The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons meet in a winner-take-all Game 7. The winning team will advance to the Eastern Conference finals to face the New York Knicks. The Pistons are favored by 4.5 points. Detroit forced the decisive final game with a 115-94 victory in Game 6.
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
Apr 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A general view of a Detroit Tigers hat with the Major League Baseball logo sitting in the dugout in a game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Game Three with the Tigers and then the Jays head off for four games in New York against the Yankees.
And Adam Macko is up with the team. He told reporters that he rushed around to buy ‘collared shirts’ to wear on the team bus, saying that he only had hoodies. It seems that I’ve been following his journey up the ladder forever. He was drafted by the Mariners in 2019 from Vauxhall high school here in Alberta (a 2.5 hour driving time from Calgary), and we got him in trade for Teoscar Hernandez.
Vlad is in the two-spot today. I’m all for moving guys around when they are slumping. It likely won’t do much, but you never know.
The Colorado Avalanche have successfully reached the conference final for the first time since the 2022 cup season and will host the Las Vegas Golden Knights for game one on Wednesday evening at Ball Arena.
We should get a feel for the matchup before the much-anticipated series begins, and with the benefit of time and importance, we will be able to bring you a preview piece for each position group, like old times!
Let’s start with two star-studded, accomplished forward groups on each side and see how they compare, what advantages they offer, and ultimately who I think has the edge!
Vegas brings its own Stanley Cup pedigree, with past champions like Jack Eichel and a wounded Mark Stone still on the roster. In fact, the Golden Knights currently roster 11 players who were a part of their 2023 Stanley Cup achievement.
It’s the sort of experience and talent in the top group that can actually rival the Avalanche, but with a slightly different approach. Attrition and forechecking are the focus for the Golden Knights, and although not as flashy as Colorado’s, it’s an approach that has proven plenty effective.
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 15, 2026
Ivan Barbashev is coming off a standout regular season and has followed it up with a great tournament performance, accumulating nine points in eleven playoff games so far, and a playoff-leading 54 hits through two rounds.
For Vegas, the story is Mitch Marner and his playoff success. Despite what we’ve heard from Toronto fans for years, Mitch Marner is a gamer, and he has proven it already this postseason, reaching a point in the bracket Toronto hasn’t reached since 2002.
This series will be won and lost in the neutral zone, as it’s likely to be John Torterella’s point of emphasis to muddy the waters, disrupt Colorado’s attack, and effectively deploy a counterstrike.
The Avalanche are capable of a measured approach, but are at their best when they can work their transition game and active defenders.
Nathan MacKinnon is on an absolute tear this postseason, and if he continues that trend, it’s hard to imagine the Avalanche losing many games.
Marty Necas has officially brought the party to the postseason with a beautiful and patient assist of the series-clinching game winner that left the stick of Brett Kulak.
The Avalanche have also been the benefactors of a downright effective Gabe Landeskog. Last postseason, he spoke about riding on adrenaline, but this time around, he has the legs, the frame, and the work ethic to thrive.
All things considered, these top six groups are talented and, although different in approach, highly competitive in their own right.
The status of Artturi Lehkonen and Mark Stone will be worth monitoring as we get closer to puck drop.
Both teams have already practiced some misdirection or tactic regarding the reporting of certain players’ health status.
Bednar iced both Malinski and Lehkonen in the morning skate to pull them from the lineup at puck drop against the Wild, and Vegas is catching fines for avoiding the press altogether. Wish us luck!
Josh Manson and Sam Malinski are on the ice for full practice in regular jerseys.
The kicker in this series could be the bottom six, as both teams have groups that have contributed timely goals and gutsy effort. Vegas’ Brett Howden is currently sporting a ridiculous shooting percentage (40%), and additions Colton Sissons and Nic Dowd have fit right in.
The Avalanche got a game-winner from Parker Kelly in the second round and saw the third and fourth lines at their best against the Wild in general.
COACHES: I’ve had the opportunity to walk through a lot of higher-level locker rooms, and a staple word that you see on the wall for many of them is RELENTLESS.
