May 18, 2026, 11:11 AM ET

Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober wasn't nearly as good on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers as he was his last time out on May 12, when he threw a complete-game shutout with only two hits allowed and seven strikeouts against the Miami Marlins. Ober didn't even have a quality start on Sunday in the team's 5-4 win, but he did earn his fifth win of the year by limiting the Brewers to three earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out one. The damage that the 30-year-old allowed came on long balls to outfielders Garrett Mitchell and Christian Yelich. Ober doesn't throw hard and has limited long-term fantasy upside because of his lack of swing-and-miss stuff, but you can't ignore the fact that he's given up two runs or less in four of his last six appearances for the Twins. Overall, he's 5-2 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with just 40 punchouts in 57 innings across his 10 starts. Ober is worth a look on the waiver wire -- he's rostered in just under 50% of Yahoo leagues -- and will be a streaming option in his next outing against a Boston Red Sox team that ranks second-to-last in OPS (.666).--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

May 18, 2026, 11:00 AM ET

San Diego Padres outfielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger carried the Friars' offense on Sunday as they finished off another three-game sweep of the hosting Seattle Mariners in an 8-3 win, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, and two walks to raise his season average to .262 and his OPS to .896. Both of Sheets' long balls at T-Mobile Park came off right-handed starter George Kirby. It was the second straight day that Sheets cleared the fences in Seattle, and he extended his current hitting streak to six games after starting May pretty cold offensively. During his six-game hitting streak, Sheets has gone 10-for-16 (.625) with four homers, a double, eight RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base. He continues to produce for fantasy managers with outfield and first base eligibility, and he's now slashing .262/.340/.556 with nine total home runs, 10 doubles, 21 RBI, 19 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 141 plate appearances in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:56 AM ET

Malcolm Wellmaker suffered a second-round submission loss to UFC newcomer Juan Diaz on the main card of UFC Vegas 117 on Saturday. The opening round was competitive, but the ending sequence came in the second round after Diaz took Wellmaker down. With a minute left in the second round, Diaz dragged Wellmaker down and quickly submitted him with a rear-naked choke. In 9:08 of action, Wellmaker landed 15 significant strikes. This is Wellmaker's second loss in a row, after winning 10 consecutive fights. With the loss, Wellmaker dropped to 10-2 as a pro and is now 2-2 in the UFC.--Alen Kurbasic
Source: UFC

May 18, 2026, 10:54 AM ET

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo continues to heat up offensively in May. In the team's 10-3 win at home on Sunday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, Manzardo went 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and two strikeouts to raise his season batting average to .223 and his OPS to .663. Manzardo wasn't the only Cleveland batter feeling good in the series finale, as the Guards totaled six home runs on the day. The 25-year-old Manzardo may not have gotten off to a strong start at the plate in 2026, but he has been heating up in May, hitting .295 (13-for-44) with three long balls, two doubles, a triple, nine RBI, and 12 runs scored in 14 games played across 49 plate appearances. He is now slashing .223/.301/.362 with four doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI, and 15 runs scored in his 146 plate appearances for Cleveland. Fantasy managers will want to continue to ride the left-handed-hitting first baseman while he's hot.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:46 AM ET

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is heating up at the plate and extended his hitting streak to six games in Sunday's 8-6 win over the division-rival Colorado Rockies in the thin air in Denver at Coors Field, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI, three runs scored, one walk, and two strikeouts to raise his season average to .278 and his OPS to .933. It was the 25-year-old's ninth career mult-home run game, and he now has seven home runs in his 43 games played in 2026. During his six-game hitting streak, the former National League Rookie of the Year has gone 8-for-19 (.421) with two homers, three doubles, four RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases. He's still only hitting .245 (13-for-53) in May with three homers, six RBI, 11 runs, and two stolen bases, but he's picking things up offensively. Fantasy managers have to be stoked with what they are seeing of late out of Carroll, and that he keeps it up moving forward.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:42 AM ET

Juan Diaz made a statement in his promotional debut as he scored a second-round submission victory over Malcolm Wellmaker on the main card of UFC Vegas 117 on Saturday. Once the fight hit the mat in the second round, Diaz took Wellmaker's back and was looking for a submission in the process. Not long after, Diaz sank in the rear-naked choke, finishing Wellmaker. In 9:08 of action, Diaz landed five takedowns and thirteen significant strikes. With the win, Diaz improved to 16-1-1 as a pro.--Alen Kurbasic
Source: UFC

