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Giro d’Italia: Ayuso pounces for first Grand Tour stage as Roglic takes pink

  • Spanish rider wins stage seven after first summit finish
  • Roglic has pink jersey after late charge to take fourth spot

Primoz Roglic pulled on the pink jersey after stage seven of the Giro d’Italia but Juan Ayuso underlined his credentials as his main challenger by snatching victory in Tagliacozzo, in central Italy.

Ayuso (UAE-Team Emirates) had the power to break clear from a select group of favourites in the final few hundred metres of the 12km climb to the finish. His Mexican teammate Isaac Del Toro came second.

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The matchups, schedule and how to watch the NBA conference finals

The matchups, schedule and how to watch the NBA conference finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The NBA‘s final four is set.

The No. 3 New York Knicks will take on the No. 4 Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA playoffs, while the No. 1 overall-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves will battle in the Western Conference Finals.

This is the second straight postseason that Indiana and Minnesota, two title-less franchises, have reached the conference finals. Meanwhile, New York is making its first appearance in the round since 2000 and OKC its first appearance since 2016.

The East Finals feature a rematch from the second round of last year’s playoffs when the Pacers overcame a 3-2 series deficit against the Knicks, winning Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Indiana rolled through the first two rounds of this postseason, bouncing both the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.

Tyrese Haliburton and Co. now look to book the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, and just second overall. Indiana has lost eight of its nine conference final series.

The Knicks got past the No. 6 Detroit Pistons in a highly competitive six-game series before beating the defending champion No. 2 Boston Celtics. Jalen Brunson and Co. jumped out to a 3-1 series lead as Boston lost star Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles late in Game 4. The Knicks closed out the series with a Game 6 rout, moving them another step closer to their first championship since all the way back in 1973.

While the East’s top two seeds have been eliminated, the NBA-best Thunder are still standing. After sweeping the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies, OKC was put to the test in Round 2. A showdown of the top two MVP candidates in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic went to the distance, with the Thunder taking the decisive Game 7 over the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in blowout fashion. The Thunder haven’t won a title since relocating to OKC, with the franchise’s lone championship coming in 1979.

Anthony Edwards and the Wolves, like Indiana, needed just five games to win their two playoff series, taking down the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers and the No. 7 Golden State Warriors, who lost Steph Curry to a hamstring injury in Game 1. Minnesota has never made the NBA Finals as it makes a third-ever conference final appearance.

So, when will the conference finals tip off and what’s the schedule? Here’s what to know:

What are the NBA Eastern, Western Conference Final matchups?

  • Eastern Conference Finals: No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 3 Knicks
  • Western Conference Finals: No. 6 Timberwolves vs. No. 1 Thunder

Who has home-court advantage in the Eastern, Western Conference Finals?

Home-court advantage goes to the higher-seeded team, which means the Pacers and Wolves will both start the conference finals on the road.

When do the NBA Eastern, Western Conference Finals start?

The West Finals begin Tuesday, May 20, followed by the East Finals on Wednesday, May 21.

What is the Thunder vs. Wolves Western Conference Finals schedule?

  • Game 1: Wolves at Thunder — Tuesday, May 20, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Wolves at Thunder — Thursday, May 22, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 3: Thunder at Wolves — Saturday, May 24, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 4: Thunder at Wolves — Monday, May 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Wolves at Thunder — Wednesday, May 28, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Thunder at Wolves — Friday, May 30, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 7 (if necessary): Wolves at Thunder — Sunday, June 1, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

Where to watch, stream the Thunder vs. Wolves Western Conference Finals

The West Finals will air across ESPN and ABC. Games will be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

What is the Knicks vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Finals schedule?

  • Game 1: Pacers atKnicks — Wednesday, May 21, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Pacers at Knicks — Friday, May 23, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Knicks at Pacers — Sunday, May 25, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 4: Knicks at Pacers — Tuesday, May 27, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5 (if necessary): Pacers at Knicks — Thursday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 6 (if necessary): Knicks at Pacers — Saturday, May 31, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 7 (if necessary): Pacers at Knicks — Monday, June 2, 8 p.m. ET, TNT

Where to watch, stream the Knicks vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Finals

TNT will broadcast the East Finals, which can also be streamed on TNTDrama.com and the TNT app.

When do the 2025 NBA Finals start?

