Pistons 2026-2027 Schedule Released

After a relatively quiet offseason for the Pistons and a pretty large Jalen Duren-sized elephant in the room yet to work itself out, it is time to generate some excitement with the release of the 2026-2027 schedule. We are now a couple months away from the return of NBA basketball! The biggest takeaway is that the Pistons play every team in the league once again. Here is the full schedule:

In all seriousness, there are a few standouts with the schedule. First off, the first four games of the season are pretty brutal with the 3 pm home opener against the Boston Celtics followed by three road games against likely-playoff teams in the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks.

The Pistons are a good team now, so I don’t think you need to anticipate an 0-4 start like you would have during the dark days a few years ago, but it will definitely be a challenge early-on. They do follow up that difficult stretch with a few winnable games, so there is an opportunity to get back on track if they struggle early.

The Pistons will have 19 games in total on National Television with 12 on ESPN or NBC and 7 on Peacock or Prime. This is far and away the most they have had in recent memory, which also comes with the territory of being a good team. There is also a likelihood they get more National TV games added as the season plays out as long as they continue to build off the momentum of last season.

There’s only so much analysis you can do with a schedule in which you play every team in the league, but there are a few other things that stand out to me. The Pistons group for the NBA Cup is very favorable with Brooklyn, Orlando, Milwaukee, and Toronto. They have failed to make it out of the group stage since the introduction of the NBA Cup, so maybe this is the year it finally happens.

Another standout with the schedule is that all of the games against the New York Knicks will be on some National TV platform. The Knicks got the last laugh with winning the NBA Championship last season, but this is definitely a matchup from the East that the NBA is trying to heavily promote after their heavily contested playoff series a couple years ago.

We will have more analysis on the schedule and all things Pistons as we get closer to the start of the season, but it is nice to have something to look forward to and build hype during the dog days of the Summer.

Sabres Top 40 Prospects – #26

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.  

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games. 

Other Sabres Stories

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26. Evgeny Prokhorov - Goalie (Dinamo-Shinnik Jr. - MHL Russia)

The Sabres continued their practice of selecting players with longer development windows, since they do not have to sign them within two years. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, players drafted out of the KHL development system have their rights retained by their NHL club until 27 years old,  because there is no transfer agreement between the KHL and NHL.   

Who had the best and worst offseasons in the Atlantic Division?

With the first of two seventh-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Sabres selected Belarusian goalie Yevgeni Prokhorov. The 19-year-old played 28 games in the junior-level MHL for Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk in his draft year, posting a 2.19 GAA, and .903 save percentage, and went 3-3, with a 1.95 GAA and .943 save percentage in six playoff games. 

Last season, Prokhorov’s numbers improved even more, posting a sub 2.00 GAA (1.96), and better save % (.925) in 29 games, as well as a 1.92 GAA and .938 save % in 10 playoff games. 

With Belarus subject to the ban from the IIHF along with Russia due to the war in Ukraine, Prokhorov will not get any international experience like playing in the World Junior, and will likely play in the MHL again next season, but could see some time in the second-level VHL or KHL depending on his performance. 

Follow Michael on X, and Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Tigers shutout Guardians without a single strikeout

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 13: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers tries to turn a double play around Angel Martínez #1 of the Cleveland Guardians in the eighth inning at Comerica Park on August 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Tigers collected a win to edge their way into a Wild Card spot after beating the Guardians 3-0 to win the series two games to one. Next up? The division leading Chicago White Sox come to town on Friday night.

Nothing quite like afternoon baseball on a nice August day in Detroit. The Tigers were hoping to wrap up their series against the Guardians with a win, after dropping the second game on Wednesday night. To get the job done they had the reliable Keider Montero on the mound up against the sometimes scary Parker Messick for Cleveland.

Chase DeLauter got things going for the Guardians with a one-out walk in the first. He then stole second, but thanks to a fielding error from McGonigle, DeLauter ended up at third. I love Kevin but the fielding has been wildly inconsistent the last couple of days. The gaffe didn’t end up costing the Tigers, though, as the next two batters were out. The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.

Montero was in a nice groove in the second, getting the Guardians out in order. In the bottom of the inning, Spencer Torkelson reached on an error by the pitcher, and ultimately wound up at second base. The Tigers weren’t able to take advantage of having a runner in scoring position though and Messick didn’t end up causing his own unearned run.

Brayan Rocchio got a one-out single in the third, but two outs quickly followed to leave the runner stranded. In the home half, Javier Baez got a leadoff double. Ben Malgeri was then hit by a pitch. The bases were soon loaded as Gleyber Torres walked. Not sure if that second inning error shook Messick’s confidence, but this certainly wasn’t the version of the pitcher we were expecting to see today. A Dillon Dingler groundout scored Baez, putting the Tigers on the board first. They had to settle for just the one run, but it was a good start.

The Guardians went 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers did much the same.