May 18, 2026, 10:37 AM ET

New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong could be in the mix to join the starting rotation in the major leagues in the near future. Earlier this week, the Mets placed starting pitcher Clay Holmes on the 15-day injured list with a fractured fibula, which will keep him on the shelf for at least six weeks. While the team has yet to announce a replacement, the former 209th-overall pick will likely be considered a potential option. Tong was in the mix to begin the campaign in the starting rotation but was instead optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. While Tong has struggled to find consistency at Triple-A, he has often flashed immense strikeout potential, totaling 55 over a short 38-inning stint. Tong made his MLB debut late in the second half of the 2025 season but posted a high 7.71 ERA. Given the team's open role, Tong could be given a longer leash during his second stint, which makes him a solid stash option among pitching prospects.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:34 AM ET

Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Kade Anderson has fully put himself in must-stash territory, given his incredible start to his first professional campaign. Last year's No. 3 overall pick was sent to Double-A to begin his professional career and has been nothing short of incredible. With Arkansas, the southpaw has flashed incredible upside, logging 34 innings to the tune of a 1.85 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP. During this dominant start to his career, the left-hander has struck out 51 hitters while walking just five total batters. Over his first 30 frames, Anderson held a near-perfect 0.60 ERA before surrendering a season-high five runs in his most recent outing on May 15. The lone concern for Anderson is that the current MLB roster has a full rotation without a clear opening for Anderson. However, in the event of an injury, the former LSU superstar could get the call and become a must-start option for fantasy. For now, he is an elite stash option in all 12-team leagues ahead of Week 8.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:32 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has enjoyed an impressive power surge over the past week at Triple-A Memphis and is quickly climbing to the top of the stash rankings among both hitters and pitchers. Over his last six contests, the outfielder has launched four home runs while swiping one base. Overall, Baz has shown high-end power and speed upside during his first look at the Triple-A level, going deep 11 times and swiping seven bags over a short 39-game stint. However, the No. 76-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com has struggled to produce consistently, posting a low .232/.304/.497 slash line. While Baez was under consideration to break camp with the MLB roster, his recent power surge could push their hand in the immediate future. Given his recent surge at the dish, managers should view Baez as a priority stash option in all category formats ahead of Week 8 of the fantasy season.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:26 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan has seen his stash value skyrocket over the past week. Not only has Ryan returned from a lengthy stint on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A, but he now has a clear path to a role on the MLB roster. Blake Snell recently joined Tyler Glasnow on the injured list, leaving a clear role for Ryan on the big-league roster. In his first start at Triple-A in nearly a month, the right-hander looked quite comfortable, logging four innings of one-run ball with two hits, one walk, and four punchouts. He made his MLB debut during the 2024 campaign and posted a stellar 1.33 ERA over 20 1/3 innings. However, after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Ryan was on the shelf for the entirety of the 2025 season. With him back to full strength and two open spots in the rotation, Ryan has quickly entered must-stash territory in all standard leagues, as a return to Los Angeles could come in the immediate future.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:25 AM ET

Christian Edwards suffered a split decision loss to Modestas Bukauskas on the main card of UFC Vegas 117 on Saturday. Edwards was successful with the clinch game in the first and third rounds. The first and the third rounds were extremely close, but the second clearly went to Bukauskas. In the end, the judges scored the fight 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 in favor of Bukauskas. In 15 minutes of action, Edwards landed 36 significant strikes. --Alen Kurbasic
Source: UFC

May 18, 2026, 10:24 AM ET

Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara has enjoyed a dominant start to the Triple-A campaign and is quickly knocking on the MLB door. Lara is considered the team's No. 11-ranked prospect on MLB.com and was not given much consideration to begin the regular season with the MLB roster during spring training. In 2025, he spent his entire campaign with Double-A, but his production soared during his first stint with Triple-A Nashville. With the Sounds, the outfielder has posted a dominant .335/.449/.510 slash line with a .919 OPS. During this 42-game stint, Lara has launched seven home runs and swiped 16 bags. His seven long balls have already set a career high. With his raw power slowly growing, Lara could be in the mix to debut in the majors in the coming weeks and holds solid stash upside in all 12+ team formats.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:21 AM ET

Seattle Mariners infield prospect Colt Emerson was recently promoted to the MLB roster ahead of Sunday night's contest and is set to become the primary third baseman with Brendan Donovan on the shelf. In his MLB debut on Sunday night, Emerson was placed in the nine-hole and scored one run and drew a walk while going 0-for-2 at the dish. Emerson was in contention to break camp with the MLB roster but was instead optioned to the top club in the Seattle system to put the finishing touches on his development. Through his first 38 games with Tacoma this summer, Emerson has posted a strong .255/.347/.469 slash line with eight doubles, seven home runs, and 10 stolen bases. However, since the start of May, Emerson has seen his production soar, posting a .288 AVG and .840 OPS. While it may take the team's No. 1-ranked prospect time to adjust to MLB pitching, he should be given nearly an everyday role, which makes him a priority target in all standard leagues ahead of Week 8, given his five-category skill set.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

