CHICAGO (AP) — Troy Murray, who played 12 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and transitioned into becoming the team’s long-time broadcasting analyst, has died. He was 63.
The Blackhawks announced on Saturday that Murray died earlier in the day, without specifying where.
Nicknamed “Muzz,” Murray revealed in August 2021 he had been diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy treatments. He did not specify the type of cancer he had or provide any other details about his condition. Murray continued working on Blackhawks broadcasts, though at a diminished workload, before stepping away entirely this season.
Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said the organization was “deeply heartbroken.”
“Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk so far beyond his incredible playing career, with his presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years,” Wirtz said.
“During his long and hard battle with cancer, it was often said that Troy didn’t have any ‘give up’ in him,” Wirtz added. “While our front office won’t be the same without him, we will carry that spirit forward every day in his honor. We’ll miss you, Troy.”
Murray was best known as one of the Blackhawks most respected leaders during a 15-year NHL career that ended with him winning a Stanley Cup in his lone season with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
After spending the following season with the International Hockey League Chicago Wolves, Murray stayed in the city to begin his broadcasting career in 1998. Murray also became president of the Blackhawks alumni association.
“Troy Murray is remembered for not only his contributions on the ice, but for his professionalism and humility and dedication to the city of Chicago,” the team said in a release. “He leaves behind a lasting legacy within the Blackhawks family and the broader hockey world.”
Selected by Chicago in the third round of the 1980 draft, the center broke in with the Blackhawks by playing one game as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 season.
From Calgary, Alberta, Murray topped 20 goals five times, including a career-best 45 goals and 99 points in 1985-86, while also known for his defensive play. That same season, he became the Blackhawks’ first player to win the NHL’s Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward.
Murray finished with 197 goals and 488 points in 688 games over two stints with the Blackhawks, and also played for Winnipeg, where he served as the Jets captain, Ottawa and Pittsburgh. Overall, he had 230 goals and 584 points in 915 career games.
Murray played collegiately at North Dakota, and earned WCHA rookie of the year honors as a freshman in 1981, and the following year helped the school win its fourth NCAA championship. In 1982, he also was captain of the Canada’s world junior championships gold medal-winning team.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver's quixotic quest to end tanking came to the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference this week, and the only thing we can say for sure after his talk is that there will be changes made to the NBA's lottery system this offseason.
Whether those will be "substantial changes" or "incremental" depends on what part of Silver's talk you choose to listen to. Here are a couple of his quotes from the conference, via Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
"We are going to make substantial changes for next year. I think where I'm on the fence — on one extreme, you could completely divorce the draft from teams' records. Just argue we could take all 30 teams regardless of the outcome, that would completely disincentivize tanking. You could win the finals, you know, and get the first pick. But then there's gradations of that."
"Not to exactly forecast where we're going, but I think I'm sort — I am an incrementalist. I think we got to be a little bit careful, you know, about how huge a change we make at once. I'm not ruling anything out, but I am paying attention to that. And then there's something significantly more than, I would say, just tinkering with the existing system."
First, nobody sane is suggesting putting all 30 teams in the lottery each year, that's a straw man argument from Silver. The most "radical" suggestions on the table are to return to the 1985 system, where every team not making the playoffs had the same lottery odds, or to eliminate the lottery and have the worst team draft first. Nobody thinks it would be good for the league if this June Oklahoma City or San Antonio got the No. 1 pick.
What Silver mentioned, what is on the table, is going to the WNBA system of using two seasons of a team's record to set the lottery odds. That would help lessen situations like the Pacers this season, a team in the Finals last June, but due to a rash of injuries starting with star Tyrese Haliburton, has the second-worst record in the league this season. Indiana is poised to add a high draft pick to a roster that, once healthy next season, will be a contender in the East. Whether this system is fair to teams that suddenly get worse because of injury or a star player leaving is the question.
One change expected this offseason is to pick protections, according to league sources speaking with NBC Sports. Most likely, teams will only be able to protect picks 1-4 or for the lottery, but eliminated in future trades will be the top-eight protections that have Utah and Washington tanking to retain their picks this year.
Silver spoke with the 30 general managers of teams recently to discuss potential changes, and there was limited agreement about solutions in that group (to put it kindly). Silver needs the owners' approval for any change, and their competing interests on this topic make incremental changes to a flawed system the most likely outcome.
