"We Were Attacking Harden" Was the Simple Strategy in the Knicks' Epic Game 1 Comeback Win
Plus the NFL rookies that are projected to lead the class in touchdowns, sacks and more
In Today’s Issue: Jeremiyah Love, Tony Petitti, Carson Kelly, Bryce Young, Mikel Arteta, Caitlin Clark, James Harden, Jalen Brunson, and Mike Brown.
WHAT TO READ
ESPN predicts which NFL rookies will finish the season leading 10 different stat categories, from touchdown passes to sacks. From the easy picks (Jeremiyah Love with the most rushing yards) to the small handful of rookie interceptions, Mike Clay gives you a full analysis. Read the 48 predictions on ESPN.com.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti left no room for interpretation: His conference wants a 24-team playoff and he’s fine sticking with 12 until he gets his wish. The SEC has been pushing for a 16-team format, which Petitti seems uninterested in. “If we have to wait, it’s OK. We’ll wait,” he said. Read about the conference maneuvering ahead of the end-of-year deadline for the 2027 college football season on Yahoo Sports.
MLB’s automated ball-strike challenge system launched with controversy this season but is working out better than expected. The Cubs’ Carson Kelly is the undisputed winner so far — he’s 21-4 in catcher challenges. Read about the teams and players benefiting and losing out most from ABS on ESPN.com.
On another NFL Draft note, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco re-graded the 2023 edition. Carolina took quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick, which he now considers a B- instead of a B+. Read the rest of Prisco’s analysis on CBS Sports.
Arsenal clinched its first Premier League title since 2004 after Manchester City drew with Bournemouth yesterday. Unlike most EPL clubs, the Gunners stuck with their coach Mikel Arteta through rough patches, and it ultimately paid off. Read about Arsenal’s championship journey via The Associated Press.
WHAT TO WATCH
7pm — Fire vs. Fever on USA: Indiana is just 2-2 to start the season, but Caitlin Clark is averaging 24.3 points (4th in the WNBA), 9.0 assists (1st) and 5.0 rebounds per game. (IND -13.5, Total: 180.5)
8pm — Golden Knights vs. Avalanche on ESPN: This series isn’t expected to be close. Colorado had a +99 goal differential in the regular season, 40 better than the next-best team. Vegas won the Pacific but points-wise would have been in a tie for ninth in the Eastern Conference and out of the playoffs. (VGK +160, COL -192)
8:30pm — Spurs vs. Thunder on NBC: San Antonio stole Oklahoma City’s home court advantage with the Game 1 win, the Thunder’s first defeat of the playoffs. It’s not a must-win, but the pressure is on Oklahoma City, which is now 1-5 against San Antonio this season. (OKC -6.5, Total: 215.5)
WHAT TO TRACK
Despite Oklahoma City still being a slight favorite to win the Western Conference, there’s some value on Kalshi on the NBA Finals matchup: Oklahoma City vs. New York (39%, 2.40x) sits just below San Antonio vs. New York (43%, 2.29x) in likelihood right now.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“There is no secret: We were attacking [James] Harden. Sometimes you’ve got to do what the game dictates, and they were trying to do the same thing with Jalen [Brunson], so we said, ‘OK, we feel like we can play that game.’ We try not to play that game much, but we feel like we have a guy that we can play that game with in Jalen.”
— Knicks coach Mike Brown on how his team came back to win Game 1 in overtime after being down 22 points with 8:19 left in the fourth quarter.
See you tomorrow,
Abe