Kendrick Perkins gets brutally honest on Celtics’ NBA title hopes
Can the Boston Celtics make an NBA Finals run even without Jaylen Brown?
Former Celtics big man Kendrick Perkins certainly doesn’t think so, and he let his feelings be known during an episode of “First Take” ahead of NBA Opening Night.
“Hell no,” Perkins said when asked if the Celtics are contenders. “No. They don’t have the personnel. Jayson Tatum is on the clock…Jayson Tatum is one of those guys who is under the most pressure.”
"Hell no." —@KendrickPerkins on the Celtics being contenders this season 😳 https://t.co/N33YbFRRFD
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 20, 2026
Perkins even said the Celtics will make the postseason in the play-in tournament.
Boston traded away superstar Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George and more. The Celtics also signed former New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, so they still have a talented roster despite Brown’s departure.
Entering the 2026-27 NBA season, the Eastern Conference seems to be a toss-up. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst even said in September that he doesn’t view the LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers as a top-6 team in the East.
The New York Knicks are fresh off an NBA title, but none of the 15 ESPN experts picked them to repeat this season.
Despite all of that, Perkins still doesn’t view Boston as a title threat. The Celtics begin the season on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.
Giants release former first-round pick after five games
Najee Harris’ time with the New York Giants has come to an end after he appeared in just five games this season.
On Tuesday, the Giants released Harris, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Harris, who was selected at No. 24 overall in 2021 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushed for just 9 yards on 31 carries for New York.
Source: The #Giants are releasing RB Najee Harris, another RB shakeup. https://t.co/N9C5GIIpeh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2026
Harris spent the first four seasons with the Steelers before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025. However, he suffered an eye injury in a Fourth of July fireworks incident that held him back for the preseason.
Harris then tore his Achilles in just his third game with LA, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.
After Harris signed with the Giants, he stated he had a lot to prove, but he wasn’t able to find much success and was in a crowded RB room.
Harris had just been named the RB1 for the Week 6 game against the New Orleans Saints after Cam Skattebo was demoted due to ball security issues.
However, Harris had just 4 carries for 2 yards, and it was Tyrone Tracy Jr. who had the most carries with 6, although he had just 18 yards rushing.
Harris had also expressed frustration at the plan for the RB room, and now he is headed elsewhere after a short run with the Giants.
Titans release player following incident at team facility
Veteran defensive lineman Jordan Elliott’s tenure with the Tennessee Titans has come to an end after just five games.
On Tuesday, the Titans announced that Elliott has been released after an “incident at our team facility.”
Statement from the @Titans on DL Jordan Elliott. https://t.co/blH9LdpFrt
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 20, 2026
The team said there was an incident on October 15, and Elliott missed Friday’s practice for personal reasons and he also didn’t play in Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Elliott signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Titans this offseason. He entered the league with the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Elliott then spent four seasons with Cleveland before playing the previous two with the San Francisco 49ers, where he started 29 games.
New Titans head coach Robert Saleh had spent the previous two seasons with Elliott in San Francisco, where Saleh served as the team’s defensive coordinator.
This is a bit of a blow for the defense, and Elliott had done a solid job as a run stopper. In his absence against the Colts, it was second-year player Nazir Stackhouse who stepped in, and he also impressed after spending 2025 with the Green Bay Packers.
As of now, no further information has been reported about Elliott’s incident.
Bills make a move on two-time Pro Bowl cornerback
The Buffalo Bills are running it back with a fan favorite.
The team announced on Monday that it signed veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White to its practice squad.
This is White’s third stint with the Bills, who selected him in the first round (27th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He suited up for the team from 2017 through the 2023 season, earning two Pro Bowl selections and a first-team All-Pro nod during that span.
White signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 but was traded to the Baltimore Ravens within months. He reunited with the Bills on a 1-year, $3 million contract in 2025.
A torn ACL in 2021 and a torn Achilles in 2023 have taken a toll on White’s on-field abilities, but he could still help move the needle for Buffalo’s defense.
The Bills are 5-1 after six weeks in the 2026 NFL season. Only Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have a better record than Buffalo in the AFC, but the Bills aren’t without weaknesses. Their defense has been a glaring issue, allowing 171 points in total, the most in the NFL.
