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Biggest NBA Playoffs Concerns for Contenders Outside OKC | Deadspin.com Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Now that the NBA playoffs are upon us, I think we can all agree on one thing.San Antonio plays Boston in the finals. Amirite?Defending champ Oklahoma City has the added burden of attacking history in its quest to repeat. As good as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is, and as oppressive as their defense, the Thunder would be the first team to repeat since the Kevin Durant-Steph Curry-Steve Kerr Golden State Warriors in 2017-18.Not that OKC will be an early out. A group that has been together as long as the Thunder has the innate advantage of knowing who’s who and what’s what.Some others, not as much.Houston, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers will enter the playoffs with a new core group, which does not necessarily bode well for a long run.Let’s start with Houston.The Rockets have won six straight, and it is not inconceivable that they play their way into the No. 3 seed in the West given Luka Doncic’s injury and a relatively light remaining schedule.Coach Ime Udoka deserves a lot of credit in remodeling his group. With Oklahoma City on top in the West and San Antonio closing fast, the Rockets built back better this summer by acquiring Durant to be the premier scoring threat.Yet as Robbie Burns noted, the best laid schemes of mice and men “gang aft agley,” and Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury gang-aft-agley-ed the team into a world without a true facilitator.The Rockets did what they had to do. They pounded the glass and accentuated their height and physicality behind Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, pre-injury Steven Adams. Athletic, bouncy 6-foot-7 guard Amen Thompson was often their smallest starter.Houston leads the league in rebounding and offensive rebounding but is in the lower third in assists and turnovers, which goes directly to inefficient guard play. They are 8-2 since 6-2 guard Reed Sheppard entered the starting lineup on March 20, but the playoffs will provide a different challenge.CavsCleveland made a major win-now move when it acquired James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline. The question remains which Harden they received, the Hall of Fame scorer or the Hall of Fame distributor. He has done both.Early signs are promising. Harden seems to have modified his game for the better since joining the Cavaliers, as both his scoring average and shots per game have dropped.Harden has made the playoffs in each of his 17 seasons, but close-out games have been an issue.Maybe Harden has been asked to do too much, but his team is only 3-4 in Game 7s and he has shot 35.5%. He had nine points in the 76ers’ second-round loss to Boston in 2023 and seven points in the Clippers’ first-round loss to Denver a year ago.His team has not made it out of the second round since the Rockets fell to Golden State in the 2018 West finals. The Cavs remain reliant on ball movement and outside shooting, and they need Harden to do both.Lakers The Lakers have had a strong year thanks to Doncic, but his left hamstring injury casts a pall. When will he return? Will he be the same guy? Will the injury recur? Why did he go to Europe for treatment?The Lakers win with offense. They lead the league in field goal percentage behind the three-headed attack of Doncic (33.5 points, 47.6%), Austin Reeves (23.3 points, 49.0%) and LeBron James (20.8 points, 51.2%).Even a short-term loss of Doncic would be problematic because the Lakers do not defend well. Opponents shoot 48.4 percent from the floor, and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton still has trouble navigating the pick-and-roll and is not a physical presence inside.Teenager Cooper Flagg dropped 45 and a near triple-double in Dallas’ victory over the Lakers on Sunday, not a good sign. #Biggest #NBA #Playoffs #Concerns #Contenders #OKC #Deadspin.com

