LeBron James had 1 request for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after Lakers’ playoff exit
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Luka Doncic missed the entire postseason with a hamstring strain, and James’ impressive performance was not enough to knock off the defending NBA champions.
After the Game 4 loss on Monday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., James was seen with a message for Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso.
“Go get another one,” James said.
"Go get another one." 👑
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2026
All class from @KingJames as he embraces @shaiglalex and his former teammate @ACFresh21 following their 4-0 series win🤝 pic.twitter.com/wHECHzW2aA
The Thunder won the 2025 NBA Finals with a Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers, and Oklahoma City entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
James and Caruso were teammates together when the Lakers won the 2020 NBA title in the Orlando bubble, and although the two went back and forth during the series, he seems to wish the best for Caruso.
As for LeBron James’ future in the NBA, it is up in the air, and he said he will take some time to decide what is in store for him going forward.
The Thunder won every game through the first two rounds against the Phoenix Suns and Lakers, and they will face either the Minnesota Timberwolves or San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
Jerry Rice’s son lands with NFC team after Raiders release
Brenden Rice, the son of legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, is beginning a new chapter in his NFL career.
The Las Vegas Raiders released Rice on Monday, and now he has been claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers.
The #Packers have claimed WR Brenden Rice, son of Jerry, off waivers from the #Raiders.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 13, 2026
Rice began his college career with the Colorado Buffaloes before transferring and playing the final two seasons with the USC Trojans.
However, Rice slid a bit in the 2024 NFL Draft before being selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round at No. 225 overall.
As a rookie, Rice played in three games with LA but did not record a catch, and he was released prior to the 2025 NFL season.
Rice then spent time with the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Raiders on the practice squad without appearing in a game for any of the teams.
It will be interesting to see if Rice can snag a spot on the 53-man roster. The Packers added Skyy Moore in free agency and signed J. Michael Sturdivant as an UDFA, although the WR room is led by Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden after they traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rice turned 24 years old in March, and he lands in Green Bay trying to find a way to get on the roster.
North Carolina, Michael Malone land 4-star forward in big commitment
The new chapter with Michael Malone as the North Carolina men’s basketball head coach is off to a strong start.
On Wednesday, Malone landed a commitment from four-star Class of 2026 forward Kevin Thomas, according to Joe Tipton of On3.
UNC receives a commitment from incoming FR Kevin Thomas.
— Born Hatin Duke (@bornhatinduke) May 13, 2026
6’7” athletic wing who brings explosiveness, perimeter scoring, and defensive versatility. Thrives getting downhill, can shoot the three (44% from deep as a SR), and has upside as a multi-positional defender.#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/ES2vqKAxV5
Thomas is a senior who played at Sagemont Prep in Florida, and he took a visit to Chapel Hill recently and has now made the decision official.
Thomas initially committed to LSU, but he backed out in March after Will Wade left NC State and returned to Baton Rouge as the Tigers’ new head coach.
As for North Carolina, the Tar Heels moved on from Hubert Davis and were linked to several big-name candidates before the surprising decision to hire Malone for his first-ever college head-coaching job.
Malone has wasted no time filling out the roster, which includes a five-star center from Spain and four incoming transfers, including Northwestern 7-footer Cade Bennerman and Utah guard Terrence Brown.
Thomas had also received offers from Auburn, Florida State, Miami and Tennessee, among others, before deciding to go to North Carolina.
Mark Few, Gonzaga basketball hit with brutal roster news
Mark Few and the Gonzaga basketball program have been pegged as an NCAA Tournament contender for the past two decades.
The 2026-27 season won’t be different, but Gonzaga suffered a major hit with Jack Kayil announcing he was going to stay in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Kayil, who played in Germany with Alba Berlin last season, committed to Gonzaga this offseason and was expected to be a key piece of the Bulldogs’ rotation.
NEWS: Gonzaga-commit Jack Kayil is staying in the 2026 NBA Draft, agents Kevin Bradbury and Milan Nikolic tell DraftExpress.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2026
The 6'5, 20-year-old point guard is receiving first-round feedback off an outstanding season in Germany with Alba Berlin.
