What Does Pacers' Win Say About the Series?

Summary

Podcast Title: PTI
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon (Joined by Pablo Torre)
Episode: What Does Pacers' Win Say About the Series?
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Description: Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon face off in the nation's capital on the day's hottest topics. In this episode, with Wilbon on a day off, Pablo Torre joins Tony to discuss the Indiana Pacers' stunning comeback, the latest in tennis, college softball, and other notable sports events.

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1. Indiana Pacers' Remarkable Comeback

Overview:
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the Indiana Pacers' astonishing victory over Oklahoma City. Overcoming a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter, the Pacers clinched the win with a last-second shot by Tyrese Haliburton, defying all expectations.

Key Discussions:

• Tyrese Haliburton’s Impact:
  Pablo Torre emphasizes Haliburton as the "story of this NBA season," highlighting his ability to defy win probability charts consistently. "[...] Tyrese Haliburton takes those graphs and he picks his teeth with them." ([01:22])

• Tony’s Skepticism Turned Awe:
  Initially skeptical about the Pacers' chances, Tony admits he stopped watching early, believing Oklahoma City was too dominant. However, he acknowledges the Pacers' resilience and Haliburton's clutch performances. "I think it’s fair to say he is on the verge of becoming legendary." ([02:11])

• Historical Comparisons:
  Tony draws parallels to historical NBA comebacks, referencing the Lakers' experience against the 76ers to illustrate that such surprises, while rare, are not unprecedented.

• Statistical Breakdown:
  Tony promises to delve into the statistics later in the conversation, underscoring the Pacers' consistency in overcoming sizable deficits throughout the playoffs.

Notable Quote:
Tony Kornheiser reflects on Haliburton's rising legacy: "I think Haliburton is on the verge of becoming legendary." ([02:11])

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2. Tennis: The Changing Guard and Djokovic’s Exit

Overview:
Shifting to tennis, the hosts discuss Novak Djokovic's unexpected exit from the French Open and the emergence of younger talents Carlos Alcaraz and Janik Sinner.

Key Discussions:

• Djokovic’s Retirement:
  Pablo Torre notes Djokovic's impressive yet abrupt end to his legendary career, expressing admiration for his relentless effort on the court. "He went out like a lion. [...] I think Sinner missed more shots than Djokovic." ([05:14])

• Rise of the Next Generation:
  The conversation highlights the significance of Alcaraz and Sinner representing the new generation in tennis, with predictions leaning towards Sinner and Alcaraz battling it out in the finals. Pablo remarks, "We're getting this stuff at that age. 22 and 23 today." ([07:03])

• Controversies:
  Tony brings up a complicating factor regarding Sinner's suspension due to a masking agent, adding depth to the discussion about his potential.

Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre praises Alcaraz and Sinner: "That's what's astonishing here, is that Sinner is the top ranked player. Alcaraz might be better. Alcaraz might be the guy." ([07:03])

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3. College Softball: Texas Tech’s Pitching Star

Overview:
The focus shifts to the College Softball World Series, where Texas Tech’s pitcher Nijah Kennedy plays a pivotal role in evening the series.

Key Discussions:

• Kennedy’s Performance:
  Pablo Torre lauds Kennedy’s exceptional pitching, comparing her hot streak to historical sports legends. "I love those chances. I love that quote." ([08:32])

• Strategic Insights:
  Tony discusses Kennedy’s strategic importance to Texas Tech, noting the team’s reliance on her high-stakes performances and their progression towards the World Series. "This is the game. This is the referendum." ([09:18])

• Fan and Team Reactions:
  Tony mentions the surge in popularity and support for Texas Tech, including high-profile appearances like Patrick Mahomes attending the game, signaling the growing interest in college softball.

Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre captures the essence of Texas Tech’s strategy: "That's how you want to go out if you're going to go out." ([10:45])

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4. Junior Caminero’s Outstanding Baseball Performance

Overview:
Tony and Pablo highlight Junior Caminero's impressive game-winning sprint from second base, showcasing his athletic prowess and emerging status as a young star.

