CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 9: Head Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on before the game against the Detroit Pistons during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Our season review of the Cleveland Cavaliers continues with Kenny Atkinson and the coaching staff.
As is the case with our postgame report cards, a “B” grade represents a player or group meeting the standard we expect from them.
Cavs’ record
Regular season: 52-30 (-12 from last season)
Playoffs: 8-10 (+3 from last season)
Atkinson was dealt a rough hand this year.
The front office’s moves last offseason didn’t pay off. Trading Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball was a miss, as were the signings around the edges of the roster.
Additionally, injuries were a recurring issue throughout the year. Max Strus didn’t play until the spring. Darius Garland missed the start of the season, and when he did return, he wasn’t close to the All-Star version we saw the year before. The group also missed time from both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Atkinson deserves credit for keeping this season on the rails. The group continued to be bought in, even during their slump, and were able to keep their heads above water. This could’ve easily been a lost season.
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Then, Atkinson was forced to adapt again when they traded for James Harden.
Atkinson understands that this is a player’s league first and foremost. He sacrificed his personal preference to fit the style that worked best with this group given the limited time left in the season.
The Cavs blended Harden’s isolation system with some of the off-ball movement concepts we saw from them during their 64-win season. Making those adjustments on the fly with limited practice time is an incredibly difficult task, and not one many coaching staffs would’ve succeeded in doing.
The trades and the injuries resulted in the starting lineup they used most in the playoffs, only spending four regular-season games together. Yet, the Cavs were able to make it further in the playoffs than they have at any point since 2018. That’s a remarkable achievement.
At the same time, Atkinson deserves criticism for some of their biggest losses in the postseason.
The adjustments in the first two rounds weren’t as quick as they should’ve been. Against the Toronto Raptors, he took too long to find ways to get the bigs involved. The Cavs weren’t ready for the first two games against the Detroit Pistons, and he failed to get his group prepared for Game 6.
Atkinson also deserves a good portion of the blame for the disastrous Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks. He kept Harden on the court late, allowing him to get picked on by Jalen Brunson. By the time the defensive adjustment came, it was already too late. The offense ground to a halt. Atkinson couldn’t find a way to get it jump-started down the stretch in the fourth, even after timeouts.
The Cavs probably don’t win the series if Game 1 ended differently. The Knicks are playing at an incredibly high level right now. But at the very least, Cleveland could’ve made it a competitive series if they had held on to Game 1.
Figuring out how to balance the impressive regular season and frustrating playoffs is difficult for a project like this.
On one hand, Atkinson showed that he can make the absolute best of a bad situation. He continually raised the baseline of a group that had no business winning more than 50 games with the amount of injuries, roster turnover, and off-years from the supporting cast.
Simultaneously, he didn’t elevate this group in the postseason. It never felt like the players were in the best position to succeed, and the adjustments came far too late, if they came at all. That is concerning for a group that wants to compete for titles over the next few seasons.
Overall, I’m going to lean more positive. The playoff shortcomings don’t happen if this season goes off the rails, as it could’ve.
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Alperen Sengun #28 and Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets high five during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/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.
This week’s question is an interesting one. We’ve been over and over the fact that the Houston Rockets have two non-shooters in the lineup in Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. If the Rockets don’t make headway this season with shooting progress for at least one if not both guys, they may end up having to move on from one of them.
So, the question is, if you had to get rid of one of those guys — and only one — which one would it be?
Cast your vote, tell us in the comments, and we’ll be back soon with more Reacts.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 06: Marcell Ozuna #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on from the dugout during the MLB game between the Pittsburg Pirates and the Atlanta Braves on June 6, 2026 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the best offensive units in baseball as their lineup is third best in hits, fourth best in RBIs and the fifth best team batting average. One player that has unfortunately not been able to greatly contribute is designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
Ozuna was signed this offseason to be the Pirates’ primary DH, but has largely not lived up to his former All-Star stature. In 49 games the 35-year-old former Silver Slugger is slashing just .193/.277/.304 with a mere five home runs and 58 strikeouts. Ozuna also has a -.8 WAR on the season.
Despite the struggles, it sounds like the Pirates front office are fully backing Ozuna. General Manager Ben Cherington gave his reasoning for support of Ozuna on the Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday.
“Certainly plenty of runway in terms of being on the team,” Cherington said. “He’s a big part of the team. We keep working with him. He’s made a really good contribution off the field. He hasn’t gotten quite going on the field yet.”
Cherington went on to further say that Manager Don Kelly has a lot at his disposal when shaping the lineup and that has also contributed to Ozuna not being a constant fixture.
“I think the biggest challenge in the short term is the lineup with the roster construction we have right now, there is obviously a lot of days where Donny has a reason to put someone else at DH,” Cherington said. “Whether it’s a particular matchup or whether it’s someone who might need a day off their feet. We would probably expect some more in the short term.”
