MILWAUKEE — One of the Lakers’ star players left the team’s game against the Bucks due to an injury Wednesday.
And there’s uncertainty about his status moving forward.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks’ Nate Ament during an NBA game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Austin Reaves subbed himself out and limped to the back of Fiserv Forum with team personnel because of an apparent lower-body injury midway through the third quarter of the Lakers’ eventual 123-112 victory over the Bucks.
Austin Reaves subbed himself out and limped back to the locker room with team personnel. He motioned to the bench for a sub during this play: pic.twitter.com/TH1MttlcWR
He motioned to the bench around the 5:20 mark of the quarter, with the Lakers making multiple subs while Reaves walked to the back.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Austin Reaves shrugs during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
The Lakers ruled Reaves out for the remainder of the game midway through the fourth quarter, saying he had a heel injury.
Coach JJ Redick said Reaves’ X-rays were negative and that he’d get imaging on Thursday. Redick ruled out an Achilles injury.
“He’s Austin,” Redick said of Reaves’ demeanor postgame. “I mean, he’s pretty much like this all the time.”
Reaves appeared to initially hurt his heel during a dunk attempt earlier in the third but stayed in the game coming out of the timeout with the Lakers up 69-56 with 8:13 left in the quarter.
Reaves recorded 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals in 25 minutes before leaving the game with the heel injury.
The 6-foot-5 guard entered Wednesday as the league’s No. 15 scorer, averaging 25.3 points (50.8% from the field, 41.3% on 3-pointers), 4.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in the team’s first nine games.
Among players averaging at least 20 points per game, Reaves and Warriors star Steph Curry were the only ones to reach that scoring threshold while also shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% on 3-pointers and 90% on free throws.
While the Lakers didn’t know Reaves’ status beyond Wednesday immediately after beating the Bucks, they’re preparing for other players to step up in a potential absence from the former Oklahoma guard.
“We just gotta have next man up mentality,” Luka Dončić said. “Obviously, we [lost] a very, very good player. Hopefully it’s nothing. We gotta have next-man-up mentality.”
On the first day of the official MLB General Managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, A.J. Preller spoke to the media and the team also announced that starting pitcher Ryan Weiss had signed a one-year contract, including a team option for 2028.
In the first action for the major league roster for this offseason, the Padres signed 29-year-old Ryan Weiss to a reported $1.85 million deal with an option for 2028.
Weiss, originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018, has spent time in the minor leagues, with the Independent Atlantic League, in the Chinese professional league, and in the KBO since being drafted. He made his major league debut last season with the Houston Astros, pitching in nine games. He also appeared in 22 games for their Triple-A team.
He features a high-90s four-seam fastball, a sweeper, a changeup, a sinker, and a curveball in his pitch mix. In his time with the Astros, Weiss posted a 7.62 ERA with two of the games as a starter. He finished the season in Triple-A and had a strong end of his season. Over his last 19.1 innings pitched in 2026, Weiss had a 1.37 ERA.
He will be added to the list of pitchers given the opportunity to show what he can do as a starter and should benefit from the tutelage of pitching coach Ruben Niebla and his staff.
Off-season notes
Padres’ special assistant A.J. Ellis was hired by the New York Mets as manager Andy Green’s strategy coordinator for the major league coaching staff. He had a hybrid role with the Padres, working both in the front office and on the field as a supplemental coach. That is the second staff position that will need to be filled for the Padres after bullpen coach Ben Fritz was hired as the Diamondbacks’ primary pitching coach.
Controlling owners Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano were seen in the Dominican Republic with A.J. Preller in late October. While in the DR, Preller signed 18-year-old Venezuelan right-handed pitcher Moises Alcalde for $20,000. He is viewed as a possible starter prospect. Preller also signed 17-year-old Panamanian left-hander Yeremy De León ($30,000), 17-year-old Venezuelan left-hander Raymer Moreno ($50,000), and 17-year-old Cuban infielder Omar Guerra ($25,000).
Japanese RHP Tatsuya Nogami, 18, was signed to a minor league contract per Francys Romero of Beisbol FR. He already has a 98 mph fastball as part of his repertoire. The Padres have reportedly signed more than 50 international prospects during this signing period, the most of any major league organization. The signing period closes on Dec. 15.
1B/DH Nick Pratto has resigned a minor league contract with the organization. Pratto spent most of 2026 with the El Paso Chihuahuas, playing in 71 games while hitting .271 with a .818 OPS.
RHRP Amgel Hernandez, 23, has signed a minor league contract with the Padres per a report from MadFriars.com. Originally part of the Miami Marlins organization, Hernandez played in Mexico in 2026.
Preller had a 45-minute media availability at the GM meetings on Tuesday. Addressing many questions from reporters, Preller outlined plans to meet with pitcher Joe Musgrove soon to plan for his offseason. He also addressed the obvious need for starting pitching and responded to a question from Jon Heyman (New York Post and MLB Network) about whether he was looking for three or four starters. His answer was, “Keep going.” The rumor mill has the Padres linked to Tarik Skubal, but Preller was evasive when questioned about a possible visit to Petco Park.
When asked about the payroll for this season, he said that it was still a fluid situation and would be “player-dependent,” but there would be a better feel for the budget after meeting with players and agents during the GM meetings to see what the market was looking like. He also acknowledged ongoing communication with Michael King and his agent regarding resigning with the team. King is exploring the market but still a possible re-sign, depending on how the free agent market plays out.