May 18, 2026, 10:12 AM ET

Former Tulane running back Arnold Barnes, who remains in the transfer portal, is visiting Iowa State on Monday, according to On3. The rising senior spent the last three seasons in New Orleans, rushing 34 times for 757 yards and six touchdowns in 34 games. The Cyclones have seen massive roster turnover this offseason after the departure of former head coach Matt Campbell, and could have as many as 11 new starters on offense. If Barnes lands with Iowa State, he's likely to compete with fellow transfers Cameron Pettaway (Bowling Green) and Salahadin Allah (Oregon State) for touches in Tyler Roehl's offense.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: On3

May 18, 2026, 10:09 AM ET

Modestas Bukauskas returned to the win column by defeating Christian Edwards via split decision on the main card of UFC Vegas 117 on Saturday. It was an extremely close fight, but in the end, the two judges scored the fight in favor of Bukauskas, while one judge saw Edwards as the winner. The first and the third rounds were extremely close, while the Bukauskas clearly won the second round. In 15 minutes of action, Bukauskas landed 36 significant strikes. With the win, Bukauskas improved to 20-7 as a pro and is now 8-5 in the UFC.--Alen Kurbasic
Source: UFC

May 18, 2026, 10:03 AM ET

Washington Nationals 29-year-old right-hander Gus Varland is having a decent 2026 season with a 4.32 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with four saves in six save opportunities to go along with five holds on the season. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Varland is not always used late in games solely to close; at times, he has been deployed in higher-leverage situations in the eighth or seventh inning rather than guaranteed the ninth inning with the lead on the line. Varland has never been in situations where he has closed out games in his three-year MLB career, and if he hopes to keep the role, he needs to pitch a bit better and allow fewer base runners, evident by his high WHIP. All that said, during a season when Riley O'Brien is leading MLB in save opportunities, injuries, and underperforming closers, saves have been hard to come by in category leagues. In deeper fantasy leagues, Varland should be viewed as the top option in Washington and an add in deeper formats.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

May 18, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

As a second-round pick with an easy-to-root-for story, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech was a popular early pick in 2025 dynasty rookie drafts, but his first-year production was terribly disappointing. In a Raiders offense that saw number one receiver Jakobi Meyers traded away after Week 9 and All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers either slowed or sidelined by injury for much of the year, Bech mustered up only 224 yards on 20 catches and failed to find the end zone. He finished eighth in total targets for a team that signed a 33-year-old Tyler Lockett off the street partway through the season. Working in Bech's favor is a lack of competition from what remains one of the league's weakest receiver rooms, along with expectations for the offense to take a massive step forward under new head coach Klint Kubiak. The Raiders invested heavily in the offensive line and spent the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on quarterback Fernando Mendoza. When healthy, Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty will remain the unquestioned lynchpins of the offense, but if Bech can beat out Tre Tucker for a reliable tertiary pass-catching role, he could offer a usable fantasy floor. At only 23 years old, he is RotoBaller's dynasty WR80.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 18, 2026, 9:52 AM ET

New York Yankees 25-year-old shortstop Anthony Volpe returned to the Yankees lineup on May 13 after Jose Caballero (finger) landed on the 10-day injured list on May 12. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has come out and stated that Caballero is expected to reclaim the team's starting shortstop job when he returns, making Volpe a fill-in shortstop for the time being, and probably not someone fantasy managers should be spending a ton of FAAB on. Volpe has had his opportunities to be the Yankees' shortstop, and has underwhelmed overall with a .222/.285/.378 slash line with 52 home runs, 195 RBI, and 218 runs scored through four MLB seasons. Additionally, Volpe is considered one of the worst shortstops in the game with a negative six Range (OAA) fielding, which ranks in the 8th percentile. That said, Volpe is a former first-round pick and, at one point, did have the prospect pedigree, but unless he flips a switch quickly, it appears his time in the Bronx may be coming to an end. From a fantasy standpoint, he does not appear to be the team's preferred shortstop option in 2026 when everyone is healthy.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