This is an incredible shift on being relentless on the forecheck. Parker Kelly as F1 gets in hard, is physical, and… pic.twitter.com/qw2hlJ9zJG
How these groups match up will be interesting, with both sides capable of some shuffling in the middle six. In a series that’s Torts vs. Bedsy, I’m thinking the focus will be on coverage and limiting the opposition, so expect a similar series to Avs vs. LA but with Vegas having actual scoring potential.
Advantage: Nathan MacKinnon’s Revenge
This one is hard to give to either side because, although I think the Avalanche have a better forward group both in terms of top-end talent and depth, I feel that Vegas is equally effective with who they have and what they aim to accomplish.
Colorado’s roster is more like a cup champion, but Vegas-style is the kind that can win any game on any given night, no matter who their opponent is.
When I look for the kicker, I see Nathan MacKinnon and Mitch Marner as the best candidates for each side, and I’ll have to defer to the talents of Nate. I have nothing but respect for Mitch Marner, but this Nathan MacKinnon we have seen in the postseason feels unstoppable.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets a high-five from Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) after he scored and was fouled during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The career Austin Reaves has had so far has been special. Not only has he gone from being a kid from Oklahoma to a superstar in Los Angeles, but the progression of his career has been a dream.
Every year, Reaves’ role has increased, and his production has continued to grow alongside it. His minutes played, points and rebounds per game have gone up every single season. Reaves has gone from being an undrafted player back in 2021 to one who is set to earn a huge payday this summer.
One person who has been along for every step of Reaves’ Lakers journey has been LeBron James. Having played more basketball than anyone ever, LeBron has seen the start and end of many careers and is well aware of how special Reaves’ journey has been.
“Just seeing AR grow over these five years, it’s been nothing short of amazing,” LeBron said in his exit interview. “I mean, he’s just a hard worker. He loves the game. He wants to get better and he’s not afraid of constructive criticism, and, and I kind of knew that. I saw the talent, but I also saw that he was willing to put the work in and he wasn’t afraid of the moment.
“To see where he is today’s, it’s awesome. I knew he could be a big-time player for our ball club. I knew if he just got the opportunity and also he gained the confidence in himself that he knows he belongs in this league that he could do some special things in this league. He’s, obviously, showed that.”
It’s got to feel great for Reaves to get such a glowing endorsement from not only a teammate, but a player who’s in the argument for the greatest of all time. LeBron has seen all of Redick’s great moments, like his “I’m Him” game to his game-winner against the Warriors on Christmas.
What’s even more important than those moments, though, is the work LeBron is talking about that we don’t see. Reaves is willing to get coached hard and he puts in the work in the gym to get better.
LeBron is notorious for his physical regimen, and even his podcast “Mind The Game” focuses on the details of the sport. If he appreciates the time you’re putting into your craft, that says a lot about you as a player.
While Reaves is already a leader, LeBron has remained a guide for him. After Reaves missed his game-tying shot against the Thunder in Game 4, LeBron was the first to encourage him.
"'Helluva shot. Keep your head up.'" Austin Reaves said LeBron James found him after missed the game-tying shot and encouraged him. "…He's meant a lot to my career."
The LeBron-Reaves journey has been an incredible one. Over five years, LeBron has seen every moment of Reaves’ career, and hopefully, there are more seasons together to come.
But, even if they never step on the court together again, it’s been an amazing journey.
Reaves has more years left in his career, and LeBron will most certainly be rooting for him, whether he’s playing with him or not.
The Yankees are not playing their best baseball at the moment, winning just two of their last eight games to fall several games back of first. That three of those losses have come against a pair of struggling teams in the Orioles and Mets makes the Bombers’ deficiencies appear all the most glaring — and they’re at risk of their third consecutive series loss. All the same, they can get back in the series win column with a good performance in the rubber game against their crosstown rivals this afternoon.
Elmer Rodríguez got the call up after Max Fried was placd on the IL with a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. Lauded for his command in the high minors, the walks have been the biggest issue in his first two MLB starts, though it is worth commending him for settling down and tossing 3.2 scoreless after a three-run first threatened to derail his last start against the Rangers. In those two starts, both against Texas, Rodríguez has given up five runs on ten hits and eight walks across 8.2 innings.