Biggest NBA Playoffs Concerns for Contenders Outside OKC | Deadspin.com
Biggest NBA Playoffs Concerns for Contenders Outside OKC | Deadspin.com Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Now that the NBA playoffs are upon us, I think we can all agree on one thing.San Antonio plays Boston in the finals. Amirite?Defending champ Oklahoma City has the added burden of attacking history in its quest to repeat. As good as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is, and as oppressive as their defense, the Thunder would be the first team to repeat since the Kevin Durant-Steph Curry-Steve Kerr Golden State Warriors in 2017-18.Not that OKC will be an early out. A group that has been together as long as the Thunder has the innate advantage of knowing who’s who and what’s what.Some others, not as much.Houston, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers will enter the playoffs with a new core group, which does not necessarily bode well for a long run.Let’s start with Houston.The Rockets have won six straight, and it is not inconceivable that they play their way into the No. 3 seed in the West given Luka Doncic’s injury and a relatively light remaining schedule.Coach Ime Udoka deserves a lot of credit in remodeling his group. With Oklahoma City on top in the West and San Antonio closing fast, the Rockets built back better this summer by acquiring Durant to be the premier scoring threat.Yet as Robbie Burns noted, the best laid schemes of mice and men “gang aft agley,” and Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury gang-aft-agley-ed the team into a world without a true facilitator.The Rockets did what they had to do. They pounded the glass and accentuated their height and physicality behind Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, pre-injury Steven Adams. Athletic, bouncy 6-foot-7 guard Amen Thompson was often their smallest starter.Houston leads the league in rebounding and offensive rebounding but is in the lower third in assists and turnovers, which goes directly to inefficient guard play. They are 8-2 since 6-2 guard Reed Sheppard entered the starting lineup on March 20, but the playoffs will provide a different challenge.CavsCleveland made a major win-now move when it acquired James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline. The question remains which Harden they received, the Hall of Fame scorer or the Hall of Fame distributor. He has done both.Early signs are promising. Harden seems to have modified his game for the better since joining the Cavaliers, as both his scoring average and shots per game have dropped.Harden has made the playoffs in each of his 17 seasons, but close-out games have been an issue.Maybe Harden has been asked to do too much, but his team is only 3-4 in Game 7s and he has shot 35.5%. He had nine points in the 76ers’ second-round loss to Boston in 2023 and seven points in the Clippers’ first-round loss to Denver a year ago.His team has not made it out of the second round since the Rockets fell to Golden State in the 2018 West finals. The Cavs remain reliant on ball movement and outside shooting, and they need Harden to do both.Lakers The Lakers have had a strong year thanks to Doncic, but his left hamstring injury casts a pall. When will he return? Will he be the same guy? Will the injury recur? Why did he go to Europe for treatment?The Lakers win with offense. They lead the league in field goal percentage behind the three-headed attack of Doncic (33.5 points, 47.6%), Austin Reeves (23.3 points, 49.0%) and LeBron James (20.8 points, 51.2%).Even a short-term loss of Doncic would be problematic because the Lakers do not defend well. Opponents shoot 48.4 percent from the floor, and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton still has trouble navigating the pick-and-roll and is not a physical presence inside.Teenager Cooper Flagg dropped 45 and a near triple-double in Dallas’ victory over the Lakers on Sunday, not a good sign. #Biggest #NBA #Playoffs #Concerns #Contenders #OKC #Deadspin.comApr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Now that the NBA playoffs are upon us, I think we can all agree on one thing.

San Antonio plays Boston in the finals. Amirite?

Defending champ Oklahoma City has the added burden of attacking history in its quest to repeat. As good as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is, and as oppressive as their defense, the Thunder would be the first team to repeat since the Kevin Durant-Steph Curry-Steve Kerr Golden State Warriors in 2017-18.

Not that OKC will be an early out. A group that has been together as long as the Thunder has the innate advantage of knowing who’s who and what’s what.

Some others, not as much.

Houston, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers will enter the playoffs with a new core group, which does not necessarily bode well for a long run.

Let’s start with Houston.

The Rockets have won six straight, and it is not inconceivable that they play their way into the No. 3 seed in the West given Luka Doncic’s injury and a relatively light remaining schedule.

Coach Ime Udoka deserves a lot of credit in remodeling his group. With Oklahoma City on top in the West and San Antonio closing fast, the Rockets built back better this summer by acquiring Durant to be the premier scoring threat.

Yet as Robbie Burns noted, the best laid schemes of mice and men “gang aft agley,” and Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury gang-aft-agley-ed the team into a world without a true facilitator.

The Rockets did what they had to do. They pounded the glass and accentuated their height and physicality behind Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, pre-injury Steven Adams. Athletic, bouncy 6-foot-7 guard Amen Thompson was often their smallest starter.