Marcell Ozuna has the full and undying support of Pirates GM Ben Cherington. Here's a sampling of what he said about the slumping slugger:
"He has plenty of runway on the roster" "He's a big part of the team" "He's done so much for us off the field" "We're gonna give him time"… pic.twitter.com/xlobZUh914
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) June 8, 2026
With the flexibility that Kelly has with his lineup, there have been numerous players appear at DH for the club in 2026. Outside of Ozuna Bryan Reynolds, Spencer Horwitz, Brandon Lowe, Oneil Cruz, Ryan O’Hearn and Konnor Griffin have all made appearances as the team’s designated hitter. Just since May 28, there have been six different designated hitters in the lineup.
Although Ozuna has had the most appearances at DH for the Pirates he has gotten off to an ice cold start to 2026. Now again he’s on the back half of his career and his age has shown at the plate. With that being said it’s not the first time “The Big Bear” has had a slow start or a slump before turning things around. Last season he had a similarly slow (and injury riddled) start to his campaign before finishing with 21 homers. Not to mention he’s only two seasons removed from smashing 39 home runs with a National League third best slugging percentage and third best OPS.
Despite Ozuna being viewed by many on the outside as someone the Pirates could easily move on from, Cherington and company still see the upside that the aging slugger can provide.
“We are going to give it time because we see that hot streak for him,” Cherington said. “We want to be the beneficiaries of that, when that happens and are confident that will happen.”
NJ Advance Media | Randy Miller: The Yankees could potentially get two key offensive pieces back soon. Per Miller, both Giancarlo Stanton and Jasson Domínguez ‘could be’ in play by next week, although it’s not official. The former is still running and hitting, and manager Aaron Boone hopes he can return by the next homestand. The Martian, on the other hand, is expected to continue his rehab assignment through the week.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Aaron Judge and Ben Rice had been in a friendly competition in the home run department. Now that the Captain will be out for a while with his injury, the first baseman will likely run away with that unofficial ‘crown.’ He could get much more than that at the end of the season if he keeps up his excellent form, though. Some people think that the Yankees’ chances of securing another AL MVP vanished with Judge’s injury, but be careful: Rice might have something to say about that. We all know that any talk about individual awards in June is awfully premature, but the surging slugger has a good chance of being in the race until the end, as Hoch writes.
“Like I’ve said, it’s just keep focusing on today,” Rice said. “Stay in the present, and we’ll evaluate at the end.” Bobby Witt Jr., Yordan Álvarez, and other potential candidates will be formidable competitors. Even Judge can’t be completely ruled out. But the young Yankees infielder is playing at an MVP level, with a 183 wRC+ and 18 homers entering Monday’s action.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The trade deadline is still a couple of months away, but part of being the Yankees is assuming that every year, prospects are going to be used as trade bait to bring in win-now pieces, save for very few exceptions. Hoch named outfielder Spencer Jones in MLB’s piece highlighting one trade chip per team, saying that “there’s some question about how seriously the Yankees view Jones as part of their future,” and that he could be used as a centerpiece of a deal for a player to cover one of the team’s current needs, including “a starting catcher.”
Newsday | Erik Boland: The Yankees will be without Judge for at least two months, if not more. Per Boland and rival scouts, the rotation is now tasked with carrying the team for as long as the three-time AL MVP is out. “That rotation looks so much better top to bottom than everyone else’s [in the American League],” a talent evaluator said. “And that’s without Max Fried.”
More than ever before, the Yankees will need to rely on their starters to minimize the impact of losing the best hitter of our generation for several weeks. Even Judge himself knows it: “We’ve got a great pitching staff [that’s] going to continue to carry this team,” he said this past weekend.
Every organization searches for talent, but the truly special ones find someone who quietly changes the culture the moment he walks through the door.
That’s exactly why the Colorado Avalanche shouldn’t hesitate to bring Brent Burns back for another season.
More Than An Iron Man
At 41 years old, Brent Burns is much closer to the final chapter of an extraordinary NHL career than the beginning, yet his value to the Colorado Avalanche extends far beyond his minutes on the blue line.
His greatest contribution isn't measured by goals, assists or blocked shots. It's measured by habits.
Brent Burns working with Nikita Prishchepov.
Burns is routinely among the first players to arrive at the rink and one of the last to leave, carrying the same relentless work ethic that first turned heads when he broke into junior hockey with the Couchiching Terriers in 2001.
During training camp and throughout the season, Burns could regularly be found staying long after practice had officially ended, working through extra drills with prospects. The Hockey News watched him spend additional time on the ice with Nikita Prishchepov, offering instruction after most of the rink had already emptied.