Tough break for Mark Few. pic.twitter.com/AdefhKEIk7
Kayil committed to Gonzaga in October, but he was just named the Bundesliga’s Under-22 Player of the Year after being invited to the NBA Combine.
However, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo does not have Kayil going in his new two-round mock draft, and Woo had Kayil ranked at No. 49 in his top 100 rankings, so it’s a bit of a surprise to see him backing out of his Gonzaga commitment already.
Gonzaga went 31-4 this season and was a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the Bulldogs lost to No. 11 Texas in the Round of 32 in another early exit. Now, the roster takes a huge hit in a bit of an unexpected turn of events.
Tarik Skubal trade speculation gets notable update from MLB insider
Although Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is sidelined due to an injury, his name has been tossed around in trade rumors.
Whether or not the Tigers trade the reigning Cy Young winner remains to be seen, but MLB insider Jon Heyman thinks that scenario is “unlikely.”
“I think it’s unlikely that Skubal gets traded,” Heyman said. “I think they’re (Tigers) in it to win it.”
It's 'unlikely' that the Tigers would trade Tarik Skubal, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/vy6sEdowNU
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 13, 2026
Tarik Skubal underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, and the initial timeline was anywhere from 2-to-3 months.
However, Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, revealed recently that the Tigers ace underwent a unique procedure called the “Skubal scope” in hopes of shortening his recovery time.
Skubal began the year with a 3-2 record and a 2.70 ERA before suffering the injury. In the offseason, the Tigers’ star won the arbitration case and landed a whopping $32 million salary for 2026, and he will be a free agent following the season.
With Skubal on an expiring deal and the Tigers off to a bit of a slow start, trade rumblings have surfaced about Skubal, but Heyman thinks the Tigers will ride it out and try to make another playoff run this season.
Whether or not that changes over the next couple of months remains to be seen, but for now, it looks unlikely that Skubal will pitch elsewhere this season.
Miami HC Mario Cristobal has honest take on College Football Playoff expansion
Talks have surfaced lately about the NCAA expanding the College Football Playoff field from 12 teams to 24 teams.
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said on Tuesday that ACC coaches have expressed their support for the expansion, but Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal did not sound too thrilled about the 24-team playoff discussion.
“I’m not for the 24 team thing, that’s a lot. Why play a regular season then? And I’m certainly not for automatic bids,” Cristobal said during an episode of “This I Football” with Kevin Clark.
How would Mario Cristobal change the college football postseason?
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) May 13, 2026
-Finish the season earlier. One bye week then start games.
-Do NOT expand to 24 teams.
"I'm not for the 24 team thing, that's a lot. Why play a regular season then? And I'm certianly not for automatic bids." https://t.co/ChmBdEMsFt pic.twitter.com/rpxxO0tafg
Mario Cristobal also had a suggestion to change the calendar, which has been a topic due to the long layoff between the conference title games and the first round of the College Football Playoff.
This past season, Miami snuck into the 12-team Playoff field, although many thought Notre Dame should’ve earned the spot over the Hurricanes.
In the end, the Hurricanes made a run to the title game before losing to Fernando Mendoza and the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers.
For now, the 24-team College Football Playoff field is starting to gain traction, and it could be a matter of time.
Duke standout announces NBA Draft decision
With the NBA Scouting Combine underway, one Duke Blue Devils star is not planning on backing out and returning to college.
Isaiah Evans, who played just two seasons at Duke, announced he has no plans to withdraw and return to school, while adding that he has already met with some NBA teams.
Isaiah Evans said he's committed to staying in the NBA Draft and isn't considering a return to Duke. The North Meck product said he's already met with Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/56CJKa00Yx
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 13, 2026
According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Evans stated he has had no conversations with Dule about a return, which likely signals the end of his college career.
The NBA Draft Lottery took place on Mother’s Day, with the Washington Wizards landing the top pick.
According to the NBA rules, NCAA players have until May 27 to withdraw from the draft in order to return to college.
Evans, however, has already made his decision. The Duke guard started in all 38 games he played this past season, averaging 15 points with 3.2 rebounds on 43 percent shooting from the field.
Evans is widely considered a first-round pick, and ESPN’s Jeremy Woo projected Evans to go No. 23 to the Atlanta Hawks in his post-lottery mock draft.
