Karl-Anthony Towns struggles to make a move on Julian Champagnie during the Knicks' Game 3 loss to the Spurs at the Garden.
The Knicks may have overlooked the Spurs after becoming the third road team in NBA Finals history to take the first two games of the series.
At least, that’s what Karl-Anthony suggested was one issue in their Game 3 defeat.
“The details that made us special, we were too relaxed in them, and we didn’t execute them at the level that you guys are used to seeing,” Towns said Tuesday. “So doing that and also just the fundamentals of what our team is and how we play, we didn’t do that for 48 minutes. It’s something that has got us that 13-game winning streak.
Karl-Anthony Towns struggles to make a move on Julian Champagnie during the Knicks’ Game 3 loss to the Spurs at the Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Playing around with the game against a great team, you’re asking for a disaster, and that’s what we got.”
The Knicks had talked plenty after Game 2 of playing with desperation with a 2-0 series lead and treating the Finals like the series was 0-0. They had done a remarkable job of handling success and avoiding complacency throughout the franchise record playoff win streak.
But they lacked that sense of urgency in the first Finals game at MSG in 27 years.
They started each half poorly. The Spurs scored the game’s first seven points and led by double figures after just 4:26. The Knicks recovered to build a seven-point lead at halftime, only to see San Antonio start the third quarter just like the first stanza, ripping off a 15-4 burst.
“I just saw us not executing the little details that made us special,” Towns said. “The game they brought to MSG yesterday, we didn’t meet their level.”
It manifested itself in the Knicks allowing a playoff-high 115 points and producing a playoff-low 18 assists.
They also committed 13 turnovers, many of them unforced, leading to 21 Spurs points.
Team captain Jalen Brunson echoed Towns that the Knicks were lacking when it came to minor things. One of them was sending the Spurs to the free-throw line 32 times.
While coach Mike Brown was critical of the officiating — the Knicks attempted 10 fewer free throws than the Spurs — Brunson didn’t use that as an excuse Tuesday.
“There’s a way for us to do things we have to do, the things that we’ve done throughout these playoffs,” he said. “They’re just game plan discipline. I don’t think the discipline we had in those situations were good enough. We just got to be disciplined in those moments.”
The Vegas Golden Knights dug themselves out of a hole in the second period Tuesday night, as they overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final and will head into the third period deadlocked at 3-3.
Carolina looked much more like a team playing with a sense of urgency in need of a win in the first period than what Vegas should have looked like, a team playing with a 2-1 series lead and the intent to squeeze the life out of its opponent.
The Hurricanes switched goaltenders, going with Brandon Bussi in favor of Frederik Andersen, who was a healthy scratch after starting the 16 previous playoff games for Carolina. Pyotr Kochetkov was in as the backup.
Carolina outshot the Golden Knights in the first, 14-6, and controlled the tempo from the opening puck drop.
The Hurricanes got things going early with two quick goals inside the first four minutes of the opening period. First, it was Logan Stankoven at the 1:06 mark, and then it was Jackson Blake at the 3:28 mark.
Stone cut the Hurricanes' lead in half midway through the first thanks to a beauty of a stretch pass from Shea Theodore, who stitched a pass across three lines and through five different players. Stone then faked, deked and slithered to his right to beat Bussi to make it 2-1 Carolina.
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 10, 2026
The Hurricanes would take advantage of a power play, as captain Jordan Staal tapped home Shayne Gostisbehere rebound from the top to make it 3-1.
Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb buried a shot at the horn, but the puck crossed the goal line just after the clock hit 0.0, leaving Carolina with a 3-1 lead.
The Knights continued their second-period dominance in the series when Karlsson took a pass from fellow Swede Rasmus Andersson at the left circle and beat Bussi to make it a 3-2 game just 4:22 in.
