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Pens Points: Road Trippin’

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 28: Oliver Moore #11 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ville Koivunen #41 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scuffle during the second period at the United Center on December 28, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With a half dozen games under their belt in the new season, it’s time for the Pittsburgh Penguins to head out on their first extended road trip of the 2026-27 season. Beginning tonight in Chicago, the Penguins will head west to Denver, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City for a daunting stretch that sees them take on three playoff teams from last season along with a Chicago side that has given them plenty of issues over the years despite more recent struggles. [Pensburgh]

Puck drop tonight is set for 8:00 PM Eastern and will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh. Tonight is also the NHL’s annual ‘Frozen Frenzy’ which will see all 32 teams in action.

Pens Points…

A slow start for Sidney Crosby isn’t completely out of the ordinary, but given the early season results, you may expect Dan Muse to shake up the lines to give Crosby a different look. If practice is any indication, that does not appear to be the case as of yet. [Pensburgh]

Some trade news broke late Monday afternoon as the Penguins announced a deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Coming over from Buffalo is defenseman Ryan Johnson in exchange for defensemen Caleb Jones and Daniel Laatsch. Johnson is a former first round draft pick (2019). [Penguins]

All signs are pointing to Connor Bedard making his season debut for the Blackhawks later this evening against the Penguins. He was a full participant in practice on Monday and look to be ready to play his first game since being named captain of the team over the summer. [NHL]

Kaeden Korczak is still getting acclimated to Pittsburgh and a new style of play, but he’s been proving his worth thus far. After being acquired in the offseason, the Penguins plan for Korczak isn’t just be a body on the blue line, but a major factor in the long term plans. [PPG]

Still listed as a non-roster player, it appears Andrei Kuzmenko is nearing a full return to the Penguins lineup, possibly as soon as tonight. Kuzmenko was a full participant in practice on Monday but no final decision was given by Dan Muse. [Trib Live]

Some non-hockey Penguins adjacent news: Austin Lemieux, son of franchise legend Mario Lemeiux, qualified for his first PGA golf event. Lemieux qualified for the upcoming Bermuda Championship by scoring a fitting 66 at his qualifying event in Florida. [Sportsnet]

NHL News and Notes…

Auston Matthews posted nine points in three games last week and was named the First Star of the Week by the NHL on Monday. Jake Oettinger was nearly unbeatable in goal and was named Second Star with Alex Lafreniere taking home Third Star honors. [NHL]

Amidst turmoil after placing their current head coach on leave, the Arizona Sun Devils are expected to hire former Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken bench boss Dave Hakstol as the next head coach of the program. [ESPN]

It’s time for the NHL’s ‘Frozen Frenzy’ with all 32 teams in action. Coverage begins on ESPN2 at 5:00 PM with the first game beginning at 6:00 PM with remaining contests being on staggered start times throughout the evening all the way up until 11:00 PM. [ESPN]

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Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are making irrational optimism feel rational

Through two preseason games, the 2026-2027 Celtics look like the 2020-2021 bull market. It didn’t matter what you bought — it was going to the moon. Bitcoin, Dogecoin, gold, Tesla, it didn’t matter; everyone thought they had found the infinite money glitch. That’s what the Boston Celtics feel like two preseason games in. Jayson Tatum, Baylor Scheierman, Dillon Mitchell…everyone is playing wonderful basketball. 

Now bear with me as I keep making barely sensical financial metaphors about this season’s Boston Celtics. 

The Bitcoin Bros:

Celtics fans know these names. The chaos wing contingent of Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Dillon Mitchell are foundational to how this era of the Celtics wants to play basketball. Mash people on the offensive glass, move the ball, play with pace, and make life for opposing offenses a living hell. Celtics fans are like Bitcoin investors in the early 2010s: no one thinks internet gold is anything but a scam, or, in this case, the rest of the league is dubious that a tsunami of late-round draft picks is coming to terrorize the league. 

They showed last season that they can impact winning and over two preseason games, these chaos agents appear to have levelled up. It shouldn’t surprise anyone, given their work ethic, age and tenure in the league.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: Dillon Mitchell #20 and Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Sydney Bezelik/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

This is before we mention rookies Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. It’s hard to envision a path for Mitchell to earn playing time with the glut of aforementioned chaos agents of Baylor, Hugo and Walsh (and Ron Harper Jr.), but Mitchell is a special athlete. He combines his explosiveness with IQ and feel for the game that has been evident through two preseason games. Cenac’s ability to play the power forward of center position provide more pathways to playing time. I would expect the rangy big man to spend most of his rookie season with Maine, but it wouldn’t shock me to see Cenac flash a few times in the regular season. 