The reality, something Silver admitted during All-Star weekend, is that tanking will never completely go away in the NBA because one high draft pick — landing Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Cooper Flagg, Victor Wembanyama — dramatically changes the course of a franchise, so the losses are worth the risk. This season, with an exceptionally deep draft (especially at the top), has made this season a perfect storm of tanking.
This summer, Silver and the NBA are going to try to do something about it. What that will be remains the big question.
On the night before the NHL trade deadline, the Winnipeg Jets made their biggest move yet, sending defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a pair of draft picks, defenseman Jacob Bryson and prospect forward Isak Rosen.
According to Jets head coach Scott Arniel, both Bryson and Rosen are expected to make their Jets debut Saturday when Winnipeg takes on the Vancouver Canucks.
Bryson, 28, arrives in Winnipeg after serving as a steady depth option on Buffalo’s blue line this season. The London, Ontario native has appeared in 35 games with the Sabres, recording five points and posting a minus-one rating. Originally selected in the fourth round of the NHL Draft, Bryson has developed into a reliable NHL defenseman during his time in Buffalo.
He has played for the Sabres in each of the past six seasons and has only seen limited time in the American Hockey League. One stint came during his first professional season after leaving college, while two others were brief assignments totaling just 15 games. Bryson is expected to fill a role similar to the one Schenn held for much of this season, providing dependable depth on the Jets' blue line.
Rosen, 22, could turn out to be one of the more intriguing pieces of the trade for Winnipeg. Selected 14th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Swedish forward has shown flashes of potential but has not yet secured a permanent role in the NHL with Buffalo.
Rosen has played 31 NHL games across three call-ups with the Sabres, recording eight points during those appearances. Most of his development has come in the American Hockey League, where he has steadily improved each year.
This season he has been particularly productive, scoring 25 goals and adding 18 assists for 43 points in 37 games. Now in his fourth professional season, Rosen has developed into a point per game player at the AHL level. While he may still need more time before becoming a full time NHL player, he has the potential to grow into a depth scoring option for Winnipeg in the near future.
The Jets enter Saturday’s matchup riding strong momentum after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4 to 1 on Thursday. The win improved Winnipeg’s recent record to 5-2-3 over their last ten games. They will look to extend that hot stretch Saturday in a favorable matchup against a Vancouver team currently sitting at the bottom of the standings. With two new players expected to debut, the game could provide the first glimpse at how the Jets’ deadline move might shape the roster moving forward.
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Feb 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) celebrates a shot against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Bristol, Connecticut native Donovan Clingan was a centerpiece of two national championship teams as a UConn Husky. He was the nation’s best backup big man in 2023 and a two-way destroyer on the 2024 title team. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in his last college season before being picked 7th overall in the NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
After a solid rookie year (6.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG), Clingan is taking the next step in his second pro season. The 22-year-old is averaging 11.8 points and 11.5 rebounds on 52.6 percent shooting, earning himself a spot in the Blazers’ starting lineup.
Clingan’s rebounds per game put him third in the league behind stars like Karl-Anthony Towns (11.8) and Nikola Jokic (12.6). He’s doing it in just 27.4 minutes per game, while Jokic and Towns each play over 30 minutes per contest. Clingan also averages 1.5 blocks per game, putting him inside the top-10, and a solid 2.5 assists per game. He was always a solid passer with the Huskies.
Several performances this season highlight Clingan’s progress. On Jan. 3, he put up a career high 24 points along with 12 rebounds, helping the Blazers take down a Finals-contending San Antonio Spurs team. Clingan shot an efficient 3-for-5 from downtown in the win, something we never would have seen from him in a UConn jersey.
Though he showed that he can hit it, Clingan only hit two in college. He has developed a respectable three-point threat for a center since entering the league. He made 14 from beyond the arc on 28.6%. This year, he’s up to 63 threes in 187 attempts, good for 34%.
The big man had a dominant month of February, averaging 14.3 points and 13 boards per contest.
Feb. 12 saw Clingan put up 23 points and 18 rebounds against the Jazz. He followed up the stellar night with another 23 points and 13 rebounds against Phoenix. Other notable performances in February include one rebound shy of a 20-20 game against Memphis, a 16 rebound game against Minnesota, and a 13 point, 17 rebound performance against the Grizzlies.