Houston leads the league in rebounding and offensive rebounding but is in the lower third in assists and turnovers, which goes directly to inefficient guard play. They are 8-2 since 6-2 guard Reed Sheppard entered the starting lineup on March 20, but the playoffs will provide a different challenge.

Cavs

Cleveland made a major win-now move when it acquired James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline. The question remains which Harden they received, the Hall of Fame scorer or the Hall of Fame distributor. He has done both.

Early signs are promising. Harden seems to have modified his game for the better since joining the Cavaliers, as both his scoring average and shots per game have dropped.

Harden has made the playoffs in each of his 17 seasons, but close-out games have been an issue.

Maybe Harden has been asked to do too much, but his team is only 3-4 in Game 7s and he has shot 35.5%. He had nine points in the 76ers’ second-round loss to Boston in 2023 and seven points in the Clippers’ first-round loss to Denver a year ago.

His team has not made it out of the second round since the Rockets fell to Golden State in the 2018 West finals. The Cavs remain reliant on ball movement and outside shooting, and they need Harden to do both.

Lakers


The Lakers have had a strong year thanks to Doncic, but his left hamstring injury casts a pall. When will he return? Will he be the same guy? Will the injury recur? Why did he go to Europe for treatment?

The Lakers win with offense. They lead the league in field goal percentage behind the three-headed attack of Doncic (33.5 points, 47.6%), Austin Reeves (23.3 points, 49.0%) and LeBron James (20.8 points, 51.2%).

Even a short-term loss of Doncic would be problematic because the Lakers do not defend well. Opponents shoot 48.4 percent from the floor, and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton still has trouble navigating the pick-and-roll and is not a physical presence inside.

Teenager Cooper Flagg dropped 45 and a near triple-double in Dallas’ victory over the Lakers on Sunday, not a good sign.

#Biggest #NBA #Playoffs #Concerns #Contenders #OKC #Deadspin.com

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Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Now that the NBA playoffs are upon us, I think we can all agree on one thing.

San Antonio plays Boston in the finals. Amirite?

Defending champ Oklahoma City has the added burden of attacking history in its quest to repeat. As good as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is, and as oppressive as their defense, the Thunder would be the first team to repeat since the Kevin Durant-Steph Curry-Steve Kerr Golden State Warriors in 2017-18.

Not that OKC will be an early out. A group that has been together as long as the Thunder has the innate advantage of knowing who’s who and what’s what.

Some others, not as much.

Houston, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers will enter the playoffs with a new core group, which does not necessarily bode well for a long run.

Let’s start with Houston.

The Rockets have won six straight, and it is not inconceivable that they play their way into the No. 3 seed in the West given Luka Doncic’s injury and a relatively light remaining schedule.

Coach Ime Udoka deserves a lot of credit in remodeling his group. With Oklahoma City on top in the West and San Antonio closing fast, the Rockets built back better this summer by acquiring Durant to be the premier scoring threat.

Yet as Robbie Burns noted, the best laid schemes of mice and men “gang aft agley,” and Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury gang-aft-agley-ed the team into a world without a true facilitator.

The Rockets did what they had to do. They pounded the glass and accentuated their height and physicality behind Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, pre-injury Steven Adams. Athletic, bouncy 6-foot-7 guard Amen Thompson was often their smallest starter.

Houston leads the league in rebounding and offensive rebounding but is in the lower third in assists and turnovers, which goes directly to inefficient guard play. They are 8-2 since 6-2 guard Reed Sheppard entered the starting lineup on March 20, but the playoffs will provide a different challenge.

Cavs

Cleveland made a major win-now move when it acquired James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline. The question remains which Harden they received, the Hall of Fame scorer or the Hall of Fame distributor. He has done both.

Early signs are promising. Harden seems to have modified his game for the better since joining the Cavaliers, as both his scoring average and shots per game have dropped.

Harden has made the playoffs in each of his 17 seasons, but close-out games have been an issue.

Maybe Harden has been asked to do too much, but his team is only 3-4 in Game 7s and he has shot 35.5%. He had nine points in the 76ers’ second-round loss to Boston in 2023 and seven points in the Clippers’ first-round loss to Denver a year ago.