Austin Reaves' night ended early after he checked himself out midway through the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' road win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The Lakers star was seen walking back to the locker room with a limp accompanied by team training staff after subbing out at the 5:20 mark in the third. Reaves had attempted a fast-break dunk three minutes earlier but was blocked from behind and looked uncomfortable from that point on after landing awkwardly.
The team eventually ruled Reaves out for the rest of the game with a left heel injury. Head coach JJ Redick told reporters postgame that X-Rays came back negative and Reaves will undergo imaging on Thursday. Any kind of Achilles injury has been ruled out.
Reaves wasn't the only injury on Wednesday; Collin Sexton also went into the locker room in the fourth quarter after taking a headbutt on defense. No foul was called on the play. Redick said Sexton received sutures on his temple.
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 11, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Four nights ago, in Cleveland, the Knicks beat the Cavaliers by 12 points thanks to dominant second and third quarters. Tonight, as we saluted our veterans, the two teams squared up once more, this time at Madison Square Garden. Yet again, our heroes dropped the first frame, but won the second, tied the third, and managed to tie the game midway through the fourth. The Cavs were determined not to let this one slip through their fingers, and with season-highs for two of ’em, James Harden (32 PTS, 9-14 FG) and Tyrese Proctor (15 PTS), they sealed the win in the final minutes, 115-107.
With his eleventh double-double, Karl-Anthony Towns (21 PTS, 11 RBS, 7-11 FG) tied Willis Reed for the longest double-double streak to start a Knicks season. They shot better from the floor and in the paint, but the guests attempted 14 more free throws. It didn’t help that New York surrendered 19 points off turnovers.
Last week, Peyton Watson (7 PTS) took most of Cleveland’s shots to start the game. This time, Kenny Atkinson’s club leveled its attack. Their defense hummed, too, with Evan Mobley (10 PTS, 5 RBS) and Watson swatting down shots, and Donovan Mitchell (23 PTS) and Harden picking pockets. Benchman Proctor led the team with eight points in the quarter, while Watson crashed the boards and spread out dimes. Jarrett Allen, who missed last week’s contest, cleared five early boards and finished with an 11-14 double-double.
Josh Hart (6 PTS, 26 MIN), back in the lineup after missing three games (ankle, illness), surely had nothing to do with the Knicks’ starters dragging their heels. Jalen Brunson (27 PTS, 12-23 FG) and OG Anunoby (14 PTS) were the only Knicks with points until Mohamed Diawara checked in midway through the frame and scored. Mitchell picked on the sophomore, dribbled around him, and burned him with a fadeaway.
The hometown club converted 25% of its first eight longball tries and attempted no free throws in the first frame. Strange but true. Towns, Brunson, and Shamet had the hot hands early, while Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Andre Drummond combined to shoot 0-for-6 in the first half. Bridges would usually defend Mitchell, but Brown assigned Shamet to him. You can feel the coach’s confidence waning, no?
The Ohio Players hit nine straight shots, led by as many as 12, and won the quarter, 33–23.
We weren’t sweating the first quarter. New York dropped the first period by one in their previous matchup. Tonight, they opened the second on a 9–1 run behind Towns, Shamet, and Tyler Kolek. The latter hit two buckets and was a team-high plus-eight as the good guys climbed back into the game. Towns was cooking, too, scoring 13 points in his first 13 minutes, grabbing seven boards, and stuffing Allen’s shot. Miles McBride hit three threes in under two minutes, including the one that erased the last of a 12-point deficit and knotted the game at 43.
KAT, THE PLAYMAKER 💪
Dishing dimes. Converting and-1s. Making tough shots.
Brunson splashed a go-ahead three, but Harden answered with two of his own, Mitchell hit his freebies, and Mobley dunked to push Cleveland’s lead back to six. Mike Brown tried to give Towns a breather and watched the Knicks’ progress evaporate without him. KAT jumped back in and dunked with authority.
During the period, Brunson reached 11,000 career points, 3,000 assists, and 1,000 three-pointers. He’s one of seven active players in that club, along with LeBron James, Harden, Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Luka Dončić, and Trae Young. Congratulations, Cap!
At halftime, the guests were ahead 59–53. Harden led all scorers with 17 (5-of-7 FG), while KAT topped the Knicks with 15. Bizarrely, New York took a single free throw all half, and Cleveland’s seven extra points at the line more than covered the margin. Both teams made 22 field goals (52% for Cleveland, 51% for New York) and grabbed 17 boards apiece. Cleveland had a 26–20 edge in the paint, but New York shot 40% from three to the Cavs’ 37% and scored one more point from the field.
Cleveland opened the third on a 10–5 run, with threes from Watson, Mitchell, and Harden stretching the lead to 69–58. Spida missed his next two threes and picked up a charge. From there, the hosts got serious. Brunson scored five of his eight points in the stretch during an 11–0 run that tied the tilt at 69, while the visitors blanked on eight consecutive attempts. Towns helped fuel the run by setting up Brunson and Shamet for buckets and blocking Watson at the cup. Hart later found McBride for another tying three at 74. Cleveland closed the quarter on an 8–2 run to take an 82–76 advantage into Q4.
