The 2026 NBA playoffs has reached its penultimate stage with the conference finals next up.
Out West, it’s a matchup that’s been highly anticipated for a long, long time. The No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder will battle the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs. Both teams are stacked with depth and quality and are arguably the two best teams in the league. It might just be the real final series.
The Eastern Conference will feature the No. 3 New York Knicks and No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers. New York has been the best in the conference so far, while the Cavaliers are coming off a Game 7 blowout road win over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
So, which matchup combination would be the best for the NBA Finals? Let’s rank the four possibilities from least to most entertaining:
4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
While it’s unique, the winner would likely be too predictable. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Jared McCain and more should be too much for a Cleveland core that is anchored by Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus. Mitchell and Harden are the main players who can create magic, but need to be more consistent. Doing so enough times to take down Oklahoma City in four games…seems too much to ask.
3. San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
A similar scenario likely unfolds here. Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell and more are a tough balance to take down. Cleveland won both battles this season with both matchups in December, but one did not feature Wembanyama. The two teams are different now, and San Antonio theoretically eliminating Oklahoma City should be enough momentum to defeat an inferior Cleveland side — unless Mobley and Allen rise to slow Wembanyama for four wins. It’d also be a new winner from last season regardless of the result.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks
The Knicks take both of the top spots due to being the superior team in their conference. Barring a shock collapse, they should go through vs. Cleveland. So that puts Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, among others, against Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Mitchell, Williams, and Caruso are the key Thunder pieces. The series likely comes down to Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Brunson. The back-to-back MVP should be the preferred victor, which would also make Oklahoma City back-to-back champions.
1. San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
No repeat bid on the line and two of the NBA’s most storied franchises hoping to end title droughts? This arguably is the best matchup. San Antonio’s drought since 2014 is undoubtedly shorter than New York’s wait since 1973. But that makes the stakes even bigger for Brunson and Co. to stamp themselves in the history books. They’d have to do so against a deep Spurs side that is anchored by Wembanyama, who is looking to make his own history at age 22 and in just his third season. San Antonio would also need Fox to stay consistent, but interest in this possibility should be the highest.
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 16: Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) gets high fives after scoring a run during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Los Angeles Angels on May 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Dodgers look to sweep the Angels on Sunday. Roki Sasaki faces Grayson Rodriguez.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) gestures a three with his fingers as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) sinks a three point shot over Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) late in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Despite being one of the league’s very best at it this season, shooting threes still isn’t really Rui Hachimura’s “thing.” In fact, he downright doesn’t like it.
When Rui joined the Lakers, he was known as an efficient mid-range scorer. However, in a league where shots were being pushed to the rim or the 3-point line, a high-volume mid-range scorer would get lost in the void if he didn’t adapt.
It’s hard to understate how impressive Rui’s development has been from range. With the Wizards, he shot just 35.6% from three in his three-and-a-half seasons. In the same span with the Lakers, he’s a 41.5% shooter from range.
The greatest shooting stretch of Rui’s season came in the most recent playoffs when he shot a sizzling 33-58 (56.9%) from range in 10 games. After the Lakers were eliminated, Rui spoke about his shooting and gave a shoutout to a former Lakers assistant coach for his improvement.
“Shout out to coach Phil [Handy],” Rui said. “Phil Handy, he was the one that talked me through a lot of stuff, what I can do to stay in this league. Not only this team, but stay in this league. I can make an impact on this team, especially. The first thing that he talked about is 3-pointers.
“I think that was the biggest thing for me because, honestly, I don’t like shooting threes. That’s not my thing for me. For me, I don’t really like it. But with the team situation, how [head coach] JJ [Redick] coaches, he wants me to shoot a lot of threes. It was a different game for me, but I had to do it. That was the biggest thing that I think changed.”
Left mostly to his own devices in Washington, Rui was 3-point adverse. His 3-point rate — the percentage of his field goal attempts that were threes — was just 23%. In Los Angeles, it has increased each year, peaking at 43.9% during this regular season and 47.5% in the playoffs.
