Philadelphia 76ers (29-21, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (31-21, seventh in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Saturday, 9 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia aims to keep its five-game win streak alive when the 76ers take on Phoenix.
The Suns are 17-8 on their home court. Phoenix is third in the Western Conference at limiting opponent scoring, allowing just 111.4 points while holding opponents to 46.8% shooting.
The 76ers are 14-9 on the road. Philadelphia ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 12.3 offensive rebounds per game led by Charles Bassey averaging 3.5.
The Suns score 113.8 points per game, 1.6 fewer points than the 115.4 the 76ers give up. The 76ers average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than the Suns allow.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Suns won 116-110 in the last matchup on Jan. 21.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Williams is scoring 12.3 points per game and averaging 8.1 rebounds for the Suns. Dillon Brooks is averaging 22.0 points and 4.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Joel Embiid is scoring 26.1 points per game and averaging 7.4 rebounds for the 76ers. Tyrese Maxey is averaging 20.7 points and 3.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 6-4, averaging 111.3 points, 41.4 rebounds, 23.6 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.2 points per game.
76ers: 6-3, averaging 117.2 points, 41.2 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 9.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.3 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Isaiah Livers: day to day (shoulder), Grayson Allen: day to day (knee), Jalen Green: day to day (hip), Devin Booker: day to day (ankle).
76ers: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Washington Wizards (14-36, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (13-37, 14th in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn heads into the matchup with Washington as losers of three straight games.
The Nets are 9-21 in Eastern Conference games. Brooklyn is 1-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Wizards are 9-20 in Eastern Conference play. Washington has a 4-25 record against opponents above .500.
The Nets' 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.1 more made shots on average than the 13.7 per game the Wizards give up. The Wizards average 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than the Nets allow.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Wizards won the last meeting 119-99 on Jan. 3, with Justin Champagnie scoring 20 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Porter Jr. is scoring 25.1 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Nets. Egor Demin is averaging 10.4 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 43.2% over the past 10 games.
Alex Sarr is averaging 17.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Wizards. Bub Carrington is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 1-9, averaging 99.6 points, 40.7 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points per game.
Wizards: 4-6, averaging 111.1 points, 43.8 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 9.8 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.0 points.
INJURIES: Nets: Ochai Agbaji: day to day (not injury related).
Wizards: Dante Exum: out for season (knee), Anthony Davis: out (finger), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), D'Angelo Russell: day to day (illness), Tre Johnson: day to day (ankle), Trae Young: out (quad).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Two of the Yankees’ top pitching prospects will be at major league spring training for the first time, the team announced Thursday.
Both Carlos Lagrange and Ben Hess were among the non-roster invitations, with Lagrange known for hitting 103 MPH in a game last season, most of which was spent at Double-A Somerset.
Yankees prospect Carlos Lagrange pitches during the Somerset Patriots loss to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium on Sept, 18, 2025 in Binghamton, N.Y. Minor League Baseball via Getty
Hess, 23, reached Double-A last year, his first season in the pros after being selected in the first round by the Yankees in 2024 out of the University of Alabama.
The 20-year-old also played primarily with Somerset in 2025 and is already seen as an elite defensive shortstop.
If Lombard’s bat improves, he could be an option in The Bronx soon.
Yankees pitching prospect Ben Hess pitches during a spring training game between the Bombers and the Orioles in a spring training game last season. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Among the players with major league experience who will also be in Tampa are INF/OF Seth Brown, INF Paul DeJong and RHP Dylan Coleman.
Mike Sullivan and the Rangers are starting a new chapter after the Artemi Panarin trade.
With the Artemi Panarin saga finally reaching a conclusion with his trade Wednesday to the Kings, the Rangers entered their final game before the NHL break for the Winter Olympics — and the corresponding league-wide roster freeze — with the knowledge that their devolving season eventually will resume with more work to do for general manager Chris Drury to retool the roster for 2026-27 and beyond.
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Panarin, who inked a two-year contract extension worth $22 million with Los Angeles to bypass unrestricted free agency this summer, was dealt for junior forward prospect Liam Greentree and at least one conditional third-round draft pick, depending on Los Angeles’ postseason success.
The last-place Rangers already had played the previous three games without Panarin, who had been held out of the lineup in losses to the Islanders and the Penguins ahead of Thursday’s pre-Olympic finale against the Hurricanes at the Garden.
