Sports
Wetzel: Is the NCAA infraction system now too speedy to be fair?
In an effort to “accelerate the infractions process,” the NCAA implemented a new system in 2023. It was a worthy goal — NCAA cases often dragged on for years through an elaborate and expensive maze of hearings.
Among the new features was a bifurcation process that allowed some parties in a case to simply resolve the charges and begin dealing with any penalties rather than get left in limbo as a full adjudication played out. The school, for example, can admit guilt, but individuals involved get a separate case. Or vice versa.
It allowed UCLA, in 2024, to quickly negotiate a resolution after being charged with two relatively minor Level II violations involving its women’s cross country and track programs.
The penalty was so light — a $5,000 fine and a few recruiting restrictions — it would have been more costly for UCLA to fight even if it believed it was innocent. Meanwhile, the NCAA cleared its docket.
Win-Win.
Except it has been nothing but a loss for the assistant coach caught in the middle, Sean Brosnan.
The bifurcated process meant that even though Brosnan vehemently denies committing any violations, he never got to present an official defense in his individual case before the system incentivized his now former employer to just say he did it.
“The NCAA decided in UCLA’s Negotiated Resolution that Sean Brosnan had committed tampering violations before we had even submitted his response,” said Scott Tompsett, Brosnan’s attorney and a three-decade veteran of NCAA cases.
“I don’t see how a coach can get a fair hearing after the NCAA already decided he’s guilty,” Tompsett continued.
The NCAA declined comment on this case.
The question remains: In trying to fix a slow system that was sometimes unfair to participants, did the NCAA make things so fast that it’s sometimes unfair to participants?
The accusations here are pretty simple.
Brosnan coached Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Newberry Park High School to four state titles before UCLA hired him as an assistant in 2022.
In 2023, the NCAA charged Brosnan of tampering with two potential transfer recruits — Samantha McDonnell of Alabama and Mia Barnett of Virginia — before they officially entered the transfer portal.
Brosnan, however, countered that he had a preexisting, personal relationship with the families of both runners.
Brosnan coached both Samantha McDonnell and her older brother at Newberry Park and had become close friends with their parents, particularly father Todd. The dads hung out together, surfed together and often texted and talked on the phone. The families even shared holidays.
Mia Barnett was from a different Southern California high school, but Brosnan met her and her father, Matt, during COVID-19 when Brosnan organized some track meets in Arizona. They communicated often as friends through the years.
Once Brosnan got to UCLA, each father separately mentioned that their daughters wanted to transfer. Brosnan said he told them he couldn’t talk about that until they entered the transfer portal. The fathers both backed him up to NCAA investigators.
“The first thing [Brosnan] said [was] ‘I can’t talk anything about that until [Samantha’s] in the portal,'” Todd McDonnell testified.
“Sean made it very clear,” Matt Barnett testified. “He goes, ‘well, I understand … but any discussions would have to go through the transfer portal.'”
Both runners eventually transferred to UCLA, although neither received any scholarship money. They both later left for Oregon.
After receiving a tip about the transfers, the NCAA opened an investigation. UCLA settled fairly quickly, which, again, made sense for the school. UCLA declined comment for this article.
Brosnan, though, was suddenly stuck. His contract with UCLA was not renewed and, with his own employer saying he committed recruiting violations, he said he has been passed over for other college jobs.
In July, the NCAA’s committee on infractions ruled Brosnan did tamper, citing that any communication between a coach and the family of a student-athlete at another school is considered “impermissible contact.” It didn’t matter if he was friends with the fathers or if they were discussing unrelated topics.
“The bylaw does not make a distinction between recruiting contact and non-recruiting contact,” the COI wrote in its judgement. “Nor does it create any exceptions for preexisting relationships.” It further noted that even if communication was personal in nature, “those relationships provided an advantage that other compliant coaches … did not possess.”
Brosnan argues that such a hard-line interpretation is not only incorrect, but impractical and absurd since it would cause any NCAA coach to have to break off all communication with even lifelong friends or relatives who have a child playing somewhere else.
Brosnan has appealed, arguing that the standard for a violation should be if any actual “recruiting talk” occurred. A decision on that is pending.
In the meantime, Brosnan wonders what role UCLA’s resolution played in his verdict. After all, three of the seven members of the committee on infractions that ruled in his case also approved the NCAA-UCLA deal that already found him culpable.
An NCAA spokesman noted that “the Committee on Infractions is not bound by earlier resolutions within the same case. More specifically, the rules contemplate — and all parties acknowledge — that different outcomes are possible for the same case.”
Sure, in theory, but can they really be expected to reverse course and suddenly say a guy they agreed was guilty is now not guilty?
“I think it creates an implied bias,” Tompsett said.
Maybe Brosnan is clean here. Or maybe the committee on infractions is correct.
What is undeniable is that the new system has delivered as intended for the NCAA and the school — this was a swift and cheaper resolution of a low-stakes infractions case.
For Sean Brosnan though, this is very much high-stakes, fighting for his reputation and career from a perhaps impossible spot — and deemed guilty before he had the chance to prove he’s innocent.
We are one month into the 2025-26 NBA season — a campaign already featuring plenty of spectacular moments. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets played arguably the game of the year in the first battle of the season, and things haven’t slowed since.
A month isn’t long enough to guarantee anything — last season’s Indiana Pacers, for example, started 6-10 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference before their eventual run to Game 7 of the NBA Finals — but it is long enough for storylines to develop that could shape the next few months of play, the run-up to the February trade deadline and the race to the playoffs.
With that in mind, and after speaking with league insiders across the country over the past week, we’re examining one lesson learned for each of the 30 teams.
