CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 07: Rhett Lowder #25 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 07, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds have finally brought up a reinforcement on good terms, rather than out of necessity. The last place club has seen their pitching ranks decimated by injuries, and the churn they’ve been going through in that time has seen arms brought up for stints and designated for assignment just to free up roster spots for future churn.
On Sunday, though, they welcome back one of their best and brightest.
The Reds activated righty Rhett Lowder after he was sidelined for weeks with a shoulder problem, and Lowder will be given the ball to start Sunday’s series finale in Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals. Reliever Luis May was optioned to make way, the team announced.
The #Reds today activated from the 15-day Injured List RHP Rhett Lowder and optioned to Triple-A Louisville RHP Luis Mey (post-game on 6/6).
For now, at least, that means righty Chris Paddack will stick around, albeit in a long-man role and not in the starting rotation.
The Reds have dropped each of the first two games of the series in St. Louis, with Saturday’s coming in yet another late bullpen implosion. They’ve fallen under .500 and, once again, own last place in the National League Central division.
First pitch for Sunday’s finale is set for 2:15 PM ET. Here’s how the Reds will line up for it:
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 27: Bryan Holaday #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rounding out the program’s new coaching hires, former Horned Frog star Bryan Holaday is returning to his alma mater as the team’s next bench and catching coach. Holaday, who earned the Johnny Bench Award in 2020 and was a sixth-round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers, was named First-Team All-Mountain West Conference and a Second-Team All-American in his final season with the Horned Frogs. In 187 career games (181 starts) at TCU, Holaday slashed .325/.398/.522 with 228 hits, 46 doubles, 28 home runs, 142 RBIs and 145 runs scored.
Sources: Former @TCU_Baseball star catcher Bryan Holaday is joining the #TCU staff as the bench and catching coach, I'm told. He culminates a busy week for the #Frogs, who added a new hitting coach and pitching coach in a matter of days.
Holaday made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2012. He played four seasons in Detroit before spending time with the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox in 2017. His MLB career also included stints with the Miami Marlins (2018-19), Baltimore Orioles (2020) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2021). Holaday concluded his MLB career with 173 hits, 35 doubles, 10 home runs, 79 RBIs and 72 runs scored.
Jacob Gonzalez did his best Murakami impression yesterday in hitting his first MLB dinger. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The magic gets a little more real with every victory. Both kinds of magic, that is — the floating feeling of giddiness that gets sprinkled over a fanbase as the beginning of something possibly special unfolds in front of them, and the wanded magic of the Mike Vasil variety. The latter seemed to have a particularly powerful effect on Jacob Gonzalez, much to the embarrassment of the Phillies broadcast booth yesterday. ICYMI:
The Phillies broadcast was poking fun at the White Sox’s magic wand, and were interrupted by Jacob Gonzalez’s first career home run. 😂
It’s hard to imagine a more satisfying first big league homer than Gonzalez’s last night, an absolute tank on a middle-middle slider that makes me want to make a “hung” joke that SB Nation probably wouldn’t appreciate. I genuinely can’t think of another example of a player so drastically remaking himself in such a short period of time. It really shouldn’t be possible to go from slugging sub-.350 over three years in the lower-mid minors to blasting 108 mph tanks in the big leagues over the former top pitching prospect in the game. I spent about half an hour stumped as to who exactly I was seeing in Gonzalez’s revamped swing before it dawned on me — maybe the Sox really did get their guy, about two presidential administrations after we wanted him:
Clearly Machado is a righty, a bit heftier, and a bit more open in his stance, but the core mechanics are pretty similar. Both Gonzalez and Machado are listed at 6´2´´, drafted as shortstops with high defensive prowess who bulked up, grew into some power, and found a home in the corner infield. I like the trajectory.
Gonzalez’s reward is getting his sixth start at first base over the team’s first eight games since his call-up as the Sox look to get back on track with another series win and equal their previous high-water mark of five games better than .500. Bold prediction of the day: Rikuu Nishida notches his first career extra-base hit, a line drive double to the opposite field on an Aaron Nola knucklecurve that catches just a little too much of the plate’s outer half.