Rough stretch for Bridges. He sat at the eight-minute mark of the third and came back with under two minutes left in the quarter. Allen blocked him on a layup, then took the ball away. Somehow, New York had attempted just five free throws through 40 minutes, all by Towns. The Cavs had taken 19 by then, eight by Harden alone.
Deuce scored the first five points of the fourth to pull the Knicks within one, but Mitchell answered with two layups, the second an and-one, and Proctor capped a 7–0 Cleveland run. Spida had two turnovers that led to McBride baskets, but he also set up Maleek Thomas for two buckets. With Brunson on the bench, McBride and Kolek ran the backcourt. Kolek fed Shamet for a three and KAT for a dunk that cut the deficit to seven with 7:35 left. Anunoby went on a tear with two freebies, a longball, a steal, and a breakaway feed to Hart for a bunny. Tie score at 99 with 5:36 to go.
Out of a timeout, Harden, Mobley, and Brunson scored to make it 106–103 with 2:18 on the clock. The game was still within reach, but Drummond fouled Mitchell and Allen scored four straight points, capitalizing on Brunson’s long brick. The deficit reached five with a minute to go. Brunson missed on a contested drive, Watson blocked McBride from behind on the fast break, and Harden hit his free throws. Ball game.
New York Mets pitcher A.J. Minter throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Citi Field in New York, Friday, July 10, 2026.
The Athletic reported earlier in the day that the Mets have also had interest in lefties Alex Vesia and Tim Hill, who are both free agents.
Minter spent 2025 and part of 2026 with the Amazin’s, but the former season was truncated due to season-ending lat surgery. And this past year, Minter was effective upon his return with a 2.35 ERA in 23 outings before he was sent to the Twins as part of the Mets’ trade deadline sell-off.
New York Mets pitcher A.J. Minter throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Citi Field in New York, Friday, July 10, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The southpaw held a 2.78 ERA in 25 games after the trade to Minnesota.
As part of the deadline fire sale, the Mets also sent away relievers Luke Weaver, Huascar Brazobán and Brooks Raley. Kodai Senga was then shifted into a high-leverage bullpen role, though Stearns said Tuesday that the expectation is that Senga will work toward being a starter in spring training — whenever that begins after the expected MLB labor fight.
Vesia, 30, has spent all but one season with the Dodgers and has been an effective late-inning lefty with a career 2.87 ERA with 443 strikeouts across 332 1/3 innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia tosses the ball during Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Wally Skalij for the CA Post
The 36-year-old Hill has pitched the last two and a half seasons in New York with the Yankees. While righties feasted (.909 OPS) off the veteran in 2026, Hill kept lefty hitters consistently in check (.611 OPS).
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 11, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics took on the Raptors on the second night of a back-to-back in Toronto Wednesday night. The Raptors had the lead at halftime after an explosive shooting display to start the game. It wasn’t pretty and it went down to the wire at Scotiabank Arena with the Celtics hanging on to win a tense game on the road, 98-93. Neemias Queta was big late, 11 points and 13 rebounds in the game including a game-winning block. Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 8 assists. The Celtics move clear to first place in the Eastern Conference with 10 wins and counting.
Boston rested Paul George after a tremendous performance against his former team in Philadelphia last night. The Celtics went double big in this one, with Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Jayson Tatum, Luka Garza, and Neemias Queta. The Toronto Raptors are currently beset by a slew of injuries to the squad, including Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard. The hobbled Raptors started Jamal Shead, RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Jakob Poeltl.
Derrick White in the Celtics’ green road uniforms got the Celtics on board early with a three-pointer, and Neemias Queta followed that up with a triple of his own, with Jayson Tatum credited with two early assists. Toronto was letting it fly early; they went 3-8 on three-pointers in the first 4 minutes of action.
Toronto was up for the challenge forcing 3 early turnovers; they had a 14-13 lead after six minutes of play. Mitchell Robinson, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard were the first players off the bench for Boston.
Both teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter, with Toronto keeping the C’s at arm’s length throughout. The story of the first quarter was the Raps’ stunning 3-point barrage. The Toronto Raptors would finish with 10-18 from deep, matching a franchise record with zero turnovers. They took a 9-point lead into the second quarter, 29-38.
Garza and Queta had 5 points, and Pritchard had 4 points in the first quarter for the C’s. As he has done for most of the season, Jayson Tatum played the entire first quarter, orchestrating the action for Boston with 9 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds.
With Paul George resting this game, Boston would need someone to step up and fill the scoring void. Unfortunately, it was Toronto who outscored the C’s 8-3 to start the quarter before head coach Joe Mazzulla called a timeout before things got out of hand.
Boston only scored 6 points as Tatum sat on the bench to start the second quarter. The Raptors were in the midst of a 14-3 run before JT returned to the action. The Raptors managed to extend their lead to 19 points, with Boston not taking care of the ball at all in the first half, with 8 turnovers.
TORONTO, CANADA – NOVEMBER 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives against Collin Murray-Boyles #30 of the Toronto Raptors first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Neemias Queta fed Jayson Tatum for a loud tomahawk dunk, cutting the Toronto lead back to 15 points. On the next possession, Tatum nailed a three-pointer over Colin Murray-Boyles. Murray-Boyles fouled JT on the play, and the call was upgraded to a flagrant. The possession resulted in 7 points for Boston as Baylor Scheierman nailed a no-dip three-pointer.