The NBA Finals will tip off Thursday, June 5, with a potential Game 7 slated for Sunday, June 22.

Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on May 16.

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Where do Warriors go from here? Think role players over stars, Kuminga sign-and-trade

After the All-Star break, the Warriors were 20-7 (second-best record in the West), with the best defense in the NBA and the seventh-best offense. They advanced out of the play-in thanks to Stephen Curry.

After that, the Warriors impressed beating a young and athletic Houston team in seven games in the first round, and were up 1-0 in the second round after winning at Minnesota…

Then Stephen Curry strained his hamstring.

Steve Kerr said Curry's injury "changed everything."

"I know we had a shot. I know we could have gone the distance," Kerr said. "Maybe we wouldn't have, but it doesn't matter. Again, everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot."

After Curry's injury, the Warriors dropped four in a row, a reminder of the thin margins in the West as well as the thin margins for this Warriors roster. Golden State still want to chase a ring while they have Curry as a top-10 player in the league, and with Jimmy Butler locked up on an extension, but where do the Warriors go from here?

Chase another star? Probably not.

Kevin Durant didn't want an encore in the Bay Area, but considering the history of owner Joe Lacob, would the Warriors focus on landing another superstar? We’re looking at you, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Don't bet on it. As Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II wrote at The Athletic:

"There are no early indications that the Warriors will be at the front of the line of the yet-to-materialize Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, league sources said. As they enter the summer, team sources said, the internal plan and conversation is about how to best reform the role players around the Curry and Butler duo, not chase another star."

Many people around the league took a lesson from what has transpired in Phoenix and thought that three elite stars with not much around them is not a path to success. Golden State may be one of them.

The Warriors are not planning a major shake-up, but they are looking for changes.

Sign-and-trade Kuminga

The biggest trade chip the Warriors head into this summer with is Jonathan Kuminga, who averaged 15.3 points a game this season (in 47 games), showed he can get buckets at an NBA level, but has always seemed to be in Kerr's dog house.

However, Kuminga has always had a backer in Lacob – and it's good to have the owner in your corner. Lacob spoke to The Athletic about him.

"I was listening to the guys behind me tonight give running commentary — T-Wolves fans," Lacob told The Athletic. "(Kuminga) 's the guy they talked about all night long. He's the only guy that could really guard (Anthony Edwards) out there. Did a pretty damn good job. He had a tough situation with the DNPs from the last series, and to bounce back from that, I give him a lot of credit. I'm a big fan of his."

Kuminga is a restricted free agent this summer (once the Warriors extend his $7.9 million qualifying offer) and the expectation is the team will help him find a new home via a sign-and-trade. Kuminga is reportedly seeking a deal in the four-year, $120 million range ($30 million a season) but whether that is out there for him remains to be seen.

What would the Warriors want back in such a trade?

Find a center, more size, shooting

The Warriors' core is getting old: Curry is 37, Green is 35, and Butler will be 36 when next season starts. To keep that core healthy through the grind of another marathon NBA season, the Warriors are looking for a traditional center to help in the paint, more positional size and athleticism across the board, and, of course, more shooting. The challenge will be doing that while staying below the second apron of the luxury tax (the Warriors are going to be paying the tax — the repeater tax at that — but that's the price of having Curry and Butler making north of $50 million next season (and Green at $25.9 million).

There are good role players already on the roster: Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post among them. Look for the Warriors to try and re-sign free agent Gary Payton II, who is one of their better perimeter defenders.

However, to be a title threat again, the Warriors need something they had at the start of the Curry-era title runs: A high-level defensive center. Andrew Bogut in the paint was critical for the Warriors' first title, and while everyone remembers Green's suspension as a turning point in the blown 3-1 NBA Finals lead in 2016, Bogut being injured and out for the final couple of games was equally as critical.

The Warriors need a modern defensive center. The challenge is that they are not alone in seeking that kind of big man, even within their own division, which could drive up the price.

The Warriors, like 29 other teams, also would love more consistent shooting on the perimeter.

Whatever moves the Warriors make this summer, the target is to win now and try to get Curry one more ring (and Butler his first). Easier said than done in the West, but the Warriors believe they have the team… with just a few tweaks. And some health.

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White Sox acquire right-hander Miguel Castro in a trade with the Astros

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox acquired right-hander Miguel Castro in a trade with the Houston Astros on Friday.

