hole.
Going down 3-0 is nearly impossible to overcome, especially against this Avs team, which is the best offensive team in the NHL, and only four teams have ever come back from it.
The Kings did have a solid start on offense to start this time, outshooting the Avalanche 12-7 in the opening period for the first time in this series after 20 minutes.
It was the most in-control Los Angeles has been to start this series, playing more aggressively on offense and getting more shots inside, yet they trailed 1-0 after the first period.
Colorado's only goal in the first period was a very lucky one: after a missed shot, the puck bounced off the end boards, slid back, and deflected off Anton Forsberg's right skate and in.
It wasn't enough just to be playing well if you're the Kings, given the opponent. With Los Angeles getting on the power play again, it was another missed opportunity for them, coming up short again.
Los Angeles is now 3/11 on the power play in the first three games of this series and has held Colorado to 0/9 in the three games, doing a great job at defending the best offense in the NHL, but can't capitalize on their troubles.
The Avs arguably played one of their worst periods of the game, but were still leading because of LA's inability to execute and capitalize on Colorado's missed shots.
To open the second period, off a Colorado turnover, Los Angeles converted on their first goal of the game to tie the scoreboard 1-1. Forward Trevor Moore continued his impressive play in the playoffs, scoring on the cross-ice feed from Quinton Byfield.
After the goal, Colorado received a penalty after committing a high stick on Moore just as he scored the goal, resulting in a double minor, giving Los Angeles its second power play of the night.
However, the Kings didn't score on the power play, leaving the door wide open for Colorado to score. Since scoring the goal, LA had control of the puck for nearly seven minutes, but couldn't score.
And the President Trophy winners did what they do when you leave the door open for them. At the 7:48 mark of the second period, Cale Makar, one of the best players at creating open lanes, fired the puck through traffic to give the Avs a one-goal lead again, scoring his first goal of the series.
This is what's troubled LA throughout this series so far: the games have been close, and the opportunities have been there for the Kings to score, but elite goaltending by Scott Wedgewood and the Avs defensive pressure make it tough.
For the rest of the period, the Kings generated good shots from Alex Laferriere and Joel Edmundson, with clean shots to potentially tie the game, but, as the story of this series has been so far, they couldn't find the puck in the net.
2-1 Colorado through 40 minutes.
No one closer than Alex Laferriere across these three games. Just can't buy one. Two good looks late, Wedgewood with a great right-pad save on the second.
At the 12:21 mark of the third period, after forward Artemi Panarin set up Adrian Kempe in the power play for a one-timer, Kempe turned the puck over, setting up for a 2-on-1 rush advantage for Colorado, and Artturi Lehkonen slid the puck past Forsberg to give the Avs a two-goal lead.
Kempe has been one of the Kings' most disappointing players to start the playoffs. After a hot stretch in the final stretch of the regular season, he has completely struggled and been frustrated in this series.
Colorado did a good job amping up its defensive intensity in the final period, forcing turnovers and suffocating the Kings in transition, making it tough for the home team to generate shots on goal.
Los Angeles converted on their first power play goal of the night, scoring their third straight power play goal in this series. Panarin hit Kempe with a shot-pass at the right crease, deflecting off Kempe to pull LA within one.
LAK Goal - PPanarin!
Three games in a row with a power-play goal for Panarin, or it might've been a Kempe deflection. Either way, 3-2 game with 4:03 on the clock.
However, the one-goal deficit didn't last long; Colorado forced a turnover, leading to an easy empty-net goal by center Brock Nelson to put the game away and take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Key Stats
For most of the game, LA looked a lot better at home tonight than in its first two games in Denver, once again getting good looks but missing out on opportunities. The Kings also struggled on the power play again, finishing 1/4, and had a chance to build on their lead late in the second period with a power play, but failed to do so.
Forsberg had a solid game tonight, finishing with 19 saves on 22 shots, coming up with big saves again, but this time the Avs were much better on offense. Credit Wedgewood for making it so tough on the Kings' offense to get any easy goals or shots.
Kempe and Moore scored the lone goals for LA, keeping the game close with each of their goals coming late in the second and third period. But the others couldn't help on offense to make the game more interesting late in the game.
LA is now down 3-0 in this series, heading into Game 4, which could be their final game of the season, and also Anze Kopitar's final game in his career.
The Kings will play Game 4 on Sunday at 1:30 PM PT looking to avoid a sweep.
