Category: Sports

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently highlighted how the league has historically seen opening-round playoff pairings settled on the season’s final day, and this year follows that same pattern.

Three series matchups remained undetermined until the last day before this weekend’s playoff start. Here’s a breakdown of the confirmed first-round series:

Carolina (53-22-7, 113 points): Under Rod Brind’Amour’s leadership, the Hurricanes have reached the playoffs for eight straight seasons and earned the Eastern Conference’s top seed, giving them home-ice advantage through the conference championship. Their advantages include playoff experience with three Eastern Conference final appearances in recent years and seven players who scored 20 or more goals, topped by Seth Jarvis with 32. However, questions persist about their goaltending situation and their history of offensive struggles in high-pressure situations.

Ottawa (43-27-11, 97 points with 1 game remaining): The Senators sat 15th among 16 Eastern Conference teams on January 25 before winning 20 of their following 29 contests to secure a playoff spot. Travis Green’s squad plays with intensity, and goaltender Linus Ullmark can dominate when performing at his peak. Late-season injuries revealed impressive organizational depth. Their challenges include taking the seventh-most penalties league-wide while ranking fourth-worst in penalty killing, plus the energy spent on their dramatic comeback.

Whyno’s prediction: Carolina (-175) deserves favorite status due to superior talent, but expect a challenging series. Hurricanes in six games.

Pittsburgh (41-25-16, 98 points): The underdog Penguins have given Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang another postseason opportunity after three years away from the playoffs. Erik Karlsson has excelled at age 35, while rookie coach Dan Muse employs a system that enables quick scoring bursts and momentum shifts. Their defensive play and goaltending remain problematic, often requiring them to outscore their issues.

Philadelphia (43-27-12, 98 points): The Flyers have dominated since March 7, posting a 15-5-1 record to reach their first playoffs since 2020. They benefit from veteran leadership like Sean Couturier while riding emerging young talents Tyson Foerster, Porter Martone, and Matvei Michkov. Goaltender Dan Vladar carried a heavy workload during the stretch run, and many players lack experience with playoff pressure.

Whyno’s prediction: Pittsburgh (-160) possesses too many battle-tested veterans and could surprise with an extended run. Penguins in five games.

Buffalo (50-23-8, 108 points with 1 game remaining): The Sabres overcame an 18-29 start to break the league’s longest playoff absence and capture their division title, with Lindy Ruff emerging as a coach of the year candidate. Unlike previous seasons, players have learned to handle close games and secure victories rather than collapse. Tage Thompson provides scoring threats from anywhere on the ice. Their inexperience could surface during playoff intensity, making player adaptation crucial.

Boston (45-27-10, 100 points): Following a one-year playoff absence, the Bruins leaned on 100-point scorer David Pastrnak, goaltender Jeremy Swayman, and top defenseman Charlie McAvoy for stability. Marco Sturm provides excellent coaching, and Swayman delivered an outstanding season. They represent a dependable but unspectacular team that relies heavily on Pastrnak and top offensive contributors.

Whyno’s prediction: Buffalo (-190) succeeds after being tested to their limits. Sabres in seven games.

Tampa Bay (50-25-6, 106 points with 1 game remaining): The Lightning weathered injuries to key players including defensemen Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh, plus centers Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, yet remain Stanley Cup contenders thanks to winger Nikita Kucherov, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, and roster depth. Vasilevskiy provides championship-level goaltending nightly, while extended player absences showcased coach Jon Cooper’s excellence. Hedman hasn’t played since mid-March with uncertain playoff availability.

Montreal (48-24-10, 106 points): The Canadiens closed strong with eight consecutive victories and 15 wins in their final 21 games, featuring Cole Caufield as the franchise’s first 50-goal scorer since 1990 and center Nick Suzuki entering MVP consideration. They excel at quick puck movement and can score at even strength or on power plays. They must prove their ability to play playoff-style defense and receive consistent goaltending.

Whyno’s prediction: Tampa Bay (-235) brings championship experience, but Montreal arrives hot at the perfect time. Canadiens in six games.

Dallas (49-20-12, 110 points with 1 game remaining): The Stars will miss injured center Roope Hintz for at least two games, with top defenseman Miro Heiskanen’s return timeline also uncertain, despite their overall strength. Jake Oettinger can dominate in goal, particularly in third periods, while winger Mikko Rantanen has proven playoff credentials. Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnson both exceeded 40 goals. Key injuries may prove overwhelming against elite competition.

Minnesota (46-24-12, 104 points): The Wild have lost eight straight playoff series since their last advancement in 2015, though they now feature elite defenseman Quinn Hughes following a December trade. Top wingers Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy provide offensive firepower, with Hughes joining Brock Faber on defense. Center depth remains problematic, along with inconsistent goaltending since February’s Olympic break.

Whyno’s prediction: Dallas (-100) holds slight favorite status but faces injury concerns at an inopportune time. Wild in seven games.

Western Conference will finalize three remaining matchups by Thursday evening.

Colorado, the Presidents’ Trophy recipient, will meet either Los Angeles, Anaheim, or two-time defending conference champion Edmonton. Among the Kings, Ducks, and Oilers, two teams will face each other while the third meets Vegas.

Multiple news sources confirmed Wednesday that Indiana University has secured a commitment from Aiden Sherrell, a former Alabama center who entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The big man is heading to Bloomington following a productive season with Alabama where he posted 11.1 points per game, pulled down 6.2 rebounds, and recorded 2.2 blocks across 34 contests, starting every game for the Crimson Tide.

Standing 6-foot-10 and weighing 255 pounds, Sherrell demonstrated strong shooting efficiency last season, connecting on 53.9% of his field goal attempts and 33.8% from beyond the arc. His defensive presence was notable as well, recording eight rejections in two separate games during the season.

Earlier Wednesday, Sherrell announced his departure from Alabama through a social media post.

“I want to sincerely thank the University of Alabama, coach (Nate) Oats, and the entire coaching staff and support team for believing in me and giving me the chance to be a part of such a special program,” Sherrell wrote on Instagram. “The experience, knowledge, and relationships I’ve built during my time in Tuscaloosa are something I will always carry with me.

“To my teammates, thank you for pushing me every day and making this journey unforgettable. The brotherhood we created goes far beyond basketball, and I’m grateful for every moment we’ve shared.”

The head of FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that Iran’s national soccer team will definitely take part in the upcoming World Cup, even as the country remains engaged in military conflict with the United States.

During an appearance at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the importance of Iran’s World Cup participation, despite questions surrounding their involvement following U.S. and Israeli military strikes against the nation.

“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes,” Infantino stated. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play.”

Two weeks prior to his Wednesday comments, Infantino traveled to Antalya, Turkey, where he met with Iran’s national team and came away with positive impressions.

“I went to see them. They are actually quite a good team as well,” Infantino remarked. “And they really want to play and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics now.”

The FIFA president recognized that completely separating athletics from political matters isn’t always achievable.

“OK we don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” Infantino explained. “But you know if there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and in keeping them, you know, intact and together, well we are doing that job.”

The World Cup will take place across three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Iran’s tournament schedule includes two group matches in Inglewood, California, with an additional game set for Seattle.

The ongoing military conflict has created uncertainty about whether Iran would actually participate in the World Cup. Mixed messages from both Iranian government representatives and soccer officials have added to the confusion. President Donald Trump has advised against the Iranian team’s attendance, expressing concerns about their safety.

A former University of Alabama football player who helped the team win a national championship in 2009 is preparing to enter a guilty plea in connection with an elaborate $20 million fraud operation where he allegedly posed as professional NFL players, according to reports from The Guardian and federal court records obtained by AL.com.

Federal prosecutors in Atlanta filed charges against Luther Davis on March 19, though the case remained under wraps until Wednesday’s news report. Davis faces serious felony charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Court filings reveal that Davis collaborated with an associate named CJ Evins to secure 13 separate loans by assuming the identities of active and former NFL players. The victims included Michael Penix Jr., David Njoku, and Xavier McKinney, who was recruited by former Alabama head coach Nick Saban in 2017. The total amount of the fraudulent loans exceeded $19,845,000.

Federal documents state that Davis and Evins “executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in loans from multiple lenders … by impersonating football players and falsely claiming those players were seeking multi-million dollar loans.”

The elaborate deception involved Davis wearing what authorities described as a “durag-style head covering” while pretending to be Penix, and using photographs of players found online to support their false identities. Both suspects employed wigs, cosmetics, and fabricated identification documents during “virtual loan closings” conducted without the knowledge or permission of the actual players.

Federal prosecutors detailed the timeline of the criminal activity, stating: “Beginning no later than in or around May 2023 and continuing through in or about October 2024, the defendant, Luther Davis, and CJ Evins, executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in loans from multiple lenders, including, but not limited to, Aliya Sports and All Pro Capital Funding, by impersonating professional football players and falsely claiming those players were seeking multi-million dollar Loans.”

Davis, who operates a sports management business in Georgia, was among the first recruits signed by Saban when he arrived at Alabama in 2007. The Louisiana native from West Monroe had earned U.S. Army All-American honors and went on to play 45 games as a defensive lineman during his four-year career with the Crimson Tide.

Following his departure from Alabama, Davis came under scrutiny in 2013 when Yahoo Sports identified him as a potential “runner” who facilitated payments from advisers and agents to SEC prospects. Former Alabama star offensive lineman D.J. Fluker was reportedly among the recruits involved in those allegations.

Major League Baseball has shortened the suspension handed to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler from seven games down to four following a successful appeal, according to multiple reports released Wednesday.

The 34-year-old veteran started serving his penalty Wednesday during the Angels’ third matchup in their four-game road series against the New York Yankees. Soler will remain sidelined through Sunday when Los Angeles wraps up a three-game homestand against the San Diego Padres.

The disciplinary action stemmed from a bench-clearing brawl that erupted between the Atlanta Braves and Angels on April 7 during their regular season matchup.

The incident began when Soler launched a two-run home run against pitcher Reynaldo Lopez during his initial plate appearance. In his subsequent at-bat, Lopez drilled Soler with a pitch that struck his left hand. The situation escalated further when Lopez threw a high and tight fastball in the fifth inning that deflected off catcher Jonah Heim’s mitt and rolled to the backstop.

After glaring at Lopez for several moments, Soler charged toward the pitcher’s mound. The two players confronted each other and exchanged swings, though none of the punches connected cleanly, as teammates from both dugouts rushed onto the field. Lopez defended himself using his glove while throwing punches with his pitching hand, which was still gripping the baseball.

Braves skipper Walt Weiss ultimately brought Soler down near the first base line, helping to end the altercation.

Soler earned World Series MVP honors with Atlanta in 2021 and has since played for three different organizations, including a second stint with the Braves in 2024.

Lopez also negotiated with MLB officials and had his original suspension reduced to five games.

Championship-caliber NFL franchises have mastered the art of discovering talent in the final days of the draft, turning overlooked prospects into essential roster pieces.

Though media attention focuses heavily on first-round selections who command immediate attention, the ability to evaluate talent in rounds four through seven proves critical for long-term organizational success.

First-round selections capture headlines, earn substantial contracts, and face enormous pressure to perform immediately. These marquee players drive ticket sales and jersey purchases. However, championship rosters are constructed and maintained through Saturday’s draft selections in the fourth through seventh rounds. Organizations that regularly compete for titles consistently uncover contributors during these later rounds.

These players become special teams cornerstones, develop into starting-caliber talent, and supply vital roster depth.

“I’d say the late round to (undrafted) free agents, honestly, the fifth through undrafted players, it’s probably a similar pool of players,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “That’s where you tip your hat to your scouting staff because they know the players as much as anybody, and we spend as much time talking about that group of players as we do the other players that are graded higher. …

“You take a lot of pride in those players because those players have an opportunity to enhance your overall program, enhance your overall team. Again, just get them in the building. If they’re on the roster, great. If they’re off the roster in the practice squad, no problem. We’ve talked about this. You’re going to need those players at some point to go in and play really important snaps.”

Elite scouting organizations distinguish themselves during the draft’s final rounds by investing months identifying overlooked characteristics and untapped potential that competing teams missed.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks featured five regular starters who were either Day 3 selections or undrafted signings. Tight end A.J. Barner, guard Anthony Bradford, and cornerback Coby Bryant all came via fourth-round selections. Center Jalen Sundell and linebacker Drake Thomas joined the roster after going undrafted.

The 2024 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles discovered one of their premier offensive linemen by taking a gamble on Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata in the seventh round during 2018. Edge rusher Josh Sweat, who recorded 2½ sacks against Patrick Mahomes in their dominant Super Bowl victory over Kansas City, was a fourth-round selection. Starting safety Reed Blankenship joined as an undrafted free agent.

Among Philadelphia’s legendary players stands Jason Kelce, a sixth-round selection who commanded the offensive line for over ten years and contributed to the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship in 2018 plus another title game appearance in 2023. Howie Roseman was serving his second season as general manager when he drafted Kelce in 2011.

“I think when you’re talking about the first-round picks, you’re hoping you’re getting a two-contract player that has Pro Bowl potential,” Roseman said. “So you’re looking at it over hopefully eight-, nine-, 10-year period. Then I think as you go through the draft, those expectations change just based on really the research on those picks. When you’re in the fifth round, can you expect that you’re going to get an eight-, nine-, 10-year player based on the resource? Maybe not. Obviously, that’s what we’re looking to do and that’s what we’re looking to hit on.”

Regarding salary cap management, Day 3 selections and undrafted signings provide exceptional value through smaller salaries, controllable contracts, and minimal financial risk. These athletes also contribute to organizational culture. They typically arrive with motivation to prove doubters wrong, feeling undervalued or dismissed. They challenge veteran players and intensify internal competition.

“Great players come from everywhere in the draft, whether they’re a first-round pick, seventh-round pick, undrafted free agent,” Colts GM Chris Ballard said. “Our scouts do a great job of digging and trying to dig out those types of players that we think can come in and produce right away. They come from everywhere.”

Tom Brady represents the pinnacle of late-round draft success. New England selected him 199th overall in the sixth round during 2000. He subsequently guided the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships and established himself as the greatest quarterback in professional football history.

The San Francisco 49ers transformed Mr. Irrelevant—the draft’s final selection in 2022—into a franchise quarterback by choosing Brock Purdy with pick 262. Despite trading up to select QB Trey Lance third overall in 2021, Purdy surpassed him, directing San Francisco to the NFC championship game as a rookie and the Super Bowl during his sophomore campaign.

“I will tell you that a lot of the things we track in terms of successful draft choices over the years, there’s obviously a requisite amount of ability,” 49ers GM John Lynch said. “A lot of it goes to the person, the intangibles that they possess or don’t possess in terms of them making it or not making it. And I think that’s because, having done it myself for 15 years, the NFL is very hard. It’s tough. It’s not easy. You’re going to be tested over and over and over. And so, do you have that mental fortitude that when things get tough, because they will and they do and that never goes away, do you have that mental toughness, that physical toughness to endure and get the most out of whatever your abilities are? I think that’s really critical, but the tape is very critical.”

MINNEAPOLIS — Both Major League Baseball and the Minnesota Twins have launched investigations after Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran claimed a spectator told him to take his own life during Tuesday night’s game at Target Field.

The incident occurred when Duran was walking back to the dugout following a ground out in the fifth inning of Boston’s 6-0 defeat. Duran responded to the alleged comment by making an obscene gesture toward the fan.

Dustin Morse, the Twins’ senior vice president of communications and public affairs, confirmed the team’s investigation Wednesday. “We were made aware of the situation late last night and are looking into it,” Morse stated. “There’s no place in our game for conduct like that.”

Major League Baseball has also confirmed they are conducting their own review, following standard protocol to examine both the player’s actions and the fan’s behavior before deciding on any potential disciplinary measures.

Following the game, Duran spoke about the incident with reporters. “Somebody just told me to kill myself. I’m used to it at this point, you know?” he explained. The outfielder acknowledged his reaction was inappropriate, saying he “shouldn’t react like that, but that kind of stuff is still kind of triggering.”

Duran has been open about his mental health challenges, including severe depression and a suicide attempt, which he discussed in a Netflix documentary series released last year.

The player expressed regret about sharing his mental health journey publicly. “Honestly, it’s my fault for talking about my mental health because I kind of brought in the haters. So I’ve just got to get used to it,” Duran said. “I was just trying to hold it in and not really bring that up to the team. I mean, we’re trying to win a game. I shouldn’t even bring that up to anybody. … It just happens.”

Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t witness the incident or review footage immediately after the game, but addressed the situation before Wednesday’s series finale.

“I know the Twins are all over the case and trying to find out who he was, and hopefully they find the person,” Cora told reporters. He added that if the fan is identified, “it’s probably the last big-league game that that person is going to attend.”

Cora expressed full support for his player. “We have Jarren’s back. Like I said last year, for him to open up, he saved lives,” the manager stated. “And it’s not easy. It’s not easy because, like he said, we’re in the business of winning games, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction. And he’s not a distraction. He’s not. He’s just a player that plays for the Red Sox and has our full support.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988 for the national suicide and crisis lifeline. Online chat support is also available at 988lifeline.org.

The Indiana Fever announced Wednesday they have signed veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough to strengthen their backcourt depth.

Financial details of Walker-Kimbrough’s contract were not disclosed by the franchise.

“Shatori is a versatile guard who adds depth to our backcourt rotation,” said Fever chief operating officer and general manager Amber Cox. “She’s a proven veteran in our league who brings a championship mindset and experience, both on and off the court.”

The 30-year-old Walker-Kimbrough posted 1.7 points per game across 41 appearances (including one start) during last season with the Atlanta Dream.

“I’m looking forward to joining an amazing organization like the Fever. I’m excited to play alongside some of the most talented players in the league,” Walker-Kimbrough stated. “The success of the team last year not only speaks to the players but also Coach White and her staff, so I’m blessed to be a part of it.”

Washington selected Walker-Kimbrough as the sixth overall choice in the 2017 WNBA Draft. She was part of the Mystics’ championship squad in 2019. Throughout her professional career spanning 274 games (54 as a starter), she has posted averages of 5.6 points and 1.5 rebounds while playing for Washington, Phoenix Mercury, Connecticut Sun and Atlanta.

When NFL teams call Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan asking what it would take to trade for running back De’Von Achane, they’re getting a firm rejection.

Sullivan has made it clear that Achane is “not available for trade” as the organization clarifies his status amid a major roster overhaul under new head coach Jeff Hafley’s first season.

The team has already parted ways with several key players, cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill while dealing outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and receiver Jaylen Waddle in trades.

Interest from other franchises naturally increased when these moves began and word spread that Achane was skipping voluntary offseason training sessions.

“Things are going good. We’ve have some positive conversations over the last couple days. Trending in the right direction,” Sullivan explained. “He’s obviously very important to what we’re doing. It’s all part of it. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or another, but yeah, things are trending in the right direction.”

The Dolphins intend to construct their offensive game plan around Achane alongside newly signed free agent quarterback Malik Willis, who is expected to take over the starting role following Tagovailoa’s departure.

The 24-year-old Achane is playing out his final season under his initial rookie deal after Miami selected him in the third round of the 2023 draft from Texas A&M. Last season, he compiled 1,350 rushing yards with eight touchdowns while posting the league’s best average of 5.7 yards per carry. He also contributed 67 receptions for 488 yards and four scores through the air.

North Carolina freshman basketball sensation Caleb Wilson has officially announced his intention to enter the NBA draft, ending his college career after just one injury-plagued season.

Wilson’s collegiate journey concluded unexpectedly on February 10th, marking his last appearance in a Tar Heels uniform. The towering forward has emerged as a projected top-five selection in the upcoming draft.

In a video announcement, Wilson expressed his appreciation for his time at the university. “I am grateful for the opportunity I had to represent North Carolina,” Wilson said in a video. “Wearing No. 8, running out of that historic tunnel every day for practice and games, and I’m happy to say every day I gave it my all.”

Despite playing in only 24 contests, the 6-foot-10 Wilson earned second-team All-American honors while posting impressive statistics of 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. However, injuries derailed the final portion of his season, forcing him to miss the team’s last nine games.

Wilson’s injury troubles began when he suffered a fractured left hand during the February 10th matchup against Miami. Just as he neared a return to action, the freshman sustained another setback on March 5th, breaking his right thumb during a practice dunking session, which required surgical intervention.

Reflecting on his college experience, Wilson acknowledged both the challenges and rewards of his freshman campaign. “This past year has been the most fun year of my life, although it has been filled with a lot of growth and adversity,” Wilson said in his announcement. “I will always cherish this university and the people that make this place what it is.”

Wilson’s professional aspirations come amid significant changes within the North Carolina program, as the university recently dismissed head coach Hubert Davis and brought in former NBA coach Michael Malone as his replacement.

The Tar Heels’ season ended in disappointment with an 82-78 overtime loss to VCU during the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Major League Baseball paid tribute to Jackie Robinson on Wednesday as the sport marked 79 years since the legendary infielder shattered baseball’s color barrier. Every player, coach and umpire across the league donned Robinson’s iconic number 42 in recognition of this milestone anniversary.

Robinson made his groundbreaking debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, launching a remarkable career that included Rookie of the Year recognition, six All-Star selections, and the 1949 National League MVP award. Throughout his career, he appeared in six World Series and captured his sole championship title in 1955 with the Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets organized a special commemoration ceremony at Dodger Stadium, gathering around the centerfield statue dedicated to Robinson’s legacy.

“A special day, especially for me as a Latino. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t because of him,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Talk about dealing with pressure at this level, imagine what he dealt with back in the day.”

Robinson’s two granddaughters participated in the ceremony at Dodger Stadium, located near Pasadena, which Robinson considered his adopted home. Before his baseball fame, the Georgia-born athlete excelled in four sports at Pasadena Junior College and later attended UCLA, where he gained more recognition for football than baseball.

The ceremony also featured scholarship recipients from the Jackie Robinson Foundation, continuing his legacy of educational advancement.

In encouraging news for diversity in the sport, Major League Baseball reported an increase in Black player representation for the first time in over twenty years. The league announced that 6.8% of players on opening day rosters, injured lists and restricted lists were Black, rising from 6.2% in 2025 and 6.0% in 2024.

Detroit Tigers management made a significant investment in their future Wednesday, finalizing a massive eight-year contract extension worth $150 million with rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle, who is just 21 years old.

The substantial agreement kicks off with the 2027 season and extends through 2034, encompassing McGonigle’s remaining five years under team control plus his initial three seasons of potential free agency. Performance bonuses built into the contract’s final three years could push the total value up to $160 million.

Selected in the opening round of the 2023 draft, McGonigle stepped onto the major league stage this Opening Day and has delivered impressive results. Through his first 17 games, the young infielder is hitting .311 with a .909 OPS, recording eight extra-base hits and driving in eight runs. His inaugural major league home run came this past Sunday during Detroit’s 8-2 victory over Miami.

The financial structure includes guaranteed annual salaries starting at $1 million in 2027, jumping to $7 million in 2028, then $16 million in 2029, $21 million in 2030, $22 million in 2031, and $23 million for each of the final three seasons through 2034. McGonigle will also receive a $14 million signing bonus.

The left-handed batter entered this season as the second-ranked prospect in all of baseball according to both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline rankings.

During his three-year minor league career spanning 2023 through 2025, McGonigle compiled a .308 batting average across 183 games, launching 25 home runs, collecting 130 RBIs, and stealing 40 bases.

DETROIT — Detroit Tigers management announced Wednesday that they have reached agreement on a massive eight-year contract extension worth $150 million with first-year infielder Kevin McGonigle.

The agreement takes effect in the 2027 season and runs until 2034, spanning McGonigle’s remaining five years under team control plus three additional seasons when he would otherwise become a free agent. While $150 million is guaranteed, performance escalators built into the final three years could push the total value to $160 million.

McGonigle’s guaranteed annual earnings will be $1 million in 2027, $7 million in 2028, $16 million in 2029, $21 million in 2030, $22 million in 2031, and $23 million for each of the 2032, 2033, and 2034 campaigns.

Should the performance escalators activate, his maximum annual salary could reach $25 million in 2032, $26 million in 2033, and $28 million in 2034.

Additional contract provisions include a $14 million signing bonus and $5 million trade bonuses should McGonigle be dealt to another major league club.

The 21-year-old made an impressive major league debut with four hits in Detroit’s 8-2 victory over San Diego on March 26. Currently batting .311 with one home run and maintaining a .417 on-base percentage, McGonigle has reached base safely in 13 straight starts and 15 of his 16 total games. Among major leaguers with at least 11 walks this season, only nine other players have drawn more walks (11) than strikeouts (eight).

McGonigle’s exceptional early performance validates his preseason recognition as one of baseball’s premier prospects. He has seen action at both third base and shortstop for Detroit.

Detroit selected McGonigle with the 37th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 draft from Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA – Fans entering the arena Tuesday night might have felt transported back in time as they collected their rally towels for the Philadelphia Flyers’ long-awaited playoff celebration.

