On Sunday, the Detroit Pistons’ best season in two decades came to a disappointing end in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite suffering a second straight series loss and taking a 3–2 lead in their best-of-seven against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit suffered a devastating loss at home in Game 7.

As disappointing as the end of their 60-win season was, the Pistons have a good young core and will be a force in the East for years to come. However, if they want to be taken seriously as title contenders next season, they will need to make some bold moves to improve the roster this summer.

If they can re-sign restricted free agent All-Star Jalen Duren to a new deal that isn’t close to max money, they will have to aim for more offensive punch on defense with the addition of top star Cade Cunningham.

Whether it’s a superstar, All-Star, or impactful role player, here are 10 players the Pistons should target this offseason.

CJ McCallum

The Atlanta Hawks found out how valuable graybird CJ McCollum can be after trading for him during the season. He emerged as a team leader and strong secondary scorer. During the playoffs, he became the leading scorer when Jalen Johnson buckled under postseason pressure.

The Pistons don’t need him to be a top scorer, but the 34-year-old could be perfect as another option behind Cunningham, and he should come at a reasonable rate in free agency.

afernee simmons

The Pistons need more offensive punch off their bench or next to Cunningham in the backcourt. Another interesting option would be Portland Trail Blazers veteran Anfernee Simmons. Although he bounced back a bit last season, the 26-year-old is a player who has averaged more than 20 points a game twice during his career and is a legitimate three-point threat.

Since his value is lower than it was a few years ago, Detroit may be able to get him for a much cheaper rate in free agency.

giannis antetokounmpo

There is no doubt that the Pistons will be linked to the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chase this offseason. If healthy, the combination of Cunningham and the two-time NBA MVP could be a major problem for every other team in the East. And Detroit could certainly make a good business proposition.

However, the bigger question is, will Trajan Langdon mortgage his future to make such a bold move on an aging player who has developed real injury concerns?

norman powell

Eleven-year NBA veteran Norman Powell has quietly emerged as one of the better scoring forwards in the game after two seasons averaging over 21 points a game. The first-time All-Star is a free agent and will certainly get a nice raise this summer.

Powell would be a notable upgrade over Tobias Harris and would give Detroit a No. 2 scoring option that opponents should respect without giving up draft assets in a trade.

Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr.’s seventh season in the league was a career-best year. As the No. 1 option for the Brooklyn Nets, he posted 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals a night. Staying healthy has always been the forward’s biggest issue, but he’s still only 27 years old and on an expiring contract.

Although he won’t come cheap and may be a rental, the trio of Cunningham, Duran and Porter could be finals contenders next season.

kobi white

If Langdon looks to build a deep roster around Cunningham and Duren, another free agent to keep an eye on is Chicago Bulls veteran Coby White. He is an impact scorer off the bench or in the starting lineup after averaging 15.4 ppg over his seven-year career. He’s only 26 years old, he should arrive at a reasonable rate, and he’ll be a very good veteran player this offseason.

Trey Murphy III

When casual fans think of the New Orleans Pelicans, they assume Zion Williamson is their top star. However, due to his injury problems, Trey Murphy III has emerged as the No. 1 scoring option in NOLA. But that hasn’t been good enough to bring them out of the bottom of the standings, which is why the Pelicans may consider a trade this summer as they continue their rebuild.

While it could cost him at least two first-round picks in a trade, if Langdon wants to move forward with a combination of Cunningham and Duren, the 25-year-old Murphy III could be a third of the title contenders in the next few years.

ja morant

If the Detroit Pistons are willing to be risky, two-time All-Star Ja Morant could be acquired without giving up any meaningful draft picks. That’s how much his value has diminished due to his trouble staying healthy over the last few years and being off the court during that time.

However, if any player could benefit from a change in landscape and get back to his typical ways, it would be Morant. If Detroit can keep the 26-year-old healthy and focused, Morant could help form the best backcourt in the NBA with Cunningham.

peyton watson

Denver Nuggets veteran Peyton Watson is going to attract a lot of interest in free agency this summer. The 2025-26 season was a success for the 23-year-old, as he posted just 15 points and five boards a night while shooting 41% from three.

If Langdon is looking for a third building block that he can develop alongside Cunningham and Duren, Watson would be at the top of his free agent wish list.

Domantas Sabonis

The sleeper target for the Pistons this summer could be three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. The Sacramento Kings were unable to find a trade for him before the trade deadline and are certain to acquire him again this summer. However he is owed a lot of money and due to a torn meniscus his price will probably be nowhere near what it was a few seasons ago.

The combo of Sabonis and Duren in the front court for a few seasons, as they dominate the boards, will be an approach that former rivals will have difficulty coping with.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The San Antonio Spurs are three wins away from the NBA Finals. But standing in their way are the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you’re planning to watch Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, take a look at everything you need to know, as well as the current odds for the Thunder vs. Spurs.

san antonio spurs next game

What channel is the Spurs game on tonight?

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock.

What time does the Spurs game start tonight?

Tip-off time for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals will be 8:30 PM ET.

Spurs vs Thunder Game 1 Betting Odds

Heading into Game 2 of the West Finals, the defending champion Thunder are -238 favorites after losing in Game 1. The Spurs have +195 odds on Wednesday night.

San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Finals full schedule

Below, you can take a complete look at the 2026 Western Conference Finals schedule.

The Best Spurs Playoff Watch Parties in San Antonio

There will be plenty of watch parties around San Antonio for the Spurs series against the Thunder. The Rock at La Cantera is the official destination of the team’s watch party. However, during road games, watch parties will take place inside the Frost Bank Center.

Plucker’s Wing Bar and McIntyre’s Southtown are other popular venues that host Spurs watch parties.

How to watch a Spurs game live stream on your phone

NBC has exclusive rights to the NBA Western Conference Finals. So if you plan to watch it on your phone, you’ll need a Peacock subscription.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new report has calmed New York Knicks fans’ fears that they will struggle in Game 1 of their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to their lengthy layoff ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals.

There is a lot of hope and excitement about the Knicks right now. On Tuesday night, they begin their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cavaliers at home and as the favorite. Due to their excellent play over the past few weeks, this could be the franchise’s best chance to win an NBA title in decades.

However, there are some among his fans and basketball experts who wonder if not playing in games since May 10 will have any impact. This question has reignited the rust vs. rest debate and how it relates to the Knicks, as the extra days off will certainly give talented forward OG Anunoby a better chance to return to the field after suffering a hamstring strain in Game 2 of the semifinals.

Well, on Tuesday afternoon Sportico data expert Lev Akabas wanted to end the debate. He recently dug into the numbers and revealed some interesting details in a new X post. According to Akabas, since 1984, teams that received five or more days of rest, while their opponents had one, were 42–23 in Game 1 of a playoff series. Additionally, they were 48–17 in those series.

When it comes to teams with five or more days off, and were at home against an opponent with one day off between series, those teams went 33–9 in Game 1. The record of those teams in series that started with those unique parameters was 39–3.

Although it may not ease the fears of the most anxious Knicks fans, the data should give most of them reason to feel very confident about Game 1 tonight. Beyond how well his team has played over the last two weeks.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After nine days of wondering who their next opponent would be, the Carolina Hurricanes finally have their opponent for the Eastern Conference Finals following the Montreal Canadiens’ overtime win in Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres.

Between their sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers in round two of the ECF and Game 1, the Hurricanes would have 11 days of rest, setting a modern NHL record. Ironically, only 1919 Canadians had more than 12.

Game 7 between the Canadiens and Sabers was certainly interesting. The Canadiens took an early lead by scoring two goals in the first frame, before the Sabers evened it out in the next two frames. However, the Sabers found the back of the net for the third time after the puck bounced off the legs of Jacob Dobbs, while the remaining puck was pushed across the line by Beck Malensteen. But unfortunately for the Sabres, as Dobbs tried to cover the puck, the referee blew the whistle – despite having no control over it, and the goal was ultimately waved off.

