Celtics' loss to Rockets shows exactly why Paul George is so important
The Boston Celtics clearly missed having Paul George during their loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night.
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49ers sign Robert Beal to the practice squad
On their Tuesday off, the San Francisco 49ers held a rookie defensive tackle workout, featuring undrafted Tennessee graduate Dominic Bailey. The team recently cut practice‑squad DT Naquan Jones, leaving McKinnley Jackson as the only DT on the roster, while CJ West remains on IR. Bailey, a 6'3", 270‑lb senior who started all 12 games for the Vols, logged 109 preseason snaps with the Houston Texans, posting five solo tackles and three pressures but no regular‑season action. The workout hints at the 49ers seeking depth on the interior line.
Second Half of Steelers Schedule Far Less Daunting Than Originally Appeared
The Steelers’ once‑feared second‑half schedule has softened after eight weeks of play. Initially pegged at a .495 opponent win percentage, the remaining games now average a .471 win rate thanks to injuries and coaching changes that have derailed teams like the Eagles, Texans and Ravens. Pittsburgh sits 6‑2 atop the AFC North and expects several injured players to return soon, improving its chances for another division crown and a playoff spot. With a less daunting lineup in weeks 10‑15—including the Bengals, Eagles, Broncos, Texans, Jaguars and two Ravens matchups—the Steelers can focus on controlling their own performance.
‘We Hate That He’s Not Coming Back’: Texas Rangers Interview Outside Candidates For Assistant Hitting Coach After Alex Cintrón Exit
The Texas Rangers are searching now for an external assistant hitting coach after Alex Cintrón chose a part‑time role in the hitting department. President of baseball operations Chris Young confirmed all interviewed candidates are outside the organization. The new hire will report to lead hitting coach Justin Viele, who enters his third season in 2027. Cintrón, hired in November 2025 from the Astros, will focus on the farm system after helping the Rangers finish 80‑82, tied for eighth in wRC+ but only 25th in runs (673) in 2026. The staff otherwise remains intact under manager Skip Schumaker.
And-Ones: NBA Cup, 2027 Draft, Rookies, More
Mavericks star Kyrie Irving admits he was initially lukewarm about the NBA Cup but now sees its early‑season pressure as a boost for teams, noting the Knicks and Spurs’ recent runs. Dallas opens West Group A with a 1‑0 upset of the Rockets. Meanwhile, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman omits several underclassmen from his 2027 mock draft, keeping Kansas forward Tyran Stokes at No. 1, followed by Jordan Smith Jr. and Caleb Holt. John Hollinger praises the 2026 rookie class for early impact, while ESPN’s Zach Kram warns injuries could reshape the title and MVP races. Bobby Marks lists 12 “Contract Year All‑Stars” – role players like Ryan Rollins, Paul Reed, RJ Barrett and Moussa Diabate – poised for big free‑agency deals.
Kevin Durant snaps at reporter for questioning shot attempts: ‘Why are you singling me out?’
After the Houston Rockets’ 109-93 win over Boston on Nov. 3, 2026, Kevin Durant—averaging over 20 points early this season—snapped when a Houston Chronicle reporter asked about his low shot volume (six attempts) despite the victory. Durant accused the reporter of singling him out, then clarified that his mere presence forces defensive attention, opening opportunities for teammates like Jabari Smith Jr. He finished with 12 points in 33 minutes. The exchange highlights Durant’s sensitivity to criticism and his impact beyond scoring.
Mariners hire millennial former high school teacher as manager
The Seattle Mariners have appointed former Astros hitting coach and ex‑high‑school physics/chemistry teacher Jason Kanzler as their new manager. Kanzler, a 2013 20th‑round pick who played in the minors, moved into coaching after teaching at Katy High School, served as the Astros’ hitting coach in 2022‑23, and was hired by the Cubs as farm director after the 2023 season. At 33, he becomes MLB’s second‑youngest manager behind Nationals boss Blake Butera, who turned 34 in August. The hire highlights Kanzler’s unique blend of teaching experience and major‑league coaching pedigree.