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 10, 2026
Then, with a little less than three left in the period, it was Howden with a nifty goal from the left circle for his 14th of the playoffs to tie the game at 3-all.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) scores against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) during the 1st period in game four of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers records his 2,500th hit in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 9, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Freddie Freeman singled in the seventh inning on Tuesday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, giving him 2,500 career hits, the 102nd player in MLB history to reach that milestone.
No. 2,500 for Freeman was hit off Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Brandan Bidois, and RBI single that brought home the Dodgers’ 10th run of a very long inning.
Freeman, who doubled earlier in the game off Paul Skenes, has been hot of late, hitting .357/.429/.686 with six home runs and five doubles over his last 18 games.
Freeman is the active MLB leader in career hits, doubles (563), runs scored (1,414), RBI (1,358), extra-base hits (974), and total bases (4,262).
Since signing with the Dodgers in 2022, Freeman has 796 hits, second in the majors during that span, behind only Luis Arráez. Of the 102 players with at least 2,500 career hits, only seven have collected their 2,500th hit while playing for the Dodgers. Freeman is the first to do so since Manny Ramírez on April 10, 2010.
Player
Date
Age
Opponent
Pitcher
Inning
Hit
Zach Wheat
May 12, 1925
36.354
Reds
Eppa Rixey
7th
double
Max Carey
Jun 29, 1927
37.169
at Phillies
Alex Ferguson
3rd
single
Heinie Manush
Sep 21, 1937
36.063
at Cardinals
Norbert Kleinke
7th
single
Eddie Murray
Sep 30, 1991
35.218
Padres
Dennis Rasmussen
3rd
single
Luis Gonzalez
Sep 21, 2007
40.018
at D-backs
Bob Wickman
7th
single
Manny Ramírez
Apr 10, 2010
37.315
at Marlins
Josh Johnson
5th
single
Freddie Freeman
Jun 9, 2026
36.270
at Pirates
Brandan Bidois
7th
single
In Freeman’s career, 1,305 of his 2,500 hits (52.3 percent) have come on the road. He has 1,794 hits against right-handed pitchers, and 706 hits against left-handers.
Freeman now has 89 career hits against the Pirates, and has 39 career hits in 38 career games at PNC Park.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 06: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros reacts after hitting a grand slam in the second inning during a game against the Athletics at Daikin Park on June 06, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (31-37) continue a six-game road trip with the second game of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels tonight at Angel Stadium (25-42).
RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-4, 3.06 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros, opposite RHP Walbert Ureña (3-4, 2.68 ERA) and the Halos. The Astros have won 11 of their last 17 games.
MY WAY OR THE KAI-WEI: RHP Kai-Wei Teng has split his season between the bullpen (13g) and rotation (6 starts), posting a 3.06 ERA (16ER/47IP), a .204 opponent average, and a 1.17 WHIP.
Teng is new to the Astros organization, as he was acquired from San Francisco on Jan. 29, 2026 in exchange for minor league catching prospect Jancel Villarroel. A native of Taiwan, Teng is the second Taiwanese-born player to appear with the Astros in their history, joining RHP Chia Jen-Lo, who made 19 relief appearances with the Astros in 2013.
ROAD TRIP: Tonight is the second game of six game road trip for the Astros. The Astros are facing the Angels for a three-game series before traveling to Kansas City to face the Royals for another three-game series.
The Astros are 15-18 on the road this season and went 7-3 on their last road trip.
THE LAST 23: Since May 15, the Astros are 14-9 thanks in large part to their pitching, which has produced a 3.54 ERA (81ER/206IP) and a .195 opponent average, which ranks second in the Majors in that span. Their bullpen has been even better in those last 23 games, working to a 2.75 ERA (24ER/78.2IP) and posting a league-best .165 opponent average.
MAKING THE PLAYS: The Astros have committed the fewest errors in the AL (25) and have posted the best fielding percentage (.989) in the AL, topping the Royals (.988).
Among all Major League teams, only the Padres (20) and Dodgers (22) have committed fewer errors than the Astros.
