For the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Lakers will finish the regular season atop the Pacific Division.
The Lakers (49-26) clinched a playoff spot and the division title before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night even tipped off, thanks to the Phoenix Suns' 115-111 loss to the Orlando Magic earlier.
While the Lakers have historically dominated the Pacific with 26 titles since the division was established in 1970-71, their current run of two straight since the arrival of head coach JJ Redick snapped a dry spell that began after their NBA championship run in 2019-20.
The red-hot Lakers — winners of 11 of their last 17 — currently sit as the third seed in the West after Monday, one game ahead of the fourth-place Denver Nuggets and three games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets. And with their postseason spot now in hand, LA could have a chance to cement their claim at the third spot with wins over the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Suns and Utah Jazz.
Mar 31, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns lost to the Orlando Magic 115-111 on Tuesday. Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 points, but Collin Gillespie was the only other Suns starter to score in double digits. The Suns struggled to shoot from both the field and from three. While the Magic had 25 turnovers, the Suns had 20. The team’s two-game losing streak has been snapped.
Phoenix trailed for the majority of the contest, not taking their first lead until early in the fourth quarter. However, on the second night of a back-to-back, the Suns’ offense went cold down the stretch, going more than five minutes without hitting a field goal late. To start and end the game, Phoenix had trouble executing offensively.
Now 42-34 on the year, it’s looking more and more likely the Suns will be in the play-in. The question is will be it as the 8th or 7th seed. Their lead over the Clippers is now just 2.5 games.
Game Flow
First Half
It was a tepid start for the Suns. Technical fouls were flying for both teams and the Suns had just two made field goals in the first 5;35 of the game. Orlando was up 20-8 about halfway through the first. Phoenix was able to cut the lead down to single digits, going on an 8-0 run to end the quarter. It was 28-21 Orlando after the first quarter.
The Magic pushed the lead back to double digits early in the second with a 5-0 run. Phoenix started to creep back around the midway point of the quarter. Jordan Goodwin had an impactful four-point play that cut the deficit to five.
Want to know how Dillon brooks is back? He picked up four fouls in the first half and had to be subbed out less midway through the second because of his foul troubles.
When the Suns cut the lead down to a one-possession score, Orlando responded with a 9-0 run. For the rest of the half, Orlando had a sizable lead Phoenix just couldn’t crack too deeply into. At the half, the Suns trailed the Magic 70-56.
Second Half
To start the third quarter, Phoenix quickly cut their second half lead in half and more some. An 11-2 run prompted an early Orlando timeout, and the Suns pushed the game into a one-score contest at 80-77. Jordan Goodwin was flying all over the court. With Brooks in foul trouble, Goodwin anchored Phoenix’s defense.
The Orlando lead hovered around five points. Phoenix struggled to retake the lead. When Phoenix cut it to two with less than two minutes left in the third, Desmond Bane hit a straightaway triple. It was the perfect depiction of how the final six minutes of the third went until the end. A quick 8-0 run by the Suns to end the third tied the game up at 94 heading into the fourth.
Phoenix’s first lead of the game came early in the fourth quarter, with a Rasheer Fleming slam. The game went back and forth. Neither team was able to build more than a possession lead. Both offenses started to slow down their paces. Grayson Allen started to find a bit of a rhythm after a rough start to the game.
Down 109-107 with 4:08 left, Jordan Ott and company called a timeout. Both team’s offenses remained static and couldn’t generate baskets or good looks. Down the stretch, Phoenix’s offense especially struggled. They went over five minutes without making a field goal which ended up being their kryptonite and ending their two-game win streak.
Up Next
The Suns will face the Hornets on Thursday for their third game in four nights and their third game of their four-game road trip. Phoenix beat Charlotte 111-99 last month back in Arizona.
ATLANTA (AP) — Francisco Trincão scored in the 37th minute, João Félix added a goal in the 59th and Portugal beat the United States 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday night to deal the Americans their eighth consecutive defeat against European opponents.