Stats are updated through Wednesday’s games.
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GS
HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM
MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK
OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR
SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
Lesson after one month: There might be a blueprint for a post-Trae Young era
What I’m hearing: Young going down with a sprained knee Oct. 29 has provided the Hawks with a chance to see what this roster could look like if he left as a free agent — or via trade — next summer, when he has a $48.9 million player option. The early returns are promising. Atlanta has gone 7-2 without its All-Star guard and — most interestingly — ranks fourth in defensive efficiency in that span. Atlanta has never finished better than 18th in Young’s seven NBA seasons.
“I think the Trae Young situation is fascinating,” a Western Conference executive told ESPN. “They’re a totally different team with and without him.”
The situation underscores the delicate dance between the longtime face of the franchise and a team potentially in transition. And, with several more weeks until Young returns, this stretch will only ramp up interest in whether his long-term future lies in Atlanta or elsewhere.
Lesson after one month: Mazzulla ball isn’t going anywhere
What I’m hearing: With Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles and 2024-25 starters Kristaps Porzingis (Atlanta), Al Horford (Golden State) and Jrue Holiday (Portland) leaving over the summer, one curiosity around the league was whether Boston would move away from the 3-pointer-heavy approach it has leaned into under coach Joe Mazzulla. It hasn’t taken long for that to be answered, as Boston, despite far less shooting on its roster, sits behind only Cleveland in 3s attempted per game. Mazzulla has always stayed true to his coaching philosophy in his short time on the Boston bench despite the franchise taking a gap year of sorts from its championship aspirations. This year’s team is the latest example.
Lesson after one month: Jordi Fernandez isn’t fixing things this time
What I’m hearing: League insiders praised the way Fernandez kept the Nets competitive during a 26-56 season that hovered around .500 through Thanksgiving last year before bottoming out. But no amount of coaching acumen will be able to boost a roster designed to ensure Brooklyn lands a top prospect in the loaded 2026 draft. Multiple executives told ESPN this is the league’s least talented roster, with early returns on the five first-rounders the Nets took in June’s draft being mixed, at best.
Lesson after one month: Kon Knueppel‘s ROY chances are real
What I’m hearing: No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg entered the season expected to win the league’s top rookie honor in a runaway, but the Dallas phenom’s biggest challenger could be his former Duke teammate. Knueppel, behind a rookie-class-leading 18.3 points per contest and his 40% clip from 3, has already impressed scouts with his shooting stroke and feel for the game.
Lesson after one month: They could be a potential trade destination
What I’m hearing: The Bulls are in a fascinating in-between place. Coach Billy Donovan has done a great job with this group, but the Bulls lack a star to build around. Second-year forward Matas Buzelis has shown intriguing flashes — and the club has the ability to open a bunch of cap space this summer — but Coby White and Nikola Vucevic are set to become free agents.
That means the Bulls could go in a few directions over the next several months, including adding to the current roster. That has led some sources to speculate whether Chicago, with over $80 million in expiring money, could be a suitor for Dallas’ Anthony Davis and bring the Windy City native home.
“I could see it,” said a West executive who saw Chicago play recently. “[Josh] Giddey has worked well with Vucevic, but he could use a roll man to throw it up to.”
Lesson after one month: Offseason changes are having an impact — just not a good one right now
What I’m hearing: In essentially replacing 2025 Sixth Man finalist Ty Jerome with Lonzo Ball, the Cavaliers knew they were risking a lower regular-season ceiling in favor of a higher one in the playoffs. That’s exactly what league insiders are seeing through the first month of 2025-26. The departure of Jerome and the absence of Darius Garland, who has played just 73 minutes while dealing with a big toe injury, has dropped last season’s top-ranked offense to outside the top 10.
“They’re not great right now, but they’re down at least two starters,” a West scout said, referring to Garland, Max Strus and Sam Merrill all missing time. “Lonzo hasn’t been great.
“Are they better [than last year]? Probably not. They’ve always needed Evan [Mobley] to get even better, and he’s not there yet.”
0:53
Tim MacMahon: Mavs will explore trade market for Anthony Davis
Tim MacMahon reports that Mavericks are exploring trading Anthony Davis when he’s healthy as they build their team around Cooper Flagg.
Lesson after one month: An Anthony Davis trade won’t be easy
What I’m hearing: As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported Wednesday, the Mavericks are expected to explore a Davis trade between now and February’s trade deadline — something rival teams expect to happen, too. The problem for the Mavericks is that any potential return will be something more akin to the Kevin Durant trade to Houston — a couple of solid players and a draft pick — than, say, the Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell trades out of Utah a couple of years ago that each netted the Jazz control over several first-round selections. “With the lack of picks around the league now, that’s what you should expect for a [Davis] deal,” a West scout said.
Several other sources struggled to produce a deep list of suitors for Davis, who is set to make $54.1 million, $58.4 million and $62.7 million across the next three seasons.
Lesson after one month: Late-season Jamal Murray has arrived early
What I’m hearing: Murray has long been seen by opposing scouts and executives as a player who eases his way into the season. But if the guard’s first handful of games is any indication, Murray could be changing that narrative. The 28-year-old is averaging a career-high 22.5 points, production Denver will need to continue with Christian Braun out until around New Year’s with a serious left ankle sprain.
“He’s moving well, his body looks good. … I’ve been impressed with him,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “He’s been a huge part of their hot start. They’re in the inner circle of contenders in large part because of the work he’s been doing next to Jokic.”