Castro and infielder Vinny Capra were added to the roster before the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Capra was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee on Thursday.

To make room on the roster, the White Sox optioned left-hander Jared Shuster to Triple-A Charlotte, and infielder Jacob Amaya was designated for assignment.

The White Sox traded international signing bonus pool money to Houston for Castro, who signed a minor league deal with the Astros on Dec. 29.

The 30-year-old Castro went 3-0 with five saves and a 2.29 ERA in 17 relief appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land this season.

Castro broke into the big leagues with Toronto in 2015. He is 22-28 with a 4.20 ERA in 419 major league games, also playing for Baltimore, Arizona, Colorado and both New York teams.

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Yankees’ Oswaldo Cabrera grateful for support after gruesome ankle injury, vows to return ‘even stronger’

The road to recovery has officially begun for Oswaldo Cabrera. 

The Yankees utility infielder shared in a message on social media that he has undergone successful surgery to fix a fractured left ankle he suffered late in Monday’s series opening victory over the Mariners. 

Cabrera, who flew back to New York for the procedure earlier this week, took some time to thank family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their kind words and support over the past couple of days.

While there’s still no timeline for his return, the youngster vows to be back stronger than ever.

“Today, after a successful surgery with an excellent medical team and God, with my parents, my fiancée, and my agent, my heart full of love, I want to THANK YOU ALL,” Cabrera wrote. “Thank you for worrying about me, thank you for every message, for keeping me in your prayers, for making me feel so supported. This is something my family and I will never forget!

“My return to the field begins today. Thanks to you, I feel more motivated than ever. With the strength I’ve always had and all of this beautiful energy that all of you give me, I tell you that I will return, and I will return even stronger to continue giving my best every day. I LOVE U ALL.”

Captain Aaron Judge and shortstop Anthony Volpe were among numerous members of the organization who went to visit Cabrera in the hospital immediately following Monday’s contest.

Prior to the injury, the 26-year-old Venezuelan infielder had been receiving some of the most consistent playing time of his career -- starting 30 of the first 41 games of the season at the hot corner. 

He hit .243 with a homer, four doubles, and 11 RBI over that span.

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Canadiens: A Potential Target As A Second Center

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Nick Suzuki has now proved he can be a legitimate first center on an NHL team, but the Montreal Canadiens still need to find a real second-line center. Kent Hughes has tried to address the issue a couple of times with the acquisition of Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, but neither showed up to the task.

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Perhaps Dach could have done it had he stayed healthy, but given how the Canadiens are progressing, the GM cannot afford to wait and see anymore. His young core has shown it’s ready to take the next step, and having a real second-line would go a long way towards achieving that.

One particular pending unrestricted free agent would be an excellent option: Sam Bennett. The 28-year-old former fourth overall pick by the Calgary Flames has been a significant part of the Florida Panthers' success in recent years.

While he has never scored more than 51 points in the regular season, he shines brightly in the playoffs. His last three postseasons are proof of just how clutch he can be. In 2022-23, he put up 15 points in 20 games, then 14 points in 19 duels in 2023-24, and nine points in 10 games this year.

It’s not just the points; it’s the attitude, the sandpaper, and the intimidation factor. The six-foot-one and 193-pound center plays a big game and, sometimes, a game that toes the line. Remember that discreet hit to Anthony Stolarz’s head that went unnoticed by the referees? Like it or not, it was a turning point in the series.

And what about that brawl at the 4 Nations Face-Off with Brady Tkachuk? Bennet is a hard-nosed player who can get very physical but is still talented enough to exploit his winger’s potential fully, see what he has done with Carter Verhaeghe. Something tells me he could work wonders with Patrick Laine and Ivan Demidov.

As things stand, Bennet is in the last year of a four-season pact with a $ 4,425,000 cap hit. Undoubtedly, he’ll be due for a raise, but that raise won’t be as high as a point-per-game player raise. Some players get you to the playoffs, like Laine, according to Hughes, but some players allow you to be successful in the postseason, and Bennett is one of those.

As a soon-to-be 29-year-old, he’s not exactly young, and there’s a chance that he might not be as efficient in the later years of a long-term contract, but if his performances in the early years allowed the Canadiens to reach new heights, wouldn’t it be worth it?

Enticing free agents to come to Montreal hasn’t been easy, but now Hughes has a few new cards in his hand, a team that’s ready to take the next step, a respected coach who’s a Jack Adams Trophy nominee and Bennett has seen the Montreal crowd at its best at the Four Nations Face-Off.