Boston Celtics Daily Links 11/3/26
The Boston Celtics see their five‑game winning streak snapped by a 109‑93 defeat to the Houston Rockets in Houston, with shooting woes and injuries to Payton Pritchard and Mitchell Robinson highlighted. Despite the loss, Jayson Tatum earns his 14th Eastern Conference Player of the Week award and edges toward the franchise scoring record. The roundup links dozens of related stories – from Marcus Smart’s viral celebration and his recent move to the Rockets, to coach Joe Mazzulla’s use of AI, and debates over making Pritchard a starter. The post aggregates the latest Celtics headlines, stats, and analysis from November 2‑3, 2026.
Fiddlin' and Diddlin' - Celtics Daily Links 11/3/26
The Celtics’ five‑game winning streak ends with a 109‑93 loss to the Houston Rockets in Houston, highlighted by former Celtic Marcus Smart celebrating a key play against his old team. Boston struggled with shooting and injuries, missing Payton Pritchard’s production and dealing with Mitchell Robinson’s early‑season woes. Jayson Tatum earns his 14th Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor despite the defeat, while coach Joe Mazzulla reveals his use of AI in game planning. The loss sparks debate over Pritchard’s role and the team’s defensive identity moving forward.
Rockets top NBA power rankings for the week
The Houston Rockets surge to the top of The Athletic’s new NBA power rankings after opening the season 7‑1, including wins over the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. Coach Ime Udoka’s squad boasts a league‑best offensive rating of 121.2 and solid depth, featuring starters Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün, with key contributions from Marcus Smart and Clint Capela. While defensive rim protection remains a question, the Rockets’ revamped “stand‑around” offense and emerging talent have made them the most exciting team in the league so far.
Texans rumors: Could C.J. Stroud get $70 million a year? Don’t count it out
As the Houston Texans used their bye week to fix any problems the team is looking to clear up amidst a 2-5 start to the season, there is a conversation around quarterback C.J. Stroud and his contract situation. While rumors will continue to surround the Texans, two NFL insiders look into the type of extension […] The post Texans rumors: Could C.J. Stroud get $70 million a year? Don’t count it out appeared first on ClutchPoints .
How Astros’ Randy Flores expects his MLB career ‘grind’ to impact GM performance
With the Houston Astros hiring former St. Louis Cardinals assistant general manager and former player Randy Flores as the ball club’s next general manager, he is bringing a unique perspective to the role. As the Astros made the hire of Flores, the new general manager would express how his playing career is going to impact […] The post How Astros’ Randy Flores expects his MLB career ‘grind’ to impact GM performance appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Phoenix is falling behind, and there’s no room for another slow start
The Phoenix Suns sit 12th in the Western Conference after a 1‑4 start to the 2026‑27 season, sparking concerns that they’re falling behind the postseason “train.” Unlike last year’s comparable start—when the Suns were only 3 games from first and managed to rally—this year's early losses leave them 4.5 games back of the league-leading Rockets and add pressure amid higher local expectations. Injuries to players like Mark Williams and inconsistent execution are cited as key issues, while anti‑tanking draft rules mean a poor finish could still yield a low lottery chance, potentially benefiting rivals. The author argues the Suns must act quickly on the trade market to avoid a season‑long slump.
Jason Kanzler hired as the 22nd manager of the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners announce Jason Kanzler as their 22nd manager, marking the third hire of the Jerry Dipoto era. The 36‑year‑old former Astros hitting coach and ex‑Cubs farm director replaces the dismissed Dan Wilson and joins a dramatically younger coaching staff after the ouster of veteran coaches Manny Acta, Perry Hill, Kevin Seitzer, and Eric Young Jr. Kanzler, a University of Buffalo alum with playing experience for the Minnesota Twins and coaching stints in the Cape Cod League and Astros’ big‑league staff, brings leadership and a bilingual edge but no prior managerial résumé. The move aligns with Dipoto’s push for fresh perspectives from outside the organization.
Do Celtics need to make Payton Pritchard Starter to Help with Slow Start?
Payton Pritchard once again had a tough nice for the Boston Celtics as he struggled in the loss to the Rockets finishing the game with just 4 points 0-7 from the field and 0-5 from deep. Pritchard has struggled this year when the Celtics have played teams not named the Chicago Bulls. In games against [...] The post Do Celtics need to make Payton Pritchard Starter to Help with Slow Start? appeared first on CLNS Media .
Kevin Durant Gets Heated At Reporter After Rockets’ Win Over Celtics
Kevin Durant got into a tense back-and-forth with a reporter who pointed out that he hasn't been taking a lot of shots.
