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Jimmy Butler reportedly diagnosed with 'deep glute muscle contusion,' in question to play in Game 3

With Jimmy Butler back in the locker room for most of Game 2, the Golden State offense struggled in the face of an athletic and aggressive Houston defense.

The Warriors may need to find a way to win a game without Butler if they are going to win this series.

Butler suffered a "a deep glute muscle contusion and his status for Game 3 against the Houston Rockets is in serious jeopardy," according to a report from Shams Charania of ESPN, largely confirmed by Chris Haynes. The important news is that there is no structural damage. Butler is officially listed as day-to-day, and considering his history and the fact that it's the playoffs, his playing would not be a shock. If he does play, he could be limited.

Butler was injured in the first quarter of Game 2 when Amen Thompson missed a shot, Jimmy Butler went up for the rebound, Thompson tried to push through to get the offensive rebound, got tangled up with Steven Adams, fell forward and took out Butler's legs (Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game it was not a malicious act, just unlucky).

If Butler is out it hurts the Warriors on both ends of the floor. He was a key part of a Golden State defense that was the best in the league after the All-Star break, and he is also the best secondary shot creator on the team, taking some of the offensive load — and defensive attention — off Curry. With him out, Kerr went deep into his bench in Game 2, trying to find a spark somewhere. None came.

The Warriors can win at home without Butler, but against a young and hungry Rockets team, it would take not only a monster night from Curry, but someone else to step up as well.

Or, maybe Butler plays.

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Tom Thibodeau: Clock malfunction at end of Knicks’ Game 3 win over Pistons ‘should never happen in a playoff game’

The Knicks were able to pull out a massive 118-116 win over the Pistons on Thursday night, regaining a 2-1 advantage in their first-round series. 

New York made some clutch baskets down the stretch -- but it wasn’t without some high-stress moments. 

With the Knicks leading by one and just seconds remaining on the clock, Jalen Brunson was fouled on an inbounds pass -- sending him to the line for a pair of free throws as he looked to put the game on ice. 

Brunson knocked down the first shot with ease to make it a two-point ballgame, and then intentionally missed the second since there was not enough time remaining for the Pistons to get up a reasonable shot -- but that’s where things went a little haywire. 

After the time clock operator started the clock too early, refs stopped play and after a review, they awarded the ball to the Pistons with just 0.5 seconds remaining in regulation. 

While it still would’ve taken a miracle, things could’ve gone a bit south for the Knicks -- but Detroit big man Jalen Duren turned over the inbounds pass and New York regained possession to close out the victory. 

No harm, no foul, but Tom Thibodeau did not agree with the call.  

“They said that’s what’s in the rules,” the head coach said. “It doesn’t seem right to me, it’s unfortunate -- that should never happen ever in a playoff game. Never happen.”

Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns joked that’s the benefit of homecourt advantage. 

“We're in Detroit, what do you expect?” Hart said. 

“I ain’t gonna lie, shoutout to the table,” Towns joked. “Giving your team another chance like that is fire -- I gotta give them a lot of respect for that. I ain’t never seen something like that in 10 years of playing in the NBA.”

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Karl-Anthony Towns scores 31, Jalen Brunson 30, Knicks hang on to take Game 3 in Detroit

NBA: Playoffs-New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons

Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates a three point basket in the first half against the Detroit Pistons during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

This was the Karl-Anthony Towns the Knicks have been waiting for this postseason. The one getting deeper post position to receive the ball and taking advantage of it. When he got the ball further out on the floor, he was in motion downhill to the rim.

"He bounced back," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said, via the Associated Press, referencing KAT's rough Game 2. "He can score a lot of different ways and he used his versatility to his strength."

This was the Clutch Player of the Year Jalen Brunson, scoring 12 of his 30 in the fourth quarter, making sure the Knicks didn't blow their double-digit fourth quarter lead and hang on for the win.