Another three-up, three-down outing for Montero in the fifth. Nice stuff from him today. And once again, the Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.

With two outs in the sixth DeLauter singled. Jose Ramirez then walked, and that was a situation where the Tigers would have loved to not have squandered all their ABS challenges because it shouldn’t have been a walk, but there was nothing to be done. Montero got out of the jam by inducing a flyout to end the inning.

In the home half with two outs Eduardo Valenica hit a solo home run to left field. The rookie continues to swing an extremely hot bat with five homers and a ludicrous 248 wRC+ in 46 plate appearances. Spencer Torkelson walked and that was it for Messick, who was replaced by Craig Yoho. Yoho got the final out of the inning.

Jo Adell grounded out to start the inning, but the Guardians challenged, claiming Torkelson came off the bag. It did look like Tork’s foot was off the bag when he caught the ball, but it was hard to say definitively. The Tigers got exceptionally lucky and the call was upheld for the first out of the inning. That was also it for Montero, whose final line for the game was 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K on 88 pitches. For a game without a single strikeout, Montero really dominated the Guardians, inducing a lot of weak contact to keep them off the basepaths. A nice outing from him. Tyler Holton came in to replace him. He got the final two outs of the inning. In the bottom of the inning Malgeri got a two-out single but the Tigers weren’t able to bring him home.

Angel Martinez got a leadoff single in the eighth. Steven Kwan then hit into a force out to eliminate Martinez and put Kwan on, but the next batter was an out to leave him stranded. In the bottom of the inning Franco Aleman came in, and man don’t you think the Brewers wish they had a guy named “Aleman” in their bullpen? Yes, I know it’s not pronounced Ale Man, but still…) Kevin McGonigle got a one-out single. McGonigle stole second, then a pinch-hitting Colt Keith took a walk. Torkelson then singled to bring McGonigle home. Tim Herrin was the new pitcher after that. Keith advanced to third on a passed ball, but the Tigers would have to settle for just the one extra run, as Herrin got the two outs to end the inning.

Can the narrative survive this terrible truth?

Up to this point the Tigers had managed to maintain a shutout without striking out a single batter, so it remained to be seen if Kenley Jansen could continue the trend and also keep the Guardians scoreless in the ninth. Malgeri made another nice play on the warning track to retire Jose Ramirez. Sometimes the best thing you can do to improve your high leverage relief is to play better defense. A foul pop-up between third base and home plate should have been an out but McGonigle or Dingler both pulled up just short and it dropped on the ground. That’s not what we were looking for, defensively, but Jansen still managed to get the final outs of the inning on a fly ball to Clark and a line drive straight to McKinstry in left to complete the win without a single strikeout.

That is the first shutout without a strikeout in the major leagues since Rick Porcello’s 95 pitch Maddux back on July 1, 2014. It’s only happened nine times since 1995.

Final: Tigers 3, Guardians 0

Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Game Thread

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 12: Jackson Kent #25 of the Washington Nationals pitches in his Major League Debut during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on August 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Nats have had no answers for the Cubs’ fearsome offense so far this series. Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki and PCA have overwhelmed the Nats. However, they will get the chance to salvage a contest this afternoon. With their ace on the mound, this is a game the Nats need to have.

With a righty who is actually slightly better against lefties on the mound, Blake Butera has a different looking lineup. CJ Abrams and Abi Ortiz are the top two. However, righties like Dylan Crews, Andres Chaparro, Brady House and Andrew Pinckney are in the lineup. Jorbit Vivas is also in for the struggling Nasim Nunez. As mentioned, ace Cade Cavalli is on the bump.

The Cubs are also making a couple changes. With a righty on the mound, Michael Conforto is at DH. That moves Pedro Ramirez to second base, who gives Nico Hoerner a day off. Miguel Amaya will also do the catching. Deadline addition Kevin Gausman will make his second start for the Cubs.

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Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 4:05 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

Getting swept after finally getting a sweep would be a real bummer. The Nats need to do whatever it takes to avoid that. Limiting this Cubs offense will be tough, but it is necessary. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

Beware of the Brewers exciting young starters

Oct 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) reacts in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The way in which the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Milwaukee Brewers—who held home-field advantage in last year’s NLCS—is probably one of the primary factors behind this air of invincibility that they have carried ever since going back-to-back. While we could split hairs about the Dodgers’ offensive production in that series, averaging under four runs per game, they did pitch with such mastery that the series felt well in hand from the start.

One specific aspect of that series felt as though it led to being more closely watched than others. That NLCS provided the public with a rare opportunity of a matchup with a division of strengths that didn’t match the regular-season result. The David versus Goliath narrative was played up, and everyone waited to see if, with home-field advantage, the Brewers could rise to the challenge as they did through 162. The way in which that series unfolded served to justify numerous preconceived notions.