With 8:38 left in the extra frame, Alex Newhook got the game-winning goal.

A Brief History of the Hurricanes vs. the Habs

Throughout the regular season, the Canadiens won all three games against the Hurricanes. However, in the only two instances when the two teams have faced each other in the postseason (2002, 2006), the Hurricanes have defeated them in six games or less. Ironically, the Hurricanes also appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals in both postseasons, and won the championship in 2006.

Carolina Hurricanes-Montreal Canadiens schedule and broadcast information

game 1

When: Thursday, May 21, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 2

When: Saturday, May 23, 7:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 3

When: Monday, May 25, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

game 4

When: Wednesday, May 27, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 5 (if necessary)

When: Friday, May 29, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 6 (if necessary)

When: Sunday, May 31, TBD
Where: Rivals Arena
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, TVAS

Game 7 (if necessary)

When: Tuesday, June 2, 8:00 pm EDT
Where: Raleigh, NC | Lenovo Center
How to watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS

All games will feature local play-by-play by Mike Maniscalco and analysis by Trip Tracy on the Hurricanes’ radio partner, 99.9 The Fan.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Montreal Canadiens advance to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the Buffalo Sabers 4–3 in their second-round series.

The Sabers won Game 1 and Game 4, but the Canadiens were the better team, as shown by their dominant performances in Game 2 and Game 3. That being said, Buffalo deserves credit for its impressive comeback in Game 6.

All things considered, advancing to the Conference Finals is quite an accomplishment for the league’s youngest team, but the hard work is far from over.

Next playoff opponent

The Canadiens will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals, a powerhouse team that has yet to taste anything but success in the 2026 NHL Playoffs.

The Hurricanes easily defeated the Ottawa Senators 4–0 in the first round series, outscoring them 11–5 in the process. They continued their momentum into the second round, where they once again had a dominant performance, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in four consecutive games and defeating them 13–5.

Simply put, they have been the best team in the playoffs, and by a wide margin.

They are sure to be very well rested compared to the Canadians, although that may not be an advantage given the situation. While the Habs have lacked rest, they have maintained their lead by playing every two days and facing equally competitive opponents.

While the Hurricanes have not played a game since May 9, meaning they will be facing a very cold winter ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Given that Game 1 of the series is scheduled for May 21, the Hurricanes will not have played an NHL game in a dozen days, leaving a significant amount of rust for these highly-tuned athletes.

Of course, his lack of game-time action in recent days will be mitigated by the fact that the Hurricanes are one of the most talented teams in the league.

Montreal Canadiens Vs. Carolina Hurricanes conference finals

• game 1 – Thursday, May 21. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• game 2 – Saturday, May 23. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• game 3 – Monday, May 25. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• game 4 – Wednesday, May 27. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• *game 5 -Friday, May 29. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• *game 6 – Sunday, May 31. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• *game 7 – Tuesday, June 2. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes

*if necessary.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The San Antonio Spurs are four wins away from the NBA Finals. But standing in their way are the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you’re planning to watch Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night, below you’ll find everything you need to know, as well as the upcoming schedule of their NBA playoff series.

san antonio spurs next game

What channel is the Spurs game on tonight?

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder will air exclusively on NBC and Peacock.

What time does the Spurs game start tonight?

Tip-off time for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals will be 8:30 PM ET.

Spurs vs Thunder Game 1 Betting Odds

Heading into Game 1 of the West Finals, the defending champion Thunder are -265 favorites. The Spurs have +215 odds on Monday night.

San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Finals full schedule

Below, you can take a complete look at the 2026 Western Conference Finals schedule.

The Best Spurs Playoff Watch Parties in San Antonio

There will be plenty of watch parties around San Antonio for the Spurs series against the Thunder. The Rock at La Cantera is the official destination of the team’s watch party. However, during road games, watch parties will take place inside the Frost Bank Center.

Plucker’s Wing Bar and McIntyre’s Southtown are other popular venues that host Spurs watch parties.

How to watch a Spurs game live stream on your phone

NBC has exclusive rights to the NBA Western Conference Finals. So if you plan to watch it on your phone, you’ll need a Peacock subscription.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

New York Knicks fans got some great news when it came to OG Anunoby’s availability for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

With all the momentum the Knicks have had over the past two weeks, they head into the 2026 edition of the East Finals with only one obvious question: When will forward OG Anunoby be available to play? He missed the final two games of their four-game sweep over the Philadelphia 76ers. But they will definitely need him for their upcoming series against the Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers.

Well, fans got an update on his availability on Wednesday, and it’s very positive. During a press conference with the NYC media, Knicks head coach Mike Brown revealed that Anunoby participated in “parts” of practice today.

Does this mean he’ll be in uniform for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals? not necessarily. But prospects continue to improve. Anunoby suffered a hamstring strain late in Game 2 of the 76ers series. However, after being evaluated, reports emerged that New York was optimistic he could return to face Philly.

But because the Knicks played so well in Game 3, they decided to be cautious again and sat him in Game 4 as well. As fans know, it all worked out, and they didn’t need Anunoby to blast through Philly and into the Conference Finals.

The series between the Cavaliers and Pistons is tied at 2-2. Knicks supporters won’t mind if the series lasts seven games and the East Finals begin next week. This will give Anunoby more time to rest and make his availability in Game 1 much more likely.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On Monday night, what was supposed to be a pretty good season for the Los Angeles Lakers came to a disappointing end when they were officially eliminated from the playoffs by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Expectations were always low when top star Luka Doncic suffered a serious hamstring injury just before the postseason began. But the Roosters still showed their ability and courage to reach the semi-finals by defeating the Houston Rockets in the opening round.

Still, roster changes are coming this offseason. NBA legend LeBron James may have played his final game in Los Angeles – and possibly in the league. And DeAndre Ayton will almost certainly opt out of the final year of his deal. While those are notable losses, the Lakers aren’t too far away from being legitimate title contenders in 2026-27. But they still need better rim protection, big-time rebounding and more athletic versatility on defense.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 impact players the LA front office should target this offseason to bolster the roster around young stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Sign Isaiah Hartenstein

Although his stats don’t jump off the page, Isaiah Hartenstein makes a notable impact wherever he plays. He is a classic dirty work player who will do whatever is necessary to win and that is what the Lakers need. But beyond those attributes, he is a great rebounder – especially on the offensive boards – a smart and tenacious defender and a skilled passer. If LA can get him for the right price in free agency, he will fill a lot of their needs in the front court.

trade for andrew wiggins

If Andrew Wiggins opts out of the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat (he is expected to), he should be a target for the Lakers. He is a classic 3-and-D player who would be a great fit on this Lakers team. He can guard many wing defenders Doncic or Reaves can’t despite being a legitimate three-point threat – he shot 41% from beyond the arc in 2025-26. Plus, if it doesn’t work out, he’ll be off the books after next season.

sign peyton watson

One player who will have a lot of interest in free agency this summer is Denver Nuggets swingman Peyton Watson. He had a breakout season in 2025-26 just in time to make the jump to the open market. Posting 14.6 points, nearly five rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game. Although it may be a small thing at just 23 years old, his success is huge.

With two young players at the core of the roster, the Lakers should target other young players to move forward with them. Watson should be at the top of their wish list. However, the major issue is that he is a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets have a chance to match any offer.

trade for jarrett allen

If the Cleveland Cavaliers do not reach the Conference Finals this month, Jarrett Allen will definitely be on the trade block, and the Lakers should be first in line for his services. The one-time All-Star brings the rebounding, rim-protection and lob threat Doncic wanted. He’s no star, but he’d be a perfect fit for LA.

Although he is still owed three years and more than $90 million, it will be worth it as he could address major needs this summer.