The result was New York going into Detroit and taking back home-court advantage with a 116-113 win. The Knicks now have a 2-1 series lead.

"I thought the way we started the game was much better," Thibodeau said. "And, we made timely plays down the stretch."

Give the Pistons credit, a young team with limited playoff experience, they are not backing down — the Knicks would make a run, Detroit would answer.

The Pistons' bench was their real key — it outscored the Knicks' bench 40-9. Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. each had 24 points to lead Detroit, but Cunningham added 11 assists. Dennis Schroder had 18 off the bench for the Pistons.

But as they have all season, Thibodeau and the Knicks leaned heavily into their starters, with four of them — Brunson, KAT, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges scoring at least 20.

New York is back in front in this series, but Detroit is not about to roll over. This series could go on for a while.

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Wild Rookie Zeev Buium Gets First NHL Point On The Power Play

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images.

ST. PAUL - It was just a matter of time before the highly touted defensive Wild prospect got his first NHL point. 

The Wild entered Game 3 with only two power play chances in the series. There was a thought that they may take Zeev Buium out of the lineup for Game 3 so they could have a more defensive guy in like Jon Merrill. 

But, Wild head coach John Hynes stuck with the same lineup and Buium produced. 

On the Wild's first power play chace in the opening period, Buium walked the line before dropping a pass off to Kirill Kaprizov.

Buium, 19, played 4:55 in the opening period and 1:47 of it was on the power play. His primary assist to Kaprizov was his first NHL point in his third NHL game. 

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The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live: Reaction To Maple Leafs' Game 3 Win Over Senators

Nick Cousins and Simon Benoit (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)

Welcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.

After the big game of the night, our experts go live to react to the match that was, break down the key moments and storylines, provide updates on the rest of the night's NHL slate and read your opinions.

On tonight's show, Emma Lingan and Michael Traikos react to the Toronto Maple Leafs taking a 3-0 series lead over the Ottawa Senators after another overtime-winner.

Playoff Frenzy - April 24, 2025 | The Hockey NewsPlayoff Frenzy - April 24, 2025 | The Hockey NewsWelcome to Playoff Frenzy Live by The Hockey News presented by STIX.com, where we give our live reactions and break down the latest news to all the biggest g...

They also touch on the Florida Panthers beating the Tampa Bay Lightning again and the other NHL action on Thursday night.

Check out the show right now and share your opinions in the live chat and in our comment section.  

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Jalen Brunson delivers in the clutch, Knicks hang on for 118-116 Game 3 win over Pistons

The Knicks bounced back to regain a 2-1 series advantage over the Detroit Pistons with a 118-116 win in Game 3 of their first round matchup on Thursday night.

Here are the key takeaways...

- The Knicks were one of the best road teams in the league during the regular season and they continued that in their first postseason matchup away from Madison Square Garden -- playing spoiler in the first playoff game in Detroit in six years.

- The intensity in this series has been through the roof and that didn't change as things shifted to Detroit. The chippiness started from the opening tip as Jalen Brunson was assessed a Flagrant 1 just minutes into the game after poking Tim Hardaway Jr. in the eye attempting to block a three.

Mitchell Robinson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Paul Reed received technicals for a skirmish later in the quarter.

- As far as the early action, the Knicks were able to accomplish their goal of getting off to a hot start. New York was sharing the ball and finding the open man -- knocking down eight of their first 11 shots while dishing nine assists in the opening quarter after finishing with a season-low in that department in Game 2.

- The Knicks also accomplished one of their other big goals -- getting Towns more involved early after he was limited to just 10 points in Game 2. The big man was locked in and ready to roll, knocking down three threes to help him top that point total in just the first eight minutes of the game (11).

- Cam Payne questionably played just four minutes during Game 2, but he also saw a bigger role in this one and provided a spark on both ends right away. With Brunson receiving a breather early in the second, the reserve guard came off the bench and helped keep the Knicks in front.