Similarly, in Washington, shots from 10 feet to the 3-point line — or roughly the mid-range area — comprised 32.2% of Rui’s shot diet. With the Lakers, that number has dwindled to 20.1%.
The Lakers actually acquiesced some this season with Rui’s mid-range volume increasing after back-to-back seasons where it was under 17%. Still, he’s predominantly shooting 3-pointers now and is really good at them.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Eric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 15th inning in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Lauer was in a similar position on the depth chart in Toronto, and said after the use of an opener before his April 17 game, “It’s definitely different. To be real blunt, I hate it. I can’t stand it.” More from SportsNet:
“It messes with your pre-game routine,” he said. “We’re creatures of habit. It changes the rhythm and routine. It’s a little harder to time things out…
“You can make it work the best you can. Hopefully, it’s not something that we will continue doing. But that’s above my pay grade.”
It didn’t help that Lauer wasn’t pitching well for the Blue Jays. After a strong 2025 season, this year he struggled with a 6.69 ERA and 5.82 xERA in eight games, including six starts. He struck out 26 and walked 16 in his 36 1/3 innings, with his 11 home runs atop the American League when he was designated for assignment on Monday.
In his eight-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, and Blue Jays, Lauer has a sparkling 2.69 ERA in 15 games, including 13 starts against the Dodgers, with 69 strikeouts and 27 unintentional walks in 77 innings. That includes 5 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances in the 2025 World Series, pitching in Games 1 and 3.
Lauer is making $4.4 million this season after losing his salary arbitration case in the offseason, with about $3.17 million remaining. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
To make room for Lauer on the 40-man roster, pitcher Brusdar Graterol was moved to the 60-day injured list. Graterol, working his way back from 2024 shoulder surgery, pitched in four rehab games for Triple-A Oklahoma City before getting shut down this week after pitching on Tuesday.
Graterol tweeted on Saturday, “Baseball is not easy. But it’s no reason to give up. LFG.”
Baseball is not easy
But it's no reason to give up. LFG
— brusdar graterol (@BrusdarGraterol) May 16, 2026
Tiny Elversberg seal first promotion to Bundesliga
Roma took a huge step towards returning to the Champions League by beating Lazio 2-0 in a feisty derby which finished with both teams down to 10 men, while Napoli won 3-0 at Pisa to secure a top-four spot.
Gianluca Mancini smashed home two headers from corners, one in each half, at the Stadio Olimpico to move Roma up to fourth thanks also to Juventus’s shock 2-0 home defeat by Fiorentina.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 14: The tarp on the field before the Saturday afternoon MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Atlanta Braves on June 14, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In the middle of the sixth inning of a game where the Atlanta Braves were firmly in control of things against the Boston Red Sox, the skies suddenly opened up. First, they were able to play through a bit of hail but once they went out there for the bottom of the sixth inning, the bottom completely fell out and the grounds crew was forced to stop play.
The tarp is going on the field and we are currently in a rain delay. We will provide updates as soon as they are available.
They’re not anticipating this to be a long delay (just one of those pop-up storms) but there’s still a pause in play. We’ll let you in on any updates that may come up soon, so stay tuned.
UPDATE [3:24 p.m. ET]: The tarp is already coming off of the field so I’d imagine that play will resume shortly.
UPDATE [3:33 p.m. ET]: Straight from the Braves TV crew, they’re planning to restart the game at 3:40 p.m. ET.
UPDATE [3:49 p.m ET]: It’s a bit later than expected but the game should be starting shortly after you read this. Let’s see if the Braves can hold on!
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 8: Miles McBride #2, Jalen Brunson #11, Josh Hart #3 and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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
Once upon a time I was a grad student, a Chinese food delivery driver and a New York Jets fan, and therefore poor, hustling and doomed. That year —2004 — the Jets had been good, though. Really quite good, and “good” was a word my father and I avoided like the plague when it came to Gang Green. But we’d both seen enough to know these Jets were not the same old Jets.