With a quartet of tough lefties occupying the top of the Philadelphia lineup, Tyler Gilbert serves as the opener for David Sandlin today, who hopes the rubber match of his first three starts will look more like his first than his second. After retiring 18 straight hitters to end his big league debut, Sandlin’s spotty control came back to bite him earlier this week, when four walks and eight hits allowed to Minnesota resulted in an ugly eight earned runs. Still, his fastball is averaging faster than 97 mph, and pitch models are generally liking what they see out of his arsenal.
Sandlin’s arsenal bears some similarities with yesterday’s starter, Sean Burke, and I would expect Sandlin to utilize the same approach as Burke did yesterday: four-seamers above the zone to lefties, arm-side sinkers to jam righties, and curveballs/sweepers below the zone to go for a whiff when ahead in the count.
If Sandlin can find the plate earlier in the count more than Burke did, I expect he’ll see a lot of success today, even though this is the type of lineup that does not typically let mistakes go unpunished.
The Phillies look like they’re experiencing some deja vu, going 25-11 with manager Don Mattingly after a 9-19 start cost Rob Thomson his job. Let’s see if Will Venable can put a stop to that. First pitch at Citizen’s Bank Park is at 12:35 p.m. CT. If you want to join us, broadcasts are available on CHSN (TV) and WMVP AM 1000 (radio), like always!
Jun 2, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Gage Jump (61) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
This morning, the Athletics will try to avoid being swept by the Houston Astros, who have dominated the first two games of this three-game set. After taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs, the A’s have struggled in Houston, allowing plenty of runs while producing little offense of their own.
Looking to snap a three-game losing streak, the A’s will send left-hander Gage Jump to the mound for his third MLB start. Through his first two outings, the 23-year-old top prospect has gone 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA and 10 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched. In his last start, Jump showcased why the team thinks so highly of him, limiting the Cubs to one run on three hits over seven sparkling innings, picking up his first MLB win.
Following back-t0-back disappointing performances from A’s starting pitchers, the team will be counting on Jump to build off his last outing and provide a second straight quality start against an Astros lineup that has consistently scored runs throughout the series.
Looking to shake things up and provide a boost to the offense, first baseman Nick Kurtz is back atop the Athletics’ lineup, while right fielder Carlos Cortes has been dropped to second in the order. Catcher Shea Langeliers will be behind the plate for a third straight game.
If the A’s want to leave Houston with a win, the team will need contributions from the bottom half of the starting nine. Henry Bolte is on the bench, while the struggling Lawrence Butler gets the start in center field. Butler has endured a difficult stretch and will be looking to capitalize on another opportunity to get back on track.
The A’s will also need offensive production from second baseman Jeff McNeil and shortstop Alika Williams, who is getting the start in place of Darell Hernáiz. Generating offense from those spots could be a key factor in the team’s chances of securing a victory.
The A’s offense will face Astros’ right-hander Mike Burrows, who looks to secure the sweep for the hosts. The 26-year-old has struggled with inconsistency through his first dozen starts with the Astros. Burrows enters his 13th start with a 3-7 record, a 5.66 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings pitched. He took the loss in his last start against his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing five runs on eight hits and five walks over five innings.
Burrows has faced the A’s once before, tossing four scoreless innings as a member of the Pirates last September. The Athletics will look to find more success against the right-hander this morning. A’s hitters must work counts, use ABS challenges wisely and punish hittable pitches left over the plate.
The Astros’ lineup is a touch weaker today with second baseman Jose Altuve not in the starting nine. However, Jump must still pitch carefully, especially when facing designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, who hit a grand slam yesterday to move into the American League lead with 22 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Time to get back into the win column. Let’s go A’s!
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 26: Shane Baz #34 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates after recording a strikeout against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Winning two games out of three on the road is all you can really ask for right now. We’ll see if the Orioles are up to the task this afternoon in Toronto.
Samuel Basallo is in the lineup and will catch Orioles starter Shane Baz. Adley Rutschman will bat third as the designated hitter. If you’re wondering why the Orioles added Sam Huff to the active roster this weekend, you’re probably not alone. Huff does not have a minor league option, so he’ll be exposed to waivers when Baltimore decides it no longer needs to carry a third catcher. The Orioles already lost Maverick Handley on waivers this season, but Creed Willems is flashing at Norfolk.
Taylor Ward will return to left field today with Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill joining him in the grass. Blaze Alexander will play third base, and Jackson Holliday will take second. Gunnar Henderson will head to his usual place at short.