The 2026 NBA Draft begins on June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Evans is hoping he hears his name called in the first round.
Bart Scott makes major Kyler Murray prediction
The Minnesota Vikings are entering camp with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray battling it out at the quarterback position. While it remains to be seen which QB emerges as the starter, former NFL linebacker Bart Scott had a bold prediction about Murray.
Scott appeared on an episode of ESPN show “Get Up” and discussed Murray.
“At the end of this season, I think we may say that Kyler Murray is the most talented quarterback within that division,” Scott said. “I think the sky’s the limit for Kyler Murray.”
"At the end of this season, I think we may say that Kyler Murray is the best quarterback [in the NFC North.]" @BartScott57 has high expectations for Kyler Murray as the Minnesota Vikings' QB 👀 pic.twitter.com/bYOO9NveuV
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 13, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals released Murray this offseason. The former No. 1 overall pick quickly landed with Minnesota.
The Vikings admitted they wanted to add competition for McCarthy, and they also brought back Wentz after he played a handful of games in 2025 when McCarthy was injured.
Now, the NFC North has Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers) and Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), so Murray emerging as the best of the bunch would be quite a statement after the way things ended with the Cardinals.
Right now, head coach Kevin O’Connell has not named a starting QB for the Vikings, but there is a clear path for Murray being under center in Week 1.
Cubs agree to contract with 3-time All-Star pitcher
The Chicago Cubs have been hit hard by the injury bug, especially in terms of the pitching depth.
Now, the Cubs are adding a three-time All-Star to a minor league deal. Reliever Liam Hendriks and the Cubs agreed to terms on Wednesday, according to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic.
The Chicago Cubs have signed RHP Liam Hendriks to a minor league deal, sources tell the Athletic.
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) May 13, 2026
Hendriks last pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 2025, making 14 appearances with a 6.59 ERA in 13.2 innings.
Hendriks began his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins before spending time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics, where he made his first All-Star team in 2019.
Hendriks then spent three seasons with the Chicago White Sox, making the All-Star team in 2021 and 2022 with 75 saves combined.
In 2023, Hendriks was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and made just five appearances in 2023. In April of 2023, Hendriks revealed he was cancer-free.
Unfortunately, the 2023 season took a sad turn as Hendriks underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2024 campaign in recovery from the injury.
Hendriks was with the Minnesota Twins in spring training recently, and he posted a 3.86 ERA with five strikeouts across seven innings before the Twins decided to release him prior to Opening Day.
Now, the veteran will try to find a spot on the Cubs’ major league roster.
Victor Wembanyama receives bold claim from Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce knows a thing or two about superstar basketball players, and he has now dropped a big claim about San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama.
Following the Spurs’ Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, Pierce called Wembanyama the “most complete player in the history of the game” during an episode of “No Fouls Given.”
“He is the most complete player we’ve ever seen play the game. Like, we can talk about Bron, Jordan, Joker but he is the most complete player in the history of the game.” –@paulpierce34
— No Fouls Given (@NFGShow) May 13, 2026
Full episode: https://t.co/hSvVsZc9xj pic.twitter.com/GVAqyFVCDD
Wembanyama is in his third season in the NBA after he was selected first overall in 2023, and he is just 22 years old.
Yet, Wembanyama became the first-ever unanimous winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award this season.
Wembanyama made waves with 12 blocks in Game 1 of the series against Minnesota, although fans questioned why some of them weren’t called goaltending.
Still, Wembanyama averaged 25 points with 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in the regular season, and the Spurs star already is averaging 20.4 PPG with 11.2 rebounds and 4.2 blocks in the postseason, so he could be on his way to being the most complete player of all time.
To go further, Shaquille O’Neal called Wembanyama the “first perfect big man” the game has seen, and that’s quite a compliment coming from Shaq.
The Spurs are up 3-2 and face the Timberwolves on Friday with a chance to punch a ticket to the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Tracy McGrady lands a new job in college basketball
Tracy McGrady is a seven-time All-Star and a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and he has now landed a job in college basketball.
McGrady has been named the strategic advisor for the Wagner men’s basketball program, which means he is in charge of basketball operations, recruiting and NIL efforts.