Boston finally came alive late in the second quarter outplaying the Raptors. The C’s managed to get back into the contest despite shooting just 41% from the field and having more turnovers. Boston was down by just 7 points at halftime after the Raptors pushed the Celtics.
Derrick White hit the first two shots of the third quarter as Toronto fans were still finding their seats. Boston cut the Toronto lead to a point, White drilling a three-pointer for his 16th point of the night. Derrick White was doing it on both ends, blocking RJ Barrett’s layup attempt for his third of the game.
Toronto missed 11 straight three-point attempts after a stellar first half shooting display. Payton Pritchard hit his twelfth point of the game with a pullup jumper over Jamal Shead. Toronto were outscored by just two points in the quarter as they held a 5-point lead, 75-80.
Boston came into the game winning 11 of the last 12 meetings against the Toronto Raptors, which looked in jeopardy after three quarters. Pritchard, Scheierman, Walsh, White, and Queta started the fourth quarter for Boston.
Payton Pritchard snapped a 10-0 Toronto scoring run with a baseline two-point jumper. A Baylor Scheierman trailing three-pointer cut Toronto’s lead to 2 points. But the Raptors kept coming at Boston with 13 offensive rebounds, giving Toronto plenty of extra possessions.
The Raps stretched the lead back to six points before Derrick White drained a stepback three. Jayson Tatum returned to the court after a decent break with 6 minutes to go in the game, Toronto up by just 3 points, 83-86.
Boston would need to dig deep against the fresher legs of Toronto as both teams traded missed baskets late in the fourth. Tatum bounced a pass into Queta on the low block with the much smaller Shead defending him and drew a shooting foul. Queta only hit one of two free throws to cut the lead to one point, 88-89.
The game would go down to the wire, with Barrett fouling Tatum on a drive with 25 seconds to go in the game. Tatum hit both free throws to give Boston a one-point lead, 94-93, and Toronto handed a chance to close it out at home. Queta blocked an RJ Barrett drive and hit both free throws to give Boston a big 3-point lead, 96-93, and the win.
The Celtics now have three days off before a two-game home stand in Boston; they host Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday at 6 pm EST.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: James Harden #1 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2026 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally got a win over the New York Knicks after five straight losses dating back to last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
That felt good.
James Harden, who has been a lightning rod for criticism, put together the best half of basketball he’s played this season. Harden scored 17 points on 3-for-5 three-point shooting in the first half, surpassing his season average of 15 points per game in just the opening quarters.
The second half was more of the same from Harden, who finished with a season-high 32 points. His isolation scoring kept them from falling victim to any dry spells against New York’s defense.
The Cavs have needed this type of production from their point guard. Harden’s slow start hasn’t been the only issue for this team — but it was one of the non-negotiables that would need to be addressed if the Cavs were ever going to get back on track. This was an encouraging step in the right direction for the 37-year-old star.
Rookie Meleek Thomas gave quality minutes off the bench. Thomas found a rhythym early in the second quarter, snaking around pick-and-rolls and burying fall-away jumpers. His smooth shooting and defensive intensity have put Thomas ahead of schedule in his development.
Thomas wasn’t the only young guard who impressed tonight. Tyrese Proctor continues to take steps forward in his sophomore season, scoring 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He’s a steady shooter who fights hard on defense and played a key role in Cleveland’s best runs tonight.
Both Thomas and Proctor made big plays in the fourth quarter by feeding off of Donovan Mitchell’s gravity. The Knicks began trapping Mitchell aggressively, and it was Proctor and Thomas who served as release valves for this critical stretch of the game.
The Knicks were led in scoring by Jalen Brunson with 27 points. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 21 points while Deuce McBride added 19 points off the bench.
New York’s off-ball movement is something the Cavs still struggle with. They conceded a handful of wide-open layups as a result of this. But Cleveland’s overall effort and connectivity were much higher than they had been in either of their last two games.
Donovan Mitchell helped close the game by showing patience against pressure. He accepted New York’s double teams in the fourth quarter and got the ball out of his hands to allow his teammates to play with an advantage. The execution wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to win the game.
Finally, Peyton Watson’s 4 blocks pushed Cleveland over the top. He shot just 2-of-12 from the floor, but wreaked havoc defensively and recorded the game-sealing block by hustling back in transition to save a score.
The Cavs improve to 6-6 on the season and play the Miami Heat on Friday.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have begun their three-game California road swing an even 1-1, and Wednesday, they will look to come away with a winning record when they take on the San Jose Sharks.
And, presumably, they'll be doing so with a different lineup.
On Tuesday, the Penguins held a practice in Anaheim before heading to San Jose, and they debuted some new line combinations. The top line of Rickard Rakell, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin remained untouched, but the other three lines saw a little bit of an overhaul.
Nick Robertson earned a promotion to the second line with Ben Kindel and Egor Chinakhov, while Tommy Novak slid back to the center position on the third line between Ville Koivunen and Justin Brazeau, with Hendrix Lapierre out. In addition, forward Rutger McGroarty appears to be taking Lapierre's spot in the lineup, and he was placed on the fourth line with Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar.
Head coach Dan Muse also confirmed that rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov, who earned his first victory of the season in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings Saturday. Sam Girard, who missed practice with a "maintenance day" Tuesday, will probably slot back in.
