A Long Island rooted diehard Knicks fan living in the heart of Celtics territory is going viral for turning New York playoff wins into clever Billy Joel lyrics — and it might just be a good luck charm for the NBA Finals vs. the Spurs.
“When I decided to do it, they had won maybe five straight by that point,” 21-year-old Luke Wenner of Attleboro, Massachusetts, told The Post after the streak reached 11 straight.
Diehard Knicks fan Luke Wenner has gone viral for his Billy Joel style game recaps.
“I was like, yeah, might as well see how it goes. Obviously, it’s worked out pretty well,” added Wenner, who has gotten praise from Mick Jagger’s son, Lucas.
“It’s eight o’clock on a Tuesday, the regular Knicks shuffle in / They swiftly go down from their rustiness — and soon the comeback begins,” Wenner sang and played on piano.
He changed “She’s Always a Woman” to “It’ll Always Be New York for Me” when the Knicks swept Cleveland in four, in a clip that was liked over 10,000 times.
The Knicks haven’t lost since Wenner started his songs. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“I’ll sit there, as I’m watching the games, I’ll either pick a song or two of Billy Joel’s to keep in mind,” said Wenner, who idolizes Hicksville’s hometown hero Joel.
“I’ll be reading the lyrics, and I’m like, ‘oh, this player’s name would work perfectly in this verse.'”
Wenner showed The Post his “For the Longest Time” rework he will release ahead of the team’s first finals appearance since 1999.
“Maybe some had thought our hope was gone, but the true New Yorkers did stay strong,” it goes.
Wenner grew up a massive Billy Joel fan. Getty Images
“And now the time’s come, let’s go and take home this one — we have been waiting for the longest time.”
The recent psychology and criminal justice grad began with about 70 followers after dropping the Game 1 jingle. He’s close to 3,000 in a matter of days since blue and orange nation became touched by his tunes.
“It’s just been so great seeing that a huge majority of the comments are very favorable, and they definitely love what I’ve been doing,” Wenner said. “It’s just been nuts.”
Wenner has become an overnight sensation for his Billy Joel Knicks videos.
And, Wenner’s river of dreams is a long time coming after putting up with the folks around Beantown.
“I’ve definitely gotten a lot of flak throughout my whole school career, because, pretty much all of my teams have been pretty horrible,” lamented Wenner.
He likened the Knicks’ underdog outlook to that of his G-Men when they faced the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII and again in Super Bowl XLVI.
Wenner is hopeful that Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will win it all this time. Getty Images
“They didn’t give the Giants a chance. So, I think it’s possible,” said Wenner.
“It would just mean the world to me, especially given that I can rub it in the faces of my fellow Celtics fans.”
With Justin Verlander on the mound, the Mud Hens’ offense honored their famous temp by absolutely mauling Cubs’ pitching on Tuesday.
Verlander, sidelined after one start this spring with a hip issue, looked pretty good. He had no trouble at all with the Cubs, scattering three singles and a double without allowing a walk. He struck out four, pounding the zone consistently throughout his outing. The slider and his changeup were both pretty sharp, and his fastball command looked good as well. Verlander averaged 93.5 mph and 19 inches of IVB, with several pitches topping out at 95 mph. That will do pretty nicely, and hopefully he can find a little more gas in the tank as he builds up. He threw 48 of 64 pitches for strikes. Presumably he’ll get one more rehab start before returning to the Tigers.
Funny and nostalgic seeing Verlander in a Mud Hens uniform. Last time I saw him pitch at Fifth Third Park was a rehab start in 2015 before he returned to the Tigers and served notice that his incredible career was nowhere close to done. The only guy who hit him in that game was a young prospect named Francisco Lindor.
Justin Verlander, pitching for the Toledo Mud Hens for the first time in 11 years, ends the first inning of his rehab start with a high fastball for a strikeout. pic.twitter.com/Uuue30yTGR
The Hens gave the future Hall of Famer run support right out of the chute. Max Clark started the game with a walk, and two batters later Max Anderson cracked a two-run shot to left. In the third, Ben Malgeri and Anderson doubled back-to-back, and then Eduardo Valencia cleared the bases with his 10th homer on the year to make it 5-0.
In the fifth, Malgeri led off with his second double of the game, and Anderson reached on an error. Gage Workman plated Malgeri with a single and Valencia singled to load the bases. Trei Cruz stepped into the box and lifted a towering shot to left for a grand slam. 10-0 Hens. They went on to score two more runs in the inning.
Trei Cruz blows the game open for Toledo with this grand slam to left center. It’s 10-0 Mud Hens. pic.twitter.com/z38SO9bNfq
Jack Little gave up the lone Cubs run in the seventh. Max Clark launched a solo shot in the eighth against a position player, his third on the year. With Anderson and Workman on in the ninth, Cruz lined out to center field, but a poor throw from the Cubs center fielder allowed both runs to score and make it 16-1.
Anderson: 4-6, 4 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR
Cruz: 2-6, R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR, K
Clark: 1-3, 3 R, RBI, HR, 3 BB
Valencia: 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR
Verlander (W, 1-0): 5.0 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 1:08 p.m. ET start in Des Moines on Wednesday.
A late rally fell just short on Tuesday night in Richmond.
The SeaWolves scored quickly as Seth Stephenson doubled to open the game, and then scored on a John Peck grounder that went for an error. That 1-0 lead didn’t last, as Max Alba allowed three runs in the bottom half and single runs in the fourth and fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Stephenson singled with one out and stole his 25th base of the season. Brett Callahan followed with a walk, and Peck reached on an infield single to load the bases. Patience and a good eye from Thayron Liranzo helped him draw a walk that forced in a run, but Chris Meyers struck out and Andrew Jenkins grounded out to squander a chance at a big inning to get back into this one.
So it was 5-2 Richmond heading into the seventh inning. Stephenson drew a leadoff walk, but was shockingly caught stealing. Brett Callahan drew a walk to replace him, and Peck reached on an error. Liranzo drew another walk to load the bases, and with two outs, Jenkins came through with a two-run single to make it a 5-4 game.
Johan Simon did a nice job taking over from Alba and racking up five straight outs, but Dariel Fregio came on to allow three more runs in the bottom of the seventh. The Flying Squirrels needed those add-on runs.
In the top of the ninth, Peck led off with a double. Liranzo took a called strike three, but Peck stole third and scored on an errant throw from Richmond catcher Ty Hanchey. Jenkins singled with two outs, and he rode home on Izaac Pacheco’s sixth home run to make it an 8-7 game. Peyton Graham followed with a single as the potential tying run and Aaron Antonini drew a walk. Stephenson unfortunately struck out to end it.
Izaac Pacheco with a 2-run moonshot to right to pull Erie within one run in the 9th. It’s his 6th home run of the year. pic.twitter.com/BxdLL1fy8G
Coming Up Next: They’ll get back at it on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Dayton Dragons 10, West Michigan Whitecaps 4 (box)
Hayden Minton put together an extemely Jekyll and Hyde outing, and the Whitecaps bullpen did nothing to let them get back into this one.
Minton punched out 10 hitters in 4.1 innings of work. He walked just one and allowed just four hits. The problem was that three of those hits were home runs. He allowed three in the top of the third, and one more as he departed in the fifth.
The Whitecaps answered right back after the Dragons three-run outburst with three of their own in the bottom of the third. Andrew Sojka led off with a walk and Junior Tilien singled. A Woody Hadeen ground out to first moved the runners, and two batters later Garrett Pennington launched a three-run shot, his ninth on the year.
Juanmi Vasquez and Zack Lee each allowed a run in relief. In the bottom of the eighth, Bryce Rainer drew a walk and Clayton Campbell singled. Rainer scored as Jackson Strong grounded into a double play to make it 6-44, but Ethan Sloan allowed four runs in the top of the ninth to end hopes of a comeback.
Pennington; 1-3, R, 3 RBI, HR, BB, K
Rainer: 1-2, R, 2 BB, K
Minton (L, 2-3): 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, BB, 10 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET start in Comstock Park on Wednesday.
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 10, Lakeland Flying Tigers 2 (box)
We got some good news in this one, as left-hander Jake Miller made his season debut in a rehab outing. Miller was our preseason top pitching prospect in the system, although that’s a bit of a dubious honor considering he’s still not a top 100 caliber starter. After an injury plagued season in 2025 in which he was diagnosed with lumbar back issues that were later linked to hip labrum tears that required surgery on both hips, Miller spent until early May rehabbing and is just now ramping up in game action.
The game, however, did not go the Flying Tigers’ way as Grayson Grinsell was rocked in relief of Miller. Miller fired two scoreless innings of one-hit ball with a pair of strikeouts. He’s still going to need to develop a cutter or a harder breaking ball to go with a good fourseam-changeup combination and a slow sweeper, but Miller pounds the strike zone and has some deception and good armspeed that helps his stuff play up.
Nice to see Jake Miller back on the mound for Lakeland. Here’s his first inning of work today. pic.twitter.com/eMPERkZxOT
Jesus Pinto, rapidly getting love in Tigers’ prospecting circles, blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the second to give the Flying Tigers an early lead. Grinsell took over from Miller in the third and surrendered three runs. Jack Goodman answered back with a solo shot in the bottom of the third.
So it was 3-2 Fort Myers, and Grinsell then was tagged for three more runs in the fifth. They added on against Pedro Garcia, and the Flying Tigers offense stalled out despite several scoring opportunites later in the game.
Warwick: 2-4, 2B, 2 K
Espinal: 2-4, K
Miller: 2.0 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 2 K
Grinsell (L, 3-2): 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:30 p.m. ET start on Wednesday.
Rookie Ball
Our favorite lesser known pitching prospect, RHP Jhonan Coba, led the FCL Tigers to an 8-0 victory on Tuesday, although Johnathan Rogers, the Tigers 20th rounder in Scott Harris’ first draft in 2023, who recently re-signed with the club at age 21, got the win. Coba went three innings, allowing two hits, no walks, while striking out five. Cris Rodriguez doubled in that game, but struck out twice.