Lesson after one month: Jalen Duren made the right decision
What I’m hearing: There was virtually no talk of Duren and Detroit getting a deal done heading into the league’s rookie extension deadline Oct. 20, with sources saying at the time that the two sides were pretty far apart in price. Duren has responded with the best month of his career, with not only career highs in points (20.6) and rebounds (11.9) per game but also a significant defensive improvement. Duren, after allowing 62% shooting at the rim last season, is down to 53% this season. That has led to league insiders putting him firmly in the running for Most Improved Player — and projecting a nice payday when he becomes a restricted free agent in July.
Lesson after one month: The Kuminga situation remains unresolved
What I’m hearing: It wouldn’t be a Warriors season without drama surrounding the future of Kuminga, who, as ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported, remains in limbo with the team. While Kuminga’s role has again fluctuated from starter to reserve before dealing with a knee issue, the same underlying inconsistencies that have followed him through his first few years have cropped up yet again.
“He is who he is, even though he’s on the younger side,” an East scout said. “He has looked better, and has been trying to fit in, but he still falls back into his old habits.”
The calculus for a potential Kuminga trade remains complicated since Golden State isn’t going to give him away, and with the Warriors being right up against the second apron, there’s difficulty in finding value for him and a team that will acquire the 23-year-old.
“Who is going to take him?” the scout said. “And are they going to move him for stuff they don’t want, or just wait? It’s very hard to find a trade that makes sense for everyone.”
1:24
Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Game Highlights
Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Game Highlights
Lesson after one month: Houston has a chance to be the best offensive rebounding team ever
What I’m hearing: The Rockets are grabbing more than two out of every five shots they miss. To put their absurd 40.5% offensive rebound rate into perspective: The gap between Houston and second-place Portland is the same as between the Trail Blazers and the 16th-place Nets. No team since 1996-97 has eclipsed 38% across a full season. This is how the Rockets have the league’s best offense while being dead last in 3-point shooting volume as the only team taking fewer than 30 per game.
Lesson after one month: It’s a good time for a gap year
What I’m hearing: It was expected that Indiana would take a step back with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season with a torn Achilles and center Myles Turner leaving for Milwaukee as a free agent. But no one could have predicted this start for the defending East champs, who have begun with a rash of injuries beyond Haliburton. The Pacers have the worst offense in the league with the second-worst net rating, ahead of only Washington. The consolation for Indy is that, after reacquiring its 2026 draft pick from New Orleans in June, the team can look forward to landing an elite prospect next spring.
Lesson after one month: You can get old fast in the NBA
What I’m hearing: Entering the season, the Clippers were seen by plenty of scouts and executives I spoke with as the better team in Los Angeles, praised for essentially replacing the departed Norman Powell with John Collins and Bradley Beal and then signing Brook Lopez and Chris Paul to buttress their depth. But Beal is out for the season with a hip injury, and Lopez and Paul have looked every bit of 37 and 40 years old, respectively. It all has left the Clippers — with Kawhi Leonard once again injured — in a position where they could send an unprotected lottery pick to the Thunder next spring as the Paul George trade keeps on giving to the defending champions.
1:48
What is the Lakers’ ceiling with LeBron? Stephen A. weighs in
Stephen A. Smith explains why the conference finals are the ceiling for the Lakers this season with LeBron James back.
Lesson after one month: They’re good — but how good?
What I’m hearing: It has been a fascinating opening month in L.A. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have put up gigantic numbers, and LeBron James has basically missed all of it. Deandre Ayton has been productive … but the Lakers are several points better per 100 possessions with him on the bench than they are with him on the court.
Opponents are having a field day at the rim, with the Lakers giving up 69% shooting inside of 5 feet (fourth worst in the NBA). While they have an 11-4 record, they have middling overall efficiency numbers (11th in offense, 17th in defense, 14th in net rating). Add it up, and while it has been an impressive opening few weeks in the standings, it’s still unclear just how high this team’s ceiling really is — which was reflected in conversations this week with sources around the league.
“Are they up there with Oklahoma City, Denver and Houston? No,” an East scout said. “But they’re clearly in the top six. Their depth overall isn’t good, but their top-line talent makes them a team I wouldn’t want to see in the playoffs.”
A West scout, though, was much more optimistic: “They’re top three for sure. When you have Luka, you’re always going to be in the mix.”
Lesson after one month: Ja Morant isn’t the same player
What I’m hearing: There’s one very easy way to prove the above statement: the percentage of Morant’s shots that are taken inside of three feet.
That number, per Basketball Reference, has gone from 39.6% of his shots as a high-flying rookie down to a remarkable 15.4% this season and has dropped in each of his seven seasons. Given Morant hasn’t improved as a shooter — he was an abysmal 10-for-60 from 3 before his latest calf injury — it’s easy to see why he’s not the same player who electrified the league and appeared to have Memphis on a championship-caliber trajectory a few short years ago. Sources expect Memphis to explore the trade market for Morant but, like Davis, believe it will be difficult to get value for him.
“I do think they’ll move him,” a West scout said.
0:55
Stephen A.: You have to pay attention to the Heat right now
Stephen A. Smith weighs in on whether the Heat or the Magic are a bigger threat in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
Lesson after one month: Last year was no fluke for Norman Powell
What I’m hearing: There’s been plenty of discussion about Miami’s new offensive system, but no one has taken to it more than Powell. When the Clippers chose not to extend him this past summer and sent him to Miami in a three-team deal that saw the Heat land him for almost nothing, it was seen as a win-win for both sides. But even the most optimistic Heat partisans would have had a hard time envisioning how Powell has taken to life on the shores of Biscayne Bay, where he’s averaging a career-high 25.5 points on an absurd 46% from 3 and has kept Miami in the top 10 on offense with Tyler Herro yet to play this season and Bam Adebayo missing a good chunk of it.