Blue Chippers:

Jayson Tatum is like Apple stock. It doesn’t seem like his stock can get any higher, but it does. I was already bullish on Tatum coming into this season and his 27 minutes of preseason action did not dissuade me. By Tatum’s own admission, he was around 80% when he returned mid-playoff push last year. He quickly reestablished himself as an All-NBA caliber player. With the rust already shaken off and a full offseason to build confidence in his body, I expect Tatum to regain his place on First Team All-NBA. In Tatum’s first preseason action, he was effortlessly dominant. An MVP award for Tatum is on the table. 

After last season, Derrick White’s ticker was in danger of falling out of the S&P 500. Despite one of the best shot-blocking regular seasons of all time for a guard, his dreadful playoff shooting has investors feeling uncomfortable. White’s preseason debut was rocky; early in the game, he clanked a few threes and turned the ball over a couple of times. The smooth-headed guard (I can say that because I am also smooth-headed), was able to rally as the game went on, impacting the game on both sides of the ball. It would really ease the concerns of fans to see him go on a hot shooting run to start this season. 

Backing Payton Pritchard’s NBA journey has felt like investing in a sleeper tech stock that sceptics wrote off as incapable of scaling. Only to watch it grow every year until it makes everyone who believed in it rich. While I’m not as bullish as some who think Payton Pritchard can become Jalen Brunson, I believe Pritchard will continue to develop into one of the league’s most potent weapons. Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard have been a lethal combination since entering the league. In over 4,000 minutes sharing the court together, Tatum and Pritchard have a net rating of +8.1. Pritchard is the perfect perimeter teammate for Tatum; he spaces the court out to the logo, and their screening actions are lethal, as the opponent who is tasked with guarding Pritchard typically has no prayer in guarding Tatum, so when they are in action together, it creates difficult choices for opposing defenses. In Pritchard’s limited preseason action, he looks ready to handle an even larger offensive burden. 

Precious Metals:

Apologies to Mike Conley and Paul George, but gold, silver, and all precious metals are clearly the NBA vets of the investment landscape. Gold is one of humanity’s oldest commodities. Reliable and necessary. NBA Champions require precious veterans. Al Horford, Alex Caruso, Andre Iguodala, the list is endless. Paul George and Mike Conley are here to steady the locker room and, in George’s case, perfectly complement Jayson Tatum. The theoretical fit of George, an elite shooter and defender who should seamlessly amplify Tatum’s scoring and playmaking, came to life instantly in their preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. George’s willingness to buy into his new role as an ageing superstar will pay dividends this season. 

Reading too much into preseason can be dangerous. However, by my calculations, the 2026-2027 Boston Celtics are going to the moon. 

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How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic: TV, stream info for tonight's preseason game

The NBA preseason continues tonight with a matchup of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic on Peacock and NBCSN.

It's the third preseason game for two teams that made the Eastern Conference playoffs last year. The Cavaliers beat the Magic 119-105 on Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio.

Last season, the Cavs were 52-30 and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. They were swept by the New York Knicks, the eventual NBA champions.

The Magic secured the eighth seed through the Play-In tournament and blew a 3-1 lead to the Detroit Pistons in a first-round elimination.

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How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic:

  • When: Tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 13
  • Where: Kia Center in Orlando, Florida
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • Live Stream: Peacock
  • TV: NBCSN

Cavaliers-Magic storylines

Cleveland re-signed its superstars in the offseason, agreeing to a four-year, $273 million extension with Donovan Mitchell, who was entering the final year of his deal and could have gained an additional year and $80 million by waiting.

After declining his $42 million option and becoming a free agent, James Harden agreed to a three-year, $97 million deal to stay with the Cavaliers. The contract includes an option through the 2028-29 season when Harden would be 39 years old.

“The only thing I’m missing is a championship," said Harden, who has played in the second-most playoff games (191) without winning a title (behind Karl Malone's 193). "This is something that I want to do: I want to win a championship. I waited until the front office … made sure that we got everything we could get, and then re-signed.”

After squandering a 24-point lead in the second half of Game 6 against the Pistons, the Magic lost 116-94. Orlando fired head coach Jamahl Mosley was fired a day after the Magic's elimination. "This is a public apology," Orlando guard Jalen Suggs recently said about the loss to the Pistons. "That was unacceptable.”