During the All-Star break, Clingan was selected for the Rising Stars challenge. The format was tournament style, featuring rookies, sophomores, and G-League players as well, with teams coached by former NBA stars. Clingan was picked by Team Melo. He scored a team-high nine points in the first game and went to the championship game, scoring six points in a finals loss to Team Vince.
February was a momentous month off the court for Clingan as well, as he proposed to his high school sweetheart, Madeline Ross. Dan Hurley provided some simple advice for Clingan when he heard the news of the engagement.
This season has included learning moments. Just two games ago, Clingan was ejected for the first time in his career. Late in the second quarter against Memphis, the big man had the ball at the top of the key. He used his elbow to gain space and caught defender Olivier Maxence-Prosper, a former Marquette star, in the face. Officials reviewed the play and called it a flagrant 2, an automatic ejection.
The Blazers’ most recent game was a close 106-99 loss to Houston. Clingan finished the night with 18 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 7-for-11. He picked up his 25th double-double Friday night, tying him for 10th in the league in the category.
Clingan and his team are now pushing for a postseason appearance. The Trail Blazers are 30-34, holding the 10th spot in the Western Conference, 5.5 games ahead of 11th place and just 8 games out of a top-6 seed. For Clingan, meaningful basketball brings familiar territory. The former Husky built his reputation in March and is looking to do so in the NBA.
The shorthanded Golden State Warriors travel to Paycom Center to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
Oklahoma City’s elite defensive unit will stifle the Dubs, and my Warriors vs. Thunder predictions expect Chet Holmgren to lead the charge as the home team earns a comfortable win.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this primetime Western Conference showdown on Saturday, March 7.
Warriors vs Thunder prediction
Warriors vs Thunder best bet: Chet Holmgren Over 27.5 points + rebounds (-112)
Chet Holmgren has been on a tear, and with Isaiah Hartenstein sidelined, I expect him to continue his strong play against a depleted Warriors frontcourt at home.
Holmgren has averaged 27.9 points + rebounds in 24 games without Hartenstein, hitting the Over on this line 13 times.
Over his last six games, Holmgren has averaged 16.3 points and 12.2 rebounds, averaging 16 points and 18 boards in his last two home games. He’s reached the Over in four of his last five home games and delivered 28+ points + rebounds in all three matchups with the Golden State Warriors.
Warriors vs Thunder same-game parlay
The Oklahoma City Thunder are just 15-16 ATS at home, but Golden State are 13-17 ATS on the road. Golden State is missing a number of key players, while Oklahoma City still has the reigning MVP and a deep cast of talented defenders.
The Warriors have scored 103 points or fewer in 15 games this season, and five of those have come across their last 12 games. Oklahoma City held Golden State to under 103 points in two of three head-to-head matchups this season, and the NBA's top defensive rating should be able to do it again at home.
Cason Wallace is averaging 2.3 steals + blocks this season, including 2.6 at home. Across his last six at home, Wallace has averaged 3.4 steals + blocks and hit the Over on this line five times.
Warriors vs Thunder SGP
Chet Holmgren Over 27.5 points + rebounds
Oklahoma City Thunder -14.5
Golden State Warriors Under 103.5 points
Cason Wallace Over 2.5 steals + blocks
Warriors vs Thunder odds
Spread: Golden State +14.5 (-110) | Oklahoma City -14.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Golden State +550 | Oklahoma City -800
Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Oklahoma City Thunder have hit the Team Total Under in 11 of their last 14 games at home (+7.60 Units / 48% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Thunder.
How to watch Warriors vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Warriors vs Thunder latest injuries
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The Philadelphia Flyers have made some roster moves ahead of their matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
The Flyers have announced that they have recalled forward Alex Bump from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In addition, they shared that defenseman Adam Ginning has been assigned back to Lehigh Valley.
Bump getting called up is notable, as he is one of the Flyers' most exciting prospects. The 2022 fifth-round pick has played in 36 games this season with the Phantoms, where he has recorded 11 goals, 15 assists, and 26 points. Now, he will be getting his first chance on the Flyers' roster.
As for Ginning, the left-shot defenseman has played in five games this season with the Flyers, where he has zero points and an even plus/minus rating. Down in the AHL with Lehigh Valley, he has posted one goal, four points, 20 penalty minutes, and a minus-7 rating in 31 games.