In the second game of a doubleheader, the FCL Tigers roster beat the Phillies 4-3 as well. Cristian Perez, a name to watch, homered in that one, his fifth already on the year for the 19-year-old center fielder. He holds a .990 OPS so far in 19 games.
What a Jhonan Coba 97 MPH, 21.35" IVB fastball looks like up in the zone, traced. pic.twitter.com/klvSrECqxE
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 29: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees takes batting practice before their game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on May 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees lost an annoying game last night in a series opener in the Bronx against the Guardians, but that’s probably not what’s front-of-mind for most of their fans. For the first time all year, Aaron Judge was absent from the startng lineup, as manager Aaron Boone revealed that he’s been battling a bone bruise on his right rib cage that’s affected his shoulder.
In short, it stinks, and while Judge is set to see a specialist today to get another opinion, it appears that for now, the Yankees are in “wait and see” mode with no IL move just yet. What was that Homer Simpson once said about The Waiting Game?
Yeah. We don’t have a collective game of “Hungry Hungry Hippos” to distact us, so instead I ask you to rate your concern about Judge’s injury. Maybe it won’t be much in the grand scheme of things—remember when the world freaked out about Juan Soto’s elbow in June 2024 and those were almost literally the only games he missed all year? And yet we can’t rule out something more.
So let’s say it’s a scale of 1-5, with 1 representing no conern at all and 5 representing PANIC CITY. I think I’m honestly at a 2. Bone bruises just make me wary on principle; call it long-term damage from what Derek Jeter’s 2012 bone bruise turnedinto, though obviouly he was four years older than Judge is now and it was a different part of the body. But I do think that this will ultimately be something minor causing Judge to only miss a few games. Maybe. Hopefully.
My primary hope is that if it’s looking like they do need to put him on the IL after the specialist meets with him, they just get it over with and don’t play a man short for too long. Again, different injury, but Judge had a quick 10-day IL stint last year to get over a right elbow flexor strain and didn’t miss a beat upon returning. Fingers crossed that this is the worst-case scenario.
Today on the site, Josh will deep-dive on what’s going on with Aaron Judge and what his bone bruise may or may not be affecting (as compared to his age), Matt will run through the Rivalry Roundup, and Jeremy will celebrate the 51st birthday of a former World Series champion and true defensive genius behind the plate. Later, we’ll talk prospects, as Scott looks back at a bumpy May for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Michael breaks down George Lombard Jr.’s first month at Triple-A, and Andrés considers Carlos Lagrange’s development within the past month amid the recent news that he’ll be working out of the bullpen.
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 1: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game on November 1, 2025 at 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Hey, everyone. Sorry for the delay on this one. School is finishing up this week, so I’ve been busy grading, and cleaning my classeroom, and wrapping things up administratively. It’s no excuse, but it’s why I’m a little behind right now.
Anyway, we asked you last week, if the Rockets were to trade for a star, which one of the guys they are currently being linked to would you most want them to trade for? Your options were Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, or Kawhi Leonard. Here’s what you said:
And by a landslide, the Jaylen Browns have it. I think that’s a prudent choice. He’d obviously fit right in with Ime Udoka, and is arguably the best roster fit in my opinion. I doubt that the Rockets do anything, though. My guess is that they run it back. I don’t think that’s the right move, but if they did trade for one of these available stars, Brown would be my choice as well.
Thanks for voting. We’ll be back soon with more Reacts.
Across an NBA Finals, it’s often the matchups within the matchups that determine the victor.
And, interestingly, both the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs feature players they can leverage in specific matchups to gain minor advantages in a game-by-game basis.
Slowing Wembanyama will be a team effort, but expect Anunoby to be the primary defender on him, at least early in the series. Though he gives up eight inches in height, Anunoby, a second-team All-Defensive selection, owns the wingspan and strength to prevent Wembanyama from getting comfortable in the paint.
Anunoby, who is 6-foot-7, actually outweighs Wembanyama by five pounds, per their official playing weights. Anunoby doesn’t shy away from contact and uses his 7-foot-2 wingspan to contest jumpers. Obviously, Wembanyama’s reach makes him a nightmare to stop, so the key will be for Anunoby — and others — to keep their leverage and use their arms and forearms to prevent Wembanyama from getting deep into the paint. The best bet for the Knicks is to try to force Wembanyama to be more of a perimeter player because when he gets going down low, he’s singular.
“He’s pretty unique,” Anunoby said Tuesday, June 2 when asked about guarding Wembanyama. “There’s little things, maybe like guarding a (Nikola) Jokić, or (Kristaps) Porziņģis or Joel (Embiid), but he’s different, like you said. He’s taller. But, yeah, just being aware of where he’s at all over the floor. He can do everything. He’s super talented. Just trying to make it as difficult as possible.”
That said, Anunoby will not be the only defender on Wembanyama. At some point, presumably, Karl-Anthony Towns will have to guard Wembanyama. Prone to spells of foul trouble, Towns will need to stay disciplined to not commit the cheap fouls that could force him out of the game.
Knicks help defense against the Spurs pick-and-roll with Wembanyama as the screener
San Antonio found massive success in the Western Conference finals with an action it ran over and over against the Thunder.
Essentially, the Spurs asked ball-handlers De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle to initiate pick-and-rolls with Wembanyama as the screener. After setting the pick, Wembanyama rolled hard to the basket, which created multiple options out of the same action; Fox or Castle could use the space from the screen to attack or pull up for jumpers, they could feed Wembanyama in the paint for slashing looks at the rim, or the ball would swing to open shooters in the corners or the wings.
Wembanyama’s gravity sucks in extra defenders, which forces those players to face a decision: either they leave their shooters to help on Wembanyama, or they sit tight with their man, leaving the paint more exposed.
If that help does come on Wembanyama, San Antonio’s shooters will need to capitalize on those looks but expect the Knicks, who had plenty of time to scout the Spurs, to anticipate this action.
Josh Hart spacing the floor vs. Wembanyama
In previous matchups earlier this season, the Spurs had Wembanyama on Josh Hart as his primary assignment. This is by design; on defense, San Antonio wants Wembanyama to hover near the paint as much as possible. So while it would seemingly make sense for Wembanyama to guard Towns, a 7-footer, Towns’ ability to stretch the floor with his shooting range would inherently draw Wembanyama away from the basket, which would then allow the space for Knicks guards and wings — Brunson, Anunoby, Mikal Bridges — to attack the paint.
Therefore, if San Antonio looks to put Wembanyama on Hart once more, Hart could provide massive value if he’s able to knock down some 3s early in the series, forcing the Spurs to guard him.
At times, the Cavaliers left Hart wide open and let him shoot. And though Hart is shooting just 30.3% from 3 these playoffs, he did erupt in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, going 5-of-11 from deep.
San Antonio’s effort to get Karl-Anthony Towns into foul trouble
As mentioned above, Towns is a high-intensity player on both ends, though he sometimes falls into foul trouble. Usually, it’s the careless fouls that create problems. And when Towns is off the floor for lengthy stretches, the Knicks aren’t nearly as potent.
While Towns is a decent rim protector, San Antonio should make a concerted effort to use his energy against him and try to draw contact through intentional drives to the rim.
Stephon Castle on Jalen Brunson
Similar to defending Wembanyama, defending Brunson will be a team effort. But if there’s one player who has had success against him, it’s second-year guard Stephon Castle.
He should draw the primary assignment on Brunson, and Castle’s lateral speed and athleticism should make it difficult for Brunson (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) to carve spaces in the lane. Castle (6-foot-6, 215 pounds), however, cannot rely simply on his size and strength, because Brunson is superb at head fakes and knows how to put defenders in compromising positions.
Jalen Brunson when guarded by Stephon Castle in his career:
“I think what’s worked for me is trying to be physical with him,” Castle said Tuesday. “He’s obviously shorter than me, but he’s a very physical guard, he gets to his spots well. Uses deception well, has great footwork. Trying to be as disciplined as I can, crowd his space, but not give him the angles that he's looking for.
“At this point he has seen pretty much every coverage, been guarded all kinds of ways. Just trying to impose my will and use my physicality to my advantage.”
WASHINGTON – Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough was lauding his ace, Sandy Alcantara, for the seven strong innings he pitched against the National League’s most potent offense, and delivering the usual platitudes one would expect in a victory postmortem.
He mixed his pitches well, McCullough said of the former Cy Young Award winner. Used his entire arsenal. Kept James Wood, the most dangerous man on the Washington Nationals, off balance in limiting the 6-foot-7 slugger to an infield single and striking him out twice.
Yet the credit for what went on between the lines really only extended to Alcantara’s execution of the pitches.
The road map to set up and punch out opposing batters was almost exclusively the domain of two men perched in a photo well next to the Marlins’ dugout, armed with reams of data and flashing numbers and hand gestures to catcher Joe Mack, who would then glance at a wristband on his left arm and relay their order to Alcantara by pushing buttons on his PitchCom device.
And then Alcantara would deliver the pitch of choice.
The technologically crude relay system belies the stupendous amount of data informing every pitch decision. And it represents the latest modern battleground in baseball’s never-ending conflict between touch and feel and decision sciences.
Since September, the Marlins have called pitches from the dugout, taking away the traditional task of the catcher to strip the emotion and proverbial fog of war from pitch selection. McCullough and the Marlins say the upside is nearly as much lightening the mental load for their young catchers and pitchers as it is the ability to process data in real time from the remove of the dugout.
And after years of pitch-calling remaining almost exclusively the domain of the catcher, there are now, in this PitchCom era, three ways pitch decisions are made.
The vast majority still prefer the catcher calling the pitch and punching a button to alert the pitcher. PitchCom also enables pitchers to call their own games, pushing a button on their belt to inform the catcher what they’re going to do.
And then there are the Marlins, whose stance seems largely at odds with scores of pitchers and catchers who say the men in the arena have the ultimate feel for what pitch should come next.
“We’re in a different era, obviously, of baseball. Analytics drives so many decisions,” veteran San Diego Padres right-hander Lucas Giolito tells USA TODAY Sports. “But that old-school part of me, man – that pitcher-catcher relationship, that communication before and during a game, reading swings, reading at-bats - I think that’s something players get better at with experience, especially catchers.