Sean Sweeney, 42, is a head coach for the first time after 12 seasons as an assistant across five teams. He arrives in Orlando from San Antonio, where he helped guide the third-rated defense in the NBA last season.

Victor Wembanyama, the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year, said Sweeney deserved all of the credit for the Spurs' defense. Orlando fell to 13th in points allowed last year after allowing the fewest points per game (105.5) in the 2024-25 season.

“From Day 1, his communication has been high level,” Orlando star forward Paolo Banchero said.

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Why Jason Kidd won't count out Warriors as 2026-27 NBA championship contender

Why Jason Kidd won't count out Warriors as 2026-27 NBA championship contender originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Opinions about the potential of the 2026-27 Warriors tend to focus on their relatively fragile health, as the team will open the NBA season without as many as three impact players and, above all, their advanced age.

Superstar Stephen Curry is 38. Longtime sidekick Draymond Green is 36. Center Al Horford is 40. Jimmy Butler III is 37 and in the middle stage of recovery from ACL surgery. Gary Payton II will be 34 in December. Kristaps Porziņģis is 31 with a body about 10 years older.

The general belief is that Golden State’s season will be an exercise in futility.

Jason Kidd begs to differ. The Hall of Fame point guard and longtime NBA coach cites his own history with a Dallas Mavericks team thought to be too old to make a long postseason run yet won the 2011 NBA Finals.

“We were too old,” Kidd said, half joking, in an appearance on the “Dubs Talk” podcast.

The 2010-2011 Mavericks were led by Kidd, who turned 38 two months before the Finals. Sharpshooter Peja Stojaković turned 34 during the series, and Jason Terry turned 34 two months later.  Shawn Marion was 33, and the team’s best player, Dirk Nowitzki, turned 33 one week after the Finals. Seven Mavericks had at least 10 years of NBA experience. The trio of Nowitzki, Kidd and Terry, averaging 35 years of age, are the oldest core to win it all, taking a six-game series over a Miami squad featuring twenty-somethings LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

The Warriors hope to enter the 2027 NBA playoffs with a core trio – Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green – averaging almost 38 years of age.

“When you look at the Warriors, wisdom is key,” Kidd said. “Incredible coach, one of the best coaches in the league, in Steve Kerr. And then you look at what Steph does each summer. … Everybody talks about his stats and what he does, but his preparation is done in the summer, and what he does, and the time that he spends on getting ready for this for the season is like no other.”

Center Tyson Chandler, 28, was the only Dallas starter under 32. Golden State’s core likely would be supported mostly by four players: Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg (24), guard Brandin Podziemski (23), guard De’Anthony Melton (29) and, if he’s able, Kristaps Porziņģis (31).

That Dallas-Miami series is why Kidd won’t dismiss the Warriors, especially if they are relatively healthy at the end of the 82-game regular season.

“Yeah, because you don’t want to see Steph,” Kidd said. “We all wonder how we can slow him down. How can we do something that he hasn’t seen? He’s seen it all. He’s not afraid of the moment. He’s a unicorn, an incredible unicorn, but an incredible human being.”

Curry will be managing “runner’s knee,” a malady that caused him to miss most of the second half of last season. His presence is crucial for earning a postseason berth, much less the Warriors making a significant playoff run.

Golden State’s postseason viability will be tested early, as Porziņģis will miss at least the first couple weeks and preseason star Lendeborg will be adjusting to regular-season intensity.

The most optimistic projection for Butler has him returning shortly after the holidays. It’s unlikely that Moses Moody, a valuable wing who can come off the bench or occasionally start, will return before the NBA All-Star break.

“The Warriors are going to be a team that people might not talk about,” Kidd said, “but I think at the end of the day, they can crack the playoffs.”

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Could the Rockets trade Kevin Durant this year?

The rules surrounding NBA team building are loose.

You’re supposed to commit to a “timeline”. The average age of your roster is supposed to be comparable.

The rules may be loose, but that’s not to say they’re arbitrary. Many teams have tried the whole “two timelines” thing, and few have succeeded.

The idea is that, by some kind of osmosis process, the veterans will usher the young guys into title contention, as if Amen Thompson can somehow absorb Kevin Durant’s shot-making ability. There are examples of the approach working, but they all feature MVP-level young talents, like the Spurs drafting Tim Duncan with David Robinson on the roster, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.