IN THE CLUTCH: C Christian Vázquez is batting .423 (11×26) with 10 runs, four doubles, 14 RBI and a 1.077 OPS (.500 OBP / .577 SLG) with runners in scoring position this season. In the AL, he ranks tied for fourth in batting average, sixth in OPS and sixth in on-base percentage with runners in scoring position (min. 25 PA).
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros placed IF/OF LaMonte Wade Jr. on the 10-day IL due to a right hamstring strain. To take his place on the active roster, the Astros recalled OF Joey Loperfido from Triple A Sugar Land.
VS. THE HALOS: The Astros and Angels are facing each other for the second time this season.. The last time was on Opening Weekend at Daikin Park, where the two teams split the four-game series.
The Astros went 8-5 against the Angels last season, including a 4-2 record at Angel Stadium. The Astros own a 141-90 all-time record against the Angels, including a 67-46 record at Angel Stadium.
ON THE LEADERBOARD: DH Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in OPS (1.066), and total bases (154) and leads the AL in home runs (22). Also in the AL, he ranks tied for first in RBI (48), tied for first in extra-base hits (35), second in OBP (.427), second in SLG (.639), tied for second in hits (75), third in batting average (.311), fourth in runs (46), and fourth in walks (45).
ON THE MEND: C Yainer Diaz will begin a rehab assignment with Triple A Sugar Land.
RHP Cristian Javier had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple A Sugar Land, where he will start tonight.
AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Yesterday, OF Yordan Alvarez was named the AL Player of the Week for the week of June 1-7.
For the week, he batted .476 (10×21) with 6 runs, 1 double, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 walks and a 1.386 OPS. This marked his second AL Player of the Week award this season, also won for the week March 30-April 5.
HIT PAREDES: IF Isaac Paredes is one double away from recording his 100th career double. He is looking to become just the 4th Mexican-born player in MLB history with 500 career hits, 100 doubles and 100 home runs, joining IF Vinny Castilla, IF Jorge Orta and IF Aurelio Rodríguez.
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker ranks tied for first in the AL in RBI with teammate DH Yordan Alvarez (48).
Walker also ranks fourth in the AL in total bases (125), tied for fourth in extra-base hits (29), fourth in total bases (125), tied for seventh in home runs (16) and 10th in SLG (.500).
In the field, Walker has not committed an error in 66 games.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2019 – DH Yordan Alvarez went 1×3 with a 2-run home run to center field in the 4th inning. At the time of his debut, he became the seventh Astro in club history to homer in his Major League debut. Alvarez went on to win 2019 AL Rookie of the Year honors.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, June 9, 8:38 p.m. CT
Location: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino has some thoughts on the officiating in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Pitino appeared on The Post’s “Schein Time” on Tuesday, the morning after attending Game 3, which the Knicks dropped to the Spurs 115-111.
“It was unreal,” Pitino said of the fans at MSG Monday night. “The fans were up. I’d say I was on my feet for 90% of the game, and that’s the type of magic it was.”
Rick Pitino reacts during St. John’s loss to Duke in the Sweet 16 in March. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
On a less positive note, there’s been some controversy surrounding the officiating.
Postgame, Knicks head coach Mike Brown commented on the free throw disparity, as the Spurs took three times as many free throws as the Knicks did in the second half.
Pitino sees the complaints and understands them.
“Look, there were a couple of plays where I was like, OK, that’s the wrong call. And I’m a die-hard Knicks fan. … I credit San Antonio. I didn’t think the Knicks played their game.
“I got the sense watching it live that Mike Brown wanted to either shift the conversation or kind of go Phil Jackson on everyone and let the officials know for next game, hey, we want some calls at home.”
Pitino also credited the Spurs’ physicality for helping them escape with a close win in Game 3, especially in a raucous environment like that of MSG, which was hosting its first Finals game since 1999.