It wasn’t just how much they were winning (by Jets standards), but how they looked winning. Shaun Ellis and Jonathan Abraham combined for 20.5 sacks. Curtis Martin was incredible. Santana Moss was the home run threat. Chad Pennington was a good quarterback and a Jet, both at the same time, an event rarer than Big Bangs. By the time they met 15-1 Pittsburgh in the second round I’d told everyone I knew to remember they heard it from me first: the Jets would win.
They didn’t. Doug Brien missed two field goals in the last two minutes that would’ve won the game, sending the Jets to an NFL-record third straight overtime game, a bridge too far.
Today, three graduate programs and many pant sizes later, I am a writer, a Knicks fan and a socialist, and therefore poor, happy and hopeful. This year’s Knicks are the rich man’s ‘04 Jets, with the only kicking they’ve had to deal being them kicking some Hawk and Sixer ass all over the ****ing place. Since then they’ve had over a week to rest, recover, practice, and watch the Cavaliers and Pistons go the full 12 rounds. For a few more precious days, Knicksville is all love and light.
So let’s have fun with it. Say a genie told you you get one very specific wish: what one single play would you want the Knicks to win the title via? To go down in history as the most famous moment in franchise — nay, league history?! A halfcourt heave? A rejection at the rim? Another tedious video review?
Here are my contenders. What are yours?
BREAKAWAY DUNK
Oklahoma City. June. Game 7. Tie game. Thunder have the ball in the dying seconds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beats his man off the dribble, never noticing another defender swoop in for the swipe, go the length of the floor and throw down the title-clinching dunk. Who should it be?
Bear in mind this dunk will be both the greatest moment of your life and a highlight replayed more than any in human history. So for me it comes down to two choices: Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride. Mitch is the longest-tenured Knick and a real rim-rocker given an open runway. To win the title on a Mitch breakaway would be poetic and powerful.
But I gotta go with Deuce. He’s number two on the longevity trip, already a legendary Knick, if not a legendary NBAer, period. How many players have ever heard their name chanted as often as McBride has — in all 30 arenas? And when Deuce gets some runway, he can get up and go get it.
Little man dunks age better than bigs’. You ever see those NBATV commercials that are five-second highlights super slow-motioned and stretched into 30-second spots? Deuce dunking would look better there than Mitch. Advantage: McBride.
FACIAL
Karl-Anthony Towns is a bit too Kevin Knox for me when he winds up for a big slam; odds are there’s going to be any result other than an and-one. If Mitch were driving for the title-winning dunk, the defense would tase him before they’d let him anywhere near the rim. Mikal Bridges has his moments.
But it’s gotta be OG Anunoby. Like NEO from The Matrix, OG seems to have figured out godhood. If you’re 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, a plus 3-point shooter and leap like a pogo stick on flubber, there aren’t too many bipeds around who can stop you. Honestly, my throat is still hoarse from screaming at this two years ago. After John Starks’ “The Dunk,” this may be my favorite Knick dunk ever.
And while I think I have a pretty fertile imagination, I cannot remotely envision what kind of emotional response — if any — Anunoby would flash after winning the title on a facial. I’d sure like to find out.
HALFCOURT DUNK
Think it’s impossible? At any point in your life prior to a couple weeks ago, would you ever have considered it possible that the Knicks would replicate Golden State’s Steph Curry/Mark Jackson/Steve Kerr troika with Jalen Brunson/Tom Thibodeau/Mike Brown? Imagine telling yourself that four years ago. And what is dunking, if not possibility persevering?
So let’s say the Knicks force a turnover in the dying seconds of Game 7, score tied, and whoever’s dribbling up the floor, fueled by adrenaline (and Mike & Ike’s, if it’s Josh Hart), gathers, take two steps and zip explodes through the air like horizontal lightning, dunking just as the clock expires.
I gotta go with Bridges. He’s already so long to begin with, I can picture his limbs stretching and stretching into forever, como Mister Fantastic. Also intrigued by Hart here, mainly because it doesn’t seem like something he should be able to do, which is the foundation of everything Hart’s game is about.