Lesson after one month: Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the NBA’s MVP
What I’m hearing: Through the opening month of the season, when Antetokounmpo has been on the court, the Bucks have had an offensive rating of 123.5 points per 100 possessions — the equivalent of the NBA’s best offense. When he’s been off it, however, Milwaukee has had an offensive rating of 102 points per 100 possessions — a couple of points lower than the league’s 30th-ranked team (Pacers). With Antetokounmpo sidelined for up to two weeks with a groin strain, coach Doc Rivers must figure out a system that will prop up this group without its star — a path sources believe will be tough for them to navigate.
“Of course not,” one executive said bluntly when asked if they believed Milwaukee could stay afloat without Antetokounmpo, pointing to the lack of other on-ball creators on the roster.
Lesson after one month: Rob Dillingham remains a work in progress
What I’m hearing: When Minnesota swung a bold draft-night deal in 2024 to jump to No. 8 and take Dillingham, it envisioned the team’s point guard of the future to replace Mike Conley. But while Conley has shifted to the bench this season, it’s been in favor of Donte DiVincenzo. Dillingham’s minutes have been a struggle.
The second-year guard is shooting 39% overall, 23% from 3 and is being outscored by 14 points per 100 possessions in the Timberwolves more than 100 minutes with him on the court — a staggering 24-point swing from the plus-10 net rating they have in the over 500 minutes with him on the bench.
“I’m not sure that’s ever going to work,” an East scout said. “Maybe things come around, but it’s hard to see it.”
Lesson after one month: They are what the league thought they were
What I’m hearing: As the Pelicans have careened through the opening month of the season, going 2-13 and firing coach Willie Green, sources around the league have continued to express bewilderment in New Orleans not only deciding to trade Atlanta its unprotected draft pick in 2026, but also to give Indiana back its selection — which happened just before Haliburton tore an Achilles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
In an alternate reality, the Pelicans have two lottery picks in a loaded draft to add to their core. Instead, a season spiraling out of control won’t come with any benefit. And while sources have been impressed with the team’s two lottery picks, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen — both have performed well enough to crack the starting lineup — it doesn’t make the sting hurt any less.
Lesson after one month: The offense is still good, but different
What I’m hearing: This summer, new Knicks coach Mike Brown repeatedly talked about wanting to add more ball movement and 3-point shooting to New York’s offensive arsenal. A month in, he has done that: The Knicks, after being in the top half of the league in passes per game only once in the five years under Tom Thibodeau, rank fifth this season, and jumped from 27th in 3s attempted per game last season to third.
Sources have praised New York’s offensive changes, and with the Eastern Conference more than up for grabs, the Knicks are betting on those changes in possibly reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
0:56
Shams: OKC viewed as best-positioned franchise in all of sports
Shams Charania explains why the Thunder might be in the best position of any sports franchise.
Lesson after one month: 70 wins is absolutely in play
What I’m hearing: As Oklahoma City continues to mow through the opposition to start the season — it is winning by an average of 15.9 points — rival scouts and executives have marveled at the way the Thunder machine keeps rolling. In polling several sources on whether it was realistic that the Thunder could become the third team in NBA history to win 70 games in a regular season, I didn’t receive a single no. The only thing standing in the Thunder’s way, according to those sources: whether Oklahoma City would prioritize going for 70.
Considering the team has begun the season 15-1 and has a staggering net rating of 15.3, almost three points per 100 possessions better than last year’s record-setting mark– all without All-NBA forward Jalen Williams — the Thunder might not need to make it a priority. To back this up, here’s a remarkable stat: ESPN’s Basketball Power Index favors Oklahoma City to win every single game for the rest of the season.
Lesson after one month: Desmond Bane couldn’t fix this offense by himself
What I’m hearing: One of the NBA’s most remarkable stats is that the Magic haven’t finished inside the top 20 in offensive rating since the 2011-12 season. Acquiring Bane this summer was supposed to change that. Instead, he has gotten off to a slow start, shooting a career-low of 31.5% from 3 on the second-lowest number of attempts (4.9) of his career. The result: Orlando is sitting at No. 20 offensively.
That, coupled with a 1-4 start, had some sources briefly wondering how hot the seat of coach Jamahl Mosley is getting. But that was before Orlando ripped off wins in five of its past six games. Bane has started to get more comfortable, including scoring at least 22 points in five of the Magic’s past eight contests.
Sources are still monitoring what happens as Orlando heads into a stretch featuring nine straight games against teams currently above .500, which could either reignite questions about this team’s direction or squash them completely.
Lesson after one month: Quentin Grimes is a Sixth Man of the Year candidate
What I’m hearing: As Kuminga’s restricted free agency saga was making headlines, Grimes’ negotiations with the 76ers barely created a ripple. At the time, the team and league sources said the 76ers were maintaining future flexibility, with Grimes signing the $8.7 million qualifying offer kept Philly below the first apron and within a few million of the luxury tax line. Grimes, meanwhile, has picked up where he left off last spring after arriving in Philadelphia in the other trade former Mavericks GM Nico Harrison made in February, averaging 17.1 points and 40.9% from 3. Grimes should be in line for a very nice payday as an unrestricted free agent next summer, something he is already looking for after changing representation and signing with CAA earlier this month.
Lesson after one month: There’s an early-season identity
What I’m hearing: After the disastrous way last season played out — and as a precursor to moving on from Durant and Beal over the summer — Suns owner Mat Ishbia declared that his team needed to have an identity, one that included “some grit, some determination, some work ethic, some grind, some joy.” It’s early but the Suns have at least begun to follow through on that vision with their 9-6 start.