“Well, I just think the finality of it is finally here,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said when asked about Panarin’s official departure following an optional morning skate Thursday in Tarrytown, before the Rangers lost, 2-0, to the Hurricanes. “Sometimes just the anxiety of the uncertainty is more difficult to deal with than the finality of it. Everybody can move on.”
Artemi Panarin is pictured during the Rangers’ Jan. 14 game. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Sullivan said he wished the 34-year-old Panarin “the very best” in a conversation after the trade was announced Wednesday afternoon.
He added that he “already has addressed the circumstances” with the team, which began play Thursday night in a 3-12-2 tailspin to sink to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
“It’s not [easy] because obviously we’re all in this thing to win,” Sullivan said. “We’re all wired to try to win. It’s a competitive league, it’s a competitive environment, and we’re all competitive and we want to win. So when you don’t have the ability to put one of your very best players in the lineup, it doesn’t help your chances. But I also understand that it’s just the reality of the circumstance, and it’s part of where we’re at right now. It’s my job to coach the guys that I have available each and every night, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”
With the 20-year-old Greentree slated to finish out his current season with OHL Windsor, the Rangers will continue to plug the gaping hole left by Panarin, their leading scorer, from within.
Will Cuylle mostly has skated in his spot the past several games alongside center Vincent Trocheck.
Mike Sullivan reacts during the Rangers’ Jan. 29 game. Charles Wenzelberg
“You know that we’re not going to plug a player in, and he’s going to replace what Artemi does for this team,” Sullivan said. “I think what we’re trying to do is build a team game where we can replace it by committee, so to speak. I think we can do a better job at being harder to play against, giving up less opportunities on the defensive side, which should allow us an opportunity to create some offense off of that. But I don’t know that. We’re not plugging anybody in and saying, ‘Hey, you’re gonna go replace what our Artemi’s brought to this group.’ That would be unfair.”
In the meantime, Greentree — a 6-foot-2 scoring winger and the No. 26 overall pick by the Kings in the 2024 NHL Draft — will be afforded an opportunity to develop within the organization.
“Obviously, I had a conversation with [Drury] about it, and I know our hockey operations department is very excited about this player, and the possibility of him becoming an impact player in the NHL,” Sullivan said. “He’s certainly shown at the level he’s been at that he’s every bit that player. So we’re certainly excited to add him to our group, and we’ll see what happens moving forward. I think at the appropriate time, I will try to familiarize myself with him and his game, for sure.
“Obviously, Chris and I have had a lot of conversations around this and what the game plan is moving forward to try to reshape the organization and be as competitive as we can be in the most expeditious fashion. So this is part of the process. It’s not a new thing that has caught me by surprise. I understand it, and we’re working together to do our very best to try to accomplish what has been articulated to everyone.”
Cal Ritchie of the Islanders skates during warm up prior to the game against the Devils on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at Prudential Center.
As recently as Saturday, the Islanders thought Cal Ritchie would be out through the Olympic break.
“I guess that’s why we should say day-to-day [instead of a specific timeline], isn’t it?” coach Patrick Roy joked Thursday morning, acknowledging that Ritchie would be in the Islanders’ lineup later that night against the Devils in the team’s last game before the three-week layoff. “But yeah, he felt great. So when a player feels ready to go, why not?”
Ritchie returned to the lineup to center Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman in the 3-1 Islanders win as Anthony Duclair — who played just 3:04 of Tuesday’s win over the Penguins after failing to track Justin Brazeau on Pittsburgh’s opening goal — drew out as a healthy scratch.
Cal Ritchie of the Islanders skates during warm up before the Islanders’ 3-1 road win over the Devils on Feb. 5, 2026 at Prudential Center. NHLI via Getty Images
“He’s been perfect and he’ll be fine,” Roy said of Duclair, who has been benched midgame twice in the span of a couple weeks. “I have zero worries, concern about him. He’ll be fine.”
The 21-year-old Ritchie did not look at all hindered by the injury, giving a spark throughout 13:54 of ice time in which he looked right at home as a second-line center — a notable development should it hold when the season resumes.
“He was good,” Roy said. “Oh my god he was good. He made some great plays with the puck, defended well. I was very happy with his play.”
Ritchie, who attempted to skate in the morning before the Islanders faced the Flyers on Jan. 26 but “tweaked something,” said he progressed quickly after that.