“Gameplans are only as good as what it gives you right when you go out there and sometimes you throw it out the window and make an adjustment based on how the hitters are doing. Do I still think that’s possible calling pitches from the dugout? Yeah, but now you’re getting a coach involved.
“For me, it feels like an extra step that’s not really necessary.”
For now, the trend is a drip, not a flood.
The Colorado Rockies are also calling some pitches from the dugout, though that’s within the context of a massive organizational overhaul that aims to solve the dilemma of pitching at mile-high Coors Field. The New York Mets dabbled in it during spring training.
Others have recoiled: Seattle Mariners All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh called it “stupid.”
And another contingent wants to see proof in the pudding, which leads down a rabbit hole of cause vs. correlation, the Marlins serving as the lab rats.
Call is coming from inside the dugout
And the Marlins are perhaps the definition of “inconclusive.”
They are having a relatively typical Marlins year, now 28-34 and exchanging fourth and fifth place in the NL East with the Mets with some frequency.
It’s not exactly the large step forward the franchise perhaps hoped for after Miami finished the 2024 season on a 54-32 heater. By September, the club decided to start calling pitches from the dugout, a practice they began with their Class AAA Jacksonville club.
Come 2026, Jacksonville pitching coach Rob Marcello was promoted to the big club, serving as assistant pitching coach. And he and major league field coordinator Aaron Leanhardt are often the ones relaying the signals, somehow an even more analog version of the goofy signs and posterboards college football teams use to relay plays in from the sideline.
The call from the dugout is typically signaled within two to four seconds of the pitch clock countdown beginning. Mack or Hicks push the buttons.
And the pitcher fires.
“It’s a lot different and it’s new to me,” Alcantara tells USA TODAY Sports. “I’ve been in the game a long time and all, so it’s different to me, but I just gotta keep trust. Because they are trying to do their best to help the young pitchers and the young catcher.
“I think it’s a great idea for us to get better.”
Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner who underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2023 campaign, is the senior member of the staff. Otherwise, it’s largely a young and moldable group of pitchers, with right-hander Max Meyer among those taking a significant step forward this season.
Despite the unique pitching arrangement, they did manage to import a handful of arms from other organizations, notably closer Pete Fairbanks and set-up man John King.
King, the former St. Louis Cardinal and Texas Ranger, has benefited from the pitching department reducing his reliance on his sinker, a very good pitch that he’d thrown 70% of the time. The team helped him add a sweeper, and now he’s throwing the sinker just 30% of the time.
More than a third of the way through the season, King has reduced his WHIP from 1.39 in entering this season to a career-best 0.72 and his hits per nine innings from 10.1 to 3.6.
“All the analytics and data they have – and them being emotionally apart from the game with all those numbers – what they want you to do is have a good mix,” says King. “Now,
I’ve become more unpredictable and I think they do a good job of seeing the hitters’ weakness but also relying on the pitcher’s strengths, and how they want to sequence their strengths together.”
Notably, King says the mental load has been considerably lightened. Yes, King and the catchers still do significant amounts of homework and pre-game prep, but “perhaps not as in-depth as I’ve done in the past, and I kind of like that,” he says.
“Because I don’t think we need to be thinking about 20 different things at once: Where do I throw my sinker? Where’s the best place to put this offspeed, especially with two strikes?”
And while taking away pitch-calling duties from Hicks might be professionally neutering him to some degree, it’s hard to argue with his entire contribution this season.
Hicks was a Rule 5 pick from the Detroit Tigers who stuck on the big league squad throughout the 2025 season and stayed in the organization. McCullough notes he still had to earn his way onto the roster this spring – and he did much more than that.
He now ranks third in the NL with 46 RBIs, has smacked 12 homers and has an .825 OPS while splitting catching duties with rookie Joe Mack. In an unprecedented information age in the game, the Marlins’ hope was that reducing the catchers’ homework would allow them to concentrate on other facets of their game.
Hicks would seem to be a beneficiary – even if the club has essentially taken away one of the core duties of his position.
“Yeah, calling a game is fun. Rewarding, after a win,” says Hicks. “So, you’re missing that a little bit. But you can also impact a game a lot of ways as a catcher.
“Coaches are doing a lot more homework than the catchers do. There’s gonna be times you’re not sure why they’re calling something but in the end it’s what’s right. They’ve never called a pitch without a reason behind it.”
More reasons, really, than you can imagine.
A nightly grade for the pitch-callers
If there’s any upside for catchers getting stripped of pitch-calling duties, it’s gaining the ability to say, “Hey, don’t look at me” after an opposing batter deposits a pitch over the fence.
“I feel for the catchers, because I feel like it handcuffs them. But it also alleviates the pressure,” says Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman. “It’s coming straight from the dugout. So if it doesn’t work, it’s like, well, you guys told me to throw that slider.
“There’s positives and negatives to both of it. But I never thought I’d see it in the big leagues.”
Marcello, the 35-year-old assistant pitching coach, is the man largely charged with bringing it there. He workshopped pitch-calling as the Class AAA Jacksonville’s pitching coach, then was added to the staff this year.
He sets up in something resembling a sniper’s nest with major league field coordinator Aaron Leanhardt – also known as the guy who invented the torpedo bat – and they flash signs to Hicks or Mack.
By night’s end, the Marlins’ information machine will spit out validation – or scorn – beyond what the final score might indicate.
“There is an analytical grade, postgame, that they’ll give me,” Marcello tells USA TODAY Sports. “We hold meetings two or three times a week with everybody to ask, ‘Hey, what are we missing? What could we do better? How is this going?’”
For Marcello, the preparation never ends. He aims to be so well-prepared that he knows what the next pitch – sometimes two – will be immediately after signaling one to his catcher.
And he pushes back gently on the notion that coaches outside the field of play can’t see what’s going on.
“I do think there’s a lot to see from the side,” he says. “Hey, is this guy on time for the fastball, or not? And a lot of it is catchers giving information to me and having that in-game communication.
“And then a conversation after: How do we navigate it, make it a smoother road?”
It is admittedly strange to see, less than a decade after the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing gambit helped them win a World Series, a team so publicly pass along signs when the PitchCom system was designed to largely skirt that.
Opponents have noticed.
“You don’t push a button from the dugout. You’re giving signals,” says Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt, whose team won two of three games at Miami in April. “Those signals are pretty easily deciphered to tell you, pretty much, what’s exactly coming.
“Teams that do that? Keep doing it. It helps us.”
Marcello insists the Marlins’ system keeps their signals buttoned up and they are, predictably, vigilant about what they see and hear. He uses a privacy screen to ensure his information can’t be picked up by camera.
“There’s a lot of different sign cards we can put out there,” he says. “In a game. In an inning. If we feel like they might be on to us, I can change things right there without taking a break.
“If there’s cameras around, you can’t see unless you’re dead in front of it. We know teams will try. But it’s how you protect it all.”
All at the push of a button
As this experiment unfolds, an answer to the grander question – Is it worth it? – may remain elusive.
Despite the offseason trade of Edward Cabrera, the club’s ERA has dropped from 4.60 to 4.33, 11th in the NL, so far this season, though Alcantara is a year further away from elbow surgery and Meyer – sporting a 2.97 ERA – might have been due for a large step forward.
Legions of pitchers will do it a different way. Bassitt, Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin and Tampa Bay Rays ace Nick Martinez are among those who call pitches themselves.
Griffin says it’s because his eight pitch offerings – and their potential locations – make it far more efficient with the pitch clock always lurking. Bassitt’s batterymate, Samuel Basallo, agrees with his pitcher that “the guys on the field have a better feel for what’s happening.”
And Martinez, who has a 1.62 ERA for the Rays, says a simple gesture from his catcher can strongly affirm that he pushed the right button.
“It goes back to that old-school mindset of conviction. The wrong pitch with the right conviction plays better than the right pitch with the wrong conviction,” says Martinez. “Sometimes I’m just convicted in a pitch and I’ll call it and (Nick Fortes or Hunter Feduccia) will be catching me and (nod) their head and acknowledge to me, I was on the right page.
“I beat them to the punch.”
In Miami, that’s the coaches’ job. You can see the conviction in the speed with which Marcello and Leanhardt throw their signs in the air, simple gestures with weeks of research and dozens of reports and countless meetings behind it.
Soon, the league will let them know if it was all so much wasted motions. Major League Baseball is a copycat industry, and time will determine if the Marlins are truly on to something.
They’re not waiting around for such validation.
“It provides us the opportunity to get in what we feel is the most appropriate pitch, Selection A, every time,” says McCullough. We continue to evaluate, we’re looking at certain metrics and we’ll continue to do that.
“We’re gaining more and more information over time as we do this and still believe it’s what’s best for us, the Marlins. It hasn’t changed why we still feel like it’s beneficial.”
Apr 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Justin Lawrence (61) after the Chicago Cubs score during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded righty-reliever Justin Lawrence to the Minnesota Twins on Monday night. In return, the Pirates will receive cash considerations from the Twins.
The Pirates found a trade partner with Minnesota just four days after Lawrence was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh. Minnesota is adding a power pitcher to their bullpen that has struggled to find consistency behind the arms that they already have. Lawrence’s three-pitch mix consisting of two fastballs and a sweeper can elevate the Twins’ bullpen if he can regain his 2025 form.
Lawrence has shown flashes of dominance in past years, like in 2025 when he posted a 0.51 ERA, albeit in just 17 games. In 2025 the 31-year-old pitcher was sidelined for most of the season with complications stemming from elbow inflammation.
In 2026, Lawrence has not found his groove since his return to the Pirates’ bullpen. This season he has a 5.32 ERA in 23 games. He also has a 0-2 record, a 1.55 WHIP and has given up four homers.
Minnesota’s bullpen has featured 11 relievers who have recorded a save in 2026 and 18 total pitchers who made appearances in relief. Lawrence is slated to join the Twins’ bullpen, but a roster shuffle will have to take place before this a spot for him on the roster.