HALFCOURT HEAVE
The 1980 season was the NBA’s first with the 3-point line. Had it existed 10 years earlier, the Knicks might have lost the 1970 Finals.
I’d say it’s high time the basketball gods paid New York back with interest for that little miracle. What if, down two with time expiring, a Knick were to launch from 60-feet out and make the shot? Beggars can’t be choosers, but these days we’re dreamers, and dreamers can. Who would you wanna see make it?
Color this bitch basic, but I say Brunson. Not only because he’s so good or so easy to root for, but because with all the sacrifices he’s made in leading this franchise to where they stand today, as selfless a player and teammate as he seems to be, it’d feel deserved. For him and for us.
REGULAR 3-POINTER
KAT. For the same reason why if I were a Mavs fan in 2009 I’d pick Dirk and if I were a Thunder fan in 2016 I’d pick Durant. Small dudes look cooler dunking. Big dudes look cooler nailing 3s.
FREE THROWS
Mitch. Don’t overthink it. If Mitch went to the line with zero seconds on the clock with the Knicks down two and he made both, God would manifest in the lane, gesture to the heavens and say, “We kept your seat warm.”
PAINT BLOCK
Jose Alvarado. Is this even a question??
3-POINT BLOCK
When Mitch first broke into the league, he was such an electric puppy he tried to block every shot the other team took, including 3s. And he blocked a TON of 3s; dunno if the league tracks blocked 3s, but around 2019, 2020 there’s no way anyone in the league came close to him.
Also, nothing gets me as pumped as a fan or when I’m playing than stuffing someone. I’m too old now, haven’t played in years. But even when I play 2K, every time I go to block someone’s shot I end up all contorted in my chair with my leg kicked out as I go for the stuff. If the Knicks won the title on a Mitch blocked 3, the orgasm would kill me. What a way to go.
DRAWING A CHARGE
If you don’t think someone lying flat on their back is an emotionally stirring way to end a series . . .
The obvious choice here is Brunson; no one would begrudge you. But I’m going with Jordan Clarkson. When Clarkson signed last offseason, he had two primary reps: unabashed gunner and pretty boy fashionista (photo credit: NY Post).
When he first fell out of the rotation, I armchair quarterbacked it as inevitable. He’s a gunner joining a team who’ll never need him to be their primary or secondary or even tertiary scorer. Probably shouldn’t have signed here. Now he’s a rotation regular as the bastard love child of TJ McConnell’s fullcourt defense and Hart’s offensive rebounding. What could be a more perfect microcosm of Clarkson’s reinvention than him lifting the Knicks to the title not with a bucket, but a fall?
AND-1
Ironically, the last Knick I’d pick here is Brunson, as for whatever reason he’s the worst great free-throw shooter I can remember. Since coming to New York, Brunson’s missed 352 free throws combined in the regular-season and playoffs and I swear the number should be double that. I’ve never seen anyone who shoots as well as he does and gets to line like he does seemingly miss as often as he does.
This is really a question of which Knick you most trust to drain the title-winning free throw, rather than miss and send them to an overtime you know they’ll lose?
It should pro’ly be KAT, but for better or worse I grew up watching the Knicks feature the best shooting big man in all the land, and when it came to pressure-time free throws Patrick Ewing had me more anxious than a lemur in a room full of rocking chairs. I could see KAT’s shot rimming out, the Knicks go on to lose and it becomes like a Bill Buckner thing for him. No thanks. I’ll go with Bridges. His DGAF is pretty specific, and seems to rub a lotta people the wrong way, but it’s absolutely perfect for this spot.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The LeBron James era of the Los Angeles Lakers has featured lots of turnover. Lots and lots of turnover.
For years, the constant was LeBron James and Anthony Davis. One player who worked himself into that mix and, eventually, became the new constant was Austin Reaves.
No player on the roster has more experience alongside LeBron. Reaves’ entire career has played out alongside LeBron, from undrafted rookie to his superstar ascent this season.
