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Karl-Anthony Towns Records Double-Double in Game 2 Win
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 18 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, and three three-pointers in Thursday's 109-93 Game 2 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 30-year-old shot 7-for-12 from the field and 1-for-2 at the line, giving New York an efficient inside-out counter while Jalen Brunson shifted into facilitator mode. Towns also finished plus-18 over 36 minutes, a solid response after a quieter Game 1. With Josh Hart scoring 26 and Brunson handing out 14 assists, Towns did not need heavy usage to carry fantasy value through rebounds, efficiency, and floor spacing.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Sebastian Aho Picks Up an Assist in Series-Opening Loss
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho delivered one assist in Thursday's 6-2 Game 1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals. Coming off an 11-day break, the Hurricanes' top line showed no rust at the start of the game as Aho and Andrei Svechnikov set up Seth Jarvis for the opening goal. However, eight minutes later, the Hurricanes were already down 3-1 and couldn't avoid their first postseason loss of the year. Despite the team's dominance, Aho has not been very productive in the playoffs. He has five points (three goals, two assists) in nine games, going scoreless five times. Based on what we saw in Game 1, Carolina will be in major trouble in the series if the team's top centerman can't improve his offensive production.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mikal Bridges Adds 19 Points as Knicks Grab 2-0 Lead
New York Knicks guard/forward Mikal Bridges scored 19 points on a tidy 9-for-12 from the field in Thursday's 109-93 Game 2 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, adding three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a corner three that pushed the lead back to 13 in the fourth. The former Net rarely needed more than a clean look, converting at the kind of clip that justified the trade haul New York gave up for him. He didn't lean on volume from deep, taking just a handful of attempts after a season spent ironing out a shooting hitch that surfaced in the preseason. Bridges has settled into a steady two-way role behind Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, and nights like this keep him a dependable source of points and steals without the boom-or-bust threes that drag his floor.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jalen Brunson Hands Out 14 Assists in Game 2 Win
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson tallied 19 points, three rebounds, 14 assists, and one three-pointer in Thursday's 109-93 Game 2 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 29-year-old shot 7-for-16 from the field and 4-for-4 at the line, trading his usual scoring-heavy profile for a playoff career-high assist total as Cleveland sent extra attention his way. Josh Hart turned those openings into 26 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns posted an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double. Through two games of the series, Brunson is averaging 28.5 points and 10.0 assists, giving him a useful floor even when the shot volume dips.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Seth Jarvis Needs 33 Seconds to Score in Game 1 Loss
Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis scored only his second postseason goal of the year on Thursday, opening the scoring 33 seconds into Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. This is the third-fastest postseason goal in franchise history. Unfortunately for Jarvis and the Hurricanes, Montreal answered with four goals in the first period and won 6-2. While Carolina cruised into the Conference Finals with back-to-back sweeps, Jarvis has not had much fun in these playoffs. He has been limited to five points (two goals, three assists) in nine games. The Canadiens look ready to go toe-to-toe with Carolina, so Jarvis' improved play would be a welcome boost to the team.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Hart Erupts for Playoff Career-High 26 Points in Game 2
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart scored a playoff career-high 26 points in Thursday's 109-93 Game 2 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, burning a defense that had been daring him to shoot. The 30-year-old went 10-for-21 from the field and a scorching 5-for-11 from deep, adding seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals. It was a sharp turnaround after Game 1, when Hart was benched down the stretch amid a 26.7 percent slump from three. Cleveland left him open by design again, and this time he made them pay. With Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns all scoring in double figures, Hart's three-point variance is the swing factor in his line. The threes won't always fall like this, but the assists, boards, and steals keep his floor steady as New York heads to Cleveland up 2-0.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jaccob Slavin Struggles in Game 1 Against Canadiens
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin had a nightmare in Thursday's Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens, finishing a 6-2 home loss with a minus-four rating. He was on the ice for three of Montreal's four first-period goals. "Personally, I think I handed them the game," Slavin said postgame. "I've got to be better." This was only the second time the 11-year veteran finished a game at minus-three or worse. Slavin is widely regarded as one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL and holds a plus-175 rating through 784 career regular-season games. He is plus-40 in 95 playoff outings. For this postseason, Slavin had an even rating before Thursday's game. He's averaged 2.11 blocks per game, but his offensive output has been limited to one assist in nine contests.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jakub Dobes Sharp in Game 1 Victory
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes kicked off the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes with a strong performance, recording 25 saves with a .926 save percentage in a 6-2 win. Seth Jarvis beat Dobes with just 33 seconds played in the first period, but he rebounded well from the early setback. Montreal's offense, which erupted for four first-period goals, also played a major role in the series opener. Dobes is now 9-6 this postseason -- only 10 rookie netminders have had more wins in a playoff year. The 24-year-old holds a 2.48 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cole Caufield Bags Two Points in Impressive Road Win
Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield posted his third multi-point game of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, tallying a goal and an assist in a 6-2 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes scored just 33 seconds into the game, but Caufield answered right back at the 1:00 mark. He later assisted Juraj Slafkovsky on Montreal's fifth goal in the third period. This game saw Caufield notch twice as many even-strength points as he had in all previous postseason games combined. The Hurricanes have allowed only two power-play goals in the playoffs, so Caufield's even-strength play will be critical for Montreal in the Conference Finals. After a huge 51-goal, 88-point regular season, Caufield has struggled to generate offense in the postseason. With 15 games played, he has contributed five goals and six assists.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Juraj Slafkovsky Opens Conference Finals With Three-Point Performance
Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky made his mark with two goals and one assist in a 6-2 Game 1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. He set up Cole Caufield in the first period and produced two third-period goals, including an empty-netter. Finally, Slafkovsky didn't need the power play to make an impact. Entering Thursday's action, the 22-year-old had only one even-strength point this postseason. With Carolina's penalty kill at 95.2%, getting Slafkovsky to score at even strength is huge for Montreal. He has tallied six goals and six assists in 15 games during the team's playoff run.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nick Suzuki Notches Three Assists in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes
Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki collected three assists in Thursday's big 6-2 road win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. He had his first helper just a minute into the game and added two more in the final frame. This was a historic outing for Suzuki, who now holds the longest postseason-opening road point streak in franchise history at nine games. The Canadiens captain will have a chance to match the league record in Game 2. With Suzuki picking up points for fun on the road, he has taken over the postseason scoring lead on his team, bagging 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 15 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryan Torres Gets Called up to the Big Leagues
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Bryan Torres is expected to get the call to the big leagues ahead of Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Torres is set to join the Major League roster, with Nathan Church (lower body) heading to the Injured List. Torres is well deserving of a call-up after crushing the ball in Triple-A. The 28-year-old is slashing .336/.454/.477 with two home runs and 16 RBI this season in Triple-A. He has also stolen 10 bases, so he can do a little bit of everything. Torres is someone to keep an eye on in deep leagues, assuming he can translate the skills from Triple-A to The Show.
Source: Jeff Jones
Source: Jeff Jones
Brenton Doyle Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Contusion
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday, retroactive to May 20. Doyle suffered a left oblique contusion while attempting to make a diving play during Tuesday's game. The Rockies tried to take it day-to-day, but Doyle will need an extended period of time to recover. In a corresponding move, infielder Chad Stevens has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to take his place on the active roster. The expectation is that Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy will see increased playing time in center field while Doyle is sidelined.
Source: Rockies PR
Source: Rockies PR
Gage Wood to Make Double-A Debut on Friday, Could See Late-Season Call-Up
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Gage Wood has received the call-up to Double-A Reading. The right-hander is set to make his debut with Double-A on Friday. He earned the promotion after posting a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 40:12 K:BB ratio across eight starts in Low-A Clearwater this season. Wood was the Phillies' first-round pick from the 2025 Draft and could be on the fast track to Philly. Given the Phillies' lack of viable pitching depth, Wood making his MLB debut this season shouldn't be ruled out. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should keep an eye on Wood as the season goes on. He could be a possible call-up candidate if he continues having this kind of success going forward.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Jeff Hoffman Earns Fourth Save, Worth Picking up?
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman was tasked with shutting down the New York Yankees on Thursday. The right-hander was handed the ball with a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Hoffman has been working in a setup role since being pulled from the closer gig earlier in the season. The Jays gave him a chance to prove himself on Thursday, and Hoffman delivered. Hoffman tossed a scoreless inning, while striking out two batters to earn his fourth save of the season. The right-hander could slowly be earning his way back into the closer role going forward. He could be worth an add in deep leagues as he gains more trust in the Jays pen.
Source: mlb
Source: mlb
Tarik Skubal Trade Likelihood is on the Rise
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (elbow) could be on his way out of town sooner rather than later. It's almost certain at this point that Skubal is going to test free agency this winter. The chances of the southpaw getting moved are rising with the Tigers falling in the standings. The Tigers have lost 14 of their last 16 games and are currently five games out of the Wild Card, while sitting in last place in their division. Skubal appears to be making good progress and could return to the mound sooner than expected. The southpaw is currently recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. His eventual return is good for the Tigers, but is unlikely to shift the direction of this team, with Detroit having a handful of pitchers on the Injured List. It could be in the best interest of the organization to trade Skubal for whatever they can get before he leaves in free agency after the season.