There are countless ways to teach the game, but the most effective lessons are often demonstrated rather than spoken.
For a generation of younger players trying to establish themselves, those routines become impossible to ignore.
The Standard Never Changes
Hockey continues to evolve with speed, skill and technology, but one ingredient remains constant on every championship contender: veterans who refuse to lower the standard.
Burns embodies that philosophy.
Despite battling multiple injuries throughout the season, he appeared in every single game, extending his consecutive games played streak to 1,007 regular-season contests. Only Phil Kessel's 1,064-game iron man streak stands ahead of him in NHL history.
That level of consistency cannot be manufactured.
Colorado's younger players see someone who has spent a quarter century preparing the same way every day and understand exactly why longevity isn't an accident.
He can still flatten an opponent when necessary, still fire pucks through traffic and still provide the emotional lift every contender needs during difficult stretches.
Talent helps teams reach the postseason.
Character helps them survive it.
A Locker Room Built On Character
One interaction away from the cameras perfectly illustrates why Burns has earned so much respect throughout the hockey world.
After practice one day, this writer was unexpectedly stopped by Burns inside the locker room. The conversation had nothing to do with systems, analytics or hockey strategy.
Instead, Burns was genuinely interested in hearing my life story, how I arrived at The Hockey News and where the sport fit into my journey.
It wasn't a brief exchange born out of obligation. It was authentic curiosity from someone whose reputation as one of hockey's friendliest personalities is every bit as real as advertised.
That mindset carries over to everything he does, whether it's mentoring prospects, interacting with staff members or setting the daily example for teammates.
Nathan MacKinnon summed up Burns' longevity with a smile before the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“I think with Burnsy, he just sleeps a lot — more than anybody,” he stated prior to the beginning of the Western Conference Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights. “He’s like a big bear. He’ll nap between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then go to sleep for another 10 hours. It’s crazy. I think that’s a big reason why he’s played so long.”
Whether he's training relentlessly or eating meat harvested from hunts on his ranch, Burns has remained committed to the same disciplined lifestyle that has carried him through 25 professional seasons.
The Perfect Mentor For Colorado's Future
The only major accomplishment missing from Burns' remarkable résumé is a Stanley Cup championship.
His place in the Hockey Hall of Fame feels inevitable.
His impact on Colorado, however, is already happening.
While his 12 goals and 23 assists won't resemble the offensive numbers from his prime, they remain productive contributions from a defenseman entering his 40s. The turnovers became more noticeable as the season wore on, but injuries almost certainly played a role. The Hockey News learned earlier this season that Burns was dealing with an undisclosed injury that would normally sideline most players for weeks.
Instead, he did what he's always done.
He kept playing.
Like a throwback cowboy refusing to quit, Burns fought through the pain and continued launching pucks toward the net, even during Colorado's Western Conference Final sweep against Vegas.
His point wrist shot in Game 2 created Ross Colton's opening goal after generating a rebound in front of Carter Hart, briefly giving the Avalanche momentum before the Golden Knights rallied with three third-period goals to seize control of the series.
Colorado’s future is beginning to arrive.
College standouts T.J. Hughes and Matthew DiMarsico are joining the organization, along with undrafted prospect Nikita Novosyolov. Their development will depend on skill, opportunity and patience.
It will also benefit from sharing a dressing room with someone who has spent decades proving that professionalism is a daily choice.
The numbers will eventually stop.
The iron man streak will eventually end.
One day, Brent Burns will skate off an NHL ice surface for the final time.
Burns’ run with the Sharks was nothing short of legendary. Credit: Kirby Lee
But that day doesn’t have to be today.
The Avalanche don’t need him to score 20 goals or play 27 minutes a night. They need him to show the next wave of players what it takes to survive—and thrive—in the world’s best hockey league.
Re-signing Burns for one more season isn’t simply about rewarding a future Hall of Famer. It’s about preserving a culture that championship organizations spend years trying to build.
If Colorado wants its young talent to develop alongside one of the game’s most respected professionals, the decision should be an easy one.
Bring Brent Burns back for another year, let him keep firing pucks from the blue line and mentoring the kids after practice.
If the youngsters leave the ice carrying even a fraction of Burns’ work ethic, humility and attitude, the Avalanche will have gained something far more valuable than another defenseman.
Poor attention to detail on defense. Untimely turnovers. Not enough movement off the ball on offense. Too much dribbling. Slow decision-making. And on and on.
But one thing ate at Brown as much as anything listed above: the officiating.
“They came and took the game. But I will say this: I never thought I would be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free throw attempts in the second half to another team's eight,” Brown said late Monday night. “I don't think I complain much about officials or the fairness when it comes to the free throw attempts….Maybe we were fouling. But they fouled, too.