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Colorado's Artturi Lehkonen (not pictured) scores a shorthanded goal past Kings goalie Anton Forsberg in the third period of Game 3. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Colorado Avalanche rode swagger, poise and the league’s stingiest goaltender to the best record in the NHL this season. And nothing about that formula has changed in the postseason, with goals from Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar, Artturi Lehkonen and Brock Nelson giving Colorado a 4-2 win Thursday over the Kings and a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round playoff series.
The Kings, who have lost their last six first-round playoff series, need a victory at home Sunday to extend their season. Their goals in Game 3 came from Trevor Moore in the second period and Adrian Kempe on a third-period power play.
“They’re best team in the league for a reason. But we're right there,” forward Quinton Byfield said. “We're a confident group.”
“One game at home. Must-win game,” defenseman Drew Doughty added. “Everyone's going to give everything they’ve got. We’ve got to win that one, and then hopefully get to go back to Denver.”
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews celebrates a goal by defenseman Cale Makar on Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg during the second period of Game 3 Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The difference in the series has been Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood, who was nearly perfect again, making 24 saves to place the Kings 60 minutes away from the offseason.
Anton Forsberg, playing in the postseason for the first time, has been almost as good in goal for the Kings, though he was victimized by two fluke goals and an empty-netter.
“Both goalies in the series have been unbelievable,” Kings coach D.J. Smith said. “Give Wedgewood credit. This guy looks like he's putting his name on the circuit as a big-time goalie.”
The Avalanche, who certainly haven’t needed many lucky breaks in this series, got one early in the first period when Landeskog spun and launched a wild wrister from the blue line that went well wide of the net, only to have the puck carom off the end boards and into the net off Forsberg’s right skate blade.
The goal was the second in as many games for the Colorado captain.
The Kings then got their own break six minutes into the second period when Alex Laferriere jumped Brett Kulak’s clearing pass in the neutral jump and fed Byfield, whose pass into the crease struck Moore’s leg and ricocheted past Wedgewood to tie the score.
Colorado defenseman Devon Toews reaches for the puck against Kings right wing Quinton Byfield in the first period. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Colorado needed less than seven minutes to get the lead back, with Makar getting the puck along the boards on the left wing, skating into space at the point, then zipping a wrist shot through heavy traffic and just under the crossbar.
The Avalanche then increased the advantage 7:39 in the final period after Kempe fanned a shot from the point. Lehkonen collected the loose puck and took it the length of the ice before deflecting a centering pass off Kempe’s skate and by Forsberg for a short-handed goal, his second score of the series.
That appeared to put the game away, but after the Kings pulled Forsberg for an extra attacker, Kempe halved the deficit on a tip-in with 4:02 to play. But then Nelson forced a turnover and scored into the empty net with 2:18 left.
The six goals combined matched the total number from the first two games in Colorado.
“We’ve got to keep doing a lot of the things that we are doing,” Doughty said. “Obviously, we got to clean up giving up some of these chances that we're giving up.”
Kings goalie Anton Forsberg covers the puck as Colorado left wing Gabriel Landeskog battles for it in the second period. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Kings’ penalty kill, which ranked 30th in the 32-team league during the regular season, has been brilliant against the Avalanche, turning back all nine Colorado power plays. That, plus stellar play for Forsberg in goal, has frustrated the NHL’s top-scoring team.
But against Wedgewood, the Kings have mustered little offense, scoring just four goals in the series — three times on the power play and once off Moore’s leg.
“We'd like to get more than two goals. Against this team, I don't think it's enough,” Doughty said. “I don't think we're creating enough grade-A chances on Wedgewood. He has played well, so for us to beat them, we’ve got to wear them down in the D-zone, make them tired and score goals that way. And we haven't done that enough.”
They’re guaranteed just one more chance to turn that around.
“There's no quit in there,” Smith said of the Kings’ locker room. “And I think you'll see our best game. To a man, we want to give them a real good outing and push this series back to Colorado.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 05: Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith looks on during the second half of a game against the Golden State Warriors at Delta Center on February 05, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the most important elements of this site, the thing I find close to sacred, is that we don’t censor what we say or do. That is for other sites or reporters to do, whether it’s to stay in the good graces of the team’s PR department or of their sources. At SLC Dunk, we don’t sugarcoat.
But that doesn’t mean we just criticize (I’ve definitely said some things on my show, or written them here, in the heat of a terrible … win … during this rebuild). It means we also have to call out the good when we see it, and I have to show some appreciation for Ryan Smith.