So perhaps the conversation is circular. If Sengun were the Tim Duncan to Durant’s Robinson, the timeline issue becomes moot. Given the Rockets’ “lots of good young players, but none future MVP candidates” build, it’s fair to ask a question:

Could this team trade Durant?

Rockets should consider trading Durant if necessary

Rafael Stone has made a habit of trading two second-round picks for one second-round pick and Alpha Kaba so he can cut Kaba and generate a trade exception, or whatever, at the trade deadline.

It’s a good approach. Every year, Stone leaves Rockets fans disappointed because he didn’t make a blockbuster move, even though not making a blockbuster move is unequivocally better than making a bad move.

This year feels a bit different, doesn’t it? There’s some pressure after two consecutive first-round exits. The United States Ambassador to Italy is surely getting some ants in his pants. A major deadline deal feels more likely this year than it has in years past. If the Rockets aren’t, say, a top-3 seed by the deadline, it’s a looming possibility.

That’s going to mean one of two things. It’s going to mean reuniting Durant with Kyrie Irving, or pairing him with Karl-Anthony Towns, or some other superstar (side note: This summer was crazy, and all the best hypothetical trade targets got traded), or it’s going to mean trading Durant and resetting the timeline.

That feels like an awfully attractive proposition to me.

Imagine this: Duncan Robinson, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, and an unprotected future first for Durant. The Rockets’ young core will be fully substantiated by complementary players. They’ll have an elite movement shooter in Robinson, and a part-time stretch five to space the floor around Thompson in Collins. And, perhaps most importantly, the Rockets add an extra unprotected first to their war chest.

Let’s flashback. The year is 2020. The Rockets trade James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets to go play with Kevin Durant. They get no meaningful players (with apologies to Rodions Kurucs) in return. Instead, they get the most draft capital a team has ever received in an NBA trade.

Rafael Stone famously declares that his GM acumen should not be judged until 2030. Flash forward. It’s 2026 heading into 2027 in a few months. Stone’s self-imposed deadline is quickly approaching:

But he still has plenty of time.

My point? Why rush? The Rockets could flip Durant for role players and assets, draft as well as they can for a few more years, churn out the players that aren’t fitting, and see where they stand. There’s no win-now move that’s likely to put them in the title picture next year, so leaning further into the long game feels like the more sensible approach.

That might be pie you’re seeing in the sky. It’s at least equally likely that Tillman Fertitta won’t wait until 2030. Stone may be feeling the squeeze, and he may do the VanVleet, Capela and a pick for Irving thing just to maximize his odds of escaping the first round. Otherwise, three consecutive first-round exits could put his job in peril:

Those are the rules.

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Pirates 2026 season in review: Catchers

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 25: Rafael Flores Jr. #43 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run in the eighth inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Friday, September 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates experienced an up-and-down relationship with their catching rotation.

Three catchers made a significant impact on a club that finished 82-80, the team’s best record since 2018. All three will likely return in 2027, if there is a season, to patrol the Pirates’ backstop.

Pittsburgh received a mix bag of production depending on the player, and there remain questions for each to answer and prove.

Henry Davis

The No. 1 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Henry Davis is currently one of the biggest busts in franchise history. A career -1.0 WAR player, Davis has struggled at the plate after being drafted for his bat. An offense-first catcher at Louisville whose knock was defense, the opposite is true in the majors. 

Davis slashed .172/.272/.313 with a .585 OPS in 256 at-bats. He set career highs in home runs (10) and RBIs (38) but his batting average would have ranked worst in baseball if he met the necessary qualifications.

His defense makes him a positive WAR play and has become one of the best in the National League behind the plate, earning the trust of multiple Pirates pitchers. Davis threw out 17 of 37 (45.9%) of attempted base stealers this season, the best in all of baseball.

Davis caught a career-high 744.2 innings and recorded a .995 fielding percentage. He recorded eight defensive runs saved but did allow six passed balls in 95 games. 

If Davis could hit around .230 or even .215 and drive in around 50 runs, the Pirates would play him more often and trust him. The lack of contact with a 22.1% square up rate and 32.3% chase rate, hampers the bottom of the Pirates’ lineup. 

Tasked as Paul Skenes’ personal catcher for all but one start, Davis must improve at the plate if he is going to stay in the big leagues. His worth ethic and mentality are all there, but it hasn’t all come together. 