Throughout it all, LeBron has been a mentor for Reaves, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the latter. Following LA’s loss to the Thunder to end their season, Reaves was asked about possibly playing one more season with LeBron and what he’s meant to his career.
“It would mean the world to me,” Reaves said. “My rookie year, I had no idea what the hell was going on and he took me under his wing and has given me every opportunity that I could ever ask for, trusted me. But, further than the court, building real friendship…He’s taught me a lot.
“I owe him a lot for my career, like I said. He’s given me confidence every single day.”
Austin Reaves is 13 games away from being the most common teammate of LeBron James through his Lakers tenure. He currently ranks second behind Anthony Davis.
Reaves (284) and Davis (296) and the only players during LeBron's Lakers years to play more than 250 games alongside him
Reaves also used the example of LeBron coming up to him after his game-tying three in Game 4 came up short and offered him words of encouragement, saying that “speaks to the character that he has.” The bond between the two has been strong for years with the signs of it showing even very early in Reaves’ career.
Against the Grizzlies in just his second season, Reaves was handed the ball down the stretch in a memorable Game 1 win as he led the Lakers to a pivotal win with big shot after big shot. In the years since, Reaves has talked about that moment shifting the dynamic between him and LeBron as well.
Ironically, at this point in both of their careers, it’s not Austin who controls the Lakers offense with LeBron riding in the passenger seat — or even back seat when Luka Dončić is also healthy — to him. Reaves’ career path may have played out just the same regardless of LeBron’s involvement, but it’s certainly helped him become someone the Lakers are set to both make a centerpiece of the franchise and give a big payday to.
Maybe Reaves can pay for a couple rounds of golf this summer.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: Adrian Houser #12 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s series finale time, as the San Francisco Giants take on the Oakland/Sacramento/Vegas Athletics for the third game of the series. I’m writing this before the first game, so here’s hoping that the Giants are going for a sweep, or at least a series win today. But who knows! You, probably.
If the scheduled starters have held over these few days, then it’s righty Adrian Houser for the Giants and lefty Jeffrey Springs for the A’s. Houser is making his ninth start, and is 1-4 with a 5.79 ERA, a 5.63 FIP, and 23 strikeouts to 14 walks in 42 innings. Springs is making his 10th start, and is 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA, a 4.21 FIP, and 44 strikeouts to 15 walks in 49 innings.
The Colorado Avalanche finally got the kind of update every playoff team spends May desperately hoping to hear: relief instead of bad news.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar struck an optimistic tone Sunday afternoon, saying he expects all of Colorado’s banged-up regulars to be available for Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday to open the Western Conference Final.
Reinforcements Arriving At The Right Time
Defenseman Sam Malinski and winger Artturi Lehkonen both missed Games 4 and 5 against Minnesota, while superstar defenseman Cale Makar appeared visibly battered during the series-clinching Game 5 victory. Makar briefly left the game before gutting through the remainder of regulation and overtime, continuing to battle both hip and shoulder injuries.
Bednar says “I think everyone’s going to be available for Game 1, but we’ll see” regarding injured guys.
Asked earlier if Malinski is trending towards being available for G1 and he said “yes.”
Makar has not practiced over the last couple of days, though Bednar’s confidence Sunday suggested the organization believes its franchise cornerstone is trending in the right direction.
Veteran defenseman Brent Burns has also been absent recently, but indications are pointing toward a return sooner rather than later. Malinski was the lone injured regular spotted practicing Sunday, while Makar, Lehkonen and Burns remained off the ice.
Surviving The Grind Of Playoff Hockey
At this stage of the postseason, nobody is healthy — only available.
The Avalanche still need eight more wins to lift the Stanley Cup, and surviving this time of year often comes down to which teams can endure the physical damage piling up beneath the surface. Colorado at least appears to be getting critical reinforcements at the perfect time after expending enormous emotional and physical energy clawing past Minnesota in one of the wildest series of the playoffs.
Now the focus shifts entirely to Vegas.