Baz has looked like the pitcher Baltimore hoped it was getting when it sent several prospects to Tampa Bay. He’ll look to keep the positive momentum going against former Oriole Kevin Gausman.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 6: Jameer Nelson and VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers talk during Round Two Game Two on May 6, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A Philly hoops legend is taking on a major role for his hometown team.
The Sixers will reportedly promote Jameer Nelson to executive vice president of basketball operations, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Philadelphia 76ers are promoting assistant general manager Jameer Nelson to the team's Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations under new President Mike Gansey, making the Philly native and former NBA All-Star the No. 2 executive for the franchise, sources tell ESPN.… pic.twitter.com/BtFGbLAEoa
Nelson was one of four candidates reportedly on Bob Myers’ short list to replace Daryl Morey before the franchise decided to hire Cleveland Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey. Nelson, who previously served as the team’s assistant general manager, was reportedly the only internal candidate under consideration.
Nelson is one of the most decorated local players in history. The Chester native attended Chester High before heading to Hawk Hill to play for St. Joe’s. Nelson had one of the finest college careers of any Big 5 player. A fantastic four-year run culminated in a magical 2003-04 season in which the Hawks went 27-0 during the regular season, finishing as the No. 1 team in the country. After a disappointing early exit in the A-10 Tournament, St. Joe’s made it all the way to the Elite Eight, losing a 64-62 heartbreaker to Oklahoma State. Nelson was named the Wooden Award winner as college basketball’s top player among a slew of accolades.
The 6-foot guard was selected 20th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2004, but was immediately traded to the Magic. Nelson then spent the next decade in Orlando and was named an All-Star in 2008-09. All told, he spent 14 years in the NBA playing for the Magic, Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons before retiring in 2018.
Not long after his playing career ended, he was tapped by the Sixers to be the assistant general manager of the Delaware Blue Coats, the team’s G League affiliate, in 2020. He was promoted to GM in 2023-24 and was promoted again this past season as assistant general manager of the Sixers. All indications were Nelson was well-thought of within the organization and would’ve held a big role moving forward, even if he wasn’t named president of basketball operations.
The announcement of Nelson’s expected promotion also coincided with the news of Elton Brand’s fate. Charania has reported that Brand will not return as Sixers GM, and will work in a new role with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Charania added that Brand chose not to interview for the president of basketball ops position and has been supporting the team’s draft preparation.
Sources said Elton Brand will not return as 76ers GM and is currently working through a new role with the franchise and its parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Brand, well-respected throughout the 76ers’ organization, elected not to interview for the President… https://t.co/PswC6kBOxR
In Myers, Gansey and Nelson, the Sixers have a triumvirate of former high-level basketball players leading things — a stark departure from the analytics-driven Daryl Morey. We’ll see if it’s a recipe for success.
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 01: Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Thomas Eshelman (73) itches the ball during the Baltimore Orioles versus the Toronto Blue Jays game on October 01, 2021, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In the first of three offseason coaching moves, TCU baseball announced it has hired Thomas Eshelman, a former Cal State Fullerton and Baltimore Orioles pitcher, as the program’s next pitching coach. Eshelman, who joined the Orioles as an upper-level pitching coordinator in February, was recruited to Cal State Fullerton when TCU head coach Kirk Saarloos was the team’s pitching coach. Prior to joining the Orioles, Eshelman spent four seasons with the San Diego Padres, serving as pitching coach for Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2023 before moving up to High-A Fort Wayne in 2024. Eshelman replaces Dave Lawn, who has retired from the TCU staff.
A second-round draft pick in 2015 by the Houston Astros, Eshelman played at Cal State Fullerton for three years. The right-hander started 47 games and posted a 27-10 record with 11 complete games and four shutouts. In 352.1 innings pitched, Eshelman struck out 303 batters and allowed only 17 walks while holding opponents to a .210 batting average. He set the Cal State Fullerton career record with a 1.65 career ERA and his 0.43 walks per nine inning were an NCAA record. He was a three-time All-American and a three-time All-Big West Conference pick.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 02: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite not actually playing a game yesterday, there was still a flurry of activity around the Yankees, with catcher Austin Wells moved to the IL and recent Triple-A optionee J.C. Escarra brought back up as his replacement. The intrigue continues in today’s contest with the Red Sox, as we’ll see if Cam Schlittler is able to make some adjustments after two pretty underwhelming starts.