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

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New May 13 And 14 HUT Content In NHL 25

EA SPORTS NHL 25 

New Closers, Game Breakers, HUT Champs, and Team of the Week cards were added this week in NHL 25 Hockey Ultimate Team. 

The Game Breakers cards can be acquired by completing related sets and objectives or purchasing packs in the HUT Store. All of the new Game Breakers are NHL Alumni, led by 96 overall Peter Forsberg and Jeremy Roenick, 94 overall Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and 93 overall Patrick Roy and Nicklas Lidstrom. 

The Closers cards celebrate great performances from the end of the NHL season, round one, and PWHL round one. 

The rewards for winning ten games or finishing top 100 in HUT Champs is a 93 or 94 overall Ryan Whitney. 

This week's featured TOTW card is 94 overall Filip Hronek. 

All new cards are in the video above. 

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.   

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Shohei Ohtani strikes out against Athletics’ position player

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani had quite a game on his bobblehead night. Two home runs, six runs.

Then Jhonny Pereda struck him out.

The Athletics’ backup catcher faced Ohtani in the eighth inning.

Pereda gave up three straight hits against the bottom of the Dodgers’ order. With Los Angeles leading 17-2, Ohtani came up with a chance to pile on.

Pereda’s first four pitches to the Japanese superstar were between 62 and 68 mph. Ohtani took a called first strike and later fouled off another pitch.

Then Perada threw an 89-mph fastball.

Ohtani’s foul tip was caught and one of the major leagues’ homer leaders went down swinging.

“He struck out against a position player, how about that?” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Perada kept the ball as a souvenir.

Miguel Rojas came up next and used Ohtani’s bat to get a RBI single.

“It’s kind of like, `Hey, I’ll show you how it’s done,’” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said, smiling.

The Dodgers beat the A’s 19-2.

Ohtani has homered on three of his four bobblehead nights as a Dodger. He hit a walk-off homer on his previous bobblehead night April 2.

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Jayson Tatum’s ‘Superman’ Ad Ends $500K Run After Achilles Injury

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rupture forced a quick Hollywood pivot.

An ad promoting the July 11 release of Superman made its debut last week starring the 27-year-old All-NBA player, who rips away a button-down shirt to reveal a red and yellow S on his chest after the titular hero takes the day off and numerous voices ask, “Who’s going to sub in for Superman?”

A follow-up spot explains Clark Kent was shirking his duties to watch the NBA playoffs. 

The commercials were already receiving mixed reactions online, given they landed as Boston faced a 2-0 deficit in a second-round series with the New York Knicks. Now, they’re gone. The campaign has been indefinitely suspended following Tatum’s long-term injury, according to a person familiar with the decision.

From its first appearance on May 5 until its last running during an Around the Horn airing on ESPNEWS Wednesday, the ad received 37 million impressions across 185 showings for an estimated media value of $495,000, according to iSpot.

Movie-hoops crossovers have become a common tentpole of the NBA playoffs as they lead into summer blockbuster season, though Tatum’s injury exposes the risks of tying the ads to a single star. It’s not uncommon for such spots to be pulled following serious injuries. On Wednesday, Warner Bros. Discovery released a new Superman trailer for the movie as part of the company’s annual to pitch to advertisers. That spot—which ran during Inside the NBA on TNT later that day—will likely carry a heavy load over the coming weeks. Superhero movies reportedly cost up to $200 million to create, with marketing spends extending beyond $100 million as well. 

Warner Bros. Discovery head David Zaslav “has really rallied the entire company behind Superman for this summer,” DC Studios co-chairman Peter Safran told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year.

WBD declined to comment. Tatum’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment by press time. 

Tatum’s WBD tie-up included cooperation from Nike, which produced a pair of Superman-themed kicks for Tatum to wear at the beginning of his playoffs run. 

His injury will likely limit his ascent among the NBA’s highest paid players as well. He earned roughly $14 million in endorsements in 2024, according to Sportico’s calculations, good for 11th among NBA players and 14th among all American athletes. Tatum will still earn $54.1 million from the Celtics next season, though he has previously said that he saves the entirety of his NBA contract proceeds while spending only what he brings in off-the-court, as part of a deal with his mother. Beyond Nike, Tatum has been seen representing Gatorade, Google, and Subway. 