The 31-year-old White, who led the league with six interceptions in 2019, has 19 career interceptions and 83 passes defended in 109 games.
Auston Matthews makes a strong statement on Gavin McKenna after rookie’s game-winner
Gavin McKenna came to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rescue on Monday, helping his team beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
His third-period game-winner and overall demeanor have seemingly left a positive impression on another former No. 1 overall pick.
“He’s not shy at the moment at all. I think if you give him a little bit of time and space like he had there, he’s gonna make something happen, and he did,” Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews said of McKenna while talking to reporters after the game.
McKenna, the No. 1 overall pick by Toronto in the 2026 NHL Draft, was benched in a recent game against the Buffalo Sabres, but appears to be responding positively.
“He’s been fine these last couple of games, and even what happened a couple nights ago, that stuff doesn’t shake him,” Matthews added. “He just keeps turning away, and it’s impressive.”
Thanks largely to McKenna, the Maple Leafs snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 4-4-2. Matthews also had a hand in Toronto’s success, lighting the lamp on the man advantage and recording two assists, including a helper on McKenna’s goal.
On the season, McKenna has three goals and three assists.
H/T Leafslatest
Freddy Peralta had a great message for Milwaukee after winning ALCS MVP
It has been quite a ride in 2026 for Freddy Peralta. He began the year by being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the New York Mets in January, and he’s now just days away from facing his former team in the World Series.
Peralta has played a major role in the Tampa Bay Rays’ success in the 2026 MLB playoffs, even earning American League Championship Series MVP honors after helping his team eliminate the Cleveland Guardians with a 7-3 win on Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
No one would have guessed in January that Peralta would be preparing to face the Brewers in the Fall Classic several months later.
Either way, he remains thankful for his time in Milwaukee.
“Milwaukee is the team and the city that gave me the opportunity to make my dreams [come true], and also, Milwaukee is going to be always in my heart,” Peralta said, via Jake Rill of MLB.com. “But it’s time now to compete. I’m grateful to be here, and excited to go.”
The 30-year-old Peralta has made four total appearances so far in the 2026 postseason, including three in the Guardians series. During the ALCS, he went 2-0 and allowed only an earned run on nine hits through 12 innings.
Peralta, who led the National League with 17 wins with the Brewers in 2025, was traded to the Rays by the Mets in August.
Ben Simmons’ injury triggers a significant development
Ben Simmons’ NBA comeback ended before it could officially begin.
Just days before the start of the 2026-27 NBA season, the former NBA Rookie of the Year Award winner was ruled out for the entire campaign with an Achilles tear he suffered during practice on Sunday.
Sacramento signed Simmons to a one-year, $3.5 million contract in September, sparking excitement among fans about the former LSU Tigers star’s return to the NBA after missing the entire 2025-26 season.
But even with Simmons facing a long journey to recovery from his injury, the Kings are expected to keep him.
As John Hollinger of The Athletic pointed out, Sacramento is unlikely to release Simmons because of a salary continuation rule.
That provision states that players on non-guaranteed contracts who are injured must be paid until they recover. Simmons’ deal with the Kings is guaranteed for only $1 million, but the salary continuation rule means the team will have to pay him his full salary whether it keeps him or not.
A former No. 1 overall pick, Simmons last played in a non-preseason NBA game during the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists with a 55.8% shooting from the field across 383 games (344 starts).
James Harden is not ruling out a drastic move after he retires
James Harden and his beard are one of the most recognizable duos in basketball, but there might come a time when he’ll get rid of his facial hair.
The Cleveland Cavaliers veteran guard isn’t ruling that out, but for now, he’ll keep his iconic look as he continues his basketball career.
“I’m definitely going to keep it while I’m playing basketball, honestly, like once I am away from the cameras, you know, all the time then I can figure out if I wanna try to cut it and see what that looks like, but for now, for sure, until I’m retired, I’m keeping this beard,” the 11-time NBA All-Star Harden said of his beard in a recent interview posted by the league on X.