As the Dodgers welcome the Brewers into town for a weekend set, Milwaukee once again finds itself leading the NL Central, while possessing a better record than the Dodgers. And for all we know, these two teams could meet for the second time in a row in the NLCS, although the Braves and other NL playoff contenders might have something to say about that.

While other clubs that gave the Dodgers far bigger issues in last year’s postseason haven’t matched their production this season—Toronto is out of playoff contention and the Phillies are settling for a likely Wild Card spot—the Brewers are firing on all cylinders. The Freddy Peralta trade during the offseason hasn’t slowed them down one bit.

Because of the continued success of the Brewers current approach, it’d be relatively easy to create the expectation that since the Dodgers easily handled this type of team last season, they might do the same this year. While that could happen as Milwaukee still often relies on the sum of its parts over individual dominance, there have been noticeable changes in this team.

Few players in all of baseball have experienced a jump in production quite as high as Jacob Misiorowski, whose Cy Young case is by far the strongest in the NL. Misiorowski is the type of pitcher whose raw ability pops the first time you see him, something that landed him in the All-Star Game last year even though production alone probably didn’t warrant it. Still finding his footing in that first year, Misiorowski has developed into a level of ace that the Brewers haven’t had since Corbin Burnes’ Cy Young season. Peralta left the team, and yet the rotation is stronger, not only for all that Freddy hasn’t done this season but also for what other young pieces have been accomplishing.

Out for a significant period with a back strain, youngster Logan Henderson, who the Dodgers will see in the series finale on Sunday, has been superb when available. You also have a player who is an example of what makes the Brewers organization stand out in Kyle Harrison. Not one, but two teams acquired Harrison for his raw talent and couldn’t figure out a way to develop him; that’s until the Red Sox shipped him off to Milwaukee for Caleb Durbin and pieces, only to see him flourish into one of the more exciting young starters in the NL. A pitcher with a 22.9 K% before this season, Harrison has a 29.7 mark in 2026. More volatile than Henderson, Harrison is yet another starter who can take over a game when things go his way.

The focus on the pitching side for Milwaukee is only natural. If we project a matchup between these two clubs, it’s easier to imagine the Brewers’ staff occasionally dominating a Dodgers offense than to see the Brewers offense overcoming adversity against this staff of aces—particularly after the deadline delivered reinforcements with the addition of Tarik Skubal and the return of Blake Snell with Tyler Glasnow not far off.

Postseason baseball is always unpredictable, and that’s a point to reinforce more and more with the Dodgers coming off back-to-back titles. Even going beyond that, a cold, hard look at Milwaukee’s staff shows it possesses the high-end quality to ask major questions out of this Dodgers lineup, something to keep an eye on for the postseason.

Should Jakub Dobes Be In NHL Network’s Top 10 Goalies Right Now?

The NHL Network has already released a top-20 wingers and a top-20 defensemen list right now, with Montreal Canadiens Cole Caufield (ninth) and Lane Hutson (sixth) cracking those rankings. On Sunday night, they’ll be releasing their top-10 goalies list right now, and one can wonder if the Habs will have a player on that list as well. After the year he’s had, Samuel Montembeault is obviously as far away from the list as a goaltender could be, but what about Jakub Dobes?

The Czech netminder started the year as the backup goaltender, and as coach Martin St-Louis kept giving Montembeault second chances, it looked like Dobes’ confidence was affected. However, once the Habs realized that this just wasn’t Montembeault’s season and called up Jacob Fowler before also bringing on Marco Marciano as a goalie coach to replace Eric Raymond, he bounced back and grabbed the number one job.

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At the end of the regular season, Dobes had a 2.78 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. He was 22nd in GAA amongst goalies who had played at least 35 games, and his SV was 20th amongst the same group. However, he was 12th in wins, claiming 29 wins in just 43 games for a 67% winning percentage. He might not have always done it perfectly, but Dobes found ways to win games. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had the highest number of wins with 39, needed 58 games to get there. That’s also a 67% winning percentage. Karel Vejmelka, who had 38 wins, did so while playing in 64 games, meaning he won 60% of his duels. Jake Oettinger wraps up the top three in wins with 35 in 54 games for a 65% winning percentage. From that standpoint, Dobes deserves to be in the top-10 goalie conversation.

Furthermore, in the playoffs, he was sixth in GAA among goalies who played at least 10 games, with a 2.66 GAA and fifth in SV among the same group, with a .908 SV. As we’ve seen in the last two rankings released by the NHL Network, recent playoff performance can have an impact on those. Winger Mitch Marner landed in fourth place in the wingers ranking after putting off what would likely have been a Conn Smythe-worthy performance (29 points in 22 games, seven points ahead of the second-highest scorer) had the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. However, someone like Marner has a 10-year track record.