Trade for Yves Missy and Herb Jones

If the Lakers want to go a more budget-friendly route to address some issues, another option would be to talk to the New Orleans Pelicans on the phone and inquire about the cost of a trade for center Yves Messi and forward Herb Jones.

Neither of them have impressive offensive stats, but they are impressive defenders the Lakers should target this summer. Jones is a top perimeter defender. Missy is an impressive 21-year-old rim protector who can be further developed. This is not a sexy business, but will yield big profits over the course of the season.

sign michelle robinson

Despite averaging 19 minutes and scoring only five points per game, New York Knicks fans can tell you how valuable Mitchell Robinson is. He is a top-notch defender at the center position and rim protector, but his elite offensive rebounding could be the difference between a playoff team and a contender.

Knicks fans will also tell you how hurt the big man is. He would certainly be a risk for the Lakers, but he’s still only 28 years old and that’s exactly what they need in the middle.

Draft Terrence Reed Jr. with the No. 24 pick

The Lakers clearly have options in the free agency and trade market. But the 2026 NBA Draft is deep and has some gems available at the end of the first round and the beginning of the second round. One player who should be on their radar is Connecticut big man Tyrese Reed Jr.

He is a strong rebounder who is adept at tearing down offensive boards. He is an agile athlete on defense, but he also has a solid offensive game after scoring only 20 points per game for the Huskies last season.

Trade up in Round 2 and draft Zubie Ejiofor

If the Lakers are willing to trade up in the second round of the June event, another interesting target would be St. John’s big man Zubie Ejiofor. The Big East Player of the Year is a good rebounder and effective rim protector (he averages more than two per game) at 6 feet 9 inches tall. His offensive performance has also taken off after averaging 16 points per game last season.

As a potential replacement for LeBron James at power forward, Ejiofor could be a sleeper option early in Round 2.

Sign Kristaps Porzingis

If the Lakers are looking for an affordable risk with a upside this offseason, 10-year veteran Kristaps Porzingis should be on their radar. His bizarre health problems have seriously affected him in the last two seasons. However, his 2023-24 season with the Boston Celtics showed he can make a serious difference on a title contender if healthy.

Although he is not a beast on the boards, he is a rim protector who is a lopsided threat and can stretch the floor. Due to his recent illnesses, he could come cheap this summer.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new NBA rumor reopens the door for the New York Knicks to go back to the blockbuster trade idea from a few years ago if they don’t reach the NBA Finals this spring.

There is a lot of pressure on Knicks head coach Mike Brown and his top stars heading into Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. In the eyes of the team management, this is a team that should compete for the NBA championship in a few weeks.

Apart from this, their fans yearning for championship also have high expectations from this expensive roster. However, it will not be easy to overtake the East’s elite, and there is a very real possibility that they fall short of their goal in these playoffs. If they don’t at least reach the NBA Finals, changes are coming to New York.

There will certainly be changes to the roster, and many NBA experts expect the team to continue pursuing Milwaukee Bucks veteran Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. However, a different effective option may be available.

Is the door open for the New York Knicks to trade Donovan Mitchell this offseason?

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell is eligible for an extension this summer, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. However, if he does not sign, “the organization will discuss the possibility of moving him, league sources said.”

Before Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers four years ago, the Knicks were seen as a heavy favorite to acquire the New York native. The expectation was that he would be paired with big free agent Jalen Brunson. That was before the Knicks guard emerged as one of the game’s best. Having Brunson and Mitchell together in the backcourt could be a big problem for teams throughout the league.

Team president Leon Rose – if he keeps his job – cannot rule out going back to that original plan after their current failure. The big question is, does New York have the assets that would interest the Cavaliers in a potential trade?

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins made one of the boldest calls of the season, and it immediately put Victor Wambayama and the San Antonio Spurs front and center against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Speaking on First Take, Perkins didn’t hold back from discussing the NBA Finals picture. He went beyond praise. He made a prediction that caught the attention of the entire league.

“The San Antonio Spurs are going to win the NBA Championship.”@kendrickperkins Doubles down on Spurs, knocks Thunder out of playoffs pic.twitter.com/g9bs08Wpqw

– First Tech (@FirstTech) 17 March 2026

Perkins said, “You all know how I feel about the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s my home away from home, but damn, I’m going to say it again on national television, the San Antonio Spurs are going to win the NBA championship this year.”

That statement came down hard. This challenged the growing perception that the Thunder were the team to beat in the West. It also elevated a young Spurs group that continues to grow behind Victor Wembanyama.

Perkins did not stop here. He said, “I don’t pay attention to all this, they don’t have experience to talk about.” “They’re going to have home court advantage all the way to the conference finals.” His confidence reflects how San Antonio has played. The energy is real. Trust is being built.

Victor Vembanyama sits at the center of it all. Perkins praised his development as a complete power forward. “I like how he’s found that balance… first of all being a big guy, then being a guy who is a star and a leader in his role,” he said. Growth is visible every night.

However, Spurs are not dependent on any one player. Stephen Cassel has developed into a steady facilitator. Their two-man chemistry continues to improve. “Having Stephen Cassel, they have that,” Perkins explained, pointing to their playoff-ready connection.

Meanwhile, veterans like Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox bring experience and composure. This system is based on what Perkins called “agenda free basketball”. Anyone can move forward. Any moment can change.

So as the race to the NBA Finals heats up, one question now looms large: Are the Spurs really ready to prove Kendrick Perkins right and defeat the Thunder when it matters most?

The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic is now in its final stages. If you’re planning to watch MLB’s World Cup Baseball tonight, below you can check out Tuesday’s game and other important details on this year’s WBC, including how to watch.

RELATED: World Baseball Classic Championship Game Predictions

wbc program today

What channel is the World Baseball Classic on?

If you’re planning to watch the World Baseball Classic game in the United States today, tonight’s WBC Finals can be seen on FOX.

Who is in the World Baseball Classic Finals?

After four games of pool play and two elimination rounds, the two teams to advance to the finals of the World Baseball Classic are the United States and Venezuela.

Are tickets still available for the WBC Finals in Miami?

The World Baseball Classic Finals take place Tuesday, March 17 at 8 PM ET on FOX. If you’re a fan in Florida who wants to attend the game in person, tickets are still available. However, they aren’t cheap, with seats approaching $500.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

BOSTON – After the Boston Celtics won Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, it seemed as if they were on the verge of basketball immortality. But, according to ex-Celtic and current San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla did not behave as if this was the case.

Instead, he played down the big win in the locker room and told his players via “The White Noise Podcast” that they weren’t done.

“We won that game in Dallas and went 3-0, which is a really big moment,” Kornett recalled on a podcast run by former teammate and Celtics guard Derrick White. “So, we’re back in the locker room and everybody’s so excited and excited, and Joe came in and said something like, ‘Why are we celebrating? We haven’t really accomplished anything.'”

Kornet, White and the rest of the Celtics were soon reminded of this fact, as the Mavericks beat them in Game 4 during a 122–94 loss in Dallas.

After this disappointing defeat, which Kornet described as the Celtics’ “defeat by a billion”, Mazzulla approached his players with humility.

“At some point after that game, he apologized, acknowledging that he completely dampened the emotion in the room after Game 3 and that going up 3-0 is a very important part of trying to accomplish what we wanted to accomplish,” Cornette said.

The Celtics were excited after going 3–0 in the Finals, but Joe Mazzulla said they had accomplished nothing.

When Boston lost Game 4, he apologized to the team:

“It means a lot to me in terms of being able to recognize that you made a mistake,” Luke Cornett said. pic.twitter.com/ZaT2cXnK20

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 16 March 2026

While Cornette could regale White with many funny, larger-than-life stories about Mazzulla, he said this memory with his former captain was one of his favorite memories.

