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NBA Final Score – Timberwolves 136, Rockets 132: Ant is More than Amen, He’s a Bucket

Apr 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) walks off the court after the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Game Story

On paper, this was a Friday evening prime time matchup, literally broadcasted on Prime.

When the two teams met two weeks ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves made the most dramatic overtime comeback in NBA history. Anthony Edwards wasn’t even active for that game, but he suited up today for the first time after missing 10 of the last 12 games. The Wolves may have been locked into the sixth seed in the Western Conference standings, but the Houston Rockets sat just above them at the fifth seed still with an opportunity to move up before the end of the season.

But then came the injury report.

Minnesota smartly opted to rest Naz Reid for the first time, while keeping Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Bones Hyland in street clothes as well. Wolves fans hoping to avoid a postseason date with the Denver Nuggets were liking shadow-rooting for a Minnesota loss, as it would keep the dream alive for a different first round matchup*.

(*The Nuggets ultimately won their game midway through this Wolves game, eliminating the Rockets chances at the three seed.)

Back to the actual game at hand.

Kyle Anderson and Joan Beringer got the nod in the starting lineup and immediately made their presence known. The 32-year-old veteran, Anderson, dinked and dunked in seven first quarter points. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old rookie impressed with two big slams early, including snatching away a Rockets sidelines inbounds pass before traveling throwing in two of his six first quarter points.

Edwards was understandably rusty on both ends of the court early, going zero for three in his opening shift. However, one teammate who wasn’t cold was Terrence Shannon Jr. Fresh off a career-high 33-point performance, Shannon continued on this heater by swishing all three of his treys. The Wolves were laying waste to the Rockets defense, converting on 57% of their first half field goal attempts.

Unfortunately, Houston scored on 68% of their own looks.

Kevin Durant was doing what Kevin Durant does. The two-time Finals MVP was just having shooting practice, knocking in shots over Jaden McDaniels over and over. His 17-point first quarter was only outshined by Amen Thompson, who could’ve been mistaken as DeMar DeRozan tonight based on the amount of mid-range jumpers he was making. Thompson led the Rockets with 24 first half points of his own, on his way to a career-high 41 points on 17 of 22 shots.

The lack of defense from both clubs made for some riveting back-and-forth action. Neither team got more than two possessions ahead of the other in the first half. In the second half, Houston looked like were going to be the first team to seize control of the game. They built up a 10-point lead midway through the third quarter thanks to Minnesota’s soft interior defense and typical foul issues.

Enter: Anthony Edwards.

Outside of a springy dunk over Jabari Smith in the first half, Edwards only had seven points on two for six shooting. He missed his first two attempts in the third quarter, but then uncorked a flurry of jumpers and letting any Rockets defender know about it. Things were getting spicy, as Edwards notched a 12-point quarter to match Durant’s scoring efforts.

Edwards was still on a minutes restrictions, so it looked like Houston were in prime position to pump their lead back up against Minnesota’s second line. Unfortunately for the home team, as they have all season, they had a complete meltdown to start the fourth. They immediately committed three straight non-shooting fouls in the first minute, muting their defensive intensity.

Donte DiVincenzo took advantage, attacking Alperen Şengün and chipping in points in a row for Minnesota. Mike Conley also canned his third triple in as many attempts. McDaniels painted a defensive masterpiece all in one possession, stripping Reed Sheppard, blocking Jabari Smith, then corralling the rebound. But the player who stood out the most was Shannon, who contributing nine of his team-high 23 points in the quarter as well.

You already know that a poster dunk was part of it.

This was all just a setup for the final clutch time minutes of the game. Edwards returned to the game with 4:02 remaining and his team sporting a nine-point lead. Şengün, Durant, and Thompson led a swift 8-2 run to pull within just five points with still over two minutes remaining. Edwards stared down one of his favorite teammates of all-time, Josh Okogie, and went one-on-one against him. After bobbling the ball, he was called for an offensive push-off foul. Durant split a pair of free throws on the other end, giving Edwards another shot at Okogie.

This time, Edwards reminded us all who he was.