Dobes has only played in the NHL for two seasons (he played 16 games in 2024-25 and had a 2.74 GAA and a .909 SV), so the panel might feel he doesn’t have enough of a track record. Last season, the top 10 goalies according to NHL Network all had a lot of mileage. Connor Hellebuyck finished first and had played in 10 NHL seasons. Vasilevskiy was second and had played in 11 seasons; Igor Shesterkin was third and had played in six seasons; Sergei Bobrovsky was fourth, having played for 15 seasons; and Oettinger wrapped up the top five while having played in five NHL seasons. Looking at the rest of the top 10, no goaltender had less than five seasons of experience.

Taking that into account, it seems unlikely that NHL Network will put him on the list. It may be called the top 10 goalie list right now, but past performances do have an impact. However, if Dobes puts together a season as good as his last playoff performance was, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him on the list next year despite his limited experience because he would have proven he wasn’t a flash in the pan. In other words, it’s a no for now on Dobes, but that could change.

In the years to come, if Jacob Fowler develops as expected, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities to see two Canadiens goaltenders crack that list, as long as Kent Hughes doesn’t decide to sacrifice a goalie to fill another need, of course.


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Brooklyn Nets to open season at home vs. Charlotte Hornets October 21

BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 1: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 1, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA is out with its 2026-27 schedule and the Brooklyn Nets will open at Barclays Center on October 21 vs the Charlotte Hornets. Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET. The two teams opened last season as well with the game in Charlotte.

Here’s the details…

There will be two nationally scheduled games, same as last year as well. The Nets will face the Timberwolves on November 23, the return of Julius Randle to the Twin Cities on Peacock and the Bulls in Brooklyn on January 20, Nic Claxton’s reunion. With two games, the Nets are one of five teams with the minimum number of nationally televised slots. The others are the Pelicans, Bucks, Grizzlies and Kings. By comparison, the Knicks, 76ers, Spurs and Lakers will have 34.

As noted Wednesday, the Nets Emirates Cup games will take place October 30 vs. the Pistons; November 20 vs. the Magic, both at home, and the Bucks November 25 and the Raptors on November 27, both away. (The Magic game will be the first time Nets newcomer Moe Wagner will face his brother Franz in the NBA.)

The Nets will face their crosstown rivals, the defending NBA champion Knicks, four times:

November 2 at MSG

December 27 at MSG

February 1 at Barclays Center

April 1 at Barclays Center.

Three of the four will be 7:30 p.m. starts with December 27, a Sunday game, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Some hightlights of the schedule release:

  • The opening 10 games will be brutal, featuring some of the league’s top teams. In addition to the aforementioned Knicks game at MSG on November 2, the Nets will face the Cavaliers with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell on October 24 in Cleveland; the Pacers with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton on October 25 at home, then again on November 1 in Indianapolis; the Celtics with Jayson Tatum and Paul George on October 27 in Boston and the Mavericks with Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving on November 8 in Dallas.
  • The 76ers with LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will make their Brooklyn debut on November 16. Other superstars making their Brooklyn debut in new uniforms will include Ja Morant with the Trailblazers on December 21, Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Heat on January 7, Kawhi Leonard with the Raptors on January 23.
  • Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) will play his only game in Brooklyn this season on December 23, Luka Doncic (Lakers) on February 4 and Steph Curry (Golden State) on March 29. Kevin Durant plays his only game on the Barclays Center court January 9.
  • As for rookie clashes, Mikel Brown Jr., the No. 6 pick, will face off against Keaton Wagler of the Clippers, the No. 5 pick on January 29 and Darius Acuff of the Kings, the No. 7 pick on March 21. The overall No. 1 pick, A.J. Dybantsa, will first show up in Brooklyn with the Wizards on December 20.
  • Brooklyn will host 15 of its home games on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday which includes four Sunday afternoon contests on December 13 and 20 and March 21 and 28.

The Nets will also play four preseason games from October 6 through 14. Only one of the four, vs. the Wizards on October 12 at Barclays Center.

Sixers 2026-27 regular season schedule fully revealed

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 7: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game on December 7, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Philadelphia 76ers full regular season schedule for 2026-27 is out!

Earlier this week, a few key dates and matchups were announced by the NBA as a preview to the full schedule release. We learned that the Sixers will open their season on Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden against the defending-champion New York Knicks and will host their home-opener on Oct. 22 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was also revealed that the Sixers will spend Christmas Day on the west coast with LeBron James and the squad visiting the Los Angeles Lakers that evening. Finally, we learned the Sixers’ NBA Cup group play schedule.

Now, we have the full picture, with the entire schedule below.