Rafael Flores Jr.

The biggest surprise in the catcher unit, Rafael Flores Jr. has the best power potential of the three. Flores Jr. crushed six doubles and 11 home runs in 148 at-bats. Seven of the 12 home runs came over his last 30 games. 

In 47 games, Flores Jr. slashed .264/.331/.527 with an .858 OPS. He showed a patient approach at the plate, walking 15 times compared to 45 strikeouts. Flores Jr. drove in 25 runs during his first extended season in the major leagues. 

Defense remains an issue for Flores Jr.. Acquired in the David Bednar trade, Flores is a bat-first catcher who needs work behind the plate, but improved during the final weeks. Overall, he ranks in the 19th percentile in blocks above average (-5), 35th in caught stealing above average (-1), 53th in framing (1), and 53rd in pop time (1.94). 

There’s a lot to like about the potential Flores showed in September. Following a disappointing August (.212 batting average), Flores hit .313 and got on base at a .361 rate over 67 AB’s. He recorded eight runs batted in and moved up in the lineup, especially against left handers. Pittsburgh will more than likely begin 2027 with Flores as the starting catching and David as his running mate for situational starts.

Endy Rodriguez

One viewed as a potential long-term answer behind the plate, Endy Rodriguez may not play again behind the plate. The 26-year-old switch hitter only played 45 games due to a multitude of factors.

Rodriguez made his season debut on May 14 after beginning the year at Triple-A Indianapolis. He stuck with the club for two months before suffering a left glute strain that kept him out nearly three weeks. Rodriguez suffered a significant left hip injury on August 10 that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The injury required surgery and Rodriguez is expected to resume baseball activities in seven to nine months.

He seemed to have turned a corner during his third MLB season. Rodriguez slashed .267/.373/.467 with six doubles, seven home runs, and 20 RBIs in 45 games (135 total at-bats). A solid athlete that has played multiple positions, Rodriguez also stole six bags. 

Defense can be a struggle for Rodriguez, who ranks in the 29th percentile in blocks above average (-3) and 24th in caught stealing above average (-2). His pop time is one of the best in baseball (1.89 in the 80th percentile), but the injury may force Rodriguez to play other positions if he is going to continue his career. He has experience at first, second, and the outfield in professional ball.

Remember Us?

Don’t forget about Joey Bart and Shawn Ross. They were the only other catchers that appeared for the Pirates this season. Bart began the year on the Opening Day roster but was traded to the Atlanta Braves on June 18. Bart hit two homers and drove in six over 21 games. Ross only saw five at-bats, but hit a two-run homer on July 26 in the 8-7 win against the Cubs. The Pirates have intriguing options and could add a more established player, but may start Flores after a great end to the season. 

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Yankees news: Free agency could destroy New York’s bullpen

Roundtable | Matthew Schmidt: The Yankees entered the year with many question marks on their bullpen, yet they managed to post the second-best relief pitching ERA in the majors after the Boston Red Sox. However, there could be a massive exodus in free agency: closer David Bednar, Tim Hill, John Schreiber, Ryan Yarbrough, and Paul Blackburn are all set to hit the market when the World Series ends. Schmidt suggests the Yankees might have to get creative putting together the group for next year.

NJ Advance Media | Adam Zagoria: Former Yankees outfielder Cameron Maybin, who wore the pinstripes in 2019 and posted a 128 wRC+ and 1.6 fWAR that year, suggested that the Bombers should try to acquire fellow outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. from the Atlanta Braves via trade.

“Do the Yankees move [on] from my guy big G this offseason, and move Aaron Judge to primary DH/RF to keep him healthy and go after Ronald Acuña Jr.?” he wrote on X. “I still believe… and I’ll die on this hill, some players need the pinstripes to bring out the best in them. It may not be the best, but call me crazy… I still think Ronald still has some of that magic in him and would turn up in the Bronx! He’s a showman, and what better stage to perform on.” Acuña played 107 games this year, hitting 20 homers, stealing 21 bases, and posting a 120 wRC+. He had another unsuccessful postseason, though, and was heavily criticized for it.

Newsday | David Lennon: Back in 2016-17, the ‘Baby Bombers’ era represented hope for the future. They couldn’t deliver a World Series title, but Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez, Greg Bird, Luis Severino, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andújar, and even Clint Frazier brought excitement. Well, most of them, at least.