"Until I’m retired, I’m keeping this beard." James Harden is known for his iconic beard… but is it here to stay forever? 🤔 @JHarden13 begins his first full season with the @cavs next Thursday (10/22) vs. the 76ers at 7pm/et on ESPN! https://t.co/l2NxeUNnqV
— NBA (@NBA) October 15, 2026
It’s difficult for most basketball fans to conjure up an image of Harden without his beard. One of his nicknames is “The Beard,” which essentially sums up everything one has to know about how important his beard is to his identity on the court.
The former Arizona State Sun Devils star, who turned 37 in August, probably still has a few years left before calling it a career, so we may have to wait a while to find out whether he would actually shave it all off after hanging up his sneakers.
Harden and his beard will make their appearance for an 18th season in the league, beginning on Thursday, when the Cavs play LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa.
Notable update on Mike Evans’ injury emerges after 49ers-Commanders game
It wasn’t all that rosy for the San Francisco 49ers in their 23-17 win over the Washington Commanders on Monday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
San Francisco star wide receiver Mike Evans couldn’t finish the contest, leaving the game in the first half with Achilles tendinitis.
It was an aggravation of an Achilles issue that put Evans’ status for Week 6 in question in the days leading up to the showdown against the Commanders.
After the game, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said, “I don’t believe so” when asked if Evans would need further testing on his Achilles, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
San Francisco will next play the Atlanta Falcons in a Week 7 game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., but Shanahan hinted Evans might not be available for that.
“I hope he recovers throughout the week, but you don’t think it’s a long-term thing, but right now it ended up costing him two quarters and hopefully he’ll be able to play next week, but if not, we’ll have to have the rest of the group step up and hopefully get him healed up by after the bye week,” Shanahan said.
The 49ers keep winning games despite a banged-up wide receiver room, with Ricky Pearsall, De’Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Christian Kirk all sidelined entering Week 6.
Despite leaving the game early, Evans still led all 49ers players with 94 receiving yards on three catches and five targets.
Dan Quinn speaks out after MNF broadcast appears to catch him making a serious blunder
Dan Quinn has addressed the viral clip of him seemingly making a critical mistake during Monday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Washington Commanders had 4th-and-2 at the 49ers’ 13 early in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. With the Commanders trailing 13-3, Quinn had his team go for it rather than settle for three points.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels ended up throwing the ball out of bounds. The ESPN broadcast then shifted to Quinn, who appeared to be calling for a field goal before he realized his team had actually turned the ball over on downs.
“That was fourth down?” Quinn appeared to say with the camera panned to him.
Not a professional lip reader but did Dan Quinn just say/ask “That was fourth down?” https://t.co/ZUQZuMfDxA
— Mike Mutnansky (@MikeMutnansky) October 20, 2026
Even the ESPN broadcast believed Quinn had mistakenly thought his team had an extra down left.
this is SOOOO BAD how does the HEAD COACH not know the down??? https://t.co/UaXmbWzgvj
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 20, 2026
Quinn, however, claimed the internet lip-readers out there got it wrong. He pointed to the flag thrown against the Commanders for an illegal shift as what he got confused by in the clip.
“No, I definitely knew it was fourth down,” Quinn told reporters after the game. “We were going for it. I think what you’re referring to is that I was probably saying like, with the illegal shift, there’s not a penalty to go for a field goal.”
"I definitely knew it was 4th down." Commanders HC Dan Quinn on the 4th down play that Jayden Daniels threw the ball away in the second quarter. https://t.co/SiBP2SIClg
— ESPN (@espn) October 20, 2026
Quinn’s explanation didn’t make sense. If he had actually known it was fourth down, then it should have been obvious that the 49ers would decline the penalty to secure the turnover.
Daniels throwing the ball out of bounds instead of taking a risk on fourth down also added to the case against Quinn actually knowing the correct game situation.
The Commanders lost 23-17, dropping them to 1-4-1 in the standings and placing Quinn in the hot seat heading into the team’s bye week.
Junior Caminero copied LeBron James’ message after eliminating Cleveland in ALCS
Junior Caminero’s postgame message sounded very familiar to Cleveland sports fans.
The Tampa Bay Rays standout led his team to a 7-3 win in a Game 6 clincher over the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Caminero went 2-for-3 with a walk, including a two-run homer that gave the Rays a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the 7th.