On Tuesday against Cleveland, Cam didn’t make it out of the fifth inning for the first time all season, tagged for four earned runs and just three strikeouts in 4.1 innings. The previous start down in Kansas City was fine from a line perspective—six innings and one earned run against—but his stuff, particularly that all-important four-seam fastball, has looked a little off for a bit. I am not going to use the I-word because boy this team is going through it, so let’s just all hope that the problem was mechanical or maybe some kind of focus issue.
I do think—and may delve into this further in a full post—Cam’s fastball-heavy, in-zone approach is a little less effective against contact-heavy teams, and both KC and the Guardians are in the bottom third in baseball in strikeout rate. Two occurrences raises an eyebrow, three is a trend, and the Red Sox are almost exactly the major-league median in strikeout rate. If Cam’s back to his regular, best-in-the-AL self today, maybe that says something about this pet theory. To the rest of the staff, I hold dibs on this as a research note.
Meanwhile, free agent signee Ranger Suárez goes for the Red Sox, and while they might not be ecstatic about their five-year, $130 million signing so far, he hasn’t been a dud. A 3.38 ERA and 3.13 FIP places him comfortably in the very good but not elite tier of starters, although his 2-3 record and average of less than 5.1 innings a start kinda makes you want a little more from the guy brought in to be your No. 2.
Ali Sánchez makes his Yankee debut behind the plate today, Amed Rosario hits cleanup, and Spencer Jones is once again on the bench with the lefty Suárez on the bump.
We are blessed with a matinee, and although it’s been a while since the indeterminable 17-hour long Sunday Night Baseball affairs, I’m still glad we don’t have the possibility of one today.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — The Bronx, NY
First pitch: 1:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES (NYY), NESN (BOS)
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), WEEI 93.7, WESX 1230 AM (SP), WCCM 1490 AM (SP) (BOS)
McDavid was announced as the winner of the Ted Lindsay Award. Fellow players vote on the award for "the most outstanding player in the NHL."
He beat out the San Jose Sharks' Macklin Celebrini and Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov. The NHL Players' Association doesn't release vote totals.
McDavid is also a finalist for the Hart Trophy, the MVP award voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The winner will be announced later.
McDavid won the Ted Lindsay Award for the fifth time, tying Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for most times. It was known as the Lester B. Pearson Award when Gretzky won it.
Why Connor McDavid won Ted Lindsay Award
He led the NHL with 138 points in 82 games to earn his sixth career Art Ross Trophy, tied for the second-most in league history. He recorded his eighth season of 70 or more assists. He helped the Oilers reach the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
Connor McDavid surprised with Ted Lindsay Award
The NHL has stopped holding the annual awards show, so the recipients are surprised with the trophies in unexpected settings.
McDavid was golfing when he received the award. His parents, wife and friends were there.
“This award, coming from the guys that you play against every single night and battle against every single night, to have them recognize me with an award like this, means so much," McDavid said.
Other NHL awards winners
Vezina Trophy (goaltender): Tampa Bay Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy
Norris Trophy (defenseman): Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski
Calder Trophy (rookie): New York Islanders' Matthew Schaefer
Jack Adams Award (coach): Lightning's Jon Cooper
Selke Trophy (defensive forward): Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki
Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship): Canadiens' Cole Caufield
Alexander Zverev finally secured his first grand slam title with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 victory over Flavio Cobolli
Our players, in the locker room together, are ready … and here comes Cobolli. This is the biggest moment of his life: he’ll never have experienced anything like this.
Five weeks ago, Cobolli beat Zverev 3 and 3 in the semis at Munich. It’s true that, subsequently, the outcome was reversed in Madrid, but that was on a much faster court than Chatrier – which is more similar to the one in Germany.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 06: Dominic Smith #8 of the Atlanta Braves reacts to a two run home run with Matt Olson #28 in the fifth inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good afternoon, folks! How’s the first week of June treating you?
So far, so good for the Braves. Having been to three (3) games this week, I can confirm it’s getting to be hot and humid in a way that home run balls particularly like. To my inexpert eye in the upper deck, it looked like Austin Wynns was having a rough time acclimating to the weather. Worry not, sir – Drake Baldwin is tracking to return this month, potentially next homestand.