Here are the projected lines and pairings for Sunday's matchup:
The Sharks have not exactly come out the gate on fire to start the season, as they are 8-11-1 and are 3-7 in their last 10. They added some veterans to complement their youth this summer to try to take the next step toward playoff contention, including defensemen Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba, who are a combined minus-11 this season.
Of course, the player to watch is always 20-year-old superstar Macklin Celebrini, who has seven goals and 21 points in 18 games this season for the Sharks. Their next-closest point producer is center Will Smith with 13 points in 20 games.
This sheds light on the Sharks' minus-20 goal differential, which is the fourth-worst mark in the league behind only the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Vancouver Canucks.
Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X."
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors grabs the rebound during the game against the Boston Celtics on November 11, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Toronto Raptors fell to the Boston Celtics 98-93 in front of an electric home crowd on Wednesday.
Here are six defining moments from a thrilling showdown that was decided in the final seconds.
The wild west in the east
The Raptors have struggled to shed their reputation as a poor three-point shooting team for years, but against the Celtics, for at least 12 minutes, they were as elite as a squad could be. Toronto matched its franchise-high in three-pointers made in a single quarter with 10.
“I think the film is really going to show us the standard of play that we’re going to play,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic.
Toronto made six triples in the first four minutes alone. Combined with Celtics big man Neemias Queta knocking down a rare corner three, there was enough foreshadowing to suggest the shootout that awaited both teams.
Overall, they finished the quarter 10-for-18 from beyond-the-arc. By comparison, the Celtics shot 3-for-7.
Entering the contest, the Raptors ranked 27th in threes made (11.2) and three-point percentage (31.8 per cent).
“We took 43 threes, that’s a good number,” said Rajakovic. “I still think there were a couple more situations that we could make better decisions.”
Gritty defence during even grittier moments
Nearly midway through the second quarter, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla called a timeout to draw up a play. More often than not, especially against the Raptors, the Celtics thrive in these ATO sequences. But on this specific play, the Raptors broke up the action. This was because of Murray-Boyles’ tenacity and quick feet. He stonewalled Jayson Tatum, forcing him to pick up his dribble.
“I thought the whole team did a really good job defensively against them,” said Rajakovic. “We did a good job of containing the ball.”
When Toronto took away the passing lanes, Tatum threw up a turnaround fadeaway jump shot. Murray-Boyles responded by both contesting the shot attempt and corralling the defensive rebound.
The Raptors were here to play.
A classic Raptors drought
Despite how brilliant the first quarter was, a comfortable win was far from a foregone conclusion. In the past, particularly against the league’s best teams, Toronto has often been plagued by a classic scoring drought. On this night, it started at the 6:27 mark of the second quarter.
For the next 4:07, Toronto failed to record a field goal until Jakob Poeltl hit a push-shot from the baseline.
They certainly tried though. Earlier in the quarter, when the Celtics had cut their deficit to 15 points, Raptors head coach Rajakovic called a timeout. On the ensuing possession, Toronto attempted to get Ja’Kobe Walter open for a three with an off-ball screen on the weak side. The result? An offensive foul was called on Poeltl. Seconds later, Jayson Tatum hit a three while being fouled.
Awkward electricity
With those in attendance at the Scotiabank Arena clearly sensing a shift in the air, there was an unusual moment at centre court after a foul on Immanuel Quickley was overturned (Boston’s really good at challenges). It took forever – or maybe a minute, which is still too long – for the ref to toss the ball. It looked like the official wasn’t happy with Poeltl and Queta’s positioning. The extended delay earned a few groans and boos from the crowd.
When the ball was finally thrown, a Raptor hit the deck before Celtics guard Derrick White came up with the possession. White drove to the basket, and dramatically, Poeltl swatted the attempt. As if the script called for it, it was Queta who came up with the offensive rebound before getting fouled. Queta went on to make his free throw before missing the second, much to the crowd’s joy.
That sinking feeling came early
There may not have been a more sluggish start to a second half than the one that transpired between Toronto and Boston. Every possession looked difficult for the Raptors. Credit to the Celtics’ defence, they mostly forced the Raptors into awkward push-shot opportunities late in the clock. Several push-shot attempts came from Quickley, Poeltl and RJ Barrett. They mostly (and frustratingly) rimmed out.
Toronto’s three-point prowess also disappeared. After shooting 12-for-26 from three in the first half, the Raptors shot 3-for-9 in the third quarter.
Learning something about the rookie
Up to this point, Allen Graves has had a mostly questionable start to his first year in the NBA. It’s reasonable to grant an extended runway for young players to acclimate to the speed of the league, but they should still show flashes of brilliance or examples that they belong.
Those moments finally materialized for Graves against the Celtics.
“This whole organization, they just build my confidence game by game, and just continue to trust me,” said Graves. “That belief is what fuels me.”
Graves finished with 13 points and five rebounds. He also shot 62.5 per cent from the field and 75.0 per cent from three. He set a new career-high in points and three-point makes.
“He just goes after every rebound, he has a really good feel,” said Rajakovic.
But it wasn’t just about the numbers. It was more about the environment.
With the Raptors backed into a corner and desperately yearning for a momentum boost, Graves authored a solo 8-0 run. His strong play carried over into the fourth quarter. Graves hit another three and secured several offensive rebounds, including one where he teleported from the opposite corner to the left wing.