Phoenix has one victory over an opponent above .500, but scouts I’ve talked to have praised new coach Jordan Ott’s work and surrounding Devin Booker — who is back to playing like an All-NBA player after a down 2024-25 season — with hard-nosed defenders and some shooting is a formula that could allow Phoenix to sneak into the playoffs in the incredibly soft bottom half of the West.
Considering where the Suns were last season, that would be a huge win. “They’ve been way better than I thought,” a West scout said. “They’ve got enough pieces around Devin where they’ll win the games they should win. [Ott] has them playing the right way and competing.”
Lesson after one month: Deni Avdija might be an All-Star
What I’m hearing: When Portland acquired Avdija on draft night in 2024 from the Wizards for a couple of first-round picks, it was met with confusion by sources around the league, given how far away the Blazers were from contention at the time. But after Avdija took a step forward last season in his first campaign in the Pacific Northwest, he has made a gigantic leap through the first 15 games this season. He’s averaging 25.9 points — almost 10 more than his previous high — and is smack in the middle of the All-Star conversation. Portland (6-9) has put itself in position to be a play-in team.
“He’s been awesome,” a West scout said of Avdija, who already has tied Damian Lillard for the second-most 30-point triple-doubles in Blazers’ history, according to ESPN Research. “He’s much better than I thought he was going to be when Portland traded for him.”
Lesson after one month: It’s time to start over
What I’m hearing: Not only did Sacramento fall to 3-12 after Wednesday’s loss to Oklahoma City, but coach Doug Christie also removed Zach LaVine from the starting lineup. It was the latest low moment in a season full of them for the Kings, who have already benched the team’s top summer acquisition, Dennis Schroder, for Russell Westbrook and getting demolished defensively.
Sources have been openly wondering about Christie’s long-term job status as things have fallen apart — he was given the permanent job over the summer — as well as whether Sacramento could begin to trade some of its high-priced veteran talent — assuming there are any takers for LaVine, DeMar DeRozan or Domantas Sabonis, who is out at least several weeks with a partially torn meniscus, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday.
“They’re a disaster,” an East scout said. “They’re going nowhere fast. They just have to put a rock on the accelerator and keep going into the tank … they’re expensive, bad and aging.”
Lesson after one month: Stephon Castle has made a leap
What I’m hearing: The big question surrounding San Antonio before the season centered around how the team’s three high-profile guards — Castle, rookie No. 2 pick Dylan Harper and February trade acquisition De’Aaron Fox — would fit together. And that’s still a lingering question, as there hasn’t been a single game yet where all three have been available.
But Castle, at least before recently exiting the lineup with a hip injury, has made a significant leap, as last season’s Rookie of the Year is averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals. One sign for concern, though: He’s under 25% from 3 and 70% from the foul line, highlighting the biggest concern scouts have had about playing him, Harper and Fox: None is an above-average shooter.
Lesson after one month: Depth can create wins
What I’m hearing: Between moving on from longtime lead executive Masai Ujiri, this being coach Darko Rajakovic’s third season, the Brandon Ingram trade and extension in February and new ownership taking over next year, the belief around the league entering this season was that the Raptors needed to make progress. Early on, Toronto has delivered — in large part by having a mostly full healthy rotation of players for Rajakovic.
The team’s top four players — Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett — have played in all 15 games, and their other 10 players have missed only a handful of games combined. In a league where there’s been an epidemic of injuries early, just starting with the same group daily is enough to give teams a leg up. The 10-5 Raptors have taken full advantage of it, moving up to second in the muddled East.
Lesson after one month: Lauri Markkanen is back
What I’m hearing: As the Jazz were fully invested in maximizing their draft positioning last season, Markkanen took a significant step back from his 2023-24 All-Star campaign, leading some sources around the league to wonder whether that had been a fluke. Instead, Markkanen has been outstanding, averaging 30.6 points on 48.5% shooting as Utah has gotten off to a respectable 5-9 start. The fact that he’s under contract for another three seasons makes him a fascinating topic in potential trade discussions between now and Feb. 5 — one that sources around the league are monitoring closely. If Utah chooses to go that route under new president of basketball operations Austin Ainge, there are few players who could become available who would have as big an impact as Markkanen.
“He’s putting up monster numbers,” a West executive said. “They’re running everything through him. If he goes to a place that he’s an additive piece … you have to have the right team around him to go after him.”
Lesson after one month: Kyshawn George is their best player
What I’m hearing: As the Wizards have torn down their roster and began to build it up again over the past couple of seasons, they’ve leaned heavily into taking as many first-round talents to maximize their number of opportunities. Doing so is exactly what gave the Wizards the player who scouts and executives say is their best talent: George, who was taken with the 24th pick in last year’s draft. The 6-foot-7 forward is shooting 50% from the field, 45.5% from 3 — up from 32.2% as a rookie — and has quickly developed into one the few bright spots for a team that is clearly hoping to land at the top of the lottery next year after the disappointment of falling down to sixth this past spring.
The play of George and 7-footer Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick in 2024, who has also made some strides this season, are the strands of optimism amid yet another dismal start — now 1-13 with a league-worst negative 15.7 net rating.
Finally, it’s over. With the November international break in the rearview mirror, MLS can conclude its 13-day pause to observe the FIFA window and resume its postseason — and not a moment too soon.
For each of these teams, the wait has actually been longer. FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, the Philadelphia Union, San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps have been idle for 15 days; for Minnesota United FC and New York City FC, it’s 16 days; and LAFC haven’t played a competitive game in 20 days.
So ESPN asked Lizzy Becherano and Jon Arnold to jog our collective memories on how these eight teams made their way to the conference semifinals, and asked them — along with the rest of our U.S. soccer staff — to predict who will move on to the final four.