Freddy Peralta has performed largely as advertised since the Mets acquired him from Brewers over the winter to be their long-sought-after ace of the rotation. The whiffs and strikeouts are down as he has lost about one mph off all of his pitches, but he is doing a much better job of keeping the ball off the barrel of the bat than in his previous three seasons. In nine starts, Peralta is 3-3 with a 3.10 ERA (128 ERA+), 3.66 FIP, and 50 strikeouts in 49.1 innings.
The Yankees lineup has been one of the principal culprits in the recent downturn in form, scoring three or fewer runs in six out of the last eight games. Austin Wells is probably their most struggling player and he gets the day off after the night game with J.C. Escarra taking his place behind the plate. It has been nice to see Jazz Chisholm Jr. get the bat going of late, while Anthony Volpe has been getting on base despite not registering a hit since making his season debut.
The Mets meanwhile field the worst offense in MLB, yet still managed to push six runs across last night. They make a pair of changes to their lineup, MJ Melendez coming in to play left, moving Juan Soto to DH and Austin Slater to the bench. Hayden Senger takes over catching duties from Luis Torrens.
How to watch
Location: Citi Field – Flushing, NY
First pitch: 1:40 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, SNY
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App 92.3 HD2 (NYM)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 17: A guest is seen wearing silver boots during Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo A/W 2026 on March 17, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mila Gruber/Getty Images) | Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Nasim Nuñez #26 and James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After a deeply gratifying win to get to .500 yesterday, the Nats have a chance to sweep the O’s. Getting to .500 is cool, but getting over that hump would be even better. They will have a chance to do just that in front of what should be another stellar crowd at Nationals Park.
The Nats are not making too many adjustments to the lineup that got them 13 runs yesterday. After a great performance off the bench, Brady House will be starting again at third base. That pushed Jose Tena to DH and down the lineup. Keibert Ruiz stays behind the plate after his big day. Richard Lovelady will be the opener and Miles Mikolas will follow him.
The O’s are making more changes. Adley Rutschman will get the day off. That means young Samuel Basallo will do the catching. Taylor Ward moves up to the leadoff spot and takes Basallo’s place as the DH. Colton Cowser will be back in the lineup as the left fielder. Right hander Brandon Young will be on the mound for the birds.
This series has already been a huge success for the Nats. They have performed well in front of big crowds and brought a new buzz around the team. Now they have a chance to put a cherry on top today. They will go for the sweep and a winning record. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 11: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles runs to first base against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 11, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Taylor Ward will bat first and serve as the designated hitter today as the Orioles look to avoid a sweep in DC. Ward will be followed by shortstop Gunnar Henderson and first baseman Pete Alonso. Samuel Basallo will do the catching with Adley Rutschman starting the game on the bench.
Tyler O’Neill, Colton Cowser, and Leody Taveras will handle the outfield duties with Ward penciled in as the DH. Coby Mayo will play third, and Jeremiah Jackson will take second base against Nationals opener Richard Lovelady. Miles Mikolas is expected to follow Lovelady.
Struggling teams look to their stars. With Rutschman on the bench, the Orioles need Henderson and Alonso to spark the offense today.
The Orioles will send out right-handed pitcher Brandon Young. Young was forced into the rotation after some early injuries, and the 27-year-old has an opportunity to cement his place with a few more strong outings.
After eking out a win Friday night and blowing a late lead Saturday night, the series is on the line when the Braves and Red Sox face off Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. EDT.
Grant Holmes gets a regular-rest turnaround on the Braves’ starter carousel against Brayan Bello, who has been bad as a starter but good as a bulk reliever this season.
Let’s see if the Braves can close out the homestand with a winning record.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 16: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on May 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:
The Astros could potentially be without franchise icon Jose Altuve for a while:
Astros’ Jose Altuve to undergo imaging after injuring left side on awkward swing https://t.co/eVXJmmDowI
Nate Pearson, Jeremy Peña and Jake Meyers should all join the Astros in Minneapolis next week, barring something unforeseen. Peña and Meyers are playing for Double-A Corpus Christi today.