Colorado is off Monday before likely returning to practice Tuesday, when the statuses of Makar, Lehkonen, Burns and Malinski should come into even sharper focus ahead of Game 1.
If there’s one player that hasn’t disappointed on the Montreal Canadiens' roster in the playoffs this season, it’s Lane Hutson. Despite only being 22 years old, the sophomore defenseman is playing like a seasoned vet and leads by example every day on the ice, whether it’s at practice or in game action.
Throughout 13 games, the youngster has 13 points and leads the Canadiens in points, but what’s even more impressive is the fact that he has a plus-three rating. Hutson plays well on both sides of the puck, and when he gets dispossessed or gives the puck away, he backchecks like a man possessed to fix his own mistake.
The team’s other top players have been on the ice for more than their fair share of goals. Nick Suzuki is minus-five, Cole Caufield is minus-seven, and Juraj Slafkovsky is minus-eight. While plus-minus doesn’t always accurately reflect what’s happening on the ice, in these playoffs, there’s no denying that the first line has been struggling defensively. In the last two games, the opponent’s first goal has been set up by their turnovers in the defensive zone. Slafkovsky’s missed clearance on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres was eerily similar to Caufield’s on Thursday.
In the Canadiens’ disappointing performance on Saturday night, the blueline had 10 attempts on net. Unfortunately, only one of those shots made it to the goalie, but that’s partly because he has learned to take advantage of the traffic in front of the opposing goaltender. He puts the puck on net and tries to set up his teammates for deflections, something he didn’t use to do as much.
In 13 games so far, the rearguard has averaged over 25 minutes of ice time. Martin St-Louis is using him in all situations. He quarterbacks the first power play and gives it more punch with his mobility and ability to dish passes everywhere on the ice. He also has a knack for buying himself more time and space, dancing along the offensive blueline all the while preparing his next move.
Even when the Canadiens are down a man, Hutson doesn’t get a break, as he’s an important piece of the second penalty-killing unit. Martin St-Louis wasn’t keen on using him in that situation early on in the season, but he has proven that he can handle it and shows no sign of slowing down, no matter how much time he spends on the ice.
If the Canadiens are to eliminate the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night, they’ll need Hutson to lead his team into battle once again.
Jorge Polanco, sidelined with left Achilles bursitis, likely won’t be at full strength the rest of the season, according to Carlos Mendoza.
Polanco has resumed some baseball activities and will travel with the team to Washington, but the manager said he’ll have to deal with the injury indefinitely.
“He’s gonna feel it,’’ Mendoza said. “We have to keep it to a point where [it’s] ‘I can tolerate this.’ Because if not, he’s gonna be shut down for a long period of time.”
Mets second baseman Jorge Polanco (11) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after he flies out for the final out of the tenth inning at Citi Field, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
It’s been an awful start for Polanco, who has been limited to 14 games while dealing with Achilles and wrist injuries. And he didn’t play well when he was able to be on the field.
Asked if Polanco would be unable to get to 100 percent health this season, Mendoza said, “I don’t know if anyone is 100 percent in there. In this case, he’s gonna be feeling it. He’ll continue to get treatment and hope it goes away, but it’s probably something he’ll have to manage.”
Mets pitching prospect Jack Wenninger lasted just 2.1 innings in Sunday's game for Triple-A Syracuse, getting pulled after 61 pitches.
The right-hander allowed two earned runs, both coming in the third inning, on two hits and four walks.
Despite walking the bases loaded in the second inning, Wenninger kept the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders scoreless through two innings. However, things unraveled for the 24-year-old in the third after a leadoff single by George Lombard Jr. and Wenninger's fourth walk of the day.
With two on and nobody out, Marco Luciano doubled to drive in a run before Oswaldo Cabrera brought home another on a sacrifice fly. That would be it for Wenninger who only threw 28 strikes out of 61 pitches (46 percent).
The brief outing matched Wenninger's season-low which came on April 23 where he only allowed two runs on one hit but walked five and hit a batter. He's now at 22 walks in 35.2 innings this season.