Lennon notes that a new batch of Baby Bombers is blossoming, and this one might stick for a while. “Cam Schlitter (age 25) is going to win the American League Cy Young Award in his second season, Ben Rice (27) should finish among the top five for MVP, George Lombard Jr. (21) is giving off early A-Rod vibes three months in, Spencer Jones (25) is a tailor-made Bronx slugger who improves by the day, and comeback kid Anthony Volpe (25) returned as a cult hero, most likely cementing a spot for the future. Austin Wells (27) and Will Warren (27) deserve honorable mention, too,” he wrote.

There are still many expensive veterans on the Yankees, but the young core is impressive.

SNY | Anthony McCarron: While others compete for the World Series trophy, the Yankees are already gearing up for some key roster decisions. They have multiple impactful free agents to be, one of them being second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. The flamboyant infielder has stated his desire to return to the Bronx, yet McCarron suggests the Yanks should simply move on at this point, saying that he “is a terrific talent and could be good elsewhere, but it feels like his time in pinstripes is over. If they don’t want him back, the Yankees should think long and hard about even extending him the $23-plus million qualifying offer.”



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Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2026: group-by-group preview

Australia and New Zealand are main contenders on home soil while pressure is straight on England in new format

The Rugby League World Cup returns with a new format and a new feel this week, but in the men’s event there is a familiar clutch of nations vying for glory. Ten teams will compete in a complex group format, with only four semi-final spots on offer after the quarter-final stage was removed.

Two of those semi-finalists will come from the four-strong Group A while the remaining six nations play in a new inter-group format. The nations in the three-team Group B play the three in Group C and vice versa, with the top two from a combined table of both pools going into the semis.

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Lakers vs. Warriors Preseason Preview: Battle of California in Las Vegas

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Lakers’ preseason continues in Las Vegas with a rematch against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. The purple and gold look to nab their third exhibition victory.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors

When: 7 p.m. PT, Oct 13

Where: T-Mobile Arena

Watch:  NBA TV, Spectrum Sportsnet

It’s the fourth game of the Lakers’ preseason stint, which means we’re literally nine days away from the team’s season opener, which will also be against Golden State. Tuesday’s game against the Warriors is the perfect teaser.

What’s also fair to hope for is that the Lakers don’t get outplayed and blown out by the Warriors, similar to what happened last week. Hopefully this time around, the key players for both teams suit up and treat this one like a dress rehearsal for the season opener.

After all, Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and it would be a disservice if both California-based teams don’t put on a show.

For the Lakers, it would be nice to see Luka Dončić look like his usual self, much like he did in their recent win over the Sacramento Kings when he dropped 23 points in just 25 minutes. The same goes for Austin Reaves, who made his preseason debut in that game and understandably looked a little rusty. When these two are rolling, it’s harder to imagine a more entertaining Lakers team.

What’s also been fun to watch is how this squad is gradually coming together. It’s been a pleasant surprise and encouraging development to see their chemistry on the court taking shape, especially considering how much roster turnover the Lakers went through this offseason. The players seem to understand their roles alongside Dončić and Reaves and complement one another well.

Suddenly, it’s becoming clearer why head coach JJ Redick believes this is the first time in his Lakers tenure that the roster “actually fits together.”

That said, there’s still a lot of basketball to be played in order to prove that. For now, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Lakers can continue building on that early chemistry. While they do just that, it’ll be fascinating to see who continues to stand out, just like Sandro Mamukelashvili has in the preseason thus far.

Keep in mind that the Lakers are facing a Warriors team that may not be classified as contenders but still can be competitive. They’re more connected than the Lakers right now given their familiarity with each other and their system. They also have Stephen Curry on their side so appropriate fear is necessary.

As has been the case throughout the preseason, the process matters more than the result. Still, it would be nice if the Lakers could keep the Warriors from gaining any extra confidence ahead of the season opener in nine days. If they don’t get the win, let’s see if they can at least put on a show in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Notes and Updates

  • Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton have yet to play in any preseason game. Let’s see if that changes on Tuesday.
  • We have an exciting new feature in our app this season. It’s easier than ever to chat in our game threads. Each game, this post will become a live chat and will be easy to find at the top of the Lakers community page, so be sure to download the app and give it a try this preseason.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

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Dodgers considering benching Shohei Ohtani, per report

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during Game Two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hasn’t done much at all since returning from the injured list in the final week of the regular season, and his presence in the middle of the batting order has been more symbolic than actually productive.