A Grateful Dead tribute band called Splintered Sunlight performed classic 1970s hits while longtime supporters who witnessed the Flyers’ Stanley Cup championships danced in tie-dyed shirts. Along the concourse, Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Watson autographed his memoir while legendary Bobby Clarke smiled broadly as he filled his beverage at the press box refreshment area.

These were scenes reminiscent of the franchise’s golden era.

For years, the Flyers organization clung to those championship memories because there hadn’t been much recent success worth celebrating.

Now, finally, there’s reason for excitement — and genuine hope that even greater achievements lie ahead.

The team’s young core displayed their talent in full force during Tuesday’s 4-2 victory against Montreal, coming just one day after securing their first postseason spot since 2020 and their first home playoff series since 2018.

Nineteen-year-old rookie Porter Martone opened the scoring for Philadelphia, just weeks after competing for Michigan State and now poised to make an impact in the opening round matchup with Pittsburgh. Martone redirected a shot from the point by Matvei Michkov, the 21-year-old Russian forward who struggled early in the campaign but found his rhythm when the stakes were highest.

Michkov added Philadelphia’s third goal without assistance, his 20th of the season, while one supporter held up a sign reading “We Want More!”

General manager Danny Briere and team president Keith Jones, the masterminds behind this extensive reconstruction, can now enjoy recognition across social media, radio shows, and print coverage for sticking to their blueprint of developing talent through the draft and smart trades for young players rather than pursuing aging veterans for temporary fixes.

Consider the playoff-clinching moment against Carolina: Tyson Foerster, selected in the first round of 2020 and still only 24 years old, netted the shootout winner that sparked wild celebrations both on ice and in the stands.

How long has it been since the Flyers hosted a playoff series?

Their last home postseason games occurred in 2018 — before Gritty arrived.

The team’s wild-haired, googly-eyed mascot made his playoff debut Tuesday by smashing a cake into the face of an unsuspecting fan wearing Pittsburgh gear.

While Gritty provided entertainment with his dessert assault, goaltender Dan Vladar, winner of the Bobby Clarke Trophy as team MVP, revealed some inside information.

Throughout the season, Briere, who helped lead the Flyers to their most recent Stanley Cup Final in 2010, publicly tempered expectations about playoff chances.

However, his message to the team was more optimistic.

“He told us at the beginning of the year, I hope he’s not going to get mad at me, but he said the goal is to make the playoffs,” Vladar revealed. “There was always a belief in this room. Obviously, we knew that, even if it was the media or outsiders who didn’t really believe in us, we always had the belief here since Day 1.”

Team captain Sean Couturier represents both the old rebuilding era and the new success, having been the eighth overall selection in 2011. After making his debut that year, Couturier has remained a consistent presence — aside from injuries that sidelined him for the entire 2022-2023 campaign — and stands as the only current Flyer who played in their last home playoff series win against Pittsburgh in 2012.

“You want things to turn around,” Couturier explained. “I think that the management, the organization has done a great job of being patient and building assets and putting us in a great spot here for now and the future.”

The current success seemed unlikely before the Olympic break when Philadelphia lost 11 of 14 games leading up to the shutdown and dropped another upon returning to action.

Head coach Rick Tocchet’s defensive modifications during the break proved effective.

The Flyers ignited their season by sweeping a three-game California road trip against Anaheim, Los Angeles, and San Jose, then closed the regular season with an impressive 18-6-1 record that pushed them to 98 points and third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Perhaps the turning point came when a suburban Philadelphia family presented Pope Leo XIV with his own personalized Flyers jersey, truly blessing the organization.

Tuesday’s regular season finale felt more like a celebratory rally than a meaningful contest. Supporters swaying to the Dead cover band erupted in cheers when the vocalist paused during “Jack Straw” after singing “sun so hot, the clouds so low, the eagles filled the sky” — a nod to the NFL team located across the street.

The remainder of the evening belonged to the orange and black.

Gritty once warned the Penguins: “Sleep with one eye open tonight, bird.”

With one of the NHL’s youngest rosters, the Flyers enter the playoffs fully alert and determined to show their supporters that their worrying days are over.

The New York Mets’ offensive woes deepened Tuesday night as they suffered their seventh consecutive defeat, falling 2-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles. The team’s batting performance has deteriorated significantly during this losing stretch, with opponents outscoring them 36-10 overall.

Currently sitting at the bottom of the NL East division with a 7-11 record, the Mets are struggling without their top offensive threat Juan Soto, who remains out with a calf injury for an expected two to three more weeks.

Francisco Lindor provided the lone offensive highlight, launching a leadoff home run off World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto that boosted his batting average 18 points to .194. The blast marked Lindor’s first RBI of the season and ended a 20-inning scoreless drought that nearly resulted in three straight shutouts for the first time since 1992.

However, Yamamoto dominated from that point forward, retiring the next 20 consecutive batters he faced. New York managed only three additional hits: Bo Bichette’s seventh-inning double and singles from Carson Benge and Lindor in the eighth frame.

In the decisive ninth inning, trailing by one run, the Mets became overly aggressive at the plate, allowing Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia to strike out three straight batters to seal the victory.

“We chase and it’s hard to score in situations like that,” manager Carlos Mendoza explained. “You really have to force those guys to come in the strike zone and right now we’re not doing that, especially at the end of the game.”

The statistics paint a grim picture of New York’s offensive struggles during this skid. The team is batting just .178 overall and a dismal .083 with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-24 in those crucial situations. They’re averaging merely 1.43 runs per contest with only eight extra-base hits.

“You’re down one run and you’re basically trying to hit one out of the ballpark and that’s when the chase comes,” Mendoza noted. “If you continue to swing at pitches out of the strike zone, they’re going to continue to do that, so we have to make adjustments.”

The Mets recorded 11 strikeouts in Tuesday’s loss, marking their fourth consecutive game reaching double digits in that category. Jorge Polanco, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos each struck out twice.

“It’s easy to put too much pressure on yourself,” Mendoza observed. “You got to go back to your fundamentals, you got to go back to what got you to this level, understanding that you are a great hitter.”

The manager warned that without proper adjustments, the offensive problems could continue escalating.

“I know it’s tough right now, but the last thing you could do is just panic and try to do too much,” Mendoza said.

Despite the loss, rookie pitcher Nolan McLean delivered an outstanding performance for New York. The 24-year-old right-hander surrendered just one run on two hits across seven innings, striking out eight while walking two batters.

“He pretty much dominated one of the best lineups,” Mendoza praised. “It sucks losing when you get that type of outing.”

McLean has now allowed two or fewer earned runs in 11 of his first 12 major league appearances.

Even Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was impressed by the young pitcher’s performance.

“It was fun to watch McLean pitch,” Roberts commented. “Man, he’s special.”

Professional wrestling’s premier annual spectacle returns to Las Vegas this weekend, following last year’s event that injected more than $322 million into the local economy according to new research data.

TKO, the parent company behind WWE, announced Wednesday that studies by Applied Analysis revealed the 2024 two-day wrestling extravaganza generated an economic impact of $322.2 million. Wrestling enthusiasts journeyed from across the United States and international destinations, filling hotels and dining at restaurants while shopping at local establishments.

The wrestling organization schedules multiple events throughout the week surrounding its flagship show, including fan meet-and-greet sessions with performers, its prestigious Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and tapings for its weekly television programs ‘Smackdown’ and ‘Raw,’ encouraging visitors to extend their stays for several days.

Las Vegas is welcoming the wrestling showcase for a consecutive year as the city works to attract tourists amid changing visitor patterns. The entertainment destination experienced its lowest visitor numbers in four years during 2024, while Strip casino revenue increased by less than one percent, based on January statistics.

The 2024 wrestling event attracted 124,693 spectators over two evenings at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

According to Applied Analysis data cited by TKO Group, 85.4% of those attending traveled to Las Vegas exclusively for the wrestling event. International visitors comprised 22% of attendees, while 90.2% came from outside the local area.

Jefferies analyst Randal Konik noted in a recent report that the wrestling event produced approximately $66 million in ticket revenue across both nights, citing Pollstar information. Tickets averaged around $635 each, nearly twice the cost of the previous year’s event.

‘WrestleMania 41’s performance highlights the strength and strategic importance of WWE as a core asset within TKO,’ Konik wrote.

ESPN will provide extensive coverage of this year’s wrestling spectacular. Featured matches include undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes defending his championship against Randy Orton, and CM Punk risking his World Heavyweight title against Roman Reigns.

The weekend event at Allegiant Stadium begins Saturday and Sunday, with ‘SportsCenter’ coverage starting Thursday and ‘First Take’ broadcasting from Las Vegas Friday.

For the first time, the event will stream on the ESPN app. Saturday’s opening hour will air on ESPN2, while Sunday’s first hour broadcasts on ESPN. Both nights begin at 6 p.m. Eastern time.

ESPN started carrying WWE premium events on its ESPN Unlimited streaming platform last September. Most major cable, satellite and streaming providers have agreements with Disney that include ESPN Unlimited access in their television packages.

This marks the first occasion that portions of the main event will broadcast on traditional television. The inaugural WrestleMania took place in 1985 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The golf world is buzzing with rumors about LIV Golf’s future after reports surfaced that league leadership was called to an urgent meeting in New York City on Wednesday.

Sources are suggesting a major announcement could be coming, with some claiming the Saudi-funded golf league might be facing serious financial troubles.

Golf reporter Ryan French, who runs the Monday Q Info account on X with nearly 200,000 followers, shared what he’s been hearing from contacts within the industry.

“I have some pretty good sources and I’ve heard that some other people have sources that LIV is shutting down,” French stated.

Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee also weighed in, forecasting the demise of the tour that began operations in 2022 and attracted high-profile PGA Tour players like Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson with massive contracts.

“Given that the product was so ill-conceived and ended up being worse than anyone could have imagined,” Chamblee wrote on X. “With shotgun starts, initially 54 holes, a team concept that was nothing but laughable and tournaments that meant and continue to mean nothing, and such a paltry number of viewers, losing billions along the way — would it surprise anyone if the Saudis came to their corrupted senses and finally euthanized the whole lame-brained tour.”

However, other sources are pushing back against claims of financial difficulties within the organization.

The Flushing It Golf account on X offered a different perspective, stating: “I’ve spoken directly to multiple people within LIV Golf who all say they have had no issue with being paid. Future venues are proceeding as normal, with no indication that anything will change. And players are getting ready to tee it up in today’s pro am, fully expecting LIV Golf Mexico City to go ahead as planned.”

The Mexico City tournament is scheduled to start Thursday, with nine more events planned for the remainder of the 2026 season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Following Charlotte’s thrilling 127-126 playoff victory over Miami on Tuesday night, Hornets guard LaMelo Ball’s excitement reached unusual heights when he struck team mascot Hugo twice in the head during postgame celebrations.

The dramatic finish saw Ball redeem himself after making two crucial errors in overtime by sinking a driving layup with just 4.7 seconds remaining. Charlotte secured the victory when Miles Bridges rejected Davion Mitchell’s final shot attempt as the buzzer sounded, triggering jubilant celebrations that marked the franchise’s first home playoff victory in ten years.

While Ball was spotted flexing at midcourt following his clutch basket, local station WBTV captured footage of the euphoric player throwing two punches at Hugo’s oversized head before wrapping teammate Coby White in an enthusiastic embrace.

The mascot simply moved away from the situation.

“We drew up a good play, I feel like. Just orchestrated it and it worked,” Ball commented.

Media members didn’t question Ball about the mascot incident during postgame interviews, as the footage hadn’t yet emerged during the chaotic aftermath of a contest where Ball also tripped Miami’s Bam Adebayo, causing a lower back injury that ended the star center’s night.

“The crowd was amazing,” Ball remarked about the capacity audience. “Everyone who came out today was real loud, so it was a good crowd.”

Charlotte forced overtime when White connected on a difficult corner three-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation, while Miami’s Tyler Herro misfired on a potential game-winner.

The Hornets let a five-point overtime advantage slip away due to Ball’s pair of costly mistakes.

Following Herro’s corner three-pointer, Ball committed a turnover at midcourt before fouling Herro during another three-point attempt. Herro converted all three free throws for a 126-125 Miami advantage, creating the stage for Ball’s heroics on the subsequent inbound play.

“We just stayed together throughout it all, it was an up-and-down game. But that’s what the play-in is about,” Bridges explained. “We did a great job executing on offense, LaMelo did a great job getting a layup, and then we executed on defense on the other end.”

Ball remained the focal point throughout the evening.

He seemed to sweep Adebayo’s leg during the second quarter, sending the Miami big man crashing to the floor. Officials didn’t assess a foul, and Adebayo never returned after logging only 11 minutes.

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra later stated Ball deserved ejection for the play.

Whether Ball faces league discipline for his involvement in the Adebayo situation remains uncertain.

Ball offered an apology postgame, explaining he felt disoriented after taking a blow to the head moments earlier while driving to the basket.

The ninth-seeded Hornets advance to Friday night’s matchup against whichever team loses Wednesday’s contest between Orlando and Philadelphia.

Los Angeles FC punched their ticket to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals Tuesday night after Denis Bouanga converted a crucial penalty kick deep into stoppage time, securing a 1-1 tie with Cruz Azul in Puebla, Mexico. The result gave LAFC a commanding 3-1 victory over the two-leg quarterfinal series.

LAFC entered the match with a substantial 3-0 advantage from their home victory the previous week, putting them in control of the series. Their semifinal opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Toluca versus Los Angeles Galaxy matchup.

The Mexican side created hope for a comeback when Gabriel Fernandez successfully converted a penalty kick in the 18th minute, but Cruz Azul couldn’t build on that momentum. Their chances took a significant hit when Gonzalo Piovi received a direct red card for a dangerous challenge on Bouanga just two minutes into second-half injury time.

The pivotal penalty opportunity for LAFC came five minutes after the red card when officials called a handball violation inside Cruz Azul’s penalty area, allowing Bouanga to level the score.

LAFC’s celebration was tempered by the fact that Bouanga’s first-half yellow card will force him to miss the opening leg of their semifinal series. The forward has been instrumental in their tournament run, netting five goals across Los Angeles’ six CONCACAF Champions Cup contests.

In the evening’s second quarterfinal conclusion, Nashville SC delivered a shocking performance against Club America in Mexico City. Hany Mukhtar’s 51st-minute strike proved to be the difference-maker as Nashville claimed a 1-0 victory, advancing with a 1-0 aggregate triumph after last week’s scoreless draw in Tennessee.

The decisive sequence began with Andy Najar launching a long ball down the right flank for Nashville. Cristian Espinoza’s cross found its way between two Club America defenders, setting up Mukhtar for a right-footed finish from 10 yards that beat goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.

Nashville, known as the Boys in Gold, will face either Tigres UANL or the Seattle Sounders in the semifinals. This marks the club’s first semifinal appearance in continental competition, having participated in the tournament for only the second time.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball emerged as the game’s hero in Tuesday night’s playoff victory against Miami, but Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra believes Ball should have been thrown out of the contest during the first half for a dangerous play.

During the early minutes of the second quarter, Ball caused Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo to trip by grabbing his left ankle, sending Adebayo crashing hard to the court beneath the basket. The fall resulted in a back injury that forced Adebayo to miss the rest of Charlotte’s thrilling 127-126 overtime win at home.

As Adebayo remained on the ground near the baseline, the game continued with both teams scoring baskets. Officials finally halted play with Charlotte leading 30-26 and 10:58 remaining in the quarter. Adebayo managed to get up and walked gingerly to the locker room for medical assessment.

Following the game, Spoelstra expressed his frustration with the incident. “I didn’t see it (when it happened), but I don’t think it’s cute. I don’t think it’s funny. I think it’s a stupid play. It’s a dangerous play. Obviously, our best player was out,” Spoelstra stated.

“I’m not making an excuse. The Hornets played great and they made those plays down the stretch. We had our opportunities to win. That’s a shame. You should be penalized for that. I don’t think that belongs in the game — tripping guys, shenanigans,” he continued.

Official Zach Zarba explained to reporters after the game that the incident couldn’t be reviewed since play had resumed following the occurrence.

Ball offered an apology for his actions, saying, “I apologize on that one. I got hit in the head (on the preceding action) and didn’t really know where I was. But I’m going to check on him, see if he’s OK and everything.”

Despite the controversy, Ball finished with 30 points and delivered the decisive basket with just 4.7 seconds remaining in overtime to secure the victory.

Before his injury, Adebayo had contributed six points and three rebounds. The veteran center, now in his ninth season, posted impressive regular season averages of 20.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, with his rebounding numbers ranking eighth league-wide.

Toronto completed a dramatic comeback against Milwaukee on Tuesday evening, securing a 9-7 extra-inning victory that pushed the Brewers’ losing streak to six straight games. Myles Straw delivered the decisive blow with a two-run double that highlighted a three-run 10th inning for the visiting Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays had rallied with three runs in the ninth inning to take a 6-4 advantage, only to watch Milwaukee answer with two runs in the bottom half to force extra innings.

In the 10th, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. started the winning rally with a one-out double off Grant Anderson (0-1), bringing home automatic runner Ernie Clement from second base for a 7-6 Toronto lead. After Jesse Sanchez received an intentional walk, Straw connected on a line drive to left field that scored both runners.

Louis Varland (1-1) earned the victory despite surrendering a run in the 10th on William Contreras’ RBI single. Varland had entered with two outs in the ninth and struck out Joey Ortiz with the bases loaded, then closed out the game by striking out Gary Sanchez with runners on first and second.

Reds 2, Giants 1

Cincinnati held off San Francisco despite being outhit 7-3, as Brady Singer delivered six solid innings and early home runs from Spencer Steer and Sal Stewart provided the offense for the host Reds.

Singer (1-1) surrendered only a fifth-inning solo homer to Willy Adames along with five other hits across his six-inning outing. The bullpen trio of Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagan each contributed a scoreless frame, with Pagan securing his fifth save on just seven pitches in the ninth.

Giants starter Robbie Ray (2-2) was undone by the two home runs, which were the only hits he allowed during his five-inning stint that required 94 pitches. Ray issued four walks while striking out six batters.

Diamondbacks 4, Orioles 3

Arizona received a three-run homer from Ildemaro Vargas and a strong season debut from Merrill Kelly to defeat Baltimore on the road.

Kelly, the veteran right-hander who had been sidelined with a back injury since spring training, worked 5 1/3 innings to earn the win while allowing two runs on five hits. Geraldo Perdomo collected three hits for the Diamondbacks, while Jose Fernandez and James McCann each contributed two hits.

Baltimore got a home run from Samuel Basallo, who joined Jeremiah Jackson with two hits in the losing effort. Leody Taveras drove in runs during both the third and eighth innings for the Orioles.

Tigers 2, Royals 1

Detroit extended its winning streak to four games as Dillon Dingler delivered the go-ahead RBI double with two outs in the eighth inning to edge Kansas City at home.

Both Detroit runs came in the eighth frame, with Zach McKinstry scoring on a wild pitch before Kevin McGonigle crossed the plate on Dingler’s second hit of the evening. The contest featured outstanding starting pitching, as Kansas City’s Cole Ragans held the Tigers to just one hit and no runs over six innings, while Framber Valdez limited the Royals to one run and three hits in seven frames.

Will Vest (1-2) struck out all three batters he faced in relief to earn the victory. Kenley Jansen recorded his third save of the season and 479th of his career, stranding a runner at third base while passing Lee Smith for third place on the all-time saves list.

Cubs 10, Phillies 4

Chicago erupted for 15 hits in a convincing road victory over Philadelphia, with Carson Kelly’s three-run homer leading the way alongside three RBIs each from Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman.

Michael Busch contributed two hits and two walks for the Cubs. Colin Rea (2-0) allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts across six innings, with his only mistake being a three-run homer surrendered to Edmundo Sosa in the second inning.

Philadelphia reliever Tim Mayza (0-1) struggled in his brief appearance, giving up four runs (three earned) in just one-third of an inning.

Nationals 5, Pirates 4

Washington received a 3-for-4 performance from CJ Abrams, who homered and drove in two runs, to defeat Pittsburgh on the road and even their four-game series.

Brady House added two hits and an RBI for the Nationals, who have now won four of their last five contests. Luis Garcia Jr. and Daylen Lile each contributed RBI singles, while Mitchell Parker (1-0) struck out five over two scoreless relief innings and Gus Varland notched his second save.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller (1-1) saw his excellent early-season form falter, as he was tagged for five runs on six hits in four innings. Brandon Lowe and Joey Bart each connected for solo homers, while Marcell Ozuna and Nick Gonzales added RBIs for Pittsburgh.

Braves 6, Marlins 5

Atlanta rallied for a dramatic victory over visiting Miami thanks to Dominic Smith’s three-run opposite-field double with two outs in the eighth inning.

The comeback came against Pete Fairbanks (0-1), who allowed a leadoff single to Drake Baldwin. After two outs, Mike Yastrzemski singled and Ozzie Albies was hit by a pitch before Smith lined a 2-1 cutter off the left-center field fence. Raisel Iglesias worked the ninth with two strikeouts to earn his third save, while Robert Suarez (2-0) got the win despite allowing a run in the eighth.

Miami had taken an early 4-0 lead with one run in the first on Agustin Ramirez’s sacrifice fly and three more in the second. Connor Norby, Graham Pauley and Jakob Marsee each drove in runs during that second-inning rally.

Angels 7, Yankees 1

Los Angeles opened with consecutive home runs from Mike Trout, Jo Adell and Jorge Soler in the first inning to power past New York at Yankee Stadium.

The Angels have now won six of their last nine games in the Bronx and lead the American League with 26 home runs. Former Yankee Oswald Peraza collected three hits and homered off Weathers in the fourth. Reid Detmers (1-1) allowed four hits and one run over seven-plus innings for the victory.

Ryan Weathers (0-2) was charged with five runs on five hits and two walks in five-plus innings. He surrendered a career-high four homers while recording 10 strikeouts for his third career double-digit strikeout performance. The Yankees have now lost six of their last seven games.

Padres 4, Mariners 1

San Diego rode Xander Bogaerts’ 3-for-4, three-RBI performance and six strong innings from Michael King to defeat visiting Seattle and extend their winning streak to six games.

King (2-1) allowed four hits and one run while walking two and striking out five. San Diego’s high-leverage relief corps handled the final three innings, with Mason Miller working the ninth for his fifth save in five opportunities.

Seattle’s Bryan Woo (0-2) took the loss despite a quality start, permitting eight hits and three runs over seven innings with one walk and three strikeouts. The defeat snapped the Mariners’ four-game winning streak.

Rays 8, White Sox 5

Tampa Bay got two hits and three RBIs from Ben Williamson and a milestone victory from Shane McClanahan, who earned his first win in nearly three years in the road victory over Chicago.

McClanahan (1-0) allowed three runs (two earned) and two hits across five innings in his return from Tommy John surgery and nerve issues that sidelined him for the past two seasons. His first victory since June 16, 2023, sparked the Rays’ offensive effort.

Chicago’s Munetaka Murakami connected for a two-run homer in the ninth to provide the final margin. White Sox starter Noah Schultz (0-1) struggled in his major league debut, yielding four runs (three earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Everson Pereira hit a three-run shot in his return from injury.

Twins 6, Red Sox 0

Minnesota extended its home winning streak to six games behind Byron Buxton’s four-hit performance, including two solo homers, and seven shutout innings from Mick Abel in the victory over Boston.

Abel (1-2) held Boston to four hits while striking out 10 and walking none. Taylor Rogers and Cole Sands each contributed one scoreless inning of relief. Buxton, who now has three homers in his last two games, scored four times. Brooks Lee also homered for Minnesota, while Trevor Larnach drove in two and Luke Keaschall had two hits and an RBI.

Roman Anthony and Masataka Yoshida each collected two hits for Boston, which managed just six hits total. The Red Sox have now lost 11 of their first 17 games. Boston starter Sonny Gray (2-1) was tagged for five runs on nine hits in four innings.

Cardinals 6, Guardians 5 (10 innings)

St. Louis completed a comeback victory over Cleveland when Nathan Church brought home Thomas Saggese with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning at home.

Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt powered the offense with two home runs and three RBIs to set up Wednesday’s rubber game. Riley O’Brien (2-0) earned the win after tossing a scoreless 10th inning.

Cleveland received solo homers from Jose Ramirez and Daniel Schneemann, plus a two-run double from Angel Martinez. Tim Herrin (0-1) was charged with the loss.

Astros 7, Rockies 6

Houston broke an eight-game losing streak by overcoming visiting Colorado, with Christian Walker recording three hits and two RBIs while the Astros scored six runs in the third inning.