Source: Jon Heyman
Source: Jon Heyman
Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (thumb) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Miami Marlins. Acuna exited the game in the sixth inning due to a bone bruise on his left thumb. He suffered the injury while making a catch earlier in the contest. Before leaving the game, Acuna went 2-for-3 at the plate with two singles and two RBI. He already underwent X-rays, which came back negative. Acuna has been pushing to return to the lineup for Friday's game against the Washington Nationals. Fantasy managers should consider Acuna day-to-day. There's a chance that the superstar outfielder is back in the lineup on Friday, so fantasy managers should check back ahead of that contest.
Source: Grant McAuley
Source: Grant McAuley
Jrue Holiday Wants to Stay in Portland
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday is happy with his current situation and wants to remain with the team, Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports. "I hope so. I don't like being traded and moved and stuff," Holiday said about remaining in Portland. "I like being a part of something and building with the team and seeing the progress and going through the progress with them. So I hope so. I'd love to be here." After spending seven years in New Orleans, Holiday has suited up for three different teams this decade. His fantasy stock improved with his move to Portland, as Holiday averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 29.4 minutes per game this season. Compared with his time in Boston, he had a much larger offensive role. Holiday, who will be 36 in June, has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $135 million contract.
Source: Joe Freeman
Source: Joe Freeman
Timberwolves Hope to Bring Back Ayo Dosunmu
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu will enter unrestricted free agency this summer, but the team hopes to bring him back, The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski reports. "Ayo's our most important free agent," Timberwolves president Tim Connelly told reporters on Tuesday. "He's a guy we thought we knew pretty well and we liked him from afar. Now seeing him day to day, we love him." The Timberwolves picked up Dosunmu in a trade with the Chicago Bulls in February. He was a great fit for the team, averaging 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in 28.9 minutes per game. Dosunmu's playoff run with Minnesota included a 43-point effort in Game 4 against Denver in the opening round. The 26-year-old has proven himself as a versatile fantasy contributor and still has room to develop as a player.
Source: Jon Krawczynski
Source: Jon Krawczynski
Dylan Harper Considered Questionable for Friday Night
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (adductor) is questionable for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Harper couldn't finish Game 2 due to what was reported as a right leg injury, but he is listed on the injury report with right adductor soreness. De'Aaron Fox (ankle) is also questionable for Friday's contest. If he's cleared for action, Fox would reclaim his starting spot from Harper. However, if both players are out, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson will have some thinking to do. Keldon Johnson is the prime candidate to step into the starting unit, while the backcourt injuries have given Jordan McLaughlin a spot in the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
De'Aaron Fox Listed as Questionable for Game 3
San Antonio Spurs point guard De'Aaron Fox (ankle) is listed as questionable for Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Fox was also questionable for Games 1 and 2 and didn't suit up for either. According to Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, the two-time All-Star is dealing with an ankle injury that he wouldn't be playing with in the regular season. Given he had played through the injury during the postseason, it was a surprise that Fox wasn't in the lineup for the Western Conference Finals opener. Now, he's looking at a third consecutive absence. To make matters worse for the Spurs, the backcourt also lost Dylan Harper (adductor) in Game 2 against the Thunder.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Williams Questionable for Game 3 Against Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) has been officially listed as questionable for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. In Game 2, Williams was limited to seven minutes, exiting the action due to left hamstring tightness. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Williams is considered day-to-day. Fortunately, it appears Williams has avoided a major injury, but it looks likely he will miss at least one or two games. Due to Williams' hamstring issues, the Thunder have used Ajay Mitchell as a starter in the postseason, boosting his fantasy appeal. However, Cason Wallace was trusted with a starting role in the second half of Game 2 against San Antonio on Wednesday night.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Alex Tuch Hopes to Remain in Buffalo
Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch hopes to stay with the team, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. Tuch is a pending unrestricted free agent and is likely to have several suitors if he hits the open market. The 30-year-old has been eligible to sign an extension with Buffalo since last summer, but talks on a new deal haven't progressed yet. In 2025-25, Tuch was second on his team in goals (33) and third in points (66) in 79 regular-season games. However, he hit a wall during the playoffs, going scoreless in the entire seven-game Round 2 series against Montreal. Tuch finished the postseason with seven points (three goals, four assists) in 13 games. He's still in his prime at 30 years old and should be good for 60-70 points again next season.