When you zoom out and look at this game, consider the following:

  • Minnesota was without several key starters and rotation players
  • Edwards was on a minutes restrictions
  • Minnesota had nothing to play for (standings wise).
  • Houston had something to play for (standings wise).
  • Houston was playing at home
  • Houston was at full-strength (minus Fred VanVleet)
  • Houston was winners of eight in a row, with their last lost an all-time blunder against Minnesota
  • Houston shot 60.9% from the field thanks to 86 paint points
  • Houston shot and made more free throws than Minnesota

Yet the Timberwolves won by multiple possessions. It’s just one game, but it might be fair to ponder if the Wolves are indeed back.

Box Score

Comment of the Night

<em>Shoutout Joan for a perfect night from the field.</em>

Up Next

Minnesota packs their bags and heads back home for the final game of the season. They play host to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, April 12, at 5:30 PM CT, but more importantly, this is the game that Kevin Garnett returns to Target Center. If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, they’re likely going to be hard to find. Will we get the return of the “KG Cam?“

This specific game will have no impact on the standings and playoff seedings. The Pelicans just got crushed by the Celtics while the Wolves will likely want no more than one half of action for their regular rotation players. This game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network.

Highlights

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Shohei Ohtani breaks Ichiro Suzuki’s Japanese on-base streak record with 44-game run

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani passed Ichiro Suzuki for the longest on-base streak by a Japanese-born player on Friday night.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star singled in the fifth inning against Kumar Rocker of the Texas Rangers, extending his streak to 44 games. It was his 13th game reaching base in as many tries this season. His streak began on Aug. 24, and lasted the final 31 games of last season.

Suzuki reached base in 43 consecutive games in 2009 with the Seattle Mariners. Ohtani has said he admired Suzuki while growing up.

Ohtani had already passed the Hall of Famer in another category. In 2024, Ohtani’s 59 stolen bases broke Suzuki’s record for steals by a Japanese-born player in a season. Suzuki had 56 in 2001.

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Nebraska Baseball Comeback Falls Just Short at Oregon

Mac Moyer homers at Oregon | Nebraska Athletics

Game 1 of the first ranked on ranked series Nebraska has played in over a decade lived up to the billing and then some. Both heavyweights landed punch after punch and just when it seemed one was down for the count, they stormed right back. The team has to be happy with how they continued to respond to the adversity, but has a few opportunities to look back on and think they could improve upon. If we are going to get two more battles like this to decide the weekend, sign me up!

Big Ten hits leader, and former Duck, Mac Moyer got the Husker offense started by smacking a double into the right center gap. Freshman catcher Jeter Worthley shot a grounder behind Moyer to the 2nd baseman, moving the runner to third base. After a Case Sanderson strikeout, Dylan Carey singled through the left side of the Oregon infield, added to his Big Ten leading RBI total, and giving the Huskers the early 1-0 lead.

Nebraska kept the pressure on Oregon starter Will Sanford in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but couldn’t add to their lead. Josh Overbeek singled, and Drew Grego walked to lead off the 2nd. But a groundout and back to back strikeouts ended that threat. Sanderson was hit by a pitch to lead off the 3rd, followed by another Carey single. But a double play followed by a strikeout again kept them off the board. They did however pile up the pitches on Sanford.

Ty Horn again climbed the bump for Nebraska on a Friday night. After 3 flyouts in the 1st, Horn backed himself into a corner in the 2nd. He walked the first two Ducks, then after a strikeout, threw a wild pitch to the backstop. Another big strikeout, and a weak grounder to Sanderson at first kept NU on top.

Oregon had been barreling up pitches from Horn, but hadn’t been able to avoid Husker defenders. That was until the 4th inning. Oregon 3rd baseman Drew Smith sent a full count slider from Horn into center field at 105 mph for a single. After an infield pop up, a 106 mph ball was hit right to Jett Buck for the 2nd out. Horn was visibly uncomfortable, but remained on the mound. After another single, a 111 mph double off the bat of Naulivou Lauaki put the Ducks up 2-1. Horn walked another batter and then had an odd balk to move the runners over, but was able to get out of the inning with no more damage.

Sanford meanwhile had hit his stride. He struck out 4 straight Huskers including striking out the side in the 4th. However, his first pitch of the 5th was taken deep and gone to the opposite field by Moyer. Mac was red hot in his return to PK Park. Unfazed, Sanford struck out the next two Huskers, and got Carey to fly out to end the inning with the score tied 2-2.