“Had to take a bit of time off,” Ritchie told The Post. “Each day was, just see how it felt, get on the ice and do a lot of rehab. So I feel good.”
There was no thought of taking the cautious route and giving himself three extra weeks to rehab. Ritchie felt he was ready to play, so he played.
“For me, I just want to help the team,” the 21-year-old said. “Every game is so big right now coming down the stretch. I just want to play and try to help the team.”
Ondrej Palat appeared emotional following a tribute video from the Devils in his first game back at Prudential Center.
Palat was in his fourth season with New Jersey when the Devils traded him to the Islanders just over a week ago.
“It’s been a good four years here,” Palat said. “Have good memories of this rink for sure.”“Have good memories of this rink for sure.”
Luka Doncic drive to the basket in front of 76ers guards Tyrese Maxey, left, and Kelly Oubre Jr. at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday. Doncic left in the second quarter because of a sore leg. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The biggest news for the Lakers on Thursday was that All-Star guard Luka Doncic was unable to play in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers because of left leg soreness, the team announced in the third quarter.
Doncic left the game in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 119-115 win at Crypto.com Arena.
“He felt some soreness in the hamstring,” coach JJ Redick said after the game, adding it was too early to say whether Doncic was injured and the team would get imaging of his leg Friday. Redick said the Lakers didn’t feel comfortable playing the guard during the second half.
The Lakers were undaunted by Doncic’s departure, coming back from 14 points down and holding on for the win by following the lead of Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and a strong defensive effort led by Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Lakers forward Maxi Kleber dunks in front of 76ers forward Trendon Watford at Crypto.com on Thursday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Reaves, playing in his second game after coming back from a left calf strain, scored 13 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter. His back-to-back three-pointers and two free throws to open the fourth quarter gave the Lakers a six-point lead they never lost. His three-pointer later in the quarter gave the Lakers a 13-point advantage that grew to 16 late in the game.
Reaves did all his damage in 25 minutes off the bench.
James had 17 points and 10 assists, while Hachimura, who started the third quarter in place of Doncic, had 14 points off the bench, including the game-sealing basket with 12.3 seconds left. Hachimura helped the Lakers stay the course after their lead was trimmed to two points with 27 seconds left.
Doncic tried to throw a pass to Maxi Kleber that resulted in a turnover with about 3:45 left in the second quarter. Doncic turned to run back up the court and grabbed the back of his left leg. Doncic went up and down the court several times, grimacing in pain. When Redick called a timeout with 3:03 left, Doncic stayed on the court bent over. He gingerly walked to the bench and then to the locker room.
Doncic had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. He entered the game leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 33.4 points, and second in assists, averaging 8.7.
The Lakers wrapped up 16 days on the road, playing eight games that started in Denver last month and ended in Brooklyn against the Nets on Tuesday night. The Lakers returned home to play the surging 76ers.
The home team's test not only was facing a 76ers team on a five-game win streak, but also finding the energy to keep pace. Redick said he hoped his team got “plenty of sleep” before playing Thursday night.
Reaves returned Tuesday after he missed 19 straight games because of a left hamstring strain. After he played 25 minutes in that game, Redick said Reaves was “good.”
“No issues and we'll get a little more minutes allocated to him, just over the restriction,” Redick said.
The Lakers announced during the third quarter that they acquired shooting guard Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks for Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick.
The Lakers love that Kennard’s shooting can create space on the court for Doncic, James and Reaves. Kennard, a 6-foot-5 guard, is shooting an NBA-best 49.7% from three-point range over 46 games, all off the bench. He has shot 44.2% from three-point range during his nine-year career.
Kennard is averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists and shooting 53.8% from the field.
The Lakers (31-19) next play Saturday at Golden State.
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 5: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball as Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs defends during the first half at American Airlines Center on February 5, 2026 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. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks lost 135-123 to the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night in Dallas. Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall had some monster games, but it wasn’t enough to stop a locked in Victor Wembanyama and the rest of this dynamic and impressive Spurs squad.
Dallas, as it often does, kept the game close throughout, despite trailing by double-digit points at multiple instances in the first and second halves. Flagg finished with another 30-point game, Marshall joined him, and Wembanyama had a big 29-point, 11-rebound double-double.
This is the Mavericks sixth loss in a row and their first game played since the trade deadline. Dallas was down to only 10 available players, as the new guys from the Anthony Davis trade should be available on Saturday.
Here are the three numbers to know.