Now, the team is considering sitting Ohtani as the National League Championship Series moves to Los Angeles, per Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic:

“Yeah, I mean, obviously it hasn’t been good,” manager Dave Roberts told The Athletic on Monday, after the Dodgers’ 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2. “He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it.

“I’ll have (that conversation) with him tomorrow.”

As someone who has practice in Robertsese, that means Ohtani won’t be starting in Game 3 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani’s second half has been marred by various maladies. First came the left knee irritation in June, which caused the team to pause his pitch after July 3, and he missed the All-Star Game to get treatment on the knee. As he slowly worked his way back on the pitching side, Ohtani developed a right biceps issue as well, which caused various starts and stops of his pitching program.

By early September it became clearer that Ohtani was affected by the injuries, and he finally landed on the IL with biceps inflammation. How long exactly Ohtani has been dealing with the injuries isn’t clear, but he last homered on August 18 at Coors Field, and has driven in one run in the 110 plate appearances since.

There’s been an open question of how forthcoming Ohtani has been with his injuries as well. Before the NL Division Series, when asked about his injuries, Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton, “I haven’t been able to get a good grasp of the root cause of all this. I think that process is going to happen during the off-season when I’m going to have a little bit more time to be able to address it. But as of now, it’s something I’m just going to have to manage.”

There was a time with some hope on September 24, when Ohtani had four hard-hit balls which led to a single and double, but that’s his only extra-base hit in 41 plate appearances since returning fro the IL. In the postseason, the hard contact has all but disappeared. Ohtani has three singles in 20 at-bats plus three walks and seven strikeouts, hitting just .150/.261/.150. His expected numbers, based on his batted-ball data, aren’t much better, just .187/.315/.255.

Roberts at various times in October has mentioned Ohtani clearly isn’t 100 percent. He moved him to second in the order, then to fifth, and has batted Ohtani fourth in the last three games. Now, Ohtani might sit.

Woo and Rosenthal report that Josue De Paula would be “the top candidate” to take over at designated hitter if Ohtani does not start.

We’ll surely find out more about this during media availabilities at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday’s off day.

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Baby, It’s A Wild World: 3 Observations as Ice-Cold Special Teams Doom Golden Knights Against Wild

The Vegas Golden Knights might be the most resilient team in hockey. Their style of play stays consistent despite no matter the circumstances— it doesn’t matter if they’re up by two or down by three. And when they are down by three, they put their heads down and chip away at their opponent’s lead. 

That’s exactly what they did on Monday. After the Minnesota Wild took advantage of a stretch of bad play in the first period, the Golden Knights found themselves in a 3-0 hole for the second time in their last three games. 

On Thursday, the Golden Knights snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. But tonight, they didn’t have another multi-goal comeback in them.

This team never throws in the towel, so they clawed their way back and made things interesting. The Golden Knights outshot the Wild 12-6 in the third period, but failed to find the equalizer and ultimately fell 4-2 after the Wild hit the empty net. 

“They can be [a frustrating team to play against],” said defenseman Brayden McNabb following the loss. “They’re well structured. If we’re on our game, we can break them down. We saw that through stretches in this game. It’s just a matter of staying with it when things aren’t going your way, and not snowballing to three goals in 10 minutes.”

1. Clash of the Titans 

Special teams often dictate the outcome of a hockey game, and this one was no different. Heading into tonight’s game, both the Wild’s power play and penalty kill ranked third in the league; the Golden Knights had the third-ranked power play and the 16th-ranked penalty kill.

To say that the Wild won the special teams battle would be an understatement. It wasn’t even close. They converted on their only power play opportunity of the game, and their penalty kill was perfect against five Golden Knights power play opportunities.

“We had some chances,” said William Karlsson following the loss. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t break it down and get the puck behind the goalie.”

It wasn’t just that the Golden Knights couldn’t score on the power play— they also gave the Wild shorthanded opportunities. When the Golden Knights were on the power play, high-danger scoring chances were 4-2 in favor of Minnesota. 

“They won the special teams battle,” said Brayden McNabb postgame. “We like our PK, and we have faith in our PK and our power play. It just wasn’t our night.”

2. Stop the Bleeding

All things considered, the Golden Knights played a solid game on Monday. It’s hard to say that a goaltender played well while letting in three goals, but Carter Hart did. The Golden Knights were without Parker Wotherspoon tonight due to an upper-body injury, but Dylan Coghlan played very well in his season debut. And their first six games of the season suggest that tonight’s special teams struggles are almost certainly an outlier.