Tucker Timmerman relieved Horn to start the bottom of the 5th. His first pitch was pulled through the left side of the Husker infield, and two batters later, Drew Smith launched a 2 run home run that just barely missed the scoreboard over the left field wall. Timmerman hit the next batter, and gave up a double down the right field line. For some reason, the lead runner stopped momentarily at 2nd base, and therefore wasn’t able to score. That would come back to bite the Ducks at the time, as the next batter lifted a ball to left that Jettt Buck caught in foul territory and uncorked a perfect throw to Worthley who had plenty of time to snag it and tag the runner out at the plate to end the inning.

The game entered a 1 hour and 42 minute weather delay in the bottom of the 6th, ending the game for both pitchers. Braxton Stewart took the mound for Nebraska and he almost exclusively throws a slider, but it just wasn’t biting tonight. A double down the right field line was followed by back to back no doubter home runs on high hanging sliders. Both cleared the Husker bullpen on the other side of the left field wall. Just like that, the Ducks were up 7-2 and had all the momentum.

Oregon went to the bullpen and pulled out one of the best in the conference in Tanner Bradley. He made quick work of the Huskers in the 7th striking out 2.

Inexplicably, the Ducks put in one of their lesser used arms in Blake Crawford for the 8th. He has good stuff, but is incredibly wild. He really showed that by sending ball 4 to the backstop on the Huskers first batter, Case Sanderson. After a lengthy mound visit, Carey must have had a good feeling nothing but a fastball was coming and unloaded on Crawford’s first offering. An unknown NU reliever caught it on the fly in the bullpen, and Nebraska had cut the lead to 7-4.

Nebraska wasn’t done there. Oregon went with another wild reliever in Leo Uelman. He could barely keep the ball inside the batters boxes. He struck out Cole Kitchens on a slider, but it was so wide of the plate that Kitchens made it to first on the wild pitch. Preston Freeman came in to run for Kitchens and took 2nd on another wild pitch. Jett Buck somehow avoided being hit by two balls that were in his batters box and hit an RBI double to make it a 7-5 game.

The inning continued as Josh Overbeek was plunked and then year another wild pitch advanced both runners to 2nd and 3rd. Rhett Stokes hit an RBI groundout to short that cut the lead to 7-6 and put Overbeek on 3rd with 2 outs. The Ducks intentionally walked Mac Moyer, who slammed the bat down in frustration. In the middle of the Worthley at bat, Moyer broke for 2nd, drawing a throw from the catcher. Moyer had stopped and Overbeek broke for home on the throw. The infielder threw home and Overbeek was called out. A lengthy review seemed to show Beek avoiding the initial tag and getting his hand on the plate prior to the tag on his midsection, but according to the umpires, they couldn’t confirm his hand actually touched the plate. Out call stands.

After a wild zero from Kevin Mannell in the bottom of the 8th, Nebraska tried one more comeback in the 9th. Jeter Worthley beat out an infield single, and Dylan Carey had ball 4 glance off the top of his helmet. A wild pitch put them on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, but Jett Buck couldn’t get them home, as he flew out to center field.

Early opportunities to put the ball in play with runners on and 2 outs could never quite come to fruition. This NU team has excelled at both hitting with runners in scoring position and hitting with 2 outs. You expect when you get 7 out of 9 innings where your leadoff batter reaches base, that you are going to score more runs and win the game. Today however, 16 strikeouts prevented them from moving runners over are well as they have become accustomed to in their multiple 10 game winning streaks.

The two teams are going to be back on the diamond Saturday, with a little earlier first pitch than originally scheduled to try and get in front of another rain storm. Mac Moyer will step into the left handed battter’s box to get things started at 2pm CDT.

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Strong second half sees Spurs rout Mavs in penultimate game of regular season

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at Frost Bank Center on April 10, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For 24 minutes, it didn’t look like a blowout. Inside the Frost Bank Center, the San Antonio Spurs found themselves in a game that felt tighter than expected. The Dallas Mavericks weren’t backing down, trading shots, matching energy, and riding a red-hot first half from Cooper Flagg that kept the crowd uneasy.

San Antonio hadn’t separated—not yet. But Victor Wembanyama was determined to make sure his team would not go down, not on this night. Wembanyama was doing what he always does, gliding through defenders, scoring with ease, impacting every inch of the floor. Still, Dallas lingered. Every Spurs push met with a Mavericks answer. Every hint of a run dissolved into another close stretch.