Here’s a few things that stand out immediately:

  • The Sixers are a hot commodity for the league in 2026-27. They will feature in a maximum-allowed 34 nationally-televised games this season. Guess it comes with the territory of having Lebron James on your team.
  • They will play in 13 back-to-backs throughout the season. Last year, they played in 16, tied with a handful of other teams for the highest in the league.
  • Jaylen Brown will face off with Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics as a Sixer for the first time on Nov. 10 in South Philadelphia. Brown’s first game back at TD Garden as a member of the away team will not come until Jan. 21, 2027, which will be broadcast on Amazon Prime.
  • Speaking of Prime, the Sixers will have 13 games this season that require paid streaming services to watch (Peacock, Amazon Prime).
  • The Sixers’ annual west coast trip will take place around the Christmas holiday, including the aforementioned Christmas Day matchup visiting the Los Angeles Lakers. They will be on the road from Christmas Day through January 1st. Gotta get out of the way for Disney on Ice, people!
  • Busiest months for the Sixers will be January and March, with 16 games in each.

This is a particularly exciting regular season schedule release with so much anticipation around the new-look Sixers in the wake of the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Not only that, but it’s also one of very few summers that Joel Embiid has not been recovering from some sort of major injury or surgery — and he’s looking slimmer to say the least! The prospect of that trio playing alongside Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and the improved bench unit has fans around the city as excited as they’ve been about the team in… quite some time.

Six months (at least) of Sixers basketball awaits! Here’s the breakdown of each month of the upcoming campaign:

OCTOBER: 7 games (4 home, 3 away)

NOVEMBER: 14 games (7 home, 7 away)

DECEMBER: 13 games (5 home, 7 away, *2 to be scheduled)

JANUARY: 16 games (9 home, 7 away)

FEBRUARY: 11 games (6 home, 5 away)

MARCH: 16 games (7 home, 9 away)

APRIL: 5 games (2 home, 3 away)

Wizards release 2026-27 regular season schedule

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards have released their 2026-27 regular season schedule.

Washington opens the season at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.

The Wizards will play six national TV games, which exceeds the five they’ve played over the previous five seasons. The additions of Trae Young and Anthony Davis, plus the popularity of AJ Dybantsa, have made Washington a team to watch entering the 2026-27 campaign.

ESPN (1): @ BOS

NBC (2): vs. BOS, @ PHI

Prime Video (1): @ UTA

Peacock (2): @ DET, @ PHX

AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson will meet for the first time at 1 p.m. on Feb. 27 in Utah on Prime Video. The 2026 No. 1 and No. 2 selections will face off in Washington on March 6.

Washington will play four preseason games — two at home and two on the road.

10/8: @ New York Knicks

10/10: vs. Detroit Pistons

10/12: vs. Brooklyn Nets

10/16: @ New Orleans Pelicans

I released a full breakdown of the team’s schedule on the latest episode of The Wizards Podcast:

Deep Dive on Mets prospect Sammy Stafura, who has the loudest tools in New York's system

Just after 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 3, less than three hours before the MLB trade deadline, Sammy Stafura was three hours into a seven-hour bus trip to Georgia with the Pirates' High-A affiliate, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, when he received the call.

That call was from the Pirates informing him that he had been traded to the Mets in the deal that sent Luke Weaver to Pittsburgh. 

"I kind of blacked out," Stafura told SNY in an interview that will air in full on the next episode of The Mets Pod. "Wow, I’m really going to the Mets, this is crazy."

This led to a wild travel day for Stafura. He finished the remaining four hours on the bus with his now former teammates, then immediately hopped into an Uber for an hour and a half to ride Hartfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta. He had a three hour wait until a flight back to Greensboro, packed his things and then made the drive to Wilmington, Del. to meet up with his new team, the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The hectic day was all worth it, as Stafura now gets to suit up for the organization that he and his entire family are all diehard fans of. Born in Westchester County, Stafura’s earliest memory of going to Citi Field was at 5-or 6-years-old, with he and his family going to multiple Mets games per year. 

As excited as Stafura was to learn he was traded to the Mets, his older brother Steven was perhaps even more excited. 

"He was stressing for days," Stafura said. "He had a feeling something was going to go down. He was on Twitter just checking everything. He wasn’t even getting work done." Steven works with their father and younger brother. "When I called him, he was just pumped."

The Mets were excited to land Stafura, who came in as the No. 3 ranked prospect in the Mets system in my post-deadline rankings. From a tools standpoint, Stafura has the loudest tools of anyone in the Mets system. He is a plus athlete with top-end speed that rivals the speed of A.J. Ewing, which was on display when he beat out a routine groundball to shortstop last week

Stafura and Ewing not only share speed on the diamond, but they also share a relationship off the diamond that dates to high school and the travel ball circuit. 

"We played each other a bunch in high school, so we knew each other," Stafura said. "Once we got to pro ball, it was a close world. It felt like we played each other every week, so we’d always grab breakfast together and hang out, just going through this grind together." 

Along with the speed, I couldn’t find a scout who had any doubt Stafura could stick at shortstop -- most thought he is plus at the position. He has some experience at second base and his athleticism would theoretically play in center field as well. Stafura is a true up-the-middle athlete.