Charles Leclerc has signed a new multiyear deal to remain driving for Ferrari, with the 28-year-old Monegasque extending his relationship with the team which began in 2019. He will continue to drive alongside Lewis Hamilton, who also has a long-term contract with the team.
Ferrari announced their decision to continue with Leclerc on the eve of his home grand prix at Monaco this weekend. He has been a staunch Ferrari driver for almost all of his career and has competed in 155 races for the Scuderia, a tally second only to Michael Schumacher’s enormously successful tenure with Ferrari between 1996 and 2006.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox will play significant roles in this year’s NBA finals. Composite: Guardian Pictures (via Getty)
I’m most looking forward to ...
Where to even begin? Victor Wembanyama, the brightest young star in the NBA, appears on the biggest stage imaginable (in this galaxy, at least ... I’m not sure how big the stages are where he comes from), while one of the most storied franchises in American sports has its return to relevance cemented. And, maybe most importantly of all, The Garden, baby! CDL
Watching what a Knicks team that has the best defensive net rating of the NBA playoffs can do when they play an elite opponent anchored by a generational talent. In other words, seeing them attempt to, not stop Wemby, but bring him down to a level below the god of all basketball gods. Their strategy to do something, anything, to postpone the crowning of the Frenchman for one more season is going to be fascinating. A lot of that responsibility will be in the capable hands of OG Anunoby, in what will be an incredibly stern challenge. DL
I’m excited to see the Knicks tested against the best possible competition. They’ve won 11 consecutive games, many by gaudy point differentials. They went up 72-22 on Atlanta on the Hawks’ home floor! But it’s one thing to embarrass a sixth seed, or the Cleveland Cavaliers, and another to look that good against the Spurs. Are these Knicks really one of the best teams ever, or has their competition flattered them? Let’s find out. OL
The Alien at the Garden. NBA stars have cemented their legacy on basketball’s biggest stage, and I expect Wembanyama’s first finals at Madison Square Garden to be theatrical. Game 3 will ignite a Super Bowl-like atmosphere on and off the court as premium ticket prices have skyrocketed to over $100,000 on the secondary market. AS
What the Spurs need to do to win …
Keep their composure, and not run out of gas. If San Antonio’s young core can be as mature, self-assured, and unbothered as they were in Game 7 on the road in Oklahoma, they’re a force to be reckoned with. But that bruising series against the Thunder presents problems: it’s yet to be seen if they have enough left in the tank to topple a red-hot Knicks team, who have been resting for a week plus. CDL
Slow down a Knicks team that dismantled three opponents on the way to the finals. The Knicks are playing total basketball - there’s no sticking wings in the corner and waiting for passes. The off-the-ball movement and distribution brought us the most dynamic offense we’ve seen in a while. San Antonio must drive the Knicks back into their regular season mode, where they failed to maximize their talent and were sometimes frustrating to watch. Cleveland did have some limited success with zone defense in the Eastern Conference finals; will San Antonio use it to try and shove these new Knicks back in the bottle? DL
Get everybody involved. Wembanyama’s Game 1 performance against the Thunder was astonishing, but tired him for the next couple games. In Game 7, seven Spurs scored in the double digits and the team shot 42.5% from three, which is a much healthier victory recipe. If Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie hit from beyond the arc, De’Aaron Fox tears through the defense for short jumpers, and Stephon Castle distributes and defends at his best, the burden on Wembanyama will be manageable. OL
The youthful Spurs have avoided costly mistakes that often hinder young teams in the postseason. Defensively, they must minimize Jalen Brunson’s drives inside the paint, similar to how they stifled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s effectiveness in the Western Conference finals. If they replicate the same physicality, the Spurs can overwhelm the more seasoned Knicks. AS
What the Knicks need to do to win …
Exactly what they’ve been doing. The Knicks are in that weird, magical place teams sometimes get to where everything is falling into place. Role players are making every shot, bad habits are nowhere to be found, and their star, Brunson, is rising to the occasion. They have Team of Destiny energy, and cruised through the Eastern Conference. If they can step up against the San Antonio Spurs, the most formidable team they will face this postseason, they’ll take home the trophy. CDL
Exhaust San Antonio. The Spurs are coming off an incredibly physical series, so a lot of the work has already been done for them. The Knicks are deeper, fresher and with the exception of Mitchell Robinson, healthy. San Antonio are roughly seven deep; New York must force them to go deeper into their bench. Jalen Brunson is obviously the key to everything offensively for the Knicks, and in a way, so is Josh Hart, who the Spurs will dare to shoot, just as Cleveland did. DL
Contain and fatigue Wembanyama. The Thunder had success wrapping up the Spurs’ stick bug via Isaiah Hartenstein, who at times exhausted or restricted Wembanyama enough to take his rebounding out of games. The Knicks may be able to approximate the same strategy with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anunoby. Wembanyama will remain a constant scoring and blocking threat, but better to deal with his abilities in isolation than the full terrifying package. And don’t default to Brunson iso-ball until the shot clock weeps for relief at the expense of running the offense through Towns. OL
The Knicks hold an advantage in veteran leadership, role players, and established coaching. To win, the Knicks must force the young Spurs to become uncomfortable offensively. The Spurs tend to go on stretches where they force bad shots and rely heavily on three-pointers. If the Knicks pressure the Spurs to second-guess themselves, they’ll survive as champions. AS
This is the most exciting finals series since ...
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, because last year’s finals between the fearless Indiana Pacers and the then-juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder was a delight, I don’t think I’ve been this excited for an NBA finals since LeBron and Steph were going at it in the 2010s. There are storylines aplenty, star-power galore, and the backdrop of the Mecca as a cherry on top. CDL
Toronto v Golden State in 2019. That was interesting because the Warriors were favored, even after losing Kevin Durant. Kawhi Leonard was at the peak of his powers, as was Stephen Curry, but without Durant, Toronto won in six games. DL
The Thunder and Indiana Pacers last season. Sorry! The Pacers rode an unprecedented run of magical buzzer-beaters to the finals, where they made fascinating and modern music with the Thunder’s supersonic defense until Tyrese Haliburton’s achilles gave out. I’m not still mad about it. The Knicks are on a historic run and Wemby’s early presence in the finals is thrilling, but we’ll be lucky if the quality of the series itself equals that of last year. OL
Cavaliers v Warriors in 2016. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving led the Cavs to a historic comeback against Steph Curry and the Warriors during their dynasty era. This year’s finals could produce a more intriguing spectacle headlined by Wemby in Gotham; Brunson v. Stephon Castle; and celebrity row at the Garden. AS
Unheralded player to watch ...
I’m gonna cheat and do one for each squad. Anunoby feels like the key to the series in a lot of ways for New York: he’s been an excellent jump shooter in these playoffs, which has been important to the Knicks’ offense, but he’s also probably going to spend at least some time with the Wembanyama assignment. On the San Antonio side, Castle, the beyond-impressive guard, has shown remarkable poise in his first playoff outing, but guarding Brunson in the Garden will be perhaps his toughest test so far. CDL
It’s Hart, who has the best engine in the NBA. He’s capable of a triple-double with rebounding prowess that far exceeds his size. New Yorkers are familiar with his game, which is mostly to do a little bit of everything, but I don’t think the rest of the basketball world has an appreciation of what a wonderful all-around player he is. DL
Anunoby. The Knicks’ muscular forward has been one of their best players these playoffs, both offensively and defensively, and could defend Wemby on key possessions. But he’s also missed some playoff games with a hamstring strain, bringing unpleasant memories of Jalen Williams’ long absence to mind. Anunoby’s availability and efficacy are must-haves for the Knicks. OL
Dylan Harper. Throughout the playoffs, Harper has remained a steady hand for the Spurs off the bench by maintaining offensive control and hitting timely shots. Wembanyama, Brunson, Castle, and Towns will garner the most attention, but Harper could be the unsung hero during clutch moments in the fourth-quarter. AS
The finals MVP will be …
It’s likely that Brunson will never have to pay for anything in New York for the rest of his life; win, lose, or draw in these finals. But if he brings the Knicks their first title in over half a century, there will be Brunsons dining for free in the city that never sleeps for generations to come. CDL
Brunson, capping one of the most extraordinary rises in NBA history. This is a second-round pick who has been underestimated as a sluggish, undersized, shoot-first point guard. Even now, despite his showcase performance in the Knicks’ improbable Game 1 comeback over Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals, he’s still in the long shadow of Wembanyama. But, thanks to some of the best footwork in NBA history, along with razor basketball instincts and shooting, elite leadership capabilities and timing, he will be MVP, and he will be the most celebrated New York City athlete of the 21st century so far. DL
Wembanyama. His performances affect the game on the defensive end in ways nobody else in this series can dream of, and he may already be the best offensive player on these teams, too. Unless fatigue ruins him or the Knicks find a nonexistent skeleton key to lock him up, look for Wembanyama to join former Spurs Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard in the club of 22-year-old finals MVPs. OL
There is only one player in the NBA finals who can dominate the game on every level. Wembanyama is the most unguardable force since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000, and his defensive presence in the paint will force the Knicks to make offensive adjustments. Once he asserts himself, expect Wemby to compile multiple video game-like stat lines on his way to securing the finals MVP.
Your winner will be ...