‘It was all about making sure we fired the first shot’
Gregor Townsend hails ‘brilliant day for our supporters’
Kyle Steyn said the key to his side’s stunning 50-40 Six Nations victory over France on Saturday was striking first. The 32-year-old was named man of the match after he and his fellow wing Darcy Graham scored two tries each in a match they actually led 47-14 at one point.
That would have been a record Scottish victory over France but instead Steyn and his teammates had to settle for a highest ever score after outscoring France by seven tries to six.
The Buffalo Sabres made a handful of additions leading up to the 2026 NHL trade deadline. It is not difficult to understand why the Sabres added to their depth, as they are in a prime position to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
The Sabres tried to make a blockbuster trade for Colton Parayko, but the St. Louis Blues star defenseman blocked the move. After that, the Sabres made some solid depth additions that have the potential to give them a boost.
One specific trade addition who has the potential to be a good pickup for the Sabres is forward Sam Carrick. The Sabres acquired him from the New York Rangers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. While this is not a major move, it was a sneaky good one for Buffalo.
With this trade, the Sabres have added a solid bottom-six center who throws the body, kills penalties, and has success at the faceoff dot. With this, he is the kind of hard-nosed player that a team prepping for the playoffs should be looking to add.
Carrick will also be more than a rental for the Sabres, too, as he is signed until the end of next season with a $1 million cap hit. This is not a bad thing in the slightest.
In 60 games this season with the Rangers before being acquired by Buffalo, Carrick had four goals, 10 points, 86 hits, and a 53.9 winning faceoff percentage.
One of the more surprising moments from the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline was that the Vancouver Canucks did not trade Teddy Blueger. Leading up to the deadline, reports indicated that there was interest in the 31-year-old center, but at the end of the day, he was not moved. With the trade deadline now complete and Blueger still on the roster, the Canucks should shift their focus to ensure he stays with the organization past this season.
Blueger is at the end of a two-year contract which carries a cap hit of $1.8 million. While he has missed significant time with injury this season, the 2026 Olympian has found ways to step up when he is in the lineup. Over his 15 games, Blueger has collected nine points while throwing 34 hits.
While Blueger is a bottom-six center, he brings plenty of experience and leadership to the organization. He won a Stanley Cup in 2023 with the Vegas Golden Knights and has 433 games of NHL experience under his belt. As mentioned, Blueger also represented his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics and has extensive international experience playing for Latvia throughout his career.
Blueger has also shared publicy that he enjoys playing in Vancouver. Prior to the trade deadline, he told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre, "We'd love to stay. We love the city." Considering where the organization is in the standings and everything that has happened over the past few years, Blueger's desire to stay shows a level of commitement that the Canuck should take seriously.
The question now is, what would a contract extension look like for Blueger? Based on recent contracts signed and the cap continuing to climb, a possible extension could be three years with a cap hit of $2.5 million. This would give Blueger a well-deserved raise while also keeping him around the organization for the first few years of the rebuild.
Mar 6, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (53) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
If Blueger still expresses a desire to stay in Vancouver, the organization needs to ensure they re-sign him before July 1. He leads by example on and off the ice, which is what the Canucks need as they begin this multi-year rebuild. With no need to focus on trades for the next few months, Vancouver's attention should shift to ensuring that Blueger remains in a Canucks jersey for the foreaeeable future.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Both the Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves are playing their fourth game this week, so there may be some fatigue at the early 3:00 p.m. ET tip.
But my Magic vs. Timberwolves predictions and these NBA picks see value in Minnesota’s depth on Saturday, March 7.
Magic vs Timberwolves prediction
Magic vs Timberwolves best bet: Ayo Dosunmu Over 11.5 points (+100)
The Minnesota Timberwolves stumbled their way into bench depth, now turning to Naz Reid, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kyle Anderson as their first three reserves, with Mike Conley and Joan Beringer adding variable pieces.
But Anderson is listed as questionable against the Orlando Magic, and the Timberwolves’ rotation may be knocked off kilter again.
If Anderson’s minutes are at all reduced, that should lean to more for Dosunmu, who has already cleared this prop in his last two games, three of his last four, and six of his 10 games with Minnesota.
Magic vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Dosunmu has hit multiple threes in just one of his last eight games, yet he has cleared this points prop in five of those eight games.
His best impact for Minnesota is in driving to the hoop, particularly in transition. Those drives helped this exact same-game parlay cash twice in the last eight games.
Magic vs Timberwolves SGP
Ayo Dosunmu Over 11.5 points
Ayo Dosunmu Under 1.5 threes
Timberwolves -6.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Timberwolves Set The Terms
The Timberwolves have cashed the Under in each of their last four games, their defense aided by identifying offensive wrinkles and thus slowing opponents’ transition opportunities.
Magic vs Timberwolves SGP
Ayo Dosunmu Over 11.5 points
Ayo Dosunmu Under 1.5 threes
Timberwolves -6.5
Under 224.5
Magic vs Timberwolves odds
Spread: Magic +6.5 | Timberwolves -6.5
Moneyline: Magic +220 | Timberwolves -270
Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
Magic vs Timberwolves betting trend to know
Minnesota’s last four games have all gone Under their totals and by an average of 17 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Magic vs Timberwolves
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Tip-off
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Magic vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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Welcome to Inside the Suns, your weekly deep-down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team. Each week the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.
Fantable Questions of the Week
Q1: Some fans are adamant in their belief that the Suns will not be able to significantly improve the team in the near future without trading away some of their better players to obtain more draft picks and/or younger players with higher potential for growth. Do you agree or disagree with this?
GuarGuar: We are very limited with our assets, so if we are gonna improve this team, it’s either through internal development or trading our current players. I’d like to see if this group can make the playoffs and do some damage first before leaning either way on what to do, but the only real moves we can make are player trades this offseason.
Diamondhacks: It’s difficult to ‘significantly improve’ and more difficult to pull it off two years in a row, irrespective of rebuilds or resets conjured from the confines of adamant fans’ basements. Many theoretical strands inform that difficulty, under an umbrella perhaps too broadly labeled “regression”.
Yes, the Suns are the ninth oldest roster (basketball reference) but also feature physically promising novices and, as this above .500 season illustrates, there are unexpected paths toward ‘significant improvement’. It’s just that once you get there, fueled largely by moxie, there are typically more paths toward everything else, regardless of anyone’s best laid plans.
Ashton: I assume that is a question on Jalen Green’s trade return value. I have already put myself on the record within previous Fantable discussions. I would support Green’s development around a solid starting five.
But, as a nod to some commentators, I would not take him off the trade table until I am actually able to see Green’s value with a starting lineup and what role he is actually expected to play. Facilitator? Driver?
Or he recently just tried to put the Suns team on his shoulders and failed miserably at it. Let’s just see what he does with starter-caliber players.
Beyond that? What? Mark Williams is in a bit of a slump, but still respect that he shows up to basically every single game. I did not expect that. And no poster would trade Brooks and his technical fouls.
Suns just need to secure MW and CG contracts.
OldAz: Dunn was a late first, Fleming was an early 2nd. I have often said that the NBA draft is a total crap shoot and a team’s commitment to developing young players has always been more important. For years, the Suns have been terrible at this, while teams like the Miami Heat have often had multiple undrafted free agents contributing to winning.
With the success of players like Colin Gillespie and Jamaree Bouyea, along with the developmental focus applied to Oso, Dunn, Fleming, and Maluach give me a lot of hope that the Suns now get this. If so, then getting more or better draft picks is less important than hitting on those picks they do have and maximizing the minimum signing made to fill out the team.
Trading established players just for picks is just not a path I am a fan of. Maybe I will be more in favor of this path once they prove to be successful (on a sustained basis) in developing that drafted talent.
Rod: As John Voita pointed out a few days ago, Brian Gregory has already done a really good job rebuilding/retooling the Suns since his arrival and I don’t expect him to suddenly lose his knack or finding hidden/overlooked treasures. While there is no guarantee that he will continue to be as successful in the future, that in itself is no reason to suddenly shift coarse and head off in a different direction.
Their success this year has largely been due to how well they’ve functioned as a team rather than relying upon any one or two players to carry the majority of the load. They’re maybe one or two pieces away from becoming an even better team and I think it makes more sense to ride this strategy out for at least another year, especially since one of those missing pieces (PF) may already be on the team (Fleming).
Q2: Dillon Brooks is expected to be out until at least March 28 and possibly even two weeks more than that. If it’s left up to him to make the decision, what’s your best guess at when he’ll return?
GuarGuar: I think he will return right before the regular season ends. I’m expecting an early April start back from him as it’s his off hand, not his shooting hand. He’s a competitor, and when he heals enough that playing isn’t a risk of reinjury, he will immediately be back. He’s too competitive.