On the offensive side, Stafura has made some swing changes this year that has led to an uptick in bat speed and power with the exit velocity numbers to line up with above average, bordering on plus raw power. The 21-year-old has 20 home runs in 66 games on the season as of this writing.

He also cited a mentality shift that comes with maturing as a ballplayer, and that mindset is simple: He’s the best.

"It’s truly believing that I am the best player on the field, and I am way better than that pitcher every moment and every pitch," Stafura said, "It’s the approach of locking in your mind, because everyone’s got skill and talent. The one thing that separates a lot of people is the mental side."

Stafura, like every baseball player, is obviously not without flaws. He brings an aggressive approach to everything he does in the game, and that has led to a higher strikeout rate than you’d like to see. He has a 29 percent strikeout rate, and at times does chase breaking stuff away in the name of trying to do damage.

In talking to evaluators, it would probably be a detriment to attempt to drastically change Stafura's approach. The aggressive and high energy playing style is what makes him tick. However, if the strikeout rate can be reined into the 25 percent or better range, that could optimize his profile.

That profile looks the part of a future top 100 prospect. Any time there is a prospect who can combine plus speed and defense with above average, bordering on plus power at a premium position like shortstop -- even with the swing-and-miss questions -- that is an exciting prospect with big potential.

From a 5- or 6-year-old Mets fan to a high school kid sliding into the Mets' DMs on Instagram to try to throw out the first pitch, Stafura embraces the pressure that comes with being a Mets fan in the Mets' system.

If there’s one quote from the Stafura interview on The Mets Pod, which I implore you to check out when it drops, that summarizes the player that the Mets acquired, it's this one:

"I got the energy and I’m ready to eat."

Knicks' 2026-27 NBA regular season schedule

The title defense is on!

The NBA released the schedule for the 2026-27 regular season Thursday, as the Knicks, after ending a 53-year title drought, look to be greedy and become the league's first back-to-back champions in seven years.

The season, of course, will open with LeBron James and the new-look 76ers on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m., right after the Knicks raise their championship banner to the rafters at Madison Square Garden. That will be the first of the Knicks' 34 nationally televised games during the regular season.

Mike Brown's team will also play back-to-back games on 12 occasions.

Some other notable matchups include a visit to the Boston Celtics and old friend Mitchell Robinson for the second game of the season on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. New York will go back to Boston on Jan. 13 before hosting the Celtics on March 14 and April 4.

The Knicks will face off against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons in the season's fourth game of the season at MSG on Oct. 27. New York then travels to Detroit on Feb. 3 and Feb. 17 before hosting the Pistons in the season's penultimate game on April 9.

The Knicks, who also took home the NBA Cup, will open group play in that competition against Philadelphia on Oct. 30. As they look for back-to-back titles in that, they have an uphill climb in a group with the Sixers, Pacers (Nov. 13), Cavaliers (Nov. 25), and Heat (Nov. 27). The NBA Cup Knockout Rounds will begin on Dec. 4 and 5 with the semifinals on Dec. 8 and 9, before the cup is decided on Dec. 11.

Once again, New York will face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day at MSG for a 12 p.m. tip-off in an NBA Finals rematch. The Knicks will visit the Spurs on March 7, in the middle of a four-game road trip that will see them play in Dallas on March 4, and at the Clippers on March 10 and the Lakers on March 11. 

In other Western Conference matchups, the Knicks will be at Minnesota on Nov. 19 and host them on Jan. 18. 

Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets visit MSG on Jan. 11 after hosting the Knicks on Jan. 2.

Here's the rest of New York's 2026-27 schedule:

Giants claim Shay Whitcomb off waivers

Shay Whitcomb high-fiving teammates in the Astros dugout.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Shay Whitcomb #14 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 10, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco Giants have been hesitant to use the waiver wire this year, but on their Thursday off-day they utilized the tool for the third time this season. San Francisco announced that they had claimed infielder Shay Whitcomb off of waivers after he had been designated for assignment by the Houston Astros. Whitcomb has subsequently been optioned to AAA Sacramento. To make space for him on the 40-man roster, the Giants moved Trevor McDonald, who is out for the year with Tommy John surgery, to the 60-Day Injured List.

Whitcomb, a 27-year old right-hander, was the Astros’ 5th-round pick in 2020. He was drafted with a reputation for having a good speed and power combo, but a questionable hit tool that, unfortunately, has never materialized. In 102 plate appearances in the Majors, the UC San Diego alum has hit just .167/.216/.292, with a 28.4% strikeout rate. Unfortunately, he’s also been trending in the wrong direction: his debut season in 2024 was far and away his best, while over the last two seasons he’s combined to hit just 7-56 with three home runs, no doubles, one walk, and 21 strikeouts.

He’s also regressed a bit in the Minors. Whitcomb posted a 134 wRC+ in AAA in 2024 before his call-up, and a 122 wRC+ at the level a year ago. This season, he’s hit a hair below league average, with a 97 wRC+. He has stolen 23 bases, which is encouraging, though he’s yet to attempt a steal in 57 MLB games.