Key Discussions:

• Game Breakdown:
  Tony describes the high-stakes scenario where Caminero scores from second on an infield hit, emphasizing the risky yet effective move. "Caminero runs 180ft." ([13:36])

• Player Potential:
  Pablo draws parallels to memorable World Series moments, suggesting Caminero is on a trajectory to become a significant figure in baseball. "That's why this is so delicious. Yeah, the guy is just calling his own shot." ([14:37])

Notable Quote:
Tony marvels at Caminero’s unexpected speed: "I didn't even look at the third base coach. I just went so they get two runs on a ball that does not get out of the infield." ([13:39])

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5. Belmont Stakes: Sovereignty vs. Journalism Showdown

Overview:
The discussion turns to the Belmont Stakes, setting up a metaphorical race between Sovereignty and Journalism, intertwining sports with broader societal themes.

Key Discussions:

• Race Predictions:
  Tony shares his predictions and insights into the contenders, emphasizing the anticipation surrounding the showdown. "I think it's a match race. I think that everybody's eyes are going to be on these two horses." ([15:53])

• Metaphorical Significance:
  Pablo explores the symbolic nature of the race, likening it to the battle between journalism and sovereignty in the realm of democracy. "It's all very on the nose. And we should lean into this and the metaphors of burying leads and kickers." ([17:11])

Notable Quote:
Tony reflects on his personal connection to journalism through the race metaphor: "I'm rooting for journalism, Pablo, because I was a newspaper reporter." ([17:11])

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6. Other Sports Highlights and News

Overview:
The hosts briefly touch upon various other sports news, including NHL coaching changes, MLB game highlights, and notable anniversaries in sports history.

Key Discussions:

• Dallas Stars' Coaching Changes:
  They discuss the firing of Pete DeBoer despite prior successes, pondering the team's future direction. "It seems deliberately mean. It does to me." ([21:57])

• MLB Updates:
  A remarkable game where the Braves led the Diamondbacks significantly but ended up losing in dramatic fashion is highlighted. Tony shares impressive statistics about the Yankees' performance. "They had won 766 games in a row when leading by six runs after the eighth inning." ([23:24])

• Tennis Milestones:
  The hosts celebrate Bjorn Borg’s 69th birthday, reminiscing about his illustrious career and impact on tennis. "Borg never won the US Open, though he went to four finals." ([19:44])

Notable Quote:
Tony humorously contemplates emulating rockstar antics in sports trophies: "The next time I see Wilbon, I'm going to ask, should we smash our Emmys? Just smash them." ([21:44])

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7. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with upbeat remarks, reflecting on the dynamic nature of sports and the excitement surrounding the ongoing events. Tony and Pablo express anticipation for future games and tournaments, leaving listeners eager for the next episode.

Final Remarks:
Tony signs off with a light-hearted note on his collection of Emmys, while Pablo humorously comments on Tony’s trophy displays. "Thank you for watching. Pablo Torre finds out is my show." ([24:12])

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Notable Moments & Quotes:

• "I think people have forgotten, and I think I forgot how great Indiana was against the second best team in the whole league." — Tony Kornheiser ([02:11])

• "Haliburton has always been a bit of a hood ornament for the all NBA sort of a roster. He was with the Olympic team, never played." — Pablo Torre ([04:00])

• "I was standing up and applauding for a villain because this is the legend that is real." — Pablo Torre ([01:22])

• "He went out like a lion. [...] He was being run around the court by a guy 15 years younger than him." — Tony Kornheiser ([05:14])

• "I love those chances. I love that quote." — Pablo Torre ([08:32])

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Conclusion:
This episode of PTI offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of recent sports events, anchored by insightful analysis and spirited discussions between Tony Kornheiser and Pablo Torre. From the Indiana Pacers' inspiring comeback to the evolving landscape of tennis and college softball, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of sports narratives, enhanced by memorable quotes and expert commentary. Whether you're a dedicated follower or a casual fan, this summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing valuable insights and highlights that resonate beyond the game.

Transcript

[Unknown Host]

After Zoomie's at the dog park, it's time for Drive up at Target.

[Pablo Torre]

In goes a big bag of kibble and one squeaky chicken toy for the good boy. Drive up. That's ready when you are.

[Unknown Host]

Only in the Target app, just tap Target.

[Pablo Torre]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Pablo Torre and I love being back on TV with you. Tony.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Korenheiser on I love being back on tv, too. Thanks for being so complimentary. Appreciate it.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Was I supposed to?

[Pablo Torre]

There's another detail, another relevant detail that you could have added on a Friday afternoon where I'm helping save.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You want me to say I want.

[Pablo Torre]

To save this show.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because.