Diamondhacks: This question has several parts, none of which capitalize on my catalog of imagined insights. I’m not an orthopedist, nor do I understand what makes Dillon tick. Perhaps someone more sold on Brooks might speak to his “return policy”?
Ashton: Oh, this is an easy question.
Brooks will enter the regular season two games before the Play-In or playoff designation for the NBA teams.
He can grab two more technicals and have it all wiped out on post season. He will use them. Unless he breaks his hand again.
OldAz: Since this question was asked before Friday’s news, but published after, I would say it will be about 2 days later than Dillon Brooks “decides”. In answer to the question, if it is solely left up to him, he will be back as soon as possible and even declare himself ready a few games early just so he can serve whatever suspension the league hands down. I believe it will probably be close to the March 28th date to give him 9 games or so to get back into game shape and ready for any playoff run. Players always want to play, regardless of the health questions. This is especially true when it comes to playoff time.
Rod: My impression of Brooks leads me to believe that he’ll be back sooner rather than later, and he’ll probably be pushing the medical staff to clear him even before March 28. There was a scene in Black Hawk Down in which the soldiers were preparing to head back into Mogadishu and one guy with a broken arm ripped off his cast before returning to the fight with his buddies. I just get that kind of vibe from Brooks and feel as though it’s going to be hard to keep off the court any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Q3: Who do you consider to be the most undervalued Suns player by the fans?
GuarGuar: This is a tough question. I’m not quite sure who we underrate in this fanbase exactly, but I’ll go with Royce O’Neale. Yes, his defense is really bad at times, and he can be a liability when the shot isn’t falling. But it’s super valuable to have a stretch forward with deep catch and shoot range, and isn’t lacking confidence. Not to mention he’s shooting a great percentage, too. He’s experienced and brings some stability to this team night in and night out, and fits really well offensively next to Booker.
Diamondhacks: Despite an alarming performance drop-off, I’d say fans’ most undervalued Sun over the entire season is still Mark Williams, whose most verifiable sin to date is miserably failing to be Hakeem Olajuwon. Instead, all this lethargic disappointment’s managed to cobble together is to lead the entire team in Win Shares, Offensive Rating, Defensive Rating, and get to the line more per FG attempt than anyone not named Booker. Oh, and he’s our best offensive rebounder and best defensive rebounder, by sheer volume and rate (TRB%), and gets more steals per minute than Brooks, Booker, or Fleming.
But to hear some, Mark needs to make way more angry faces, bark like a dog, and take three times as many bad shots – like their intrepid hero, Dillon Brooks – to be considered anywhere quite so central to our success.
Ashton: Probably the one person I have not commented on a lot is Rasheer TyLee Fleming. The fans like him, but he was in a seven-team trade involving the Wolves. That is seven teams that took a pass, except the Suns.
A second round pick out of A-10s conference, and raise your hand if you watched Saint Joseph’s, he also gained conference accolades…
You know let me just wiki it.
“He was named First Team All-Atlantic 10 after averaging 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.”
And this is why NBA hoop heads (Word tried to auto-correct me to hop-heads. Not wrong based on game chat conversations) should pay attention to the college game and the draft picks. Even if the Suns do not have a pick in the first round, it is worth monitoring on future player trades.
OldAz: Currently, it is Mark Williams, but then again, the starting center always seems to be undervalued by this fanbase. We also tend to fall in love with the backup, and build them up in our minds to be the second coming of Kareem or Bill Russell. Everyone wants to see counting stats from the center, but that is not how modern basketball works. Because of this Fans clamor for 5 players who can put up the most individual stats, when in reality the most important thing is how the team performs.
As long as the Suns are going to play so small, they need a center like Williams to anchor the middle and allow Oso to be a main hub with the bench unit. Neither of their counting stats are going to get them in the All-NBA conversation, but their contributions to winning are vital. That’s all that matters to me.
Rod: I’m going with Royce O’Neale on this one. He’s been asked to play out of position all season long and, while it hasn’t been a roaring success, it hasn’t been a dismal failure either. Royce has had his good moments and his bad, but he’s soldiered on without a complaint. I think he’s been a good teammate and mentor to some of the younger guys too. Just the fact that Jordan Ott trusts him in the role he plays also says a lot to me. Say whatever you want about him but he’s led the Suns in total minutes played this season (1808) which isn’t bad for the team’s “old guy”.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!