His team has not made it out of the second round since the Rockets fell to Golden State in the 2018 West finals. The Cavs remain reliant on ball movement and outside shooting, and they need Harden to do both.

Lakers

The Lakers have had a strong year thanks to Doncic, but his left hamstring injury casts a pall. When will he return? Will he be the same guy? Will the injury recur? Why did he go to Europe for treatment?

The Lakers win with offense. They lead the league in field goal percentage behind the three-headed attack of Doncic (33.5 points, 47.6%), Austin Reeves (23.3 points, 49.0%) and LeBron James (20.8 points, 51.2%).

Even a short-term loss of Doncic would be problematic because the Lakers do not defend well. Opponents shoot 48.4 percent from the floor, and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton still has trouble navigating the pick-and-roll and is not a physical presence inside.

Teenager Cooper Flagg dropped 45 and a near triple-double in Dallas’ victory over the Lakers on Sunday, not a good sign.

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#Biggest #NBA #Playoffs #Concerns #Contenders #OKC #Deadspin.com

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In separate incidents, Knicks fans jumped men wearing Spurs jerseys around the city after the loss. The videos are horrifying. This is totally unaccepted behavior from some stupid, young members of the fanbase. No should should be assaulted just because they are wearing another team’s jersey.

The videos elicited a response from star players on both teams. Here’s Wembanyama’s comments on the incidents, via ESPN:

“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” Wembanyama said. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

Spurs teammate Julian Champagnie added: “I feel like, for the fans, it should never be that serious where you have to jump people, beat people up, follow people home. Whether we win, they win, it doesn’t really matter. Everybody should be able to come and enjoy the game, no matter who they’re rooting for.”

Towns encouraged fans to “Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

Warning: The video below contains violence that readers may find disturbing.

Obviously this is not all Knicks fans, but a few bad apples are the giving the fanbase a bad reputation. This type of behavior is never acceptable.

Game 4 is Wednesday. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen again.

#Knicks #fans #attacked #Spurs #fans #streets #NBA #Finals #loss #players #speaking">Knicks fans attacked Spurs fans in the streets after NBA Finals loss, and players are speaking out Madison Square Garden waited 26 years to host an NBA Finals game, but the home fans saw a loss on Monday night when the San Antonio Spurs beat the Knicks in Game 3 to trim New York’s series lead to 2-1. After the game, there were multiple reports of Knicks fans physically attacking Spurs fans on the streets. The viral videos of the assaults are so ugly that Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others players pleaded with fans to stop the violence.In separate incidents, Knicks fans jumped men wearing Spurs jerseys around the city after the loss. The videos are horrifying. This is totally unaccepted behavior from some stupid, young members of the fanbase. No should should be assaulted just because they are wearing another team’s jersey.The videos elicited a response from star players on both teams. Here’s Wembanyama’s comments on the incidents, via ESPN:“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” Wembanyama said. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”Spurs teammate Julian Champagnie added: “I feel like, for the fans, it should never be that serious where you have to jump people, beat people up, follow people home. Whether we win, they win, it doesn’t really matter. Everybody should be able to come and enjoy the game, no matter who they’re rooting for.”Towns encouraged fans to “Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”Warning: The video below contains violence that readers may find disturbing.Obviously this is not all Knicks fans, but a few bad apples are the giving the fanbase a bad reputation. This type of behavior is never acceptable.Game 4 is Wednesday. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen again. #Knicks #fans #attacked #Spurs #fans #streets #NBA #Finals #loss #players #speaking

the San Antonio Spurs beat the Knicks in Game 3 to trim New York’s series lead to 2-1. After the game, there were multiple reports of Knicks fans physically attacking Spurs fans on the streets. The viral videos of the assaults are so ugly that Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others players pleaded with fans to stop the violence.

In separate incidents, Knicks fans jumped men wearing Spurs jerseys around the city after the loss. The videos are horrifying. This is totally unaccepted behavior from some stupid, young members of the fanbase. No should should be assaulted just because they are wearing another team’s jersey.