Knicks 4-2 Spurs. I’ll be the first to admit that I did not think the San Antonio Spurs would be this ahead of schedule. As impressed as I was with their first two rounds of play, I still thought they were a year away, and predicted that the conference finals were their ceiling. I stand corrected: they’re really, really good, and Wembanyama looks like the best player on Earth. But New York present a unique challenge, with far more ball handling and shot creation than the Spurs have faced thus far (they came up against an Oklahoma team missing two of their best in that department in Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell). The Knicks are on a heater the likes of which I’ve never seen in an NBA playoffs, and it’s been largely written off as the spoils of the weaker East. But they’re for real, and primed to play spoiler to the Spurs’ magical ride from lottery to finals. San Antonio will win at least one, if not several titles in the Wembanyama era. But this year, my money’s on the Knicks. CDL
Knicks 4-1 Spurs. The Knicks will frustrate Wemby, they will share the ball in a way the 1970s pass-first Knicks would relish. Towns will continue to unwind all the soft parts of his game. Anunoby will get to the basket with determined physicality. Mikal Bridges will slash and drain from mid-range. Brunson will take over down the stretch and Robinson, bad pinky and all, may even hit a few foul shots. As Nikola Jokić once said: “When is parade?” DL
Spurs 4-2 Knicks. A Knicks win won’t surprise – they fared well against the Spurs during the regular season, they’re fresher, and they’ve been more dominant in the playoffs – but Wembanyama is transcendent and his supporting cast fits perfectly around him. After watching San Antonio overcome the Thunder in Oklahoma City, it’s too hard to bet against them knocking off anybody else. OL
Spurs 4-3 Knicks. In our preseason predictions, I picked the Knicks to clinch an NBA finals berth, although I didn’t think they’d do it in such a dominant fashion. But the Knicks’ uncomplicated journey to the finals could be both a gift and a curse: after enduring a rigorous seven-game series against the defending champions, the Spurs are more battle-tested than New York. Their defensive discipline will halt the Knicks’ surging offense, and Wemby will be the series’ biggest X-factor. By the time the title is decided, it will be clear that the Wembanyama era has arrived. AS
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 29: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees gets ready to bat against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on May 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Athletic | Brendan Kuty ($): The headline around Tuesday making shockwaves around the team was Aaron Judge’s health, as manager Aaron Boone left him out of the lineup and then told reporters that Judge was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his ribs. Judge initially felt the injury affecting his shoulder during his swing, but during the series against the Athletics it became worse and prompted further examination. Boone said that the team was hopeful that they caught it early enough to not be a long-term injury, but any time that the Captain is dealing with an injury everyone’s breath is going to be collectively held. At the very least, it does explain why Judge had been performing rather poorly at the plate of late, and if he does return soon hopefully he can rebound back to his April form.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Cam Schlittler just didn’t have it against the Guardians on Tuesday, coughing up five runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings. While the overall results weren’t too worrying with the prodigal ace on a tear of late, pitching to a 1.07 ERA in his previous eight starts, the one concerning note is that Schlittler wasn’t able to find his fastball, and it was down in velocity. A similar issue popped up in his previous start against Kansas City, and Schlittler believes that “the mechanics just kind of got away from me a little bit there,” in terms of adjusting on the fly against Cleveland, leading to uncompetitive at-bats and the hole that he dug himself into. Hopefully it’s just a blip on the radar and Schlittler is able to find the adjustments he needs to get the heater back on track, but it’s something to monitor for now.
NY Daily News | Gary Phillips: The bullpen is an area of obvious need for New York, and while there will certainly be improvements available via trade closer to the deadline they’re also lining up some internal improvements as well. One of their top pitching prospects, Carlos Lagrange, is being moved over to the bullpen with the aim of fast-tracking him into a role with the big league club this year. Long-term, the Yankees are still quite hopeful that Lagrange will play in their rotation for years to come, but with the current pitching staff lacking in relievers and the rotation loaded with capable arms this is the move they could make to best help themselves in the immediate future.
NJ.com | Bob Klapisch: The Yankees won’t have Max Fried back for a minute still, as the team’s top pitcher last year is just now starting to play catch following an IL stint for a bone bruise, but that hasn’t stopped speculation about what the Yankees will do with their rotation once they’re back to full strength. The conversation around Will Warren or Ryan Weathers moving down to the bullpen has been debated since Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón were approaching their returns, but with over half the rotation having been on the IL at some point as well as Cam Schlittler having dealt with a back issue during the start of camp, Klapisch proposes the use of a six-man rotation. It’d be the best bet for keeping everyone fresh for October, though with how untrustworthy the bullpen’s been this year having them short a man might not be the best decision.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -JUNE 2: Head coach of the New York Knicks Mike Brown addresses the media at the 2026 NBA Finals - Media Day at Frost Bank Center on June 2, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The time has come for the Knicks to play an NBA Finals game.
The day is today, and you, like everybody and their mother, will surely be watching.
Here’s a mammoth bulletin to get you ready for what will come later.
“I think those games matter, those regular-season games matter. But [they’re a] really well-coached team, really talented team. You can tell how together they are, which is very dope. But with all that, they’re ready to go out there and fight. They’re going to battle. Watching them in the playoffs, [they’re] not soft at all. They’re going to go out there, compete at a high level. It’s great. I feel like we do the same.”
On his favorite college memory:
“Probably winning our national championships—against UNC.”
On the Knicks’ focus throughout the season:
“I think everybody out there is trying to do just one thing, win.”
On getting a second chance at the Finals after his 2021 trip:
“It’s tough to get here once, but to be here a second time, just blessed, honestly.”
"I hated Jalen, I thought he was an annoying 5-star recruit that come in entitled. Unfortunately he was the opposite and we sparked a friendship and we're still friends to this day. We still keep in touch" 😂
“I don’t know if you can, because there’s not a situation that’s similar.”
On focusing on the team over individualities:
“For us, I think if we focus on ourselves and focus on the habits that we’re building, we’ll put ourselves in good situations to be successful. We can’t focus too much on one player and focus on Wemby too much because obviously they’ve got a lot of extremely talented guys that can go off any single game. We’re focused on them as a whole. But he’s an interesting guy to game plan for.”
On doubting himself earlier in the season:
“I definitely didn’t see the bigger picture. There were moments I went home, and I’m like ‘damn, man, am I ass? Do I suck as a basketball player?’ There’s a lot of those moments. Whenever your minutes go down, or you get a bench, you have those thoughts, that thought process.”
On using those benching experiences to improve:
“But for me, it was like, okay, how can I build off of it? How can I improve as a player to not put myself in that situation? And, you know, now I’m cool with it sometimes. I mean, there was game one, I got bench, you know, Atlanta was out there hooping, and I was happy about it. And, you know, but that took a little bit of time and self-reflection to get to that point.”
On the Knicks’ selflessness:
“This team was a selfless group. At the end of the day we know we’re willing to sacrifice our own individual performance or stats or accolades for the betterment of the team. When you have not just one, two or three, but a whole team of those kinds of guys, that kind of character, it puts you in a position to be successful.”
On building championship habits steadily:
“When you’re building championship habits, it’s very boring and it’s very meticulous. It’s frustrating at times, but it never changes. We continue to do what we do, continue to build those habits. Nothing changes from the first round of the playoffs to the Finals. We know we got to be locked-in, focused, have attention to detail, physicality, a sense of desperation. It’s been like that for every single series, every single game of these playoffs and it doesn’t change now that we’re in the Finals.”
"We're very blessed and grateful to be in this position."
Jordan Clarkson and Dylan Harper speak on the love and support from their Filipino fanbase, as one of them will become the first NBA Champion from the Philippines! pic.twitter.com/BUINsE5e7b
On representing the Philippines in the Finals along with the Spurs’ Dylan Harper:
“(It’s) another amazing thing that’s happening right now. Definitely inspiring to the Filipino-Americans and Filipinos all around the country. It’s definitely going to be fun to watch. One of us (will be) taking a championship back home to the Philippines and representing that well.”
On Harper’s early career:
“(Harper has) been really good throughout the whole year. I’ve been watching him, keeping up with him, as well. Him being so young and having so much poise throughout this whole playoffs, it’s a great sight to see a young star coming in this league and doing what he’s doing.”
On growing up in San Antonio watching Spurs parades:
“My stepmom worked at The Westin, so I would see the parades through the hotel balconies and stuff. I would sneak around there. At the hotels at that time, everybody was staying at the Westin downtown. Being able to take pictures and run up on players for autographs, I was definitely that kid. I was around to see how alive the city comes when the Spurs are in the Finals and winning championships. … Just a lot of growth, man, from here as a kid. This definitely feels great.”
On his father’s presence in Game 1:
“[I’m] focused on trying to win, but my dad’s strength and everything has been the world to me, and seeing him continue to fight has been an amazing battle. My dad detailed the cars of a lot of Spurs players in terms of washing them and doing that … [but] my dad, definitely he’ll be a Knicks fan this series. I wouldn’t let him have it any other way.”
On the Knicks’ collective mindset:
“One through 15, I think we’re all just trying to impact the game in any way. Doing the small things is a big emphasis for us that we put on everybody, and that’s what we try to do.”
On making the Finals and doing so playing for his hometown Knicks:
“It’s really something I can’t put in words. I’m blessed. I can’t even say it’s a dream, I never thought about being in the finals playing for the Knicks. But I’m here, I’m extremely excited. I’m a kid from the city living a dream.”
On what to expect from Knicks fans during the Finals:
“The atmosphere is always going to be amazing. That’s just New York.”
On his role with the Knicks after the mid-season trade:
“They got me for a reason. It’s something that’s easy to be a part of, when everybody is on the same page defensively. That’s what we are, we know defense can win us games or at least give us a chance, and that’s what we do at a high level.”
On what’s next for him as a perennial NBA underdog:
“I always think of [my journey]. I want to try to continue the story. You’re a reporter — I’m your height. That’s not really normal in the NBA. Just keep doing what I’m doing, man. The story is not over and I just want to continue writing it and give everybody hope. Don’t say nobody can’t do it. I am living proof.”
“Obviously, he’s a special talent and the NBA’s blessed to have him and to be able to showcase his talent to the world. For us, we just have to have discipline in our gameplan and execute at a high level.”
On playing in his first Finals:
“It means a lot, because for my career I’ve only been able to see that [NBA] Finals logo on TV. So it means a lot to be the person that sees the logo on their jersey and has this opportunity.”
Jalen Brunson on if he ever felt imposter syndrome:
"The only time is probably my rookie year…playing pickup with the team in Dallas and then obviously watching Luka doing his thing so effortlessly. That was probably the only time and it made me kind of question myself to see… pic.twitter.com/XxWck8YNMA
“Yeah, watching him as a player, it’s pretty unbelievable. The things he’s able to do on both sides of the ball, people have never really seen before for a person of his size. It’s incredible to watch from a player’s perspective.”