Comments from the Other Side - Rockets 11/2/26
A Celtics‑focused fan breaks down the upcoming Rockets‑Celtics showdown, highlighting key factors like Boston’s 5‑1 start, a back‑to‑back schedule, and travel fatigue for the Rockets. He praises Marcus Smart’s intensity, warns that the Rockets struggle with free‑throw shooting and flopping, and predicts the Celtics will dominate the boards, potentially leading by 40 at halftime. He notes the impact of players such as JD Mitchell Robinson, Jaylen Tatum, and the odd “PG‑13” reference, while teasing a possible revenge game from Ime Udoka’s bench. The post mixes humor with serious analysis, suggesting the Celtics have the edge in a high‑scoring, three‑point‑heavy contest.
Mariners Hire Jason Kanzler As Manager
The Seattle Mariners appoint 36‑year‑old Jason Kanzler as their new manager, replacing Dan Wilson. Kanzler, a former Astros minor‑league hitting coach (2019‑21) and major‑league staffer (2022‑23), has served as the Cubs’ director of player development since 2024, making this his first managerial role and the league’s second‑youngest hire after Nationals’ Blake Butler. Jerry Dipoto’s track record now stands at 3‑for‑3 for hiring first‑time managers. Kanzler was chosen from a shortlist that included former Astros manager Joe Espada and other bench coaches.
Mariners make major decision on future of franchise
The Seattle Mariners have reportedly tapped 36‑year‑old Jason Kanzler as their new manager, a decision expected to be confirmed on Tuesday. Kanzler, a former Astros coach and the former Cubs director of player development, beats out former Astros skipper Joe Espada for the job. He becomes the 22nd manager in Mariners history and the second‑youngest in MLB, behind Washington’s Blake Butera. The hire follows Dan Wilson’s departure after a disappointing 2026 season and signals Seattle’s shift toward a youth‑focused, player‑development strategy.
Former Astros GM Dana Brown returns to the Braves
Dana Brown returns to the Atlanta Braves as a senior advisor to amateur scouting, reuniting with GM Alex Anthopoulos. The move, confirmed by The Athletic, follows Brown's departure from the Astros earlier this season. During his 2019‑2022 stint with Atlanta, Brown helped secure future stars like Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider and Tyler Matzek, contributing to the Braves' World Series win. Anthopoulos praised Brown's conviction in drafting and signing talent, noting their 20‑year working relationship across three clubs. The hire is billed as a significant boost to the Braves' front office.
Kevin Durant grills reporter who asks about Rockets offensive variety
Kevin Durant and the Rockets are winning. He doesn't understand why a reporter was asking about shots
Joe Mixon Reveals His Terrifying Connection To Plane & Pilots From Fatal Learjet Crash In Florida
Running back Joe Mixon reacted to the fatal Learjet 60 crash in Greenacres, Florida, after revealing he had flown on the same aircraft with the same pilots just a month earlier. The crash killed all nine aboard, including 20‑year‑old co‑pilot Nathalia Gadelha, and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Mixon, a free agent since his March release from the Texans, expressed devastation on Twitter, praising the crew as “incredible professionals.” The NTSB reports possible in‑flight breakup but has not yet determined a cause.
Kevin Durant Has Tense Exchange With Reporter in Trending Video After Rockets' Win vs. Celtics
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant didn't want to focus on his individual contributions in Monday's 109-93 win over the Boston Celtics.
Some Long-Term Thoughts on the Jets at 2-6
Despite the New York Jets’ 2-6 record, the blog argues the team’s offense is a bright spot and could be one of the best in the franchise’s recent 15‑year history. Ranked 12th in EPA/play and 10th in success rate through eight weeks, the young unit—average age 23.8 and largely under contract—features promising prospects like Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper, Braelon Allen and linemen Joe Tippmann and Olu Fashanu. The author notes persistent red‑zone woes and questions whether coaching or luck is to blame, but contends the overall record is misleading, with net EPA comparable to teams such as the Raiders, Texans and Giants. The piece suggests the Jets could become a playoff contender if the offense continues to develop.
The Celtics Lose to the Rockets on the Second Night of a Back to Back
Adam and Mike recap Boston’s loss to the Houston Rockets.
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