Cornette said of Mazzulla’s apology, “I think it means a lot to me, in terms of being able to recognize that you made a mistake.” “I think what’s great about Joe is he’s willing to trust the process and the timing of things and the players.”

Mazzulla’s words likely resonated with the rest of the Celtics, too, as they suppressed the Mavericks in Game 5 at TD Garden en route to their first championship in 15 years.

That title established Cornette and White as true winners, and it certainly helped the former ink a four-year, $40.7 million contract with the Spurs last summer.

When asked what he missed most about his reliable, 7-foot center in January, Mazzulla didn’t mention anything basketball-related.

“The biggest thing that stands out about Luke is that I miss going to Mass with him,” Mazzulla said before the Celtics’ 100-95 loss at home to the Spurs. “We used to go to church across the street.”

Joe Mazzulla on Luke Cornette and what he brings to Boston:

“I miss going to prayer meetings with him.” pic.twitter.com/nolWkFsHqx

– Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 10 January 2026

Although Mazzulla’s bizarre (and often hilarious) quotes make headlines, it is his strong relationships with his players that truly define him. He also explains why he’s in the running for Coach of the Year and explains how the 2025-26 Celtics, who were expected to stumble, are 44-23 heading into Tuesday night’s showdown with the Phoenix Suns.

“It’s funny when people say [Mazzulla’s] “Crazy, and I think he’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met,” Cornette said, laughing.

There have been many stories told about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ unforgettable title run in 2016. But Iman Shumpert’s revelation about Tony Allen’s role in helping them shut down the Golden State Warriors is a new one.

The Warriors were juggernauts that year, winning a record 73 games. They took a 3–1 lead against the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals and appeared poised to capture their second consecutive title. However, Cleveland came back strongly and pulled off a most improbable comeback for the team’s first title.

On “Out in the Mud”, Shumpert admitted that he and JR Smith were having “a nice little battle” with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson defensively in the series. Shumpert said Allen called him to give him some suggestions.

“M********* called me right away. ‘Hey, brother, you got Klay right? Who do you have, Klay or Steph? I know you got one of them.'” Shumpert recalled.

“I said, ‘Don’t help. Wherever you are, I don’t care, going to help, there’s no help,'” said Allen, who was with the Memphis Grizzlies at the time.

When a three-time All-NBA Defensive First Team member tells you how to play defense, you listen. So that’s exactly what Shumpert and Smith did. Ultimately, they survived the Warriors, winning a classic battle in Game 7.

“He (Allen) said, ‘There’s no help, and get used to it, you’re going to have about three rebounds.’ He said, ‘Why?’ Who do you want to get a rebound for? If they get a rebound, where is it going? And what if you’re not there?’ But it seemed to make sense,” Shumpert said.

While Curry and Thompson still got their numbers, Shumpert said he and Smith performed poorly against them even on Allen’s advice. Matthew Dellavedova also played a huge role in protecting the Splash Brothers.

Allen had his fair share of intense feuds with Curry and Thompson, with the Grizzlies and Warriors meeting several times in the regular season. Golden State defeated Memphis 4–2 in the conference semifinals en route to the title in 2015.

The New York Knicks got back into the win column on Wednesday with a road win over the Utah Jazz, but it still wasn’t an inspiring win over a tank opponent. Previously, the Knicks had suffered two consecutive uncompetitive losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers on their West Coast trip, and the team is currently in third place in the Eastern Conference.

One person who believes the Knicks have everything they need to compete for a championship this year is none other than team owner James Dolan, who has put the organization on notice with his bold comments recently.

“We want to go to the finals,” Dolan said, per WFAN via ESPN.com’s Vincent Goodwill. “And we must win the final. This is sport and anything can happen. But to reach the final, we definitely have to do that.”

Many speculated that the Knicks might try to shake things up at last month’s NBA trade deadline amid a difficult stretch for the team, but it seems New York is mostly back on track since then, with emphatic wins over the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets last week being some of the highlights of the season.

On paper, the Knicks have as much talent as anyone, and they’ve made several win-now moves over the past few seasons to build their roster into a contender. However, concerns still remain regarding the team’s two best players, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, both of whom have been markedly negative on the defensive side of the ball, and most recently, there have also been major questions raised about Mikal Bridges’ reliability to perform with consistency in what has been a disastrous road trip for him.

The Knicks will hope they are able to get back to form before the NBA Playoffs, which begin in just over a month.

Jayson Tatum is back in action, and fans are in championship excitement after his season opener in the Boston Celtics’ game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.

Tatum tore his Achilles in last year’s playoff series against the New York Knicks in the East Semifinals. After 10 months of rehabilitation, he successfully returned to court.

In 27 minutes of action, Tatum completed a major step in his recovery. He finished with a stat line of 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal. He made 6 of 16 shots from the field, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc.

It didn’t take long for fans, who had high expectations on the Celtics’ championship potential, to respond to the performance. Here are some of their reactions.

NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote, “What a great debut for Jayson Tatum, as he had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in exactly 27 minutes on the night against the Mavs. The Celtics star had a strong performance in his first game since tearing his Achilles in May.”

“Seeing Tatum back on the court is one of those iconic moments that will stick with me for the rest of my life. On behalf of basketball fans around the world, welcome back JT!” one fan said.

Another commented, “I couldn’t have imagined the reality of being a Celtic fan tonight even in my dreams.”

“Highlights: 1. Bible Belt. 2. Flagg stuck in NGL Dallas. 3. Tatum double double. 4. We’re back,” one commented.

One replied, “All it took was one try to get him to start cooking, my goat is really back.”

Jayson Tatum, how the Celtics played against the Mavericks

Jayson Tatum played brilliantly and the Celtics defeated the Mavericks 120–100 in a home win.

Six players, including Tatum, scored in double figures for Boston in the win. Jaylen Brown led the way with 24 points and seven rebounds, Derrick White had 20 points and four assists, while Payton Pritchard provided 18 points and seven rebounds.

Boston improved to a 42–21 record on the season and finished second in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers while trailing the Detroit Pistons.

The Celtics will look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will take on the Cavaliers as tip-off takes place on March 8 at 1pm ET.

As experts and fans continue to ponder whether the San Antonio Spurs are actually true NBA Championship contenders, one team after another is indicating that they are. The performance of the young core on the franchise’s annual rodeo road trip highlights another sign – at least by their standards – that they are taking the next step.

The annual excursion that takes the Spurs away from their home for a month began during the 2002–2003 season when the organization moved to a new arena. The Spurs went 8-1 that year as the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo took over their building. This is a road trip mark that no Silver and Black team has ever been able to surpass. In ’03, the Silver and Black used it down the stretch to reach the franchise’s second championship.

Two years later, the Spurs claimed a third title after going 5–2, representing the third Rodeo Road Trip in franchise history. In June 2007, the Spurs again held the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Four months earlier, he had posted 4-4 marks within February. Seven years after that, they went 6-3 in a 28-day span en route to the 2014 championship.

Between and immediately following their fifth title, the franchise never held a losing record on the Rodeo Road Trip:

2004: 6-1
2006: 6-2
2008: 6-3
2009: 5-3

2010: 4-4
2011: 6-3
2012: 8-1
2013: 7-2
2015: 4-5
2016: 7-1
2017: 6-2

It’s probably not a coincidence that ’17 also marks the last time the Spurs advanced to the conference finals. Beginning with the Rodeo Road Trip in 2003 and thereafter, the organization reached the league semi-finals nine times.

Rodeo road trip success declines for Spurs

From the 2017-’18 season through the campaign ending in the spring of 2023, the Spurs never once achieved a winning record — other than a three-game trip in 2021 that was significantly shortened due to COVID restrictions. Otherwise, the organization struggled every February:

2018: 2-4

2019: 1-7

2020: 2-6

2022: 4-4

2023: 1-8

The Spurs qualified for the playoffs in ’18 before losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round. The following season they again made the postseason, taking on the second-seeded Denver Nuggets before losing in Game 7.