Now it appears someone else will have to fill Superman’s shoes, both on the court and on the promotional tour. 

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Anaheim Ducks Prospect Spotlight: Sennecke's Season Comes to an End in OHL Championship

Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Beckett Sennecke is selected with the 3rd overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Anaheim Ducks top prospect Beckett Sennecke saw his 2024-25 season come to an end on Thursday, losing at the hands of the London Knights in the OHL Championship series, which ended in five games (4-1).

Sennecke (19) scored 32 (14-18=32) points in 18 playoff games for the Oshawa Generals during their run to the OHL final, including five points (2-3=5) in five games against the Knights.

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He totaled 86 (36-50=86) points in 56 regular season games for the Generals, an impressive 1.54 points per game, which he upped in the playoffs to 1.78. He was the OHL’s fourth-leading scorer in the playoffs, behind teammates Colby Barlow and Luca Marreli and Knights forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan.

Surprisingly, the Generals gave the Knights their toughest competition in any of their best-of-seven series, taking them to a game five. The Knights finished their run going 16-1 in the playoffs. They had the advantage in firepower over Oshawa, icing 12 NHL draft picks compared to the Generals’ seven.

Through the first three rounds, Sennecke, mostly on a line with Barlow and Calumn Ritchie, dominated, scoring 27 points in 13 games. He missed the final two games of round one and the first game of round two with an undisclosed injury after crashing into the end boards following a goal in game four of the Generals’ round one matchup against the Brampton Steelheads.

He was relatively neutralized in the Championship series, despite tallying five points. Knights head coach Dale Hunter hard-matched his top pair of Oliver Bonk and Sam Dickinson against Sennecke any time he could.

Sennecke was only able to unleash his brand of creative, skillful, and tenacious hockey in flashes against London, who practically operate as an NHL organization would on the ice, valuing attention to detail and playing a man-to-man defensive zone coverage scheme.

Dickinson especially gave Sennecke fits, mirroring his movements, closing gaps, and disrupting pass and dangle attempts with a smart stick. Dickinson was the victim of what could have been the CHL goal of the year back in early December, when Sennecke displayed one of the most skillful and creative moves in recent memory. Dickinson, however, got the last laugh.

In the deciding game five, Sennecke had a couple of effort lapses on London’s first and third goals that he’ll have to iron out if he’s to compete at the highest levels of the sport. His loss of coverage in the defensive zone directly led to what ultimately became London’s game-winning goal.

Sennecke’s future is somewhat up in the air at this point as far as where he’ll play in 2025-26. His production and nightly domination indicate he’s surpassed the skill level of the CHL, but his age dictates he’s ineligible to play in the AHL. His options are to either play in the NHL or again in the CHL next season.

Several CHL players are making the jump to the NCAA next season. Still, deductive reasoning suggests Sennecke will be unable to join them as he’s already signed his entry-level contract with the Ducks.

It will be one of the more interesting situations to monitor within the Ducks organization through training camp in Sept, as the goal for the NHL club is to make the playoffs and leave the rebuild in the rearview mirror.

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NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On The Maple Leafs, Golden Knights And Avalanche

Mitch Marner (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

A crushing 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of their second-round series has the Toronto Maple Leafs facing elimination on Friday. 

Some pundits aren't wasting time speculating about what another early post-season exit will mean for the Leafs.

Following Game 5, The Athletic's Chris Johnston suggested the “Core Four” era of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares could be ending. Marner and Tavares are UFA-eligible on July 1 and might not be re-signed if the Panthers eliminate the Leafs.

Johnston thinks Marner could prefer a fresh start after years of criticism for the Leafs' playoff shortcomings. He also cited the 28-year-old right winger's unwillingness to negotiate an extension during the season and the club's request that he waive his no-movement clause at the trade deadline. 

Tavares must accept a significant pay cut from his current $11-million cap hit to remain a Leaf. However, management could prefer investing that money in younger talent rather than a 34-year-old center whose best years are behind him.

Meanwhile, Johnston's colleague Jesse Granger wondered if the Vegas Golden Knights' Stanley Cup window was closing following their second-round elimination by the Edmonton Oilers. 

Granger noted that most of the Golden Knights' core players are 28 or older, including Jack Eichel, Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore, William Karlsson, Noah Hanifin, Tomas Hertl and captain Mark Stone.