Houston capitalized on two fielding errors by Rockies second baseman Willi Castro to chase right-hander Michael Lorenzen (1-2) in the third. Yordan Alvarez delivered a game-tying two-run double down the right field line, Walker added an RBI fielder’s choice, and Cam Smith and Vazquez contributed RBI singles for a 7-3 Houston lead.

Hunter Goodman recorded his sixth career multi-homer game for Colorado, with his second blast in the fifth cutting the deficit to 7-5. Jake McCarthy had delivered a two-run triple to center field in the second inning, extending Colorado’s early 3-0 lead after Goodman’s first-inning homer. Jordan Beck added a solo shot in the fourth.

Athletics 2, Rangers 1

Oakland received a two-run single from Jacob Wilson, 6 1/3 strong innings from Jeffrey Springs and a spectacular home run robbery from Denzel Clarke to defeat Texas in West Sacramento.

Springs (3-0) allowed one run and three hits to help the Athletics win their sixth game in the past seven contests. Mark Leiter Jr. struck out two in a perfect ninth inning for his second save.

Jake Burger provided Texas with an RBI single, but the Rangers saw their recent hot streak end after winning five of seven. Texas starter MacKenzie Gore (2-1) gave up two runs and three hits over 4 2/3 innings while walking a career-high-tying six batters and striking out five.

Los Angeles pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto overcame an early home run to dominate New York’s lineup, helping the Dodgers secure a narrow 2-1 victory over the struggling Mets on Tuesday night.

After surrendering a leadoff homer, Yamamoto found his rhythm and set down 20 consecutive New York batters in what became a classic pitching matchup. Kyle Tucker provided the decisive blow with a clutch RBI single in the eighth inning that broke a 1-1 deadlock.

The victory extended Los Angeles’ hot streak to nine wins in their last 11 contests and marked their fifth series triumph in six attempts this season. Meanwhile, New York’s struggles continued as their losing streak reached seven games.

Yamamoto’s final line showed one earned run allowed on four hits across 7 2/3 innings, recording seven strikeouts and issuing just one walk. Blake Treinen (1-0) earned the win after striking out Luis Robert Jr. in a crucial eighth-inning situation with two runners in scoring position. Alex Vesia closed out the game by striking out three straight batters for his second save.

New York starter Nolan McLean matched Yamamoto’s excellence, surrendering only one run on two hits over seven complete innings while walking two and fanning eight Dodgers hitters.

Francisco Lindor got the Mets on the board immediately, launching Yamamoto’s third pitch of the game over the right field wall for his first home run and RBI of the season. The blast also ended New York’s 20-inning scoreless drought.

Los Angeles answered quickly in the bottom half of the first frame. Tucker drew a one-out walk, advanced to third on Will Smith’s double to left field, and scored when Freddie Freeman grounded out to first base.

Following Lindor’s early blast, Yamamoto completely shut down the Mets offense until the seventh inning, when Bo Bichette broke the streak with a two-out double. Francisco Alvarez followed with a walk, putting two runners on base, but Yamamoto escaped trouble by striking out Brett Baty.

McLean was equally effective after Smith’s first-inning double, retiring 13 straight Dodgers batters without allowing another hit until Max Muncy’s seventh-inning single.

The deciding rally came in the eighth when pinch hitter Miguel Rojas drew a leadoff walk against left-handed reliever Brooks Raley (0-1). Santiago Espinal advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt before Shohei Ohtani received an intentional walk. Tucker then delivered the game-winning hit, blooping an RBI single down the left field line.

Ohtani’s walk extended his remarkable on-base streak to 48 consecutive games, placing him alone in second place in franchise history since the team moved to Los Angeles.

In a thrilling play-in tournament matchup Tuesday night, Deni Avdija delivered a spectacular 41-point performance that propelled the Portland Trail Blazers to a dramatic 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns, overcoming an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.

The decisive moment came when Avdija converted a crucial three-point play with just 16.1 seconds on the clock, helping Portland snap a four-year postseason absence. The Trail Blazers will now face the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in their opening playoff series this Sunday.

Phoenix still has an opportunity to reach the postseason, as they’ll host Friday’s winner between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, who meet Wednesday. Friday’s victor will earn the eighth seed and challenge the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round.

The game’s final moments were filled with drama. Jordan Goodwin gave Phoenix a 110-109 advantage with a layup at the 32.5-second mark, though he failed to convert the subsequent free throw attempt. Portland capitalized on the miss and used a timeout to orchestrate Avdija’s game-changing drive to the basket.

Phoenix’s Jalen Green attempted a three-pointer with 8.9 seconds remaining but came up short. Matisse Thybulle secured the rebound for Portland, stole the ball from Goodwin, and found Jerami Grant open for an emphatic dunk with just six-tenths of a second left to seal the victory.

Avdija dominated the final period with 14 points while also contributing 12 assists and seven rebounds for the contest. His teammates provided valuable support, with Jrue Holiday contributing 21 points and Grant adding 16, including two critical three-pointers during Portland’s decisive 17-5 closing surge.

For the Suns, Green led all scorers with 35 points, while Devin Booker contributed 22 and Dillon Brooks chipped in 20 points in the losing effort.

Phoenix appeared to control the game’s momentum entering the final quarter, trailing by just one point at 83-82 before opening the fourth with an 11-0 run for a commanding 10-point advantage. This surge was part of a larger 24-4 run that began after Avdija had given Portland a 79-69 lead during the third quarter.

The Trail Blazers began their comeback when Holiday and Avdija connected on three-pointers, cutting Phoenix’s lead to 100-97 with 4:15 remaining. The momentum shifted further when Donovan Clingan was assessed a flagrant-1 foul for pulling down Brooks during Avdija’s successful shot attempt.

Grant’s three-pointer and two free throws from Shaedon Sharpe brought Portland within one point at 105-104 with 2:29 left on the clock. Grant’s subsequent three-pointer gave the Blazers their first lead of the quarter at 107-106, though Booker answered with free throws to put Phoenix back ahead 108-107 with 1:34 remaining.

Following a Portland turnover and a missed shot by Booker, Avdija drove to the basket for a 109-108 lead with 37.3 seconds left, setting the stage for the game’s thrilling conclusion.

MINNEAPOLIS — Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran made an obscene gesture toward a spectator at Target Field during Tuesday night’s 6-0 defeat to the Minnesota Twins, responding to what he described as a deeply personal attack from the stands.

The incident occurred as Duran walked back to the dugout following a groundout in the fifth inning. The player, who has previously been open about his mental health challenges, explained that a fan had crossed a serious line with their comment.

“Somebody just told me to kill myself,” Duran explained after the game. “I’m used to it at this point, you know? I mean, (expletive) happens. I mean, I’m gonna flip somebody off if they say something to me, but it is what it is. I shouldn’t react like that, but that kind of stuff is still kind of triggering.”

The outfielder previously shared details about his battles with severe depression and a suicide attempt in a Netflix documentary series that premiered last year.

“Honestly, it’s my fault for talking about my mental health because I kind of brought in the haters. So I’ve just got to get used to it,” Duran continued. “I was just trying to hold it in and not really bring that up to the team. I mean, we’re trying to win a game. I shouldn’t even bring that up to anybody. … It just happens.”

Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated he did not see the incident occur and had not yet watched any video footage of what transpired.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Miami Heat star center Bam Adebayo was forced to exit Tuesday evening’s crucial playoff matchup against the Charlotte Hornets after suffering an injury from what appeared to be an intentional trip by Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball.

The incident occurred during the early minutes of the second quarter when Ball, who was lying on the floor, seemed to deliberately swipe at Adebayo’s left ankle with his hand, sending the Heat center tumbling backward onto the court.

Adebayo remained on the ground as play continued around him before officials finally halted the action. Team medical staff rushed to assist the injured player, who eventually managed to stand and exit the court without assistance before heading to Miami’s locker room.

The Heat organization listed Adebayo’s status as questionable for the remainder of the contest, though he did not return for the start of the third quarter.

Remarkably, no foul was assessed to Ball for the play, and officials were unable to conduct a video review since the game had not been stopped at the time of the incident.

The injury comes at a particularly unfortunate time for Adebayo, who recently had an outstanding performance with 83 points in a game just last month. Despite losing their key center, Miami managed to maintain a narrow 52-50 advantage at the intermission.

One of the most sought-after guards in the college basketball transfer portal, Acaden Lewis, revealed Tuesday that he will be leaving Villanova University to join the University of Miami basketball program.

Lewis had originally backed out of his commitment to Kentucky last spring, with Miami pursuing him before he ultimately selected Villanova. During his freshman campaign with the Wildcats, the talented guard posted impressive numbers with 12.2 points per game, 5.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. His standout performance came in the final regular season matchup against Xavier, where he recorded 14 points and 12 assists in a victory. The left-handed point guard earned recognition as a second-team All-Big East selection and was also named to the conference’s all-freshman squad.

When Lewis entered the transfer portal last week, he simultaneously declared his eligibility for the NBA draft as well.

Miami completed their inaugural season under head coach Jai Lucas with a 26-9 record, advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 before falling to Purdue.

Student-athletes have until April 21 to enter the transfer portal, though they are not required to select their new institution by that deadline.

In other transfer news, KJ Lewis is making another move westward after spending one year at Georgetown, announcing his decision to join Southern California. Following two seasons primarily as a reserve player at Arizona, Lewis became a key contributor for the Hoyas, recording 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game across 28 contests (27 as a starter). Throughout his 101-game collegiate career, he maintains averages of 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

Memphis has secured its first two additions of this transfer period, with former Pittsburgh guard Brandin Cummings announcing his commitment to the Tigers. Multiple sources also report that Washington State sharpshooter Rihards Vavers will be joining coach Penny Hardaway’s squad. Cummings departs Pittsburgh after two seasons, having averaged 12.5 points and 2.1 assists per game before an ankle injury limited his sophomore campaign to just 19 games. Vavers, who hails from Latvia, contributed 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while connecting on 41.2% of his three-point attempts last season. Across his three-year career spanning Quinnipiac and Washington State, Vavers has knocked down 132 three-pointers at a 41.0% success rate.

West Virginia made two significant additions this week, bringing in former Georgia Tech center Mouhamed Sylla on Tuesday, following Monday’s signing of ex-Butler guard Finley Bizjack. The 6-foot-10 Sylla, who represents Senegal, contributed 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks across 16 games (15 starts) during his rookie season. Bizjack finished as the Big East’s third-highest scorer with 17.1 points per game, earning All-Big East third-team honors after shooting 42.6% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the arc, while also contributing 2.5 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. Over his three-year Butler career, he averaged 10.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 98 appearances (61 starts).

Forward Jamier Jones has chosen to continue his career at Missouri following an impressive freshman campaign at Providence. Jones delivered 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 31 games (19 starts), while shooting an efficient 57% from the field and 38.7% from three-point territory.

According to ESPN reports, Indiana has expanded its recruiting haul by securing a commitment from SMU center Samet Yigitoglu. The 7-foot-2 Turkish native spent two seasons at SMU, accumulating 10.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks over 66 career games (all starts), including 10.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks this past season. At Indiana, he will team up with guards Markus Burton (Notre Dame), Darren Harris (Duke), and Jaeden Mustaf (Georgia Tech), who committed to the Hoosiers on Monday.

Houston has added high-scoring guard Corey Hadnot II from Purdue Fort Wayne. Hadnot earned first-team All-Horizon League recognition after leading the conference with 20.4 points per game. He also contributed 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals across 32 games (all starts) in his third collegiate season, all spent with the Mastodons.

Furman forward Cooper Bowser, who emerged as a breakout star, has committed to Arkansas. The 6-foot-11 Bowser enjoyed his best season in his third year at Furman, posting 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 76.6% from the field. During Furman’s first-round NCAA Tournament defeat to eventual runner-up UConn, Bowser recorded nine points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

Guard Wes Enis will be transferring to Creighton after an outstanding freshman season at South Florida. Enis averaged 16.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 35.2% from three-point range across 32 games (29 starts). He recorded 13 games with at least 20 points and reached the 30-point mark twice, making 10 three-pointers in both of those performances.

San Diego Padres starter Nick Pivetta has been placed on the 15-day injured list after developing inflammation in his right elbow, the team confirmed Tuesday.

The 33-year-old right-hander was performing well against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, striking out four batters and retiring the first nine hitters he faced through three complete innings. However, his outing ended abruptly when he was pulled after delivering a pitch to Edouard Julien at the start of the fourth inning.

The injury designation takes effect retroactively from Monday. To fill the roster spot, San Diego has brought up right-handed reliever Alek Jacob from their Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.

Jacob, age 27, has appeared in 39 games for the Padres across the past three seasons, including a personal-best 29 outings in 2025. His statistics show a 1-0 win-loss record alongside a 5.13 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.

Last season marked a breakthrough year for Pivetta, who achieved personal records across numerous statistical categories during his 31 starts. His accomplishments included 13 victories, a 2.87 ERA, 5.2 WAR, 0.99 WHIP, 181 2/3 innings pitched, and 190 strikeouts.

Through four starts in the current 2026 campaign, Pivetta holds a 1-2 record with a 4.50 ERA. While he struggled in the season opener against Detroit, surrendering six earned runs across three innings, his performance improved significantly in subsequent April outings. Over his last three starts spanning 13 innings, he allowed just two earned runs for a 1.38 ERA while recording 20 strikeouts against only three walks.

The veteran pitcher brings a decade of major league experience with a career record of 70-78 and 4.47 ERA. His professional journey included stints with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2017-20 and the Boston Red Sox from 2020-24 before joining San Diego on a four-year, $55 million contract prior to the 2025 season.

BALTIMORE — Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz displayed remarkable dedication Tuesday, showing up to work just one day after suffering multiple facial fractures and a broken jaw from a foul ball that struck him in the dugout.

The first-year skipper sported a large bruise covering the right side of his face as he explained the extent of his injuries to reporters.

“I can’t blow my nose for six weeks, because one of the fractures is kind of like where my orbital bone is,” he said. “If I blow my nose it’s going to go up into my eye.”

Albernaz revealed he sustained more than six fractures in his cheek region along with the broken jaw. However, he expressed gratitude that doctors determined surgery wasn’t necessary and his jaw wouldn’t need to be wired shut. The manager even joked about potentially wearing a Ravens helmet while coaching from the dugout.

The frightening incident occurred during Monday evening’s contest when Jeremiah Jackson’s foul ball found Albernaz in the section of the dugout nearest to the on-deck circle during the fifth inning. Though he managed to return to the dugout one inning later as Jackson connected for a grand slam, medical staff eventually transported him to the hospital where he remained until approximately midnight.

“I was trying to get back out there after my concussion protocol was fine, but they wanted me to get a CT scan,” Albernaz explained. “I was trying to get it after the game, but obviously the medical team has better judgment than I do.”

While Albernaz resumed his dugout duties Tuesday, the recovery timeline extends well beyond this week.

“Six weeks of soft foods,” Albernaz noted. “Can’t do anything strenuous.”

When asked whether this restriction included heated discussions with umpires, the manager offered a candid response.

“Medically speaking, yeah I probably shouldn’t,” he said. “I think everything gets thrown out the window when that first pitch happens.”

In related team news, the Orioles announced Tuesday that infielder Jackson Holliday was pulled from his rehabilitation assignment Monday due to minor right wrist discomfort. Team officials indicated this type of soreness commonly occurs following hamate surgery, and Holliday will be sidelined for several days as a precaution.

Albernaz has consistently avoided setting specific return dates for injured players, preferring not to create additional pressure on their recovery process.

“I said I don’t believe in timelines, and this is a perfect example of that. It all depends on the player,” he said. “It’s great to see Jackson being communicative and open at every turn.”

A Michigan judge sentenced former University of Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore to 18 months of supervised probation Tuesday, allowing him to avoid prison time following his plea agreement on trespassing and telecommunications charges.

Moore received a fine exceeding $1,000 and must comply with a no-contact order regarding staff member Paige Shiver, with whom he had conducted an extramarital affair. The court also prohibited him from consuming drugs or alcohol throughout his probation period.

The 40-year-old former coach entered a no contest plea last month to reduced misdemeanor charges of malicious telecommunications use and trespassing. Prosecutors in Michigan’s Washtenaw County dropped more serious allegations in the plea agreement, including a third-degree felony home invasion charge.

District Court Judge J. Cedric Simpson explained his reasoning for the sentence, stating: “I don’t believe, when I look at the entirety of this situation, that incarceration should be appropriate. I warn you Mr. Moore, should there be a violation, all bets are off. I don’t like sending people to jail, but I don’t have a problem doing it.”

The judge credited Moore’s clean criminal record in his decision to avoid imprisonment. Simpson also acknowledged the support shown by Moore’s wife Kelli, describing her as the person “saving you from the full wrath of this court.” The couple has appeared together at each court hearing, holding hands while entering and leaving the building.

Moore addressed the court with a prepared statement expressing gratitude for his faith and his wife’s support. Both declined to speak with reporters following the hearing.

Defense attorney Ellen Michaels spoke on behalf of her client, telling media representatives: “Sherrone is grateful for this matter to be resolved and he and his wife Kelli are ready to move forward with their family and focus on the next chapter.”

The University of Michigan terminated Moore’s employment for cause on December 10th due to his ongoing relationship with his executive assistant. According to authorities, Moore went to the woman’s apartment on the same day he lost his job. The alleged victim reported that he forced his way inside, seized two butter knives, and cornered her in a threatening manner.

Law enforcement arrested Moore following the incident, and he remained in custody for two days. The initial charges carried potential penalties of up to five years imprisonment and included home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering.

Moore compiled a 16-8 coaching record at Michigan after replacing Jim Harbaugh, where he had previously worked as offensive coordinator. Both coaches faced scrutiny during a sign-stealing scandal related to the school’s 2023 national championship season, resulting in Moore serving a two-game suspension.

Chicago White Sox officials announced Tuesday they have called up their premier pitching prospect Noah Schultz from Triple-A Charlotte, setting the stage for his first major league appearance against Tampa Bay.

The organization also brought back outfielder Everson Pereira from the injured list while moving right-handed pitcher Jonathan Cannon to the IL due to inflammation in his right hip.

Baseball America ranks Schultz as Chicago’s top prospect and 21st overall in Major League Baseball. The White Sox selected him in the first round, 26th pick, during the 2022 draft. This season at Triple-A level, the southpaw has compiled an impressive 3-0 record with a 1.29 ERA across 14 innings, recording 19 strikeouts while issuing only two walks.

Standing at 6-foot-10, Schultz will join an exclusive group of the tallest left-handed pitchers in major league history, alongside Randy Johnson and Eric Hillman. Former White Sox right-hander Jon Rauch measured 6-foot-11.

Injury concerns limited Schultz to only 73 innings combined between Double-A and Triple-A last season after suffering a patella injury. Since being drafted, he has not exceeded 88 1/3 innings in any single season, having battled shoulder and hand injuries.

Throughout his five-year minor league career across five different levels, Schultz has posted a 2.76 ERA in 59 games (58 as a starter) over 221 2/3 innings. His statistics include 285 strikeouts compared to 84 walks.

The 25-year-old Pereira has been sidelined since April 3 with a sprained left ankle. Before his injury, he had gone 4-for-16 with one home run in five games this season following his acquisition from Tampa Bay in a November trade.

Cannon, also 25, sustained his injury during the third inning of Sunday’s matchup against Kansas City in what was his season opener. Over three seasons with Chicago, he holds a 9-20 record with a 5.13 ERA across 46 appearances, including 38 starts.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers will enter their opening playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets without their two highest-scoring players, as both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves continue recovering from injuries sustained earlier this month.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed Tuesday following practice at the team’s training facility that both stars will miss the start of the first-round series. “They’re out indefinitely,” Redick stated. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week.”

Both players suffered their injuries during Los Angeles’ April 2 defeat against Oklahoma City. Doncic injured his hamstring while Reaves sustained an oblique strain, and neither was able to return for the remainder of the regular season. The Lakers will host Houston for Game 1 this Saturday evening.

Sources familiar with the situation tell The Associated Press that Doncic, who led the NBA in scoring this season, will return to Los Angeles on Friday after spending time in Spain for specialized hamstring treatment. The source requested anonymity as the team has not disclosed specifics about the star player’s rehabilitation process.

Reaves remains in Los Angeles and was observed taking free throw practice with teammates after Tuesday’s session concluded. Medical experts suggest his oblique injury could sideline him for the complete first-round series, as such injuries typically require at least a month for full recovery, though the Lakers have avoided setting any definitive recovery schedules.

The absence of both players represents a significant blow to Los Angeles’ championship aspirations, as the duo combined for 56.8 points, 13.8 assists, and 12.4 rebounds per game when available this season. However, the Lakers managed a 3-2 record during their absence, securing home-court advantage for the opening round as LeBron James stepped back into his primary offensive role.

The team has adjusted by utilizing Luke Kennard in ball-handling and playmaking duties, while guard Marcus Smart has returned after missing nearly three weeks with an ankle injury. Smart expressed confidence about matching Houston’s defensive intensity.

“They’re aggressive, and we’re going to try to use it against them,” Smart explained. “We’ve got some things put in, some different guys that are going to bring it up. They’re going to come out firing, and we’ve got to come out firing, too.”

Reserve center Jaxson Hayes is also expected to return after sitting out the final four regular season games to rest a foot injury. “I was going to play no matter what,” Hayes declared. “If I was hurting, I’d be playing.”

Former NHL netminder Brian Boucher remembers constantly checking the shot counter during games, mentally calculating how many more saves he needed to consider his performance successful.

“It was a way to kind of validate what you were doing and how you felt about yourself and kind of a barometer that you used to gauge your game,” Boucher explained.

Today’s goalies shouldn’t rely on those same metrics, and there’s a compelling explanation why. The current NHL season is creating an unwelcome milestone for goaltenders across the league.

For the first time in thirty years, the league-wide save percentage has fallen below .900, currently sitting at .896 — the worst mark since 1994. Players at every position have become more talented and strategic in their shot selection, while the pace of play has reached unprecedented speeds. These combined elements are reshaping expectations for hockey’s most crucial position.

“The players evolve and they get better,” explained Washington’s Logan Thompson, whose .912 save percentage places him second among goalies with 50-plus starts. “Their sticks get better. Their shots get harder. They kind of know sneaky little spots, or they’re not shooting as many pucks as they did back in the day, as well.”

Current shot totals support Thompson’s observation. Teams average just 27.8 shots per contest, the fewest since the defensive-heavy late 1990s and early 2000s. That era’s emphasis on hooking, holding and interference prompted rule modifications following the 2004-05 lockout, specifically aimed at boosting offensive production. Those adjustments have succeeded beyond expectations.

Clubs now combine for more than six goals per game, a trend that has continued for four consecutive seasons. Modern players frequently seek additional passing opportunities instead of accepting mediocre scoring chances.

“It’s insane,” said Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger, whose .900 save percentage represents a career-low across six seasons. “Guys will have it in the slot and they’re passing it, where I feel like 10 years ago it was just pucks on net. I think guys are way more skilled, so when they get Grade-A chances, they’re that much more talented and everyone can shoot.”

Former goaltender Martin Biron, like Boucher, emphasizes how dramatically the sport has evolved since their playing days. During Biron’s peak years, league-average save percentages reached as high as .911.

“A lot of it was straight on: a guy coming down the wing, taking a shot,” Biron recalled. “All I had to worry about was the shooter, my angles and it was a lot easier.”

Post-game shot total revisions have become increasingly common, sometimes occurring days after contests conclude, which naturally affects goaltenders’ save statistics. Both Oettinger and Dallas backup Casey DeSmith express frustration with these modifications.

“They just take shots away that are shots on goal,” Oettinger noted. “There are probably three a game. If you multiple that by 50 games, that’s like having five more shutouts that they’re taking away.”

These statistical reviews have intensified since sports betting became legal throughout the United States and Canada. With wagers available on shots-on-goal totals, each recorded shot faces rigorous scrutiny.

“All of that auditing that the league is doing with shots, and honestly it stems from gambling,” Biron observed. “People don’t want to lose their bets if there was a shot that was missing the net or whatnot.”

NHL officials attribute the increased precision to advanced puck and player tracking technology, along with other innovations that provide more accurate data for both the league and betting operators. These technological reviews can result in changes to original scorekeeper decisions made during games.

Equipment modifications represent another factor in the league’s offensive surge. The NHL has systematically reduced goaltender gear dimensions over recent years, trimming shoulder pads, chest protectors, and pants to create additional target areas for shooters while maintaining safety standards.

Thompson prefers his equipment fitted tightly due to his mobile playing style, but acknowledges the impact of these changes on shots that previously would have struck padding.

“Sometimes, there might be a shot that it looks weak but it goes kind of through your knees and there’s really nothing else you can do: There’s just a little hole there and sometimes the puck goes in,” Thompson explained. “That’s out of your control.”

The Washington netminder, in his second season with the Capitals and a former Olympic backup for Canada, believes hockey is shifting away from large, position-blocking goalies toward more agile, reactive players.