This was an encouraging performance and one that hints at Allen’s role in a playoff sandbox.
LAS VEGAS — As someone who spent seven seasons atop the Brewers front office, David Stearns wasn’t totally disconnected as the franchise celebrated its first World Series title two weeks ago.
“I’m just really happy for that group,” the Mets president of baseball operations said Wednesday at the general managers meetings. “I know a lot of those folks over there. They have worked incredibly hard, so it’s incredibly well deserved.”
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Stearns, who stepped aside from running the Brewers after the 2022 season to serve as a team consultant for one year before jumping to the Mets, was careful to distance himself from his former club when asked if he felt any measure of pride in helping develop part of Milwaukee’s core.
He repeated that he was happy for the Brewers, beginning with the team’s ownership.
Were there takeaways from the Brewers’ success that might translate as he attempts to win with the Mets?
“Each situation is unique, and when you see organizations operate on a high level, you always try to learn something from them,” Stearns said. “We also recognize we’re in a different place, different market and need to act differently.”
Most notably, the Brewers won the World Series with a $146 million payroll — less than half of what the Mets spent last season on salaries.
And whereas a rebuilding season or two might be tolerated in the smallest media market for a major league team, it doesn’t work in New York under an owner in Steve Cohen with a stated goal of competing for a championship each season.
David Stearns, president of baseball operations for the New York Mets, speaks to the media at MLB general manager meetings Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/John Locher
“I think one of the benefits we have is we have the entirety of the player universe and the whole world available to us,” Stearns said. “That is a benefit and it’s also different than what some other markets have, including Milwaukee.”
But that hardly guarantees the right pieces will be selected, as Stearns discovered last season — a calamity he previously described as an “uncapped downside scenario.” The Mets assumed risk with a drastic roster overhaul and significantly underperformed, finishing with 74 victories, far removed from the postseason race.
“There are challenges in all markets,” Stearns said. “My job is to use the advantages we have in our market and to put a consistent winner on the field. I think we’re going to be able to do that.”
The Mets have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, putting Stearns firmly on the hot seat as he begins the fourth year of a contract that runs through 2028.
Milwaukee Brewers players celebrate their Game 5 World Series win against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. GARY BOGDON/EPA/Shutterstock
This winter’s primary mission is to improve a starting rotation that includes many question marks. Team officials will meet next week with the top free agent on the market, Tarik Skubal, with the hope of luring the left-hander to Queens on what could be a record contract for a starting pitcher.
Asked Wednesday to name the certainties for his starting rotation next season, Stearns named Nolan McLean and Christian Scott.
“I don’t know that I am going to go and line up the entirety of what that group looks like when we’re still [months] away from all showing up in Port St. Lucie,” Stearns said. “But I would also expect there to be a member or members of the rotation who aren’t members of the organization right now.”
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in Los Angeles, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Wally Skalij for CA Post
The industry faces a Dec. 2 shutdown, with owners set to impose a lockout as they seek a salary cap. But from Stearns’ perspective, this offseason is like any other.
“I am confident that however this offseason plays out, we’ll be well prepared to handle it,” Stearns said. “And when the games begin, we’re going to have a good team on the field.”
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Cristopher Sánchez #61 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during Game Two of the National League Wild Card Series presented by AbbVie between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn May/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
We all knew that Jacob Misiorowski was going to finish with the NL Cy Young award thanks to his historic season. The real race was for second place.
Now, we know who took that spot.
The 2026 National League Cy Young Award goes to Jacob Misiorowski.
Sanchez finishing second is no real surprise. Chris Sale may have been better to some, but the fact that Sanchez threw almost 7 full games more than Sale obviously accounted for something.
Jesus Luzardo finishing fifth is a nice surprise. He was truly great this past season, ascending to ace status for many.
This year is the first time the Baseball Writers’ Association of America has voted on the award, and it differs from Trevor Hoffman winning the Rolaids Relief Man Award in 2006 and 1998.
Mason Miller pitching for the National League All-Star Game in Philadelphia last July. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Last year, Miller was selected to his second career All-Star Game, and made 66 appearances for the Padres and converted 38 of 41 save opportunities, while recording a 1.67 ERA and a 0.900 WHIP.
Before 2026, the highest number of saves Miller had was in his rookie season in 2024, notching 28 saves in 55 appearances with the Oakland A’s.
Miller finished last season tied in the National League for saves with Riley O’Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Miller was crowned as the unanimous Reliever of the Year. Jason Szenes for the New York PostMiller finished ahead of Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished with 24 second-place votes. Wally Skalij for CA Post
Miller finished ahead of Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished with 24 second-place votes, and Trevor McGill of the Milwaukee Brewers, who only had two votes for second place.
During the playoffs last October, Miller made MLB history in the Padres’ National League Wild Card series victory over the Chicago Cubs, where he earned his 10th career postseason strikeout after facing his 12th career batter in the playoffs.
Breaking a record was nothing new for Miller last year, as he also set the Padres’ scoreless-innings record by throwing 34 2/3 consecutive innings without giving up a run last season.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia pitches during Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
All of them played key roles during the club’s run to back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025.
All of them are now on the free-agent market this offseason, but have indicated hopes of re-signing in Los Angeles.
As this lockout-threatened winter unfolds, they will provide something of a litmus test for how much roster turnover the Dodgers are willing to endure.