[Pablo Torre]

Where's Mike? You got me.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take it from the top one more time, if we could. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. Wilbon has the day off, so I am joined by our great friend and the host of the podcast, Pablo Torre finds out. Mr. Pablo Torre. Nice applause. Very nice. And we begin today with the Indiana pacers coming from 15 points down in the fourth quarter and shocking Oklahoma City on a last second shot by who else? Tyrese Haliburton. Oklahoma City was heavily favored in this game and heavily favored in this series. Pablo, what did last night say to you about this matchup?

[Pablo Torre]

That this is the story of this NBA season. Tyrese Haliburton. These Pacers using those win probability charts where it looks like, wow, they're about to lose, it's 99.9% likely. And Tyrese Halliburton takes those graphs and he picks his teeth with them. He's done this every round. Tony, I'm in New York. You know this. I saw what he did to the Knicks yesterday on this show. You said Novak Djokovic. Sometimes you dislike a guy, you stand up from your couch and applaud while you were asleep last night, I was standing up and applauding for a villain because this is the legend that is real. I don't know who's more clutch than him. I don't know a team that's had more comebacks like this than these Pacers. It is remarkable to watch happen in real time.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Let me give you some statistics when I get to that. Thank you for telling the world that I missed the game. I didn't miss the game. I missed the ending of the game. I did what any sane person on the east coast would do. I stopped watching. And why? Because Oklahoma City was up by 15 points with nine to go. And Oklahoma City going into this game was 43 and 7 at home. And Oklahoma City had the MVP of the league who was scoring a lot of points. So I said, okay, this game is over. And I got out right now. How do I feel about all of this? Now? If you were a person who, for example, picked Oklahoma City in four or five, as long as you said five, you still have a chance. Historically, there was a team, the Laker team with Shaq and Kobe, got beat in the first game by the Philadelphia 76ers with Allen Iverson and then swept the next four games. So that stuff happens. But Rick Carlisle is a crafty fellow. I don't know that that happens here. I think people have forgotten, and I think I forgot how great Indiana was against the second best team in the whole league. Cleveland beat him 4:1 in the playoffs. You mentioned these. These other things. We'll get to Halliburton in a second. This is the fifth time in these playoffs that Indiana has come back from being down at least 15 points five times in these playoffs that three years, these playoffs. And Tyrese Halliburton is six of seven in these playoffs when he is taking either a shot to tie or go ahead in the last 90 seconds, which is pretty good for. For the most overrated player in the league, right? And again, those people who voted him that should stand up and say, I'm an idiot, because look at what he's doing. He is. I think it's fair to say he is on the verge of becoming legendary.

[Pablo Torre]

Oh, they should have to put a sign on their lawn that says how bad they got this. And by the way, you know, Halliburton has always been a bit of a hood ornament for the all NBA sort of a roster. He was with the Olympic team, never played. And we all agreed, like, of course, it's Tyree Halliburton, just the other guy. He's now the star, Tony. He is the story of this postseason. He's doing things with a level of comfort under pressure, which to me, is the greatest way to earn respect objectively. That, to me, is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It doesn't mean they're gonna be special. It doesn't mean that Indiana is going to win this series. No, it doesn't mean that at all. But, you know, that was a stunner. That was a stunner.

[Pablo Torre]

It means that at least, yeah, we're going to be watching more basketball. We should watch some of this tennis, though, because in the French Open, Tony Novak Djokovic's improbable run came to a close this afternoon because he fell to number one seed Janik Sinner in straight sets. On the other side of the draw, Carlos Alcaraz dropped the first set to Lorenzo Musetti, won the second at a tie break, Bageled Musetti in the third, was up 20 in the fourth, and Musetti retired with a thigh injury. So it's going to be Sinner and Alcaraz on Sunday. Tony, your reaction to today's results would be what?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, my first reaction to the Alcaraz match is I'm not a doctor. I am a doctor. I'm not that kind of doctor. And I don't want to be too hard on mercede. But he's doing great. He wins the first set, loses the second set in a tie break against a guy who has won majors. I mean, he looks really good. So they say it's a thigh injury. I'm sorry. That it's a thigh injury. I'm sorry. He didn't feel he could play anymore. I'm not going to impugn him in any way, but my sense is, when I first heard about it was like, well, you don't get out of the semifinal in a major unless you're dead or vomiting all over the court. I mean, you just, you know, you hang in there. So, again, I don't want to impugn him. And my reaction to Djokovic and I watched a lot of this match, and it's well known I'm not a big fan of Djokovic's. I'm not. But he went out like a lion. I mean, he was a champion out there. He's being run around the court by a guy 15 years younger than him, and he never did anything but play hard and play well. I think Sinner missed more shots than Djokovic. Djokovic kept the ball in play all the time. I mean, you know, good for him. Good for him.

[Pablo Torre]

But I think there must be some creeping sense, though, that we're close to the end for Djokovic, and it's not because it looked like he wanted to give up. It is not the case that he rolled over. You're totally right about that. Even as I am unsurprised to hear you say that you respect someone way older than someone else giving a real effort out there. I appreciate the thin psychoanalysis I may be tempted into right now. I am also, though, going to observe that what we're getting with Alcaraz and Sinner Tony, is this next generation in the present tense.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Pablo Torre]

And that's what's astonishing here, is that Sinner is the top ranked player. Alcaraz might be better. Alcaraz might be the guy. And again, we're onto a conversation now that Djokovic crashed. Right. Djokovic was the late comer. So it's not, of course, settled what this is going to be. But that's what I'm so impressed by. We're getting this stuff at that age. 22 and 23 today.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There's a complicating issue. There's a complicating issue, and that is the drug test on Sinner and the suspension of Sinner.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

For having had a masking agent at one point. And a lot of people in tennis, you know, go, well, what is going on here? And I think that's out there. The other thing is, did you see his outfit today? He looked like somebody dressed him from the little rascals from 70 years ago. Like, whoa, what was that outfit? That was weird. But he's really a good player. He's really a good player. Let's move on to the College Softball World Series, where last night Texas Tech evened the series to 11 with a winner take all game tonight. Texas Tech lost game one when their great pitcher, Nijah Kennedy couldn't execute an intentional walk and the Texas batter hit what was intended to be ball four for a two run. Go ahead, hit. Last night, Kennedy was back on the mound, got a strikeout to end it at 4:3 with a tying Texas run on third. When asked if Kennedy would pitch again tonight, Texas Tech coach Jerry Glasko said, and I'm quoting here, on one condition, if she's breathing, unquote. Pablo, do you like Kennedy and Texas Tech's chances tonight? You like them?

[Pablo Torre]

I love those chances. I love that quote. It reminds me of what Mike d' Antoni said during Linsanity, if I may refer back to my own journalism here, I'm going to ride him like he's friggin Secretariat. That is what you do when someone is on a hot streak like this. And the irony of the hot streak, of course, is that the only reason it seems that they lost game one was because she's so good at pitching that she didn't know how to throw all four intentionally. And that was, of course, this amazing clip from that game. But what we're seeing right now is somebody who is going to pitch every plausible inning because she got paid a million dollars a year in nil, Tony. That was how I first learned of her, to do exactly this for Texas Tech out of Stanford.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, yeah. So that, that she's the column. And the beginning of the column is that that they paid her a million dollars to transfer from Stanford. A million dollars for a college softball pitcher. And they had to have in mind at Texas Tech, this game, can she get us to the World Series? Can she get us to where we can win it? This is the game. This is the referendum. She's the column. Does she win or does she lose? She pitches every pitch in every single game. You know, I mean, I called Richard justice, our friend Richard Justice, a couple of days ago about this, cuz he's a Texas guy. He went to ut. He's born and raised in Texas. He lives in Houston. He said the entire state has gone wild about this. The Texas Tech, Texas College World Series. The ratings are up. Before the finals. The ratings were up 25% from last year. Patrick Mahomes was at this game last night. He was cheering wildly. I looked at him, it looked like around his neck, Pablo, he had like, you know, black rhinestones. I was informed today they were black diamonds. So I want to make sure that I say that they were diamonds, but, I mean, is she going to win? I have no idea. You know, this is not anything that I handicapped. Texas is good, too. Texas rested. Their pitcher yesterday, only pitched two thirds of an inning. So she's rested in the way that Alcaraz is going to be rested before the final against center because he didn't have to go the last set.

[Pablo Torre]

But Tony, in Texas, they respect. They recognize a horse when they see it, right? Someone who's going to throw that ball as hard as they can, as often as they can, until the wheels fall off.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Pablo Torre]

That's how you want to go out if you're going to go out. That's part of her myth again, also made real.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know what's great, by the way? That none of the women pitching in softball seem to have to need Tommy John surgery. That the underhanded motion works, whereas the overhanded motion. Everybody's in, you know, everybody's in the hospital. All right, let's take a break. Coming up, what's the word for Junior Caminero's game? Winning sprint from second last night.

[Pablo Torre]

And how best to describe the showdown in tomorrow's Belmont Stakes?

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's in my ear that Kennedy's getting another million next year. It's already been reported. I'd ask for more. If I won this one tonight, I'd ask for two. I asked for two million. How you doing?

[Pablo Torre]

Break that deal wide open. Yeah, absolutely.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Come on.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Time for a little Friday word play. What's first?

[Pablo Torre]

Junior Caminero's winning run last night was.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Blank, so my word is bizarre. Caminero scored from second on an infield hit. It's the bottom of the ninth. Tampa has the bases loaded. They're down one run. The Tampa player hits the ball to the right side. The first baseman chases the ball in front of the second baseman, chases the ball from behind, and the pitcher doesn't get over there to cover in time. So it's an infield hit. Obviously the guy from third scores, but Caminero runs through a stop sign at third base and attempts to score from second base. And here's his quote. I didn't even look at the third base coach. I just went so they get two runs on a ball that does not get out of the infield. Caminero runs 180ft. Pablo, I didn't know he could run. Cuz the only time I've ever seen him, he has hit a home run and he walks around the bases in a full minute, shaking hands with every. That was in the Dominican League World Series, you know, and I didn't have any idea he could run.

[Pablo Torre]

My word is bizarre, My word is triggering. And I say that because I watched Gerrit Cole not cover first in a play that was very flashback inducing to lose the most miserable game I've ever seen. Game 5 of the World Series just last fall. So already I'm just like, wish he had covered first. Mr. Pitcher. Can we just get pitchers who can do that now? The cam and arrow thing, man, if he had seen his third base coach, he would have seen a stop sign. That's why this is so delicious. Yeah, the guy is just calling his own shot. He is doing whatever he wants. And by the way, when you hit six home runs in the last eight games, when you're 21 years old, when everything seems to be a giant T ball. Yeah, I guess you can do that. You can unilaterally decide. I'm coaching myself now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, he appears to be becoming a star right before our eyes at a very young age, hitting home runs all over the place. I mean, and you know, we don't associate Tampa with a lot of home runs and a lot of scoring. There have always been a pitching team first, not a scoring team. What's next?

[Pablo Torre]

Tomorrow's showdown between Sovereignty and journalism in the Belmont Stakes should be blank.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It should be riveting. Okay, I watched the Bellman. I watched the Triple Crown. This is like a big deal for me. Sovereignty beat journalism fair and square in the slop and the mud at the Kentucky Derby. But then Sovereignty's trainer did not put him in the Preakness. Journalism went to the Preakness and had the greatest closing burst anybody had ever seen. He looked like Secretariat out there. And so what that does is set up the Belmont as the de facto race for horse of the year. I'm going to mention some names here and what they're picking. Who? Yeah, they're picking. In this particular race, the great Andy Buyer is picking Journalism. He said that he fell in love with journalism basically at the 16th poll at Pimlico. My friend Eddie, who gets this right very often, is picking Sovereignty. Other people are picking Baeza because they think that these two horses will expend Too much energy and fall off the pace. And Baeza will be there to win. I think it's a match race. I think that everybody's eyes are going to be on these two horses, journalism and sovereignty. I'm rooting for journalism, Pablo, because I was a newspaper reporter. I was never a king, I was never a duke, I was never a viscount. I was not a sovereign. So I'm rooting for journalism.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, I fell in love with journalism personally when I realized that. Wait a minute. They put journalists on TV and they make a ton of money and they don't have to write anymore. This is great. I have fallen in love with journalism, thanks to you. But for me, the word is non metaphorical. Because I do want to make every joke about how journalism and sovereignty, with democracy hanging the balance is all very on the nose. And we should lean into this and the metaphors of burying leads and kickers. That's what journalism, the horse's story is. But that closing man, Tony, the way that ended that closing kick, unbelievable. It was dangerous. It was cinematic. It almost went horribly. It almost went like, we got to cancel the sport horribly and instead we celebrate the press. A remarkable turn of events and no room.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He had no room to make that move and catch the horse in front of it. That's the final word. Let's take one last break. Still to come, the Stars fire their very successful head coach. What gives with that?

[Pablo Torre]

And will the Panthers even things with the Oilers tonight in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Thank you for being kind on that. Wilbon would have made fun of the horsies, as we know. And you didn't do that. That was very nice. I appreciate that.