The school made it official on Wednesday, and ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news.
Naismith Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady has taken a role with Wagner College as strategic advisor for the men's basketball program, joining his son Laymen who committed to the team, per ESPN sources.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 13, 2026
McGrady will lead Wagner's basketball operations, recruiting and name, image and…
According to the statement, Mcgrady has decided to waive his salary and work as a volunteer, and his son, Laymen, transferred to Wagner after spending the previous season at Oral Roberts.
Wagner head coach Dwan McMillan admitted the program is “humbled and honored” to have McGrady in this role.
Wagner went 14-17 in McMillan’s first season as a head coach, finishing eighth in the Northeast Conference (NEC).
McGrady joined NBC Sports in 2025 as a studio analyst, and this marks his first job in college basketball.
However, this has become more common as of late. Shaquille O’Neal was hired as the general manager for Sacramento State in 2025, and ex-Wizards star John Wall was just hired by Howard as the president of basketball operations.
Fans all have the same reaction to Alabama’s schedule update
Sunscreen could be flying off the shelves in Alabama ahead of the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2026 season opener.
Alabama football announced on Tuesday that its first game of the new campaign against the East Carolina Pirates on Sept. 5 at
Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., will have a kickoff time of 11 a.m. CT.
The decision to start a game just before noon raised eyebrows and garnered plenty of reactions from fans online.
— Captainbc52 (@captainbc52) May 13, 2026
— Captainbc52 (@captainbc52) May 13, 2026
When is it going to finally occur to whoever is scheduling these games that you are in the South in September
— Hillbilly TomFoolery 🇺🇸 🥋 (@HillBillyEarls) May 12, 2026
Stop scheduling games during the day when it's 100°
It's not a difficult concept
— Waaaay Offsides Cotton (@AlafrigginBama) May 12, 2026
11AM? My spreadsheet just opened a 'tailgate vs brunch' column and is leaning tailgate… but I'll allow mimosas as a strategic asset.
— Elena Meier (@Elenadaydreams) May 12, 2026
Nevertheless, Alabama fans can be expected to fill the stadium, as the Crimson Tide look to make a huge statement right out of the gate of head coach Kalen DeBoer’s third season with the program.
Alabama football supporters who’ll brave the elements to catch the game in person should be able to come away happy with the result, given that the Crimson Tide and the Pirates are not on the same tier. That said, East Carolina won nine games last season, including a victory at the Military Bowl.
This game also gives Alabama a chance to redeem itself from a frustrating season opener in 2025, when the Crimson Tide took a Week 1 stumble against the Florida State Seminoles before finishing the campaign with an 11-4 record overall.
Former NFL QB sparks concern with a Patrick Mahomes question
The Kansas City Chiefs are on a mission to reclaim the NFL throne after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LIX and missing the playoffs in the 2025 season.
For the Chiefs to return to the top of the league, it is paramount that Patrick Mahomes be healthy and on the field in 2026.
However, former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, while discussing the Chiefs’ apparent lack of offseason moves to address depth in the passing attack, raised concerns about Mahomes’ form once the quarterback returns from the season-ending injury he suffered late in the 2025 campaign.
“When he’s back, will he be the Patrick Mahomes that we remember?” Hasselbeck said during a recent appearance on ESPN’s NFL Live.
The Chiefs’ wide receiver room features the likes of Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, and those names don’t inspire Hasselbeck. At the same time, Hasselbeck showed concern about whether Mahomes will be able to play like the old Mahomes after the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player went down with a torn ACL in a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025.
But Mahomes is still just 30 years old, and there are many examples of players who have successfully returned and performed at a high level after such a setback.
In 2025, Mahomes passed for 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 14 games.
Paul Skenes had a moment with Oneil Cruz in the dugout after losing his no-hit bid
Paul Skenes pitched another gem on Tuesday, but it was not good enough for a no-hitter.
The Pittsburgh Pirates ace once again flirted with the rare pitching feat against the Colorado Rockies, but his no-hit bid was broken in the seventh inning by Mickey Moniak in the seventh inning of the game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Oneil Cruz tried to dive for the ball to keep Paul Skenes’ no-hitter alive, but couldn’t get there in time to prevent Moniak from breaking up the reigning National Cy Young Award hurler’s bid for a no-hitter.