Eastern Conference
2. FC Cincinnati vs. 3. Inter Miami
Sunday, 5 p.m. ET
Star attraction: Like in the previous round of the MLS Cup playoffs, Lionel Messi will always stand as the star attraction in a match featuring Inter Miami. Beyond coming off of a Golden Boot-winning regular season, the 38-year-old proved an integral part of the club advancing past Round 1 for the first time in its history: He recorded five goals and one assist in the three-game, first-round series against Nashville SC, proving to be the most impactful player on the pitch.
Throughout Messi’s career, teams have adapted tactics, adjusted defenses and used man marking in an effort to slow him down, but he has proven that even without scoring, he can set up his teammates in the final third instead, making any team of his more clinical. Cincinnati has been successful against Miami before, winning 3-0 in July, but all players must be on high alert to stop Messi in playoff form.
X-factor: Inter may have Messi, but spectators cannot forget that Cincy boasts a dangerous attack featuring Evander, Brenner and Kévin Denkey. Although the three players have each taken turns throughout the season to shine individually, together they work even better.
Evander was able to establish a quick connection with the team after joining from the Portland Timbers in the offseason, propelling the midfielder to register 18 goals and 15 assists in the regular season, and earn a spot alongside Messi on the list of MVP finalists. Denkey also scored 15 goals this season, while Brenner recorded four in six games since he rejoined the club from Udinese.
FCC don’t have a star attraction like Miami, but instead three hugely impactful players on the attack who are poised to do some damage.
Tactical wrinkle: Inter Miami have not beaten Cincinnati so far this season, losing 3-0 at TQL Stadium in July, with Evander scoring two of those goals, and drawing 0-0 at Chase Stadium later that same month. Although Messi and Jordi Alba served a one-game suspension for the home match after failing to show up to the MLS All-Star Game, Miami boasted a complete roster days prior.
Cincy head coach Pat Noonan found a way to manipulate his opponents’ backline to create the space needed for Evander to find the back of the net. Even more impressive, FCC managed to win without Brenner and Denkey on the pitch. — Becherano
Predictions
It’ll be an extremely close match between the two attack-minded teams, but ultimately Inter Miami will come out on top by a single goal from one of the Fantastic Four: Messi, Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez. Miami also finally enters a knockout match with a healthy roster, boasting depth on the bench head coach Javier Mascherano couldn’t benefit from in the regular season. — Becherano
Both teams will need to stop the No. 10, and while Evander has been superb this season (and now has the luxury of combining with Brenner), Messi looks like a man on a mission to send off Busquets and Alba with the MLS Cup that has so far escaped them — and also add it to his own impressive trophy case. — Arnold
Cincinnati did well to prevail in the Hell is Real playoff derby, but is it enough to overcome Miami? This time of year is when Messi is at his best, and while there are defensive questions surrounding the Herons, Inter look to have a bit too much firepower given their ability to ruthlessly punish mistakes, and will advance. — Jeff Carlisle
Any MLS side like Cincy with Evander, Denkey and Brenner should have the capability to make a run toward a title — that is, if a certain Argentine World Cup winner wasn’t standing in their way. Coupled with the return of Suárez, Miami is taking this one and continuing its Messi-led momentum after the recent 4-0, Round 1-clinching victory over Nashville. — Cesar Hernandez
With an MVP-worthy performance against the Herons, Evander has the opportunity to write his name in the sports history books of Southwest Ohio. I think we’ll see goals from both sides and potentially extra-time, but Cincinnati pulls it off — by a slim margin. — Megan Swanick
While Cincinnati got the better of Miami in the regular season, Messi and friends looked incredibly motivated vs. Nashville. If the visitors bring similar defensive intensity with them on their trip to Ohio, Inter will be in the Eastern Conference final. — Joseph Lowery
1. Philadelphia Union vs. 5. New York City FC
Sunday, 7:45 p.m. ET
Star attraction: A club’s defensive efforts rarely get enough credit to be a star attraction, but this backline stands out. The Union’s defense, led by Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner, is the best in MLS after allowing just 35 goals in a regular season in which the club lifted the Supporters’ Shield. Beyond just the defensive work, Wagner, in particular, managed 11 assists to record the second most by a defender in MLS this season.
One player alone did not carry this team to the best record in MLS, nor can an individual propel the Union to MLS Cup, but a strong defense can certainly be the determining factor in a 90-minute match.
X-factor: Tai Baribo really took off in the 2025 MLS campaign to become a genuine difference maker. The forward recorded 16 goals and three assists, contributing more to the club this year than in 2023 and 2024 combined. Baribo also scored twice in the second game against the Chicago Fire in Round 1, connecting with Wagner and Milan Iloski. He fits well within the starting XI and knows how to move around in the final third to receive a necessary assist.
Baribo isn’t the shiniest name in MLS, but he’s definitely an X-factor in this series.
Tactical wrinkle: New York City will be without forward Alonso Martínez after he sustained a knee injury while representing Costa Rica during the international break. That a FIFA window runs through the MLS playoff schedule enables the unfortunate scenario of players getting injured with their national teams in the heart of a postseason run, and that’s now an ugly reality for NYCFC. Martínez’s knee injury is a huge blow for the club, who depended on the player who managed 17 goals and two assists in 30 regular-season games. Martínez also scored two goals in the best-of-three series against Charlotte FC to advance to the conference semifinals.