“I think San Antonio last night knew what to do to win that game from a coaching standpoint, strategy standpoint, that was extremely physical…It was a game like it was when I was coaching the Knicks. It was back then they allowed physicality.”
The Knicks look to win their first NBA Finals game on their home floor in 25 years tomorrow, with tipoff at 8:30 pm.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics hits a home run in the 10th inning during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
How will these two teams follow up last night’s homer barrage? We’re about to find out as the A’s take on the Brewers for the second of three tonight in Las Vegas, looking to right the ship and get back in the win column on a hot spring evening in a Triple-A ballpark. The A’s have fallen to 31-35 and now sit 3 1/2 back of the Mariners in the AL West and they’ve fallen out of a Wild Card spot. Time to get out groove back, and quickly.
The starter tonight will be right-hander J.T. Ginn, who’s getting the call for his 12th start of the season. The 27-year-old continues to be on an absolute roll in what is shaping up to be his breakout year. In his past six starts he’s allowed just six runs spanning 36 1/3 frames. Overall on the year he has a 2.74 ERA but an even better 2.45 as a starting pitcher. Can Ginn, a groundball specialist, keep the ball in the park tonight? Tonight is a difficult test for any pitcher but if anyone can post a good line tonight in the hot desert weather it’s Ginn.
Here’s how the Athletics will line up for tonight’s contest:
No Brent Rooker tonight as he heads to the bench. With a lefty on the opposing mound manager Mark Kotsay is filling tonight’s lineup with lots of right-handed hitters, starting with right fielder/leadoff man Colby Thomas. He’ll be followed by Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers (tonight’s DH), Tyler Soderstrom and the recently-activated Max Muncy, who gets the second straight start at the hot corner tonight after going just 1-for-5 in his first game back.
The bottom half of the lineup is all right-handed hitters. With Langeliers DH’ing tonight it’ll be Jonah Heim behind the plate catching Ginn and the bullpen this evening. Henry Bolte seems to be your everyday center fielder at this point so no surprise to see him in there behind Heim. And then Zack Gelof gets the second straight nod at second base again, keeping left-hander Jeff McNeil on the bench. Alika Williams brings up the rear manning shortstop and batting ninth.
That starting nine will be facing Brewers lefty Robert Glasser. The 27-year-old has been one of the Brewers’ top pitching prospects in recent years but had Tommy John surgery in June 2024 that had kept him on the shelf for a year-plus. He’s finally healthy and in the Brewers’ rotation but has only made three starts, allowing seven runs in 13 1/3 innings of work so far. He is coming off a five-inning, one-run performance last time out against the Giants but they’ve struggled offensively all year, the A’s have bigger bats and we’re playing in a minor league park. Those three things aren’t exactly favoring a low-scoring performance tonight for Gasser.
More or less the same lineup as last night, and after that performance why change things up if your Brewers skipper Pat Murphy? We do have two small changes at the bottom where Sal Frelick gets into the starting nine over Andrew Vaugh, and then we’ll also see David Hamilton take over at shortstop for Joey Ortiz.
Will the Las Vegas heat cause another homer galore tonight? Will J.T. Ginn be able to keep the ball in the ballpark? How many long balls get hit tonight? And most importantly, can the Athletics bounce back and get a win? Let’s go A’s!
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 30: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a hitting a home run in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 30, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ah, jeez. The frustrations continue for Ronald Acuña Jr. and his wheels, as he had to exit Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with an apparent lower leg injury.
With one out in the top of the fourth inning, Acuña hit a ground ball deep to the left side of the infield. Chicago third baseman Miguel Vargas’ throw bounced to first and just barely beat Acuña but that happened after Acuña started to limp once he got close to first base. Acuña appeared visibly frustrated as he was taking off his batting gloves and limped off the field and into the visitors’ clubhouse. Acuña was replaced by Eli White in the outfield.