Quotes of the Week
“The biggest thing for me when I’m out there is just to remind myself to have fun. It’s basketball at the end of the day. That kind of relieves any thoughts I’m thinking about, if I’m worried about making any mistakes.” – Rasheer Fleming
“He (Rasheer Fleming) works hard every day and I think you’re going to see more and more each time that he steps on the floor.” – Jalen Green
I feel like it’s coming back slowly but surely. That’s all part of it. People been talking about missing shots and that’s all just part of it. Just got to keep shooting.” – Jalen Green
“We’ve focused on winning in the margins this year. Doing all the little things over the course of a whole season led to getting some good wins. Happy with where we’re at, but I think we’ve shown that we kind of belong. So we need to win some more games.” – Grayson Allen
“Nothing better than playing basketball, man. It’s tough watching.” – Devin Booker
“He’s (Khaman Maluach) been thrown into the fire at a young age. He can do nothing but grow from here.” – Devin Booker
Suns Trivia/History
On March 8, 2020, Ricky Rubio had his second triple-double of the season (25 pts, 13 rebs & 13 asts) in possibly his best game as a Sun as Phoenix beat the Milwaukee Bucks 140-131. The Suns had four players who scored 20+ points in the game (Rubio 25, Booker 36, Mikal Bridges 21 & Aron Baynes 24) plus two more in double figures (Dario Saric 11 & Jevon Carter 12).
On March 9, 2003, three-time All-Star “Thunder Dan” Majerle was placed in the Phoenix Suns’ Ring of Honor. Majerle played 8 seasons for the Suns, 7 at the beginning of his NBA career, and the 8th was his last in the league following stints in Cleveland (1 season) and Miami (5 seasons). He averaged 13.5 pts, 4.7 rebs, 3.1 asts, and 1.4 steals per game for the Suns and hit 36.4% from three for the Suns and is 11th on the Suns’ All-Time leaders in points scored (8,034), 5th in steals (811), and 3rd in three-pointers made (800).
On March 11, 2008, Shaq cleared the Suns’ bench while going after a loose ball.
On March 12, 2020, the NBA suspended the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. The season would not resume until July in the Orlando “bubble” where the Suns would go 8-0 and just barely miss making the playoffs/play-in tournament.
On March 14, 2007, the 49-14 Suns met the 52-10 Dallas Mavericks in a match-up where both teams were fighting for the top seed in the Western conference and Steve Nash was going for his third consecutive MVP award against Dirk Nowitzki. Though the Suns won the game in double overtime, the Mavericks would finish with the West’s top seed at 67-15, and Nowitzki would narrowly win the MVP award over of Nash.
This Week’s Game Schedule
Sunday, March 8 – Suns vs Charlotte Hornets (8:00 pm) Peacock Tuesday, March 10 – Suns @ Milwaukee Bucks (6:00 pm) Thursday, March 12 – Suns @ Indiana Pacers (5:00 pm) Friday, March 13 – Suns @ Toronto Raptors (5:30 pm)
This Week’s Valley Suns Game Schedule
Saturday, March 7 – Valley Suns @ Rip City Remix (4:00 pm) Monday, March 9 – Valley Suns @ Wisconsin Herd (5:30 pm) Prime Video Thursday, March 12 – Valley Suns @ Windy City Bulls (6:00 pm)
Important Future Dates
March 28 – NBA G League Regular Season ends March 31 – 2026 NBA G League Playoffs begin April 12 – Regular season ends (All 30 teams play) April 13 – Rosters set for NBA Playoffs 2026 (3 p.m. ET) April 14-17 – SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament April 18 – NBA Playoffs begin
The Calgary Flames were busy ahead of this week’s NHL deadline, shipping away several key players like Nazem Kadri and MacKenzie Weegar.
That opens the door for players to step up into bigger roles, and I’ll break down why Matt Coronato will do just that for Calgary.
Find out more in my Hurricanes vs. Flames predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, March 7.
Hurricanes vs Flames prediction
Hurricanes vs Flames best bet:Matt Coronato Over 2.5 shots (+100)
The Calgary Flames lineup is looking pretty barren after the trade deadline, but Matt Coronato is one of the few bright spots remaining.
Coronato leads the team with 14 goals and 151 shots, and he’ll be relied upon even more heavily with Kadri shipped off to Colorado.
Coronato has logged Over 2.5 shots in three of his last four games, as well as eight of his last 10 outings.