Hunter Brown is scheduled to throw a live batting practice on Tuesday, after which he will go out on a rehab assignment. Brown needs to be built up, so it’ll be a long rehab assignment, but progress nonetheless.
Josh Hader will not be back when first eligible on May 24, but it’s not because of a setback.
Josh Hader needs five more rehab outings, Joe Espada said today. Hader will not come off the IL on May 24 when he is first eligible, but that is only due to the calendar they've set for his final five appearances, Espada said. https://t.co/ahsHs48h6b
While he's not quite back to his old self, Bryan Abreu is in the middle of an encouraging stretch after struggling early this season. https://t.co/UjLUKdCQaK
Astros pitching coach Josh Miller on Astros’ league-leading walks totals & how they are trying to get better:
Pitching coach Josh Miller addresses some of the factors behind Houston's glaring walks issue and how the Astros are trying to improve. https://t.co/fvbM9ft43q
Of course, walks are up everywhere, and it’s no secret why. Jayson Stark on the impact of ABS on the the strike zone, as well as why the NL looks so much better than the AL, the impact of the WBC on MLB team so far and more:
Here’s my column that Joe Davis talked about on the Fox Sports game last night.
What have we learned so far?
That ABS is changing more than just how we call balls and strikes.
The only 60-home run hitters to hit 20 homers in fewer games than Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber (45 games): Mark McGwire: 20 HRs in 43 games in 1998. Barry Bonds: 20 HRs in 42 games in 2001.
Kyle Schwarber becomes the 8th player in MLB history to hit 20 HRs in the first 45 games: Cy Williams Mickey Mantle Ken Griffey Jr Barry Bonds Mark McGwire Luis Gonzalez Albert Pujols Kyle Schwarber
Dodgers SP Blake Snell is the latest casualty of “loose bodies”:
Blake Snell’s injury woes continue: He goes back on the IL with loose bodies in his elbow that normally requires surgery. Dodgers recalled left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes.
– Giants not considering moving their stars. – Jordan Walker … extension candidate? – Foster Griffin looks like one of best offseason moves. – Mauricio Dubon, Dom Smith impacts have been big for Atlanta. – Mets believe they can turn their season around.…
You can make a case the Mariners have played without Big Dumper all season long, but…
“I don’t expect them to make a move.”@Ken_Rosenthal says the Mariners’ plan is likely to ride it out internally until Cal Raleigh returns. pic.twitter.com/Vco4QBnmWx
One of the challenges for the Red Sox: even if they want to make substantive changes with the roster, it would be tough to do so, because they’ve got a combination of young (and cheap) players who they expect to develop; and expensive veterans who can’t easily be moved. And as…
As we move closer and closer to the NBA Draft next month, the free agency and trade rumor mill is heating up — and there's more than just Giannis Antetokounmpo talk (although there’s plenty of that, too). Here's the latest on some other fronts.
Cavaliers to extend Harden
Whatever happens in Game 7 on Sunday night between Cleveland and Detroit, however James Harden performs in that game, expect the Cavaliers to reach a contract extension with Harden this offseason.
Harden wanted contract certainty after this season, and the Clippers made it clear at midseason that they hadn't decided whether to pick up his $42 million team option — $13 million guaranteed — for next season. When both sides showed their cards, Harden's representation got permission to find a team willing to commit to him.
The Cavs were willing. Though a formal agreement is not allowed to be completed before the offseason, there is an understanding that the Cavs plan to work out a new deal to retain Harden, sources said.
There is zero chance Harden and his team okay that trade unless a handshake deal is in place for his next contract (and teams don't go back on those kinds of deals, it's bad for their reputation and getting other free agents to come). Cleveland will re-sign Harden this summer, and next summer will give Donovan Mitchell a new max — essentially locking the team into this core. (While Mitchell is extension eligible this summer, if he waits a year, he gets to 10 years of service and becomes eligible for a 35% of the cap max, as opposed to the 30% now, plus he can get a no-trade clause. It's in his interest to wait.)