The videos elicited a response from star players on both teams. Here’s Wembanyama’s comments on the incidents, via ESPN:

“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” Wembanyama said. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

Spurs teammate Julian Champagnie added: “I feel like, for the fans, it should never be that serious where you have to jump people, beat people up, follow people home. Whether we win, they win, it doesn’t really matter. Everybody should be able to come and enjoy the game, no matter who they’re rooting for.”

Towns encouraged fans to “Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

Warning: The video below contains violence that readers may find disturbing.

Obviously this is not all Knicks fans, but a few bad apples are the giving the fanbase a bad reputation. This type of behavior is never acceptable.

Game 4 is Wednesday. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen again.

#Knicks #fans #attacked #Spurs #fans #streets #NBA #Finals #loss #players #speaking">Knicks fans attacked Spurs fans in the streets after NBA Finals loss, and players are speaking out

Madison Square Garden waited 26 years to host an NBA Finals game, but the home fans saw a loss on Monday night when the San Antonio Spurs beat the Knicks in Game 3 to trim New York’s series lead to 2-1. After the game, there were multiple reports of Knicks fans physically attacking Spurs fans on the streets. The viral videos of the assaults are so ugly that Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others players pleaded with fans to stop the violence.

In separate incidents, Knicks fans jumped men wearing Spurs jerseys around the city after the loss. The videos are horrifying. This is totally unaccepted behavior from some stupid, young members of the fanbase. No should should be assaulted just because they are wearing another team’s jersey.

The videos elicited a response from star players on both teams. Here’s Wembanyama’s comments on the incidents, via ESPN:

“My thoughts of course [are] that we can’t forget it’s a game,” Wembanyama said. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but [with] the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

Spurs teammate Julian Champagnie added: “I feel like, for the fans, it should never be that serious where you have to jump people, beat people up, follow people home. Whether we win, they win, it doesn’t really matter. Everybody should be able to come and enjoy the game, no matter who they’re rooting for.”

Towns encouraged fans to “Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

Warning: The video below contains violence that readers may find disturbing.

Obviously this is not all Knicks fans, but a few bad apples are the giving the fanbase a bad reputation. This type of behavior is never acceptable.

Game 4 is Wednesday. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen again.

#Knicks #fans #attacked #Spurs #fans #streets #NBA #Finals #loss #players #speaking

Senegal and Saudi Arabia will look to end their preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026 on a high as they meet in a warm-up match in Texas, USA, on Tuesday.

Senegal is drawn in Group I at the World Cup, alongside France, Norway and Iraq, while Saudi Arabia is grouped with Spain, Cape Verde and Uruguay.

The Lions of Teranga will be making their fourth appearance in the quadrennial tournament, while 2026 will the eighth appearance for the Green Falcons.

When and where will Senegal vs Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match be played?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match, Senegal vs Saudi Arabia, will be played at the Toyota Field in Texas, USA. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 pm local time.

How to watch the Senegal vs Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match, Senegal vs Saudi Arabia, will be available on the RTS 1 network in Senegal, while in Saudi Arabia, fans can watch the match on KSA Sport [Al-Riyadiya] network.

Published on Jun 10, 2026

#Senegal #Saudi #Arabia #LIVE #Streaming #info #watch #SEN #KSA #FIFA #World #Cup #warmup">Senegal vs Saudi Arabia LIVE Streaming info — How to watch SEN v KSA FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up? Senegal and Saudi Arabia will look to end their preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026 on a high as they meet in a warm-up match in Texas, USA, on Tuesday.Senegal is drawn in Group I at the World Cup, alongside France, Norway and Iraq, while Saudi Arabia is grouped with Spain, Cape Verde and Uruguay.The Lions of Teranga will be making their fourth appearance in the quadrennial tournament, while 2026 will the eighth appearance for the Green Falcons.When and where will Senegal vs Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match be played?The FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match, Senegal vs Saudi Arabia, will be played at the Toyota Field in Texas, USA. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 pm local time.How to watch the Senegal vs Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up?The FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match, Senegal vs Saudi Arabia, will be available on the RTS 1 network in Senegal, while in Saudi Arabia, fans can watch the match on KSA Sport [Al-Riyadiya] network.Published on Jun 10, 2026 #Senegal #Saudi #Arabia #LIVE #Streaming #info #watch #SEN #KSA #FIFA #World #Cup #warmup