“I don’t think you can be a blocking-style goalie,” Thompson stated. “With how good and skilled all these players are in this league, you’ve got to be able to react and use your hands. … You’ve got to be able to react because the shooters, they make too good of shots and too good of plays now.”

While teams have recently invested in specialized skill coaches to enhance scoring, goalie-specific instruction has existed for years, though these coaches may need to adapt their methods.

“Shooters are getting good, and it’s time for goalies to adjust a little bit,” Biron suggested. “It’s not the north-south game anymore. It’s an east-west game, so goalies have to adjust to that. They have to become much more conscious of the puck moving laterally, and the better goalies are the ones that can move laterally so much better.”

Biron identifies Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Boston’s Jeremy Swayman, and the New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin as exceptional lateral movement specialists. Statistics support his assessment, with Vasilevskiy (.912) and Luukkonen (.910) ranking third and eighth league-wide, while Swayman and Sorokin both maintain .906 percentages.

Shot locations also reflect coaching philosophies that prioritize offensive opportunities over defensive security.

“Now teams are more OK with giving up what they give up,” Oettinger explained. “That’s kind of just the style now. It’s less defensive-minded and more try to score as much as you can.”

Given these transformations, Boucher questions whether the traditional .900 benchmark — stopping nine of every ten shots — remains realistic. Thompson recently watched Dallas face New Jersey, where Oettinger was removed after surrendering four goals on eight shots. The teams combined for ten goals on 51 total shots, producing an .803 save percentage that evening.

“You can say, ‘Oh the goaltending wasn’t good,’” Thompson reflected. “But at the same time, I don’t really know many goalies who are going to be making those stops.”

Sports journalist Dianna Russini has stepped down from her position at The Athletic following the publication of photographs showing her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona hotel, which triggered an internal review at the New York Times-owned publication.

The images, which appeared in the New York Post, were captured at a Sedona resort prior to the NFL owners meetings that commenced in Phoenix on March 29.

In a resignation letter dated Tuesday and sent to Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg, Russini defended her journalistic record while criticizing the media coverage that followed. “I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” she wrote.

Russini continued in her statement: “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

The reporter came to The Athletic in 2023 following almost ten years at ESPN, where she served in multiple capacities including SportsCenter host, NFL analyst and league insider. At The Athletic, she produced a podcast and appeared on their video content.

Both Russini and Vrabel, who are married to other people, issued responses to the Post minimizing the significance of the photographs.

Russini explained that the images “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.”

Vrabel responded to the publication by stating: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

The Patriots coach was absent from New England’s pre-draft press event on Monday.

The New York Times confirmed on Saturday that the digital sports outlet had launched an inquiry into Russini’s professional conduct.

This investigation began despite Ginsberg’s earlier comments to the Post that the photographs “lacked essential context” while praising her contributions to The Athletic.

Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion as a player with New England, is entering his second year leading the Patriots. He earned AP NFL Coach of the Year honors after guiding the team to a 14-3 record last season, which concluded with a Super Bowl defeat to Seattle. He previously received the same coaching award while with Tennessee in 2021.

PHOENIX — Major League Baseball organizations once viewed college baseball programs with doubt and uncertainty. Professional teams questioned the use of aluminum bats, the abbreviated season length, and believed nothing could substitute for the experience gained through years of development in the minor league system.

Those days are over.

Multiple influences — particularly increased funding and advanced technology — have brought MLB and college baseball closer together than ever before. The movement of personnel between both levels of the sport has increased significantly in recent years.

This shift explains how Tony Vitello became the San Francisco Giants manager without any prior professional baseball experience — making history as the first person to achieve this milestone. It also helps explain why Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz earned AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 just one year after completing his standout college career at Wake Forest.

“The college game has definitely taken a bigger step toward the pro game — mainly because of the almighty dollar,” said Arizona State coach Willie Bloomquist, who spent 14 seasons in the major leagues.

“Essentially what’s happened, the Power 4 Conferences are basically the minor leagues.”

Athletics general manager David Forst — who chose Kurtz with the fourth overall selection in the 2024 draft — said the player’s rapid advancement through the farm system demonstrated how competitive college baseball has become. Kurtz required only 210 minor league plate appearances before excelling against MLB pitching, posting a .290 average with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs across 117 games in 2025.

“There’s no doubt that top-level college baseball is High-A or Double-A now. It’s really close,” Forst said. “I never would have imagined a player like Nick Kurtz coming to the big leagues for us 11 months after he was drafted.

“That was unthinkable when I first started doing this. The timeline is squashed because these guys are coming out of college so ready, so physically advanced. Some of them — frankly — don’t need the minor league at-bats they used to need.”

The improvement in college baseball stems largely from increased financial investment. Coaching compensation has skyrocketed over recent decades: LSU’s Jay Johnson leads the field earning more than $3 million annually while Mississippi State’s Brian O’Connor follows at $2.9 million.

While these represent the highest salaries, power conference coaches commonly earn over $1 million per year.

The top-paid MLB managers earn approximately $8 million per season, though premier assistants like pitching and hitting coaches typically receive six-figure salaries.

Name, Image, and Likeness compensation has also increased the financial appeal of college baseball, despite payments remaining below those for football and basketball players. Additionally, elite NCAA programs are investing heavily in technological resources.

“We have one of the better pitching labs on the West Coast,” Bloomquist said. “I think it would rival a lot of professional organizations. From a data standpoint, it’s all trickled down to the college level.”

Following his playing career, Bloomquist worked in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ front office before joining the Sun Devils. His pitching coach — Jeremy Accardo — brings 18 years of professional baseball experience as both player and coach.

Bloomquist explained that MLB organizations have grown more confident in allowing NCAA programs to develop professional prospects rather than risking draft picks on unproven 18-year-old high school graduates. He suggested this confidence likely contributed to MLB’s decision to eliminate 40 minor league affiliates in 2020.

During the 2025 MLB draft, 56 college players were chosen among the first 90 selections.

“These guys trust (college) programs,” Bloomquist said. “They say, ‘We’ll just watch them in college in three years at a Power 4 program, see how they development and then we’ll go get them.’”

Georgia baseball coach Wes Johnson represents another example of successful transitions between MLB and NCAA levels. He served as Minnesota Twins pitching coach for 3½ successful seasons from 2019 to 2022 before returning to college baseball. He contributed to developing 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes while serving as LSU’s pitching coach before accepting the head coaching position with the Bulldogs.

Johnson acknowledged the undeniable similarities between college and professional baseball while noting important differences remain for players and coaches. The scheduling differences represent the most significant challenge.

College baseball’s compressed schedule makes each of the 56 regular-season games critically important. A three-game losing streak feels catastrophic. In professional baseball, such a streak represents a minor setback.

“With the Twins, we played 33 spring games, then played 162 in the season and then made the playoffs,” Johnson said. “It’s every day there. That’s the hardest challenge you have when you go from college to the big leagues. We won 101 games in 2019 (in the regular season). That means we only lost 61 games.

“But that’s the most I’ve ever lost in my life in one year.”

Bloomquist confirmed the scheduling differences while noting age as another consideration.

“There’s a different style in college than there is in professional baseball — to an extent that’s accurate,” Bloomquist said. “There’s an intensity in college, motivating 18 to 20 year olds, as opposed to guys who are making $20 million. Can you relate to those guys in pro ball?”

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who played college baseball at Cal State Fullerton before becoming a five-time Gold Glove winner in the majors, wasn’t concerned about Vitello’s adjustment despite some differences — including more native Spanish speakers in professional baseball.

“Winning baseball looks the same,” Chapman said. “It’s pitching and defense, knowing how to run the bases and then managing personalities. He has a lot of experience with that.

“There will be a learning curve in some areas. You just can’t fully know how to run a Major League clubhouse unless you’ve been in one. But it’s not foreign to him. He’s a baseball guy.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning will face the New York Rangers Wednesday night in their final regular season matchup, already knowing they’ll square off against the Montreal Canadiens when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin this weekend.

What remains uncertain is whether that opening playoff game will take place in the United States or north of the border.

Currently sitting in second place within the Atlantic Division with a 50-25-6 record and 106 points, Tampa Bay can secure home ice advantage for Game 1 by either beating New York or having Montreal suffer a regulation defeat Tuesday night against Philadelphia.

The Lightning and Canadiens are deadlocked in the standings as they prepare for their fifth postseason meeting in franchise history. Their most recent playoff encounter came during the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, a series that resulted from COVID-19 pandemic realignment.

Tampa Bay currently holds the home ice tiebreaker advantage due to their 40-34 edge in regulation wins over Montreal.

New York enters the contest with a disappointing 33-39-9 record worth 75 points, finishing dead last in the Eastern Conference standings. The Rangers split their season series with Tampa Bay at 1-1-0.

Both previous meetings between these teams featured lopsided results. The Rangers dominated in a 7-3 victory at Tampa Bay on November 12, while the Lightning answered back with a convincing 4-1 road win during Thanksgiving weekend.

The Rangers’ season took a dramatic downturn following that Black Friday period.

Head coach Mike Sullivan’s squad fell completely out of wild-card contention after posting a dismal 10-17-5 record across a three-month span covering December, January, and a shortened February due to Winter Olympic scheduling.

Monday night brought an emotional moment for New York as they honored retiring goaltender Jonathan Quick in his final career start. Despite the tribute, the Rangers fell 3-2 to the Florida Panthers, who executed a defensive strategy and converted on three of their 16 shots against the 2011-12 Conn Smythe Trophy recipient.

“I thought Quicky played well for us,” Sullivan commented after his entire team wore Quick’s No. 32 jersey during pregame warmups. “Obviously, tonight was about a celebration for him. … He’s an inspiration to all of us, just in his example and how he carries himself. In a lot of ways, he personifies what we hope to become as a group.”

“His work ethic, his attention to detail, just incredible attitude. His professionalism is second to no one’s. … We’re all better that we’ve had the opportunity to work with him.”

Tampa Bay managed to stay even with Montreal following Monday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime win against Detroit, despite surrendering a two-goal advantage heading into the final period.

Nikita Kucherov delivered the game-winner just 27 seconds into the extra frame, capitalizing on his team’s opening possession by completing a give-and-go sequence with Brayden Point that created a decisive two-on-one opportunity.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper believes Kucherov deserves consideration for a second Hart Trophy, having previously claimed the award for the 2018-19 campaign. The star forward paces Tampa Bay across all offensive categories with 44 goals, 86 assists, and 130 total points.

“There are some fabulous players in this league. … He’s pretty darn important to us,” Cooper stated after positioning his team to control their playoff seeding this weekend. “Could you make a case for a bunch of guys? Yes. But I think it’s pretty evident that Kuch has made a name for himself this year, that he should be the guy.”

Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy made a crucial toe save on Alex DeBrincat’s breakaway attempt on the first overtime shot, preserving the game and setting up Kucherov’s heroics nine seconds later.

Vasilevskiy, a strong contender for this year’s Vezina Trophy, leads all NHL goaltenders in victories with a 39-15-4 record. The 2018-19 Vezina winner maintains a 2.31 goals-against average (second-best league-wide) and .912 save percentage (tied for third).

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday that Matt Crocker is stepping down from his role as sporting director to take on what the organization described as “another opportunity in international soccer.”

According to Fox Sports, Crocker is moving to a comparable position with Saudi Arabia’s soccer federation.

The departure takes effect right away, occurring roughly two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off.

The U.S. Soccer Federation stated that chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will oversee sporting operations while working alongside assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and women’s development head Tracey Kevins.

“Over the past several years, U.S. Soccer has grown significantly across every part of our sporting organization, and we thank Matt for the role he played in that progress,” JT Batson, U.S. Soccer CEO and secretary general, stated. “Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we’re grateful for his contributions. We’re confident in our strategy, leadership team, coaches, and technical staff. We will continue building the right structure for the future, and we’re well positioned to make the decisions needed in the short, medium, and long term.”

Crocker served in his U.S. Soccer Federation role for almost three years, playing a key part in bringing aboard women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino.

“It has been a privilege to be part of U.S. Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country,” Crocker commented. “I’m grateful for the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with across the Federation, from our coaches and players to our technical and administrative staff. I’m proud of what’s been built together and confident the team in place will continue to move the game forward and drive success on and off the field.”

The U.S. men’s team begins World Cup group stage action on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles. Following that match, the Americans face Australia on June 19 in Seattle before meeting Turkey on June 25, returning to Los Angeles.

“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich told Fox Sports on Monday. “Mauricio and his staff have full control of the preparations for this summer’s tournament, and we have full confidence in them. This transition in no way impacts those plans, which have been long-established.”

Multiple media sources indicate that Nasser Larguet is anticipated to step down from his technical director position with Saudi Arabia this month.

“If you’re going to compete at the highest levels in the sporting world, you expect that team members will have other opportunities,” Helfrich explained to Fox Sports. “Soccer in our country and the federation overall are in a better place than several years ago when Matt joined, and we’re grateful to him for those contributions.”

Professional golfer Justin Rose has pulled out of this week’s RBC Heritage tournament following his disappointing finish at the Masters, where he let a final-round lead slip away on Sunday.

The golfer was replaced by Michael Thorbjornsen for the signature event after withdrawing on Monday, just one day after his third-place showing at Augusta National.

Rose had positioned himself perfectly during Sunday’s final round, taking the lead after sinking three straight birdies on the front nine. But his chances crumbled when he recorded back-to-back bogeys on holes 11 and 12 at the notorious “Amen Corner” section of the course. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy seized control and never looked back.

The final scoreboard showed Rose finishing two strokes behind McIlroy in a four-way tie for third place, with Scottie Scheffler claiming second.

Following his round on Sunday, Rose reflected on the fan support he received throughout the week. “Felt like the crowd was amazing to me all week long. They pulled for me all week long,” Rose commented. “I felt their encouragement and support. At the end, it kind of goes a little flat. It’s more of a sympathy than anything.”

“But it was still, nonetheless, very beautiful. But, yeah, another little stinger,” he added.

The Heritage tournament at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, has not been a strong venue for Rose historically. He placed 42nd there last season in his eighth attempt at the event. His last top-10 performance at the South Carolina course dates back to 2004.

Rose’s Masters performance showed consistency through most of the tournament, with rounds of 70-69-69-70. However, his 2-over 38 on the final nine holes on Sunday cost him a chance at his first green jacket.

Reflecting on his walk up the 18th fairway, Rose acknowledged the missed opportunity. “I think just chance that got away obviously,” Rose explained. “I was by no means kind of free and clear and was nowhere kind of close to having the job done, but I was right in position.”

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — When Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue reflects on this season’s journey, he can barely contain his emotions.

“A lot,” Lue simply stated when asked about the challenges his team has faced.

Following a devastating 6-21 opening to the season, the Clippers battled back to secure a play-in tournament berth. Their final 42-40 record preserved the NBA’s longest active streak of winning seasons at 15 years. The franchise made history by becoming the first team ever to fall 15 or more games below .500 and still finish above the break-even mark.

“Usually a team deals with adversity maybe once or twice throughout a season,” Lue explained, “but not five or six times.”

Los Angeles will welcome Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors for Wednesday evening’s play-in matchup. The victorious team advances to Friday’s elimination contest, while the defeated squad heads into the offseason.

“Pretty remarkable turnaround,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged. “I know Ty well. One of his strengths is just staying the course and really keeping the guys on an even keel, and that’s not easy to do when you’re 6-21.”

The franchise’s struggles extended beyond game performance.

Kawhi Leonard and the organization continue facing an NBA probe that launched last September, examining potential salary cap violations related to Leonard’s compensation through an endorsement agreement with a now-defunct sponsor. The external legal team conducting the review has not announced a completion timeline.

Team officials have embraced the inquiry and rejected any misconduct allegations.

“It doesn’t impact anything we do on a daily basis,” basketball operations president Lawrence Frank stated in February. “We know it’s out there, we know at some point there’ll be a decision made.”

The roster suffered an early setback when Bradley Beal sustained a season-ending fracture requiring surgical intervention.

Despite enthusiastically bringing Chris Paul back to the organization last autumn, the team dismissed him in December.

Management sent him away during a road trip in an unexpected decision. The 40-year-old future Hall of Fame floor general had hoped to conclude his 21st NBA campaign by retiring as a Clipper.

February’s trade deadline brought additional changes as the Clippers eliminated their status as the league’s most veteran squad by dealing 36-year-old James Harden and beloved player Ivica Zubac.

The constant changes threatened to eclipse their hosting duties for All-Star weekend at their two-year-old facility.

Lue praised his roster’s determination in weathering the tumultuous campaign.

“To not give up, not give in, it just shows a lot about the guys in the locker room that care to what they bring every single day,” he noted.

Kerr drew parallels between the Clippers’ revival and the 1977-78 Seattle SuperSonics, who started 5-17 before firing their coach and finishing 47-35 under new leader Lenny Wilkens. That Seattle team reached the NBA Finals before capturing the franchise’s sole title the next season.

While nobody expects such a deep playoff push from Los Angeles, they’ve already overcome extraordinary obstacles.

“We always knew we were a better team that what we were showing,” veteran Brook Lopez commented, “but to go out there and prove it, it’s a nice little honor.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two Charlotte Hornets guards have achieved something that hasn’t been done since the Golden State Warriors’ legendary Splash Brothers dominated from beyond the arc.

Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball have become the first teammates since Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to claim the top two spots in the NBA for three-pointers made in a season. Their impressive shooting performance comes as Charlotte attempts to break the league’s longest active playoff drought, which has stretched for a decade.

The rookie Knueppel shattered NBA first-year records on his way to leading the entire league with 273 three-pointers while maintaining an impressive 42.5% accuracy rate from long range.

Ball finished just one shot behind his teammate with 272 successful three-pointers on 36.8% shooting from beyond the arc.

“I think it’s pretty cool — they must have a great coach that allows them to shoot that many 3s,” Charlotte coach Charles Lee joked about his players’ achievement.

Beyond the humor, the Hornets appear to have discovered their offensive identity under Lee’s guidance and are moving in a positive direction after spending most of the past decade struggling near the Eastern Conference basement.

Expect plenty of long-range attempts Tuesday evening when Charlotte welcomes the Miami Heat for their 9 vs. 10 NBA play-in tournament matchup — marking the franchise’s first home postseason contest in ten years.

Charlotte must defeat Miami and then beat whichever team loses the 7-8 contest between Philadelphia and Orlando to advance to an actual playoff series for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.

Knueppel has provided exactly what the Hornets organization desperately needed.

The first-year player earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors four times and paces all rookies with 36 games scoring 20 or more points. He surpassed six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan’s rookie record for most 20-point games while shooting 65% true shooting percentage, accomplishing the feat 27 times.

“Kon is like my brother for real, and I love playing with him,” Ball explained. “He’s such a great shooter it makes our whole team better the way we play off each other.”

The two players bring contrasting styles to Charlotte’s backcourt.

Ball prefers creating space with step-back three-pointers and employs an unconventional shooting form, frequently launching shots off one foot. Knueppel displays textbook shooting mechanics that remain consistent from attempt to attempt, and while he excels as a catch-and-shoot threat, he regularly uses side dribbles to evade approaching defenders and generate open opportunities.

Despite their differences, the pair has found remarkable chemistry on the court.

Knueppel held a three-shot advantage over Ball entering the regular season finale, but the point guard nearly overtook him by connecting on five three-pointers in that last game.

If Ball had attempted and converted one additional three-pointer in the fourth quarter, he would have tied Knueppel for the league lead.

“Well, we were passing each other good looks and trying to make the right reads,” Knueppel said about the team’s victory over the New York Knicks. “It wasn’t like somebody was going in there jacking (up shots). We were passing back and forth trying to make the right play. It just so happened to be me.”

Lee noted that such unselfish play has characterized his team throughout the entire season.

“Those two guys, they work so hard on their craft,” Lee commented. “One thing I like is our team’s unselfishness to create those looks for them with the drives and kicks. And it’s impressive that our guards and our bigs are setting such great looks to get these guys clean looks.”

Charlotte’s offensive arsenal extends well beyond just two players.

Brandon Miller represents another elite shooter who connected on 204 three-pointers this season and might have challenged Knueppel and Ball’s totals if not for missing 17 games with an injury. Miles Bridges also possesses three-point range, though he’s better recognized for his ability to attack the rim and his athletic finishing on fast-break alley-oops.

The Hornets also added Coby White, who has made a significant impact off the bench following his midseason acquisition from the Chicago Bulls.

White has knocked down 43 three-pointers across 21 appearances with Charlotte.

Don’t overlook undersized center Moussa Diabate, who generates open three-point looks by distributing the ball to the perimeter following offensive rebounds.

Now Charlotte must determine whether their prolific three-point shooting can produce playoff victories like it once did for Golden State’s Splash Brothers.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The unwavering self-belief that some view as cockiness has carried Diego Pavia from a New Mexico junior college all the way to finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting in the Southeastern Conference. Now, the Vanderbilt quarterback has his sights set on professional football.

However, skeptics question whether Pavia’s 5-foot-10 frame will limit his draft prospects and NFL opportunities, as that height is typically considered too short for professional quarterbacks.

When asked about concerns over his stature, Pavia offers a straightforward answer.

“I would just say turn on the tape,” Pavia stated during the NFL combine, referencing his performance over two seasons with Vanderbilt. “The SEC and the Big Ten probably have the most guys getting drafted in the first (and) second round. So we’re playing those guys.”

Former teammates support Pavia’s position. Eli Stowers, who moved from quarterback to tight end while playing alongside Pavia at New Mexico State before both joined Vanderbilt, believes the discussion about physical dimensions misses the point.

“Can the kid play football?” Stowers asked during Vanderbilt’s pro day. “And Diego was the best player in college football last year. He led the entire country in total yards. I mean, he won 10 games and got us to the point where we had two winning seasons back-to-back after going 2-10 the year before.”

Following the 2025 season, Pavia earned AP SEC offensive player of the year honors after guiding Vanderbilt to an unprecedented 10-win campaign. He connected on 71% of his throws for 3,539 passing yards while accumulating 4,401 total yards and 39 touchdowns. His 29 passing touchdowns topped the SEC, and he also rushed for 862 yards and 10 scores.

Nationally, he ranked second in total offense with an average of 338.5 yards per contest.

According to Stowers, Pavia instilled a winning mentality throughout the Commodores program.

“He’s the best leader I’ve ever been around, the hardest worker I’ve been around,” Stowers explained. “He always cares about everyone around his team, around the facility. I mean, you just watch him on film. The kid is an amazing football player, and he will win you games at any level.”

Center Jordan White, who handled snaps to Pavia at Vanderbilt, said watching game film with the quarterback was consistently impressive.

“I know every time I snap it to him, a great play’s going to be made no matter what it is,” White commented at the pro day.

Physical measurements carry significant weight with NFL franchises, potentially making Pavia a late-round selection at most.

According to Sportradar data, just three quarterbacks measuring 5-10 or under have started NFL games since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger: Doug Flutie (66 starts), Bryce Young (44), and Kyler Murray (87) — all listed at exactly 5-10.

Sportradar’s records dating to 1948 show only one quarterback under 5-10 ever started professionally. Eddie LeBaron, known as “The Little General” at 5-9, started 88 games across 11 NFL seasons from 1952 to 1963.

Pavia received no college scholarship offers from high school. He attended junior college, capturing a national title at New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to New Mexico State and eventually Vanderbilt in 2024. He even pursued federal court action to secure an injunction permitting him to play the 2025 season.

Under Pavia’s leadership, the historically struggling SEC program achieved a 7-6 record in his debut season, including their first victory over an AP top-five opponent. The 2025 campaign brought a 10-3 finish with six conference victories, four wins against ranked teams, and a peak ranking of No. 9 — Vanderbilt’s highest AP poll position since 1937.

At 24 years old, Pavia brings six seasons of experience and extensive game footage for NFL evaluators to examine.

“I’ve seen a lot of football,” Pavia noted.

Several NFL organizations have shown interest, with Tampa Bay speaking to Pavia at the Senior Bowl and the New York Jets meeting with him at the combine, where he participated in throwing drills. A source familiar with the visit confirmed he met with Carolina on April 7, though the Panthers don’t discuss their top 30 prospect meetings.

Pavia’s self-assurance comes from his belief in what he offers any organization.

“What’s true about me is I’m humble and I get my confidence from my process,” Pavia said. “And if you saw how much I put into this, you would see where I get my confidence for anything.”

The Baltimore Orioles pulled off a stunning comeback Monday night, erasing a six-run deficit to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-7 in their series opener.

Baltimore found itself trailing 7-1 entering the bottom of the sixth inning before mounting their remarkable rally. Leody Taveras started the comeback with an RBI single, followed by Jeremiah Jackson’s grand slam that cut Arizona’s lead to 7-6. Pete Alonso then delivered the decisive blow with a two-run homer in the seventh inning that gave Baltimore their first lead of the game. Jackson capped the rally with his second home run in the eighth inning.