- The Pistons came surging right back, though, knocking down three after three to take their first lead of the game. The former Knick Hardaway Jr. made his first five attempts from behind the arc after going scoreless in Game 2 and Dennis Schroder provided a spark off the bench, drilling three of his own.

But a well-timed Tom Thibodeau timeout helped the Knicks survive the surge and they used a 23-6 run over the final five minutes to carry their largest lead of the half into the break (13). New York finished a terrific first two quarters with as many assists as they had in Game 2 and they held Detroit to eight points in the paint.

- As was the case in Game 1, the third quarter of doom haunted the Knicks. The Pistons came out of the locker room with a force and began attacking the heart of the Knicks defense -- using a massive 20-9 run of their own to cut things back down to a one possession game.

The Knicks threw their counterpunch and were able to get the lead back up 10 heading into the fourth.

- New York had plenty of opportunities to put this one away for good, but once again the Pistons came storming right back. Tobias Harris was held scoreless over the first three quarters, but his lay-in with just over four an a half minutes remaining again made it a three-point ballgame.

- But as had been the case all season long, Brunson put the Knicks on his back when they needed it the most. The NBA's Clutch Player of the Year had a relatively quiet first three quarters, but delivered 12 of his 30 points to help seal the deal down the stretch.

- It wasn't just Brunson who delivered for the Knicks offensively, as they had four different players top the 20-point mark in a playoff game for the first time since 1972 (KAT 31, Brunson 30, OG Anunoby 22, Mikal Bridges 20). While Josh Hart wasn't quite there offensively, he still finished with nine assists and 11 rebounds.

- New York did a good job of limiting Cade Cunningham for the most part after his monster Game 2 showing -- holding him to just 24 points on 10-of-25 shooting. He did have 10 assists and seven rebounds but wasn't nearly the force he was in the previous meeting.

- In NBA history, teams that have won Game 3 have gone on to win the series 74.2 percent of the time.

Game MVP: Jalen Brunson

Captain Clutch delivered for the Knicks down the stretch, once again.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks remain in Detroit for Game 4 against the Pistons on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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Bobrovsky brilliant, Barkov injured as Panthers shutout Tampa to take 2-0 series lead

Apr 24, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) controls the puck against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Florida Panthers may have just surprised much of the hockey world.

Starting their first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road, the Panthers picked up a pair of big victories following Thursday’s 2-0 win in Game 2.

Similarly to Game 1 on Tuesday, it didn't take long for the Panthers to open the scoring.

Shortly after killing off an early Tampa Bay power play, Nate Schmidt hammered a one-timer from Sam Reinhart right off an offensive zone draw that gave the Cats a 1-0 lead.

That’s how the score would remain through the first two periods due to some strong goaltending on both ends.

Florida netminder Sergei Bobrovsky made 16 saves through 40 minutes, including stops on all three of Tampa’s high danger shots.

Midway through the third period, with Tampa Bay on the power play, Branden Hagel laid a high hit on Sasha Barkov that was called a five-minute major for interference.

Barkov skated off the ice on his own but went straight to the Panthers dressing room.

Led by Bobrovsky, who finished with 19 saves, the Panthers held strong on the defensive end and shut out the Bolts on their own ice.

Sam Bennett added an empty-net goal with 2.9 seconds left for good measure as the Cats took a 2-0 series lead heading back to Sunrise. 

On to Game 3.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Schmidt has already tied his career high for playoff goals in a single postseason with three.

Sasha Barkov is up to three assists in the series after getting a helper on Schmidt's goal.

Florida finished 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Sam Reinhart has three points in the series. He had the primary assist on Schmidt’s goal.

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Cavaliers' Evan Mobley wins Defensive Player of the Year

From the opening tip of the season, Evan Mobley was the best defender on a Cavaliers team that had the eighth-best defense in the league — and a 108.6 defensive rating when he was on the court that would have been second in the League. Mobley is a valued rim protector who can switch out on (or just be assigned to) perimeter players, closing them down.