“KAT gets the ball off of a loose-ball rebound and he shoots it, and he gets whacked across the arm and they hit the ball and it goes out of bounds on the baseline. There's no foul. There were opportunities for fouls to be called, to at least try to even the free throws out,” he continued.
“Now, we didn't play good. San Antonio played great. We could have played better. There was a lot of things that we didn't do that we did in Game 1 and Game 2. But to go 24 free throw attempts in the second half, that's 48 for the game if you think about the way they called that second half, compared to eight. All the shots we took, we got fouled four times, roughly, for eight free throw attempts. Again, I don't complain much. I never thought I'd see that in an NBA Finals game, and I saw it tonight. That's tough to overcome when you're playing against a great team.”
The Knicks were in the bonus three minutes into the fourth quarter, so they played a role in the free-throw discrepancy.
But the officiating -- in general -- has been an issue for New York. There were complaints about calls behind the scenes over the first two games.
On Monday, Brown made his case publicly.
“There are a lot of things we can do better and we are going to have to do better, but the same breath, like I said, hopefully they will see some more fouls called against them, so it's not 24-8,” Brown said. “This is a four-point ballgame. Four-point ballgame. One-possession ballgame going down the stretch. It's tough to overcome.
“If they do this in Game 4 where it's 24-8 in the second half,” he continued. "It's going to be tough for us to win.”
Sometimes in playoff series, this public plea can change how the next game is called.
We’ll find out on Wednesday if Brown’s words will have that kind of impact.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates a 3 run home run in the 10th inning during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Entering the series in Las Vegas, the potential for a high-scoring series was seen by many. It didn’t take long for the game to live up to it. In a marathon game that may go down as a classic this season, both teams rallied from four-run deficits and the game went into extra innings. It was the Brewers who just managed to come out on top, defeating the Athletics 15-14 in 12 innings.
The Brewers gave starter Kyle Harrison a lead to work with before he even threw a pitch. Jackson Chourio had the first hit in Las Vegas with a one-out single, and William Contreras walked to move him into scoring position. Jake Bauers remained hot, singling to left to put the Brewers up 1-0.
It's an extraordinary night to vote Jake Bauers into the All-Star Game
After that, the home run derby commenced. It started with a leadoff home run by Shea Langeliers, tying the game at 1-1. Harrison recovered from there in the first, working around a walk to keep the Athletics at bay while striking out two. In the next inning, while the Athletics didn’t hit one out of the ballpark, deep back-to-back doubles by Zack Gelof and Alika Williams brought in a run to take a 2-1 lead.
In the third inning, it was the Brewers’ turn to blast some home runs. It started with Brice Turang, who followed a Chourio single with a massive 443 foot home run to center field, grabbing the lead 3-2.
America deserves to see Brice Turang do this at the All-Star Game
Unfortunately, the Athletics got to Harrison in the third inning. The first five batters all reached base against him. It started with two singles, a walk, and then an RBI single from Max Muncy that scored two. The fifth batter was Tyler Soderstrom, who homered to center for a 7-4 lead. After a strikeout, Gelof added another home run to increase it to 8-4. That was it for Harrison, and Murphy replaced him with Grant Anderson, who got out of the inning with no more damage.
It was a night to forget for Harrison, and over the course of a season, may be the start you throw out when talking about him. He allowed eight runs in 2 1/3 innings, coming on eight hits and two walks. Three of those hits went for home runs and five were extra-base hits. He struck out four as well.
The fourth inning was an anomaly as neither team scored a run, one of the only combined scoreless innings of the game. That went back to normal in the fifth. Contreras hit a one-out single, and Vaughn brought him in with an RBI double, closing the gap to 8-5.
Anderson kept the Brewers in the game with 2 2/3 scoreless inning before Joel Kuhnel made his Brewers debut in the sixth. While he struck out the side, the Athletics did add on with a Nick Kurtz home run to push it back to a four-run deficit, 9-5. It was one of the weakest home runs of the year with a 97.4 EV, 36 degree launch angle, and a .150 xBA. To his credit, it would have been a home run in 29 of 30 MLB ballparks.
The Brewers did not give up. In the seventh, Chourio recorded his third hit of the day. Two batters later, Bauers hit his 12th home run of the season, closing the gap to 9-7.
Kuhnel started the eighth and recorded two more outs, adding a fourth strikeout as well. Drew Rom followed him after that, but could not escape the home run bug. Soderstrom hit his second home run of the day and pushed the gap to 10-7. He got out of the inning with a strikeout of Gelof to keep the score there.
The woodpeckers kept pecking away. Luis Rengifo led off the eighth with a walk. Two batters later, Christian Yelich singled to center, and a throwing error by Bolte let Rengifo reach third and Yelich reach second. Then, with Chourio at the plate, Mark Leiter Jr. threw one to the backstop, normally not far enough to score but Rengifo was ready. He ran home and beat the throw, and it was back down to a two-run deficit. Chourio walked to give the Brewers another scoring chance, but Turang grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Rom kept the Athletics in check in the eighth to give the Brewers a chance in the ninth. It started with a Contreras single. Bauers then kept on walking, adding another to his season total to push Contreras into scoring position. Then, with Vaughn up (who is hot facing left-handed pitchers), on a 2-1 count manager Pat Murphy decided to pinch-run Blake Perkins for Bauers. Maybe it was a premonition, because on the next pitch, Vaughn doubled down the left field line, scoring both and tying the game at 10-10. Bauers might have scored on it regardless, but Perkins made it without a doubt.
Unfortunately, the Brewers couldn’t get ahead as Mitchell, Rengifo, and David Hamilton (who entered in the eighth inning as a defensive replacement) all struck out. It was up to Aaron Ashby to send it to extras, and he did that. He did allow a two-out single, but struck out two and the game went into extra innings.
The Brewers were up first with Hamilton on second as the placed runner. Hogan Harris entered the game in relief for the Athletics. Yelich started it off with a single, moving Hamilton up but it hung too long for him to score. That didn’t matter as he scored on the next at-bat, with Chourio hitting a sacrifice fly to score Hamilton, and let Yelich reach second.
The Athletics then chose to intentionally walk Turang and face Contreras instead. After three balls far out of the strike zone, Contreras mashed a fastball down the middle. He hit it so hard that he ended up on his butt. He just watched it fly for a few seconds, as it was way out to center and flew 463 feet. The Brewers had a 14-10 lead.
With a four-run lead, Ashby was in position to vulture his 10th win of the season. The bottom of the inning started well enough, as Ashby struck out Gelof and then got Williams to ground out for the first two outs. Unfortunately, the home run derby continued. It started with a single by Langeliers to center to make it a 14-11 game. Then, Kurtz hit one out to right to make it a one-run game.
The next batter, pinch-hitter Jonah Heim, hit what appeared to be a pop-up to end it. However, it kept carrying, and just snuck over the right field fence and over Perkins’ glove for another home run. If this was in an actual MLB park, it would not have been a home run in any of them. It only traveled 316 feet, had a 48 degree launch angle, and a 94.7 mph exit velocity. The game was tied at 14-14.
Murphy pulled Ashby for Uribe, who allowed another pop-up, but this one stayed in the park and landed in Chourio’s glove. The game kept going and went to the 11th.
José Suarez came in for the Athletics, with the bottom of the Brewers’ order up and Mitchell at second. This time, the Brewers couldn’t get anything going. Rengifo, Hamilton, and Yelich didn’t even put a ball in play, with all three striking out in order to end the inning.
That left it up to Uribe to get the game to the 12th inning. It started with a groundout from pinch-hitter Carlos Cortes that kept the runner at second for the first out. After the Brewers intentionally walked Soderstrom to set up the double play, Uribe struck out Bolte for the second out. He followed that up with a strikeout of Gelof, aided by a generous strike three call. It was the first combined scoreless inning since the fourth inning, and the game moved to the 12th.
Yelich began the inning as the placed runner with Chourio at the plate. He immediately gave the Brewers a runner at third when he stole third without a throw. Chourio ended up striking out for the first out. Next up was Turang, and he hit a ground ball at second baseman Jeff McNeil. He went home with the throw, but it was off and Yelich scored. Turang wasn’t aware so he didn’t advance to second, but the Brewers had a 15-14 lead.
The Brewers couldn’t add on to that, though were almost gifted a baserunner when a two-out ground ball from Perkins almost pulled Kurtz off the bag, but he just held the bag on review. Murphy went to Patrick for the bottom of the 12th, holding on to a one-run lead with Gelof placed at second.
The Athletics went the safe route and had Williams bunt, which worked perfectly for them and moved Gelof to third. It brought up a tense battle with Langeliers, and Patrick won it by striking him out. Murphy then chose to walk Kurtz intentionally, and Jeff McNeil came in to pinch-hit. Patrick struck him out and the Brewers came away winners, 15-14.
This game set several high marks for offense this season. The two teams combined for 29 runs and 11 home runs, both season highs in a single game. The teams also combined to make 16 ABS challenges, with 11 of them overturned. There were 34 hits, 11 walks, and 35 strikeouts. It was also one of the longest games of the season, coming in at 4 hours and 14 minutes.