The Orioles’ comeback overshadowed outstanding performances from Arizona’s Ketel Marte and Nolan Arenado, who both hit two home runs. Marte opened the game by taking Baltimore starter Dean Kremer deep on the very first pitch and added another solo shot in the third inning. Arenado finished the night with five RBIs.

Baltimore collected eight hits and drew four walks while extending their winning streak to three games and capturing their sixth victory in seven contests. Gunnar Henderson contributed a run-scoring triple for the Orioles, who posted their highest run total of the season.

In other MLB action Monday:

The New York Yankees ended a five-game losing streak with an 11-10 thriller over the Los Angeles Angels. Jose Caballero scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Jordan Romano. Trent Grisham homered twice and drove in five runs, including a two-run blast in the ninth that tied the game 10-10. Aaron Judge also went deep twice, surpassing Mickey Mantle for second-most multi-homer games in Yankees history with his 47th career two-homer performance.

Mike Trout powered the Angels with his 31st career multi-homer game, hitting his 407th and 408th career home runs while driving in five runs.

Minnesota dominated Boston 13-6 as Ryan Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs. Victor Caratini also homered and drove in three runs for the Twins, who have won seven of their last eight games. Boston ace Garrett Crochet struggled mightily, allowing a career-high 11 runs in just 1 2/3 innings.

Seattle completed a four-game sweep of Houston with a 6-2 victory. Josh Naylor hit his first two extra-base hits of the season, both home runs, while driving in five runs. The loss extended Houston’s losing streak to eight games and capped a disastrous 1-9 road trip.

Pittsburgh routed Washington 16-5 behind Brandon Lowe’s five RBIs, his second consecutive five-RBI performance. Paul Skenes earned the win, striking out six while allowing one run over six innings.

Philadelphia defeated Chicago 13-7 as Kyle Schwarber homered twice and drove in three runs while scoring four times. The Phillies bounced back after losing four of five games.

Miami snapped out of an offensive slump with a 10-4 victory over Atlanta, collecting 16 hits after scoring just three runs in a weekend sweep at Detroit. Agustin Ramirez homered and drove in four runs for the Marlins.

Cleveland beat St. Louis 9-3 behind Brayan Rocchio’s two-run homer and multi-RBI performances from Daniel Schneemann and Steven Kwan.

Los Angeles blanked New York 4-0 as Justin Wrobleski pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Andy Pages hit a three-run homer for the Dodgers. The loss extended the Mets’ losing streak to a season-high six games.

Texas defeated Oakland 8-1 as Jake Burger hit two home runs and drove in four runs while Nathan Eovaldi threw seven shutout innings. The victory snapped Oakland’s five-game winning streak.

The Los Angeles Kings secured their spot in the Western Conference playoffs Monday night after defeating the Seattle Kraken 5-3, powered by a two-goal performance from forward Quinton Byfield.

Trevor Moore and Alexis Laferriere each contributed one goal and one assist, while Adrian Kempe found the net once and goalie Anton Forsberg turned away 28 shots for Los Angeles (35-26-19, 89 points). The Kings have now won five consecutive games, marking their longest winning streak this season. With regular season contests remaining Tuesday in Vancouver and Thursday at Calgary, Los Angeles could still secure a top-three position in the Pacific Division or claim a wild-card position.

For Seattle (34-35-11, 79 points), Adam Larsson, Frederick Gaudreau and Bobby McMann each scored while Matty Beniers recorded two assists. The loss ended the Kraken’s two-game winning streak. Rookie netminder Nikke Kokko, making only his second NHL appearance due to injuries to Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer and Matt Murray’s absence for family reasons, made 25 saves on 29 shots.

Byfield’s quickness resulted in two unassisted scores during the opening period.

His first goal came after Seattle’s Jordan Eberle won a faceoff in the offensive zone and sent the puck back toward Ryan Lindgren at the left point. Byfield reached the puck first, bounced it off the boards to bypass Lindgren, and created a 2-on-1 opportunity. He then fired a wrist shot from just inside the faceoff circle that hit the top of the net at 2:43.

Byfield’s second tally occurred at 13:19 when Eberle’s pass back to Lindgren at the point bounced over the defenseman’s stick, creating a breakaway opportunity down the right side. He deked as if moving across the crease before lifting a forehand shot over Kokko’s glove hand.

Los Angeles increased their advantage to 3-0 at 7:13 of the second period when Laferriere’s shot from the left faceoff circle bounced energetically off the end boards back to Moore, who buried a wrist shot from the slot.

Seattle mounted a comeback effort in the final period.

Larsson connected on a wrist shot from the left point through traffic past Forsberg at 1:53, ending the goaltender’s chance for consecutive shutouts.

Gaudreau cut the deficit to 3-2 at 8:08, receiving a feed from Kaapo Kakko and hammering the puck home from just outside the left post.

Los Angeles restored their two-goal cushion as Kempe received a pass from Anze Kopitar during a 2-on-1 break and scored with a snap shot at 12:29. The goal was Kempe’s team-high 35th of the campaign.

With Kokko pulled for an additional skater, McMann fired a wrist shot from the slot at 17:33 to bring Seattle within one goal.

Laferriere sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:58.

Left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski delivered eight dominant shutout innings while Andy Pages connected on a decisive three-run blast, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-0 triumph over the New York Mets in Monday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium.

The southpaw Wrobleski (2-0) held New York hitless until Jorge Polanco broke through with a single to right field in the fifth inning’s opening at-bat. Wrobleski surrendered only two hits while issuing no free passes and recording two strikeouts across his stellar outing.

Miguel Rojas collected three hits to pace the Dodgers’ offense. Despite going hitless in four plate appearances, Shohei Ohtani managed to reach base and push his consecutive on-base streak to 47 games, matching the second-longest such run since the franchise relocated to Los Angeles.

Ohtani took a 94 mph sinker from Mets starter David Peterson to his right shoulder on the game’s opening pitch but continued playing. The two-way star is slated to take the mound Wednesday.

Peterson (0-3) surrendered four runs on five hits across five innings of work, walking four batters while striking out seven. The Mets managed only three singles as their losing skid reached a season-worst six games to begin a six-game road swing.

Tommy Pham, making his 2024 Mets debut after inking a minor league contract in late spring, went hitless in three at-bats with one strikeout.

Los Angeles nearly broke the contest wide open in the opening frame. Following Ohtani’s hit-by-pitch on Peterson’s third delivery, Kyle Tucker drew a walk before Will Smith delivered an RBI single. Teoscar Hernandez walked to fill the bases, but Peterson escaped further damage by striking out Freddie Freeman, Pages and Max Muncy in succession.

The third inning saw Tucker and Hernandez work walks ahead of Pages’ two-out, three-run homer that sailed down the left field line. The blast marked Pages’ fifth of the campaign, as he continues leading Major League Baseball with a .417 batting average and 25 hits. His 20 RBIs also top the majors.

NEW YORK — What started as a regular baseball matchup between Aaron Judge and Mike Trout quickly escalated into an epic power display between two of the game’s biggest stars.

The Angels superstar launched his second homer of the night deep into left-center field, the ball ricocheting off the back wall beyond the bullpen area to give Los Angeles a two-run advantage in the eighth inning. This came after Judge had already connected twice to help the New York Yankees build their lead.

The historic showdown marked the first time in seven decades that two players who have each won three MVP awards hit multiple home runs in the same contest.

Trent Grisham delivered his second blast of the night — matching his season total — to even the score in the ninth frame. José Caballero crossed home plate when Jordan Romano’s wild pitch ended the game, securing an electrifying 11-10 Yankees victory on Monday that snapped a five-game skid.

“It was great. That’s baseball for you,” Trout marveled. “It’s what fans want, and to be able to see something like that, pretty cool.”

According to STATS Perform, such a performance between two three-time MVP winners had occurred just once previously.

The last instance happened on June 21, 1956, when Stan Musial connected twice before Roy Campanella launched a game-tying three-run shot in the ninth for his second homer of the day. Don Zimmer then delivered a walk-off single as the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9-8 at Ebbets Field.

Trout came close to a third home run, flying out to Cody Bellinger near the center-field wall with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. This occurred after the Angels had knotted the game 4-4 with four unearned runs following Caballero’s fielding mistake on Trout’s leadoff ground ball to short.

Judge had anticipated meeting up with Trout in the Yankee Stadium weight room.

“I was going to talk some smack to him after the one he hit all the way to the warning track,” Judge said, “but I didn’t get a chance to and then he answers right back with two big homers for him. You put that guy in a clutch situation, a big moment and he’s going to show up every single time, so it’s fun going back and forth with a guy like that, especially in New York and the Bronx.”

The Yankees had dropped five consecutive games following an 8-2 beginning and entered the night winless in six one-run contests.

Seven long balls combined to travel 2,846 feet — exceeding half a mile — with New York accounting for five of them. Judge’s opening blast sailed 456 feet into the left-field bleachers, leaving his bat at 116.2 mph for the season’s hardest-hit home run.

Both Grisham and Trout drove in five runs apiece, while Judge contributed three RBIs.

The game featured the sport’s top four active home run hitters. Judge, now with 374, moved one ahead of teammate Paul Goldschmidt. Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who leads active players with 454, missed by approximately a foot with a fifth-inning double off the center-field wall. Trout sits at 408 career homers.

The 34-year-old Trout captured AL MVP honors in 2014, 2016, and 2019 but has battled injuries throughout much of the last five seasons.

“He’s the greatest of all time. It’s been fun to watch his whole career, coming up at such a young age and instantly just putting yourself at the top of the list. It’s special,” Judge said.

Judge, who celebrates his 34th birthday on April 26, earned AL MVP recognition in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

“Those are two of the greats, so it’s really fun to watch,” Yankees starter Will Warren said.

Both Judge and Caballero launched two-run shots off Yusei Kikuchi during a four-run second inning on an unusually warm 77-degree evening. Following Caballero’s defensive miscue that led to unearned runs against Warren, Grisham entered as a pinch-hitter in the fifth and connected for a three-run drive against Shaun Anderson, extending the lead to 7-4.

Trout responded with a three-run blast in the sixth against Jake Bird, who was sent down to Triple-A following the game.

Judge’s homer off Anderson to start the bottom half gave him 47 multi-homer performances, surpassing Mickey Mantle by one and trailing only Babe Ruth’s 68 among Yankees players.

“To be surrounded by some greats like that, it’s special,” Judge said.

Josh Lowe tied the game at 8 with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly, and Trout’s two-run shot in the eighth off Camilo Doval pushed the Angels ahead 10-8 with his 31st multi-homer game. Judge, observing from right field, shook his head in disbelief.

“Every time he comes to the Bronx, man, he puts on a show,” Judge said. “I hate to see it, but it’s fun competing against a guy like that.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr. opened the ninth with a single against Jordan Romano, and Grisham reached down to pull a slider into the right-field seats as the closer placed both hands on his head in dismay.

Caballero doubled and stole third base without a throw. After Austin Wells drew a walk, Caballero scored when Romano bounced a full-count slider to Ryan McMahon to the backstop on the ninth pitch of the at-bat.

The Yankees hadn’t won while surrendering double-digit runs since defeating Minnesota 14-12 on July 23, 2019.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone described his emotions as “tough … for the belly.”

He then shifted focus to his team.

“You get a lead, then you get another lead, and then it’s gone,” he said. “For the guys, maybe it was good to have a game like that where it was a little messy.”

Two key New York Yankees starting pitchers are approaching their return to action after extended injury recoveries, according to manager Aaron Boone’s comments to media before Monday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Angels.

Star right-hander Gerrit Cole and left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon could both begin minor league rehabilitation assignments within the coming week as they work their way back from elbow procedures.

Cole, who had Tommy John surgery 13 months ago, has been gradually building up his arm strength. While he appeared in a pair of spring training contests, the organization slowed his progression to align with his recovery timeline. On Sunday, the veteran hurler completed live batting practice, reaching 42 pitches during the session, Boone reported.

Meanwhile, Rodon underwent surgery following last season to have bone chips removed from his elbow. The southpaw, coming off his most successful Yankees season with an 18-9 record, 3.09 ERA, and 1.05 WHIP in 2025, threw 50 pitches during Monday’s live batting practice.

Both pitchers will take their next turn after four days of rest, though team officials haven’t determined whether that will come in an actual game setting or another batting practice session.

“I don’t have an opinion one way or the other,” Cole said. “I just want to make sure we do what’s right, really. So I think we’re just taking in a little bit more information over the next couple of days before we make that call.”

The Yankees’ current rotation has performed exceptionally well through 15 games, posting a major league-leading 2.67 ERA while tying Pittsburgh for the fewest home runs allowed with just three.

The 35-year-old Cole captured the Cy Young Award in 2023 after going 15-4 with a league-best 2.63 ERA across 209 innings. Throughout his career, he’s been selected as an All-Star six times, earning recognition with Pittsburgh in 2015, Houston in 2018 and 2019, and the Yankees from 2021-2023.

Over 12 major league seasons, Cole has compiled a 153-80 record with a 3.18 ERA in 317 starts.

Rodon, 33, brings an 93-72 record and 3.73 ERA over 231 games across 11 big league seasons. He’s also earned All-Star selections with three different organizations: Chicago White Sox in 2021, San Francisco Giants in 2022, and the Yankees last year.

Additionally, Boone announced that shortstop Anthony Volpe is scheduled to participate in four games with Double-A Somerset this week, pending medical clearance. Volpe played through most of last season with a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder and had corrective surgery during the offseason.

A top-tier basketball recruit has reversed course on his college plans, withdrawing his pledge to the University of North Carolina after meeting with the program’s new coaching staff.

Dylan Mingo, ranked as the eighth-best prospect nationally in the 2027 graduating class by 247Sports, announced Monday that he is backing out of his February commitment to UNC and will explore other college options. The 6-foot-5 versatile guard from Long Island Lutheran in New York had originally pledged to play for former head coach Hubert Davis on February 17.

The decision comes after UNC brought in Michael Malone as the new head coach on April 7, replacing Davis who was dismissed from his position. Mingo spent time with Malone and his coaching staff during the weekend before making his announcement.

Since Mingo never signed an official letter of intent with North Carolina, he remains free to consider other programs. His original list of finalists included Baylor, Penn State, and Washington, while he also received scholarship offers from Alabama, Illinois, Louisville, UConn, and Texas.

The talented guard’s senior season was largely derailed by an ankle injury, which kept him sidelined for most games and prevented his selection to the prestigious McDonald’s All-American roster. Despite the setback, Mingo demonstrated his abilities last summer by earning Most Valuable Player honors at the NBPA Top 100 camp, where he averaged 23.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per contest.

In limited action during 12 regular-season games with the PSA Cardinals in the Nike EYBL circuit, Mingo still managed impressive numbers, posting 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

When he initially committed to the Tar Heels, Mingo expressed his championship aspirations to ESPN, stating: “I feel like from Day 1, my role will be a player who impacts winning in every aspect. Honestly, I am just a person who will give it his all to win a national championship.”

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — University of North Carolina first-year player Caleb Wilson has officially declared his intention to enter the NBA draft, concluding what he described as an unforgettable season with the Tar Heels despite being hampered by injuries.

The basketball program shared a video announcement Monday featuring the 6-foot-10 forward, who is widely considered among the elite prospects for the upcoming June draft. Wilson’s declaration confirms his single-season college career, following a cryptic “#8out” post he shared on social media in recent weeks that hinted at his professional aspirations.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I had to represent North Carolina,” Wilson said. “Wearing No. 8, running out of that historic tunnel every day for practice and games, and i’m happy to say every day I gave it my all.”

The talented forward put up impressive numbers with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game during an outstanding campaign that was unfortunately derailed by multiple injuries. His season was first interrupted by a fractured bone in his left hand, occurring just days following an exciting victory over conference rival Duke. Later, as Wilson prepared to make his comeback, he suffered a broken right thumb during a non-contact practice session, ultimately ending his season just before a second matchup with the Blue Devils.

Despite the shortened season, Wilson earned recognition as a second-team Associated Press All-American, an achievement that guarantees his jersey number will be displayed among the honored players in the Smith Center rafters.

Brazilian national team manager Carlo Ancelotti believes superstar forward Neymar can still earn his way onto the World Cup roster despite recent injury struggles.

The Italian coach expressed confidence in the player’s recovery prospects during an interview with L’Equipe. “He is capable of getting back to 100%,” Ancelotti stated when asked about Neymar’s World Cup chances. “He is being assessed by the CBF (Brazil’s Football Confederation) and by me, and he still has two months to show that he has what it takes to play in the next World Cup.”

The 34-year-old attacking midfielder, who holds Brazil’s all-time scoring record with 79 international goals, has been absent from national team duty since 2023 due to persistent left knee problems. Following minor knee surgery on December 22, Neymar received platelet-rich plasma therapy in early April to accelerate his healing process.

Ancelotti praised the player’s progress since the December procedure. “After his knee injury (in December), Neymar has made a good recovery,” the coach explained. “He’s scoring goals. He needs to keep going down this path and improve his fitness. He’s on the right track.”

Currently serving as captain for Santos in Brazil’s top-flight Serie A, Neymar has publicly expressed his determination to represent his country at this summer’s World Cup in North America. His current contract with Santos runs through the end of this calendar year.

The veteran player previously starred for European giants Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and Paris Saint-Germain from 2017 to 2023, forming memorable partnerships with Lionel Messi at both clubs during his peak years as one of soccer’s elite attacking talents.

An ankle problem contributed to his exit from PSG, leading to a brief stint with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. However, a torn ACL cut short his time in the Middle East. He rejoined Santos in January 2025, marking his return to professional soccer in his homeland.

This season, Neymar has contributed three goals and two assists across five appearances for Santos. After missing two consecutive matches, he completed the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Atletico Mineiro.

Santos head coach Cuca offered an encouraging assessment following Saturday’s performance. “Neymar is improving with every game,” Cuca told ESPN reporters. “He’s been staying behind to train. His movement on the ball is much better and he’s likely to get even better. It’s risky to play him for the full 90 minutes; we’ll see if he can handle it, and we’ll work towards him playing on Tuesday.”

During his debut season back in Brazilian soccer last year, Neymar recorded eight goals and one assist over 20 appearances, starting 17 of those matches.

Ancelotti acknowledged the player’s legendary status while maintaining realistic expectations. “Neymar has made, and continues to make, history in Brazilian football,” the coach noted. “He is a great talent and it’s only natural that people think he can help us win the next World Cup.”

Despite the optimistic outlook, Neymar has not appeared on any national team roster since Ancelotti assumed coaching duties last June.

The coach emphasized his selection philosophy when pressed about future call-ups. “I’ve said this several times, and it’s very clear: I’ll call up the players who are physically ready,” Ancelotti declared.

The Indiana University basketball program announced three significant transfer portal additions on Monday, highlighted by the commitment of Notre Dame guard Markus Burton, who gets to stay in his home state for his next chapter.

Burton will be joined by Duke forward Darren Harris and Georgia Tech guard Jaeden Mustaf, all three announcing their decisions to become Hoosiers on the same day.

The Notre Dame transfer brings impressive scoring credentials despite battling injuries over his past two seasons. Burton missed five weeks during the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a knee injury in late November. His most recent season was cut short when he required surgery for a left ankle injury sustained on December 5.

Throughout his three-year career with the Fighting Irish, Burton compiled strong numbers across 69 games with 68 starts. He posted 19.1 points per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 33.2% from beyond the arc, also contributing 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest. His accolades include ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24, along with third-team All-ACC recognition that season and second-team honors for 2024-25.

Harris brings a 6-foot-6 frame to Indiana’s wing position after spending two seasons coming off Duke’s bench. The former top-40 national recruit from the 2024 class contributed 2.8 points per game in 8.4 minutes of action across 57 appearances with the Blue Devils.

Mustaf, like Harris, was rated as a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and had previously shown interest in Indiana before choosing Georgia Tech. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, he appeared in 55 games with 33 starts, averaging 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. His three-point shooting was particularly strong in 2025-26, connecting on 38.9% of his attempts while averaging 10.4 points per game.

LOS ANGELES — The NBA’s all-time leading scorer likely believed his days of single-handedly carrying teams were behind him.

Throughout his career, LeBron James has repeatedly lifted ordinary rosters to remarkable heights, but this season with the Los Angeles Lakers looked different. Playing his first complete campaign alongside Luka Doncic, the 41-year-old superstar had stepped into more of a complementary role, watching Doncic lead the offense while emerging talent Austin Reaves flourished.

The strategy proved highly effective during Los Angeles’ impressive 16-2 run in March, capturing the Pacific Division title and sparking discussions about potentially challenging powerhouses Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the postseason.

However, disaster struck in early April when both Doncic suffered a hamstring injury and Reaves went down with an oblique strain during the Lakers’ first game of the month, leaving both stars facing multi-week absences.

Suddenly, James finds himself thrust back into the familiar position of being his team’s primary hope, with the Lakers’ playoff aspirations now resting on the shoulders of a player entering his 23rd NBA season.

As Los Angeles prepares to face the Houston Rockets in Saturday night’s playoff opener, James faces another seemingly impossible task in a career filled with them: maintaining the Lakers’ championship hopes until his injured teammates can return.

“I’ve had to tap back into a role that I’ve been accustomed to in the past, but obviously wasn’t what it was this year,” James explained. “Circumstances have put me back in here, and I’m just trying to feed off my teammates (while my) teammates feed off of me. Trying to make things happen for us to continue to stay afloat.”

This challenge would overwhelm most players, but James has repeatedly proven his ability to rise to such occasions. Following his 26-point, 11-assist, eight-rebound performance in the Lakers’ victory over Golden State, reporters asked what his team requires from him without their top two scorers.

“Everything,” James responded. “So nothing changes for me. Just back to the old ways.”

James has dedicated most of his basketball career to elevating those around him. Even after departing Cleveland initially to join Miami’s super-team and reduce that burden, he returned home and spent four additional seasons leading the Cavaliers to consecutive NBA Finals appearances against Golden State — including an incredible stretch to six games in 2015 without Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love, followed by orchestrating Cleveland’s historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit to claim the 2016 championship.

Currently, the Lakers recognize that unfortunate injuries have likely undermined what appeared to be a promising campaign. Doncic, who topped the league in scoring, has traveled to Spain seeking medical treatments that might accelerate his return, while Reaves appears unlikely to play in the opening playoff round.

Despite these setbacks, Lakers head coach JJ Redick maintains confidence with James in the lineup.

“We’re going to need him to facilitate, and we’re going to need him to score,” Redick stated. “We’re going to need him to defend and rebound. I think he recognizes the task at hand, and he’s very locked in. He’s played great.”

Injuries have plagued all three Lakers stars this season, limiting their time playing together until recently. James battled sciatica that caused him to miss training camp and the season’s first 14 games, yet he appeared in 60 of the following 68 contests for Los Angeles, including five consecutive game sets.

“He had not a good season, not a great — he had a remarkable season, all things considered,” Redick observed. “You take away the fact that he’s in his 23rd year, and he’s 41 years old, he had a remarkable season. The fact that those things are real, and they’re very real in terms of the day-to-day management, it’s unbelievable what he did this year.”

James’ statistics show only minor adjustments to his advanced age and reduced responsibilities behind Doncic and Reaves: His 20.9 points per game marked his lowest average since his 2003-04 rookie campaign, while his 33.2 minutes per game represented a career low.

However, when the spotlight returns to James, he continues performing at an elite level with stunning consistency. He concluded the regular season by averaging 24.0 points, 9.7 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals across three Lakers wins that secured home-court advantage for the opening playoff round.

James earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors Monday for the 70th time — exceeding the combined total of any other two players in league history.

“Just trying to squeeze as much of the juice as I can, until it’s as dry as it can be for me,” James reflected. “I’ve been given an opportunity to play the game that I love, and tried to do it at a high level, and I’ve tried to commit to it, and the game has given back to me.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Head coach Mike Vrabel was absent from the New England Patriots’ pre-draft media session on Monday, but team officials indicate he continues his normal duties in preparation for the upcoming NFL draft amid recent media attention surrounding photographs with a sports journalist.

When questioned about Vrabel’s participation in draft preparations, Patriots vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf described his involvement as standard operating procedure.

“Very involved. Business as usual,” Wolf stated regarding Vrabel’s role in the team’s draft activities. “I’d say he’s been in there with us this round probably a little more than he was in there last year. … He’s been in there. He’s been contributing. He’s watched a ton of the players.”

This marked the initial public comments from a Patriots front office representative since the New York Post released images showing Vrabel alongside NFL journalist Dianna Russini of The Athletic at an Arizona hotel, sparking questions about their professional relationship.

While Vrabel participated in media sessions before last season’s draft, he chose not to attend Monday’s formal press conference. However, reporters encountered him briefly during a facility tour following Wolf’s media availability, where he offered a quick greeting.