At halftime, the message wasn’t about urgency. It was about control. And when the Spurs came back out, everything changed.

The third quarter didn’t begin with a roar—it built into one. De’Aaron Fox took command first, slowing the game just enough to speed it up where it mattered. He dissected Dallas’ defense possession by possession, threading passes, collapsing the lane, and making the right read every time. The offense started to breathe.

“He’s by far the most capable on our team of understanding the pulse of the game,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said of Fox. “I think we’ve seen that from him time and time again and that’s exactly what we need as the playoffs arrive.”

Then it started to sprint. Wembanyama followed, turning control into chaos—for Dallas. He scored inside, stretched the floor, cleaned the glass, and erased any thought of resistance. What had been a game suddenly felt like a showcase.

And the Mavericks? They cracked.

Shots stopped falling. Possessions grew frantic. A team that couldn’t miss in the first half suddenly couldn’t buy a basket. Meanwhile, the Spurs kept coming: wave after wave, bucket after bucket. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the tension was gone. So was the doubt. San Antonio didn’t just pull away—they buried the game.

The final score, 139-120, told part of the story. But it didn’t capture the shift—the moment when a competitive night turned into a statement. Wembanyama finished with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, another effortless display of dominance that somehow continues to feel routine. Fox added 18 points and 10 assists, quietly orchestrating the turning point that broke the game open.

“It feels good,” Wembanyama said of meeting the 65-game requirements for post season awards. “It feels like a box that’s checked. It was a season where a lot of things happened and this is a good conclusion for it.”

Around them, the Spurs played like a team that knows exactly who it is. Shots fell. The ball moved. The pace never dipped. What looked ordinary in the first half became overwhelming in the second.

Dallas had its moments, despite the loss. Cooper Flagg’s 33 points made sure of that. But moments weren’t enough. Not against a team that can shift gears like this.

Because that’s what this game became. A reminder.

The Spurs don’t need four quarters to beat you. Sometimes, all it takes is one. And when they find it, there’s not much anyone can do to stop what comes next.

Game Notes

  • Mitch Johnson said Wembanayama may miss Sunday’s game against Denver due to rest, but conversations will happen before. Meanwhile, Wemby says he would not be surprised if that’s the case.
  • Carter Bryant is playing with such confidence as the regular season closes and the postseason set to begin. That makes a much more dangerous Spurs team going into the first round. The rookie finished with 12 points off the bench, connecting on all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.
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Cubs Minor League Wrap: South Bend stops the Chiefs, 8-6

South Bend Cubs infielder Reginald Preciado reacts to being called out at third base during a Minor League Baseball game between the South Bend Cubs and the Peoria Chiefs at Four Winds Field on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

His brother may be off to the Marlins, but shortstop Alexis Hernandez joined the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs were swept in a doubleheader by the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals), 6-4 in nine innings and 6-1.

Will Sanders started game one and didn’t make it out of the second inning. Sanders finished with a line of three runs on four hits and four walks over 1.2 innings. Sanders struck out two.

Tyler Santana relieved Sanders with the bases loaded on two outs and walked in a run with the first batter he faced. But he settled down after that and allowed just one run of his own over 4.1 innings of relief. Santana allowed two hits, walked three and struck out one.

Ryan Jensen pitched the top of the ninth and got the loss. He allowed two runs, one earned, on one hit and one walk. He struck out one.

Catcher Christian Bethancourt cranked a two-run home run in the fifth inning. It was his third of the season. Bethancourt went 2 for 4.

First baseman BJ Murray tied the game up 4-4 with an RBI single in the sixth. He was 2 for 4 with a double.

Bethencourt’s two-run home run.

An RBI Double for Pedro Ramirez, who was 1 for 3 with a walk.

Tyler Beede started game two and took the loss after he was knocked around for four runs on five hits over three innings. Beeded struck out two and walked no one.

Right fielder Justin Dean opened the bottom of the first with a single. He stole second and scored on an RBI single by BJ Murray. That was Iowa’s only run of game two.

Dean went 1 for 2 with a walk. Murray was 1 for 3.

Center fielder Kevin Alcántara was 2 for 3 with a double.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies were discarded by the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Angels), 8-6.