Here is a full list of the home runs. While the ball was flying tonight, most of the home runs were good ones. Eight of the 11 would have been out in all 30 MLB parks, and 10 would have been out in at least 25 of them. For reference, between all eight MLB games today, there were 21 home runs hit, and 11 came in this game.
Langeliers (17, 1st inning, 483 feet)
Turang (10, 3rd inning, 443 feet)
Vaughn (2, 3rd inning, 420 feet)
Soderstrom (9, 3rd inning, 434 feet)
Gelof (7, 3rd inning, 391 feet)
Kurtz (13, 6th inning, 374 feet)
Bauers (12, 7th inning, 457 feet)
Soderstrom (10, 7th inning, 418 feet)
Contreras (6, 10th inning, 463 feet)
Kurtz (14, 10th inning, 447 feet)
Heim (4, 10th inning, 316 feet)
For the Brewers, Vaughn led the team in hits with a 4-for-6 day, driving in four as well. He had a home run, two doubles, and a single, finishing a triple short of the cycle. Chourio and Contreras each reached base four times with three hits and a walk. Turang, Contreras, and Bauers each drove in three runs. Every starter reached base at least twice except for Mitchell, who went 0-for-6.
As for the pitching staff, let’s not say too much there. Every pitcher did strike out at least two batters as they combined for 20 strikeouts. Anderson, Uribe, and Patrick had scoreless appearances. Unfortunately, they did give up seven of the 11 home runs hit in the game. They did use seven relievers in the game, with Trevor Megill the only reliever who did not pitch. Also, despite the eight runs given up, the Brewers won their ninth straight game with Harrison starting.
It’s going to be a short rest before tomorrow’s game, as this was just the first game of a three-game series. The encore will take place tomorrow evening at 9:05 p.m., with Robert Gasser set to face J.T. Ginn.
One of the more surprising moves of the offseason came last November, when the Blue Jays landed Dylan Cease.
It was no surprise Toronto wanted to fortify its starting rotation. But the club came to an agreement on a seven-year, $210 million deal, the largest contract in franchise history…
…for a pitcher who had posted a 4.55 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP the year before.
The way Cease has pitched this season has given that deal a different tone, though.
The 30-year-old enters Tuesday’s matchup against the Phillies with a 3.05 ERA through 11 starts in 2026, with 92 strikeouts in 62 innings.
He ranks in the 99th percentile in strikeout rate.
Cease has missed his last two turns after landing on the injured list with a hamstring injury, but he will be activated as the Blue Jays look to even the three-game series against the Phils.
So what has the right-hander, who has the second-best odds for the American League Cy Young Award, done differently this year?
EXPANDED THE ARSENAL
In years past, Cease relied mostly on his fastball and slider.
This year, he has leaned more heavily on pitches he had thrown before, but not nearly as often. The changeup has become a real weapon against lefties. The sinker has given him another look against righties.
In 2025, Cease threw his changeup just 1 percent of the time. In 2026, he has thrown it 11 percent of the time. He has used it just 1 percent against righties, but 18 percent against lefties.
Cease, who carries a 36 percent whiff rate, eighth best among 233 qualified pitchers, has seen his swing-and-miss jump with the development of that pitch.
The changeup has produced a 56.8 percent swing-and-miss rate, the highest in baseball among pitches thrown at least 100 times.
The sinker has also grown. Cease is throwing it 9.7 percent of the time this year, nearly triple last season’s usage. It has missed barrels when hitters have put it in play. Opponents are just 3-for-25 against the pitch with three singles and nine strikeouts.
He has put hitters away with the sinker 36 percent of the time, an impressive rate and something to watch against the Phillies’ right-handed bats.
The more complete repertoire has helped Cease generate softer contact, a nearly 10 percent increase in groundball rate and a significant drop in barrel percentage.
It is a six-pitch mix, but one pitch still stands out.
CEASE AND SLIDE
Cease’s slider, which he throws 29.4 percent of the time, has been dominant.
Opponents are hitting just .130 against it with a .169 slugging percentage. Of the 43 times hitters have put it in play, only one has gone for extra bases.
He is throwing the slider a little more than 11 percent less than last year, but it has been more effective. His four-seam fastball, which averages 97.8 mph, has also been used less, but the pitches have played off each other well. His short, over the top arm slot, plus his arm speed provide Cease with great deception.
That is where the challenge starts for the Phillies.
PHILLIES ATTACK PLAN & PICK TO CLICK
The Phillies’ best plan probably does not revolve around hitting the slider.
As a club, they are batting .188 against sliders this season. And among their right-handed regulars, not one is hitting better than .212 against the pitch.
That is especially important because Cease throws the slider 13 percent more often to righties than lefties.
Cease also has a career-high first-pitch strike rate in 2026, which has helped open up his more balanced mix. For the Phillies, the best target should be his four-seam fastball.