May 18, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue did very little in his first professional season after the team selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. A healthy scratch in 12 games, he totaled only 129 rushing yards as a rookie on a 3.4-yard per carry average, and yet he remains a dynasty hold in all but the shallowest of leagues. With the Cowboys largely focused on defense in what was a weak 2026 NFL Draft for running backs, Blue finds himself in competition with only Malik Davis and 2025 seventh-round pick Phil Mafah for the primary backup spot behind Javonte Williams. With the team committing $16 million in guaranteed money to Williams as part of the three-year extension he signed this offseason, it's evident that he is viewed as a true bellcow, but his injury history brings added value to whoever can earn the backup job. On talent alone, Blue should have an advantage, but Davis looked serviceable in his limited opportunities in 2025, averaging almost five yards per carry and topping 100 yards when given the bulk of the work in a Week 17 win over the Commanders. At RotoBaller's dynasty RB68, Blue is unlikely to make a meaningful fantasy impact, but at only 22 years old and offering an element of speed not possessed by any other back on the roster, he's at least worth holding through training camp in hopes that a pecking order becomes more clearly defined.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 18, 2026, 9:42 AM ET

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on May 26, and if all goes well, he is tentatively slated to return to the Reds' rotation in July, most likely after the All-Star break. Greene underwent surgery in mid-March to remove bone chips in his right elbow. From a fantasy standpoint, Greene could be a potential league winner down the stretch, as he was being drafted (prior to the injury in March) as a top-20 starting pitcher in most fantasy formats. Through four MLB seasons, he has a career 3.65 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, and has improved every season since his first call-up in 2022. Greene profiles with one of, if not the best, four-seamers in the game, a 99.5 mph average fastball velocity (99th percentile), and elite swing and miss stuff. His four-seamer is right up there with Jacob Misiorowski as one of the best in the game. Fantasy managers with an open IL spot who see Hunter Greene on their waiver wire should look to add him now, before his hype increases through July. Additionally, fantasy teams that are comfortably at the top of their leagues may want to look to buy low on Greene now if the team that has him is struggling or needs production immediately.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

May 18, 2026, 9:36 AM ET

When the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, it all but confirmed that A.J. Brown had played his last game with the team. With a trade of the three-time Pro Bowler expected in early June, Lemon is the most exciting new piece in an Eagles receiver room that was rebuilt on the fly. Philadelphia added Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks prior to the draft and spent a second-round selection on Eli Stowers, a tight end with a wide receiver skill set, ensuring there would be no lack of depth joining incumbent DeVonta Smith. Even with recent rumors suggesting that New England's Kayshon Boutte could be part of Philadelphia's return in the Brown trade, it will undoubtedly be Lemon who most often takes the field with Smith in two-receiver sets. Former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion takes over as the Eagles' offensive coordinator in 2026. With this being his first year in the position, his tendencies are not yet known, but Lemon is a natural target-earner who should become an early favorite of Jalen Hurts. At RotoBaller's rookie WR3, he is well worth a top-five pick in superflex rookie drafts, and he could make an immediate impact, even from a crowded room.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 18, 2026, 9:32 AM ET

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Sean Burke has a 4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts through 48 1/3 innings pitched on the season. While the strikeout rate per nine is not all that impressive, his ratios in the ERA and WHIP categories can be useful in deeper leagues, especially when he has matchups that aren't all that daunting. In Week 9, he lines up to pitch in Seattle to take on the Mariners on Wednesday, which is a solid matchup, especially with the Mariners missing two of their top four hitters in the lineup, Cal Raleigh (oblique) and Brendan Donovan (groin). Burke has made up for his lack of strikeouts with elite control (5.4 percent, 91st percentile), which has helped keep his WHIP ratio serviceable in fantasy. With a lot of pitching injuries happening, it never hurts to have depth at the position, and Burke is a name worth adding to give you decent ratios.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

