The Knicks Win The NBA Cup

 

After defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup Finals last night in Las Vegas, the New York Knicks have been crowned their first championship since 1973. Although it isn't the Larry O'Brien Trophy, it's still something to feel accomplished about. 

The Knicks got off to a slow 2-3 start this season, but since Halloween, New York has won 17 of their last 21 games including 6 in a row. In addition, New York is doing this without Miles McBride and Landry Shamet off the bench and a couple of starters not 100% healthy.  

The Knicks got to Vegas after winning Group C in the East, defeating the Raptors to go to Vegas, and then defeating the Magic in the semifinals on Saturday Night. The NBA Cup MVP went to none other than Jalen Brunson, but the supporting cast played a huge role as well. 

Just last night we saw the bench catch fire. Tyler Kolek played his best professional game yet with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, with key minutes late in the game as well. Under Tom Thibodeau, I don't think Kolek would've seen the court nearly as much as he did last night under Mike Brown. 

With Deuce McBride sidelined, Tyler Kolek is making the most of his opportunity. Jordan Clarkson lived up to his expectations when the Knicks signed him this previous summer. Clarkson had a couple of clutch threes late in the game along with the best plus/minus on the team as well. 

Who can forget about Mitchell Robinson when he grabs 15 rebounds in just 18 minutes. Robinson was huge on the boards for New York with 10 of the 15 rebounds coming as offensive boards. 

The starters balled out, but the bench sealed the deal during the Knicks first ever NBA Cup Championship. Just 25 games into the regular season, the Knicks look to be in pretty good shape as we approach 2026. 

Rodgers Masterclass on MNF

 

Last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football by a final score of 28-15. The Steelers offense looked great and that was mostly due to a vintage Aaron Rodgers performance. 

With this win, Pittsburgh officially eliminated the Dolphins from the playoffs after they dropped to 6-8 on the season. Additionally, Pittsburgh was able to maintain their one game division lead over the Baltimore Ravens. 

Rodgers turned back the clock last night with an 85% completion percentage, his highest in a game since 2014. The 42-year-old also threw for two touchdowns and lead the Steelers to four consecutive touchdown drives as well. 

Not only did Rodgers make history but so did the Steelers as well. Dating back to 1991, the Steelers have won 23 consecutive Monday Night home games in Pittsburgh. That's over 34 years since the last time Pittsburgh lost at home on a Monday Night. 

Like the Steelers, Miami also made history but not in a good way. With their loss last night, Miami has now dropped 14 games in a row when temperatures are under 40 degrees. A team that has some of the best home field conditions in the NFL has been unable to adapt to the cold since 2016. 

Pittsburgh has three games remaining on their schedule, but the game they have circled is the season finale when they host the Baltimore Ravens. After recently stealing a game from the Ravens in Baltimore, the Steelers firmly took over the AFC North division lead. 

Barring any big surprises, the winner of this game between the Ravens and Steelers will take the AFC North and home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Pittsburgh will head to Detroit next weekend to take on a desperate Lions team. 

Pete Alonso to Baltimore

 

Recently, a shock came over the baseball world as 31 year-old superstar Pete Alonso signed a 5 year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Alonso leaves the New York Mets after 7 seasons in the Big Apple with the team that drafted him back in 2016. 

Alonso will bring a ton of power to Baltimore as he has hit at least 34 home runs in each season since 2021. Alonso also leaves the Mets after recently becoming the franchise's all time home run leader with 264 home runs. 

Gunnar Henderson, the Orioles top home run hitter in 2025, had just 17 bombs to lead the team compared to Alonso's 38 dingers with the Mets a season ago. Alonso, a 2-time Home Run Derby Champ, will bring immense amounts of power to Camden Yards for the foreseeable future. 

Alonso's new contract with the Orioles is the largest contract in Orioles history since 2016, and the new record for AAV in Orioles history as well. Baltimore is hoping that Alonso turns out slightly better than how Chris Davis turned out when he received the largest contract in Orioles history almost a decade ago. 

After a last place finish in the AL East, the Orioles have been active to start this offseason. In addition to Alonso, the O's also brought in another former Met in Ryan Helsley to anchor the back of the bullpen. 

Mike Elias is finally spending the big bucks as Baltimore has not won a postseason game in October since 2014. The acquisition of Alonso gives the Orioles one of the premier infields in all of baseball featuring Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, and Jackson Holiday in addition to Alonso. 

Could 2026 finally be the year that the Orioles break the spell and have success in October? If Elias and the Orioles continue to stay active in the market after this blockbuster deal, we could be seeing some success up in Camden Yards this upcoming season.