This Tom Dundon situation in Portland is bad, really bad. It may not seem like it now, with him being a fresh owner, but the stories of him looking for cheap options for a wide array of options are not going to create the image he wants.
If you haven’t heard, here’s a list of things reported…
Looking for the cheapest option for head coach
Apparently, Dundon only wants to pay $1M for his next head coach.
New Blazers owner Tom Dundon is reportedly looking to pay his next head coach in the $1 million per year range — roughly 25% of the NBA market rate, per @billoram
"About those rumors… Some say Dundon, whose group is paying $4.25 billion for the franchise, wants to pay in the… pic.twitter.com/pH63wB6Sz0
By the way, Tiago Splitter is seeing all this while being the current head coach. Not great. And apparently, he’s fine just bringing in any sort of coach, and that will somehow work out for the team.
Tiago Splitter discussed a contract during the season but the salary presented to him to was far below a standard NBA head coaching salary, per @ramonashelburne
The Trail Blazers are now looking for candidates to replace him next season while they are tied 1-1 in the Playoffs pic.twitter.com/G7BACG6iRl
Ryan Smith deserves a ton of praise for finding a great head coach in Will Hardy, paying him market value, and signing him long-term when it was clear he was a great coach. Knowing that the Jazz don’t have to deal with this kind of nonsense is a great reflection on ownership that appears to learn, grow, and evolve with each decision they make.
Dundon isn’t flying his two-way players to playoff games
Dundon is apparently trying to save money on flights after paying billions for an entire basketball team.
In the latest of Tom Dundon's cost-cutting measures, the Blazers are the only playoff team that didn't send their two-way players (who are ineligible to play in the playoffs) on the road for Games 1 and 2 this weekend.
It’s pretty wild that a person could be willing to spend this amount of money on a team but then cut minor costs like this, especially with your own players. What kind of message does this send to them?
He’s also apparently not flying out team photographers?
Trail Blazers left team photographer, digital reporter home for road playoff games amid cost-cutting measures https://t.co/Exot2dOfkn
For Utah, we have an owner who has included all of these players. He’s allowed the front office to make multiple signings, and we don’t hear about players missing games for any reason other than to get playing time with the Stars. These are not things to be taken for granted, but they probably do. Thank you, Ryan!
Apparently, Dundon doesn’t even love Oregon
This one’s really not great if I’m a Blazers fan. To have an owner doing cheap-o cost-cutting like this, and you’re hearing he doesn’t even love Oregon? I’d be nervous.
Could you imagine Ryan Smith saying anything other than “Utah is great”? It’s one of his most well-known missions to sing the praises of Utah. As a fellow lover of Utah, I appreciate it! I don’t know if Ryan Smith’s moves have made monumental changes, but there are signs that it’s going well, and more and more players are making it clear they enjoy it here. It’s good work by a very good owner!
Dundon wants to fire a mascot
The economy is bad, but I guess it’s really bad when you’re going to fire Blaze the Trail Cat or Douglas Fur.
A source told me that Dundon doesn't think the Blazers should have two mascots – Blaze the Trail Cat AND the secondary mascot Douglas Fur. He's looking at everything the team is doing & questioning whether or not it is necessary in his mind. #NBA#RipCityhttps://t.co/YrZKuAb1f2
Jokes aside, firing a mascot is not a sign of caring about the fan experience. Who doesn’t like mascots?
This report comes a few weeks after the Utah Mammoth’s Zammoth unveiling. It’s a Zamboni that doesn’t actually … zambone …? Is that what it’s called? It’s purely cool and fun, and it improves the fan experience. And I bet it was expensive. This is another win for Ryan Smith and a sign that Utah has an owner who gets it.
This is a reminder not to take for granted when you have a good owner. Owners make more decisions and are more involved than fans probably realize. When you have an owner that doesn’t care, one that’s cheap, one that’s corrupt, or just a bad one, it can make it impossible for a team to get over the hump.
If there’s one moment in Jazz history that could go down as a hugely important one, it’s when Gail Miller set up a trust that eventually sold the team to Ryan Smith.
Now, this isn’t to say that Smith hasn’t made mistakes, because he has, but from my perspective, he’s always been willing to pivot quickly and evolve. It’s a great trait and one that I personally appreciate.
So, thank you, Ryan Smith, you’re doing great, and Jazz fans should appreciate you! I know I do.
4 Ks tonight for Cole 