Deadspin | A’s, Brewers meet again in Las Vegas after show-stopping opener Jun 8, 2026; Summerlin, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Both scheduled starting pitchers have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Milwaukee Brewers face the Athletics on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark, the hitter-friendly home of the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Aviators. Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-2, 4.73 ERA) will start for the Brewers against right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74) of the A’s, who are using this series in Las Vegas to connect with the community. The Athletics currently play their home games in West Sacramento, Calif., but will move to Las Vegas permanently when their new climate-controlled stadium opens there in 2028. On Monday, the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings in a 4-hour, 14-minute game that featured 11 home runs, including seven by the A’s. The teams combined for 34 hits. “The most bizarre game I’ve ever had in Major League Baseball in 11 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said afterward. “I never saw anything like it.” Milwaukee, which trailed 8-4 after three innings, tied the score at 10-10 in the ninth. The Brewers then scored four in the 10th, boosted by William Contreras’ three-run homer, only to see the A’s rally with four runs in the bottom of the inning behind homers from Nick Kurtz, his second of the game, and pinch hitter Jonah Heim. After neither team scored in the 11th, automatic runner Christian Yelich stole third in the 12th and slid home ahead of the throw on Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice bouncer. Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick took the mound in the home half of the 12th and stranded the tying run at third base to earn the save. “I’ve played here and I’ve seen it,” said Patrick, who played at Las Vegas Ballpark when he was in the A’s system. “It’s definitely crazy. I don’t know if it’s necessarily made for big league hitters, but it’s still baseball.” Tyler Soderstrom homered twice for the A’s, who also got solo homers from Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers also homered for the Brewers. Milwaukee, which started its current six-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Colorado, moved a season-high 18 games above .500 (41-23). The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5 1/2 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. For the A’s, Ginn made his first three appearances of 2026 out of the bullpen before joining the rotation. He is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA over his past six starts, holding opponents to a .172 batting average. In his most recent start, he allowed one run — a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — in six innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs, leaving with a 6-1 lead, but did not get the decision in a 7-6 loss on Thursday. “Ginn was exceptional again,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said afterward. “One pitch to Crow that he left up, but outside of that, I thought he had a dominating performance tonight.” Ginn also has experience pitching at Las Vegas Ballpark during his minor-league career. He was 4-3 with 5.72 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024 and was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in five starts in 2025. Ginn is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee. Despite a loss his last time out, Gasser is coming off his best start. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings, taking the loss in a 1-0 defeat against San Francisco on Wednesday. He has never faced the Athletics in his 10 career outings. The series with the Brewers will be followed by three games against Colorado in Las Vegas. –Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brewers #meet #Las #Vegas #showstopping #openerJun 8, 2026; Summerlin, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

LAS VEGAS — Both scheduled starting pitchers have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Milwaukee Brewers face the Athletics on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark, the hitter-friendly home of the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Aviators.

Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-2, 4.73 ERA) will start for the Brewers against right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74) of the A’s, who are using this series in Las Vegas to connect with the community. The Athletics currently play their home games in West Sacramento, Calif., but will move to Las Vegas permanently when their new climate-controlled stadium opens there in 2028.

On Monday, the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings in a 4-hour, 14-minute game that featured 11 home runs, including seven by the A’s. The teams combined for 34 hits.

“The most bizarre game I’ve ever had in Major League Baseball in 11 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said afterward. “I never saw anything like it.”

Milwaukee, which trailed 8-4 after three innings, tied the score at 10-10 in the ninth. The Brewers then scored four in the 10th, boosted by William Contreras’ three-run homer, only to see the A’s rally with four runs in the bottom of the inning behind homers from Nick Kurtz, his second of the game, and pinch hitter Jonah Heim.

After neither team scored in the 11th, automatic runner Christian Yelich stole third in the 12th and slid home ahead of the throw on Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice bouncer.

Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick took the mound in the home half of the 12th and stranded the tying run at third base to earn the save.