Head coach Pascal Jansen must now rethink tactics. NYCFC boast several attacking midfielders, like Argentines Nicolás Fernández, Maxi Morález and Julián Fernández, but the team doesn’t have a clear No. 9 to pick up the slack left by Martínez. To make matters worse, midfielder Andrés Perea is also injured and will likely be unavailable for the match. — Becherano
Predictions
NYCFC would have an opportunity to compete against Philadelphia with a healthy roster, but the Martínez injury tips the scale in the Union’s favor. Philly boasts a well-rounded team with few weaknesses for NYCFC to exploit, giving Carnell’s side the ticket to the conference finals. — Becherano
After dominant showings against Chicago, Philadelphia will have to lean a bit more on its vaunted defense this time around, but it will withstand the test — especially with NYCFC unable to call on Martínez after his injury with Costa Rica. — Arnold
The loss of Martínez looms large in this one, as he was the primary goal scorer for the Pigeons. With the Union riding their Supporters’ Shield triumph, look for Philadelphia to prevail at home. — Carlisle
Already missing key players, the injury to Martínez is the cherry on top of the misery cake for NYCFC, who now have yet another absence. At home, Philly should be able to force plenty of errors and walk away with a comfortable victory. — Hernandez
This matchup has a good bit of lure behind it, with both teams ending the other’s playoff run in the past. It’ll be testy, and the Union haven’t played a game since Nov. 1 (NYCFC’s last was Nov. 7). But NYCFC are missing a spate of players while facing one of the most cohesive lineups in the league. I think the Union win this comfortably. — Swanick
There isn’t a more lopsided conference semifinal clash than this one between a Philadelphia team that ripped right through the Chicago Fire to open their postseason campaign and a New York City team missing a slew of key starters. Light in central midfield after injuries and a suspension in Round 1 and missing their game-changing striker in Martínez, NYCFC won’t have the legs to deal with the Union’s aggression. — Lowery
Western Conference
2. Vancouver Whitecaps vs. 3. LAFC
Saturday, 9:30 p.m. ET
Star attraction: A goal and an assist against Austin FC. A free-kick stunner against Bolivia for South Korea. Son Heung-Min‘s recent performances give no indication that the superstar is slowing down. While he spoke on national team duty about the need to rest after the season, Son hopes to play three more matches with LAFC this year and take the team to MLS Cup.
No one doubted Son’s quality when he joined LAFC this summer, but there were questions about how he’d link with Denis Bouanga, a player with a similar profile. The two have become one of the league’s most dynamic duos, regularly linking for goals as they burst into the final third. Despite his late arrival, Son can point to double-digit goals, plus three assists in MLS play since his Aug. 9 debut. The lights are much brighter this weekend, and plenty of the attention will be focused on the former Tottenham Hotspur captain.
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Messi & Suarez vs. Son & Bouanga – Who is the best duo in MLS?
Herculez Gomez and Shaka Hislop debate the best duo in Major League Soccer.
X-factor: Perhaps the MLS Defender of the Year should merit inclusion in the star attraction category, but when he’s facing Son and Bouanga and playing with Thomas Müller and Ryan Gauld, Tristan Blackmon doesn’t draw the headlines. Yet, perhaps no player will be as important for the Caps when it comes to taking on the unenviable task MLS defenders have been attempting since Son’s arrival in the league this summer.
LAFC will have moments when they are rocketing forward in transition, and there will be times when Bouanga and Son link. As Blackmon returns from an MCL sprain, will he be sharp enough to show the instincts he did all season and at least slow the attacks, giving goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka a better chance at making a stop? Vancouver manager Jesper Sørensen certainly would rather have Blackmon on the field than not.
Tactical wrinkle: A switch to a back three in the summer yielded big results for LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo, and it now means the team has both a 4-3-3 and a 5-3-2 look in its pocket. When the team plays with two attackers, Son and Bouanga work together up top, but Nathan Ordaz, who recently missed the second match of El Salvador‘s November World Cup qualification matches because of “a very important commitment in my personal life and sporting career,” enters the three-man attack.
The real key is Ryan Hollingshead, who takes joy in getting forward no matter if he’s playing as a fullback or a wingback and assisted one of LAFC’s four goals in the deciding game against Austin while playing in a back four. He will get forward and look to get the ball to Son and Bouanga in dangerous areas. — Arnold
Predictions
Vancouver ekes it out. There is no way the Caps will be able to keep LAFC from registering a single shot like they did in the last playoff match at BC Place, but with Blackmon’s return, they can ride a homefield advantage on the turf to a place in the conference final. — Arnold
Vancouver boasts a solid team with Müller and Sebastian Berhalter in good form, but their recent run cannot trump the experience and momentum of LAFC. Bouanga alone stands as a clear threat against any opponent, but the addition of Son makes for an incredibly challenging match for anyone in their path. — Becherano
Counting the numbers since Son’s arrival in MLS — and not counting the superhuman tallies put up in Miami — no duo in the league provided more goal contributions in the regular season than LAFC’s South Korea superstar and Bouanga. It won’t be easy away at a sold-out BC Place, but Cherundolo will get at least one more game with the California club before he steps down after the season. — Hernandez
This matchup is so even, with plenty of star power, but LAFC have a little bit more of the latter with Son and Bouanga, especially when they get out in the open field. I look for LAFC to prevail. — Carlisle
Now, the Whitecaps are a downright excellent team that should be healthier coming into Saturday’s affair than they’ve been at any point since the summer, but I can’t bring myself to bet against Son and LAFC, who just need one moment in attacking transition to turn the game on its head — especially against a Vancouver defense that could be without both first-choice center backs if Blackmon can’t go. — Lowery
Vancouver has been one of the most formidable teams throughout the season, and Müller has been a menace since joining, with nine goals and four assists in ten games. But the Bouanga-Son combo is too dangerous to wager against; I think we’ll see LAFC in the next round. — Swanick
1. San Diego FC vs. 4. Minnesota United
Monday, 10 p.m. ET
Star attraction: Goalkeepers are star attractions, too! That’s especially true in the MLS playoffs, where Minnesota United advanced from their three-game series with the Seattle Sounders without winning a match in regulation. Dayne St. Clair helped the team win both penalty shootouts, denying Osaze De Rosario in the third game to bail out his teammates’ misses and converting a shot of his own.