Cruz isn’t exactly known for his defensive prowess, even making headlines earlier in the season for his outfield miscues, but Skenes did not blame his teammate for the spoiled no-hitter. He even greeted Cruz in the dugout to let him know it was all fine.
All love from Paul Skenes to Oneil Cruz after his no hitter got broken up https://t.co/UxtyNski27 pic.twitter.com/97vwJ86uqr
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 13, 2026
Cruz can still feel good about his overall performance in the game despite missing out on a flyout. He scored two of the Pirates’ runs in a 3-1 victory, while going 3-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout.
Skenes left the mound after tossing eight scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, while improving to 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA through nine starts in 2026.
Mets prospect makes history in MLB debut
Desperate for offense, the New York Mets called up top outfield prospect AJ Ewing ahead of their series opener against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y.
They got exactly what they wanted.
Ewing had a memorable MLB debut, hitting an RBI triple in the seventh inning for his first hit in the majors and finishing 2-for-2 with 3 walks. His walk with the bases loaded in the eighth frame extended the Mets’ lead on their way to a 10-2 win. In addition, he stole a base and just fell short of hitting a home run when he flied out to center field.
Ewing’s performance in his first game in the big leagues was for the books, as he became just the first player in MLB history to register 3 walks and hit a triple in his debut.
A.J. Ewing is the first player in MLB history with 3 walks and a triple in his debut
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) May 13, 2026
It’s not going to be like that every night for Ewing, but a player only gets one MLB debut, and he definitely made his one to remember, not just for himself, but also for the Mets fans who saw the team snap a two-game losing skid.
The Mets are hurting for runs this season, and even after their 10-run outburst against the Tigers, they are still 29th in the big leagues in runs scored and last in OPS.
But at least for one night, with a big hand from Ewing, New York felt like an offensive juggernaut.
Paige Bueckers leaves a 2-word comment on Napheesa Collier’s swimsuit photos
Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers couldn’t help but comment on Napheesa Collier’s swimsuit photos from the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
The Minnesota Lynx star and former WNBA Rookie of the Year shared several of her photos from the SI issue on Tuesday via her Instagram account, and among those who reacted was none other than Bueckers.
“These ate,” the second-year WNBA guard commented, also adding a fire emoji.
It was a great gesture from Bueckers to the WNBA veteran, but she can’t expect Collier to take it easy on the Wings once the five-time WNBA All-Star is ready to give it a go again on the court.
The 29-year-old Collier remains sidelined while recovering from offseason surgery on her left ankle, but managed to turn heads by offering everyone a look at herself away from the hardwood.
Dallas and Minnesota will play each other three times in the 2026 WNBA campaign, with the first one coming on Thursday at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. Collier does not have a hard timeline for her return, but she could be available for the two games against the Wings in June.
Collier isn’t the only WNBA player in SI’s 2026 swimsuit issue, with Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham also serving as a model.
Corey Kispert reacts to Gonzaga teammate Brandon Clarke’s death
The Gonzaga Bulldogs community is in mourning after the shocking news of former Zags forward Brandon Clarke’s death on Tuesday.
Messages and tributes for the Memphis Grizzlies player after his passing have since poured in across different platforms, many on social media.
One of Clarke’s former Gonzaga teammates, Atlanta Hawks small forward Corey Kispert, was among those who offered thoughts on the late player.
“RIP. You’ll be missed BC,” Kispert wrote in a post via his official Instagram account.
Brandon Clarke’s former teammate Corey Kispert with a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram pic.twitter.com/QxRUxXPyL2
— Andrew Quinn (@andrewquinny) May 12, 2026
Kispert and Clarke played a season together with the Bulldogs. After two seasons with the San Jose Spartans, Clarke transferred to Gonzaga and redshirted the 2017-18 campaign. The following season, he helped Gonzaga win 33 games and reach the Elite Eight round of the 2019 edition of the NCAA Tournament. Clarke later declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, while Kispert stayed in Spokane for two more years.