Caminero’s jam-shot blast off the Trop foul pole instantly became the stuff of legend. The man made sure to celebrate the momentous big fly accordingly.
JUNIOR CAMINERO OFF THE FOUL POLE THE TROP IS ELECTRIC! https://t.co/E0hC0eAmBK
— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2026
After the game, Caminero addressed Rays fans both in attendance and watching from home.
“Tampaaaaa! This is for YOU!” Caminero shouted into the mic.
“TAMPA THIS IS FOR YOU” Junior Caminero channels his inner LeBron James https://t.co/nHIyW9fCUo
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 20, 2026
Caminero’s message sounded exactly like LeBron James’ message to the City of Cleveland when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship in 2016.
🗣️ "CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU." LeBron James had this iconic line after leading the Cavs to the 2016 title 🏆 LBJ returns to Cleveland as LAL & CLE face off on ESPN at 7pm/et 🍿 https://t.co/w3c2tReRyq
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2026
It’s unclear whether Caminero was actually going for the LeBron-esque celebration or if it was just a coincidence. But it must have been at least a little unsettling to hear for any Cleveland sports fans who had just watched their Guardians lose to Caminero’s Rays.
One big difference in the Caminero moment was that it came before Tampa Bay’s trip to the World Series. James had led the Cavaliers to their first championship in franchise history, and Caminero has a chance to do the same against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Steelers signing familiar face to reunite with Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are running it back with one of Aaron Rodgers’ longtime targets.
The Steelers have reportedly signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a new contract. According to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, the veteran wideout will start on the Steelers’ practice squad.
Valdes-Scantling was released by the Los Angeles Chargers over the weekend. He played in three games for the offensively inept Chargers, tallying just two catches for 22 yards.
Source: The #Steelers are expected to sign veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their Practice Squad, reuniting him with Aaron Rodgers. MVS was also with Pittsburgh last season, but spent the start of this season with the Chargers. https://t.co/E5hg9JQGXs
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 20, 2026
The 32-year-old began next to both Rodgers and Mike McCarthy in 2018, when the Green Bay Packers drafted him in the fifth round. Valdes-Scantling developed into one of Rodgers’ most dependable targets. He recorded 123 catches for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns during his four seasons with the Packers.
Valdes-Scantling signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. He won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs before brief stints with the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers.
Rodgers lobbied for the Steelers to sign Valdes-Scantling last season. He caught 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown across 5 games in a Steelers uniform.
Valdes-Scantling joins a Steelers wide receiver room severely depleted by injuries. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson are expected to remain on the injured list until the second half of the season.
Brutal update emerges on Rams kicker Blake Grupe
One tackle attempt has ended Blake Grupe’s season.
The Los Angeles Rams kicker made headlines when he risked his body trying to make a tackle during Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Grupe threw all his weight — all 156 pounds — to shove Cardinals kickoff returner Devon Duvernay to the sideline at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
The collision with Duvernay sent Grupe flying, knocking him out of the game in the first quarter. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a leg injury and replaced by punter Ethan Evans.
Many suspected Grupe’s injury to be serious at first glance. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed everyone’s suspicions on Monday, reporting that Grupe had sustained a torn ACL.
Rams kicker Blake Grupe tore his ACL.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2026
The Rams had just signed Grupe off the New York Jets’ practice squad to replace struggling kicker Harrison Mevis. Grupe converted a 44-yard field goal before sustaining the season-ending injury.
Spectators were torn over Grupe’s heroics during Sunday’s game. Some folks praised him for leaving it all out on the field. But others felt that Grupe’s tackle attempt was foolish considering his diminutive frame.
After losing out on a golden opportunity with the Rams, Grupe probably won’t be making many tackles going forward.
Junior Caminero had the craziest pimp job of his clutch Game 6 HR
Junior Caminero rose to the occasion in Game 6 of the ALCS.
The Tampa Bay Rays star Caminero stepped up to the plate in the seventh inning of Monday’s game with his team leading the Cleveland Guardians 3-1. Facing Guardians star closer Cade Smith with a runner on base, Caminero launched an absolute rocket to left field off a first-pitch ambush.