U.S. star Christian Pulisic was moved from a wing to the top of the attack but failed to convert a pair of good scoring chances.
Pulisic, who played only the first half, is scoreless in eight national team games dating to November 2024 and in 12 games with AC Milan since Dec. 28.
Preparing to co-host the World Cup, the U.S. has been outscored 22-6 during its losing streak against Europe and is winless against the continent in 10 matches since 2021.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino announces his World Cup roster on May 26, and the Americans play their last warmups against Senegal five days later and Germany on June 6. The Americans open the World Cup on June 12 against Australia, face Paraguay a week later and close the first round vs. Turkey on June 25.
Before a pro-US crowd of 72,297 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Portugal went ahead after American midfielder Weston McKennie knocked a hard-to-control pass from Alex Freeman to Vitinha, who played a through ball to Bruno Fernandes. As defenders Chris Richards and Auston Trusty converged on the midfielder, he dropped a backheel pass to Trincão, who took a touch and slotted it past Matt Freese and inside the far post for his third international goal.
Félix scored his 12th international goal following Fernandes' corner kick. Left unmarked just outside the penalty area, Félix sent a half-volley in on two bounces off the far post.
Freese was back in goal after his streak of 12 straight starts ended when former No. 1 goalkeeper Matt Turner played in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium.
Stephen Curry went through a full practice on Tuesday, his first in two months, and is targeting a Sunday return to the Golden State lineup.
Curry is officially day-to-day but took a big step forward with the practice and scheduled scrimmage on Tuesday, reports Sam Amick and Nick Friedel of The Athletic. Warriors' coach Steve Kerr said after practice that "being healthy is the No. 1 priority," and that he was out Wednesday against the Spurs and doubtful to play Thursday against the Cavaliers. That leaves Sunday against the Rockets, and with that return date he could play in up to five games before the postseason.
"He went through a full practice, but it was very light," Kerr said. "We didn't do anything live. He's gonna scrimmage right now five-on-five. It's a good step for him."
Curry has been out since Jan. 30 with "runner's knee" — and he strained his adductor during rehab — missing 25 games. Without him, Golden State has gone 9-16 and slid to 10th in the West, and it's unlikely it will climb up from there, meaning the Warriors would need to win two games just to get out of the play-in.
Still, the Warriors are optimistic that if healthy they can make a run.
Curry, 38, is at the heart of that optimism, it's his gravity that makes the Warriors' offense work. When healthy this season, he is averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists a game, shooting 39.1% from 3-point range. With Jimmy Butler (ACL) and Moses Moody (knee) out for the remainder of the season, the Warriors need Curry to be his vintage self to have a chance this postseason.
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 7: Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz plays defense during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 7, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz are nearing the end of another season at the bottom of the rankings. Looking forward to next season, the question is going to be, how good can the Jazz be? The major issue with this team during this rebuild has been the defense. At no point has the Utah Jazz defense been even remotely good, and it does bear asking, can the Jazz become a good defense next year? With a potential front court of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler, can they become at least top-10 in the league?
Speaking of next season, Utah has the potential to be one of the best starting lineups in the league. But who will stand out the most among them? My other question this week is, who is most likely to be an All-Star representing the Jazz? Chances are at least one player will, but it’s difficult to decide who.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jazz fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Chicago Blackhawks had Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets in town on Tuesday night. This was Chicago's first game at home after a long four-game road trip.
This was also Anton Frondell's first game at the United Center as a member of the Blackhawks. On his second shift of the game, Frondell scored his first career NHL goal.
Frondell's goal came at the end of a shift in which he was all over the puck. There were a handful of other times that the puck could have ended up in the back of the cage, but he finally got it past Connor Hellebuyck for the first of his career.
On the goal, Louis Crevier got it towards the net, Ilya Mikheyev put it on the stick of Frondell, and he didn't miss this chance.
— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) April 1, 2026
Not only did he score his first career goal, but it came against a future Hall of Fame goalie in Hellebuyck. That is certainly a memorable way to score the first of many.
Frondell's first goal is the fifth point (the first four were all primary assists) of his NHL career in his fifth game. That's exactly the type of start that the Blackhawks were hoping for from the 3rd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 7: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 7, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards return to the friendly confines of Capital One Arena to take on the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
Game info
When: Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Injuries: For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly (heel), Tre Johnson (foot), and Alex Sarr (toe) are questionable, while Trae Young (quad), Kyshawn George (elbow), Anthony Davis (hand), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.
For the Sixers, Johni Broome (Knee) is out.
What to watch for
The depleted Wizards host a 76ers squad that suddenly has a clean bill of health for the final stretch of the season. Both Joel Embiid and Paul George have been in Philly’s lineup for each of the last three games, and the pair has put up 54.3 points per game between them in those contests.
Will Riley found his scoring touch during Washington’s recently concluded 5-game road trip. He scored in double figures in each contest, pacing the Wizards with 17.2 points per game during that span. If Tre Johnson is cleared to play, he’ll also get his third crack at a head-to-head matchup against his longtime peer VJ Edgecombe.
With the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets both winning on Sunday, the Wizards are now tied with the Pacers for the No. 1 seed in this year’s tankathon with two weeks left in the season.
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the final stretch of the season. Following their Tuesday night matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, the Blackhawks will have only eight regular-season games left.
With the 2025-26 campaign now nearing its conclusion, one Blackhawks prospect who fans should be paying extra attention to during these final games is defenseman Kevin Korchinski.
Korchinski was called up to the Blackhawks' NHL roster earlier this week and should get more opportunities to finish off the campaign. This is because Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that defensemen Matt Grzelcyk and Artyom Levshunov will be out for the remainder of the season.
With Korchinski getting called up, he will undoubtedly be looking to impress. It would be significant for him if he ends the year on a high note, as it would certainly help his chances of getting more opportunities on Chicago's roster next season.
Korchinski has played in five games this season with the Blackhawks, where he has recorded one assist. Down in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs this season, he has posted two goals and 26 points. Overall, the 2022 seventh-overall pick has shown promise in the AHL, and it will be interesting to see if he can shine during the final stretch of the season from here.
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after the game on November 10, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (24-51) head back out on the road Tuesday night to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks (29-45). This one is a make up game following a cancellation due to weather earlier in 2026. Dallas is coming off a brutal beating of a loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Bucks are stumbling down a four game losing streak, most recently Sunday night to the Los Angeles Clippers
Here are the main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Milwaukee Bucks
WHAT: A make up game!
WHERE: Firserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
NOW it seems like the Mavericks are embracing an element of tanking. Let’s take a look at who is out for the game: Marvin Bagley, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Klay Thompson, and PJ Washington. Moussa Cisse IS going to be playing, so Josh will have something to watch at least. The other two-way guys are available as well, so expect heavy minutes there.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss this one, so the Bucks are folding it in as well. Kevin Port Jr. and Bobby Portis will also miss this game. Kyle Kuzma is playing though, so hey, maybe a big game from him incoming.
The season needs to end already. There’s nothing to watch for and yet here I am. Perhaps a Cooper Flagg bounce back game after a stinker on Monday night? Seems likely, the main question that follows there is can he hit a shot. I have faith. The form looks good, the threes just arent falling.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
NEW YORK (AP) — The men's NCAA tournament is averaging 10.3 million viewers through the Elite Eight, according to Nielsen. That is the tournament's best audience since 1993 and a 9% increase over last year.
Friday's early window with Duke-St.John's on CBS and Michigan-Alabama on TBS/truTV averaged 14.2 million, the most-watched Friday regional early window since 1992.
The Final Four and title game will be on TBS, TNT and truTV.
The women's NCAA tournament on ESPN's networks and ABC is averaging 789,000 viewers through Saturday's Sweet 16 games. That is a 1% decrease from last year.