Opponents are hitting .276 against the pitch. They also have a 48.1 percent hard-hit rate against it, the highest mark of Cease’s career and well above his 41.9 percent career average.
Cease is also throwing the fastball for a strike more than ever before.
A pick to click could be Trea Turner, who is batting just .197 over his last 15 games. The Phillies’ shortstop has surprisingly hit .338 against four-seamers this season, with 23 hits and three homers.
As Turner tries to break out of his skid, it might make sense for him to be aggressive early and hunt the fastball instead of trying to work deep counts against Cease, who has shown he can put hitters away in a variety of ways.
That same approach could apply to Kyle Schwarber or Bryce Harper if they get a fastball they can drive.
It worked against Monday’s starter Patrick Corbin, who had far fewer ways to finish hitters late in counts.
The current Phillies who have faced Cease have combined for a .900 OPS in 60 at-bats against him. Turner leads the group with a .444 average in nine at-bats.
Cease has still had command issues at times, posting his highest walk rate since 2023. If the Phillies can take their walks, get into fastball counts and punish mistakes, they will have a real chance to put Cease on the ropes.
That would be a good development with Zack Wheeler on the mound.
Cease’s numbers change drastically the third time through the order, which could pair with the Phillies’ recent ability to string together baserunners. They did it Monday night against Corbin.
Tuesday, they will look for their third straight series win..
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 08: Zack Gelof #20 of the Athletics rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning of a game at Las Vegas Ballpark on June 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Athletics kicked off their six-game Las Vegas homestand with the first of three against the Milwaukee Brewers on a sweltering summer night. The ballpark lived up to expectations as both offenses put on a show. The Brewers defeated the Athletics 15-14 in 12 innings in a game that featured 34 hits, 11 home runs and 29 runs. The Athletics bullpen lost a four-run lead, and the hosts twice failed to capitalize on walk-off chances in extra innings.
Brewers Strike First
A’s starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs got off to a rough start. With two runners on and two outs in the first inning, Brewers’ right fielder Jake Bauers chopped an RBI single to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. Springs retired the next batter to limit the damage to one run, though he threw 31 pitches in the inning.
Shea Bangeliers!
The Athletics answered immediately. Catcher Shea Langeliers led off the inning by crushing the first pitch he saw from Brewers pitcher Kyle Harrison for his 17th home run of the season. The 483-foot rocket to left field tied the game at 1 after the first inning of play.
Athletics’ shortstop Alika Williams and first baseman Nick Kurtz combined on a nice defensive play to get the first out of the second inning. Boosted by the play, Springs completed a scoreless second inning of work to keep the game tied.
In the bottom of the second, A’s second baseman Zack Gelof hit a two-out double, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 13 consecutive games. Williams followed with his first double of the season, scoring Gelof to give the Athletics their first lead.
Milwaukee regained the lead in the top of the third. After a leadoff single, second baseman Brice Turang hit his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot over the wall in right-center field.
Gelof made a stellar diving catch for the second out of the inning. Springs then allowed a second home run of the frame, a solo shot to center by Brewers’ first baseman Andrew Vaughn, his second of the season, giving Milwaukee a two-run lead. Springs now has allowed 16 home runs, the third most in the majors.
A’s Storm Back
Down two, the A’s sought to comeback again. Kurtz and right fielder Colby Thomas led off the bottom of the third with two straight singles. Harrison then walked A’s designated hitter Brent Rooker to load the bases with zero outs. Max Muncy, in his second at-bat in his first game off the injured list, tied the game with a two-run single single up the middle.
Max Muncy puts one in play and it gets under the glove of Joey Ortiz which allows the A's to tie the game pic.twitter.com/y932v8G6Mk
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 9, 2026
The A’s were not done scoring runs against Harrison. Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom hit his ninth home run of the season, a three-run 434 blast past the pool in right-center field to put the hosts up three. That was the first home run Harrison had surrendered to a left-hander this season.
With one out, Gelof knocked Harrison out of the game. He hit his seventh home run of the season, a solo blast to left field to put the A’s up 8-4. The Brewers replaced Harrison with right-handed reliever Grant Anderson, who got the final two outs of the third inning.
In the top of the fourth, Springs worked a scoreless inning after a leadoff walk, keeping the A’s momentum going. The Brewers scored their fifth run in the fifth courtesy of Vaughn’s two-out RBI double. The A’s left-hander completed five innings with his team leading by three runs. He allowed five runs on eight hits, including two home runs, over five innings of work.
A’s Add Another Run
Former Athletics’ reliever Joel Kuhnel entered in the bottom of the sixth for his first appearance out of Milwaukee’s bullpen. With two outs, Kurtz hit his 13th home run of the season, an opposite-field solo shot to left field. So far, the A’s have taken full advantage of the hitter-friendly ballpark, hitting four home runs through six innings.