4: Consecutive 30-point games for Cooper Flagg
I think Cooper Flagg is figuring this thing out. The 19-year-old had another spectacular scoring night, notching 32 points on a fairly efficient 14-of-27 shooting performance, including 2-of-5 from three. Flagg didn’t get to the free throw line, but offensively did just about everything else.
Perhaps most impressive was how Flagg adjusted and adapted to Victor Wembanyama’s preposterous defense. Flagg got blocked at the rim by Wembanyama in the first half and you could see Flagg in real time process what he needed to do to score. Instead of barreling toward the rim head first, Flagg picked his spots a little better and released his shots from outside the restricted area but still in the paint. He worked the floater territory to near-perfection, knowing if he took another dribble or two toward the rim, he’d engulfed by Wembanyama’s reach. Another impressive night for a rookie that keeps stacking up these kinds of nights.
60: Spurs points in the paint
Funny enough, Wembanyama only attempt five two point shots tonight, yet the Spurs thrived in the paint and at the basket. While Dallas did a decent job in the second half of preventing Wembanyama from dominating the game, that extra attention certainly opened things up for the Spurs’ dynamic trio of athletic guards.
This was led by a brilliant performance from Stephon Castle, who had 18 points in 22 minutes on 8-of-13 shooting. With Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and rookie Dylan Harper, the Spurs slashed their way to the basket repeatedly. The Mavericks have little-to-none in the way of point of attack defense, and San Antonio exploited that weakness all night.
50: Mavericks percentage on mid-range shots
Dallas took 16 mid-range shots tonight, making eight of them. Both the volume and efficiently were big numbers, and they were what was likely keeping the Mavericks in the game as Castle got to the rim and Wembanyama bombed threes.
The Mavericks are not a mid-range heavy team, but they had to be tonight — Wembanyama is a one-man wrecking crew at the rim, and the Mavericks understood fairly early that they might be better off shooting as far away from Wembanyama as possible. Kudos to the Mavericks for making those shots, as this game would have been ugly otherwise — Dallas shot just 10-of-21 in the restricted area. Woof! Wembanyama is good.
If there is a rock bottom, it’s safe to say the New York Rangers reached it after their 2-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.
One day before this heartless defeat, the Rangers traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Liam Greentree and a conditional third and fourth-round pick.
The loss of Panarin was inevitable, yet it still weighed heavily on the Rangers' players.
“He's a generational talent on the ice and I was lucky enough to play with him,” Vincent Trocheck said of Panarin. “Just picturing him having a good time at all times, dancing in the locker room, dancing on the ice.”
This game comes just about 24 hours after Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury vaguely tried to explain his vision for retooling the roster, but ultimately raised more concern given his perplexing and contradictory plan for the franchise.
The game couldn’t have gone any more poorly for a Blueshirts team clearly battling mental demons.
The Hurricanes outshot the Rangers 43-16, indicative of Carolina’s complete control of the contest.
“We got outplayed the whole night,” J.T. Miller said. “Wasn't good enough. Wanted to go into the break feeling good about ourselves, but it's quite the opposite right now. It sucks.”
The mood around the team postgame speaks volumes to where they are at right now. Mike Sullivan sounded as defeated as he’s been through his tumultuous Rangers tenure.
A usually patient and even-keeled Sullivan spoke with a demoralized tone, with his patience seemingly running thin.
The Rangers haven’t won a home game in regulation since Nov. 24 and have only secured two victories since their triumphant Winter c=Classic win on Jan. 2.
“This is a unique circumstance. It’s unfamiliar for all of us quite honestly,” Sullivan said. “We can only control what's in our power, and that's the game right in front of us. We've got to take a certain approach that gives us an opportunity to grow and get better, and find some fulfillment through this process, even though we're in a difficult circumstance.”
Going into the Olympic break, the Rangers slot in last place in the Eastern Conference standings, 19 points out of the second wild card spot.
The Olympic break will allow the Rangers to reset and refresh their minds, but it only delays the inevitable, in which the Blueshirts will continue to retool the roster and lose games to close out the 2025-26 season.
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 5: Naji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 5, 2026 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (19-32) played their first post-Trade Deadline game on Thursday night, taking on the San Antonio Spurs (35-16) at home. Looking to stop a five-game losing streak, Dallas instead extended their season-long skid to six with a 135-123 loss.
Let’s get to the grades!