On game-planning for Wembanyama:
“As an opposing player, [Wemby] is something you constantly have to be on watch for. You just never know the things that he’s capable of doing. That’s why game planning and our game-planning discipline, our attention to details are so important when it comes to playing because he’s pretty incredible.”
On the Knicks’ mindset:
“I think we’re a hard-working group. I feel like we’ve been doubted a lot. There’s been a lot of noise on the outside that we could obviously talk about and complain about, do something about, but we’ve always just gone into the gym, worked on our game individually… Our mentality is the right place at the right time. We just have to stay focused and keep learning. We can’t be satisfied just because we’re here; we have to continue to keep learning.”
On making the Finals:
“It’s pretty surreal – it’s something I haven’t really thought about. Once the season’s over, once the career’s over, we’ll be able to think about this stuff. It’s a cool feeling.”
On the Knicks’ focus during the Finals run:
“I mean obviously, we’ve been playing hard. Mix in a little luck as well. I think most importantly, we’ve been coming in focused. Just focus on one possession at a time, and just playing hard for that possession and worry about the future later. We’ve been locked in on the moment and we need to continue to do that.”
On preparing for Game 1 of the Finals:
“Everything leading up to Game 1 is going to be definitely high-end just because of everything that goes on around it. I think most importantly, when you can prepare the right way, when you do your routines, you treat it like a normal game, it allows it to be as normal as possible. I’m just trying to make sure I’m level-headed, making sure I do the things I need to do pregame-wise, not change anything just because it’s the Finals.”
On the meaning of making the Finals:
“I’m very excited to be here. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can’t take it for granted.”
On facing Stephon Castle:
“He’s great. I think his intensity and tenacity is special. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s had that since I’ve seen him at UConn. The way he’s played over these first couple years of his career, he’s going to be a great player, great defender.”
On the Spurs’ team defense:
“Yeah, they’re very physical. The way they play, obviously, they’re able to pressure on the perimeter. Obviously, having Wemby down there on the weak side creates havoc. They’re multidimensional. A lot of ways they can beat you on both sides of the ball.”
On preparing for the Finals during yet another extended break:
“When we were in the gym, we were focused. We were practicing pretty hard, understanding that not knowing who we were playing yet, we had to prepare for both teams. We didn’t want to be behind the eight ball. It was really important for us to have those days because we saw how we came out in Game 1 last time when we had the rest days. I feel it’s really important those days we had, it was important for us, for sure.”
OG Anunoby on defending Victor Wembanyama:
"Being aware of where he's at all over the floor…trying to make it as difficult as possible" pic.twitter.com/99rKv96Uut
“He’s pretty unique. I mean, there’s little things like maybe guarding [Nikola] Jokic or [Kristaps] Porzingis or Joel [Embiid]. He’s different. He’s taller. Just being aware of where he’s at all over the floor. He can do everything. Super talented. Just being aware of him at all times, trying to make it as difficult as possible.”
On the Spurs’ depth:
“Yeah, they’re a very versatile team, very deep. They have talent all over the court, at all positions. They can all shoot, drive, do everything. And they rebound really well, too. They’re getting the rebound, they can push, one-man fast break. They can push the pace. They really speed the game up. They do a great job doing that.”
“It represents the people of New York City, yes. Absolutely. That’s New Yorkers, right? They’re tough, they’re gritty, they’re full of personality. But they’re also high-character individuals. You have a good sense of right and wrong and what’s fair and what’s not, and if you cross it with ’em, you’re gonna get a New York hello. That’s New Yorkers, right? We’re not subtle, but we’re very straightforward. New Yorkers, they love effort. They don’t just love winners, they love effort … sincere effort. And if there’s nothing else you’re getting from the Knicks, you’re getting sincere effort. And so, I do think they represent New York.”
On why he believes the Knicks will win the championship:
“Because they’re a team. Because they have heart, and they have that X factor in heart. And we’ve seen it all season long, but we’ve really seen it in the playoffs, and in talking to them, they’re gonna be almost impossible to beat. Because they have that heart, and you’re never gonna get them to quit. They will never quit. That’s how winners win.”
On his NBA Finals-or-Bust proclamation:
“That’s why I don’t do a lot of interviews — I’m usually very frank (smile). I did not go into the interview thinking, “Oh I’m gonna say this.” But it was on my mind, and I knew that the rest of the organization knew it too — we all knew it. We knew it from the moment that we said goodbye to Thibs (Tom Thibodeau) and we hired Mike (Brown), that we were gonna be in a hot spot because we just made the conference finals. We didn’t win, but you don’t make a change unless you’re expecting to do better. We didn’t change ’cause we wanted it to be worse! To me, it was a little obvious, so I just said it because it was obvious.”
On hiring Mike Brown:
“Leon (Rose) convinced me (laugh). When we knew we were gonna make the change, we didn’t tell the players about making a change. We first had talked to all the players and I was there, and then sat down with Leon, and we talked about what it is we want in a coach. ’Cause we knew we had a good coach in Thibs. We weren’t just going for a change, right? There was something we wanted, and we laid it out, really on paper, what we were looking for in a coach. I would say the No. 1 quality was collaborative, that was a big piece … somebody who strategically could avail himself of all the minds around him and put it together, particularly at game time, between halves, that was a big thing. And we were looking for flexibility. So we laid out all these sort of characteristics that we were looking for, and then I set Leon loose. And he interviewed a lot of different guys, and he came back with Mike, and I’m like, “OK.” Leon did all the work. I just blessed it.”
On what he likes most about the Knicks’ play:
“Their willingness to sacrifice has been just off the charts. They’re all like this, whatever it takes to win, and don’t worry about me, I’ll do whatever it takes. That’s a sacrifice. We played some opponents who haven’t actually had that kind of a commitment. I’m not gonna name names, but you probably know who they are. I think that’s what sets this team apart, and it’s probably what I like most about them right now.”
On why he hired Leon Rose:
“I obviously have been doing this for a while before Leon showed up, and it was much more about just getting convinced that no matter if you get the most brilliant strategist in the world, you have to have talent in order to win. And so I thought about the guy who would be best in bringing talent to New York, and Leon’s name was at the very top of the list.”
“I always say it’s Willis (Reed), and Willis said it’s Patrick (Ewing), and Patrick says it’s Patrick. So he would definitely be on Mount Rushmore. We’ll put him up there if he can bring this title.”
On what a title means in New York:
“I can’t walk the street, it’s like I’m in a parade. Anywhere I go people are like, ‘Oh, there he is, there’s Clyde! There’s Clyde!‘ So if these guys win another title — man, I can’t spend money now in New York. I’ll never have to spend money again in this city. And that’s what I want to show the players. Hey man, I’ve been doing this for 50 years. Fifty years just for winning two titles! So you guys can have it if you just win one title.”
Starting Wednesday, former #NBA Champion Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) joins @ESPNNBA as a studio analyst thru the '26 #NBAFinals
🏀 Will debut on @SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt after Game 1 🏀 Will contribute to NBA Today, various SportsCenter editions & Hoop Streams pic.twitter.com/8LnmGd9xwA
“I always felt like Knicks fans deserve the best performances. They’re so passionate. And as cool as it was for me to give good performances only for that stretch of time, I genuinely wish that I was able to do more. I genuinely wish I was able to stay longer, genuinely wish that I could have a lot more success and done things in the playoffs for the Knicks, but that never came to fruition.”
On his ESPN trial run leading to his hiring for the Finals:
“I think after those three days, the reception that we got from the fans as well as what I felt internally was definitely beyond what I expected. So that was nice in the sense of like, oh, people had really appreciated the breakdown, but I also felt joy in being back in NBA basketball.”
Guillermo to Spurs star Victor Wembanyama: “Do you want to rub my belly for good luck?” pic.twitter.com/zZ9RhnKLxS
“I’m not gonna lie, last year in the Conference Finals, (TNT’s Inside the NBA) traveled, and man, it’s a different thing being in New York. I know New Yorkers are annoying. But man, they’re right. When the Knicks are doing good, it’s a different energy in that city.”
On New York’s Conference Finals atmosphere:
“It was one of the most amazing things those three games we went to in New York. And then now you’re gonna put it on steroids going to the Finals.”
On covering the Finals at ESPN and the meaning of the Knicks-Spurs matchup:
“For me, being able to do the Finals for the first time, to get the New York Knicks in the Finals…I’m so glad we’re gonna get to do the games. But for Adam Silver, this is a dream matchup to get the Knicks against Victor (Wembanyama).”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson says experience DOES matter.
He thinks Stephon Castle's talent and energy output on both sides of the floor is RARE.
He says Gregg Popovich has been sharing a lot of WISDOM while also challenging and supporting him.
“I don’t want to get crucified. But in terms of output of energy, when you think about what he’s doing defensively and offensively, it takes you to some really rare territory of names that you may not want to say in terms of because you’re not comparing him to that person or this person. It’s similar to Victor in terms of he’s basically in the middle of every single play for us offensively, defensively, but he’s on the basketball.”
On his message to the Spurs heading into the Finals:
“Don’t change anything that we’re doing. There’s a reason that we’re in the Finals. There’s a reason that we won 60 games. There’s a reason we didn’t lose three games in a row the whole year.”
On enjoying the moment:
“I think my big message for the guys is, especially as we we’re going through this process, not right now but as we were playing in the first round and going up; enjoy the moment. This is a hard thing to do. It’s hard to get back to these places. We don’t want to get to this place and then start changing the way we play.”
On the Game 7 vs. Oklahoma City:
“Going to game seven, a lot of times superstars think, people say ‘unload the clip,’ ‘get all your rocks off,’ whatever phrase you want to use. Going into that game, I’m like, no, do the things we’ve been doing throughout the course of the year, those are the reasons we’re playing the defending champs, that we forced a game seven on their home court. We don’t need to change anything. We’re a good team, and we know that. Going to these games knowing that there’s a reason that we’re here and continuing to play the way that we play, double down on it, triple down on it and continue to do those things.”
On his time in Sacramento:
“I think the hardest part was you have a good year and then you kind of expect it to get better, and then it doesn’t. I think that’s probably the biggest part. Usually, when you hear guys who went to the Finals or won the Finals, they talk about loving; getting to that point. But it’s a hard thing to do once, and it’s definitely a hard thing to do multiple times. Once you taste that success a little bit, I think the hardest part was not being able to get back there.”