Ronald Acuña Jr. was limping after running hard down the first base line.
We’ll have more on the situation as it develops but for now, it’s once again time to cross our fingers and hope that this isn’t on the more severe side of injuries for the star outfielder. We’ll see what happens.
UPDATE [9:54 p.m. ET]: The Braves have reported that Acuña is dealing with “left hamstring tightness” and yes, that’s the same hamstring that he strained just over a month ago. Hopefully this is more of the “day-to-day” variety and not anything more serious than that.
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed from tonight’s game due to left hamstring tightness.
While the attention of many sports fans might have been turned to Madison Square Garden and the NBA Finals on Monday night, about 2,500 miles away, there was a rather bizarre baseball game taking place.
The Brewers visited the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark, marking the first time the A’s have played in Vegas since their move there was announced.
Milwaukee came away with a 15-14 victory in 12 innings. The 29 combined runs scored broke the MLB season high of 25 set in the Giants’ 19-6 win over the Rockies on May 31. The Brewers outhit the A’s by a small margin, 18-16.
Milwaukee designated hitter Christian Yelich slides into home plate to score on a fielder’s choice by Brice Turang during the 12th inning the Brewers’ 15-14 win over the A’s on June 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/Caroline Brehman
As expected for a minor league park, the ball was flying out of Las Vegas Ballpark on Monday as the two clubs combined for 11 homers.
The Athletics were responsible for seven, and four just between Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom.
Andrew Vaughn, who homered for Milwaukee, led the team with four RBIs. Three other Brewers, Brice Turang, William Contreras, and Jake Bauers, had three RBIs apiece. Tyler Soderstrom matched Vaughn and led his own squad with four RBIs alongside two home runs.
Abner Uribe (45) reacts after striking out the final batter during the 11th inning of the Brewers’ shootout win over the A’s. AP Photo/Caroline Brehman
On the other side, the Brewers and A’s each used seven pitchers in contest, and the staffs threw a total of 441 pitches, a season high.
The starters, Kyle Harrison for the Brewers and Jeffrey Springs for the Athletics, allowed a combined 13 runs. It was the longest game thus far this season, taking four hours and 14 minutes.
After heading into extras tied 10-10, each team scored four runs in the tenth inning to keep things tied 14-14. The 11th inning saw no runs scored, but in the top of the 12th, automatic runner Christian Yelich scored the deciding run when A’s second baseman Jeff McNeil threw wide to home on a grounder by Turang.
First baseman Nick Kurtz (right) celebrates with catcher Shea Langeliers (23) after hitting a home run during the A’s loss t the Brewers. Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
The Central Division-leading Brewers have been slugging the past few days, having scored seven or more runs in their last five games.
The A’s are expected to move into their new ballpark in Las Vegas for the start of the 2028 season.
Jeremy Lin knows better than anyone how it feels to excite New York.
Before Jalen Brunson carried the Knicks within two games of winning the franchise’s first championship since 1973, Lin imbued a flailing organization with the most joy it had experienced since its playoff runs in the 1990s.
Lin went from being an undrafted, Harvard walk-on to becoming a global superstar after carrying the Knicks on a seven-game winning streak while averaging 22 points during the 2011-12 season. He brought Spike Lee back to Madison Square Garden. He inspired ticket prices to soar. He famously scored 38 points on Kobe Bryant after the Lakers superstar asked, “Who is this kid?”
Knicks alumni Jeremy Lin poses for a photo before Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Lin will forever be celebrated by New Yorkers, who cheered wildly when his face was shown on the jumbotron.
He arrived at MSG clad in Knicks gear, representing a franchise that will forever hold a piece of his heart even though he left after his lone season with the organization after it declined to match a three-year, $25 million offer from the Rockets in the summer of 2012.
Lin brought beleaguered New Yorkers happiness and he’s thrilled they’re experiencing it once again. Many are even calling this the greatest Knicks team of all time.
