SPORTS+

Austin Wells at bat for the Yankees; Kyle Higashioka plays catcher for the Padres; Wells and Higashioka before a game in San Diego

Why Kyle Higashioka mentoring Austin Wells to be his Yankees replacement never got weird: 'Eager to give back'

  • By Greg Joyce

Before the Yankees sent him packing, Kyle Higashioka did what he knows best: pay it forward by helping out the man who would replace him.

Mika Zibanejad and New York Rangers teammates reacting to an empty net goal by Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals

The Rangers fall behind at the same old playoff spot — and now need a road save for the ages

  • By Howie Kussoy

A season that featured an NHL-best 55 wins and 114 points — and a postseason that started with seven straight wins — is now 60 minutes from ending.

Jalen Brunson looks on during a Knicks game; Brunson attempts a layup; NBA commissioner Adam Silver

The mega-money calculations behind Jalen Brunson's Knicks extension decision

  • By Stefan Bondy

The max extension route for Jalen Brunson this summer leads to an underpay for a player who’ll be in his 30s when it’s over.

New York Mets relief pitcher Jorge Lopez throws his glove after being taken out of game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning at Citi Field in Queens, New York, USA, Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Why Jorge Lopez's behavior crossed the line for the Mets

  • By Mike Puma
  • 1

If the Mets didn’t cut Jorge Lopez, the perception might have grown that Carlos Mendoza had lost control of the club.

Newsletters

The Latest

Mika Zibanejad hits the crossbar with a shot during the Rangers' Game 4 loss to the Panthers; Artemi Panarin

What was missing — again — in the Rangers' series-tying setback

  • By Dan Martin
  • May 29, 2024
  • 7:40am

Without it, the Rangers have had to rely too heavily on Igor Shesterkin, who was brilliant versus the Panthers in making 37 saves.

The Rangers' Alexis Lafreniere celebrates after scoring in Game 3; Kaapo Kakko cycles the puck.

The Rangers arcs of Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko have never been more different

  • By Ethan Sears
  • May 28, 2024
  • 8:20am
  • 2

That’s a much different question than anyone is asking about Lafreniere.

Juan Soto and Aaron Judge jog in from the Yankees outfield; Pete Alonso; Jose Ramirez

The stars, surprises and trade possibilities to watch as MLB season stretches into summer

  • By Peter Botte
  • May 28, 2024
  • 7:41am

The passing of Memorial Day historically turns the summer focus to MLB.

Gerrit Cole watches a Yankees game; Luis Gil (top right) and Carlos Rodon (bottom right) on the mound; inset: Brian Cashman

The next steps and bullpen wrinkles for a Yankees rotation on an all-time run

  • By Joel Sherman
  • May 28, 2024
  • 7:00am
  • 2

So how is it possible this rotation has performed like the Cy Young winner? No, really.

The Rangers celebrate after winning Game 3 over the Panthers; Mika Zibanejad (top right) and Artemi Panarin (bottom right) carry the puck.

The Rangers are riding the magic of unlikely goal-scorers — but can they keep getting away with it?

  • By Ryan Dunleavy
  • May 27, 2024
  • 7:40am
  • 7

Either the Rangers are so deep that they might be unbeatable, or their stars are in such a slump that they might be doomed.

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez at his introduction; former Trail Blazers assistant coach Steve Hetzel; former Michigan head coach Juwan Howard

What we can learn from the makeup of the Nets’ new coaching staff

  • By Brian Lewis
  • May 25, 2024
  • 8:20am

The sort of assistant coaches Fernandez has surrounded himself with is further proof of the Nets’ unspoken acknowledgement of where they are.

Edwin Diaz is distraught on the mound for the Mets; Diaz pitches; Billy Wagner

How to rescue Edwin Diaz, according to a legend who's been in his Mets spot

  • By Mike Puma
  • May 24, 2024
  • 8:40am
  • 1

Diaz’s average fastball velocity has dipped from 99 mph in 2022 to 97 mph, but Wagner said that dropoff shouldn’t be a significant factor.

Carlos Rodon looks out of the Yankees dugout with Gerrit Cole; insets: Rodon pitches in Houston, works out in spring training

How Carlos Rodon's growing Yankees comfort is showing up in his pitching

  • By Greg Joyce
  • May 24, 2024
  • 8:30am
  • 1

For Gerrit Cole, it came last March in spring training. For Carlos Rodon, it came on Sunday.