Ratings for Sunday and Monday's regional finals are expected to be available on Wednesday.
The Mets have hired J.D. Martinez as a special advisor, a role that will see him working with players in the organization in a similar way that Carlos Beltrán has in recent years, according to Tim Healey.
One of the best hitters of his generation, Martinez spent his final major league season with the Mets in 2024 and was repeatedly referenced as a positive influence on his teammates as he shared his hitting expertise. He hit .235/.320/.406 that year with just a 107 wRC+ and 16 home runs, but considering how hard it is to do that at all, that wasn’t bad by any stretch for a player in his age-36 season.
Over the course of his major league career, Martinez hit .283/.348/.516 with a 130 wRC+. But his peak was even better, as he hit .293/.359/.549 with 291 home runs and a 140 wRC+ from his breakout 2014 campaign with the Tigers through the end of the 2023 season, which he spent with the Dodgers.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (48*-27) face the Rockets (45-29) tonight at Toyota Center. New York needs wins to hold onto third place in the East, while Houston is jockeying for playoff positioning in the West. The national audience should enjoy a thriller tonight, with both teams rating in the top ten for offense and defense and motivated to play hard.
Tip off is 8 p.m. EST on NBC and MSG. This is your game thread. This is The Dream Shake. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Keep all limbs inside the vehicle and be respectful of your fellow passengers. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but NBA Cup Finals are just well-disguised scrimmages.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 26: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros throws on the mound before a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day at Daikin Park on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (3-2) host the Boston Red Sox (1-3) tonight at Daikin Park in the second game of a three game series.
Astros Opening Day starter RHP Hunter Brown will make his second start of the season for the Astros, this time opposite RHP Brayan Bello and the Red Sox.
TUESDAY’S TILT: The Astros and Red Sox will play the middle game of their three-game series tonight as Houston goes for their fourth straight win and a series victory.
ON THE HUNT: RHP Hunter Brown is making his second start of the season after tossing 4.2 scoreless innings against the Angels on Opening Day.
A 2025 All-Star, Brown finished third in the AL in Cy Young voting last season after turning in the best year of his career with a 12-9 record, a 2.43 ERA (50ER/185.1IP) and posting a 1.03 WHIP. He held opponents to a career-low .201 average and posted 206 strikeouts in 185.1 innings pitched.
ASTROS VS. BELLO: The Astros are seeing RHP Brayan Bello tonight for the first time since facing him in back-to-back starts on Aug. 24 and Aug. 29, 2023. A couple Astros have career homers opposite Bello in LF Yordan Alvarez (3×5, HR, RBI) and IF Isaac Paredes (2×7, HR, 2RBI).
RIVALRY VS. THE RED SOX: The Astros and Red Sox have developed a nice rivalry over the last 10 years, as the two clubs have seen each other in three different postseason series since the 2017 season. The Astros won two of those three series, winning the 2017 ALDS and 2021 ALCS, while the Red Sox took the 2018 ALCS.
YORDAN AND THE BABE: LF Yordan Alvarez has played 30 career games against the Red Sox, including six in the postseason, combining for a .404 (44×109) average with 11 doubles, nine homers, 29 RBI, a .481 OBP and a .771 SLG. Among all Major League players with at least 125 regular season and postseason plate appearances against the Red Sox, Alvarez leads all in batting average, OBP and SLG. The lists below include the postseason.
ALL-TIME LEADERS VS. BOS (MIN. 125 PA)
Batting Average
1. Yordan Alvarez: .404
2. Will Clark: .403
3. Lyman Bostick: .467
SLG
1. Yordan Alvarez: .771
2. Babe Ruth: .683
3. Wander Franco: .659
LEAGUE LEADERS: The Astros lead the Majors in doubles (14) and total bases (73), while ranking second in hits (44) and walks (25). Individually, 1B Christian Walker leads the Majors in doubles (4), while 2B Jose Altuve owns a share for the MLB lead with six runs scored.