That means if Cleveland wants to shake things up (especially if they fall in Game 7 on Sunday and again don't get out of the second round), the focus will shift to Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen potentially being put into the trade market.
If you think that all of this makes the Cavaliers sound expensive, you're right — and they are already the only team over the second apron right now. Which ties into our next note...
Also, around the league, the general consensus is that he will play one more season, and very possibly not for the Lakers (who are prioritizing rebuilding the roster around Luka Doncic). Marc Stein at the Stein Line listed four possible new teams: Golden State, Cleveland, New York or the LA Clippers.
However, then Stein gets to the real point (which we have written about at NBC Sports): What matters most is how big a pay cut is LeBron willing to take off of the $52 million he made last season because most of the teams Stein mentioned can offer a veteran minimum contract or maybe the taxpayer mid-level exception ($6.1 million).
The Golden State Warriors, who league sources say have maintained a longstanding interest in bringing James to Northern California, will be severely limited in what they can offer. James' hometown Cleveland Cavaliers have even less financial flexibility than the Warriors and are so far away from all the Tinseltown ties that LeBron and his family have established during this run as a Laker...
James' deep fondness for Madison Square Garden has been known for years, but the Knicks — suddenly favorites to win the East and go to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 — could certainly opt to stay on their current path. The only other team you could credibly add to the shortlist is the Clippers, who employ James' former Cavaliers coach (Tyronn Lue) and do play in Los Angeles.
I'll start with the Clippers — it's not happening. Never say never in the NBA, and yes, this move would allow LeBron to stay in his adopted hometown. However, it would not play well. First, the Clippers are not going to be contenders next season (barring landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, which is unlikely at best) and they have a massive cloud hanging over them with the Aspiration investigation; the Lakers are better positioned to win in the short term with LeBron as a third option. More importantly, in Los Angeles, this would be seen as a betrayal by the league's largest, most vocal fan base. The backlash would be tremendous. All for what?
LeBron is going to have to let the Antetokounmpo saga play out before he makes his call, in part because the Warriors and Cavaliers are two teams that could get in the running for the Bucks' two-time MVP. Would LeBron go to the Knicks on a cheap contract and be a third option behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (and does that really help New York's defense)? Right now, the future for LeBron is foggy, he's going to be patient and wait for the fog to lift, then he can make his call.
Wizards trade No. 1 pick to Utah?
There is a desire among the Utah Jazz fan base to keep AJ Dybantsa in the state — he went to prep school there and then BYU. With that, Utah has reached out to Washington about potentially trading for the No. 1 pick in June's NBA Draft, reports Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
Don't bet on this happening. Washington is going to ask for a lot to swap picks — they really liked Ace Bailey in last year's draft, the Jazz selected him at No. 5, so the Wizards likely ask for him and another first-round pick. Even if Bailey isn't on the table, the price is going to be a good young player and an extra first-rounder.
That only makes sense for Utah if it grades Dybantsa out as dramatically better than Kansas' Darryn Peterson (or even Duke's Cameron Boozer) — and I don't know any scouts or front office people who see it that way. Most have Dybantsa on top of their boards because he is a combination of a very high ceiling with a pretty high floor — what a GM really fears with a high pick is missing altogether. Peterson, with his cramping and health issues last season, is seen as having a similar (or, often, higher) ceiling than Dybantsa but also a considerably lower floor. That's not worth the risk. (Boozer has the highest floor of the group but is not seen as having as high a ceiling as the other two.)
Expect the draft order to stay the way it is — and Jazz fans are going to love Peterson next to Keyonte George in the backcourt.
Centre won 65 caps, with 51 alongside his brother Gavin
Also selected for two British and Irish Lions tours
Scotland’s 1990 grand slam-winning centre Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61, his family have announced, four years after he revealed he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Hastings won 65 caps for his country and played in two Tests on the victorious 1989 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, as well as being in the squad that toured New Zealand in 1993. He made his international debut in January 1986 against France, alongside his elder brother, Gavin, the first of 51 Scotland games the centre and full-back pair played together.