Most importantly, Whitcomb can play anywhere on the diamond. In AAA this season, he’s played every position except pitcher and catcher. The bulk of his reps have come at shortstop, third base, and catcher, so it’s not hard to see him having a role in San Francisco this year, given that Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt are out for the year, Willie Adames is dealing with a back injury, and Heliot Ramos has been traded.

For now, though, he’ll stay in the Pacific Coast League and get acclimated with Sacramento. I’d expect him to be in San Francisco at some point in the next few weeks, though.

5 most anticipated Lakers games for the 2026-27 season

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 16: Austin Reaves #15 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 16, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Every NBA season is different.

The storylines and the games that matter are constantly changing. With the Lakers overhauling their roster this summer, now contests that might’ve been just one of 82 last year will be some of the biggest hyped matchups this season.

Now that the entire Lakers schedule has been released, here are the five games that are must-see TV.

Lakers vs. Sixers, Dec. 25

LeBron James has left the Lakers and taken his talents to Philadelphia. His first time back in Los Angeles playing for the other side will be cinematic. The hype video will be iconic, the cheers he’ll get from fans will be loud and the game itself should be very competitive.

James made it clear his decision this summer was all about winning another title. The implied jab at the Lakers is that he believes the Sixers give him a better chance at winning ring No. 5.

So, even if Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić have love and respect for LeBron, they’ll want to beat him and prove they are doing just fine. And the same will be true for James, even if neither side will admit it.

Lakers at Spurs, Nov. 27

If you want to win the Western Conference, then you’ll have to go through San Antonio.

So, anytime the Lakers take on the Spurs, the intensity is going to turn up a notch. These matchups will be the closest thing to playoff-level competition we’ll see during the regular season.

How Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler perform in this game will matter more than almost any other contest. Reaves has struggled against the top teams in the West, and Kessler is unproven, having played only for the tanking Jazz during his career.

That will change this year, as the Lakers will have plenty of high-stakes games. But arguably none more important than this one.

Lakers at Knicks, Jan. 30

Madison Square Garden is a magical arena, and LA’s sole trip to New York this year will be one to remember.

The defending champs will get everyone’s best shot this season, and the Lakers are no exception. The stars will certainly come out for this one, and hopefully, Luka and company can put on a show that results in a Lakers win on the road.

Lakers vs. Thunder, Jan. 26

This game is an opportunity for LA to do two things: see how they measure up against another elite Western Conference team and get some revenge for last year’s playoff sweep against the Thunder.

Sure, a regular-season win won’t make up for how things ended last season, but it’s a start.

Even the most optimistic Lakers fans have the Thunder in front of them in the NBA hierarchy, so winning these games would be huge.

Lakers vs. Celtics, Jan.7

This will be Kessler’s first Lakers-Celtics matchup, so this is a great chance for him to establish himself with the franchise by doing what the LA bigs before him have done by dominating against Boston.

Anytime the Lakers play the Celtics, there should be added animosity and an increased desire to win. Last year, the Lakers fell short of that with an embarrassing performance.

Hopefully, this season, they bring the appropriate energy and, more importantly, win.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

The Celtics’ schedule is out, and here are the 5 games I’m most excited for

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 25: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during the game on December 25, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2024 NBAE(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The 2026-2027 NBA schedule is out, and it’s filled with must-watch Celtics games. The season tips off on Tuesday, October 20th in Detroit, and concludes at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 11th.

In between those games are 80 regular-season games: 40 home, 40 away. 

Here are the five games that stand out most from the slate: 

1. January 21: The Jaylen Brown return game

The Celtics will host the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time since the Jaylen Brown trade. Brown will undoubtedly receive a very warm welcome from a TD Garden crowd that watched him lace up as a Celtic for the past 10 years. This game also doubles as the one game 

The one downside is that this game is taking place on the second night of a back-to-back for the Celtics – it would be a massive bummer if Jayson Tatum or any other key player sat for it. 

2. October 23rd: Knicks at Celtics

Just a few days after raising their championship banner, the Knicks will travel to Boston for the Celtics’ home opener. There’s a lot in this match-up: Boston opens up the regular season against the team that won the title last year, and Mitchell Robinson faces his former team for the first time. 

Plus, Celtics-Knicks has felt extra juicy since the 2025 playoffs, when New York eliminated Boston in six games in the second round of the playoffs. 

3. November 10th: Celtics at 76ers

Jaylen Brown will face his former team for the first time on November 10th, a few months before he makes his official return to the Garden. So, we very well could see him matching up against Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and the rest of the gang. 

This game, like the January match-up, is also on the first night of a back-to-back for Boston, so fingers crossed no major players are sidelined. It will also be the first time the Celtics face LeBron James in a 76ers uniform, and seek redemption against the squad they blew a 3-1 lead against in the first round of last year’s playoffs. 