Starter Connor Schultz left the game in the first inning with some kind of injury. Before he left, he gave up two runs on two hits and two walks while retiring just one batter.

DH Alex Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a two-run double in the fifth. He scored one run.

Right fielder Carter Trice went 1 for 3 with a double and one run scored.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs smoked the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals), 8-6.

Nazier Mulé started and pitched well. Mulé allowed just one run on six hits over four innings. More promising, Mulé walked just one and struck out five.

Another flamethrower with a good outing tonight got the win. JP Wheat did not give up a run or a hit over two innings. Wheat did walk two and hit one batter, so it wasn’t all good. He had two wild pitches as well. Still that’s progress for Wheat. He struck out three.

Kenyi Perez came on to close out the game in the ninth, but he struggled and retired just one batter. He gave up four runs on two hits, four walks and two hit batsmen. Ethan Bell had to be summoned from the bullpen. Bell got a ground ball to get the second out (although Peoria’s sixth run scored) and then got a strikeout to end the game and collect the save.

The hottest hitter in the Cubs system is third baseman Reginald Preciado. Tonight he opened the scoring with a two-run double in the first inning. He finished the game 2 for 5. His batting average after tonight is .500.

DH Owen Ayers went 2 for 4 with an RBI single and a double. Ayers also walked once and scored one run.

Shortstop Angel Cepeda hit a three-run double in the sixth inning. Cepeda was 1 for 3 and was hit by a pitch.

Preciado’s two-run double.

Ayers’ RBI single.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were mesmerized by the Columbia Fireflies (Royals), 6-2.

Starter Eli Jerzembeck allowed a solo home run in the second inning and a two-run home run in the third and got the loss. Jerzembeck’s final line was three runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out three and walked just one.

Shortstop Ty Southisene went 2 for 3 with four stolen bases. He was also hit by a pitch. Southisene scored once.

Center fielder Alexey Lumpuy was 1 for 3 with two walks and three steals. He hit a two-run single in the third inning.

The Pelicans only had four hits, but stole nine bases.

Lumpuy’s two-run single.

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Braves News: Bats hot in series opener, Sean Murphy delayed, and more

Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates with catcher Drake Baldwin (30) after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves started this weekend’s series out with a bang after Friday night’s 11-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Though it took a few innings for the offense to get going, the Braves’ bats came to life as the lineup racked up 15 hits. Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II joined in on the fun and each went yard.

The pitching staff was not as impressive as the offense, but nevertheless got the job done. Bryce Elder got the start and allowed two runs in 4.2 innings. The bullpen did not allow another Cleveland run until the eighth inning when José Suarez took over. In two-thirds of an inning, Suarez gave up three runs on four hits.

Luckily, the Braves piled on some more insurance and are now 1-0 when wearing the new City Connect jerseys. Atlanta goes for the series win tonight at 7:15 ET.

Headed to the game today? Find Demetrius, answer some trivia questions, and play for a Battery Power koozie!

More Braves News:

Sean Murphy was scheduled to begin his rehab assignment with the Gwinnett Stripers Friday night, but his start has been delayed due to a family matter. There is no further information at this time. 

Thursday marked a tough day down on the farm, despite David McCabe’s home run. More in the minor league recap. 

MLB News:

The San Diego Padres have placed reliever Jeremiah Estrada on the 15-day injured list due to elbow tendinitis. The move was San Diego’s first roster move of the season. 

The Athletics placed OF/DH Brent Rooker on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain. In a corresponding move, the club recalled Zack Gelof. 

Miami Marlins outfielder Griffin Conine has been diagnosed with a left hamstring tear. He will likely require surgery, so the club has not provided a timetable for his return. 

The Detroit Tigers placed OF Parker Meadows on the 10-day injured list with a concussion and a fractured radius in his left arm. 

From the Feed:

Dale Murphy was in the BravesVision booth during Friday’s game. While discussing the City Connect uniforms and ‘80’s night, he explained why Ted Turner should be a Hall of Famer. 

Former Brave Kenley Jansen is tied for third in career saves with 478.

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Pistons surge past Hornets 118-100, locking Charlotte into the play-in

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jalen Duren had 20 points, Duncan Robinson scored 19 and the Detroit Pistons beat Charlotte 118-100 on Friday night, locking the Hornets into the play-in tournament.