On seeing the Spurs’ lack of experience as a positive thing:
“The lack of experience is a strength for us. Because we don’t know. We could do impossible stuff because we don’t know it’s impossible.”
On the Spurs’ need to lock in after the sugar rush of beating OKC in a Game 7:
“Coming back down from this is a challenge. It’s not done yet. We still need to really come back down to Earth and realize we haven’t done the hardest (thing) yet. The job isn’t done at all. So we still got about, I don’t know, what time is it, like 30-plus hours to recenter.”
On the Knicks:
“It’s a great team of experienced guys who are not here by chance, but by relentless effort over the years. Very different career paths for all of them. They’re right where they’re supposed to be, in my opinion. All of them are going to be super hungry in their own way.”
Devin Vassell is excited for the "challenge" of defending Jalen Brunson:
"Very, very talented player – knows how to get to his spots. Have to be super disciplined with him." pic.twitter.com/gprPJniHCL
On not being satisfied with winning the conference title:
“We didn’t get here to say, we’re the Western Conference finals champions. We want to sit here and say we’re the NBA champions, we won the finals. It was great while it lasted, but we’re ready for the next chapter.”
"I have a lot of friends who are New York fans – I would love to spoil their plans"
On the meaning of facing the Knicks as a Brooklyn native:
“For sure. For sure (it means a lot). I have a lot of friends who are New York fans. I would love to spoil their plans. I would love to. It would just be fun.”
On competing for a championship in NYC:
“Obviously going back [to New York] and competing for a championship is great. I personally want to win, so we’ll just see how it goes.”
"The Knicks have played us really well this year…we feel like we gotta get some get back because they've been successful against us."
“I don’t really know how to answer that. I mean, I sell calls, too, sometimes. I mean, I can’t lie. But I mean, it’s really just a field thing, especially in the playoffs, you know. If it’s too egregious, the refs aren’t going to bail you out. They’re going to make the two teams, they’re going to make the better team win. So, I think just taking it game by game and not trying to put yourself at a disadvantage. I don’t really think it’s about selling calls or not trying to sell calls to make yourself look a certain type of way. You know, I think we talk to the refs a lot, especially me in particular, but most of the times they’re right. So, I mean, just having a short term memory. I mean, whether you fall down or not, if you get the call or you don’t get the call, it’s not really something you can change. So, I think for us, just playing the game and seeing how the refs are calling it.”
On defending Jalen Brunson:
“I think what’s worked for me is trying to be physical with him. He’s obviously shorter than me, but he’s a very physical guard, he gets to his spots well. Uses deception well, has great footwork. Trying to be as disciplined as I can, crowd his space, but not give him the angles that he’s looking for. At this point, he’s seen pretty much every coverage, been guarded all kinds of ways. Just trying to impose my will and use my physicality to my advantage.”
On needing to move on from the Game 7 win over OKC:
“Playing the defending champs on the road in a Game 7 like that, it’s hard to flush that out of the back of your mind, especially when you’re the team that came out on top. We have a balance where we understand we can’t get complacent or satisfied with that. We still have a job, so come game time, we’ll be ready.”
On not having an issue with the Spurs being much younger than the Knicks:
“I don’t think that was ever a problem for us. I think for us, that was all outside noise. In-house, we have nothing but confidence in each other. I mean, we’ve been making history — with every game, we see something new. We got four more [wins] to go. We got this far. We still haven’t really done anything yet.”
“I think me and him (Clarkson) get to do something really special, representing our country, where we’re from, representing everything on the biggest stage in basketball. I feel like over there in the Philippines, basketball is probably the biggest thing. I think we’re very excited for that, and we’re just very blessed and grateful to be in this position.”
Luke (Korn)et is "The Big Elote" 🌽😂
Learn how Spurs center Luke Kornet got his viral nickname ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals!
“Talking about being on [the NBA Finals] stage, it’s a little different than the [literal] stage at the Westchester County Center that is on one end of the court. I was just trying to make a name for myself, or really, just be able to be in the NBA and see how that goes … I had a great time in my first two years, especially in Westchester. I feel like the group that we had, it was some really fun basketball that we played. That’s what I remember the most. We had a lot of talent and young guys and it felt like an extension of college. I felt like I was growing my game a lot at that time. A lot of guys always talk about the G-League like you can’t wait to get out of it, but I really enjoyed my time.”
On facing the team that first signed him to an NBA deal:
“It’s definitely a cool, full-circle moment playing the Knicks and having started there. Now it’s like my third Finals … one of those things that maybe 20 years from now I’ll have a little more perspective on, but for the moment just trying to succeed and win a championship.”
Kevin Garnett goes OFF at Paul Pierce's Spurs in 5 pick in true KG fashion:
"Knick's finna smash 'em. Aight n*gga, can the boy play in the pressure cooker? Huh? Can he come in Madison Square and play? And ain't no going to play no chess and going to Carbone and think you going… pic.twitter.com/D7NO9FIwm4
Boston - May 11: The Celtics Marcus Smart erupts in celebration after his teammate Jayson Tatum (0, back-round right) slammed home two second quarter points to put Boston ahead 51-38. Tatum is celebrating himself with teammate Jaylen Brown (7) in the background. The Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals between the Celtics and Bucks on May 11, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Upfront, I’ll admit that I’m a sentimental guy. I love nostalgia and in Boston, basketball is a brotherhood. How many times have you seen alumni visiting the Auerbach Center and talking to the team or lining the front rows of TD Garden during a playoff game?
I’d be lying if the Knicks’ dominating march through these playoffs didn’t remind me of my high school reunion. With the trio of Nova Knicks — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart — teaming up with Jersey-born Karl-Anthony Towns and Brooklyn’s Jose Alvarado, the party they’re having at Madison Square Garden after every home win feels like the prom night redux at my 25th. Even as a rival, I can appreciate how special this is.
It’s not dissimilar to how I felt with the Celtics this season. The majority of Boston’s roster was either drafted by the team or signed their first contract with the franchise. So, for the most part, it was a homegrown and that matters. It’s our team made up of our guys.
The Celtics have already started to get the band back together by hiring Isaiah Thomas as a scout. He won’t suit up, but tell me that doesn’t warm your heart?
There’s a scenario where Stevens elects to bring most of that 56-win team back. However, there’s an opportunity to put on that dusty letterman jacket, relive old glory, and maybe win at an even higher level with some old friends.
Cap experts don’t really see next season as a true contending year for the Celtics. It’s not exactly a gap year like this year was, but after ducking the luxury tax for two consecutive years, Boston will be set up in 2027-2028 to really push the envelope and spend big as the Jays enter the middle of their primes. In the meantime, I propose a sort of continuation year from 2025 like Tatum didn’t tear his Achilles and like the first and second apron don’t exist.
Boston has some glaring needs, most notably at the 5. After having to break up with them last summer to duck under the luxury tax, the Celtics could reunite with Horford and/or Porzingis as soon as this July. After a circuitous route that reunited them in Golden State last season, Porzingis and Horford enter free agency with a chance to chase a ring and there may be no better place for their careers than with the Celtics. Can you imagine the hero’s welcome they’d get at their first (re)introduction on the parquet? I can.
The Timelord has been a popular name to fill out Boston’s frontcourt. Why not? He had his first healthy season in years and was a force in the playoffs. Here’s ESPN’s Bobby Marks on NBC Boston’s podcast with Chris Forsberg:
Count me in, Forsberg.
For me, the most welcoming homecoming would be for Marcus Smart. When the raised Banner 18, I always felt like it belonged to Marcus, too. And in a way, to bring home Smart would be equivalent to landing Jrue Holiday, a savvy vet that can quarterback the offense and defense. More so, it’s returning the heart and soul of the team back to Boston.
I’m sure right now, Boston’s front office is crunching the numbers, analytically and financially, to see what players are the best fit for winning next season. They’ll address deficiencies from last year and raise the roster’s ceiling.
But sometimes, if you’re lucky, what feels right and what’s best are in alignment.
Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division)
Raleigh, North Carolina; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Hurricanes -162, Golden Knights +135; over/under is 6
STANLEY CUP FINAL: Golden Knights lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights visit the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final with a 1-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Tuesday for the fourth time this season. The Golden Knights won 5-4 in the previous matchup.
Carolina is 35-12-2 at home and 53-22-7 overall. The Hurricanes have a 28-9-2 record when scoring a power-play goal.
Vegas is 39-26-17 overall and 26-16-8 on the road. The Golden Knights have a 49-7-11 record when scoring three or more goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Seth Jarvis has 32 goals and 34 assists for the Hurricanes. Nikolaj Ehlers has six goals and four assists over the past 10 games.
Mitchell Marner has 24 goals and 56 assists for the Golden Knights. Jack Eichel has one goal and nine assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 8-2-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.2 assists, 5.1 penalties and 13.4 penalty minutes while giving up two goals per game.
Golden Knights: 8-2-0, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.4 assists, 3.2 penalties and 7.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Hurricanes: None listed.
Golden Knights: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SEATTLE — Sean Manaea views his success throwing his sweeper as a significant factor in his turnaround.
“Throwing it hard and selling it has really been key,” the Mets left-hander said before an 8-3 loss to the Mariners in which he did pitch. “If I try to place it and make it perfect, that is where I get into trouble.”
On Monday he had one of his strongest outings of the season, allowing one earned run over five innings in the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Mariners in 10 innings. Manaea was utilized in a bulk relief role, behind an opener.
Sean Manaea throws a pitch during the Mets’ 10-inning loss to the Mariners on June 1, 2026 in Seattle. Getty Images
Manaea has pitched to a 2.55 ERA over his last five appearances, dating to May 10. Before his last outing he was moved into a higher-leverage role, switching spots with David Peterson.
“Even though we lost the game you have got to take the positive there,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It was his longest outing, you saw some 93-94 [mph]. He was pretty impressive. He was really good.”