Mar 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF Bo Bichette – SS Juan Soto – DH Mark Vientos – 1B MJ Melendez – LF Brett Baty – 3B Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – CF Hayden Senger – C
SP: Freddy Peralta – RHP
Yankees lineup
Trent Grisham – CF Ben Rice – 1B Aaron Judge – DH Cody Bellinger – LF Jazz Chisholm – 2B Ryan McMahon – 3B Spencer Jones – RF Anthony Volpe – SS J.C. Escarra – C
SP: Elmer Rodriguez – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:40pm EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Over the course of the regular season, it became clear Stephon Castle was not going to suffer a sophomore slump following up his Rookie of the Year season. Castle, at only 21 years old, improved in every nearly counting stat he could. From points (14.7 per game to 16.7), rebounds (3.7 to 5.3), assists (4.1 to 7.4), and effective field goal percentage (47.6 to 52.1), Castle improved his marks. And of course, his trademark trait, his defense, only continued to strike fear into the hearts of the rest of the league.
The combo-guard appeared to have only one flaw to his game: shooting. From his first to second year, he rose from 28.5 to 33.2 percent from three; however, it remained at several ticks below league average.
And then the playoffs happened. Through two rounds, Castle is now shooting at an outstanding 44.0 percent on 4.5 attempts per game. If he can continue to make teams pay from deep, there is no telling the limit on the offensive capabilities of this Spurs team. The only question is if he can keep it up.
Over the recent history of the league, there have been several players who have developed their perimeter shot, turning from complete non-shooters to deadly if left unguarded. Remaining consistent with it, though, that’s another story altogether.
For a recent example, look to the Spurs’ previous opponent. Anthony Edwards in Minnesota entered the league as a promising young two-guard, but his three-point shooting was slightly below average. Over time, he built on that. In the 2024-2025 season, he came out of the gate launching from deep, attempting over 10 per game and sinking them at a 41.4 percent clip pre-All-Star break. Time would tell if he could remain consistent. He did. Over his last two seasons, he remained at 39.6 percent at 9.5 attempts per game.
Edwards is a case of a player finding his shot and keeping it, but there are examples of a player finding a shot for even a full season, only to then regress towards the mean. Keldon Johnson has had an interesting relationship with his shot in this regard.
In Johnson’s third year, it was looking like he might be on the verge of turning into one of the league’s best shooters. He finished the season averaging 39.8 percent from three and 49.5 percent from the corners. But that wouldn’t stick, averaging 33.8 percent over the last four seasons. Still an efficient player, but now in more ways than just shooting.
The point is, players’ shooting abilities are malleable. Plenty have developed into real threats: Edwards, Al Horford, and Kawhi Leonard, to name a few. While others have a more fluctuant relationship with their shooting from year to year: Johnson, Jrue Holiday, and even LeBron James have had seasons and post-seasons drifting below and above average shooting.
Right now, for Castle, he has the hot hand. And by its nature, the playoffs are a very small sample size. The only thing that will tell if he can keep it up is time. So far, he’s gotten great looks, and he’s picking his spots well. All of his post-season threes are with a defender, at minimum, four feet away, and a good majority are from catch-and-shoot attempts.
If he continues to make teams pay for leaving him open, the next level will be how he adjusts to defenses guarding him closer and closing out harder on him. All he needs to do is make them pay for leaving him open. Because even if his percentage goes down due to defenses responding, that just means more levers to pull for Coach Mitch Johnson and the Spurs.
Castle has already shown that he has the athleticism to attack closeouts and the basketball IQ to find the right play. Even if his being more closely guarded leads to the ball not ending up in his hands on the perimeter, that only means more space for De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper to slash and one less defender to bang and hang on Victor Wembanyama down low.
For now, the Spurs and Castle can only take it one game at a time, but they show no signs of slowing down entering the conference finals. Oklahoma City’s defense is fast and twitchy; it will be their toughest playoff challenge yet.
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 12: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park on May 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pitching Matchup: Zack Wheeler (2-0, 2.55 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (6-2, 1.98 ERA)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home hosting the Philadelphia Phillies today at beautiful PNC Park.
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