Already assured of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons played their regular starters against the Hornets.

Cade Cunningham scored 14 points, Ronald Holland II had 13 and Ausar Thompson added 12 for Detroit, which is one win shy of its first 60-win season in 20 years with one regular-season game remaining. Duren also had a game-high nine rebounds.

LaMelo Ball had 27 points and eight assists and Brandon Miller had 22 points to lead the Hornets.

Through late in the third quarter, the lead had changed hands 11 times with 13 ties and neither team led by more than eight.

But Charlotte held its last lead at 83-82 with 5:52 left in the third quarter and after the teams were last tied at 87 with 2:46 left in that period, Detroit went on a 24-8 burst for a 111-92 lead with 6:23 to play.

HEAT 140, WIZARDS 117

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington clinched the worst record in the NBA with a loss to the Miami.

Washington (17-64) has lost nine in a row and 25 of its last 26 to tumble to the bottom of the standings.

The Wizards became the first NBA team to lose 64 games in three consecutive seasons. The Vancouver Grizzlies lost at least 63 games in each of their first three seasons from 1995-96 to 1997-98, while the Process-era Philadelphia 76ers matched that futility from 2013-14 to 2015-16.

Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson both scored 24 points for the Heat (42-39), who had lost 10 of 13. Miami scored an average of 143.5 points while going 4-0 against Washington this season.

The Heat are already assured a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in tournament.

Miami’s Bam Adebayo had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. He scored 83 points, the second-most in NBA history, against Washington on March 10 and averaged 34.8 points against the Wizards this season.

Miami used a 10-0 run late in the first quarter to take the lead for good. The Heat was up 34-23 after a quarter and 72-52 at halftime. Miami shot 63.2% (24 of 38) in the first half.

KNICKS 112, RAPTORS 95

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 29 points, Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and New York clinched the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with its 13th consecutive victory over Toronto.

The Knicks improved to 53-28 with the victory in what could be a preview of a first-round playoff series. New York lost its chance to climb to No. 2 when Boston beat the lottery-bound New Orleans Pelicans, while Toronto (45-36) is currently sixth in the East after having its two-game winning streak snapped.

Brunson shot 12 for 18 from the field while Towns was just as effective, shooting 8 for 12 for the Knicks, who extended their winning streak to five games.

New York forward OG Anunoby injured his left ankle midway through the second quarter and did not return to the game.

Brandon Ingram scored 16 points and Ja’Kobe Walter and Scottie Barnes each had 15 for the Raptors, who have not beaten New York since Jan. 22, 2023. The Knicks won all five meetings this season, once in the NBA Cup tournament.

CELTICS 144, PELICANS 118

BOSTON (AP) — Sam Hauser had 24 points on eight 3-pointers, and Boston tied the franchise and NBA record with 29 3s on its way to clinching the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 playoff seed with a win over New Orleans.

Jaylen Brown added 23 points in 29 minutes, sitting out the entire fourth quarter. Payton Pritchard finished with 21 points and 10 assists for Boston, which clinched the Atlantic Division.

The Celtics’ 29 3s equal their total from Oct. 22, 2024 against the Knicks. The Memphis Grizzlies (April 6 vs. Cleveland) and Milwaukee Bucks (Dec. 29, 2020 at Miami) also share the record.

Big man Neemias Queta even got in on the action for Boston, knocking down his first career 3 to go along with 10 rebounds. Seven different Celtics players had at least two.

Boston led by as many as 41 points against a Pelicans team missing several starters.

76ERS 105, PACERS 118

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points, Paul George had 21 and Philadelphia beat Indiana to snap a three-game skid.

VJ Edgecombe scored 16 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. had 15 and Andre Drummond had 16 rebounds and 10 points for the Sixers (44-37), who maintained their eighth-place position in the Eastern Conference with one game remaining.

A year after they made it to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Pacers (19-62) ensured they will finish with the second-worst record in the league.

Jarace Walker led Indiana with 17 points, followed by Quenton Jackson with 16 and Ethan Thompson with 15. Micah Potter had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pacers went 14 of 50 from 3-point range, while the Sixers were 5 of 29. Indiana had 21 turnovers while the Sixers had just eight.

Philadelphia finished with a 64-28 advantage in points in the paint.