The problem was that the Golden Knights allowed the Wild to score three times in five minutes and seven seconds.

“We have to manage it better and stop the bleeding,” said William Karlsson. “At the end of the day, it’s just one goal. We’ve got to have the mindset of trying to take back momentum and get some o-zone time.”

“Those six minutes cost us,” agreed head coach Ryan Craig following the 4-3 loss. “I didn’t love our composure right at that point, but it doesn’t concern me. I think it’s just that we have to be fully aware of it a little bit quicker to get it back at that point.”

3. The Golden Lining

When you look up and down the lineup, the Golden Knights have no shortage of offensive talent. It’s rare for them to have any trouble generating chances. There are nights, however, where they just can’t convert on those chances.

Sometimes they run into a hot goaltender. Sometimes they get unlucky. Sometimes it just isn’t their night. 

It doesn’t always matter if those chances result in goals, especially not this early in the season. What matters is that the Golden Knights are consistently creating high-danger scoring chances. 

The Golden Knights’ second line, composed of Brett Howden, William Karlsson, and Mitch Marner, is usually responsible for generating much of their 5-on-5 offense. That was certainly the case tonight— that line outshot their opponents 9-5 and created four high-danger scoring chances while allowing only one. They’ve struggled to consistently convert on those chances, but as the season progresses, that becomes less and less of an issue. 

Last Thursday, Brett Howden got off the schneid. Tonight, it was William Karlsson’s turn to score his first of the season.

“I saw their D was kind of low in our zone, so I figured maybe I could beat him up the ice,” said Karlsson following the 4-2 loss. “Mitch got it up to Howie, and then Howie with the nice little sauce. Then you just have to shoot it.”

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Knicks 'really excited' with Andre Drummond's 'unbelievable' communication on floor

In three preseason games with the Knicks after signing a veteran minimum deal in the offseason, Andre Drummond has already shown he still has some left in the tank as he gets ready for his 15th season in the NBA.

Joining New York to be Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup at center following the departure of Mitchell Robinson, Drummond’s role figures to be limited but still important. After all, last year he averaged 19.5 minutes per game with the Philadelphia 76ers, his most since 2021-22.

On Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 33-year-old had four points, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal in 12 minutes off the bench, but it was beyond the stats that head coach Mike Brown found impressive with the backup center.

“The blocks are great, but I’m not a huge shot-blocking guy,” Brown admitted. “His communication right now is unbelievable. Usually your big is the one that sees everything out in front and so he’s usually your quarterback of your defense. A lot of bigs aren’t great talkers though. Like Draymond [Green] is one of the best in the league… and I thought Andre’s communication tonight – and it’s been good [so far] – but tonight it was off the charts.”

While Drummond’s vocalness on the floor didn’t lead to a Knicks win as they lost 122-104 (and, in fact, with Drummond on the court New York was outscored by nine points), it has Brown excited for the season.

“The blocks are good, him defending the pick-and-roll the right way, being big, there are a lot of good things that he did, but just watching him, and more importantly listening to him, man that got me really excited,” Brown said.

It’s no surprise that Drummond is a good communicator and unafraid to show it early on considering he’ll be on his seventh team when he debuts with the Knicks in the regular season.

Following seven and a half seasons with the Detroit Pistons to begin his career after being drafted No. 9 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Drummond has been a hot commodity, getting traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Los Angeles Lakers a year later. 

He then signed with the 76ers, was traded again to the Nets before spending two seasons with the Chicago Bulls and then landing in Philadelphia once again for two years.

The two-time All-Star is no longer the beast on the boards that he was for seven consecutive seasons, leading the league in total rebounds and offensive rebounds multiple times, but at 6-foot-11, Drummond continues to be a reliable big man that New York will lean on occasionally this season.

Behind him are players like Mohamed Diawara and Pacome Dadiet, two young players that aren’t exactly centers but are “long” and hope to take the next step in their development this season -- possibly behind the tutelage of a veteran like Drummond. 

In fact, Brown called both Diawara and Dadiet “eager learners” and wants to see them improve and impact the team this season.

“I thought [Dadiet] had a pretty good game. I thought he had a pretty good game the game before,” Brown said. “... Both [Dadiet and Diawara] are long, they’re obviously young and they’re talented and I’m gonna keep coaching them and they’re gonna keep getting better.”