Source: Heather Engel
Source: Heather Engel
Sidney Crosby Wants to Play for "as Many Years as Possible"
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is not thinking about retirement after his 21st NHL campaign, Josh Yohe of the Athletic reports. "I definitely want to keep playing for as many years as possible," Crosby told Yohe. He even said it "would be nice" to play for five more years. Crosby has a contract with the Penguins through the 2027 offseason. When it ends, he's ready to take one-year deals to give the team more flexibility in building the roster. Crosby will turn 39 a couple of months before the 2026-27 season kicks off. His game has aged exceptionally well, as he averaged 1.09 points this season, keeping him among the NHL's most productive players.
Source: Josh Yohe
Source: Josh Yohe
Troy Terry Could Miss Start of Next Season Due to Hip Surgery
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (hip) might not be available at the start of the next season. On Thursday, the team announced that Terry needs surgery to repair chronic hip impingement. Terry regularly skipped morning skates during the postseason, and now we know why. Impressively, the 28-year-old was still among Anaheim's top scorers, with 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 12 games. In the regular season, Terry posted his fifth consecutive 50-point campaign, scoring 19 goals and delivering 38 assists in 61 outings. At the start of the calendar year, he had a couple of stints on the sidelines due to upper-body injuries.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Arber Xhekaj Scratched for Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch on Thursday for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sportsnet's Eric Engels reports. Xhekaj played in all seven games in Round 2 against Buffalo, even scoring a goal in Game 6. But he is expected to make way for Jayden Struble on Thursday. Struble was a regular in the lineup at the start of the postseason but didn't get a look in Round 2. He has recorded 21 hits, three SOG, and a plus-three rating in seven playoff games but is still looking for his first point. The 24-year-old has averaged 10:46 of ice time, limiting his opportunities to make an impact on the offensive end.
Source: Eric Engels
Source: Eric Engels
Jakub Dobes Seeks More Success Against Hurricanes
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes went an impressive 3-0-0 against the Carolina Hurricanes during the regular season, giving his team hope of staying competitive in the Eastern Conference Finals. Dobes' first start of 2026 was a 7-5 road win over Carolina, and he collected two more victories against them in a space of five days in late March. The 24-year-old produced a 2.67 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in the matchup during the regular season. In the playoffs, Dobes has yet to lose back-to-back starts, going 8-6 through the first two rounds. For some reason, he tends to play better on the road, winning six of eight away outings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Frederik Andersen Looks to Stay Undefeated Thursday
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen will put his perfect 8-0 record on the line in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. The Danish veteran has been exceptional in these playoffs, allowing only 1.12 goals and producing a .950 save percentage with two shutouts. He has helped the Hurricanes to back-to-back sweeps and can become only the ninth goaltender in NHL history to record a nine-game winning streak during the postseason. However, to reach the special achievement, Andersen must perform much better against Montreal than he did in the regular season. He dropped both of his starts against them, posting a .806 save percentage.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pirates Promoting Esmerlyn Valdez, Viewed as Priority Waiver-Wire Target?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting outfielder/first baseman Esmerlyn Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, a source told Pirates insider Jason Mackey. In a corresponding move, the team optioned outfielder Billy Cook to Indy. The 22-year-old is considered Pittsburgh's No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and the Dominican should have an opportunity to play alongside fellow outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia in right field with Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) currently on the injured list. Valdez will receive his first major-league call-up after hitting .253/.381/.506 with an .888 OPS, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 46 games across 194 plate appearances at Triple-A. The 6-foot-2, 234-pound right-handed hitter has intriguing raw power and has matured as a hitter this year on the farm to lower his swing-and-miss and chase rate. Because Valdez will most likely be in a platoon against left-handed pitchers, fantasy managers shouldn't overspend to roster him in mixed leagues in his first taste of the major leagues.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
Trent Grisham Out on Thursday With Knee Injury
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (knee) is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series finale in the Bronx against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, according to MLB.com. Rookie Spencer Jones will make the start in center field and will hit sixth against Blue Jays right-hander Braydon Fisher. Grisham injured his knee early in Wednesday's game against Toronto while running out a double, and he'll take a seat a day later in the series finale. It's unclear how serious the left-handed-hitting outfielder's injury is, but apparently, he's optimistic that he won't need to go on the injured list. The 29-year-old former first-rounder in 2015 by the Milwaukee Brewers had the best year of his career in 2025 in his second year with the Yankees, slashing .235/.348/.464 with an .811 OPS, 34 home runs, and 74 RBI in 143 regular-season games, but that's looking more like an outlier. Grisham currently has a .174 average (27-for-155) with six homers and 27 RBI, although he's sporting a nice 30:35 BB:K in 187 plate appearances. UPDATE: Imaging on Grisham's left knee came back clean on Thursday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