May 18, 2026, 9:26 AM ET

When healthy, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) remains among the truly elite fantasy difference-makers at the position. On a per-game basis, Kittle was 2025's TE4, finishing almost two Half-PPR points per game higher than the TE5. Unfortunately, he missed five games with a hamstring injury, and his season ended in a Wild Card win over the Eagles with a devastating Achilles tear that threatens his availability for the start of the 2026 season. All reports have suggested that his recovery is going smoothly, but with San Francisco's opening game coming only eight months after the initial injury, it's unlikely Kittle will be ready to go in Week 1, and at 32 years old, he's fallen all the way to RotoBaller's dynasty TE14. At that cost, he has become a screaming buy for contending managers, as he should be close to full health by the fantasy playoffs, and even at 80%, Kittle is capable of putting up week-winning performances in an offense that has long supported multiple fantasy stars.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 18, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Sports Columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Noah Hiles, reported on Monday morning that Jhostynxon Garcia is expected to join the Pirates on Tuesday in St. Louis. "The Password" is heading to the major leagues. Garcia is a 23-year-old right-handed hitter and the Pirates' No. 5-ranked prospect in their organization. The Pirates acquired him via trade in December of 2025 from Boston. So far in 2026, Garcia is slashing .242/.291/.463 with six home runs, 15 runs scored, 13 RBI, and no stolen bases. His BB/K ratio sits at 0.25. Last season, which spanned Double-A and Triple-A, Garcia slashed .267/.340/.470. Garcia projects well within the Pirates organization; however, from a fantasy standpoint, he is more of a wait-and-see prospect than a must-add. Garcia figures to work in right field to replace Jared Triolo or Jake Mangum from time to time. Garcia profiles elite raw power and high exit velocities to go with a strong arm in the outfield.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Noah Hiles

May 18, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. signed a two-year, $10 million deal in the opening days of free agency to reunite with head coach Liam Coen, who coached the offense for one year at Kentucky during Rodriguez's most productive collegiate season. With the departure of Travis Etienne Jr. opening up more than 300 opportunities from 2025, the expectation is that Rodriguez will split time with 2025 fourth-round pick Bhayshul Tuten at the top of a running back committee. Having never seen more than four targets in a season, Rodriguez will likely leave the bulk of the receiving work to Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., with contributions from Ameer Abdullah, but he should still find fantasy value through early down and goal line work. Last season, in a similarly ambiguous backfield in Washington, Rodriguez led the team in red zone and goal line carries, despite missing four games with a handful of injuries and ailments. His six touchdowns from Week 7 on helped to make him the team's most fantasy-relevant running back over the second half of the season. With Jacksonville's offense clicking immediately in year one under Coen, the Jaguars saw 109 total carries from within the 20-yard line to Washington's 89, with Etienne personally responsible for nearly half. At 26 years old and slotting in at RotoBaller's dynasty RB46, Rodriguez has legitimate sleeper potential as a back who could find plenty of scoring opportunities in an offense that again projects to spend a lot of time in plus territory.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 18, 2026, 8:50 AM ET

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris recorded five points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in Sunday's 125-94 Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He missed all six of his field-goal attempts but went 5-for-6 at the line, finishing the night without a made shot from the floor. Harris averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during the regular season, so the empty shooting line was a costly finish to his postseason run. With Detroit's offense sputtering badly in the closeout game, Harris offered only modest fantasy value through the peripheral stats.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

May 18, 2026, 8:42 AM ET

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes said he is "definitely open" to signing a contract extension in the offseason, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reports. Hughes will finish a six-year, $47.1 million contract at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, and Minnesota will want to lock him up with a new deal after acquiring him from the Vancouver Canucks in December. The 26-year-old proved to be a great fit in Minnesota, amassing 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 48 regular-season games. He added 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 11 postseason outings. Since his debut campaign in 2019-20, Hughes has been among the most productive defensemen in the league and will aim for a fifth consecutive 70-point campaign next season.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Greg Wyshynski

May 18, 2026, 8:40 AM ET

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren produced seven points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in Sunday's 125-94 Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 22-year-old went 3-for-7 from the field and 1-for-2 at the line as Detroit's season ended in the second round. Duren had posted 15 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and one steal in Game 6, so the muted closeout line was a frustrating fantasy finish after a strong campaign. He averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists during the regular season, keeping his long-term value pointed up despite the postseason exit.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

May 18, 2026, 8:32 AM ET

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham amassed 13 points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals in Sunday's 125-94 Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 24-year-old shot 5-for-16 from the field and 3-for-3 at the free-throw line while missing all seven of his attempts from beyond the arc. It was a rough finish to a strong campaign after Cunningham averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 9.9 assists during the regular season. His playmaking floor remains excellent, but the cold perimeter shooting left Detroit without enough offense in the closeout loss.--Brian Dailisan
Source: NBA

May 18, 2026, 8:28 AM ET

Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek couldn't play in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Colorado due to a heel injury. He broke the heel bone in his right foot during Minnesota's series-clinching Game 6 victory over Dallas in the first round. Although Eriksson Ek took part in the morning skate ahead of Game 3, his return doesn't appear to have been on the cards against Colorado. "You want to play," Eriksson Ek said. "I just couldn't do it. Too painful to skate." The Swedish forward also missed 12 regular-season games this year, finishing with 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists). Eriksson Ek is a strong fantasy contributor when healthy and will remain a core piece of the Wild offense in 2026-27.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN