THE HOT CORNER

1 PRO BASKETBALL: The NBA told its teams on Friday that it still expects to see a significant jump in the salary cap and tax level in the 2023-24 season. Based on current projections, the cap will rise 8.4%, and the tax level will rise 7.8% over this season. Both figures — $134 million for the salary cap in 2023-24, $162 million as the tax level — would set records, and both are $1 million higher than the league’s projections made in June.

2 AUTO RACING: Charles Leclerc will be looking to reignite the Formula One championship race on his home track after clinching the pole position for today’s Italian Grand Prix. Runaway points leader Max Verstappen will again have to try to fight his way to the front after being among the many drivers to be hit with grid penalties. Leclerc set the fastest time on his last lap in Saturday’s qualifying and knew he would start at the front before Verstappen crossed 0.145 seconds slower.

3 AUTO RACING: John Hunter Nemechek chased down Carson Hocevar over the final laps at Kansas Speedway on Friday night, passing him as the white flag flew and denying Hocevar’s last-gasp chance at advancing in the NASCAR Truck Series playoffs. Hocevar ran out of fuel and coasted across in second place. Nemechek’s pass allowed Christian Eckes to sneak into the final playoff spot.

4 PRO SOCCER: Victory Wanyama scored in the 89th minute, and Zachary Brault-Guillard scored in stoppage time as Montreal rallied for a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew on Friday night that secured the team’s first playoff spot since 2016. Montreal is second in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference at 16-9-5 with four games left.

5 PRO BASEBALL: Milwaukee righthander and 2021 All-Star Freddy Peralta was placed on the 15-day IL Friday with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.