Now, he heads to San Diego, a field where earlier this season he made a dozen saves, allowing only a late goal in a 3-1 win for the Loons. The MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, who had the league’s best save percentage this season with a .779 number in the regular season, will hope it doesn’t take late heroics to once again help Minnesota move on, but he’ll look to keep a clean sheet — and be there if he’s needed for a shootout.
X-factor: While the Monday Night Fútbol matchup gives San Diego another day to get right, there are major concerns about the fitness of its biggest stars. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano left Mexico‘s 0-0 draw with a hamstring issue that kept him out of El Tri‘s Tuesday loss to Paraguay. SDFC have won without him, but Anders Dreyer missed Denmark‘s second match this window with an illness. So, brilliant summer signing Amahl Pellegrino will almost certainly have a big role.
If he’s able to create scoring opportunities or finish them off like he did in the previous series against the Portland Timbers, in which he scored once in the second match and twice in the third and deciding game, it’ll be a welcome sight for San Diego manager Mikey Varas. Pellegrino’s play in the fall allowed Varas to take stern disciplinary measures with Lozano and keep him on the bench. Ideally, Lozano and Dreyer will be fit and Varas has options. If not, he’ll be able to trust in the Norway native.
Tactical wrinkle: Minnesota United won’t press all game — few teams can — but when they do, it can be difficult for teams to withstand. SDFC have gotten great returns from a young back line this season, but as expected with a relatively inexperienced unit, there have been times where the ball isn’t crisp on the feet of defenders. When the Loons see the trigger and start to try to force a mistake, San Diego must be clean.
Understandably, the focus when teams are preparing to face Minnesota is on keeping the Loons from getting set pieces in dangerous places and from putting out one of their long throw-ins that have flummoxed much of the league. But with all that mental energy focused on not playing it out, not making a bad tackle or not allowing an easy goal, SDFC defenders must not allow themselves to have their pocket picked or play a clearance directly to a waiting Joaquín Pereyra or give slumping Kelvin Yeboah the easy goal he needs. — Arnold
Predictions
There are a lot of questions about San Diego’s fitness, but all season players have stepped up to cover absences. The long layoff probably negates the strangeness of playing Monday night, but if one of SDFC’s big two stars is good to go, they can find that one goal to beat St. Clair and send the expansion side through. — Arnold
San Diego proved throughout the regular season and Round 1 that being new to the league would not slow down this roster. Minnesota may have more playoff experience, but Varas’ players come into this game with loads of energy. — Becherano
Sure, Lozano may not have a prominent role after a muscular issue suffered in the international break, but that likely won’t matter to the San Diego side that has proven that it can find success without him. Minnesota and St. Clair will keep things close, but this has a Dreyer or Pellegrino late winner written all over it.. — Hernandez
San Diego has already gotten past the potential banana peel of the highest seed falling in a best-of-three series, while Minnesota’s epic comeback propelled it forward. But with SDFC having the likes of Dreyer and Pellegrino in fine form, look for the home side to take it. — Carlisle
According to FBref, San Diego out-xG-ed Minnesota 4.7 to 1.7 during their two regular season meetings. Even with Loons boss Eric Ramsay sure to set up his team in a low block in hopes of frustrating the hosts, it’s hard to picture the expansion outfit not creating enough chances to take down Minnesota. — Lowery
It’s difficult to think of two teams with a greater contrast in style. Minnesota is clinical on the counter and on set pieces, while the California expansion side prefers to have the ball. San Diego may look prettier while the Loons are a bit grittier, but I think the latter pulls this one off. — Swanick
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A law firm has filed a suit against Shilo Sanders, claiming he has not paid more than $164,000 in owed bills, a source with knowledge of the case confirmed the lawsuit to Fox News Digital.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims that Sanders owes money for the services Barnes & Thornburg provided while he was facing a personal injury lawsuit in 2023, which led him to file for bankruptcy that October.
The firm “delivered the legal services and incurred the costs reflected in the invoices between May 1, 2024, and August 26, 2024, based on the Agreement,” the suit states, according to USA Today, which first reported the lawsuit.
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Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders reacts in the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
“Mr. Sanders, however, failed to pay the amounts reflected the invoices presented to him, and has not tendered payment in response to Plaintiff’s efforts to obtain payment on the outstanding invoices. The total of the invoices that Mr. Sanders currently owes Plaintiff is $164,285.55, including $10,967.91 in interest for the services provided and costs incurred.”
The personal injury lawsuit came when Sanders was accused in 2016 of causing permanent damage to a security guard at Sanders’ Dallas high school after he tried to confiscate Sanders’ phone. He is $11 million in debt after he did not show up for the trial, resulting in a default judgment.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders works out during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp Friday, May 9, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
TRAVIS KELCE WANTS CHIEFS TO ‘PUT ALL THE SELFISH S—‘ ASIDE AS PLAYOFF CHANCES DWINDLE
Sanders filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to get it discharged, but the security guard is fighting that case.
Sanders’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, Sanders’ brother, Shedeur Sanders, will make his first NFL start on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders attend during the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! Concert at State Farm Arena on Jan. 18, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Julia Beverly/Getty Images)
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After playing alongside his brother at Colorado, Shilo Sanders went undrafted this past April but signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was ejected from a preseason game, however, and was cut from the team.
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