Naji Marshall: A
32 PTS / 6 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 39 MIN
Marshall was back to his old self, converting at a blistering rate (12-for-21) and constantly pushing the pace. Extra credit for the number of no-calls he endured throughout the game, but he really doesn’t need extra credit for an A grade. He was awesome against the Spurs.
Max Christie: B+
20 PTS / 3 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 38 MIN
Usually a solid defender, Christie was caught sleeping a number of times, resulting in easy scores for the Spurs. Offensively, credit is due for his conscious effort to not camp at the 3-point line as he has in his last few. Case in point, he shot 7-for-14 overall, but only 2-for-8 from deep. He got back to driving and opened up his offensive game against San Antonio He also found his teammates with a handful of nice assists.
Cooper Flagg: A
32 PTS / 6 REB / 4 AST / 2 STL / 3 BLK – 39 MIN
Flagg was thrown off his offensive game at the start, but true to form, he stayed the course and had a fourth-straight30-plus point outing. Turnovers (three) were a problem, but it’s difficult to be too upset given his overall play on both sides of the ball — he was outstanding. He tied his career-high mark with three blocked shots and now holds the third-highest four-game scoring span by a rookie, ever.
Caleb Martin: B
8 PTS / 4 REB / 1 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 32 MIN
Martin didn’t fill up the box score and his plus/minus was a team worst at minus-20, but that doesn’t paint the most accurate picture of a decent game. He hit 3-for-4 from the floor, snatched a couple of steals and also did a pretty nice job guarding Victor Wembanyama on a number of occasions.
Daniel Gafford: B+
16 PTS / 10 REB / 2 AST / 3 STL / 4 BLK – 33 MIN
Gafford took a page out of Marshall’s book, coming out strong with a 10-point first quarter in which he also turned away three shots. His numbers slowed after that, but he still had a solid double-double and a crazy high seven stocks while not turning the ball over. Gafford has now recorded three straight double-doubles.
Klay Thompson: D
5 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN
Thompson didn’t factor in all that much, taking relatively few shots (especially in the first half) while struggling to convert. He had a few opportunities in the fourth quarter to hit a momentum-shifting 3-pointer, but they just wouldn’t fall for him (1-for-6 from downtown).
Ryan Nembhard: C
5 PTS / 3 REB / 7 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 17 MIN
Nembhard showed flashes of the hot play that got everyone excited at the end of 2025, making nice passes while taking care of the ball (one turnover), but missed seven of his nine shot attempts.
Moussa Cisse: C-
0 PTS / 5 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 12 MIN
Cisse had a tough night defensively, racking up three fouls in just his first five minutes. He was more careful defensively after that, but offensively, he missed an alley-oop dunk and immediately followed it up by getting his shot blocked on the next possession. If nothing else, this will hopefully be a good growth game for him.
Final Thoughts
Dallas continued their longstanding trend of apathetic 3-point defense at the start of the game and coupled it with some shockingly poor turnovers. They remain engaged, competitive and fun to watch, but it does feel like they let this one slip away. A12q-point defeat doesn’t always feel that way, but the early going had some very ugly moments.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 12: George Lombard Jr. #21 of the New York Yankees doubles during the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
SNY | Phillip Martínez: The Yankees unveiled a list of 27 non-roster invitees on Thursday, led by some of the best prospects in the organization, such as George Lombard Jr., Carlos Lagrange, and Ben Hess. Veterans like Seth Brown and Paul DeJong, not to mention ultimate reclamation project Marco Luciano, will try to win a spot on the roster. Prospects Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodríguez will be in camp but aren’t non-roster invitees, since they were both added to the 40-man in November.
The Yankees have invited 27 non-roster players to 2026 Major League Spring Training: pic.twitter.com/ZDB0oYqCuc
NY Post | Dan Martin: The Yanks continue to take advantage of the waiver wire, this time picking up right-hander Osvaldo Bido. The Braves, Rays, Marlins, Angels, and now the Yankees have all claimed Bido after his participation in the 2025 campaign with the Athletics. All of them but the Bombers have also designated him for assignment, which is why New York is now taking a chance on him.
Bido, playing in a horrible run-scoring environment in Sacramento, had a 5.87 ERA in 79.2 frames last year. However, in the A’s last season in Oakland in 2024, he had a 3.41 ERA and a 3.36 FIP in 63.1 innings, with 63 punchouts. Evidently, there’s talent in his right arm. To open up a spot on their current roster, infielder Braden Shewmake was designated for assignment.