The franchise has not made the playoffs, breaking the NBA record of 22 consecutive appearances.

Victor Wembanyama’s first experience with the franchise’s two-decade tradition also represented one of its worst performances as the Silver and Black went 1–8 for the second consecutive rodeo road trip.

Then they went 3-7 last year.

This time, February included an impressive 11–0 record, marking the third time in franchise history that the team has gone undefeated in a calendar month (minimum ten games) and the club’s longest winning streak since 2015–16. Seven of those 11 wins came on the road, including wins against the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers.

Officially, the Spurs went 6-1 on the Rodeo Road Trip this year. In reality, they won eight of nine away from the Frost Bank Center when their two annual ‘home’ games in Austin were included in the expansion.

That 8–1 mark matched the 2002–03 team’s record. Now we wait to see if these Spurs match that Championship team in any other way.

Detroit Pistons fans are excited about their team’s potential playoff success after Friday night’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Detroit is enjoying a strong campaign as one of the best teams in the entire league. They picked up an overtime win over Cleveland, which continues to hold its place in the East standings with back-to-back games.

Fans came in large numbers to react to the game and were positive towards a win, expecting a better performance. Here are some of their reactions.

One fan said, “Great win! Both teams advanced. The Cavs were missing Donovan Mitchell and a few others while our Pistons are still missing Isaiah Stewart.”

“I didn’t enjoy going to OT against a shorthanded Cavs team. But… at the same time we enjoyed the win even though we were shorthanded. Boys fight when it counts. And those who play hard get the wins. #DetroitBasketball,” another commented.

One commented, “Celebrate the wins, but hang on. Every dub is proof that opportunity came with preparation. Stack ’em up, stay humble and keep building the scoreboard, it only tells part of the story. The work continues.”

“What a comeback victory,” one replied.

One fan said, “The win came and JB benched LeVert for Sasser, I prayed for times like this.”

How did the Pistons play against the Cavaliers?

Pistons fans can expect more from their team after defeating the Cavaliers. Nonetheless, the playoff bar remains high for them.

Five players scored in double figures for Detroit in the win. Jalen Duren dominated with a performance of 33 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. He shot 11 of 19 from the field and 11 of 15 from the free-throw line. Cade Cunningham finished second with 25 points and 10 rebounds, Ausner Thompson had 18 points and eight rebounds, Ronald Holland II put up 12 points and three rebounds, while Tobias Harris provided 11 points and six steals.

Detroit improved to a 44–14 record on the season and topped the Eastern Conference standings. They are 5.5 games up on the Boston Celtics and seven games up on the New York Knicks.

The Pistons look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will face the Orlando Magic as tip-off takes place on March 1 at 6 PM ET.

When the Oklahoma City Thunder got off to a hot start and won 24 of their first 25 games, it seemed like it was a foregone conclusion that they would return to the NBA Finals.

But while the Thunder still have the best record in the league at 45-15, they have looked strong over the past few weeks, especially with injuries to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Oklahoma City is eager to defend its championship, but that won’t be the case for NBA legend Dwyane Wade, as he predicted on “The Zach Lowe Show” that the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons will face off in this year’s NBA Finals.

“I’ve watched the Spurs, I’ve watched some of their games. Even though I don’t think they should be ready, they should be a team over the next three years, but they do things sometimes. You look at their roster, you look at their players, with the right matchups, they’ll be tough to beat,” Wade said.

The Thunder have lost three times in four meetings with the Spurs this season, including the NBA Cup semifinals, in which San Antonio ended OKC’s 16-game winning streak.

As for the Pistons, Wade, who works as an analyst for NBC and Prime, said their depth will carry them to the final round.

“I watched Detroit the other night in New York without (Jalen) Duren and without (Isaiah) Stewart, and I didn’t see them lose once. I said, ‘This team is too deep.’ They know their style, they know their game, they know how to win. It’s hard when a team doesn’t have to figure it out,” the three-time champion explained.

The Thunder lost to the Pistons on Wednesday, although they were significantly weaker without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Ajay Mitchell.

Oklahoma City will have another tough test on Friday against the Denver Nuggets.

Not long ago, the Detroit Pistons were looked down upon by the rest of the NBA. Cade Cunningham led his team to only 54 combined games in his first three seasons in the league, and the organization was not even close to being a threat in the East.

Even other teams were mocking the Pistons, with Kyle Kuzma famously saying that no one “wants to be that team” after the Pistons lost their 28th consecutive game during the 2023–24 season, which remains the longest losing streak in NBA history. That was the lowest level for this organization, but times have changed a lot.

Now in his fifth season, Cunningham has led the Pistons to new heights, and the team is currently on pace to not only surpass the 54-win mark in the young star’s first three years in the NBA, but also win at least 60 games for only the third time in franchise history.

The Pistons made the Eastern Conference Finals both times they won at least 60 games in a season, the most recent being 20 years ago in 2006. Although Detroit fell just short of reaching the NBA Finals that season, they did win a championship during the 1988–89 season, a season in which they went 63–19 overall.

This season, the Pistons are following in the footsteps of their past, as they currently hold a strong hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings and have earned the right to call themselves the team to beat en route to the NBA Finals when the playoffs begin.

Although there is still a lot of basketball left to be played and many factors can change not only the standings, but every team’s chances of capturing a championship, one thing has remained consistent throughout the season with this Pistons team only growing and getting stronger.

When it comes to playing the best of the best, the Pistons have established themselves as the best in the NBA.

Pistons are dominating specific teams

There is always more than meets the eye when it comes to a team’s record. Often, fans will only look at wins and losses to determine how good certain organizations are over the course of the year, and while this can obviously hold some significance, what each win or each loss means and to whom it paints a clear picture of which teams are championship contenders and which are not.

Well, the Pistons are clearly title contenders this season, and it’s not just because they have won more than 75 percent of their games this season and remain on top of the East standings. It’s not even because of their recent wins over the New York Knicks or San Antonio Spurs.

When you really dive into the numbers and break down each of the Pistons’ wins this season, it becomes clear that they have battled against the best teams in the NBA and found success against each of them.

The Pistons have gone 19–7 against teams with winning records this season, the best record against teams over .500 in the NBA. For context, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 19-11 overall, and the Spurs are 21-11 against teams above .500 this year.

In fact, Detroit has wins over seven of the other top 10 NBA teams so far this year. The only teams in the top 10 that the Pistons have not yet defeated are the Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who Detroit has yet to face.

In terms of the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama and his crew recently pulled off a hard-fought 114-103 win in Detroit, proving they are just as good as the Pistons and potentially seeing them on the road in June with everything on the line. Before we even think about it, these two teams will meet again in a highly anticipated clash on March 5 in San Antonio.

As far as the Pistons’ record is concerned, winning 73 percent of their games against teams with winning records speaks volumes. After all, it’s not like they’re beating the worst teams in the league.

This young team has been challenged and tested, yet they have overcome almost every obstacle thrown at them during the 2025-26 season. The Pistons are a resilient group that understands what it takes to overcome adversity, and most importantly, they embrace each trial and tribulation that comes their way.

Aside from only losing back-to-back games twice this entire year, the Pistons always look forward to marquee matchups like the one on their schedule right now. After games against the Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Pistons now look forward to two games against Cleveland, a tough road game against Orlando and then the final regular season matchup in San Antonio.

Although their first game against the Spurs did not go as Cunningham and the Pistons expected, this team is willing to accept and overcome adversity.

“We’ve had a week full of smoke,” Cunningham said, via the Detroit Free Press, after Monday’s loss to the Spurs. “It’s great. We get to see where we are, see where the league is, learn a lot in these three games, five games, even the last few games we’ve played have all been good challenges for us. There’s been a lot to learn from all these games. I think we’ll come out of all of this better and more prepared for the playoffs and everything.”