As for whether Lin agrees?
“I don’t think I know enough about the history of the older teams to fully know,” Lin told The California Post. “But forget the Knicks, this is one of the most dominant runs we’ve seen in NBA history.”
Karl-Anthony Towns (left) greets guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of the Knicks’ Game 3 loss to the Spurs. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Lin praised Brunson for igniting the Knicks’ fanbase, saying the man known as “The King of New York” is finally showing the world what New Yorkers have known all along.
“He is starting to get [the attention] now and definitely deserves it,” Lin told The California Post. “I don’t think enough people are talking about him giving up $113 million to build a team full of players that want to win. I think that speaks volumes. That’s also historic. It’s not talked about enough. Now he’s starting to get some of the recognition he deserves as a player, but he’s the consummate teammate and professional.”
Lin went on to praise Karl-Anthony Towns, who this postseason has shed the “soft” narrative that plagued him throughout his career.
Towns has been dominant on both ends of the court against the Spurs, often getting the better of Victor Wembanyama, who’s considered the next face of the league.
“It’s huge because, one, he’s rising to the occasion,” Lin said. “Two, he’s doing it on the defensive end as well. Three, he has turned up his playmaking abilities. We’re seeing three different areas of KAT that had certain narratives already written about him, so credit to him. And from all of his interviews, he seems so centered, so grateful. It has been great to see.”
The Knicks, who have a 2-1 series lead over the Spurs and will host Game 4 on Wednesday, are so close to ending 53 years of suffering for their fanbase.
But New Yorkers shouldn’t celebrate yet.
If the Knicks allow the Spurs to become the first team in NBA history to win a Finals series after losing their first two games at home, this iteration of the blue and orange would go from being the city’s savior to its greatest flop.
Things are still precarious for the Knicks.
As Lin knows all too well, in this city things can change in the blink of an eye.
“Obviously, it’s not over until they finish the job,” Lin told The California Post. “If they don’t finish the job then that will forever be a knock. Until this point, [their run] is about as dominant as it gets.”
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Freddy Fermin #54 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Jackson Merrill #3 after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park on June 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cincinnati Reds (31-34) at San Diego Padres (34-31), June 9, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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LOS ANGELES – The Kings have hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach. More changes could be expected to bolster the coaching staff.
Peter Laviolette is a Stanley Cup-winning head coach with 24 seasons of NHL experience. Along with the title he won with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Laviolette has two other Stanley Cup appearances with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017.
Now, the Kings are hoping Laviolette can bring playoff success to their organization. Los Angeles has been eliminated in the first round in the past five seasons.
So the biggest question with this hire is how Laviolette will benefit the Kings' playing style? The answer to that it is a great fit for the Los Angeles organization.
During his interim tenure as head coach, DJ Smith enhanced the defensive success through activating the backend along with forechecking and physicality. This defensive scheme helped the Kings go from outside the playoff picture to secure the final wild card spot.
Throughout Laviolette’s career, he has been known as a coach with a team that pushes the pace and presents a heavy forecheck. Every team Laviolette has coached has played an aggressive forecheck, which has led to massive improvements in their puck possession.
The season before the Flyers hired Laviolette, Philadelphia had a 47.65% CF in 2009, but that skyrocketed to 50.93% in 2010. The Predators had a 48.44% CF in 2014, but with Laviolette, that improved to 52.82% in 2015.
Teams that struggled with forechecking found success in the very next season with Laviolette as their head coach. Now, Laviolette gets to coach a Kings team that is already fond of forechecking.
Los Angeles had a 52.22% CF, which ranked in the top 10 in the NHL last season. A forecheck-heavy coach should find success with a team that has already excelled in puck possession.
The Kings dropped from 105 points to 90 points in the Pacific, while young teams like the Ducks and Sharks surged in the standings. With the right offseason moves, an upbeat tempo, active defensemen, and aggressive forecheck could keep the Kings competitive against their rivals.