ESPN | Buster Olney and Jeff Passan: The Yankees haven’t made too many moves this offseason, other than bringing back Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Amed Rosario, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, and most of their 2025 pieces. In essence, they are ‘running it back’ with a similar roster and a few new players, such as Ryan Weathers. Talking in a larger offseason roundtable, Olney warned that much of the Yankees’ 2026 success will hinge on how a few star-level players return from injury, namely how Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil look, while Passan added that not shaking things up when faced with a disappointing result isn’t necessarily a bad call, and the Yankees have reason to believe that they’re still within striking distance.
With the Penguins set to be three forwards short in their final tilt - and a critical one - before the Olympic break, the 23-year-old forward found out around noon on Thursday that he would be heading from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) to Buffalo to join the NHL squad. And he didn't find out until he was already on his way, around 3:00 p.m. ET, that he would be making his NHL debut because Noel Acciari would miss the game due to illness, joining Blake Lizotte (personal) and Rickard Rakell (day-to-day).
Hayes arrived at the rink just after 5:00 p.m. Then, by 7:00 p.m., he was taking the ice for his first game in the NHL.
And, by the end of the first period - around 7:45 p.m. - he already had himself two NHL goals.
The Penguins beat the Sabres, 5-2, off the backs of Hayes and fellow rookie Ben Kindel, who also scored two goals en route to the win. Their latest victory - which closed out a 14-3-3 stretch since the holiday break - guaranteed them sole possession of second place in the Metropolitan Division heading into the Olympic hiatus, as the New York Islanders remain one point behind them in the standings having played two more games than Pittsburgh.
They own the seventh-best points percentage in the NHL at .625, and they have have found success against formidable opponents all season long - including a Buffalo team that has been the hottest in the NHL for nearly two months. And they, once again, got contributions from sources other than 87 and 71 Thursday.
The Sabres got the first tally early in this one, as ex-Penguin Jason Zucker scored on Buffalo's first shot of the game - an unobstructed shot that Arturs Silovs, between the pipes for Pittsburgh, would probably want back. But, midway through the period, the Avery Hayes show began.
Rutger McGroarty - playing on a fouth line with Avery Hayes and Kevin Hayes - had to take a defensive zone draw, and he won it back to defenseman Ilya Solovyov. The Belarusian blueliner lobbed the puck Larry Murphy-style to the opposite blue line, where Avery Hayes split the Buffalo defense to beat them to the puck. With body positioning and on a breakaway, Hayes put his first NHL shot on goal past Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon, earning his first career tally and tying the game at 1-1.
First game. First shot. First goal.
Avery Hayes is the 24th player in @penguins history - and first since Kasper Bjorkqvist in 2021-22 - to score in his NHL debut 👏
And Hayes wasn't done in the first period. With a little more than a minute remaining, he got the puck deep into the offensive zone and pressured along the wall. The puck eventually found its way to the point, where Parker Wotherspoon dumped it back deep. It banked off the boards to Anthony Mantha below the goal line, and Mantha put a perfect between-the-legs backhand pass on the tape of Hayes, who was breaking toward the net-front to finish the play for his second goal on his second shot.
The score remained 2-1 into the second period until Kindel and Justin Brazeau had a two-on-one opportunity. Kindel made it 3-1 on a no-look snipe down the left side for his 13th of the season.
Early in the third period, Evgeni Malkin took a tripping penalty, and Tage Thompson took advantage on the ensuing power play with his 30th of the season to pull Buffalo to within one. The Penguins locked down, playing a strong third period and limiting high-danger chances against, and they were able to keep Buffalo at bay.
Then, with less than five minutes left in regulation, Buffalo tried to break out of the defensive zone, but Egor Chinakhov picked off an errant pass just above the right circle. He skated the puck across the offensive blue line and protected it, and he managed to get a shot off. Tommy Novak was right there to pick up the loose change, and he gave the Penguins a crucial late insurance goal.
To cap off the 5-2 win, Kindel scored a shorthanded empty-net goal after a nice effort by him and Connor Dewar on the penalty kill.
Here are some thoughts and takeaways from the Penguins' last game in almost three weeks:
- What a debut for Hayes. It truly doesn't get more storybook than that.
This is a guy who had no idea he'd be playing in the NHL eight hours earlier, had to pack up quickly and drive up to Buffalo with his parents and his brother, Eli, changed into a suit during his car ride, and arrived at the rink a smidgen late but in time to get ready and participate in warm-ups.
And by the end of the night, he has his first two NHL goals and played a critical role in helping the team secure an important win.
Hayes played the kind of game that earns players an extended look at the NHL level. Of course, it's never a good idea to overreact to one game, but it wasn't just the scoring that stood out. His speed, his two-way game, his forechecking ability, his work ethic, his release, his defensive acumen, and his play along the walls was all on display during this game, and he appeared to fit right in with this team.
In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Bryan Rust - who, by the way, had an himself an extraordinary defensive game Thursday, especially on the penalty kill - because of his attributes and because of the path he is taking to the NHL level. Hayes went undrafted but simply continues to earn himself higher and higher opportunities, a grind much like the one Rust experienced in both getting to the NHL level and upon arrival.
Unfortunately, there's simply no room for Hayes or McGroarty in this lineup when it's healthy. No one in the lineup should be coming out of it. But Hayes is just another example of the impressive depth the Penguins have, and I imagine he earned himself a pretty high spot on the list if the Penguins need to call upon someone should another injury occur after the break.
- I've said it before, but Kindel's emergence changes so many things for the Penguins. This guy has not only been on an offensive heater - he has six goals and seven points in his last six games - he just plays all facets of the game at such a high level.
Like Rust, he was outstanding on the penalty kill Thursday. He was, once again, generating for his line all night long. He has a keen awareness in all three zones. He plays the game fearlessly. His shot sure is something else, too.
Kindel's game is so advanced for such a young player, and he continues to blow me away. I'm not sure I've ever seen an 18-year-old center play at such a high level in every facet of the game. And now that the production is starting to catch up, we're seeing how dangerous and outstanding of a player he will be a few years from now.
Heck, he's kind of already that player now. It's so impressive.
- I've liked what I've seen from Solovyov's game so far. He doesn't do anything flashy, but he's steady, reliable, and competent offensively, which is just what the Penguins need out of the defensemen on their bottom pairing.
He doesn't make too many mistakes. This could end up being another sneaky good add by Kyle Dubas.
- I thought Crosby looked much better Thursday. He tied Hayes for the team lead with six shots on goal, and he was shot out of a cannon on a few shifts. He just looked generally more like himself.
Sidney Crosby has no goals and two points in his last six games.
The #LetsGoPens are 4-1-1 and have scored 26 goals in those six games.
That speaks to how much depth this team has. Its best player is in his worst stretch of the season, and they're still winning hockey games.
He has only two points in his last six games, yet the Penguins scored 26 goals in those six games and were 4-1-1. This team is rolling without Crosby producing much, so just wait until he starts producing at his customary rate again.
And, given Crosby's track record of production after suiting up for Team Canada, I don't think folks have to worry about him getting back on track.
- After allowing that first goal on the first shot, Silovs bounced back in a big way. He made a lot of big saves, but his biggest was a huge save on Thompson midway through the third that would have tied the game had it gone in.
While Stuart Skinner has struggled in his past two appearances, Silovs is only getting better later in the season. Since the turn of the calendar year, he has a .910 save percentage, and six out of his last seven appearances have come in at .900 or above.
He will represent Team Latvia in the Olympics, and he has experienced success at the international level. If Silovs can continue to play at this level the rest of the way - and Skinner can get back to where he was prior to this two-game stretch - the Penguins are in good hands between the pipes.
- Another nice play to stymie a third-period scoring chance was made by Wotherspoon, who won a one-on-one with a breaking Thompson.
It's been remarkable to watch this guy become a legitimate top-four shutdown defenseman alongside, probably, the most volatile partner in hockey. What a player he is, and what a find by Kyle Dubas, as he is signed through next season at just $1 million AAV.
- Connor Clifton destroyed Peyton Krebs in a fight after Krebs ran into Silovs for no reason in the blue paint and cross-checked him to the ice.
Clifton may not be an everyday player in the lineup, but he is a good seventh defenseman to have around. And he tends to spark something with his physicality every time he's in the lineup.
- Well, given where the Penguins find themselves heading into the break, I think it's safe to say this is a good hockey team.
They're not winning games by accident, and they're not beating good teams by accident. They have legitimate four-line depth, they're getting good goaltending, they're playing better defensively, they have good special teams, and they're controlling five-on-five play at a high rate.