With $10.5 million in projected cap space next season, the Golden Knights have the room to re-sign pending UFAs like Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad and Victor Olofsson. Granger speculated they could use those cap dollars to add a scoring winger like Marner, Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers or Vancouver's Brock Boeser if those forwards test the UFA market on July 1.

Golden Knights' management also has a well-earned reputation for being ruthless while making big moves, even cutting ties with established stars. 

Theodore has a five-team no-trade list on his current contract and a full no-trade on his upcoming extension. Hertl has a full no-move clause for this season, but it reverts to a modified no-trade clause on July 1. One of them could become a cost-cutting trade candidate if management decides a shakeup is in order. 

If This Was Mitch Marner’s Final Home Game With The Maple Leafs, What A Way To Go OutIf This Was Mitch Marner’s Final Home Game With The Maple Leafs, What A Way To Go OutIf this ends up being Mitch Marner’s last home game as a Toronto Maple Leaf, what a way to go out.

Meanwhile, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now was recently asked about potential moves by the Avalanche this summer.

He believes they could pursue Florida's Sam Bennett if Brock Nelson heads to market on July 1. They could ship out a forward like Ross Colton or Miles Wood or a defenseman like Josh Manson or Samuel Girard to free up cap space for other moves.

Deen also thinks Martin Necas' future with the Avs could get interesting if his contract extension talks don't go well. He's signed for next season with an average annual value of $6.5 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Former Jets Forward Retires From Professional Hockey; Set For New Role With Senators

Winnipeg Jets center Sam Gagner (89) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

Former Winnipeg Jets centre Sam Gagner has retired from professional hockey and will become the director of player development with the Ottawa Senators.

The 35-year-old played 1043 games in the NHL, recording 197 goals and 529 points. Early in his career, Gagner was an effective middle-six centre with a solid two-way game. Later in his career, he transitioned into a defensive centre and became a veteran presence. Gagner spent one season with the Jets, scoring eight goals and 14 points in 48 games during the 2022-23 season as a 33-year-old. 

The former sixth overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft came within a win of his first Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers last season, despite not dressing for any playoff games. He was brought back to Edmonton to be a strong faceoff man and a depth option if the Oilers faced injury problems. 

Throughout his career, Gagner was widely regarded as a great teammate and leader, which makes the move to director of player development seem like the expected next step. As the director of player development, he'll work closely with the top Senators' prospects.

"Sam has had an incredible career as a player, and we look forward to launching his next chapter," Senators general manager and president of hockey operations Steve Staios said in a statement. "A true character individual, Sam has contributed to the success of his organizations, both on and off the ice."

The London, ON., native has all the makings of someone who can continue to climb the ladder of front-office jobs in the NHL.

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Hernández: Hyeseong Kim has arrived, and the Dodgers need to make sure he's here to stay

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 15, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers second base Hyeseong Kim (6) makes a put out against the Athletics at Dodgers Stadium on May 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Hyeseong Kim is batting .429 and has displayed game-changing speed since the Dodgers called him up on May 3. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

His smile has brightened the locker room, his bat has energized a once-impotent segment of the lineup and his speed has transformed their offense.

Hyeseong Kim belongs in the major leagues.

Manager Dave Roberts was asked the other night about the “difficult decision” the Dodgers will have to make on Kim when utilityman Tommy Edman and outfielder Teoscar Hernández return from the injured list in the next couple of weeks, but nothing about this decision should be difficult.

Kim will still belong in the major leagues.

There won’t be enough at-bats for him?

Read more:Shohei Ohtani homers twice, Dalton Rushing has strong debut as Dodgers rout Athletics

The Dodgers have to find them.

He can gain more experience in the minors?

A 26-year-old who played seven-plus seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization before he signed with the Dodgers, Kim isn’t a typical rookie.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said part of the reason catcher Dalton Rushing was called up this week was because of the competition in the National League West?

The same logic should be applied to Kim’s situation.

Make liberal use of the injured list. Release Chris Taylor. Do whatever is necessary for Kim to remain in Los Angeles.

“How he’s playing,” Roberts acknowledged, “certainly helps his case.”

Shohei Ohtani homered twice in a 19-2 victory over the Athletics at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night. Both times, Kim was on base.