[Pablo Torre]

I'm here to talk about horses.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, he doesn't do that. Don't talk about that.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time people. Happy 69th birthday. Bjorn Borg Borg was a teenage Sensation in the 70s. He was 18 when he won his first major, the French Open in 1974. He won another French Open in 1970, 75. Then he won Wimbledon in 1976 and 1977. In all, Borg won six French and five Wimbledons. Borg never won the US Open, though he went to four finals, twice losing to Jimmy Connors, twice losing to John McEnroe. Borg retired from tennis when he was just 26. The McEnroe Borg matches were simply fabulous. I have a photo at home of their 1980 Wimbledon final when Borg won 86 in the fifth. The fourth, sixth concept tiebreaker was 1816 McEnroe. The match took 3 hours and 53 minutes. I can't look at John McEnroe without thinking of Borg.

[Pablo Torre]

No, Tony, I cannot escape the idea that tennis is a lot like boxing. You are defined by who beat you up and in this case, just the shocking nature of his retirement at age 26. How shocking was that to you as someone who was covering this at the time? Because in retrospect, I don't get it. I am kind of stunned that he walked away like that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Unbelievable. Like everybody had the same reaction. What? He's 26. What are you talking about? He never came back. Happy Anniversary Kyle Busch. On this day 16 years ago, the two time NASCAR cup champion won a Nationwide event in Nashville, then shockingly began smashing the custom hand painted Les Paul Gibson guitar trophy onto the floor like a rock star at the end of a concert. This one of a kind guitar trophy reportedly took motorsports artist Sam Bass 140 hours to complete. Soon after that, Busch said he smashed the guitar into pieces to provide memorabilia for the whole Joe Gibbs racing team. And it was later learned that Busch made significant monetary contributions to music programs in Nashville. I don't remember Rockstars smashing their Grammys. The next time I see Wilbon, I'm going to ask, should we smash our Emmys? Just smash them.

[Pablo Torre]

I kind of feel like you keeping your Emmys. Speaking of just like the decor of your home, there's Bjornborg and there's a bunch of Emmys in your bathroom. I feel like keeping them in the bathroom is enough statement at this point to be quite honest with you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not all of them are in the bathroom. Some of them are in closets underneath clothing. Happy trails. Pete DeBoer the Dallas Stars fired their head coach today even though he had led the team to the Western Conference finals in each of his three seasons. In last week's elimination loss to the Oilers, DeBoer pulled star goalie Jake Ettinger, or Ottinger rather, after he gave up two goals on the only two shots he faced, explaining quote I didn't blame it all on Jake, but the reality is if you go back to last year's playoffs, he's lost six or seven games to Edmonton, unquote bomb quote Starz GM Jim Nil said those comments played a role in the decision, but were not the reason for it. I wonder whether a team will throw their coach, present coach overboard to hire DeBoer.

[Pablo Torre]

Right? I mean, the conspicuous part if you're DeBoer is you got fired after every job was filled. Which would raise a bit of frustration in me if I was him. Especially when I remember I am 9 and oh in game sevens. I am good at this. Even the if this would be my six Tech coaching job. Should I get another one?

[Tony Kornheiser]

It seems deliberately mean. It does to me. Let's go to the big finish.

[Unknown Host]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Adam Silver said he'll talk expansion with team owners next week. Are you excited by that?

[Pablo Torre]

I am excited, a little concerned. But Seattle deserves a team. Las Vegas seems fated for one. The Braves, meanwhile, led the Diamondbacks 10 to 4 with one out in the ninth and lost 11 to 10. Your thoughts?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I gotta read this. They had won 766 games in a row when leading by six runs after the eighth inning. Seven hundred and sixty six. Yankees starter Max Freed beat the Guardians, raising his record to 8 1, lowering his ERA to 178. You impressed?

[Pablo Torre]

I am impressed. It was a great acquisition. Also, the Yankees are hosting the Red Sox for three starting tonight. So, you know, eat it. Joe Scarborough. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff faces Arena Sabalenka tomorrow for the French Open women's title. Who you got?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm pulling a wheel. Bottom I'm pushing. I don't know. They're five and five career against each other. Last one. Panthers, Oilers. Game two tonight. Who you got?

[Pablo Torre]

I got the Panthers. I have the state of Florida for reasons that I continue to regret, but I have the Panthers.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We're out of time. We'll try to do better. The next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Pablo Torre]

And I'm Pablo Torre. Thank you for watching. Pablo Torre finds out is my show.