“I’ve played here and I’ve seen it,” said Patrick, who played at Las Vegas Ballpark when he was in the A’s system. “It’s definitely crazy. I don’t know if it’s necessarily made for big league hitters, but it’s still baseball.”

Tyler Soderstrom homered twice for the A’s, who also got solo homers from Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers also homered for the Brewers.

Milwaukee, which started its current six-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Colorado, moved a season-high 18 games above .500 (41-23). The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5 1/2 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.


For the A’s, Ginn made his first three appearances of 2026 out of the bullpen before joining the rotation. He is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA over his past six starts, holding opponents to a .172 batting average.

In his most recent start, he allowed one run — a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — in six innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs, leaving with a 6-1 lead, but did not get the decision in a 7-6 loss on Thursday.

“Ginn was exceptional again,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said afterward. “One pitch to Crow that he left up, but outside of that, I thought he had a dominating performance tonight.”

Ginn also has experience pitching at Las Vegas Ballpark during his minor-league career. He was 4-3 with 5.72 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024 and was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in five starts in 2025.

Ginn is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee.

Despite a loss his last time out, Gasser is coming off his best start. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings, taking the loss in a 1-0 defeat against San Francisco on Wednesday.

He has never faced the Athletics in his 10 career outings.

The series with the Brewers will be followed by three games against Colorado in Las Vegas.

–Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brewers #meet #Las #Vegas #showstopping #opener">Deadspin | A’s, Brewers meet again in Las Vegas after show-stopping opener Jun 8, 2026; Summerlin, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Both scheduled starting pitchers have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Milwaukee Brewers face the Athletics on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark, the hitter-friendly home of the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Aviators. Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-2, 4.73 ERA) will start for the Brewers against right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74) of the A’s, who are using this series in Las Vegas to connect with the community. The Athletics currently play their home games in West Sacramento, Calif., but will move to Las Vegas permanently when their new climate-controlled stadium opens there in 2028. On Monday, the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings in a 4-hour, 14-minute game that featured 11 home runs, including seven by the A’s. The teams combined for 34 hits. “The most bizarre game I’ve ever had in Major League Baseball in 11 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said afterward. “I never saw anything like it.” Milwaukee, which trailed 8-4 after three innings, tied the score at 10-10 in the ninth. The Brewers then scored four in the 10th, boosted by William Contreras’ three-run homer, only to see the A’s rally with four runs in the bottom of the inning behind homers from Nick Kurtz, his second of the game, and pinch hitter Jonah Heim. After neither team scored in the 11th, automatic runner Christian Yelich stole third in the 12th and slid home ahead of the throw on Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice bouncer. Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick took the mound in the home half of the 12th and stranded the tying run at third base to earn the save. “I’ve played here and I’ve seen it,” said Patrick, who played at Las Vegas Ballpark when he was in the A’s system. “It’s definitely crazy. I don’t know if it’s necessarily made for big league hitters, but it’s still baseball.” Tyler Soderstrom homered twice for the A’s, who also got solo homers from Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers also homered for the Brewers. Milwaukee, which started its current six-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Colorado, moved a season-high 18 games above .500 (41-23). The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5 1/2 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. For the A’s, Ginn made his first three appearances of 2026 out of the bullpen before joining the rotation. He is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA over his past six starts, holding opponents to a .172 batting average. In his most recent start, he allowed one run — a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — in six innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs, leaving with a 6-1 lead, but did not get the decision in a 7-6 loss on Thursday. “Ginn was exceptional again,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said afterward. “One pitch to Crow that he left up, but outside of that, I thought he had a dominating performance tonight.” Ginn also has experience pitching at Las Vegas Ballpark during his minor-league career. He was 4-3 with 5.72 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024 and was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in five starts in 2025. Ginn is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee. Despite a loss his last time out, Gasser is coming off his best start. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings, taking the loss in a 1-0 defeat against San Francisco on Wednesday. He has never faced the Athletics in his 10 career outings. The series with the Brewers will be followed by three games against Colorado in Las Vegas. –Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brewers #meet #Las #Vegas #showstopping #opener

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