As for his sweeper, Manaea utilized it 21 times in 63 pitches.
Jorge Polanco will be evaluated for a potential return to the Mets this weekend following his scheduled start Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse (the second half of a back-to-back day appearances).
Though Polanco is expected to serve as the DH once he’s cleared for a Mets return, Mendoza indicated the ability to handle first base will be necessary. Polanco, who has been on the injured list since April 15, is returning from left Achilles bursitis after initially dealing with a right wrist contusion.
“It could be in play that he is active on Friday,” Mendoza said. “But if he needs more at-bats and it’s not so much how he is feeling physically … there is a combination of a lot of things.”
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Kodai Senga is scheduled to throw 85 pitches for Syracuse on Wednesday in a potential final minor league rehab outing before rejoining the Mets.
The right-hander has been sidelined since April 26 with lumbar spine inflammation.
Mets pitchers began the day with 560 strikeouts this season, which ranked first in the National League and second in MLB.
The total was fourth-highest in franchise history through the team’s first 60 games. The 2021 Mets (580 strikeouts) are first.
In less than 24 hours from permission granted to departure finalized, Chris MacFarland went from a key piece of the Colorado Avalanche’s front office to officially being out the door — and the speed of it has quietly turned into the first real question.
Chris MacFarland’s exit in Colorado didn’t come with much warning — or much resistance — and that alone is beginning to say something about where things stand inside the Avalanche organization.
Welcome to Smashville, Chris! 👋
We're proud to announce that Chris MacFarland has been hired as our President of Hockey Operations and General Manager.
On Wednesday, the Nashville Predators officially named MacFarland their President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, closing the book on a tenure in Colorado that ended almost as quickly as it was allowed to conclude. The timing, more than anything, has sparked the obvious question: was this a departure Colorado tried to prevent, or one they quietly accepted?
On paper, the Avalanche are still operating as a win-now team — Presidents’ Trophy expectations, Stanley Cup aspirations, and a core built around one of the most dominant groups the league has seen in years. But the results have stopped matching the billing. The championships haven’t followed, the draft capital has thinned out, and the roster is starting to show its age in key spots.
— 92.5 FM - Denver's Altitude Sports Radio (@AltitudeSR) June 2, 2026
So when a senior executive is permitted to walk without much resistance, it naturally raises eyebrows. If MacFarland was truly viewed as part of the long-term foundation, it’s fair to wonder whether the organization would have drawn a harder line. They had the right to.
They didn’t use it.
Some will frame that as courtesy — a respectful send-off for a longtime executive earning a promotion elsewhere. Others will see it as something quieter and more telling: that internal change in Colorado may not be as far off as it looks from the outside.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
The guys react in real time as news breaks that Chris MacFarland is headed to Nashville. pic.twitter.com/Vy05jEq6Dp
Either way, it’s another storyline that will inevitably circle back to Joe Sakic the next time he addresses the media.
Familiar Pain, Familiar Opponent
From the outside, the Avalanche’s recent playoff history hasn’t offered much relief.
Last season’s disappointment again ended at the hands of Pete DeBoer and the Dallas Stars in a second consecutive seven-game first-round series. Dallas was dealing with injuries to key players like Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen, which only added to the frustration around Colorado’s exit.
And then there was Mikko Rantanen.
Moved earlier in the year in a decision that still hangs over the franchise, he was sent to the Carolina Hurricanes — only to later surface in Dallas and play a major role in eliminating his former team. It was one of those storylines that refuses to fade, no matter how many months pass.
By the time the series ended, the blame didn’t sit in one place. Assistant coach Ray Bennett ultimately absorbed the formal fallout, but MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar were both pulled into the larger conversation about accountability within the organization.
Colorado’s power play issues were part of the story, but they weren’t the whole story. At different points, Dallas controlled the pace, dictated the physical tone, and forced stretches where the Avalanche struggled to respond.
One moment stood out more than most — Valeri Nichushkin taking a cross-check to the face from Jamie Benn, with little meaningful pushback afterward.
What stood out even more in hindsight was how that moment echoed beyond the Dallas series. The physical tone Benn established didn’t fade once the series ended. Instead, it became a reference point — not just for what Dallas did, but for how Colorado was increasingly being approached in the postseason. Test the edge. Challenge the response. See what breaks.
That blueprint didn’t stop. It followed them as Colorado refused to address their flaws.
Talent Without Enough Edge
There was an expectation afterward that Colorado would evolve into something heavier, something harder to play against. The reality only partially matched that idea.
Brent Burns brought experience and puck movement, but at this stage of his career he isn’t a player who changes the team’s physical identity. Josh Manson remains the closest thing Colorado has to that element, but injuries have kept him from being a consistent presence.
What hasn’t changed is the offense.
Nathan MacKinnon captured his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal scorer. Martin Nečas, acquired in the Rantanen trade, was outstanding through the first two rounds of the playoffs — driving play, creating offense, and looking like one of Colorado’s most dangerous forwards. But like much of the roster, he went quiet against Vegas once the Golden Knights tightened space and removed time in transition.
Brock Nelson provided steady production after arriving, Parker Kelly broke out with a 21-goal season, and Scott Wedgewood alongside Mackenzie Blackwood formed a strong tandem, sharing the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals against during the regular season (minimum 25 games played).
Jared Bednar talking about Chris MacFarland Being a Finalist for GM of the Year: "No one is gonna outwork him, no one is gonna watch more games..."
Against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Avalanche were swept, and once again the gap between regular-season dominance and postseason reality became impossible to ignore.
At that level, skill doesn’t disappear — but it gets compressed. Space shrinks, time disappears, and structure takes over.
And against that structure, Colorado had no answer. Similar to Dallas, Colorado had no response to Vegas’ brutality.
The Cost Of Constant Recalibration
MacFarland’s approach was never reckless — it was deliberate. Aggressive when needed, patient when possible, always trying to keep the championship window from closing.
But over time, the accumulation of moves has left its mark.
Alex Newhook, drafted in 2019 and part of the 2022 Cup team, was traded to Montreal in 2023 for futures and a prospect who never became part of Colorado’s long-term core. In Montreal, he later delivered a breakthrough postseason, including a Game 7 overtime winner against Buffalo and a run to the Eastern Conference Final.
It’s exactly the kind of production that becomes more noticeable when depth scoring disappears in the spring.
On defense, Bo Byram’s departure still stands out. Now in Buffalo, he’s developed into a steady, mobile defenseman after being moved in the deal that brought back Casey Mittelstadt — a move designed to solve Colorado’s long-running search for a second-line center behind Nathan MacKinnon.
Perhaps the most striking reflection of that approach isn’t just in the roster turnover, but in what it has cost beyond it. Colorado does not own a first-round pick in the draft until 2029, and will not make a selection in the first three rounds of the upcoming draft either. For a franchise still operating with championship expectations, it’s a rare level of future compression.
Mittelstadt struggled to find consistency and was eventually moved again — packaged with Will Zellers and a draft pick to Boston for Charlie Coyle. Coyle’s stint didn’t last long either, later being dealt to Columbus with Miles Wood for Gavin Brindley and additional draft capital.
Brindley saw NHL time but finished the season back with the Colorado Eagles.
Layer after layer, the middle of the roster has been reshaped without ever fully stabilizing.
Cal Ritchie was included in the Brock Nelson deal — a move that delivered regular-season production but limited playoff impact. Nazem Kadri’s return brought familiarity and edge, but also a long-term commitment that now looks more complicated as his game ages.
Even smaller moves have added up. The Sam Girard for Brett Kulak trade remains one of the cleaner wins in that stretch.
But the overall direction is clear: Colorado has leaned heavily into a win-now identity that has steadily traded future flexibility for present urgency.
And that only works if the final step actually arrives.
So far, it hasn’t.
The Cycle Comes Full Circle
And now, with MacFarland gone and Joe Sakic once again central to the structure, the Avalanche find themselves circling familiar ground. Not a reset — a recalibration around the same philosophy that delivered the 2022 championship.
The problem is that everything around it has changed.
The core is older. The margins are thinner. And the same approach that once delivered a title has, in recent years, produced more questions than answers.
At some point, the bigger truth becomes hard to ignore.
You can’t keep selling your soul for short-term certainty and expect the same version of success to come back unchanged.
The 2022 team wasn’t just talented — it was stable. It grew together, stayed together, and understood exactly what it was when it mattered most.
Since then, the churn has been constant. Moves made for urgency. Moves made for fit. Moves made for a roster that keeps changing before it ever fully settles.
And that’s where the contrast becomes unavoidable. What once felt like a brotherhood built over years now feels more transactional — like everything has been broken up, moved around, and reassembled elsewhere, with pieces that don’t always naturally fit the same way.
Not bad players. Not bad intentions. Just a team that hasn’t been allowed to stay whole long enough to become what it once was.
And in the middle of it all, Sakic now finds himself back in a familiar position — trying to stabilize a structure he helped build, but didn’t always directly steer through its most aggressive decisions.
Because as MacFarland exits, there’s a growing sense of a familiar pattern underneath it all: when things don’t end in a championship, someone eventually becomes the face of the disappointment. Sometimes it’s a coach. Sometimes it’s an assistant. Sometimes it’s an executive cycle that quietly gets reshaped or replaced before the core ever truly changes.
MacFarland’s departure doesn’t land like a dramatic firing — but it also doesn’t feel entirely disconnected from that pattern either. Another layer of accountability, another shift in responsibility, another figure stepping out as the organization circles back toward the same core group that has defined its last era.
The difference this time is that Joe Sakic isn’t walking into a rebuild or a reset. He’s walking back into a familiar identity — one that already delivered a championship, but has since struggled to find the same level of finishing touch.
And whether MacFarland was the fall guy, a casualty of timing, or simply the next man to move on, the broader reality doesn’t change much.
But that’s the risk of a cup-or-bust mentality. You’re either a genius or the villain. Colorado, for a stretch, looked like neither was up for debate — they terrorized the entire league. It just didn’t carry through when it mattered most.
The Avalanche are still trying to solve the same problem they’ve been chasing since 2022.
They just keep changing who is held responsible for getting them there.