“It’s good, it’s healthy for us.”

Being a championship-contending team doesn’t necessarily mean you have one of the best records in your conference or league at large. A team is defined by the quality of its wins, and the Pistons have clearly proven that they have what it takes to beat the best of the best.

Fool them once, but not twice

Aside from consistent success against the top teams in the league with all of their wins and some of their losses, the Pistons have something unique this season.

Only one team in the league has beaten the Pistons twice this season, and it’s a team they won’t see again until the 2026-27 season, as they face them twice a year. The LA Clippers defeated Detroit both home and away this year, holding the Pistons to under 100 points in both contests.

It is worth noting that the Pistons were without Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart and almost all of their veteran contributors in the second meeting between these teams on January 10, a game Detroit lost 98–92.

No other team in the league can say that they haven’t lost at least two games to multiple opponents this year, which is another reason why the Pistons are so unique. What all this means is that JB Bickerstaff has a young, hungry team that has grown together over the last few years, and they are finally putting the pieces of the puzzle together on their way to success.

Regardless of what happens on their schedule, the Pistons play every game like it is Game 1 of a playoff series, which is why this chip on their shoulders will only lead to success in the future.

“Our guys respect everybody and want everybody to do their best,” Bickerstaff said recently. “No matter who the opponent is, our people always look forward to those challenges.”

Cade Cunningham’s MVP-like season

A team’s record matters. Their success against some of the other great teams in the league matters. But at the end of the day, every Championship organization always has a player they can refer to Man.

For piston, that Boy Cade Cunningham is here, and he has taken a huge step forward in his career to become one of the best guards in basketball. Honestly, just saying that doesn’t give Cunningham enough credit, as he has become one of the best players in the entire NBA, which is why he currently sits atop the MVP rankings alongside Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and others.

At this rate, it’s not hard to believe that Cunningham can surpass these other stars and win the 2025-26 NBA MVP award.

Believe it or not, the Pistons technically own the best record in the league with a 75.4 winning percentage, and Cunningham’s MVP resume will only grow if that comes true and Detroit remains on top of the standings.

As far as his production goes, Cunningham’s numbers and his impact on wins speak for themselves.

Cunningham recorded four consecutive double-doubles during his 42-point, 13-assist night as the Pistons defeated the New York Knicks 126-111 at Madison Square Garden. After this special performance, Bickerstaff made it clear that his star deserves the most respect in the MVP race.

Bickerstaff said, “I don’t think you pick an MVP based on just one game or one statement. He’s been that way for the entire season.” “He dominated at both ends of the field and influenced the win in a big way.

“Credit to him, credit to his work, credit to his conditioning, his will to win, his ability to be a great teammate and lead. He’s been like that all season long.”

The Pistons have beaten the best, and the scary thing for every other team in the league is that Detroit is better now than they were in the first game of the season.

By the time the playoffs begin, the Pistons will be ready for the challenges ahead of them, and if any team in the East has the best chance to win 12 playoff games to reach the NBA Finals, it is the Pistons.

The Los Angeles Lakers recently suffered a blowout 111-89 defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics, a defeat that exposed both emotional and tactical weaknesses. While the matchup remained competitive for three quarters, Boston took complete control in the final frame fueled by a 32-point performance from Jaylen Brown. The frustration in Los Angeles reached its peak when coach JJ Redick and players Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart were all charged with technical fouls for controversial umpiring.

Redick was particularly vocal about a missed goaltending call involving Celtics center Neemias Quetta, who reportedly reached through the rim to block a LeBron James layup. Even Luka Doncic, who struggled for 25 points, said with a smile that substituting was obviously problematic, even if he was not penalized the most.

The loss to a major rival highlights a troubling trend for the 34-22 Lakers. According to Jovan Buha at X, the Lakers have really struggled against teams with a .600 win% or better (top 10 teams by record).

They are 4-11 against them, with three of their wins coming in the first two weeks of the season (twice over Min and once over SAS). 10 out of 11 losses have been by double digits.

This lack of competitiveness against the league’s elite raises significant questions about their ceiling as a championship contender, as it appears they are missing the “punch” needed to trade with top-tier talent.

Amidst the struggles on the court, the evening became a moment of reflection for LeBron James, who watched the team unveil a statue of legendary coach Pat Riley. James expressed his “huge respect” for Riley, whom he worked under with the Miami Heat.

Acknowledging the “Showtime” architect’s extensive impact on the game as both a coach and executive, James said that although it is human nature to think about his past “what could have been”, he remains focused on the present.

As the Lakers move forward, they will have to find a way to translate that respect into results against top-tier opponents if they hope to capture another banner.

The Boston Celtics came out of the All-Star break with another blowout win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday as they continued their West Coast trip. The win came as the team awaits further updates on injured star Jayson Tatum, who many doubt can return any time soon this season.

However, one person who thinks the Celtics can reach their goal this season regardless of whether Tatum is in the lineup is former ESPN big man Kendrick Perkins, who recently took to First Take to express his thoughts.

“They can go to the NBA Finals without [Jayson] Tatum. … They’re the most dangerous team in the NBA because they have no expectations,” Perkins, formerly of First Take on X, said via Twitter.

Perkins also said that Boston has “the best two-way player in the game in Jaylen Brown, because no other player in the league is doing what he is doing in terms of being top five in scoring and top five defensively in opponent field goal percentage.”

In fact, Brown is getting it done on both ends of the floor this year, although fans of Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama and many other players will strongly disagree with Perkins’ assessment.

Still, at this juncture, the Celtics are starting to look like a real threat even without Tatum in the lineup. There is a theory that Tatum’s hasty return this season could actually work against Boston’s 2025-26 plans, considering the team’s rhythm would be at least temporarily disrupted, and the fact that the star would have a lot of rust to shake off. Tatum also has not distinguished himself as a postseason performer so far in his career, which continued last year against the New York Knicks.

In any case, the Celtics’ road trip continues on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Friday.

montreal canadiens news

Team Slovakia lost to the United States in the Olympic semifinals, but not before Habs forward Juraj Slafkowski found the net for the fourth time of the tournament. With four goals and four assists, Slafkowski is fourth in Olympic scoring behind Connor McDavid, Maclin Celebrini and Lucas Raymond.

Hockey 🏒 Slafkovsky scores! It is now 5-1 for the United States.@LNH_FR #MilanoCortina2026 #rcsports #olympic games #Hockey pic.twitter.com/ClMrNR0Qyo

– Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) 20 February 2026

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki and Team Canada waited until the last minute to seal their ticket to the final game. The Finnish team held a two-goal lead midway through the game, but they were not able to play 30 minutes of defensive play without allowing Canada to generate scoring chances. [Suzuki Will Play For Gold]

With the semi-finals in the books, we now know which three Habs players will be in the running for medals, with Suzuki guaranteed to bring home a silver medal. Team Canada will face the United States in the gold medal game on Sunday, while Oliver Kapanen and Finland will face Slafkovsky and Slovakia in the bronze medal game on Saturday afternoon. [Three Canadiens Players In Olympic Medal Contention]

Suzuki is receiving praise from some of the best NHLers in league history.

“[Nick Suzuki] Possibly the most underrated two-way player in the league…” – HOF Mark Messier @CBCOlympics after @TeamCanada Victory over Czechia. @CanadiensMTL

full interview @cbcsports ➡️ https://t.co/bkwc7SDpSo #MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/MjpdQeNRMU

– Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_TV) 20 February 2026

Alex Carrier is going to be a father!

