Mike Brown commends Knicks’ weak-side defense and … — and more

Ian Begley: Mike Brown commends Knicks’ weak-side defense and ability to keep the ball out of middle of floor/challenge threes after NYK’s dominant win over Spurs. Brown also notes 22 2nd chance points for NYK off of 18 offensive rebs. Karl-Anthony Towns had team-high five offense rebounds.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Mike Brown commends Knicks’ weak-side defense and …

This is going to be messy.

Northeastern at LSU — SECN+

McNeese at Nicholls — CBSSN

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

While Arsenal and Manchester City slug it out for the Premier League title, the contest for the remaining Champions League places is coming to the boil - with five sides battling for potentially three remaining spots.

Fifth place in the Premier League is virtually certain to bring Champions League qualification because of England's commanding lead in the Uefa coefficent table.

Manchester United have leapfrogged Aston Villa to claim third, with Liverpool and Chelsea are tucked in behind.

Surprise packages Brentford are seventh and are dreaming not just of Europe, but of the Champions League.

BBC Sport assesses the runners and riders bidding to join Arsenal and Manchester City in qualifying for European club football's most lucrative competition.

• Arsenal beat Chelsea to restore five-point lead at top
• Free-scoring Semenyo takes burden off Haaland
• New set-piece kings Liverpool can still achieve 'something beautiful'

Manchester United (3rd): P 28 Pts 51

Form WWDWW: Manchester United are desperate to return to the Champions League after a two-season absence and are flying under caretaker boss Michael Carrick. He has six wins and a draw from his seven games, taking 19 points from 21.

What Carrick says: [On going third] "It doesn't mean an awful lot at the moment. It's nice, of course it is. We want to keep progressing and moving up the table as much as we can and in that respect, it's a step today."

Run-in: Newcastle (A), Aston Villa (H), Bournemouth (A), Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), Liverpool (H), Sunderland (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Brighton (A).

Chances: United are the form horse, without Europe or the FA Cup to distract them, and they are looking favourites to make it back to the Champions League.

Aston Villa (4th): P 28 Pts 51

Form LDWDL: Injury-hit Villa have hit the buffers after their tremendous eight-game winning run at the end of 2025 - they have just two victories from their past seven league games. Defeat by bottom club Wolves on Friday was a new low - Unai Emery's side look as if they're running on empty.

What Emery says: "I know it will be very difficult to compete for the position in the Champions League because we have United and Liverpool near us. They are very good. They challenge and they have the power to challenge us."

Run in: Chelsea (H), Manchester United (A), West Ham (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Manchester City (A).

Chances: After looking so good for so long, Villa have been caught by Manchester United and are in danger of slipping further down the table.

Liverpool (5th): P 28 Pts 48

Form WWWLW: Liverpool are finally finding some consistent form in a difficult season. Champions League football is the least Arne Slot needs to deliver after splashing out £450m on last season's Premier League winners.

What Slot says: "We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League for the club and us as a team. The goal is there and we are going to do everything to qualify and be closer to the teams on top."

Run in: Wolves (A), Tottenham (H), Brighton (A), Fulham (H), Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H), Manchester United (A), Chelsea (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H).

Chances: Liverpool - who have not finished outside the top five since 2016 - look like they're timing their run to perfection.

Chelsea (6th): P 28 Pts 45

Form LDDWW: Liam Rosenior would love to deliver Champions League football to show he is making progress in what has been a turbulent season for Chelsea. Rosenior's blue bandwagon has lost momentum after he made a winning start and they have taken just two points from their past three league games.

What Rosenior says: "The great thing is we have to play them [the teams around Chelsea]. If the level of performance is there and we solve our problems, we have a great chance. But we have to solve the problems yesterday to have a chance."

Run in: Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Manchester City (H), Manchester United (H), Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Liverpool (A), Tottenham (H), Sunderland (A).

Chances: Rosenior needs to reboot his off-colour Blues, but Villa's slide gives them a chance.

Brentford (7th): P 28 Pts 43

Form WLDWW: Keith Andrews is a worthy contender for the manager of the season award - as many pundits tipped Brentford to struggle after so many big-name departures in the summer. They are hitting form - only Erling Haaland can top Igor Thiago's tally of 18 Premier League goals.

What Andrews says: "I've not looked at the table. I don't think we have changed position. Yeah, we just keep going and we have a tough one on Tuesday against Bournemouth."

Run in: Bournemouth (A), Wolves (H), Leeds (A), Everton (H), Fulham (H), Manchester United (A), West Ham (H), Manchester City (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A).

Chances: The Champions League is a long shot, but qualifying for Europe for the first time would still be the club's greatest achievement.

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As NFL free agency inches closer, so to it will clarity.

Clarity as to what and who teams will target with the hopes of making their respective teams better for the coming regular season. One player that teams may look into is veteran running back Kenneth Gainwell.

The five-year veteran, who has played his career in Pennsylvania with the Philadelphia Eagles and, most recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers, brings an experienced and reliable No. 2 running back as both a runner and receiver.

Given the current state of the Denver Broncos’ roster, there probably isn’t a fit for Gainwell, but let’s dive in to see what they could get if there was.

Player Profile

Height: 5-9

Weight: 200 pounds

Experience: 5 NFL seasons

Age: 26

2025 stats: 114 carries, 537 yards, five touchdowns; 73 receptions, 486 yards, three touchdowns

Why the Broncos should sign running back Kenneth Gainwell

One thing we know about a Sean Payton offense is dual-threat running backs. The ability to consistently make plays in the running and receiving game is the best way to get plays and the ball.

Gainwell is coming off his best season in the NFL with the Steelers. As noted above, he had 114 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns as the second running back in Pittsburgh. He also had 73 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns.

While not eye-popping numbers, they are great stats for a No. 2 back. That’s exactly what you want from a No. 2 back in any offense, let alone Denver. A consistent runner and catcher at running back could fit in nicely for the Broncos.

On top of that, Gainwell stays on the field. In his five-year career, he’s missed only a few games.

So Gainwell is reliable in multiple ways.

The problem is that the Broncos have multiple Gainwells currently on the roster.

Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign running back Kenneth Gainwell

If Denver had a true No. 1 running back, I could see George Paton and Payton really kick the tires on Gainwell.

But they don’t, hence why they more than likely won’t even look into him.

The Broncos must focus on getting that true No. 1 running back figured out, especially if Breece Hall hits the market. It was reported last week that the New York Jets back will have “serious interest” in Denver if he becomes a free agent. I would venture a guess that the feeling would be mutual.

When and if the Broncos make a move at running back, it will be for a top-notch game changer like Hall. With a multitude of Gainwells on the roster, it doesn’t make sense to target another one.

Final thoughts

Gainwell is a reliable and durable secondary running back. For teams with an established No. 1 running back and in need of a No. 2, he’s at the top of the free agent list.

Denver is not one of those teams. Instead, they’ll be on the hunt for a game-changer lead back like Hall.