The Flames don’t have many natural scorers left, so expect Coronato to lean into his shoot-first mentality.
Hurricanes vs Flames same-game parlay
The Carolina Hurricanes have won 12 of their last 15 games, winning seven of those contests by at least two goals. Meanwhile, the Flames have lost 10 of their last 13 and are 10-3 ATS over that span.
Nikolaj Ehlers is red hot for Carolina with points in three straight and six of his last seven outings.
The Under is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Flames. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Flames.
How to watch Hurricanes vs Flames
Location
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Date
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-South, Sportsnet
Hurricanes vs Flames latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings face off in a crucial game on Saturday night as both clubs fight for playoff spots.
Cole Caufield has been the NHL’s hottest goal scorer for nearly two months, and I’ll break down how he fits into my Canadiens vs. Kings predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, March 7.
Canadiens vs Kings prediction
Canadiens vs Kings best bet:Cole Caufield anytime goal (+130)
The Montreal Canadiens fell in a shootout to the Anaheim Ducks last night, but Cole Caufield was all over the score sheet once again.
The Habs winger scored two goals and added an assist to boost his impressive totals over the past couple of months. Since January 17, Caufield has led the NHL with 16 goals in just 14 games.
The Canadiens star has been incredibly consistent, finding the back of the net in 10 of his last 14 contests.
The Los Angeles Kings have won just two of their last eight, allowing 4 gpg over that span – third-worst in the league.
Canadiens vs Kings same-game parlay
Not only are the Canadiens the better team tonight, but they’ve also been road warriors this season. Montreal owns a .645 points percentage as the visitor – good for sixth-best in the NHL.
The Kings are also 3-8 in their last 11 games on home ice.
The Over is 10-5 in Los Angeles’ last 15 home games and 5-1 in Montreal’s last six games overall. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Kings.
How to watch Canadiens vs Kings
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-West, Sportsnet East
Canadiens vs Kings latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Senators vs Kraken best bet:Senators moneyline (-140)
The Ottawa Senatorshave picked up points in five straight, winning three, to move within four points of Boston for the second and final Wild Card spot in the East.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken hold down the final Wild Card spot out West, but they've lost three of their last five, scoring two or fewer goals in four of those contests.
Ottawa has taken five of the last six against Seattle, and they've shut them out in three of those games.
A Top 10 scoring team, I like Ottawa to keep the trend going in its playoff push.
Senators vs Kraken same-game parlay
Tim Stutzle has been on a tear for the Senators. His empty net goal last game in a win over Calgary gave him at least a point in 11 straight games, and he's tallied seven goals over that stretch.
And we'll take Brady Tkachuk to pick up an assist. He's been more set up man than trigger man of late, picking up at least one assist in four of his last five games.
Five of Seattle's last six home games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone Over the total. Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Kraken.
How to watch Senators vs Kraken
Location
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
Date
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
KHN, Sportsnet
Senators vs Kraken latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The LA Clippers started the season 6-21 and looked dead in the water, but since then have played inspired basketball to get back into the play-in and with a legitimate chance to be a top-eight seed.
Then there are moments the Clippers remind you of the 6-21 team. The final 15 seconds against the Spurs on Friday were one of those moments.
Los Angeles trailed San Antonio 113-112 with 16 seconds left, and Tyronn Lue drew up a potential game-winning play. The goal was to get the ball to Kawhi Leonard, but he was at one point triple-teamed, so inbounder Nicolas Batum passes the ball to a release valve in Brook Lopez, who quickly passed it back to a shot creator in Batum, except Batum never fully stepped onto the court.
Lue slamming the scorer's table in frustration spoke for every Clippers fan.
Still, the Clippers had a chance to tie. The Clippers were down 114-112 with 6.1 seconds left and Stephon Castle was at the free throw line for the Spurs. If he makes it, the Clippers can send an intense game to overtime with a 3-pointer; if Castle misses it, the Clippers just need to secure the rebound and then have a chance to tie or win. Except Castle got his own miss for the putback.
Stephon Castle misses the clutch free throw, gets the rebound and scores- Spurs win!
Let's not take anything away from the Spurs' ability to pull out a tough win on the second night of a back-to-back, it was so emotional that Victor Wembanyama was in tears after the game.
Still, the Clippers helped the Spurs out here, and it was ugly.