The Dodgers have a need for his skill set, seeking right-handed-hitting infielders capable of playing multiple positions across the diamond (especially in the wake of Miguel Rojas’ retirement). They have re-signed the 35-year-old veteran in each of the last three offseasons, as well, seemingly always saving a place on the roster for the franchise’s all-time postseason games played leader.
General manager Brandon Gomes offered no further clarity while speaking at the GM Meetings on Tuesday, saying: “Kiké has been such a huge part of what we’ve done in the past, and we’ll continue to have those conversations. But what that looks like right now, I have no idea.”
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Kiké Hernández warms up before a game at Dodger Stadium. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
Hernández’s lack of regular-season production over the past few years explains why the Dodgers might be more hesitant to re-sign him again. Not only has he hit just .219 with a .645 OPS since 2024, but he has missed significant time with elbow and oblique injuries.
What the Dodgers need in 2027 is someone who can be a weapon against left-handed pitching, and give some of their older veteran regulars (like Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Mookie Betts) more days off to keep them fresh.
Come October, the Dodgers would still love to have Hernández’s presence in the lineup. But they’ll have to weigh that against the risk of what has become a more inconsistent overall track record.
Vesia, meanwhile, presents a completely different dynamic.
Few relievers have been more consistent than the 30-year-old left-hander since he joined the Dodgers in 2021. He has posted a 2.66 ERA in that time while making 367 appearances for the club (150 more than anyone else).
That durability has made Vesia a hot commodity on this year’s free-agent market, where only Adrian Morejon is seen as a better left-handed reliever option. He has already fielded interest from roughly half the league, according to a source, and could be in line for three-year contract offers.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips throws during the fifth inning of Game 4 of the NLCS. AP Photo/Gregory Bull
Phillips, 32, will figure to field similarly wide-ranging interest, though could have a slightly more limited market thanks to his age and injury history. From 2022 to 2024, he was the Dodgers’ best reliever, collecting a team-high 44 saves with a 2.21 ERA. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2025, and battled bouts of inconsistency in his return this year, albeit before mounting a strong finish to the campaign that included him hitting 100 mph with his fastball.
Both would make sense as re-signing candidates for the Dodgers (who let Phillips linger on the free-agent market last year before bringing him back on a one-year deal). But the team also feels confident about its other returning relievers –– a group headlined by Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Edgardo Henriquez and Brock Stewart –– and has several younger arms it would like to leave opportunities open for next season.
Then there’s Graterol, the hard-throwing right-hander who has not pitched since 2024 because of shoulder and back surgeries.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brusdar Graterol works on a back field at Camelback Ranch Glendale in Phoenix, Arizona. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The 28-year-old was finally regaining health by the end of this past season, and there is expected to be mutual interest in a reunion with the Dodgers, another source said. But he is also testing the free-agent waters to see what kind of opportunities he could get to re-establish himself as a high-leverage weapon.
Fellow out-of-contract Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen is another name to monitor, though it’s unclear if the 38-year-old right-hander intends to continue playing after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in September (the latest setback in his checkered injury history).
For now, the Dodgers have been described as “slow-moving” on such fronts. In an offseason of potential transition, they are waiting to see how each player’s market develops while evaluating how aggressively they will try to retain them.
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If the closer declines the $23.15 million qualifying offer that the Yankees extended to him by next Tuesday’s deadline (which appears more likely than not), Bednar will hit the open market primed for a payday as one of the top free-agent relievers.
And while there is nothing stopping the Yankees from negotiating a multi-year deal with Bednar before then – Cashman would not say if the two sides were talking about it – they may soon have to put their money where their mouth is in order to address one of their biggest needs this offseason.
“I’ve done it before, I’m not afraid to do it,” Cashman said at the GM meetings when asked about spending big on a reliever. “It just comes down to allocation of resources and the opportunity, what’s in front of you and how realistic it is, and do we like it enough to play those numbers and all that stuff. But I’m not opposed to putting numbers on players at whatever position.”
The Yankees have not put the kind of numbers that Bednar will get on a reliever since 2019, when they signed Zack Britton to a three-year, $39 million deal and added an extra year and $18 million to the five-year, $86 million pact Aroldis Chapman signed ahead of the 2017 campaign.
Neither deal ended well for the Yankees.
This time around, Cashman has said he is working under a budget from Hal Steinbrenner that he would not define.
It likely will cost the Yankees a lot of money to bring closer David Bednar back, whether it’s a one-year qualifying offer or a longer-term deal. Robert Sabo for New York Post
But if the Yankees were able to offer Bednar the $23.15 million for one year (which would be the highest average annual value for any reliever), conceivably they should be able to fit in a multiyear deal, given that the AAV would likely be lower.
That the Yankees already know he can handle the bright lights of New York should make them more comfortable handing out that kind of money to a 32-year-old reliever.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman talks with reporters during MLB’s general manager meetings on Nov. 10, 2026 in Las Vegas. AP
“Listen, we dropped a big qualifying number on him — that factored [in] a lot,” Cashman said. “He’s a cool customer. From what I understand, even though I’m not in the bullpen, obviously, from what I hear from everybody involved — we’ve been very lucky over the course of time for the most part to have somebody with a strong presence and great leadership to lead out there, and he checked all those boxes along with the performance.