The Post reported the photographs were captured in Arizona approximately two weeks prior to the NFL owners meetings that commenced March 29 in Phoenix.

Both Vrabel and Russini, who are married to other people, issued responses to the Post minimizing the significance of the images.

Russini explained the photos “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.”

Vrabel responded to the publication stating: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

The New York Times, parent company of The Athletic, announced Saturday it would examine Russini’s professional conduct.

This investigation followed earlier comments from Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg, who had defended Russini’s journalism and told the Post the images “lacked essential context.”

Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion during his playing career with New England, enters his sophomore campaign as Patriots head coach. He guided the franchise to a 14-3 record in his debut season, which concluded with a Super Bowl defeat against Seattle.

New England possesses the 31st selection in the upcoming draft along with 11 total picks.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic is scheduled to fly back to Los Angeles this Friday following specialized medical treatment in Europe for his hamstring injury, according to an ESPN report released Monday. However, team officials have not indicated when the star player might be cleared to return to the court.

The 27-year-old basketball star traveled to Spain last week to undergo multiple injection treatments for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain he suffered during the team’s 139-96 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.

Following an MRI examination the day after the injury occurred, Lakers management announced that Doncic would be sidelined for at least the rest of the regular season. The organization has remained silent about his recovery progress since that initial statement.

Medical experts typically expect Grade 2 hamstring strains to require approximately one month of recovery time. This timeline could potentially sideline the NBA’s top scorer, who averages 33.5 points per game, along with Los Angeles’ leader in both assists (8.3) and steals (1.6), for the entire opening round of playoff competition.

The Lakers, who earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference, are scheduled to begin their first-round playoff matchup this Saturday when they face the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets.

Adding to the team’s injury concerns, Austin Reaves remains unavailable after suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain. The guard, who contributes 23.3 points and 5.5 assists per game, is projected to miss four to six weeks of action.

Despite losing both key players, Los Angeles managed to close out the regular season with a 3-2 record following Doncic and Reaves’ injuries.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas betting markets suggest the real NBA championship battle may unfold in a potential Western Conference clash between defending titleholder Oklahoma City and San Antonio, a squad that dominated the Thunder during regular season play.

However, sportsbook numbers also suggest not overlooking Boston as NBA postseason action commences, given the Celtics captured their record 18th title just two seasons ago.

Oklahoma City stands as the +120 betting choice at BetMGM Sportsbook to become the first franchise since Golden State in 2018 to claim back-to-back championships. San Antonio, which beat the Thunder in four of their five regular season encounters, follows at +450 odds. Boston remains within striking distance at +550.

All remaining franchises carry betting lines of 10-1 or higher.

“The West team is going to be favored in the final unless there’s a real shocker,” said Bruce Marshall, handicapper for WagerTalk/Gold Sheet. “We’re assuming it’s Oklahoma or San Antonio. Either of those two would be favored. Boston would have the best chance, I think, in the East, followed by the Knicks and then Detroit.”

David Lieberman, pro basketball lead at Caesars Sportsbook, expressed caution about assuming favorites would wind up in the NBA Finals.

“It should be pretty wide open this year, and I can see any of the top 3-5 seeds making a run in each conference,” Lieberman said. “I expect several long, competitive series all the way through.”

Jayson Tatum’s earlier-than-expected return from an Achilles tendon tear sustained in last year’s playoffs has made bettors believers of the Celtics. Boston was listed at 10-1 before his comeback, and 8.7% of the bets and 8.2% of the money at BetMGM are on the Celtics. That’s behind only the Pistons in the Eastern Conference (10.2% of bets, 9.7% of the handle).

Detroit has generated significant optimism with Cade Cunningham returning after missing approximately three weeks due to a collapsed lung.

Despite the Western Conference’s superior depth and talent, numerous bettors are finding value in Eastern Conference wagering opportunities.

“The Detroit Pistons have been getting bet all year, and now with Cade Cunningham back and healthy, bets are coming in on them again,” Lieberman said. “The top five seeds in the East have been pretty popular bets of late, so I think there is some belief in those teams outside of the Celtics.”

Los Angeles Lakers generated considerable discussion as a potential dark horse contender in the West before Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) suffered injuries this month.

BetMGM’s wagering figures demonstrate minimal confidence in the Lakers’ championship prospects. Los Angeles carries 125-1 odds to advance from the Western Conference and 250-1 to capture the title.

The fourth-seeded Lakers begin postseason play against fifth-ranked Houston. The Rockets are 8-1 series favorites despite lacking home-court advantage.

“The moment Luka got hurt, the chances of the Lakers making a deep run ended,” Marshall said. “Houston has been playing better, so I think that Lakers (have a) short stay. It’s too bad because it was looking like they might be menacing for a while when all the hands were on deck.”

Should betting predictions prove accurate, Tuesday and Wednesday’s four play-in tournament contests should remain competitive until the final moments.

Charlotte and Los Angeles Clippers, each favored by 5 1/2 points, represent BetMGM’s largest spreads.

The Hornets face Miami, with the victor meeting either Orlando or Philadelphia before potentially challenging top-seeded Detroit. Philadelphia holds a 1 1/2-point edge over Orlando, with that winner advancing to face Boston.

In Western Conference action, the Clippers battle Golden State for the opportunity to face Portland or Phoenix before potentially meeting Oklahoma City. Phoenix carries a 3 1/2-point advantage over Portland, with that victor set to challenge San Antonio.

Marshall concurred with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver regarding tanking as a significant league concern.

Teams potentially not providing maximum effort won’t influence playoff betting, unlike regular season wagering.

“Actually, I kind of enjoyed it when you got these teams that weren’t trying because you could try to go against them, although the oddsmakers were really making us pay with a lot of these numbers,” Marshall said. “It’s really a disease in the NBA and they’re trying to address, but it gets worse every year with the tanking stuff. As soon as a team sees they’re out of the playoff picture, they try not to win.”

The NHL’s most prestigious individual honors remain up for grabs as the league enters playoff season, with Associated Press hockey experts weighing in on the top contenders across all major categories.

The Hart Memorial Trophy for Most Valuable Player presents another year without a runaway favorite, marking three consecutive seasons where the award race has remained competitive until the final weeks. Connor McDavid of Edmonton appears poised to capture the scoring title and Art Ross Trophy for most points, while Nathan MacKinnon from Colorado leads the goal-scoring race. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov has separated himself from teammates by more than 40 points and could earn his second straight Hart Trophy nomination.

AP Hockey Writers John Wawrow and Stephen Whyno offered their expert analysis on award winners across six categories:

Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado

Wawrow selected Nikita Kucherov, explaining: “As much as McDavid and MacKinnon deserve consideration, and maybe Montreal’s Nick Suzuki merits mention, Kucherov did more with less on a Tampa Bay team that proved immune to the shakeup that turned the Atlantic Division upside down.”

Whyno chose McDavid, stating: “There’s an argument to be made for Kucherov, given where the Lightning could be without him after a season full of injuries. But McDavid carried the Oilers down the stretch after Leon Draisaitl got injured, and he should add a fourth MVP honor to his impressive resume that is missing only the Stanley Cup.”

Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay

Both writers agreed on Vasilevskiy for the goaltending award.

Wawrow noted: “The numbers simply speak for themselves. Leading the league with 38 wins entering the final week, no goalie had a better goals-against average and save percentage playing 50 or more games this season.”

Whyno added: “John and I are on the same wavelength here. With a nod to Utah’s Karel Vejmelka for making more than 60 starts, no one has mixed a heavy workload with quality of play like Vasilevskiy, who has made the Cup Final four times, won it twice, but only won the Vezina once (2019).”

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Zach Werenski, Columbus

The writers split on this category, with Wawrow backing Cale Makar of Colorado: “If the Blue Jackets make the playoffs, a case could be made for Werenski over a ton of talent such as Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin and Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes. Makar, however, stands out for once again being the NHL’s most complete defenseman.”

Whyno supported Werenski: “The Blue Jackets leaned heavily on the 28-year-old, who skated over 26 minutes per night. Werenski produced at better than a point-a-game level and does everything well on the defensive end as well.”

Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders

Both experts agreed on Schaefer for rookie honors.

Wawrow explained: “Montreal’s Ivan Demidov and Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke might have more points, but no rookie played more valuable minutes than Schaefer, justifying his selection as a No. 1 pick.”

Whyno emphasized the unanimous nature of the choice: “Schaefer could be unanimous. Even some of the best defensemen of this generation needed years to adapt to the learning curve at the position, and Schaefer did it perfectly at 18.”

Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)

The writers disagreed on defensive forward honors, with Wawrow choosing Nick Suzuki of Montreal: “With Aleksander Barkov injured, the field was wide open and Suzuki may run away with the honor. Though he is a secondary figure on the Canadiens’ penalty kill, his 5-on-5 numbers and puck-possession metrics, while facing opposing top lines, are solid.”

Whyno selected Jordan Staal of Carolina: “The team captain has consistently drawn tough defensive matchups and dominated on faceoffs and has only once been a Selke finalist. This should be his year.”

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
BetMGM Sportsbook favorite: Lindy Ruff, Buffalo

Another split decision saw Wawrow backing Ruff: “He found the elusive key to finally unlock the potential of a team that too often faltered under pressure, carrying over the lessons learned from his first season back in Buffalo. He did so with a game-at-a-time focus, a changing lineup and being Buffalo’s first coach during the team’s 14-season playoff drought to finally place an emphasis on improving locker room culture.”

Whyno chose Jon Cooper of Tampa Bay: “Injuries and extended absences to key players, including Victor Hedman, Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli and Ryan McDonagh, led the Lightning to dress 33 skaters and three goalies and showcased why Cooper is considered among the best in the business.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton expected to spend the entire NBA season working his way back from a ruptured right Achilles tendon that kept him off the court.

What the two-time All-Star didn’t see coming was how a severe case of shingles would complicate his comeback plans.

Speaking to media Monday, just one day after Indiana wrapped up a disappointing 19-win campaign without their star player, Haliburton revealed that while his Achilles has healed properly, the viral illness will be his main challenge heading into the offseason. The condition has led to weight gain, caused him to lose hair from his right eyebrow, and forced him to wear glasses to protect his irritated eye.

“First of all, I’d tell anybody over 50 years old to get the shot,” Haliburton said. “It’s been miserable. I have good days and bad days, but for the most part it’s been bad days. I’ve been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it. It hasn’t worked. It’s not been fun and hopefully it goes away soon. It’s hard to really tell with nerve pain, but I’ve been dealing now with nerve pain for two months and in the world of nerve pain, that’s not very long. Hopefully, it goes away soon.”

The condition develops when the chickenpox virus, which remains dormant in nerve cells after childhood infection, reactivates due to stress, illness, or aging. This reactivation creates painful, blistering lesions that typically appear on one side of the body and can persist for weeks.

CDC data shows roughly one-third of Americans will experience shingles during their lifetime. While most patients recover completely, serious complications can occur. Eye involvement may result in permanent vision damage, and approximately 20% of patients endure severe nerve pain that can last months or years beyond the initial outbreak.

Team management quickly announced last July that the former Iowa State standout would miss the entire season, but Haliburton explained his rehabilitation had been progressing similarly to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s recovery timeline before the shingles diagnosis emerged. Haliburton suffered his injury during June’s Game 7 NBA Finals appearance, while Tatum tore his Achilles in May.

Tatum has since returned to competition and appears increasingly strong as Boston holds the Eastern Conference’s second seed.

Meanwhile, Haliburton and his Indiana teammates face a pivotal offseason that could determine whether the franchise remains competitive when their star returns next season.

The encouraging news is that Haliburton feels completely confident about his lower leg’s condition. His focus now centers on overcoming the illness that prevented him from participating in full-contact scrimmages until this past week.

“I’m out of shape like crazy, like I never have been before,” Haliburton said. “I’ve changed my medication a bunch of times. I’ve gotten a Botox injection I thought would help, it hasn’t really helped. I’ve done everything, it just hasn’t worked yet. But I’m confident it goes away soon.”

Many observers assumed losing Haliburton would end Indiana’s championship aspirations after reaching last year’s Eastern Conference finals. However, as training camp began, franchise officials rejected characterizing the season as simply waiting for their star’s return.

Early-season injuries to other key players, combined with a devastating 1-13 start, quickly shifted those expectations and left everyone frustrated.

“It was tough, just tough mentally going through that,” four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam said Sunday. “It was hard trying to get through it, find positive things, trying to continue to improve, trying to find ways to win games. It was pretty bad. It sucked.”

Despite his own struggles, Haliburton remained engaged with the team at coach Rick Carlisle’s suggestion, attending meetings, film study sessions, and practice. He served as a mentor to teammates dealing with their own injuries while encouraging younger players to develop their skills.

“Once I get off that (medication) and start running a little more, I have no worries,” Haliburton said. “I’ve got a long summer ahead of me — we’re only in April and the season doesn’t start till October. So I don’t really have any concerns. I can’t wait till I get out there and play and compete with my guys.”

MIAMI — Inside his Miami Heat office, Rob Pimental stands at his workstation, navigating another lengthy 12-hour shift. The team’s director of operations focuses intently on his oversized monitor, crafting travel arrangements while a partially finished salad sits beside his keyboard.

Behind his chair sits a mobile IV pole. A transparent pouch containing dialysis solution rests on the floor nearby.

“Hey, don’t mind that,” he tells a guest, gesturing toward the medical equipment and tubing near his feet.

For almost twelve months, this setup has defined Pimental’s daily routine. After living with Type 1 diabetes for approximately three decades, his condition deteriorated significantly last spring when his kidneys started declining and his blood pressure began climbing dangerously. He has spent months on waiting lists, hoping for both kidney and pancreas donations.

The life-changing phone call could arrive within days or might not come for another year. The timeline remains completely uncertain.

“We’ve all just kind of wanted to rally around him,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We support him as much as possible, but also we let him know, one, we love him, and two, we really appreciate everything that he does and that he’s still able to do it, despite everything.”

April marks National Donate Life Month, making the cause especially meaningful for Miami’s organization. Alonzo Mourning, the franchise’s legendary Hall of Fame player and current vice president for player programs, received a life-saving kidney donation in 2003. His experience has provided crucial guidance for Pimental during this challenging period.

“That’s a big thing, having Zo around me all the time,” Pimental said. “He’s been through this and just to have him come in and walk me through some steps I didn’t understand and then just be there if I have a question, it means something. Sometimes he walks in and he’s like, ‘Man, you look good today. You good? You feeling good? You look good.’ That means a lot, because he knows what I’m going through.”

The veteran equipment manager, among the NBA’s most experienced in his position, was absent from Monday’s team flight to the play-in tournament. Air travel with the squad has become impossible this season, marking the most significant adjustment to his responsibilities during his 15-year tenure in Miami.

His routine now includes self-administered dialysis sessions twice daily, along with increased dependence on fellow Heat employees and his staff members. Former Heat players Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love provide regular encouragement and humor through frequent check-ins, helping him maintain his demanding schedule.

“It’s meant a lot because he’s meant so much to us, as a mentor, as someone we look up to, as someone who has put so many years into this league,” said locker room manager Marvin Ulysse, who reports directly to Pimental. “I felt like it was our duty to get him through this journey. He’s a big brother to us. We’re like his human dialysis in a way.”

Despite his inability to accompany the team on road trips, Pimental maintains his effectiveness. When issues arise during away games, he resolves them remotely from his residence. His workdays remain demanding, though he now enjoys increased time with his spouse and children compared to previous years.

Nevertheless, frightening moments occur regularly. He frequently awakens during the night, frantically checking his phone out of concern that he missed the crucial call announcing available organs. The uncertainty creates constant anxiety, particularly regarding his family’s future should his condition worsen.

Despite these challenges, he maintains optimism each morning.

“Dialysis is working, I’m still here,” Pimental said. “Just like somebody said to me awhile back, you’ve got to learn how to string as many good days together as you can so when that one bad day comes, you can handle it. And that, I think, is what we’re doing right now. The Heat have been very, very supportive throughout this whole thing. But to be honest, the only motivation I need is my wife and my kids. To be here for them, that’s the only motivation I ever needed.”

The Toronto Blue Jays made a roster move Monday, bringing in infielder Lenyn Sosa from the Chicago White Sox through a trade deal.

Toronto sent minor league outfielder Jordan Rich plus either cash considerations or an additional player to be determined later to Chicago in the transaction.

The Blue Jays made room on their 40-man roster by moving right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber to the 60-day injured list due to his ongoing elbow injury.

The 26-year-old Sosa has struggled at the plate this season, posting a .212 batting average with three runs batted in across 12 appearances for Chicago. Throughout his five-year major league career, all spent with the White Sox, Sosa has maintained a .245 batting average while contributing 37 home runs and 128 RBIs over 315 total games. His most productive season came last year when he achieved personal bests with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Meanwhile, Rich is an 18-year-old prospect who Toronto selected in the 17th round of the 2025 draft from a Florida high school. The left-handed batter had been playing in the Arizona Complex League before the trade.

Following their 9-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, the Cincinnati Reds sent right fielder Noelvi Marte down to their Triple-A Louisville affiliate due to his poor performance at the plate.

The 24-year-old went hitless in four at-bats during Sunday’s loss and has managed only a .138 batting average (4 hits in 29 at-bats) through 11 games this season. Marte has yet to record an extra-base hit or drive in a run while striking out 10 times.

Since his major league debut on August 19, 2023, Marte has compiled a .249 batting average across 202 games, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 84 runs while stealing 26 bases.

While the Reds have not officially announced a replacement move, several media reports indicate the team plans to bring up outfielder Rece Hinds from Louisville.

The 25-year-old Hinds has been performing exceptionally well in Triple-A this season, posting a .354 batting average with a 1.246 OPS while launching five home runs and collecting 16 RBIs across 13 games.

Hinds first appeared in the majors on July 8, 2024, and has struggled in limited big league action, hitting .191 with seven homers, 14 RBIs and 37 strikeouts over 39 games spanning the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The Miami Heat find themselves in a familiar position this season – back in the NBA’s play-in tournament for the fourth year running.

While this scenario presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for a franchise that has successfully navigated these waters before, advancing to the playoffs through the play-in format in each of the previous three seasons. To continue that trend, Miami must secure victories in two away games this week.

“It’s harrowing. It’s nuts,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You have to absolutely embrace it. It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor. … Once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. And you have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter. It’s a Game 7. And so, I just want our guys to take on that challenge.”

The tournament field includes Charlotte, Orlando and Philadelphia from the Eastern Conference, alongside Golden State, the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland and Phoenix from the Western Conference.

The Clippers have an opportunity to reach the playoffs despite starting the season with a disappointing 6-21 record.

“It’s a great achievement,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.

The opening matchups are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday’s games feature East No. 10 Miami visiting East No. 9 Charlotte at 7:30 p.m., followed by West No. 8 Portland traveling to West No. 7 Phoenix at 10 p.m.

Wednesday’s slate includes East No. 8 Orlando at East No. 7 Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m., and West No. 10 Golden State facing West No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers at 10 p.m.

Each contest will result in teams either securing playoff positions or facing elimination from postseason consideration.

Teams losing the Miami-Charlotte and Golden State-LA Clippers matchups will be eliminated immediately. Victorious teams from the Portland-Phoenix and Orlando-Philadelphia games will earn No. 7 seeds in their respective conferences, with the Eastern winner facing Boston and the Western winner meeting San Antonio in the first round.

Friday’s elimination games will determine the final playoff spots. The Orlando-Philadelphia loser will host the Miami-Charlotte winner at 7:30 p.m. to decide the East’s No. 8 seed and Detroit’s first-round opponent. Similarly, the Portland-Phoenix loser will host the Golden State-LA Clippers winner at 10 p.m. to determine the West’s No. 8 seed and Oklahoma City’s opening opponent.

Phoenix enters the play-in tournament for the first time, while the remaining seven franchises have previous experience in this format.

Both Miami and Golden State are making their fourth play-in appearances. Charlotte participates for the third time, while Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland and the Clippers are making their second trips.

Miami holds a 4-2 record in play-in contests. Orlando, Philadelphia and Portland each stand at 1-0, Golden State is 1-3, and both Charlotte and the Clippers are 0-2.

Portland captured the inaugural play-in victory against Memphis during the 2020 bubble season. The current eight-team format began in 2021.

For the Miami-Charlotte matchup, the season series favored Miami 3-1, with BetMGM listing Charlotte as 5.5-point favorites. The winner advances to Friday’s elimination game while the loser’s season ends. High-scoring affairs are expected, as the teams averaged 126-120 in Miami’s favor during regular season meetings. Miami outscored Charlotte by 23 points overall while committing 23 fewer turnovers. Charlotte has only two players (LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges) with play-in experience, compared to Miami’s 11, including Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who have participated in four play-in victories.

The Phoenix-Portland game features Phoenix as 4.5-point favorites despite Portland winning the season series 2-1. The victor claims the No. 7 seed and faces San Antonio on Sunday, while the loser hosts Friday’s elimination game. Phoenix outscored Portland by seven points across their three meetings, with both teams shooting approximately 46%. However, their last encounter occurred two months ago. Portland exceeded expectations after losing coach Chauncey Billups early in the season, while Phoenix also performed better than many predicted.

Philadelphia holds slight 1.5-point odds over Orlando, having won the season series 2-1. The winner earns the No. 7 seed to face Boston on Sunday. Philadelphia defeated Orlando by exactly 12 points twice this season, while Orlando’s lone victory came by 41 points. The 76ers are managing without Joel Embiid, who underwent an appendectomy last week, adding to an unpredictable season. Orlando must overcome disappointment from losing to a depleted Boston team in their regular season finale.

The Golden State-LA Clippers elimination game has the Clippers favored by 4.5 points despite splitting their season series 3-1. This Western Conference elimination contest will end either Kawhi Leonard’s or Stephen Curry’s season. The combined scoring from their four meetings was exactly even at 411-411. Leonard will experience his first play-in game, while Curry has gone 1-3 in four previous play-in appearances, averaging 33.8 points in those contests.

SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry’s face lit up with fierce joy as he converted a layup while drawing a foul in his return to the court after being sidelined for more than two months with a knee injury. The Warriors superstar brought back his signature shimmy celebration, dancing after getting knocked to the floor on the drive past his former teammate Kevin Durant.

Fans arrived early at Chase Center during the regular season’s final stretch just to witness Curry’s pre-game warm-up routine, with phones raised high — including by injured teammate Jimmy Butler — to record the special moments as everyone suddenly recognizes that No. 30 isn’t invincible, despite how it once appeared.

However, this season’s window may be closing quickly. The injury-riddled Golden State Warriors face steep odds, even with Curry attempting to rescue their campaign on his problematic right knee.

The two-time MVP and his squad confront a challenging path just to reach the playoffs: sitting as the tenth seed in the Western Conference, they must win two consecutive elimination games away from home to secure the eighth seed and earn a matchup with defending champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City.

Golden State faces the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

“Until we get bounced from whatever this is, we’re going to approach it the same way: dignity, competitiveness and confidence that you can win any game,” Curry said. “That’s just the mentality we have.”

Curry never contemplated shutting things down and resting for the remainder of the season, despite enduring difficult moments alone during rehabilitation.

He was determined to return and compete. The veteran understands these chances won’t continue indefinitely, having celebrated his 38th birthday last month while wrapping up a 17th NBA campaign that has fallen far short of expectations.

However, Curry’s presence brings renewed optimism.

“There’s a momentum and a confidence,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s Steph Curry for a reason.”

Guard Gary Payton II described the Warriors’ prospects this way: “Whatever we put our mind to — now that Superman’s back.”

Teammate Butler suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during January’s game against his former Heat squad, requiring surgical repair. A lengthy roster of other injured players has also plagued the team. This meant chemistry was missing throughout much of the campaign. The Warriors sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline, but the center also battled health issues that restricted his playing time.

“There’s a level of dignity and a level of competition that we can’t run from, the way that we approach things,” Curry said. “The fact that I have a chance to play and the fact that I’m out there, that comes with expectations. Whether you achieve them or not, the energy you put into it makes you who you are — whether you win or you lose. You’re chasing championships or not.”

Draymond Green has offered some stability to Kerr’s lineup, participating in 68 games. Green and Curry have won four titles together under Kerr, but they all understand their window is narrowing.

Before Curry’s 29-point showing against Durant and the Rockets in a narrow defeat last weekend during his comeback, Kerr praised his star as “the greatest face of a franchise in any sport I’ve ever seen.”

“He’s one of the most beloved players in league history, Bay Area history, any sport,” Kerr added, “so tonight’s a special night because we’re reminded how lucky we’ve been and how lucky we still are.”

Curry entered as a substitute to thunderous standing ovations during his first two home appearances before rejoining the starting lineup for Friday night’s defeat at Sacramento. Prior to the Houston matchup, he hadn’t competed since Jan. 30, sitting out 27 contests.