That play and that consistency earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, as voted on by members of the media.

What won Mobley the award was both the quality of his play and the consistency — he was good all season. Mobley had the counting stats — 1.6 blocks per game (sixth in the league) and 7 rebounds (13th) — but it was the eye test that won a lot of voters over. Using the league's tracking stats, Mobley contested 10.4 shots per game, the third most among players who played at least 58 games.

DPOY was a wide-open race (once Victor Wembanyama was out for the season) and that is reflected in seven players getting first-place votes for the award.

Mobley had 35 first-place votes (and 30 for second place), edging out Atlanta's Dyson Daniels (25 first-place votes) and Golden State's Draymond Green (15). The Thunder's Lu Dort and the Rockets' Amen Thompson finished fourth and fifth in the voting.

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Fordham basketball hit with NCAA sanctions for improper benefits to recruits

Fordham men's basketball must vacate wins across two seasons and former coach Keith Urgo was hit with a two-year show cause under NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations. The program also was fined $35,000 plus 2% of the men's basketball budget. Former director of basketball operations Trevonn Morton was hit with a three-year show cause for misleading NCAA investigators and former athletic director Edward Kull was hit with a one-year show cause.

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Mets activate Jeff McNeil from IL, option Brett Baty to Triple-A

The Mets made three roster moves on Thursday's off day, including activating Jeff McNeil off the 10-day Injured List.

In a pair of corresponding moves, New York optioned infielder Brett Baty and catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse after both improved their industry standing during their time in the majors to start the year.

This would indicate that catcher Francisco Alvarez will be activated off the IL for Friday as the Mets open a four-game series in Washington against the Nationals for his 2025 season debut.

McNeil, who missed the Mets' first 25 games of the season due to an oblique injury, appeared in eight rehab games across three levels of the minors and had 11 hits in 28 at-bats (.393) with two home runs and three RBI. The veteran will likely slide back into the lineup at second base, but he did get opportunities in center field during his rehab. The Mets could play him there with Jose Siri on the shelf with a fracture in his leg.

Baty appeared in 19 games with the big league club, with 11 hits in 54 at-bats (.204), collecting five extra-base hits with four RBI and a .597 OPS (69 OPS+). The Mets will keep Luisangel Acuña after the speedster has slashed .283/.356/.377 with a .733 OPS (111 OPS+) in 22 games.

Senger appeared in 13 games during Alvarez's absence after the catcher sustained a thumb injury in spring training. The MLB debutant collected five hits in 28 at-bats, but his defense and handling of the pitching staff were seen as a big bonus for the club.

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Wilson praises Athletics' young core after walk-off vs. Rangers

Wilson praises Athletics' young core after walk-off vs. Rangers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The future looks promising for the Athletics – and Thursday night was a great reminder of that. 

Looking for a series win, the Green and Gold beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 on shortstop Jacob Wilson’s walk-off single at Sutter Health Park, showcasing the abilities of the club’s young core.

Wilson, who, ironically, registered his first major league walk-off against the Rangers during the 2024 MLB season, knows the Athletics, powered by homegrown bats like Lawrence Butler, Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom, have a bright outlook.

“We have a lot of great, young guys here,” Wilson told NBC Sports California’s Chris Townsend and Steve Sax on A’s Cast. “[The] couple first-round picks that we’ve had …

“I see [Nick] Kurtz come up here as quick as he did, and, obviously, [Tyler Soderstrom] doing what he’s doing this year. It’s pretty awesome to watch them do their thing.

“I’m excited that we’ll be able to play together for some time now.”

The Rangers hit three home runs in the third to take a 3-2 lead, but the Athletics, a day after Kurtz hit an RBI single in his first MLB at-bat, managed to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth after infielder Luis Urias’ single was mishandled by Leody Taveras in center. 