JOSE, JOSE, JOSE, JOSE!: 2B Jose Altuve went 4×4 with four runs scored and a pair of homers last night, giving him 42 four-hit games since he debuted in 2011, which are by far the most in the Majors in that time frame (1B Freddie Freeman ranks second with 31). Altuve’s four runs scored matched his career high, which he’s accomplished seven times, most recently on July 4, 2025 at LAD.
YORDAN’S UPCOMING MILESTONES: LF Yordan Alvarez (497 RBI) is three RBI shy of reaching 500 career RBI, a mark only 14 players in franchise history have reached. Alvarez also checks in with 172 career homers, which makes him just two homers shy of matching franchise icon OF George Springer (174HR) for seventh on the Astros all-time list.
GOIN’ DEEP:LF Brice Matthews hit his first homer of the season last night, a 434’ shot to left-center field. Matthews’ homer was the longest of his career, the longest by an Astro this season (by 40 feet) and the fifth-longest in the Majors in 2026.
COLE SIDELINED:OF Zach Cole will be placed on the minor league IL today with a fifth toe fracture on his right foot. Cole began the season at Triple A Sugar Land, where he sustained the injury on a HBP on Sunday vs. Round Rock.
JUPITER, FL - MARCH 14: Andre Pallante (53) of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins on March 14, 2026 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals are back at Busch Stadium Tuesday night for game 5 of the 2026 season with the New York Mets still in town. According to MLB.com, Andre Pallante will make the start for St. Louis while New York will put Kodai Senga on the mound for another 6:45pm start.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws in the outfield during spring training workouts Saturday, February 14, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Following their first loss of the season last night, the Brewers have their first chance to bounce back. They will look to do that tonight in their second game against the Rays.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Brewers made a few roster moves and provided some injury updates. First, Luis Matos was officially added to the active roster. In a corresponding move, Jeferson Quero was optioned back to Triple-A Nashville. Steward Berroa and Rob Zastryzny were also sent to Nashville on rehab assignments. Zastryzny is expected to pitch an inning tonight.
In other injury news (from Dave Gasper), Andrew Vaughn underwent hand surgery today and is expected to return in mid-May. Quinn Priester is scheduled to throw a bullpen today with “two ups” — meaning he will warm up and start two simulated innings. Craig Yoho is also scheduled to throw a bullpen on Thursday.
The Brewers finish their first turn through the rotation as Brandon Woodruff takes the mound tonight. He’s been building up through the spring and is ready to go to start the season, despite some concerns in spring training if he would be stretched out enough. According to Pat Murphy, “we could see six ‘ups’ for Woodruff tonight”. which could mean we see Woodruff pitch into the sixth inning. In his final start of the spring, he threw 62 pitches in a three-inning start against the Rangers. He allowed three runs, four hits, and one walk while striking out four. Last season, he had a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts. Over his last 24 starts at American Family Field, he’s posted a 14-1 record and a 2.10 ERA, and the Brewers are 21-3 in those starts.
For the Rays, Shane McClanahan will make the start. This is his first regular-season MLB start since 2023. In the last two years, he underwent Tommy John surgery, then a nerve issue in his elbow kept him out in 2025. Before that, he received votes for AL Rookie of the Year in 2021 and AL Cy Young in 2022. This spring, he made four starts and posted a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings, with 15 strikeouts and five walks. The Brewers faced him once back in 2023, and he pitched seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts.
The Brewers are shuffling the lineup a little tonight. Brice Turang remains the leadoff hitter, but Luis Rengifo will move up into the second slot. This slides William Contreras back to third, and Christian Yelich — who will make the start in left field tonight — bats fourth. Gary Sánchez gets the start at DH and bats fifth, with Jake Bauers at first base batting sixth. Brandon Lockridge moves over to center field and bats seventh. Sal Frelick and Joey Ortiz round out the lineup in their usual positions.
Here are the full starting lineups for tonight. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