Caminero’s laser shot struck off the foul in left field for an epic two-run home run. As he was rounding the bases, Caminero stopped entirely (before he even touched first) to beat his chest and pose for the exuberant fans at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Here is the video.
JUNIOR CAMINERO BIG DONG https://t.co/0rTL3nZ6ln
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 20, 2026
The Rays entered play on Monday with a 3-2 series lead over the Guardians. As such, that home run by Caminero was effectively a pennant-clincher (and with a fitting celebration for a moment of that magnitude to boot).
Now a two-time All-Star, Caminero, 23, has really come into his own this season for Tampa Bay. He produced 42 home runs and 101 RBIs while playing in all 162 games and is also backing up some of the trash that he was talking before the postseason (and then some).
Timberwolves sign key player to surprising new deal
The Minnesota Timberwolves are covering their bases when it comes to Jaden McDaniels.
McDaniels was set to enter the season with three more years on his current contract and over $84 million in guaranteed money. On Monday, the Timberwolves reportedly wanted to add another year and much more money to that deal.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that McDaniels has agreed to a one-year, $40 million contract extension. The new deal keeps the 26-year-old under contract through the 2029-30 season.
Minnesota Timberwolves All-Defense forward Jaden McDaniels has agreed to a one-year, $40 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2029-30 season, agents Nima Namakian of Innovate Sports and Bill Duffy of WME Basketball tell ESPN. https://t.co/PYtDRrLves
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 20, 2026
The deal is significant for McDaniels for multiple reasons. It raises the ceiling on the dollar value he can sign his next extension in 2028. Should he not sign an extension, Jaden could enter free agency in 2030 with the ideal 10 years of NBA service time.
The news was somewhat surprising, considering McDaniels is from the same 2020 draft class as the Timberwolves’ star backcourt of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. All three were already under contract through 2029 until McDaniels landed his extension.
McDaniels, known as a standout defender, improved as a scorer last season. He averaged a career-high 14.8 points in Year 6 on a 51.5 percent shooting clip and shot over 40 percent from the three-point arc.
With new money coming in, McDaniels probably feels a bit better after having his car stolen from his home earlier in the offseason.
Rays benefit from a controversial check swing call in ALCS Game 6
The Tampa Bay Rays got an early boost during Game 6 of the ALCS.
Tampa Bay hosted the sixth installment of their series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. In the second inning at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., Rays second baseman Richie Palacios was up to bat against Guardians reliever Tim Herrin.
With two runners in scoring position and two out, Palacios checked his swing on an 0-2 offering from Herrin that was way out of the zone. Cleveland appealed to third base umpire Bill Miller, but Miller ruled that Palacios had not gone around.
Then three pitches later, Palacios proceeded to hit a two-run double to open up the scoring and give Tampa Bay an early 2-0 lead. Here is the video of the full sequence.
Richie Palacios drove in the go-ahead runs after umpire Bill Miller ruled no swing https://t.co/B8nsnP84Qu
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 20, 2026
Take a look at the side angle of Palacios’ check swing.
This was called a ball on a check swing by Richie Palacios in an 0-2 count. He would go on to hit a 2 RBI single later in the at bat. Did he go around? https://t.co/yeyQCuxwje
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 20, 2026
Check swings are obviously outside of the purview of the automated ball-strike (ABS) system, and they are not reviewable plays for the purposes of challenges either. Tampa Bay entered play on Monday with a 3-2 lead in the series over Cleveland and have largely looked to be the better and more fundamentally sound team. But it certainly seemed like they may have benefited from a friendly call on Palacios’ non-swing there.
Terry McLaurin carted off the field with scary knee injury
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin left Monday night’s game with a concerning knee injury.
McLaurin sustained the injury while running a route later in the first quarter of Washington’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The star wideout was battling with Niners cornerback Deommodore Lenoir near midfield before he crumpled to the ground in serious pain.
You can watch the play below:
Not good for Terry McLaurin, who goes down holding his knee https://t.co/qmYXT4T7zo
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) October 20, 2026
McLaurin’s left leg appeared to cave in as he tried to shed his defender.