“So I’ve had some good additions, I’ve had some not-so-good additions. He’s been a good addition so far, and hopefully we find a way to keep him so I can worry about surrounding him with more quality individuals that our manager can turn to late in the game to try to close things out.”
Since Chapman and Britton left, the Yankees have either traded for established closers (Bednar, Williams) or found them through reclamation projects (Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver).
They may not have the luxury to try the latter at this point, given that lefty setup man Brent Headrick is the only full-time member of the 2026 bullpen guaranteed to return in 2027.
The other top reliever on the market is former Padres lefty Adrian Morejon, but he figures to be more expensive than Bednar and would also cost the Yankees draft-pick compensation and international bonus pool money because of the qualifying offer attached to him.
“[The bullpen] is probably our biggest need because we have so [many] vacancies of certainly important people that did a great job for us,” Cashman said, with Tim Hill and Paul Blackburn both free agents, while Fernando Cruz is trying to pitch through a partially torn UCL.
“Doesn’t mean we don’t have answers from within that can handle it somehow, some way. But you’re always wondering. You don’t know. There’s no certainty until you play it out and let it play out. So if I can pull down via trade or free agency some individuals that make you sleep better at night, even though bullpens are volatile regardless, that would be a priority for me.”
Jacob Misiorowski won the National League Cy Young Award on Wednesday night after helping the Milwaukee Brewers win their first World Series title while setting a new standard for velocity by a starting pitcher.
New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler was a unanimous choice to win the American League Cy Young Award.
This was the first full season in the big leagues for both Misiorowski and Schlittler after they made their respective MLB debuts in the summer of 2025.
The award is voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Toronto’s Louis Varland won the AL reliever of the year award, while San Diego’s Mason Miller was a unanimous selection for the NL version of the award. This marks the first year that the BBWAA voted on a reliever of the year.
Misiorowski becomes the fourth Brewer to win a Cy Young Award. The others were Rollie Fingers (1981), Pete Vuckovich (1982) and Corbin Burnes (2021). Fingers also won the MVP award in 1981, when the Brewers still played in the American League.
The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 1.80 ERA, struck out 252 batters and limited hitters to a .157 batting average to lead the major leagues in all three categories. The only other pitchers since 1950 to lead the majors in ERA, strikeouts and opponents’ batting average were Sandy Koufax in 1965, J.R. Richard in 1979 and Mike Scott in 1986.
That .157 batting average was the lowest since 1900 for any AL or NL pitcher with 100 or more innings. Misiorowski also owned an 0.80 WHIP (walks and hits allowed per innings pitched) that represented the lowest in a full regular season for pitchers with at least 150 innings since Pedro Martinez had an 0.73 for Boston in 2000.
Misiorowski went 16-5 during the regular season while throwing 1,115 pitches of 100 mph or more for the highest total since tracking started in 2008, shattering the prior mark of 673 by Jordan Hicks in 2018.
He followed that up by going 2-0 with an 0.84 ERA during Milwaukee’s 4-1 World Series triumph over the Tampa Bay Rays. Misiorowski threw 5 2/3 shutout innings during Milwaukee’s 4-1 Game 5 win that clinched the Brewers’ first title in franchise history.
The other NL Cy Young Award finalists were Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez and Atlanta’s Chris Sale. Sánchez was 18-7 with a 2.91 ERA and 231 strikeouts in 207 innings. Sale, who won the Cy Young Award in 2024, went 14-9 with a 2.16 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings.
Schlittler became the second Yankees pitcher in four years to win the Cy Young Award. Gerrit Cole won it with the Yankees in 2023 before Tarik Skubal won the last two AL Cy Young Awards while pitching for Detroit. Cole had been the first Yankee to win the award since Roger Clemens in 2001.
“Cam had as dominant a season as a starting pitcher can have from start to finish,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a statement. “He’s shown an astonishing amount of growth since we drafted him, and his success is no accident. Cam has a tireless appetite for hard work and refinement that has allowed his talents to truly flourish. This Cy Young is richly deserved. Cam was the most dominant pitcher in our league and continues to grow into a foundational player for this franchise.”
Schlittler, 25, went 14-6 with an AL-leading 1.95 ERA that ranked third in Yankees’ history, behind Spud Chandler (1.64 in 1943) and Ron Guidry (1.74 in 1978). Schlittler’s 239 strikeouts tied for second in the AL with Toronto’s Dylan Cease, behind the 248 from Cleveland’s Gavin Williams.
This was his first full season in the big leagues after he made his MLB debut in the summer of 2025.
Schlittler received all 30 first-place votes. The runner-up was Cease, who went 11-6 with a 2.40 ERA. Cleveland’s Parker Messick finished third after going 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings.
Cease was the second-place selection of 22 of the 30 voters. Messick got seven second-place votes. The other second-place vote went to Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen, who finished fourth in the voting.
This was the second runner-up finish for Cease, who also placed second while pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 2022.
Varland won the reliever of the year award after going 5-6 with a 1.27 ERA, 35 saves and 97 strikeouts in 78 innings. Cleveland’s Cade Smith finished second in the voting and Tampa Bay’s Bryan Baker was third.
Miller was 5-2 with a 1.67 ERA, 38 saves and 129 strikeouts in 70 innings for San Diego. Philadelphia’s Jhoan Duran finished second in the NL reliever of the year voting and Milwaukee’s Trevor Megill was third.