Although he played only one season with Clarke, Kispert is clearly impacted by the untimely passing of his former teammate.
Clarke, who was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder but played all of his 309 NBA games with the Grizzlies, died at the age of 29, and the cause of his death has not yet been officially determined.
Victor Wembanyama claims Timberwolves were ‘rage-baiting’ him in Game 5
Victor Wembanyama was wary of any traps being set by the Minnesota Timberwolves during Tuesday’s Game 5 tussle.
The San Antonio Spurs superstar kept his cool amid a heated Western Conference semifinals matchup at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu tried to rile up Wemby just a few minutes into the contest.
The two exchanged words during a stoppage in play, with Wembanyama trying to laugh off the incident. Anthony Edwards also tried to get involved, but the scene never escalated.
Wembanyama was asked about the moment during his postgame press conference, when he shared how he read right through what he perceived as gamesmanship from Minnesota.
“I feel like the rage-baiting would have been one of their strategies,” Wemby told reporters. “I just feel like we need to stay composed as a team.”
The Spurs and Wolves are both bringing that playoff intensity. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QcJC07chea
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 13, 2026
Wembanyama got ejected in the first half of Game 4, which helped the Timberwolves tie the series in front of their home fans. The Spurs star threw an elbow above the neck of Timberwolves big man Naz Reid.
Reid also tried to instigate some extra-curricular action with a shove to Wembanyama in the second quarter of Game 5. Reid got called for a technical foul for the infraction.
Wemby let his play do the talking on Tuesday night, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 126-97 Spurs win.
San Antonio now has two cracks at making the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017.
Joel Embiid linked to trade involving another All-Star center
The Philadelphia 76ers may be in the market for an All-Star big man not named Joel Embiid.
The Sixers saw their young star backcourt blossom this season. Tyrese Maxey turned into a viable first option, while VJ Edgecombe showed poise beyond what anyone would expect from a 20-year-old rookie.
Standing in the way of Philly’s next era are the gargantuan contracts of Embiid and Paul George. Embiid, in particular, is still owed nearly $111 million over the next two seasons with a $67.4 million player option for an additional year.
According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer, rival executives have been mentioning a potential Embiid trade to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, with both star centers needing fresh starts on different teams.
Fischer did describe the deal as a “longshot scenario” that may be seen as chatter more than any real trade talks. But with the 76ers firing longtime team president Daryl Morey, the team’s next decision-maker may push for a clean slate sans Embiid to begin his tenure.
Sabonis makes just shy of $50 million in each of the next two seasons, meaning the Kings would have to add some contracts back in any hypothetical deal.
Domas played just 19 games for the Kings last season due to a slew of injuries. His numbers dipped to 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists — his lowest in all three marks since the 2018-19 season. Sabonis led the league in rebounding in each of the three years prior, but has only played in one playoff series over the last seven seasons.
Former Dodgers, Red Sox standout hit with brutal news
Veteran MLB outfielder Alex Verdugo’s 2026 season is over before it even began.
Verdugo is reportedly set to undergo major shoulder surgery. According to San Diego Padres beat reporter Kevin Acee, the procedure is expected to sideline him for the rest of the year. The Padres, who signed Verdugo to a minors deal in the offseason, have decided to release him.
The 29-year-old was unable to play for the Padres or any of San Diego’s minor-league affiliates before the surgery was announced.
Outfielder Alex Verdugo has a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out the rest of the season and require surgery.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) May 12, 2026
He has been released by the Padres.
After signing a minor-league deal in March, he did not appear in any games for any affiliate.
It’s a tough break for Verdugo, who was once considered a rising star on some of MLB’s marquee franchises. He started his career as a top prospect with the Los Angeles Dodgers and later became the centerpiece in the trade to acquire Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox.
Verdugo had a tumultuous one-year stint with the New York Yankees in 2024, then played 56 games for the Atlanta Braves last season. His performance at the plate hit rock bottom in Atlanta, with a batting average of .239 and a slugging percentage (.289) lower than his on-base percentage (.296).
Verdugo did not hit a single home run in 2025 across over 200 plate appearances for the Braves. If there’s any consolation for him, the shoulder surgery may give him the mental and physical reset he needs to come back in 2027.