While the Laviolette hire activates the defensive core in place, how else will the offense improve? That’s where the Kings will have to make another decision for the coaching staff.
— MayorsManor.com Staff (@MayorsManor) June 8, 2026
Newell Brown was hired back in the 2025 season to help the power play improve. However, the Kings have experienced an even larger decline in the power play since then.
In 2024, the Kings had a 22.6% power play, which ranked 11th in the league. The next season, Brown gets hired, and the power play drops to 17.9% and 27th overall.
As underwhelming as the power play was in 2025, it was even worse this past season. The Kings had a 17% power-play percentage, which ranked 28th overall.
Brown led the Kings' power play to a bottom-six percentage in both of his seasons as an assistant coach. Brown's power-play strategy has been criticized by fans and reporters for the struggle.
In the past two seasons, the Kings' power play has been holding the puck to set up the perfect shot. Nonetheless, one good look at a power play isn’t as effective as four difficult shots.
A north-to-south style creates more shots on net, which creates more chances for goals. This style of hockey also aligns with the new head coach, who likes to forecheck and play fast.
Therefore, an east-to-west offense that has struggled will not align with Laviolette’s vision for the team. Making it apparent that Brown might be the next coach to be replaced for the Kings.
It is not official that the Kings are moving on from assistant coach Brown, but it is heavily speculated that this could be the move, with new head coach offseason hires typically comes with new staff preferences. The head coach hire may just be the beginning of the coaching overhaul for Los Angeles.
Players from the Knicks and Spurs denounced the fights between fans of their teams during Game 3 of the Finals.
“We can’t forget it’s a game,” Victor Wembanyama said Tuesday. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but to the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”
Multiple videos went viral of fans clashing at a Bryant Park watch party during the Knicks’ 115-111 loss to the Spurs on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
Dozens of enraged Knicks fans surrounded a Spurs fan on the streets and tore apart his Victor Wembanyama jersey from his back after Monday night’s loss in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. X / @NICHETONOTABLE
More than 20 people were arrested for offenses including assault on a police officer, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.
Multiple videos went viral of fans clashing at a Bryant Park watch party during the Knicks’ 115-111 loss to the Spurs on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
“The game is built off of respect and passion,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “We want everyone to respect each other. We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It’s the NBA Finals. There’s no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”
Watch parties in other locations, including Bryant Park, were organized in its place.
The Bryant Park party turned chaotic, though.
Getty Images
Even some of the most famous fans were critical of it.
“Being a Knicks fan doesn’t mean being disrespectful to Spurs fans in any way,” Ben Stiller posted on X. “We get caught up during the games but we gotta show respect to our fellow humans.”
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a 3 run home run in the 10th inning during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Last night, the Brewers and Athletics opened the Las Vegas series with a high-powered extra-inning classic, in which the Brewers came out on top 15-14. That was just the first game of the series, and we could see more of the same tonight.
There will be a lot of pressure on tonight’s starter, Robert Gasser. After the Brewers used most of their bullpen yesterday, Gasser may be asked to eat some innings to get through this one. He made a step forward in his last start, limiting the Giants to a solo home run in five innings. Unfortunately, he took a tough-luck loss as the Brewers were shut out in that game. He should get some additional run support tonight, but will also be facing an Athletics lineup that scored 14 runs and hit seven home runs last night. So far this season, Gasser has allowed seven earned runs in 13 1/3 innings over three starts, striking out 12 and walking seven. The longest start he has made in the majors this season is five innings, and his pitch count has maxed at 89 pitches.
For the Athletics, J.T. Ginn will start tonight. He’s been their best starter this season, anchoring a rotation that has been hit with injuries. In 14 games (11 starts), he has a 2.74 ERA and 4.08 FIP. Ginn has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last six starts, and nine of his 11 starts overall. He also has pitched through the eighth inning twice this season. That being said, we saw that no pitcher is safe in this ballpark from last night’s game. This will be Ginn’s third career appearance against the Brewers. Last season, he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings on April 18. He struck out seven and walked two in that start in Milwaukee, which the Brewers won 5-3.