A fun fact from the game notes: after yesterday’s win, Atlanta’s improvement to 23 games over .500 is a new high-water mark. The last time the club was this far over .500 was at the end of the historic 2023 season, where the team finished 46 games over .500.
ICYMI: This week on Battery Power
Pitching preview for Bryce Elder vs. Bubba Chandler (Pirates announced Mason Montgomery as the starter/opener around 10:30 am ET)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“You’re gonna have a dude. You have to have a 1A dude. And they’re missing that.He too small.
“I have a philosophy: If your best player is small, you’re not winning. John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, you can go down the list… Steph Curry is the only—he’s in a different class.” — Becky Hammon (Dec. 2023)
Sometimes, revisionist history sucks. Sometimes, revisionist history is facts.
And these days, having just wrapped up the first week of the sixth month in the Gregorian calendar, facts tell you Mrs. Hammon—or at the very least her take on New York Knicks point guard, captain, and franchise player Jalen Brunson—sucks.
Jalen Brunson wins the Eastern Conference Finals MVP 🏆🔥
I’m not here to retell the whole Brunson story once more—from Rick, to Mark Cuban by way of Dallas, to the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award and the current NBA Finals 2-0 lead.
We’re past that. Way past that.
See, life’s a thing of highs and lows. Brunson, in the eyes of any and every New Yorker and Knickerbocker fan, is a franchise savior. But past miseries surely played in the big-headed’s favor.
By the time Brunson arrived in Manhattan, thanks both to his connection to the Knicks organization—one that started nearly 25 years earlier—and a rekindled relationship in the summer of 2022, New York had gone through their fair share of wretchedness.
Seven trips to the playoffs in the prior 23 years, starting in 2000 and following a five-game NBA Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. 19 postseason wins to 33 losses. 771 regular-season wins to 1,073 losses. Six seasons above .500 to 17 with a losing record.
In the four seasons under Brunson’s guidance at the point, the Knicks have won 61.2% of their regular-season games, advanced to the conference semis twice, made the conference finals two more times and, in this the fourth year of the JB Era, finally clinched the long-chased NBA Finals berth.
Only the 94-98 Knicks and the 71-74 Knicks have put together better runs than the current Knicks. Only the latter won one title. The 2026 Knicks could match that following Brunson’s four-year run in town.
All of the above to get to the point of the article before it’s too late and I found myself having written more words about stuff unrelated to it than the actual thing.
Where does Brunson rank among New York’s all-time guards?
It’s inevitable to fall for the sugar rush these Knicks are giving us, considering Brunson the one and only man in history to save the franchise from relocating out of utter dysfunction, and crown him King Knicks Guard. Hell, even FanDuelstill considers JB the favorite candidate to end up winning the NBA Finals MVP at +115 over the actual, leading MVP candidate in everybody’s mind and boxscores, Karl-Anthony Towns at +165.
Even if the Knicks end up bottling this thing and losing the Finals in hellaciously historic and astonishing fashion (spoiler: not happening), Brunson has already secured his place as one of the bona fide Knicks greats. Do a quick search, and you’ll find a million boards. Here’s one from KD’s platform, just to make the post fancier.
As things stand, there is no debate in placing at least two or three names above Brunson in the all-time leaderboard—it is obvious that nobody is touching Patrick Ewing or Clyde for starters. Keywords: As things stand.
In a matter of days, likely no later than Wednesday night, Brunson will write his name in golden letters in the history books of the New York Knicks organization.
How many players can actually say that? Not a lot. How many of them played an important role at the guard positions for the Knickerbockers while at it? Fewer, if not just a handful.
There are plenty of ways to cut straight to the chase and get rid of plenty of no-names, as great as some of them might have been. Quickest pathway? Knicks’ retired numbers, a graveyard where Brunson’s No. 11 is already destined.
That’s it, that’s the list (with the omission of coach Holzman’s No. 613).
Within that list, Frazier, Dick Barnett, Dirk McGuire, and Earl Monroe played guard throughout their careers.