4. December 25th: Celtics vs Heat on Christmas Day

After watching from the sidelines last year, the Celtics are back on the Christmas Day slate and will host the new-look Miami Heat. That will be a chance for fans to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo up close and personal, and envision what could have been, given the fact the team tried to trade for the Greek Freak this past offseason. There’s also the always-fun Celtics-Heat rivalry, which will live on as long as Pat Riley runs the show in Miami. 

5. October 20th: Opening Day in Detroit

I can’t lie: a 3pm tip-off on Tuesday afternoon against the Detroit Pistons is not the most thrilling way for the Celtics to start their regular season. But it’s the regular-season opener regardless, and it’s cool to see the Celtics among the six teams suiting up. Plus, after an extra-long and extra-tumultuous offseason, it will be interesting to see how this new-look squad fares against last year’s Eastern Conference top seed. 

Field of Dreams Game LIVE: Phillies vs Twins time, stadium and where to watch

Major League Baseball returns to Iowa on Thursday with the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins playing at the "Field of Dreams" stadium in Dyersville, the third time big-leaguers have been showcased at the site made famous by the 1989 Kevin Costner film.

"These games are fun for me," Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said. "It's somewhere different. It's something that you remember more vividly than you would just another game somewhere else."

The Field of Dreams Game was last played in 2022, the second year in a row the made-for-TV contest was held after huge success and a thrilling New York Yankees-Chicago White Sox game in 2021. More than 25 Baseball Hall of Famers will be on hand for the event with the legends and current players expected to walk through the corn fields and emerge onto the field.

"It's going to be awesome," said Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. "I've never been out there before, so I'm excited to see the corn, see the field they actually filmed it at. Just to be in that atmosphere."

Follow for live updates:

Where to watch Field of Dreams game

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (pregame coverage begins at 6:30)
  • Location: Dyersville, Iowa
  • Streaming: Netflix

What time is Phillies vs Twins Field of Dreams game?

First pitch in the Phillies-Twins game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Field of Dreams stadium dimensions

MLB lists the stadium's dimensions as 335 feet down both lines, 380 to the alleys and 400 to center field – with windows in the right-field wall looking out on the corn.

Field of Dreams game pitchers today

  • Phillies: Aaron Nola: 3–9 record, 5.47 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 125.0 IP, and 129 SO (24 starts)
  • Twins: Taj Bradley: 9–4 record, 3.76 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 131.2 IP, and 148 SO (22 starts)

Field of Dreams Game hats and jerseys

Get 2026 Field of Dreams jerseys and hats

Phillies lineup

  1. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
  2. Trea Turner (R) SS
  3. Bryce Harper (L) RF
  4. Luis Arraez (L) 2B
  5. Bryson Stott (L) 3B
  6. Alec Bohm (R) 1B
  7. Brandon Marsh (L) LF
  8. J.T. Realmuto (R) C
  9. Justin Crawford (L) CF

Twins lineup

  1. Trevor Larnach (L) LF
  2. Byron Buxton (R) CF
  3. Ryan Jeffers (R) C
  4. Josh Bell (S) DH
  5. Royce Lewis (R) 1B
  6. Kody Clemens (L) 2B
  7. Luke Keaschall (R) RF
  8. Brooks Lee (S) 3B
  9. Kaelen Culpepper (R) SS

The Twins are on the field

The Minnesota Twins, who are hosting this Field of Dreams game, have arrived on the field in Dyersville, Iowa. MLB Network reporter J.P. Morosi repots that the players are out on the field and starting to get ready.

Hey Dad how about a catch

Twins greats Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are expected to walk out of the corn before the game, but they took the chance to make some personal memories before that. They went to the field the movie was filmed on and recreated the final emotional season. Mauer and Morneau were caught on camera having a catch with their sons on the same grass Kevin Costner did in 1989.

Mauer, the St. Paul kid who went into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, hit in the middle of the Twins lineup together for seven seasons.

If you build it ...

Bryce Harper doing a little sightseeing

Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott did a little pregame sightseeing. They stopped at the white farmhouse, the one Kevin Costner's Ray Kinsella lived in before pregame work on Thursday.

Harper has played in a World Series and a World Baseball Classic, but he'd never been here to Iowa. The Phillies took in the sights before getting down to business.

Stott's Field of Dreams cleats honor Phillies who can't make it

Bryson Stott's cleats for Thursday night tell the story the movie told. Phillies greats including Tug McGraw, Roy Halladay and Harry Kalas step out of the corn, painted on the leather of his cleats. He brings along the memories of men who are not around to be a part of this special night. McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to end the 1980 World Series and gave the Phillies their first title. Halladay threw a perfect game and postseason no-hitter in the same 2010 season. Kalas called it all for 38 years.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Field of Dreams Game LIVE: Phillies vs Twins time, stadium and where to watch