Wenninger left with the game tied after Syracuse scored twice in the first inning.
The San Diego Padres, second in the NL West with a 27-18 record, face the Seattle Mariners, who are second in the AL West with a 22-25 record. The scheduled starting pitchers are Lucas Giolito for San Diego, with a 3.41 ERA, and George Kirby for Seattle, with a 2.84 ERA.
How to watch San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 17: Taylor Walls #6 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after hitting a bases-loaded triple against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on May 17, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On a national telecast through Peacock, the Tampa Bay Rays got a well deserved spotlight this Sunday, starting with the star of the show – Junior Caminero – clearing the fence:
After giving up the lead, the Rays would battle back the second time through the order, and after loading the bases, Taylor Walls – who I have always loved and have never said otherwise – stepped up with two outs and cleared the bases with a triple on a fastball down the middle.
Yandy Diaz padded the Rays lead in the fifth with a solo shot that could have had Caminero on base had he not been caught out by a hit and run the batter before, with the liner snagged by the second baseman and doubling him up with a quick throw to first.
It was a fun game for the Rays offense, but the interesting elements came when the Rays were on defense.
Drew Rasmussen worked to expose the weak Marlins offense by throwing almost exclusively fastballs, pitching to contact to get outs. It should have worked! If I had a nickel for every time the Rays outfielders played a liner on one hop instead of going for the out, I’d have three nickels, which feels weird!
CF Jakob Marsee was credited with a double in the second on what could have been called an error, when a liner to Jonny DeLuca in left field took a weird hop and went under his outstretched glove. He would be thrown out by Nick Fortes trying to steal third shortly thereafter.
RF Owen Cassie then had his bat sawed off by a cutter in the third, which conveniently rolled up the middle. He would come around and score when former Rays prospect 2B Xavier Edwards slapped a dink the opposite way when he finally got a change up. Edwards was moved to third on a fielder’s choice, then SS Otto Lopez stood in for a full count before getting his bat on a cutter in the zone. This dropped, somewhat inexplicably, in front of DeLuca as well who played the hop in front of him instead of trying to get his glove on the ball with two outs.
In the fourth, after a long at bat, 3B Leo Jimenez got on a similar way in the fourth, lining a full count tenth pitch fastball to left field, which one hopped into the glove of a deep Chandler Simpson.
The third time through the order, the at bats started to stretch out for Rasmussen, and the Marlins got two men on, but Kevin Cash got the groundball double play the Rays drew up by going to bullpen.
Garrett Cleavinger allowed a third run to score and then loaded the bases in the eighth with one out, so Kevin Cash turned to Ian Seymour. He picked up the second out on a phenomenal change up, and then coaxed a liner to Taylor Walls to escape further damage.
Rays closer Bryan Baker got the nod in the ninth and, despite a first pitch single to the No. 9 hitter, worked through 1-2-3 in the Marlins order with some nice fielding from Simpson and the middle infield.
Game Notes
Peacock brought Rays color man Brian Anderson to the telecast, a smart decision allowing for an honest and thoughtful perspective from someone who knows the Rays well, something you don’t always get from a national broadcast crew.
Kevin Cash, interviewed midgame, described Junior Caminero’s power as “unprecedented” and it’s hard to disagree. Since 2016, when EV90 started getting tracked, Caminero is the only right-handed hitting players to enter the top 20 at the age of 23 or younger (109.5 mph). Caminero ranks 13th overall on that list. The only other 23-or-younger player is James Wood, a left handed hitter (110.7 mph).
Taylor Walls career stats with bases loaded: 42 PA | .367/.476/.533
The Rays loaded the bases again, chasing the Marlins starter but getting pushed to two outs. Jonathan Aranda stepped in and gave some eager swings on pitches outside the zone and then tapped out to the pitcher, slamming his helmet. An uncharacteristic moment!
Peacock’s broadcast was thrilled the Rays concessions had both a Miami and Tampa Cuban sandwich available, with man among the people John Fanta correctly noting the addition of salami and crispy toasted bread made it vastly superior.