No. 1 — Walt “Clyde” Frazier
Frazier spent 10 seasons with the Knicks, made seven All-Star teams, earned seven All-Defensive First Team selections, won two NBA championships for New York and ultimately made the Hall of Fame. Not only that, but he even had a game worth replaying forever in his Game 7 performance in the 1970 NBA Finals, when he put up an extraordinary 36-point, 19-assist, seven-rebound performance to send the Los Angeles Lakers packing. No debate here.
No. 2 — Earl “The Pearl” Monroe
Monroe is probably where the debate starts, as silly as that sounds. For now (now meaning before Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals), The Pearl remains ahead. Monroe came to New York already established as one of the league’s great guards, and he simply took his game further in Manhattan, helping the Knicks win their 1973 title. He made four All-Star teams in his career, earned a place in the Hall of Fame, and started his career by being named the 1968 Rookie of the Year. That said, he didn’t rack up trophies as Clyde did, with no real personal awards in his resume.
No. 3 — Jalen “Captain Clutch” Brunson
Consider this placement just a stopgap toward greater heights, fellas. Brunson has already led the Knicks to the NBA Finals, he’s won multiple playoff series as the franchise’s No. 1 player and offensive engine, and once and for all put an end to the long and nonsensical drought at the point guard position in New York. Yes, Brunson is not really a man for awards outside of new-era crafted titles such as Cluth Player of the Year and all this flashy stuff, but he’s already earned three All-NBA call-ups and has won something no other lead guard in NYC ever did: the NBA Cup (lol). Anyway. Two more wins this month, and I’m moving JB up to No. 2, with all due respect to the elders and path-pavers.
No. 4 and 5 — Dick Barnett & Dick McGuire
McGuire, at the very least, belongs in the conversation, having made five All-Star teams as a Knick and later joining the Hall of Fame.
The same goes for Barnett, who was more of a taker than a giver and a legit shooter more than he ever was a passer. Even then, he was a guard and he makes the top-5 cut. An All-Star nod and two titles in his resume (he only played four games in the 1973 run, though) and his near-17 PPG only second to Willis Reed’s 24 in the 1970 playoffs, are more than enough.
The Rest — Mark Jackson, Michael Ray Richardson, Derek Harper, Charlie Ward, Stephon Marbury
Action Jackson won Rookie of the Year with the Knicks in 1988, made the All-Star team in 1989, and led the league in assists later in his career. Sugar Ray made three All-Star teams with New York and led the NBA in assists and steals in 1979-80. Harper helped steady the 1990s Knicks and started on the 1994 NBA Finals team. C-Ward won the 1994 Heisman Trophy before becoming a long-term Knicks starter and part of the 1999 Finals team. Starbury stole my heart from the get-go. That’s it, that’s the reasoning there—always remember the tough days.
Where do you rank Jalen Brunson among all-time Knicks guards? Is he already a top-3 all-time Knicks, no positions considered? Let us know in the comments section below!
The San Francisco Giants (26-39) play the Chicago Cubs (34-31) in the finale of their three-game series. The teams split the first two games. The Cubs are favored with a -120 moneyline compared to the San Francisco Giants' +100. Starting pitchers are scheduled to be Trevor McDonald for San Francisco (4.50 ERA) and Jameson Taillon for Chicago (5.13 ERA).
How to watch San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs
The Los Angeles Angels (24-41) will try to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers (42-23). The Dodgers won the series’ first two games 1-0 and 9-2. The Dodgers are favored with a -211 moneyline compared to the Los Angeles Angels' +175. Scheduled starting pitchers are José Soriano for the Angels, with a 2.72 ERA, and Emmet Sheehan for the Dodgers, with a 4.50 ERA.
How to watch Los Angeles Angels vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: Sunday, June 7
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. PT
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
TV Channels: SportsNet LA, ABTV, presented by Pechanga Resort Casino, KCOP 13
The New York Mets I28-36) take on the San Diego Padres, who are second in the NL West at 33-30. The game is essentially a pick'em, with San Diego at -110 and New York at -109. Starting pitchers are Huascar Brazobán for the Mets, with a 2.25 ERA, and Randy Vásquez for the Padres, with a 3.31 ERA.
How to watch New York Mets vs. San Diego Padres
Date: Sunday, June 7
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. PT
Where: PETCO Park, San Diego, CA
TV Channels: Padres.TV Presented by UC San Diego Health, SNY