Wilson’s clutchness took center stage, registering the Green and Gold’s first walk-off in West Sacramento.

The 23-year-old was selected by the Athletics with the No. 6 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and has demonstrated his two-way abilities early on this season. 

In 23 games with the Green and Gold this season, Wilson is batting .330/.314/.629 with 11 RBI in 97 plate appearances.

On a cold, cloudy evening in West Sacramento, Wilson was the face of a prolific win – and the ambassador of an up-and-coming Athletics roster packed with noteworthy homegrown talent.

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Premier League and FA Cup semis: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Chelsea to give youth a chance, Ipswich look to prolong the inevitable and Jamie Vardy begins his swansong

Tyrique George has caught the eye since breaking into Chelsea’s first team. A homegrown talent, the 19-year-old winger has done well in his Conference League outings and is in contention for his first start in the league when Enzo Maresca’s side host Everton in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. Fast, direct and sharp on the ball, George has quickly become a favourite with supporters and he lifted some of the pressure off Maresca after coming off the bench to score an excellent equaliser in Chelsea’s comeback win at Fulham last weekend. Thrown on as a striker, George made it 1-1 with a fine shot from the edge of the area. It was the latest in a series of positive contributions from the teenager. His enthusiasm could make a difference against Everton. Jacob Steinberg

Chelsea v Everton, Premier League, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)

Brighton v West Ham, Premier League, Saturday 3pm

Newcastle v Ipswich, Premier League, Saturday 3pm

Southampton v Fulham, Premier League, Saturday 3pm

Continue reading...
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Colts Heading To Eastern Conference Finals After Game Seven Win

Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts [Terry Wilson/OHL Images].

The Barrie Colts beat the Kingston Frontenacs 6-4 in game seven to win the second-round series and remain undefeated on home ice during the postseason. 

From beginning to end, this series featured only wins from the home team. In a weird twist, the Frontenacs leave the playoffs with an undefeated record on home ice. 

As was the case in six out of the seven games in this series, Kingston scored the opening goal in game seven. Emil Pieniniemi, who ended the game with a pair of goals, worked down the wall before cutting toward the net and scoring on the backhand. 

From there, this became a game of runs, with each team taking turns to score strings of goals.

Just under two minutes later, 2025 NHL Draft-eligible defender Kashawn Aitcheson evened the score at one. Dallas Stars prospect Emil Hemming scored on the power play to give Barrie the lead midway through the first. 

Rangers' Head Coach Named OHL Coach Of The YearRangers' Head Coach Named OHL Coach Of The YearYesterday, the OHL announced that Kitchener Rangers' Head Coach Jussi Ahokas is the winner of the Matt Leyden Trophy, which is presented to the OHL Coach of the Year as voted by General Managers across the OHL.

Before the end of the period, Cal Uens and Pieniniemi responded with goals to give Kingston the 3-2 lead heading into the intermission. 

Barrie roared back in the second period, scoring a pair of goals to take a 4-3 lead thanks to Owen Van Steensel and Tristan Bertucci. Kashawn Aitcheson's power-play marker early in the third solidified the Barrie lead at 5-3. 

Generals Advance To Eastern Conference FinalsGenerals Advance To Eastern Conference FinalsThe Oshawa Generals defeated the Brantford Bulldogs 4-1 in game six to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive year.  

Though Kingston pushed back, their response came a bit too late. Kieran Dervin scored his first postseason goal to cut away at the Barrie goal, however, Colts Captain Beau Jelsma sealed the victory with an empty net goal with seconds remaining in the game. 

The Colts will move on to play the Oshawa Generals in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both teams' lineups include a high number of NHL prospects and 2025 NHL Draft-eligible players. 

In the minds of many, these were the two favourites to come out of the Eastern Conference based on their performances during the regular season. Now they will battle for a spot in the finals starting on Friday. Puck drop for game one is at 7:30 p.m. inside the Sadlon Arena