The Warriors posted a 9-18 record during his absence due to patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Simply having Curry back and physically ready means everything regardless of his role — for the on-court product, certainly, but also for the atmosphere and spirit in the locker room.

“He makes the game a lot easier for everybody,” Green said. “Things just kind of fit into their normal spots. The familiarity looked more like the team I’m accustomed to seeing. The spacing is different, he obviously draws two or three people, so just having different reads to make, different things opening up because he’s on the floor I think is probably the biggest difference. And also the confidence level of our group is probably the biggest difference. He comes on the court you just think you can win.”

Curry’s explanation for wanting to compete remains straightforward.

“I love playing basketball,” he said, “it’s what I get paid to do.

“… Our season’s been different than we expected, but the fact that there is something to still play for gives all of us a lot of confidence down the stretch to make something out it, and I want to be a part of that.”

HENDERSON, Nev. — As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to potentially select Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft, franchise hopes are high for finally landing a quarterback capable of delivering long-sought playoff success.

However, historical data paints a sobering picture for teams banking on first-overall quarterbacks to deliver championship glory. The path to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy proves challenging even for signal-callers chosen at the draft’s pinnacle.

Among the 19 quarterbacks selected with the initial pick since 2000, just Eli Manning captured a Super Bowl championship while playing for his original franchise — though his journey included a draft-day trade from San Diego to New York. Only three additional first-overall quarterbacks have reached the championship game with their drafting team, each suffering defeat in their lone appearance.

The recent trend shows even greater instability, as Kyler Murray’s release from Arizona last month marked the fifth consecutive top-pick quarterback who failed to remain with his original team through age 30.

NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah explained the underlying challenges facing these highly-touted prospects. “It’s hard to identify and evaluate quarterbacks, but probably the bigger picture, these teams all earn the No. 1 pick, so you’re going into a rough situation,” Jeremiah noted. “If you go back and look at a lot of those, there’s been a lot of upheaval and turnover with the coaching staffs as well. So if you don’t get a chance to have continuity to settle in, to be with a talented team, then it’s a major, major stress on your physical and mental toughness.”

Despite the championship struggles, the overall picture shows some positive outcomes for first-overall quarterbacks.

Among those 19 players drafted in the 2000s, 14 successfully guided their original franchises to postseason appearances, accumulating 33 total playoff berths. Ten of these quarterbacks combined for 28 playoff victories during their tenures.

Championship success remains elusive, with just four quarterbacks reaching the Super Bowl alongside their drafting teams. Manning achieved the ultimate goal twice, despite originally being selected by San Diego before orchestrating his trade to the Giants.

Several quarterbacks have found greater success after changing teams, with six starting playoff contests for new franchises and all but one capturing at least one postseason victory. Matthew Stafford exemplifies this trend, elevating his performance after departing Detroit for Los Angeles in 2021 following 12 seasons with the Lions. He immediately delivered a Super Bowl championship to the Rams and earned league MVP honors this past season.

ESPN draft expert Matt Miller suggests the championship statistics may be misleading due to recent quarterback dominance. “Obviously, the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal, but it does make it more difficult the two dynasties that just ran concurrently. If that’s what we’re judging quarterbacks by, almost every quarterback in the NFL is a failure because Brady and Mahomes have dominated it for so long,” Miller explained.

The Raiders have largely watched from the sidelines during this championship era. Their most recent Super Bowl appearance came during the 2002 season, with only two playoff appearances since then — both ending in first-round eliminations.

This marks just the second time in franchise history that Las Vegas holds the top draft selection. To ease the transition for Mendoza, the organization has pursued an aggressive free agency approach, including the acquisition of Kirk Cousins, who likely enters next season as the starting quarterback.

Las Vegas general manager John Spytek emphasized the importance of managing rookie expectations. “I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on (a rookie QB) from the start,” Spytek stated prior to the Cousins signing.

Regardless of his initial role, Mendoza will face intense evaluation beginning with his first offseason practice throws.

The Raiders understand the risks associated with top quarterback selections, having experienced disappointment with JaMarcus Russell in 2007. Russell lasted merely three seasons while compiling a 7-18 record.

Russell represents one of many first-overall quarterbacks who failed to meet expectations, possibly due to unrealistic pressure accompanying the position. Given the quarterback’s significant impact in today’s offense-oriented league, teams frequently reach for signal-callers earlier than warranted.

Miller described conversations with NFL personnel about reassessing their approach. “Talking to scouts and general managers the last couple of years, it’s this idea of, ‘OK, what are we doing wrong?’” Miller said. “It’s too easy to sit back and say these quarterbacks all suck. That doesn’t really matter. You have to have one. There’s only 32 of these jobs in the world, and surely there’s 32 guys that can do it.

“I think there was an adjustment over post-Mahomes where everyone wanted traits over a developed product. That’s not a slight to Pat, who I think is fantastic, but he is an enigma, not a rule. I think a lot of people tried to make him the rule of scouting, and now we’re looking at teams that say, ‘We do want to go back to more traditional quarterback metrics and measurables and values and, say, 25 starts minimum, and you have to be able to perform from within the pocket.’”

While evaluation methods may return to traditional approaches, the pressure on quarterback-needy organizations to select signal-callers early will persist.

Jeremiah noted teams remain willing to gamble when available quarterbacks appear superior to current roster options. Rookie quarterback contracts also provide salary cap flexibility, allowing organizations to surround young players with talent while accepting position risks.

“The risk that used to be there in the previous salary structure, it’s not there anymore,” Jeremiah observed. “So there’s no harm, no foul. You end up right back in the top three or five the next year and you feel somebody that’s much better, there’s nothing to stop you from just pulling the trigger on another one.”

The new Automated Ball-Strike challenge system has become a standout feature in Major League Baseball’s opening weeks, generating its own drama with clear winners and losers emerging from contested calls.

However, this technological advancement appears to come with a small cost in terms of game duration.

The electronic umpire system may be contributing to slightly extended game times this spring, with nine-inning contests now averaging 2 hours and 42 minutes through Saturday, based on data from baseball-reference.com. This represents an increase from 2:38 during last season and 2:36 in 2024.

The marginal increase in game length is logical. While each ABS challenge typically requires fewer than 15 seconds to resolve, these brief interruptions accumulate when multiple pitches face disputes during a single game.

Baseball achieved a significant victory in recent years with rule modifications introduced in 2023, particularly the pitch clock that cut game times by approximately 25 minutes. Despite some initial criticism, these changes have earned widespread approval.

The ABS technology may be slightly reversing some of that progress, though current game durations remain substantially shorter than before the pitch clock implementation. Nine-inning games averaged a record 3:10 in 2021.

Arizona’s two-time All-Star Corbin Carroll has started strong again this season with a .327 batting average and 1.067 OPS, while showcasing a distinctive skill that’s becoming increasingly uncommon in modern baseball.

The triple.

The 25-year-old speedster tops the majors with three triples across just 14 games. Carroll has dominated triple production league-wide for two consecutive seasons, recording 17 in 2025 and 14 in 2024.

Chase Field, the Diamondbacks’ home venue, suits Carroll perfectly with its expansive right-center field gap that challenges outfielders while he races around the basepaths.

Carroll currently ranks sixth among active MLB players with 46 career triples.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledges his team’s good fortune in having their relief corps performing so effectively this early in April, with strong depth, favorable matchups, and dominant pitching.

This includes dependable closer Jhoan Duran managing ninth-inning responsibilities. He’s already recorded five saves with a 1.35 ERA.

Philadelphia’s relief pitchers allowed just one earned run during the team’s recent six-game road trip, covering 18 innings with a 0.50 ERA and limiting opponents to a .129 batting average (8 for 62).

Rookie prospect Andrew Painter values having such reliable relievers supporting him. When Painter allowed four runs across four innings in a recent matchup against the Giants, the bullpen delivered five shutout innings that enabled the Phillies to mount a comeback for a 6-4 victory.

“They stepped up, to go out there and throw up five more zeros after that,” Painter said. “Offense stepped up, I’m super happy that everyone could pick me up.”

Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker is demonstrating why he’s regarded as one of baseball’s premier young talents. The 23-year-old has already launched seven home runs this season, including six during his past eight contests.

Walker is hitting .327 with a 1.138 OPS through 15 games, leading a Cardinals squad that’s achieved a respectable 8-7 record to start the season.

The top five active MLB players in triples ahead of Carroll are: Mike Trout with 55, Starling Marte with 55, Andrew McCutchen with 50, Trea Turner with 48, and Amed Rosario with 47.

A former NFL defensive back who played for several professional teams lost his life in a tragic highway accident in Florida over the weekend, authorities confirmed.

Chris Payton-Jones, age 30, was killed Saturday evening when his car crashed head-on with a pickup truck in Alachua County, according to Florida Highway Patrol officials cited by News 4 Jacksonville. The collision occurred when Payton-Jones was traveling in the wrong direction on State Road 24 near Gainesville.

The vehicle Payton-Jones was driving flipped over and caught fire following the impact. Emergency responders declared him deceased at the crash site, News 4 Jacksonville reported. The pickup truck’s three occupants suffered only minor injuries in the accident.

Originally from the Jacksonville region, Payton-Jones competed under the name Chris Jones during his college years at the University of Nebraska between 2014 and 2017. Though he wasn’t chosen in the 2018 NFL Draft, he successfully earned roster spots with multiple professional teams over the following years.

His NFL career spanned from 2018 through 2021, during which he participated in 29 regular season contests across four franchises: the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans.

Following his NFL tenure, Payton-Jones continued his football career in alternative leagues, joining the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL during 2023 before spending his final two playing seasons with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL.

The United Football League released an official statement honoring the fallen player’s memory. “Chris was a beloved teammate and leader in the locker room, who demonstrated the importance of hard work, determination, and resilience throughout his career,” the organization stated. “As importantly, Chris was always a bright soul who everyone throughout the league enjoyed spending time with off-the-field.”

Payton-Jones had stepped away from professional football this past January to focus entirely on his digital media venture. His sports-focused video content through his YouTube channel Flashflix had attracted over one million total views.

MILWAUKEE — For the first time in ten years, the Milwaukee Bucks won’t be participating in the NBA playoffs.

Milwaukee’s path back to postseason play may hinge on what could be one of the most pivotal offseasons in team history, with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future hanging in the balance.

Could the two-time Most Valuable Player have suited up for Milwaukee for the final time?

“I don’t know,” Antetokounmpo stated on Sunday following a 126-106 defeat in Philadelphia that concluded the Bucks’ disappointing 32-50 campaign. “It’s not up to me. We’ll see.”

The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo has played his complete 13-season NBA career with Milwaukee after being chosen 15th overall by the franchise in the 2013 draft. The 6-foot-11 star guided the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years during 2021 and holds virtually every significant franchise scoring record.

Unless he agrees to a four-year, $275 million extension this October, Antetokounmpo can enter free agency following next season. Alternatively, Milwaukee might deal him earlier if they doubt his willingness to commit long-term. This situation made Antetokounmpo a focal point of trade speculation at this year’s deadline, though the Bucks retained him.

When questioned Sunday about potentially signing the extension, Antetokounmpo responded with caution.

“It’s something I have to sit down with my family and see what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,” he said.

Doc Rivers, who revealed Monday his decision to resign as Milwaukee’s head coach, expressed hope for a mutually beneficial outcome.

“Giannis and this franchise won a title together, and to me, that should never be lost, no matter how this ends up,” Rivers commented. “As I said, Giannis is a fantastic person. I’ve been lucky to coach a lot of stars, and he’s right at the top as far as just good people. I want good people to be taken care of.”

This critical juncture comes during a period of strained relations between Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee’s management.

Antetokounmpo’s season ended March 15 following an awkward landing during a dunk attempt against Indiana that forced his exit. He posted averages of 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across a career-low 36 appearances.

Despite feeling ready to return, team officials kept him sidelined during the final weeks, citing a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The NBA has opened an investigation into the matter.

Should Milwaukee part ways with Antetokounmpo, they would likely face an extended rebuilding process due to limited draft capital.

Milwaukee will receive a lottery selection this year from either their own position or New Orleans’ spot, whichever is worse. However, they lack first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, with agreed-upon swaps potentially hurting their draft positioning in 2028 and 2030.

Following their 2021 championship, the Bucks have made only two first-round selections: MarJon Beauchamp in 2022 and AJ Johnson in 2024. Both players are no longer with the organization.

While Antetokounmpo has consistently expressed his fondness for Milwaukee, he desires to compete for championships. The Bucks haven’t advanced past the first playoff round since 2022 and just completed their first losing season since 2015-16.

“We’re the furthest away we’ve been,” Antetokounmpo observed. “I didn’t think we were going to be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we will be in next year.”

Injuries have significantly contributed to Milwaukee’s decline.

Khris Middleton’s knee problems prevented the three-time All-Star from participating in Milwaukee’s 2022 Eastern Conference semifinal defeat to Boston. Despite posting the league’s best regular season record in 2022-23, Antetokounmpo’s back injury forced him to miss 2½ playoff games as Miami eliminated Milwaukee in round one.

A calf injury kept Antetokounmpo out of the entire 2024 first-round series loss to Indiana. Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles tear during Game 4 of last year’s opening-round elimination by Indiana.

This season’s injury problems extended beyond Antetokounmpo. Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee’s second-highest scorer, appeared in just 36 contests.

The Bucks frequently struggled to remain competitive throughout the season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Milwaukee suffered 20 defeats by 20 or more points. According to Sportradar, they had never previously endured more than 14 such losses in any single season.

The team recorded 14 losses of 25+ points — double their previous single-season high. They also absorbed eight defeats of 30+ points, another franchise record that doubled the previous mark.

“Obviously when you have injuries to two of your top ball handlers like Giannis and KPJ, it kind of hurt us a lot,” forward Bobby Portis explained. “And then all the outside noise as well kind of just took away from the team. Years before, things that were said or things we had internally that were about the team didn’t really get out to the media. There were a lot more dark clouds than in previous years.”

General Manager Jon Horst has previously made bold moves that helped persuade Antetokounmpo to remain in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo agreed to an extension in 2021 after Horst acquired Jrue Holiday. He signed another deal following the 2023 trade for Lillard.

After Lillard’s Achilles injury, Milwaukee made another bold decision by releasing him and spreading his remaining $113 million contract across five years. This created enough salary cap space to sign former Indiana center Myles Turner.

Horst now confronts his most significant challenge: assembling a roster capable of convincing Antetokounmpo that championship contention is possible without switching teams.

“Money doesn’t mean nothing to me,” Antetokounmpo declared. “Zero. Absolutely zero. What means something to me, it’s winning.”

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks announced Monday that head coach Doc Rivers has resigned from his position, concluding a challenging season that saw the franchise miss the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.

Rivers, who was honored with a Hall of Fame induction this year, expressed his gratitude for his time with the organization despite the team’s struggles with injuries and underperformance.

“I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee,” Rivers said Monday in a statement released by the team. “Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege. I am disappointed that things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart.”

The resignation follows the conclusion of Milwaukee’s 32-50 campaign, which brought an end to their impressive nine consecutive playoff appearances. Team officials have not disclosed whether Rivers might continue with the organization in another capacity.

Bucks ownership praised Rivers’ contributions both on and off the court in their own statement.

“It has been an honor to have Doc as our coach and as a leader in our organization and community,” Bucks owners Wes Edens, Jimmy Haslam, Dee Haslam and Jamie Dinan said in a statement. “In addition to his impact on the court, we’re thankful for Doc’s class and professionalism during his tenure in Milwaukee.”

During his tenure with Milwaukee spanning two and a half seasons, Rivers compiled a 97-103 record. His career coaching achievements include 1,194 total victories and 866 losses, placing him sixth all-time among NBA coaches after surpassing George Karl this season.

The 64-year-old mentor had hinted at his future intentions as the disappointing season neared its conclusion, revealing his desire to prioritize family time.

“I have seven grandkids now and they’re all 8 years and under,” Rivers had said about his future before an April 7 loss at Brooklyn. “And it kills me every time I miss grandparents’ day with each one of them in school. And it’s probably time to go see them more. So, I’ll let you figure out the rest.”

Welsh welterweight champion Lauren Price is making her case for an immediate blockbuster matchup with American boxing sensation Claressa Shields, arguing that both fighters are at their peak and there’s no benefit in postponing the bout.

The 31-year-old British fighter recently successfully defended her WBC, WBA and IBF championship belts against Stephanie Pineiro in Cardiff earlier this month. Following that victory, Price had a dramatic face-off with undisputed heavyweight champion Shields inside the ring, igniting speculation about a future showdown between the two stars.

Price revealed that pursuing fights against elite competition has been her goal ever since capturing Olympic gold at the 2021 Tokyo Games.

“I want to be involved in the biggest fights, to create a legacy. I’m in my prime. She’s in her prime. We’re at a similar age. So why should we wait? Why should I wait until towards the end of my career?” the 31-year-old told Reuters.

“If I’m here now and feeling good, I’m like, ‘yeah, let’s make the fight’. I’ll fight anyone. I think it’s a great fight. Our accolades speak for themselves.

“I’ve got an Olympic gold medal. She’s got two. She’s a great, great fighter and I would love to share the ring with her. It’s the biggest fight out there.”

WEIGHT DIFFERENCE POSES NO CONCERN

The potential matchup would require significant weight adjustments, as Shields competed at 174 pounds during her February victory over Franchon Crews-Dezurn, while Price weighed just over 146 pounds for her recent win against Pineiro. Such a bout would necessitate the Welsh fighter moving up multiple weight divisions.

Price outlined her strategy to compete at 154 pounds initially, then step up to 160 pounds to face Shields.

“That’s not an issue. I’ve boxed big girls before in the past. I’m in this game to become a multi-weight world champion,” she stated.

According to ESPN reports from last week, promoter Ben Shalom discussed the possibility of the fighters agreeing to a two-bout contract, featuring one match in the United Kingdom and another in the United States.

“Location wise, I think she can see by my fan base and the country I’ve got behind me. It makes it exciting to box in Wales,” Price explained.

“Not just for myself, for her as well. Because with the fan base I got, and we sell out the stadium, then we’re both going to get a good payday afterwards as well.

“I’ve also said I’ll go to America. Let’s make it a double-header, let’s make it a trilogy, whatever.”

SEEKING FINANCIAL SUCCESS

Shields recently secured an $8 million multi-year agreement with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records in November, reportedly representing the most lucrative contract in women’s professional boxing history.

This development reflects the expanding popularity of women’s boxing, leading to increased financial backing and larger prize purses for top-tier athletes. The trend is exemplified by the highly publicized trilogy between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.

“Obviously, there’s a way to go, but I do believe women’s boxing has come on massively. Fair play to Taylor and Serrano, they’ve had three fights, they’ve made a fortune. They’ve got the Netflix deal,” Price noted.

“That’s what I want to head towards, that’s my focus. I live the life of an athlete and I want to get my reward at the end. Boxing is my life.”

Following their journey to the 2025 WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury made official Sunday the contract renewals of four veteran players: Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Sami Whitcomb.

The 31-year-old Copper put up 15.6 points per game along with 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals while playing 26.9 minutes across 28 regular season contests (starting every game) during her sophomore campaign in Phoenix. During the team’s playoff run, the guard elevated her scoring to 17.8 points per game through 11 postseason starts.

General manager Nick U’Ren praised Copper’s contributions in a statement: “Kahleah is a true leader, on and off the court, one of the most explosive athletes in our game and competes with a relentless edge and toughness. Her impact on both ends of the court and ability to deliver in the biggest moments make her truly special.”

According to ESPN’s reporting, Copper’s new deal spans two seasons.

The four-time All-Star’s career statistics show 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists across 24.1 minutes per contest over 319 total games (starting 203) with stops in Washington (2016), Chicago (2017-23), and Phoenix (2024-present).

Originally drafted seventh overall by Washington in 2016 from Rutgers University, Copper earned WNBA Finals MVP honors when Chicago captured the 2021 championship.

The 38-year-old Bonner brings six All-Star selections and championship experience from Phoenix’s title runs in 2009 and 2014. She earned All-WNBA first team recognition in 2015 and second team honors in 2020, plus three consecutive Sixth Player of the Year awards (2009-11).

After Indiana released Bonner on June 25, 2025, Phoenix quickly signed her on July 8.

Last season, she contributed 9.8 points and 4.2 rebounds over 23.6 minutes in 33 total appearances (four starts), with 24 of those games (one start) coming in a Mercury uniform.

U’Ren emphasized Bonner’s value to the organization: “Having DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform is incredibly meaningful to our organization. She brings a championship mindset, elite skillset and the kind of leadership that defines winning teams.”

Bonner currently sits third in WNBA history for career points (7,807), games played (535), and free throws made (1,938).

Throughout her career with Phoenix (2009-19, 2025), Connecticut (2020-24), and Indiana (2025), Bonner has averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals over 30.0 minutes per game.

Thomas, 34, delivered 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 31.3 minutes per game while starting all 39 regular season games during her inaugural Phoenix season in 2025. The forward maintained her production in the playoffs with 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists across 11 postseason starts.

The six-time All-Star has earned All-WNBA first team selection three times and made the All-Defensive first or second team seven times throughout her career.

Thomas established new WNBA single-season records in 2025 with eight triple-doubles and 357 total assists.

U’Ren highlighted Thomas’s impact on the team’s success: “Alyssa is a generational player, natural leader and one of the fiercest competitors our sport has seen, and we’re excited to have her back in Phoenix. Her ability to control the game on both ends and elevate her teammates helped fuel our run to the finals last season.”

The 37-year-old Whitcomb averaged 9.1 points while shooting 38.5% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range, leading the team with 86 made three-pointers across 43 games (20 starts) with Phoenix.

Over her career spanning Seattle (2017-20, 2023-24), New York (2021-22), and Phoenix, Whitcomb has posted 7.2 points per game on 39.2% field goal shooting and 36.1% three-point accuracy in 307 games (89 starts). The guard won championships with Seattle in 2018 and 2020.

Toronto’s playoff drought is officially over after the Raptors dominated the Brooklyn Nets 136-101 on Sunday, securing their first postseason berth in two years.

Scottie Barnes led the charge with a stellar triple-double performance, contributing 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. This marked Barnes’ third triple-double this season and ninth of his professional career, helping Toronto (46-36) lock up the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Raptors will now face the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in their opening playoff series, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday in Cleveland.

Toronto received strong offensive support from multiple players in the blowout victory. RJ Barrett led all scorers with 26 points, while Brandon Ingram contributed 25 points. Ja’Kobe Walter and Jakob Poeltl each added 11 points, and A.J. Lawson chipped in 10 points. Immanuel Quickley managed four points and five assists before sitting out the second half due to hamstring tightness.

For Brooklyn (20-62), which has already been eliminated from playoff contention, Chaney Johnson posted 16 points and 13 rebounds. Tyson Etienne topped the Nets’ scoring with 20 points, E.J. Liddell added 17 points, and Ben Saraf contributed 15 points while fouling out.

76ers 126, Bucks 106

Tyrese Maxey exploded for 16 of his game-high 21 points during the third quarter, powering host Philadelphia past Milwaukee in what may have been Doc Rivers’ final game coaching the Bucks.

According to league sources, Milwaukee and the 64-year-old Rivers are exploring the possibility of him transitioning to a front office role for the 2026-27 season after coaching parts of three seasons with the franchise. Rivers is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as a coach this August. Quentin Grimes knocked down four three-pointers and scored 20 points for Philadelphia, which has won consecutive games and earned a spot in the play-in tournament. The seventh-seeded 76ers will host eighth-seeded Orlando on Wednesday. Star center Joel Embiid remained sidelined while recovering from appendix surgery.

Milwaukee’s AJ Green made history by draining five three-pointers to finish the season with 232 made threes, surpassing Ray Allen’s franchise single-season record of 229 set in 2001-02. Green shot 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first half for 19 points but was held scoreless after intermission.

Celtics 113, Magic 108

Baylor Scheierman erupted for a career-best 30 points, leading Boston past visiting Orlando in both teams’ regular season finale.

Having already locked up the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Boston rested eight players, including their top seven scorers. The Celtics’ first playoff opponent will be determined by the play-in tournament, facing either the Magic or Philadelphia 76ers for the seventh seed. Boston fielded an unusual starting lineup of Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, Jordan Wash, Luka Garza, and Scheierman.

The defeat snapped Orlando’s five-game winning streak and three-game road winning streak. The Magic earned the eighth seed in the play-in tournament and will travel to face the seventh-seeded 76ers on Wednesday. The victor advances to face Boston, while the loser will host the winner of Friday’s 9/10 matchup.

Heat 143, Hawks 117

Bam Adebayo delivered 25 points and 10 rebounds as host Miami cruised past Atlanta in both teams’ regular season closer.