Trainers inserted McLaurin’s left leg into an aircast and helped him onto a cart. Players from both teams wished him well before they drove him off the field.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin was carted off the field with an apparent knee injury. https://t.co/ohVT3BY6JG
— ESPN (@espn) October 20, 2026
McLaurin left the game with one catch for 27 yards. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest, with further tests awaiting him
The 31-year-old entered Monday’s game as the Commanders’ second-most-targeted receiver behind Stefon Diggs. In his first four games, McLaurin tallied 14 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown.
Angel Reese has a vulgar message for opponent in WNBA Finals Game 2
Angel Reese is keeping that same energy in the WNBA Finals.
Reese and the Atlanta Dream met the Golden State Valkyries for Game 2 of their WNBA Finals series on Monday. In the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., Reese went viral over her vulgar message for Valkyries center Aminata Gueye.
Reese had just drawn a foul on Gueye and was at the line shooting two free throws. The USA broadcast showed Gueye talking some trash to Reese before her foul shots.
The reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Reese calmly sank the first shot and then sent a profane message to Gueye in response. “You can’t f–k with me,” said Reese. “Bum a–.”
Reese then proceeded to sink her second free throw as well. Here is the video of the incident.
“You can’t fu*k with me bum ass” – Angel Reese https://t.co/6lLFOTFeo0
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 20, 2026
At 24 years old, Reese is a three-time WNBA All-Star, a three-time league rebounding leader, and one of the most well-known players in women’s basketball. Conversely, Gueye, also 24 years old, is far less known and has averaged just 3.3 points per game off the bench in the playoffs as a rookie for the Valkyries.
That said, it really does not matter who Reese goes up against at this point. As we have seen multiple times just this season alone, Reese will bust out the insults on the court to just about any opponent.
Carlos Mendoza withdrew his name from 1 MLB manager job before joining Phillies
Former New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is now with the Philadelphia Phillies after being hired as the team’s third base coach.
However, Mendoza was a candidate for the Seattle Mariners managerial opening, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Castillo added that Mendoza withdrew his name from the job and then landed with the Phillies.
Carlos Mendoza was a candidate for the Mariners’ managerial job before withdrawing his name to become the Phillies’ third base and infield coach, sources told ESPN. The Mariners and Astros are currently the two teams looking for a manager.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) October 17, 2026
Mendoza was in his third year as the Mets manager before being fired at the end of June. The Phillies also had a decision to make after Don Mattingly was the interim manager following the firing of Rob Thomson during the season.
The Phillies then stuck with Mattingly after Alex Cora decided not to coach in 2027, and the former Boston Red Sox manager was expected to be the top target for Philadelphia.
The Mariners had an opening after Dan Wilson was fired following the final regular-season game. Seattle had Torey Lovullo on their list, but he stuck around with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mendoza decided not to go further in the Mariners’ process and instead went to Philadelphia, and he could be next in line if the Phillies move on from Mattingly at some point in the next year or two.
Kawhi Leonard has heartfelt reaction after learning of Ben Simmons’ Achilles tear
Ben Simmons is out for the season after suffering an Achilles tear, and Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard had a strong message of support.
Leonard was asked about it on Monday, and while the Raptors star said he didn’t know about Simmons’ injury, he said it was “sad” and told him to “keep grinding.”
‘Oh, damn man, that’s sad!’ 😔 Kawhi Leonard reacts to the news of Ben Simmons tearing his Achilles tendon and being ruled out of his coveted NBA comeback. #NBA https://t.co/Hlc67aIFrG
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) October 19, 2026
Simmons hadn’t played in the NBA since the 2024-25 season, but he was working hard to make a comeback.
The Sacramento Kings gave Simmons a one-year deal, and reports surfaced that he was expected to be in the starting lineup on opening day.
Then, Simmons suffered an injury at practice over the weekend, and he has been ruled out for the entire season, a crushing blow.
Simmons was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, and he also played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers before sitting out the entire 2025-26 NBA campaign.
While Leonard hasn’t suffered a torn Achilles before in his career, he has dealt with plenty of injuries, especially in recent years.
Simmons will now try to recover in hopes of making his official NBA comeback in the 2027-28 NBA season.