I think this team is clearly a playoff contender at this point. When play resumes, I think the conversation needs to shift to whether or not this is a team that can contend for a Stanley Cup.
If they make the playoffs, they might actually have a pretty good shot at winning at least a round. But given their record against the best in the East, is it really inconceivable for them to be capable of more?
Perhaps it's best not to count this team out. They continue to defy expectations, and we'll see if they can continue to be one of the best teams in hockey in the home stretch of the season post-Olympics.
- Best of luck to Crosby, Silovs, Erik Karlsson, and Rakell, assuming he's good to go for the Olympics. It should be a fun tournament to watch.
He's expected to undergo an MRI on his left hamstring on Friday, according to ESPN.
“Too early to say if it’s an injury," Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters after the game. "(Doncic) had a sore hamstring.”
Doncic's apparent injury occurred with 3:30 left in the second quarter after facing a double-team from two opposing players. The Lakers' star turned the ball over on a bad pass as a result of the double-team and was seen grabbing the back of his left leg before checking out of the game and heading back to the locker room.
He did not return to the court with his team after halftime and did not start the third quarter. The Lakers ruled him out for the remainder of the game due to left leg soreness. Doncic finished the game with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes of play.
Doncic was seen in multiple videos showing a level of frustration after the apparent injury.
Luka Doncic frustrated walking back to the locker room after injuring his hamstring pic.twitter.com/HDhDXVCANw
He kicked the scorer's table on his way off the court. Once in the tunnel, he was seen on the Spectrum SportsNet broadcast displaying further frustration.
Luka Doncic kicked the scorer’s table in anger and held his head down as he went to the locker room 😔
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 10: Nigel Hayes-Davis #21 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Chris Youngblood #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of the Emirates NBA Cup - Quarterfinals game at Paycom Center on December 10, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jon Horst and the Bucks front office have decided to waive journeyman Nigel Hayes-Davis, who got another shot in the NBA this season with the Phoenix Suns after a long and successful career overseas.
Hayes-Davis, a wing-forward combo, actually would have fitted a position of need for the Bucks. But at 31 years old and with a questionable skillset to succeed in a Giannis-led offence, the Bucks opted to put more eggs in Ousmane Dieng’s basket.
The journeyman averaged 1.3 PPG, 0.3 APG, and 1.2 RPG on 32.6% from the field and just 12.5% from three with the Suns. He had his first NBA stint way back in the 2017-18 season with three different teams—the Lakers, Raptors, and Kings—before departing for EuroLeague opportunities.
Hayes-Davis played for three teams across Europe’s premier competition: Zalgiris (2019-2021), Barcelona (2021-2022), and Fenerbahce (2022-2025). In 2025, he led Fenerbahce to a EuroLeague title, winning the Final Four MVP as well.
The Bucks now have a vacant spot on the 15-man roster as well as a vacant two-way spot. You imagine they’d be looking long and hard into converting Pete Nance—currently on a two-way deal—to a standard deal, creating multiple two-way openings. Suffice to say, there’s still a lot to play out in Milwaukee.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Dominican Republic rounds third base in the first inning against Venezuela at loanDepot park on March 11, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The formal release of the rosters for this spring’s World Baseball Classic named 16 members of the Seattle Mariners organization. That sum is the second-highest total of any club, trailing only the New York Mets with 17. Seattle’s WBC participants are as follows:
Brazil
RHP Pedro Da Costa Lemos
Canada
1B Josh Naylor
Columbia
UTIL Michael Arroyo RHP Guillo Zuñiga
Dominican Republic
OF Julio Rodríguez
Israel
RHP Charlie Beilenson
Italy
OF Dominic Canzone UTIL Miles Mastrobuoni
Mexico
RHP Andrés Muñoz OF Randy Arozarena
Netherlands
RHP Dylan Wilson
Panama
RHP Abdiel Mendoza
South Korea
RHP Dane Dunning
United States of America
C Cal Raleigh LHP Gabe Speier
In addition to these current M’s, no shortage of former M’s around the league represented. INF Donovan Solano will be playing for Colombia, RHP Thyago Vieira will be pumping fire for Brazil, towering RHP Phillippe Aumont continues firing for Canada, and RHP Erasmo Ramírez will defy father time for Nicaragua, among many others.
The World Baseball Classic will be played from March 5th-17th, with pool play in Houston, TX, Miami, FL, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Tokyo, Japan, and the final rounds in Miami.