Miami also received 26 points and five assists from Jaime Jaquez Jr., plus 25 points from Norman Powell, who returned after missing time with a groin injury. The Heat will next travel to Charlotte for their opening play-in tournament game. Miami, which went 5-10 over their final 15 contests, is making their fourth consecutive play-in appearance.

Atlanta, having already secured their first playoff spot since 2023, rested their entire starting five plus three bench players. Veteran Buddy Hield paced the Hawks with a game-high 31 points, while Corey Kispert added 21 points.

Rockets 132, Grizzlies 101

Clint Capela delivered a double-double in his third start of the season while Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard combined for 39 points as host Houston concluded the regular season with a victory over undermanned Memphis.

The Rockets finished their campaign winning nine of their final 10 games. With the fifth seed in the Western Conference already secured, Houston rested four starters for their finale: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. Capela posted a season-high 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go with 13 rebounds and three blocks. Eason contributed 20 points and eight rebounds while Sheppard added 19 points.

Memphis played with just seven available players. Dariq Whitehead scored a career-high 26 points, while Rayan Rupert (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Jahmai Mashack (11 points, 11 assists) both recorded double-doubles for the Grizzlies, who finished the season losing 21 of their final 23 games.

Nuggets 128, Spurs 118

Denver’s Nikola Jokic tallied 23 points and eight rebounds in just over 18 minutes of action — all in the first half — as the visiting Nuggets rolled past San Antonio in both playoff-bound teams’ regular season finale.

The Nuggets secured the third seed in the Western Conference and will host sixth-seeded Minnesota for the opening two games of their best-of-seven first-round series. Denver concluded the regular season with 12 consecutive victories and won three of four meetings against the Spurs this year. Jokic played the minimum required minutes to reach the league’s 65-game threshold for postseason award eligibility.

Victor Wembanyama sat out for San Antonio, which had already clinched the second seed in the West and had little incentive to play their star. The Spurs will host the winner of Tuesday’s 7/8 play-in game between Phoenix and Portland for the first two games of their opening playoff series. San Antonio saw their three-game winning streak end but finished with a 62-20 record, their best mark since going 67-15 in 2015-16.

Cavaliers 130, Wizards 117

Nae’Qwan Tomlin scored a career-high 26 points and rookie Tyrese Proctor collected 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as playoff-bound Cleveland defeated visiting Washington.

Jaylon Tyson contributed 18 points and rookie Tristan Enaruna had a season-best 15 points for Cleveland, which earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers will have home-court advantage over fifth-place Toronto in their opening playoff series.

Rookie guard Jamir Watkins scored a career-high 24 points for Washington, which finished with the league’s worst record. Bub Carrington scored 20 points and dished nine assists, while Sharife Cooper added 20 points and six assists off the bench. Cleveland had eight players reach double figures in scoring.

Pistons 133, Pacers 121

Eastern Conference champion Detroit completed just the third 60-win regular season in franchise history, leading from start to finish in a victory over Indiana in Indianapolis.

With the East’s top seed and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs already secured, Detroit limited their entire starting lineup to under 26 minutes in the regular season finale. That was sufficient time for Paul Reed to make franchise history, becoming the first Pistons player ever to score 25-plus points on perfect field goal shooting. Reed scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-11 shooting.

The Pacers concluded the worst season by winning percentage in franchise history. Quenton Jackson and Obi Toppin each led Indiana with 21 points, Kobe Brown added 20, and Ethan Thompson contributed 18. Micah Potter finished with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Hornets 110, Knicks 96

Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Coby White each scored 19 points as visiting Charlotte secured the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament with a victory over New York.

The Hornets will host Miami in a No. 9 vs. No. 10 play-in game on Tuesday. Kon Knueppel finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

New York had nothing at stake after already clinching the East’s third seed. With most regulars resting, the Knicks started Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado, Mikal Bridges, Mohamed Diawara, and Ariel Hukporti. Bridges extended his consecutive games played streak to 638 — eighth-longest in NBA history — with a 23-second appearance. New York will face sixth-seeded Atlanta in a first-round series beginning Saturday.

Mavericks 149, Bulls 128

Ryan Nembhard recorded the second-most assists in a single game in franchise history as Dallas defeated visiting Chicago.

Nembhard narrowly missed a triple-double in the season finale, posting 15 points, nine rebounds, and 23 assists. Only current Dallas coach Jason Kidd, with 25 assists in a double-overtime game in February 1996, has more for the Mavericks. Cooper Flagg scored 10 points before his outstanding rookie season ended with 10:11 remaining in the second quarter after he sprained his left ankle on an awkward landing while pursuing an offensive rebound.

Rob Dillingham led Chicago with 25 points. Collin Sexton added 19, Leonard Miller had 17, and Lachlan Olbrich recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Timberwolves 132, Pelicans 126

Rookie big man Joan Beringer set career highs with 24 points and 13 rebounds as Minnesota held on for a victory over New Orleans in Minneapolis.

Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 26 points for the Timberwolves, who relied heavily on young players and reserves in their regular season finale. Zyon Pullin contributed 19 points off the bench, while Joe Ingles capitalized on a rare start to post a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists. Minnesota was already locked into the sixth playoff seed in the Western Conference and will face third-seeded Denver, beginning Saturday in Colorado.

Rookie Jeremiah Fears scored 36 points on 12-of-29 shooting to pace New Orleans. Fellow rookie Derik Queen finished with 30 points and 22 rebounds, and Micah Peavy scored 21 points.

Suns 135, Thunder 103

Jamaree Bouyea scored a career-high 27 points to help Phoenix close the regular season with a road victory over Oklahoma City as both teams, with their playoff positions already determined, rested most of their starters and key rotation players.

Phoenix’s Ryan Dunn scored a season-high 20 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field with a career-high-tying 11 rebounds and career-high five assists. Koby Brea added 20 points off the bench for the Suns. Brea had scored just 25 points total in his first 11 NBA appearances. Rookie center Khaman Maluach had career highs of 18 points and tied his career high with 14 rebounds off the bench.

Branden Carlson tied his career high with 26 points to lead Oklahoma City while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Payton Sandfort added 23 points off the bench. The Thunder earned the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs. Phoenix is the seventh seed and will open the play-in tournament at home Tuesday against eighth-seeded Portland.

Lakers 131, Jazz 107

Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton each posted 22-point, 10-rebound double-doubles to help Los Angeles defeat visiting Utah in their regular season finale.

LeBron James completed his 23rd regular season, finishing with 18 points in 17 minutes for the Lakers, who earned the fourth seed in next week’s Western Conference playoffs and will face Houston in the opening round. Dalton Knecht scored 17 points, Nick Smith Jr. added 12, and Bronny James chipped in 11 for Los Angeles, which finished with their most wins in a season since the 2010-11 campaign (57).

Oscar Tshiebwe led Utah with 29 points and 17 rebounds, while Ace Bailey and Brice Sensabaugh each added 15 points. Cody Williams and Bez Mbeng both scored 14 points and Blake Hinson had 10 for the Jazz, which recorded their second 60-loss season in franchise history and second consecutive.

Clippers 115, Warriors 110

Los Angeles sent a message to their play-in opponent, riding Bennedict Mathurin’s 20 points and strong defense to a home victory over Golden State in an otherwise meaningless regular season finale.

The Clippers lost a tiebreaker with eighth-place Portland and dropped to ninth for play-in purposes, where they’ll host the 10th-place Warriors on Wednesday. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.

John Collins supported Mathurin with 18 points, and both Mathurin and Collins grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, while Mathurin also dished a game-high eight assists. In just his third game after missing 27 straight with a sore right knee, Stephen Curry led Golden State with a game-high 24 points.

Trail Blazers 122, Kings 110

Deni Avdija recorded 25 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds as Portland secured the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a victory over visiting Sacramento in both teams’ regular season finale.

Jrue Holiday added 23 points and seven rebounds for Portland, which will play beyond the regular season for the first time since the 2020-21 season. The Trail Blazers will visit seventh-seeded Phoenix on Tuesday in the play-in round. The winner advances directly to the Western Conference playoffs against second-seeded San Antonio while the loser gets a second chance on Friday.

Precious Achiuwa registered 27 points and 11 rebounds and Nique Clifford added 24 points and seven rebounds for Sacramento. Maxime Raynaud had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Kings (22-60), which finished with the second-most losses in franchise history. Sacramento went 17-65 in 2008-09.

The Anaheim Ducks came agonizingly close to ending their lengthy playoff absence Sunday night, but fell just short in a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime defeat to the Vancouver Canucks at home.

With just 10 seconds remaining in the extra period, Marco Rossi unleashed a powerful slap shot past Ducks netminder Lukas Dostal after receiving a feed from Jake DeBrusk, giving Vancouver their second power-play tally of the evening.

The defeat means Anaheim (42-32-6, 90 points) must wait until Tuesday’s road matchup against the Minnesota Wild for another opportunity to secure their first postseason berth since 2018.

Vancouver received goals from Brock Boeser, Curtis Douglas, and DeBrusk in addition to Rossi’s game-winner, with Rossi contributing an assist as well. Goalie Nikita Tolopilo turned aside 24 shots for the Canucks, who extended their winning streak to two games and improved to 24-48-8 with 56 points.

Anaheim got two goals from Cutter Gauthier and one from Leo Carlsson, while Chris Kreider contributed two assists in the losing effort. Dostal made 22 saves for the Ducks, who were attempting to break their seven-year postseason drought.

In other NHL action:

Flames 4, Utah 1

Brayden Pachal netted his first goal of the campaign and contributed two assists as Calgary defeated Utah at home. Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, and Mikael Backlund also found the net for the Flames, who had dropped three consecutive games and are out of playoff contention. Dustin Wolf recorded 28 saves, and in two victories against Utah this season, Wolf has stopped 56 of 57 shots faced.

Lawson Crouse tallied his 23rd goal of the year for Utah, who have secured a playoff position and hold a three-point advantage over the Los Angeles Kings for the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Though the Kings have one game in hand, Utah owns the regulation wins tiebreaker 32-21. Vitek Vanecek made 19 saves.

Capitals 3, Penguins 0

Logan Thompson recorded his fourth shutout of the season with 24 saves, while Connor McMichael contributed two goals and one assist in Washington’s victory over visiting Pittsburgh. Trevor van Riemsdyk added his third goal of the campaign for the Capitals, with Martin Fehervary recording two assists and Ryan Leonard, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Alex Ovechkin each adding one helper. The game may have been the final home appearance for 40-year-old Ovechkin, who has remained silent about his future plans.

Stuart Skinner stopped 23 of 25 shots for Pittsburgh, who suffered their second straight defeat.

Bruins 3, Blue Jackets 2

Sean Kuraly found the net and assisted on two other goals, powering Boston past host Columbus. The Bruins secured an Eastern Conference wild-card position on Saturday and remain in contention with Ottawa for seeding. Henri Jokiharju and Mark Kastelic each recorded one goal and one assist for Boston, which completed a season series sweep against Columbus and ended a five-game winless streak (0-3-2).

Mason Marchment and Adam Fantilli responded for Columbus. The loss significantly damaged the Blue Jackets’ chances for the third seed in the Metropolitan Division. Jet Greaves recorded 19 saves.

Canadiens 4, Islanders 1

Nick Suzuki, Ivan Demidov, and Alex Newhook scored within a 55-second stretch late in the second period for Montreal, which eliminated New York from playoff contention in Elmont, N.Y. Jacob Fowler made 30 saves while Zachary Bolduc scored with 14.7 seconds remaining in the third for the playoff-bound Canadiens, who kept alive their hopes of capturing the Atlantic Division title or finishing second to earn home ice advantage. Montreal sits tied for first with Buffalo, holding a two-point lead over Tampa Bay, though they lack the regulation wins tiebreaker against either team.

Casey Cizikas scored in the third period for the Islanders, who held a playoff position for most of the season before losing nine of their last 13 contests (4-9-0). New York entered the weekend trailing third-place Philadelphia by one point in the Metropolitan Division but saw their hopes further damaged following Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Ottawa.

Devils 4, Senators 3 (OT)

Nico Hischier converted a power-play opportunity with 1:42 left in overtime, giving New Jersey a victory over Ottawa in Newark, N.J. Hischier recorded two goals and one assist for his fifth three-point performance of the season, finishing the play after winning an offensive zone faceoff from Shane Pinto. Jack Hughes registered two assists to reach 50 helpers for the second time in his career as New Jersey improved to 14-7-1 over their past 22 contests.

Ottawa answered New Jersey’s early advantage with three goals in a 6:32 span during the second period. Reimer turned away 26 shots for the Senators, whose four-game winning streak came to an end. Ottawa trails Boston by one point for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot, though they would win any tiebreaker based on their 37 regulation victories.

A source close to the Milwaukee Bucks organization revealed Sunday evening that head coach Doc Rivers will not be returning for another season with the team.

The individual, who requested anonymity since no official statement has been released, confirmed the coaching change to The Associated Press.

According to the source, discussions are still taking place about whether Rivers might remain with the organization in a different role.

ESPN was the first outlet to report Rivers’ departure from the coaching position.

This development concludes a challenging season that saw Rivers earn Hall of Fame recognition while simultaneously guiding one of the NBA’s most underperforming teams. Milwaukee finished with a 32-50 record due to numerous player injuries, ending their nine-year streak of playoff qualifications.

The 64-year-old coach had strongly hinted at his future plans as the season came to a close. Following Sunday’s 126-106 defeat in Philadelphia, Rivers told reporters that “I think you guys pretty much know” his intentions and indicated an announcement would come shortly.

“I have seven grandkids now and they’re all 8 years and under,” Rivers had explained regarding his future plans before an April 7 game against Brooklyn. “And it kills me every time I miss grandparents’ day with each one of them in school. And it’s probably time to go see them more. So, I’ll let you figure out the rest.”

During his two-and-a-half seasons leading Milwaukee, Rivers compiled a 97-103 record. His career coaching record stands at 1,194-866, having surpassed George Karl this season to claim sixth place on the NBA’s all-time wins list.

Rivers trails only Gregg Popovich, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan and Pat Riley in total coaching victories.

Rivers’ departure occurs amid ongoing questions about two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who brought Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years in 2021 and holds virtually every franchise statistical record.

Trade speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo intensified before the deadline, though he remained with the team. He has since been involved in a dispute with team management regarding his injury status.

Antetokounmpo’s final game this season occurred on March 15. Despite claiming he felt healthy and ready to play in recent weeks, the Bucks continued to sideline him due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The NBA is currently investigating this situation.

Due to right calf injuries, Antetokounmpo missed significant time and participated in only 36 games. Kevin Porter Jr., the team’s second-highest scorer, played in just 38 contests.

“It’s hard,” Rivers commented Sunday. “I don’t remember guys being out like this, but it makes sense. I haven’t had a lot of this. It’s no fun. Losing, I don’t give a crap what the reasons are, I’m just too competitive. It’s just no fun not winning. It just isn’t.”

Rivers assumed control of the Bucks during the 2023-24 season following the dismissal of first-year coach Adrian Griffin. Despite Griffin’s 30-13 record, team leadership felt an experienced coach was necessary to manage a roster featuring seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard alongside Antetokounmpo.

The hiring also marked a return home for Rivers, who attended Marquette University before his 13-year NBA playing career. His retired No. 31 jersey is displayed at Fiserv Forum, which hosts both Bucks and Marquette games.

However, Milwaukee’s performance declined under Rivers as injury problems persisted with key players.

The Bucks went 17-19 under Rivers during that 2023-24 campaign, secured the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 playoff seed, but fell to Indiana 4-2 in the first round while Antetokounmpo sat out the entire series with a calf injury.

This past season, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton didn’t begin playing until early December following ankle surgeries and was traded to Washington at the deadline. Lillard missed Milwaukee’s final 14 regular season games with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, returned for Game 2 of their first-round playoff loss to Indiana, but suffered an Achilles tear two games later.

With Lillard unable to play this season due to his injury, the Bucks released him while agreeing to pay his remaining contract over five years. This created salary cap room to sign former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

The roster changes failed to produce the desired results.

“I personally have enjoyed the challenge,” Rivers said following Sunday’s game. “It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, obviously. I always say I could do a better job. We could have had better health. We could have had all kinds of things. But I’m not a big guy in looking back. All you can do is look forward.”

Rivers captured a championship with Boston in 2008 and guided the Celtics to Game 7 of the NBA Finals two years later, but hasn’t taken a team past the conference semifinals since then. His playoff coaching record is 114-112.

This represents the first complete season Rivers has coached with a losing record since 2006-07, when Boston finished 24-58.

Before joining Milwaukee, Rivers coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. He was working as a broadcaster for ESPN and ABC when the Bucks recruited him.

PHILADELPHIA — Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered harsh criticism toward his team’s management following Sunday’s season-ending defeat in Philadelphia, condemning the organization’s decision to keep him sidelined despite his claims of being ready to return to action.

The two-time MVP, who brought Milwaukee its first championship in 50 years back in 2021, expressed frustration over learning he had no say in whether he could take the court as the Bucks struggled through their final games.

Trade rumors swirled around Antetokounmpo before the deadline, though no deal materialized. Since then, he has been locked in disagreement with team officials regarding his health status.

The 31-year-old star hasn’t seen game action since suffering an awkward landing following a dunk on March 15. While Antetokounmpo maintained he felt ready to compete in recent weeks, Milwaukee continued listing him as unavailable due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.

Sunday’s matchup in Philadelphia marked another missed game for Antetokounmpo, and potentially the final contest for legendary coach Doc Rivers as well.

“Being cleared to play, I don’t understand. I’ve never in my life denied participation in practice,” Antetokounmpo said. “Whoever came up with that is disrespectful towards what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself.

“I did what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t able to come on the court now. Who has that say? It comes from above. I thought I had control. OK, if I’m healthy, I’m going to play. This just shows me that not just me, players in general, don’t have no control. No, I didn’t feel like I had control.”

During recent pregame routines, Antetokounmpo appeared to move without any limitations, showing no visible signs of his injury.

“It was draining for me, for sure,” Antetokounmpo said. “If it was draining for me, it was definitely draining for me and the organization.”

The frustrated star mentioned plans to silence his phone and distance himself from the chaos that marked his season’s conclusion.

Milwaukee faces a crossroads this offseason, with options including trading their franchise player or offering him a massive four-year, $275 million contract extension come October.

Antetokounmpo confirmed he hasn’t received a formal extension proposal yet, which isn’t surprising given the months-long timeline required.

“That’s too far away. It’s something I have to sit down with my family and see what’s best for me, what’s best for my family,” Antetokounmpo said. “Money doesn’t mean nothing do me. Zero. Absolutely zero. What means something to me, it’s winning.”

The Bucks’ disappointing 32-50 record has put Rivers’ future in question, ending a remarkable nine-year playoff appearance streak.

Rivers spoke positively about his connection with Antetokounmpo, describing regular conversations about skill development and game improvement.

“I just want to see it end well for him and for the franchise. I think they both deserve it,” Rivers said. “Giannis is a fantastic person. I’ve been lucky to coach a lot of stars, and he’s right at the top as far as good people. I want good people to be taken care of.”

Milwaukee advanced to the Eastern Conference finals during Antetokounmpo’s initial MVP campaign in 2019, breaking an 18-year drought without a playoff series victory. Their championship followed two seasons later, but they haven’t captured a playoff series since 2022.

“We’re the furthest away we’ve been,” Antetokounmpo said. “I didn’t think we were going to be in this position last year, so I don’t know what position we will be in next year.”

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks’ top draft selection Cooper Flagg saw his remarkable first NBA season come to an early close Sunday evening when he suffered an ankle sprain during the team’s final game against Chicago.

The 19-year-old basketball sensation was seen grimacing as he hobbled off the court, clearly favoring his left ankle during the second quarter. Team officials quickly announced that Flagg would not return to the contest. He remains locked in a competitive battle with his former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel for the coveted Rookie of the Year award.

The circumstances surrounding Flagg’s injury remain unclear. Before exiting the game, he had contributed 10 points and grabbed four rebounds during his 10 minutes of play. His final season statistics show an impressive average of 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 70 games.

Dallas has been eliminated from playoff contention for several weeks in what began as a promising season but deteriorated due to Anthony Davis’s persistent health problems and subsequent trade to Washington. The absence of Davis also led the organization to keep star guard Kyrie Irving on the sidelines for the entire campaign after he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in March 2025.

Even as the team struggled in the standings, Flagg continued to make NBA history, culminating in an extraordinary 96-point performance across two games during the season’s penultimate weekend. His 51-point explosion against Orlando established him as the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point milestone, surpassing his own previous record of 49 points for a teenager.

Last year, Flagg guided Duke to the Final Four and became only the fourth freshman ever to earn The Associated Press men’s basketball player of the year honor.

His professional success continued after Dallas defied the odds with just a 1.8% lottery chance to secure the first overall pick and select him.

Since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77, only Flagg and Michael Jordan have managed to score 45 or more points in multiple games during their rookie seasons.

Earlier this month, while facing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, Flagg dropped 45 points and surpassed the 41-year-old superstar for the most 40-point performances by a teenager, marking his fourth such achievement.

MIAMI (AP) — Players in Miami’s locker room Sunday evening found themselves glued to a large screen displaying the final moments of the Boston versus Orlando matchup.

Their attention was well-placed, as the outcome would determine significant playoff positioning across the Eastern Conference.

The Eastern Conference postseason bracket has been finalized as much as possible at this stage. Miami will travel to Charlotte for their play-in contest on Tuesday, while Orlando makes the trip to Philadelphia for Wednesday’s winner-advances game.

The victor of the Orlando-Philadelphia matchup will face second-seeded Boston in the opening round, while the defeated team will meet the winner of Miami-Charlotte on Friday to determine who challenges top-seeded Detroit in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Additional first-round pairings are now confirmed: third-seeded New York will battle sixth-seeded Atlanta, and fourth-seeded Cleveland faces fifth-seeded Toronto. Opening games for those series begin next weekend.

“Our group understands what wins and loses for us,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And that’s the most important thing.”

Boston’s victory over the Magic sent Orlando down to the eighth position in the play-in tournament. The result also locked in Tuesday’s date for the Miami-Charlotte game, since Philadelphia’s arena cannot accommodate basketball on Monday or Tuesday due to scheduling conflicts with the NHL’s Flyers.

Western Conference playoff arrangements were expected to be determined later Sunday evening.

Phoenix will host either the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland on Tuesday for the seventh playoff seed and a first-round series against second-seeded San Antonio in the West. Golden State will visit either the Clippers or Portland on Wednesday in a must-win game to stay alive for a potential first-round meeting with Western Conference leader Oklahoma City.

Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers will occupy the third and fourth seeds in the West, though their exact order remains undetermined. The third seed will meet sixth-seeded Minnesota in the first round, while the fourth seed takes on fifth-seeded Houston.

This season established a new NBA record for total points scored, surpassing the previous mark of 282,127 points on Sunday night with approximately seven games remaining on the schedule.

However, the season will not set a record for points per game. The all-time mark of 118.8 points per team per game was established in 1961-62. This season’s average of 115.6 points per team entering Sunday ranks sixth in league history.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic participated in the Nuggets’ Sunday night game against San Antonio, bringing his season total to 65 games and qualifying him for NBA award consideration on ballots being distributed this week.

Last season, Jokic finished second in MVP voting behind Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This achievement made Jokic only the third player in NBA history to place in the top two of MVP voting for five straight seasons, joining Bill Russell and Larry Bird.

Jokic claimed MVP honors in 2021, 2023 and 2024, while finishing as runner-up in 2022 and last year.

Russell and Bird, both Boston Celtics legends, each earned first or second place in MVP balloting across six consecutive seasons.

Russell Henley may not have received the ultimate birthday gift he hoped for at Augusta National on Sunday, but the golfer’s career-best major championship performance and temporary lead at the Masters made for a memorable 37th birthday celebration.

The American golfer carded a final-round 68, finishing four strokes under par to secure a tie for third place alongside three other competitors. He ended the tournament two shots behind champion Rory McIlroy, earning his strongest showing ever in a major championship.

“I feel like I handled it well, kind of like, I can do this,” Henley commented after his round. “I felt like I handled the pressure well, handled the conditions well. It was tricky out there.”

Had Henley captured the green jacket, he would have made history as the first golfer ever to claim Masters victory on his birthday. The most recent PGA Tour player to win on their birthday was Steve Flesch at the 2004 Charles Schwab Challenge.

The former Ryder Cup team member for the United States temporarily seized the tournament lead during Sunday’s action, but his putting stroke cooled during the crucial final holes of the championship.

“I hit it amazing today. I gave myself a bunch of looks. Unfortunately, I didn’t capitalize on those looks on the back like I would have liked to,” Henley explained. “Really thankful for a good finish. Wish I would have made some more putts and got a little closer to the lead, but overall very thankful.”

The strong finish represents a significant turnaround for Henley, who failed to make the cut at Augusta National in the previous year’s tournament.