The Athletics looked to get two scoreless innings from reliever Luis Medina, but he allowed a two-run, two-out home run to Bauers, cutting the hosts’ lead in half. Right-hander Justin Sterner replaced Medina on the mound and allowed a single before recording the final out of the seventh inning.
Soderstrom En Fuego
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Milwaukee brought in left-hander Drew Rom to face Soderstrom. The Athletics’ left fielder responded with his second home run of the night and 10th of the season, extending his team’s lead to three. Soderstrom recorded his sixth multi-homer game of his career.
Mark Leiter Jr. entered to pitch the eighth inning for the Athletics. He allowed a walk and a single before uncorking a wild pitch that brought home Milwaukee’s eighth run. With runners on the corners and one out, left-hander Hogan Harris replaced Leiter Jr. Harris got Brice Turang to hit into an inning-ending double play that was nicely turned by A’s infielders Williams and Gelof.
A’s Bullpen Blows Another Save
Harris remained in the game to start the ninth but was charged with a blown save. Milwaukee opened the inning with a single and a walk before Andrew Vaughn lined a two-run double to left field, tying the game at 10. Harris responded by striking out the side, keeping the game tied going into the bottom of the ninth. The A’s failed to score that inning against Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby, sending this game to extra innings.
Extra Innings: This Game is Absurd!
Scott Barlow pitched the tenth for the A’s. The Brewers took their first lead in several innings when the ghost runner scored on Chourio’s sacrifice fly. They added insurance on catcher William Contreras’s three-run home run to center.
Ashby returned to pitch the 10th for Milwaukee. With two outs, Langeliers singled to score Henry Bolte, the automatic runner, from second base. Kurtz then smacked his second home run of the night, 14th of the season to right field. The A’s sixth home run tonight trimmed their deficit to one.
Jonah Heim’s game-tying home run was the Athletics’ seventh homer of the game. Pinch-hitting for Lawrence Butler, Heim hit a fly ball to right field that just cleared the fence, tying the game at 14.
In the top of the 11th, Athletics’ left-handed reliever Jose Suarez stranded the automatic runner, striking out the side. Brewers’ right-handed reliever Abner Uribe pushed the game to the 12th as the Athletics stranded two runners on base.
The Brewers scored their 15th run in the 12th on Brice Turang’s RBI fielder’s choice off Suarez. Williams led off the A’s half of the 12th with a sacrifice bunt, advancing the automatic-runner Gelof to third base. Chad Patrick got the final two outs with the tying run 90 feet away, sealing Milwaukee’s victory after more than four hours of intense back-and-forth action. Jeff McNeil, who made the wild throw home on Turang’s RBI fielder’s choice, also made the final out of the game.
The teams will meet again tomorrow night. Athletics’ right-hander J.T. Ginn will look to continue his strong run of form at a familiar ballpark. He will be opposed by Brewers’ left-hander Robert Gasser, who is 0-2 with a 4.73 ERA through his first three starts this season.
The San Antonio Spurs are five-time NBA champions, most recently in 2014 [Getty Images]
Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points as the San Antonio Spurs cut the New York Knicks' lead in the NBA Finals to 2-1 with a 115-111 win at Madison Square Garden.
US President Donald Trump, in the crowd as the iconic venue hosted its first Finals game since 1999, was booed when he was shown on the big screen during the national anthem.
He is the first sitting president to attend the championship series.
Wembanyama, whose errors cost the Spurs in game two, added eight rebounds and six assists.
He was supported by 23 points from Stephon Castle and 13 off the bench from Dylan Harper as the Spurs avoided going 3-0 down - a deficit from which no team has recovered in the Finals.
Defeat ended a 13-game winning streak for the Knicks - two short of the Golden State Warriors' 2017 record - as they chase their first championship since 1973.
Only five of the 37 teams who have led 2-0 have failed to win the Finals.
"We've done what we were supposed to do but the job is absolutely not done," said Wembanyama.
"We're not even halfway. The hardest is yet to come."
The Spurs trailed 64-57 at half-time but went ahead with a 35-point third quarter.
A three-pointer from Castle with one minutes 53 seconds left extended their lead to 111-104 and - unlike in game one, when they came unstuck against a late surge from the Knicks - the Spurs held firm.
Although OG Anunoby hit a late three-pointer to cut the Spurs' lead to two points, Castle scored two free throws in the final 10 seconds.
Anunoby finished with 28 points and Jalen Brunson 32 for the Knicks.
The best-of-seven series continues at the same venue on Wednesday (01:30 BST, Thursday) before the teams return to San Antonio for game five on Saturday (01:30, Sunday).