Alexandre Carriere will join the growing list of Canadian players who are fathers #hubs pic.twitter.com/xAePsR7XKS

– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) 21 February 2026

The Habs went outdoors on Friday and practiced at Notre-Dame-de-Grâce in front of a very excited group of locals.

like time

good old hockey game#GoHabsGo | @CHCFoundation pic.twitter.com/ThkAVFMs0U

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) 20 February 2026

Sportsknot Network

Team USA is playing for the gold on Sunday. New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes was a major factor in reaching the championship round. The USA faced Simon Nemec and Team Slovakia on Friday after Canada had already eliminated Finland to advance to the championship round. [New Jersey Devils]

Washington Capitals stars Tom Wilson and Logan Thompson will get a chance at Olympic gold. It came after Team Canada once again rallied to defeat Finland 3-2 in the semi-finals on Friday. [Washington Capitals]

The Boston Bruins are looking to strengthen the blue line with a right-shot defenseman; Do they commit premium assets to the move? [Boston Bruins]

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The NBA is getting ready for the homestretch of the season, restarting the season following the end of NBA All-Star Weekend. Thursday night was the restart of the season, and the night’s game was an Eastern Conference showdown between the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks. The Pistons won 126–111, thanks to Cade Cunningham, but it strengthened the argument that these were the two best teams in the East.

NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has been known to make some big moves on social media during the NBA season since leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. He spoke after watching the game on Thursday Pistons and Knicks picked to reach Eastern Conference Finals, but worth keeping an eye on The Cavaliers, 76ers, and even the Celtics.

After the game, Johnson praised the Pistons’ performance, especially that of point guard Cade Cunningham after he took over and led Detroit to a big win.

Johnson said, “NBA fans around the world, I hope you didn’t see Detroit Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham’s performance last night against the New York Knicks. He had a spectacular performance, scoring 42 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds! Cade scored from everywhere on the court – the three-pointer, the midrange jumper, and he was taking it to the basket. When he dunked on the three he may have had the best game of the year. Hits with the left hand!”

New York had some moments, with Jalen Brunson scoring 30 and Karl-Anthony Towns adding 21 points and 11 boards, but the Knicks struggled from three-point range and couldn’t get enough stops on defense to really swing momentum. Detroit consistently created separation, extended the advantage into the high teens late in the game and never allowed it to get into danger.

Johnson’s confidence in the Knicks and Pistons stems from the fact that both teams have been the most consistent in the Eastern Conference. There’s a lot to like about teams like the Cavaliers, 76ers and Celtics, but the consistency of those top two is what sets them apart and is a significant difference.

The New York Knicks are entering the post-All-Star break period on a strong note. They have won eight of their last 10 matches. And they have struck a strong balance while displaying above-average defense as of late, including holding the Philadelphia 76ers to 66 points in a recent win. Still, many experts believe the Knicks are still a ways away from realistically competing for a championship. And while that piece may have been added just before the All-Star break, New York needs to address some glaring shortcomings before it’s ready to make its move.

Karl-Anthony Towns has played well recently. He has been a rebounding machine, averaging 14.2 rebounds per game over the last nine games. And it has had a positive impact on the Knicks and their results.

However, he hasn’t scored on the ball as well as he’s capable of. Towns is averaging 16.3 points per game in that same time frame, shooting only 27.3% on nearly four 3-point attempts per game. This is extremely bad considering what we expect from him. But sadly, that’s not a far cry from their output in the 2025-26 season. Towns is averaging the second-lowest points per game of his career this season (19.8%) as well as his second-worst 3-point percentage (35.1%).

That’s not going to cut it if the Knicks hope to win the 2026 NBA Championship. Head coach Mike Brown should make more of an effort to get Towns involved, possibly leaning on off the dribble hand-off action, increasing pick-and-rolls with Jalen Brunson and isolating him in the post.

But it’s not entirely up to Brown to do so. Towns also has his work cut out for him. He must learn to accept missed calls and stop arguing with the referee, step up defense and look for better shot opportunities.

Towns can also demand balls. While Brown and Brunson are partially responsible for Towns’ inclusion, Towns will have to make a strong case to get the ball. That means sealing his man behind him in the post and demanding the ball. This also means not settling for runners and bad or contested shots. But at the end of the day, Towns is too talented to keep this up for a long time. He is due to return in the middle.

The Knicks have more work to do than get Towns back to his pre-2025-26 output. New York must also work on molding their recent additions Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan into their rotation. Alvarado, who was added via trade before the trade deadline, has appeared in three games for New York so far – and his impact has already been felt.

Alvarado adds a palpable intensity and irascibility. He is a high-energy perimeter defender who disrupts opposing offenses and establishes a tough culture. His presence is even more important given the injury to Miles McBride, who will be out until the end of March with a sports hernia. What Alvarado can do on the offensive end of the field is just icing on the cake.

Jeremy Sochan’s role is less clear. The six-foot-eight forward is a versatile defender who adds significant toughness. He is expected to add valuable front court depth, at least initially, taking some minutes from Mohamed Diawara.

Thinking’s ability to defend multiple positions will appeal to Brown. He’ll obviously be a reserve, but exactly how he fits into the team’s rotation remains to be figured out. Sochan had three strong seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before being waived. His role has become less clear this season, but hopefully he can still do what he did before this season, being a disruptive force who can create with the ball in his hands and move well without it.

Knicks must decide on playoff rotation

Both of the above points speak to the team’s need to beef up its rotation. New York has effectively increased its depth. And it has plenty of top-end star power. Now, it’s a matter of understanding who plays and who doesn’t.

Brown said he likes to play a “9.5 man rotation” before the season starts. Well, this leads to some difficult decisions.

In addition to their starting five, the Knicks should consider playing time for Alvarado, Sochan, McBride, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson — not to mention Diawara. Teams can approach their reserves in three different groups: guards, forwards and forwards.

Robinson’s place is well cemented. He must play when he is healthy. And the only limitations here include being careful not to depend on it too much.

There’s probably only room for three guards — Alvarado, McBride, Shamet and Clarkson — and that’s being generous. But it’s impossible to imagine Alvarado, McBride and Shamet No Playing regularly. Sadly, Clarkson is probably the odd one out from the group. However, his presence remains valuable as he adds the most immediate offense off the bench. Hopefully he’ll stay busy without a regular role – that’s a tough ask for anyone.

He skips ahead. Shamet’s size could allow the Browns to play him as a forward as well. But ideally, Sochan could emulate OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. If it doesn’t work out according to plan, the big question becomes will the team turn to Diarra for playoff minutes? And if they do, can he handle it?

Thankfully, the Knicks have 27 games left to resolve these issues. The team should be motivated to improve on last season’s results and advance to the NBA Finals and preferably win it. And this may be their best chance to do so.

For the seventh time in Olympic women’s hockey history, the United States and Canada will play for gold on Thursday at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

The United States and Canada have faced off in only one gold medal game since the addition of women’s hockey to the Olympics in 1998. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the rivals meet once again on the big stage.

Canada leads all nations in women’s Olympic ice hockey with five gold medals. The Americans have won twice, most recently at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

The United States advanced to the final with a 5-0 win over Sweden on Monday, improving to 6-0-0-0 in Olympic play. The Americans outscored opponents 36–1 in six games; They have not allowed a goal since their opener against Latvia on February 5.

Kayla Barnes became the 15th different American to record a goal in these Games. She was one of five different USA skaters to find the back of the net in the semifinals, joining Kendall Coyne Scofield and Hayley Scamurra, who scored her third goal of the tournament.

Canada maintained its full presence in the gold medal game, albeit less effectively than its American counterparts. Captain Marie-Philippe Poulin scored two goals as Canada registered a 2-1 win over Switzerland on Monday.

The Canadians outscored opponents 21–8 and were 5–0–0–1 heading into the finals – with the only loss coming a 5–0 loss at the hands of the United States. Canada defeated the Swiss 4–0 in its Olympic opener, but found the going tough to win in the semi-finals. A goal by Rachel Enzler at 4:53 of the third period allowed the Canadians to maintain a one-goal lead for the remainder of regulation, despite a 46–8 shots advantage.