Looking at the bullpen situation, it is not good going into tonight’s game. Here is a breakdown of the bullpen usage:
Chad Patrick: Pitched one inning last night, threw eight pitches. Also pitched on Sunday, pitched 1 2/3 innings and threw 21 pitches.
Grant Anderson: Pitched 2 2/3 innings last night, threw 28 pitches.
Trevor Megill: Last pitched on Friday, but was unavailable last night due to “discomfort”. Before tonight’s game, Todd Rosiak reported that he’s been dealing with a right side/oblique injury, but will be available tonight if playing catch goes well.
As for the Athletics, they recalled Joey Estes and optioned Kade Morris before today’s game, giving them a reinforcement for their bullpen. They also have Elvis Alvarado and Mason Barnett fresh, as both did not pitch last night. On the other side, Hogan Harris, Mark Leiter Jr., and Justin Sterner have all pitched in two consecutive games.
While the Brewers did not make any major-league roster moves before today’s game, they did provide some updates on the different rehabbing players on the injured list.
Brandon Woodruff has been assigned to the Rookie ACL Brewers to begin his rehab assignment. He will throw four innings and 60-65 pitches in their game tonight.
The top five in the lineup remain unchanged from yesterday, but a couple of players who were on the bench are back in the lineup. Sal Frelick is back in right field and batting seventh, while David Hamilton is at shortstop and batting ninth. Despite going 4-for-6 and finishing a triple short of the cycle yesterday, Andrew Vaughn will start this game on the bench.
First pitch tonight is at 9:05 p.m. It will be on Brewers.TV locally and available on MLB Network outside the Brewers’ broadcast area. It will also be on the Brewers Radio Network.
The Pirates ace and one of the biggest names in Major League Baseball was driving on Perry Highway in Wexford, Pa., a suburb north of Pittsburgh, when he saw the lights on at a little baseball field and made the night of the kids who make up Ingomar Franklin Park Little League.
Skenes watched practice on a park bench before the kids and parents took notice of the baseball superstar, before he ended up spending more than two hours with the local little leaguers, signing autographs, posing for pictures and playing catch with them.
Paul Skenes throws a pitch during the first inning of the Pirates’ loss to the Astros at Daikin Park on June 3, 2026 in Houston. Getty Images
An Ingomar Little League coach and member of the board of directors, Eddie Dubis, told MLB.com that the kids were “totally starstruck, in awe of what happened.”
Photos and videos circulated of Skenes online smiling with players and playing catch, even seeming to be giving advice while throwing the ball with one player under the lights at the ballpark.
“He just said he loves baseball, he’s a baseball nut, he loves everything about the game, and he remembers being that age, and how special Little League baseball was to him when he was that age,” Dubis said.
Skenes impromptu stop spread like wildfire and his girlfriend, and influencer, Olivia Dunne, posted about it on social media.
Paul Skenes stopped by a local Little League practice earlier this week. Livvy Dunne/TikTok
“Remembering your MLB bf is just a boy bc wdym he saw a little league team practicing while driving home and pulled over to show me and play catch with them,” Dunne captioned a TikTok post that featured screenshots of a FaceTime at the Little League park.
Several people who said they were there commented on Dunne’s post, praising Skenes for making their kids’ night and sharing photos.
“He took a picture with my two boys there last night and they said it was the greatest night of their life,” one person wrote, “it was SO sweet that he stopped by!!!”
“This is my kids’ league – this meant so much to so many people tonight,” another wrote. “Can’t even tell you how many of our friends are posting pics of their kids looking like it’s Christmas morning. What a good human.”
Skenes is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday night against the defending World Series champion Dodgers.