Ohtani, who leads off for the Dodgers, drove in only 10 runs in his first 30 games of the season. The bottom of the order wasn’t hitting or drawing walks

In the first 12 games Ohtani played since Kim was called up from triple-A Oklahoma City, Ohtani collected 18 runs batted in.

Kim batted eighth or ninth in each of the eight games he started through Thursday, and he’d already been driven home by Ohtani five times. The only player Ohtani has driven in more this season: Ohtani.

“A lot easier to pitch to Shohei when nobody’s on base,” Roberts said. “Recently, certainly with Kim and his ability to get on base, there’s always traffic.”

Kim entered the Freeway Series opener on Friday batting .429, a pleasant surprise considering he looked completely overmatched at the plate in spring training. His ability to make contact has enhanced his greatest weapon, his legs.

“He’s really talented,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “He can do a lot of really special things that you can’t see from a lot of players.”

That game-changing speed was on display in just his second major league game when he was deployed as a ninth-inning pinch runner with a one-run deficit against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Kim stole second base and reached third on a dropped third strike, positioning him within 90 feet of the tying run. The next two batters struck out and the Dodgers lost the game, but the cameo performance was a preview of what was to come.

In his first 12 major league games, Kim stole three bases and plated nine runs. Three of his first 12 hits were infield hits.

“I tried to figure out what my role is in this organization, and I’m just trying to control what I can control,” Kim said through an interpreter.

Dodgers coaches also believe Kim’s speed has influenced how opponents attack Ohtani. One particular example that was cited was Ohtani’s three-run, ninth-inning home run in a 14-11 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 9.

Kim was on second base and Michael Conforto was on first when Ohtani came to the plate with one out and the score level, 11-11. Walking Ohtani would have moved the go-ahead run to third base, and with Kim’s speed, any ball put in play by the next batter would have likely resulted in a run. Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson pitched to Ohtani, who launched a 1-2 pitch into the stands in right-center.

Read more:Mookie Betts makes A's pay for intentional walk to Shohei Ohtani in Dodgers' win

“With the speed dynamic [of Kim], it creates stress,” Roberts said. “He can steal a base, go first to third. It certainly opens some things up for the top of the order.”

The Dodgers have scored an average of 7.3 runs per game since Kim joined the team. In the process, he’s become a beloved figure in the clubhouse, overcoming a language barrier to form bonds with a wide range of players that includes everyone from Ohtani to Mookie Betts.

“That started in spring training,” Muncy said. “He was there with a couple of us and just immediately fit right in. He likes to have fun. He’s always smiling, he’s always laughing. He’s really fun to have out there.”

With a three-year deal that could be extended by the Dodgers for an additional two seasons, Kim figures to be a part of their future. But he’s already a reason for why they’re clicking now, and the returns of Edman and Hernández shouldn’t change that.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 7 Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for May 18

On Sunday, May 18, the Denver Nuggets (50-32) and Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) are all set to square off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Denver kept its championship hopes alive with a Game 6 home win over the Thunder, 119-107. Nikola Jokic recorded 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists in the win, while Jamal Murray added 25 points and Christian Braun 23.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his first back-to-back 30-plus point games since Games 1 and 2 of the series, but it wasn't enough. The winner of Game 7 will play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.

The Nuggets are currently 24-17 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Thunder have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game details & how to watch Nuggets vs. Thunder live today

  • Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
  • Time: 3:30PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Network/Streaming: ABC / ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Nuggets vs. Thunder

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Nuggets (+241), Thunder (-305)
  • Spread:  Thunder -7.5
  • Over/Under: 212 points

That gives the Nuggets an implied team point total of 104.9, and the Thunder 108.82.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Sunday’s Nuggets vs. Thunder game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Under in Game 7:

"Game 7's are normally tight and after the first round tend to go Under 60% of the time when you go back the last 3, 5, and 10 years. The first and fourth quarters are grinds and role players tend to pass on shots and defer to the stars, so I lean Jokic and SGA Overs, but everything else tends to point toward Unders in Game 7's."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Nuggets & Thunder game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Denver Nuggets at +7.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 212.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Nuggets vs. Thunder on Sunday

  • The Thunder are 2-2 in this series when SGA scores 30-plus points and 4-2 in the playoffs
  • Nikola Jokic has yet to triple-double in the series after three in the first round
  • Denver is 2-4 on the road during the postseason
  • Denver beat the Los Angeles Clippers at home in Game 7 of the first round (120-101)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)