The United States are the favorites to go to the final – and it’s not hard to see why. In addition to their complete dominance over opponents in these games, the Americans have won their last seven international meetings against Canada, dating back to the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia. Yet Canada’s struggles could be easily forgotten with a win Thursday, when they face Team USA for the gold medal at 1:10 p.m. Eastern time.

5 things to know before the match between USA and Canada in the Olympic final

clash of styles

You don’t have to look too hard to see where these two teams differ.

The United States’ strength comes from their dynamic lineup balance, allowing coach John Wrobleski to roll four forward lines and three defensive pairings with relative ease. This is largely thanks to the massive influx of pro-ready NCAA talent – ​​like Caroline Harvey, Layla Edwards, Abby Murphy and Joey Dunn, to name a few. Harvey, a senior at the University of Wisconsin, leads all Olympic skaters with nine points and a plus-14 rating.

Contrast that with Canada, which doesn’t feature any collegiate talent on its roster. Its youngest skater is 24-year-old Jen Gardiner, who is already in the middle of her second PWHL season.

Ten different American skaters scored at least five points in six games. The other nine nations combined have nine skaters; There are three in Canada.

In a tough semi-final match against Switzerland, Canadian coach Troy Ryan relied heavily on his top forward line of Poulin, Sarah Fillier and Daryl Watts. Fillier led everyone with 20:01 TOI, and Poulin scored all of Canada’s goals on Monday. He’ll likely get a similar ice time Thursday with Olympic glory.

That doesn’t mean Poulin, Fillier and Watts, along with some other notable contributors like Julia Gosling and Emily Clark, aren’t able to keep the Canadian attack in games, but it will be an uphill battle against an American team that has made depth its biggest asset.

no asterisk this time

As Canada prepares for another showdown against the Americans, last Tuesday’s crushing defeat is fresh in the mind. Of course, Canadians might argue that a 5-0 final – the largest margin of victory between Canada and the United States at the Olympic level, men’s or women’s – requires an asterisk.

Canada’s lineup did not include Poulin, who missed two games with a lower-body injury after taking an illegal hit from Czechia’s Kristina Kaltunkova. As far as influence goes, there is no player more important to Canada’s success than “Captain Clutch”.

Both teams hope to stay healthy for the gold medal game on Thursday. No asterisks this time – just best-at-the-best hockey.

History is watching you

Palin registered her name in the history books on Monday. After tying Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser for the all-time Olympic goals lead in Canada’s 5-1 win over Germany on Saturday, Poulin solidified her status as the all-time Olympic women’s hockey goal leader by scoring twice. Palin now has 20 goals in 26 Olympic games – the first female player to break the 20-goal mark.

Now the focus turns to Team USA captain Hillary Knight.

Knight scored the 14th Olympic goal of her career in the opener against Latvia, moving her into a three-way tie with Natalie Darwitz and Katherine King on the all-time American leaderboard. The Knights announced ahead of the 2025–26 PWHL season that this year’s winter games would be their last. It’s only fitting that the 36-year-old could end her historic Olympic career with the ultimate goal of taking sole possession of the record books for the USA.

Poulin and Knight have a history of showing up when games matter most. The stage is set for a storybook ending in what could be the final Olympic contest for both rival captains.

All-Star Goalkeeper Battle

The two front-runners face off in the gold medal game for 2025-26 PWHL Goaltender of the Year. Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Rene Desbiens is the favorite heading into the first half with a 9-4-0 record with a league-best 1.15 goals-against average (GAA) and .954 save percentage. Behind her is Erin Frankel, who led the Boston Fleet to first place in the PWHL standings with a 9-2-2 record, 1.35 GAA and .946 save percentage.

There was an advantage in Milan-Cortina. Frankel allowed only one goal on 67 shots in five games for the Americans; He leads all Olympic goalkeepers with an absurd 0.25 GAA and .985 save percentage. The 26-year-old is the anchor of an American goaltending group that has not allowed a single goal in 16 periods, and sets an Olympic ice hockey record with an active shutout streak of 331:23.

Desbiens has a respectable 1.81 GAA and .901 save percentage in four games for Canada, but he is at a disadvantage against a powerful American attack that scored five points against him last week. The red-hot Frankel doesn’t leave much room for error in the opposing net.

brace for impact

Even a 5-0 lead didn’t stop Murphy from crashing into Swedish goalkeeper Emma Soderberg in Monday’s second period. Murphy received a minor two-minute penalty for goalkeeper interference, however, it was denied by Sweden defender Jessica Adolfsson’s counter-attack.

It’s a prime example of the gritty, sometimes controversial edge that makes Murphy such a nuisance on the ice.

It’s apt to compare the 23-year-old’s self-indulgence to that of Florida Panthers agitator Brad Marchand. Murphy isn’t just a supreme talent and physical presence on the ice – he’s an elite destroyer who loves to get under the opponent’s skin. That was on display last week, when Murphy drew four of Canada’s five penalties in a lopsided victory over the United States.

In the gold medal game against rival Canada, Murphy won’t need much motivation to meet this moment. You can expect a tense, physical game and Murphy should be right at the center of it.

Chris Bosh said Goran Dragic’s injury during the 2020 NBA Finals significantly impacted the Miami Heat’s series against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Speaking on the latest episode of the All That Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, the Hall of Famer reflected on Dragic’s plantar fascia tear in Game 1 of the Finals inside the NBA’s Orlando bubble.

“The hardest part was watching the Heat battle injuries. Seeing my guy Goran Dragic finally get there and not be able to play. It broke my heart. I can’t say they win, but it definitely would have been a different series if he played. Just to be able to play in the Finals, I don’t care where they’re playing — if it’s the Finals and the NBA, it’s a dream come true. They don’t get that whole experience. It was tough. Like he said, they still went out there and fought. I know the message was definitely there for both sides, but especially for the Heat,” Bosh said.

Bosh continued:

“I know a lot of people were writing them off and not really paying much attention to them, but you know, when you get there, you don’t get there just to lose. You don’t get there to say, ‘Ah, nice weather.’ I definitely knew they were going to prepare, they were going to fight to the last man and you have to beat those guys. And it happened, but pain is pain. I know they’ll be able to overcome this and it will make them a better team and put the Lakers down, man one. Let’s see if they can keep it going.”

Dragic entered the 2020 postseason as Miami’s second-leading scorer behind Jimmy Butler III. In 17 playoff games, he averaged 19.1 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and one steal while shooting 44% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range in 32.5 minutes per contest.

Chris Bosh believes if Goran Dragic didn’t get injured in the 2020 NBA Finals, it would have been a different series:

“The hardest part was watching the Heat battle injuries. Seeing my man Goran Dragic finally get there and not be able to play. It broke my heart man. Not like… https://t.co/5UKntMUerb pic.twitter.com/1bOzN5UWJc

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 13 February 2026

Chris Bosh says Goran Dragic injury changed the fate of Heat’s Finals against Lakers

Due to injury, Dragic was limited to only two brief appearances at the end of the series. Miami ultimately lost to the Lakers in six games as James captured his fourth NBA Championship and fourth Finals MVP.

Despite the setback, the Heat remained competitive throughout the series, with Butler’s 40-point triple-double in Game 3 and 35-point performance in Game 5 forcing a sixth game.

Miami later returned to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022 and lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games. The franchise made another Finals appearance in 2023 but lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games. Dragic was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kyle Lowry as the Heat reshaped their roster around Butler, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

With the Butler-led era now concluding, Miami enters All-Star weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles with a 29–27 record, eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat have advanced from the play-in tournament in each of the past three seasons and remain in contention for another postseason berth this spring.

Bosh’s comments provided perspective on how injuries, particularly Dragic’s injuries, shaped Miami’s chances against James and the Lakers during the unique bubble finals.