HAWKS 124, CAVALIERS 102

ATLANTA (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 29 points and Atlanta used a big third quarter to blow out Cleveland, clinching a playoff spot and the Southeast Division title.

The Hawks had not won the Southeast Division since 2021, when they ultimately advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. They have been in the play-in tournament the last four seasons.

James Harden scored 20 points for the Cavs, who are locked into the No. 4 seed in the East. Jaylon Tyson returned from a 10-game absence to start and had 15 points.

Dyson Daniels had 13 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, his second triple-double of his career. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 18 points and Jalen Johnson added 18 points and nine rebounds before sitting out the final 10 minutes of the game. The Cavs shot 26% from 3-point range.

The Hawks have won 14 of their final 15 home games ahead of the playoffs.

Atlanta led 66-55 in the third quarter, then put together a 16-0 run to push the lead to 27. It was never threatened thereafter.

BUCKS 125, NETS 108

MILWAUKEE (AP) — AJ Green made 11 3-pointers to set Milwaukee's single-game record and scored a career-high 35 points in a victory over Brooklyn.

Green shot 11 of 16 from 3-point range to break the record of 10 3-pointers that Ray Allen and Damian Lillard had shared. Green’s now has 227 3-pointers as he chases the franchise single-season record of 229, set by Allen in 2001-02.

Milwaukee’s Cormac Ryan added a career-high 28 points in his first start. Taurean Prince had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Prince was 6 of 11 and Ryan 5 of 9 on 3-point attempts.

As a team, Milwaukee shot 24 of 48 from beyond the arc.

This game marked the Bucks’ home finale as they wrap up their first losing season in a decade, snapping a string of nine straight playoff appearances. It comes amid speculation regarding the future of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has spent his entire 13-year career in Milwaukee.

MAGIC 127, BULLS 103

CHICAGO (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 25 points, Jamal Cain added 20 and Orlando remained in the running to avoid the play-in tournament by beating Chicago.

Orlando’s fifth straight win, combined with Toronto’s loss to New York, moved the Magic (45-36) into a tie with the Raptors for sixth place in the Eastern Conference with one game remaining.

Paolo Banchero chipped in with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Jalen Suggs scored all 12 of his points and hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter, helping the Magic break open the game.

Tre Jones scored 23 points for Chicago (31-50), which hit the 50-loss mark for the first time since the 2018-19 team finished 22-60 under Fred Hoiberg and Jim Boylen. The Bulls are looking for new leadership after firing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on Monday. They could also be in the market for a new coach if Billy Donovan opts to step down after six seasons.

Leonard Miller had 15 points and seven rebounds. Matas Buzelis scored 14 after missing three games because of an illness. He exited with a sprained right ankle in the fourth quarter and wasn’t sure if he’ll travel to Dallas for the season finale on Sunday. Josh Giddey missed his fourth straight game because of a strained left hamstring, and Donovan said he will not play against the Mavericks.

SPURS 139, MAVERICKS 120

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 40 points and 13 rebounds in his 65th game to become eligible for NBA awards, and San Antonio beat Dallas.

De’Aaron Fox had 18 points and 10 assists and Keldon Johnson had 17 points for San Antonio.

Rookie Cooper Flagg had 33 points, six rebounds and five assists for Dallas, which has lost 11 of 13.

After opening the season with a 40-point game against Dallas, Wembanyama reached 40 for the fifth time in what could be his regular-season finale.

The NBA requires a minimum of 65 games played to be eligible for season-long awards and Wembanyama got there in San Antonio’s penultimate game.

The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, who leads the league with 197 blocks, is favored to win Defensive Player of the Year, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

NUGGETS 127, THUNDER 107

DENVER (AP) — Jonas Valanciunas had season highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds, and Denver beat Oklahoma City in a battle of reserves.

Denver (53-28) won its 11th straight game to secure at least the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Julian Strawther finished with 22 points and David Roddy had a season-high 21 points.

The Nuggets sat their entire starting lineup despite battling for home-court advantage in the first round. A 21-5 run to open the fourth quarter gave them the win they needed and kept them in position for the No. 3 seed. Denver entered with a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers, who were hosting Phoenix.

The Nuggets, who finish the season at San Antonio on Sunday night, prioritized rest over seeding.

JAZZ 147, GRIZZLIES 101

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Blake Hinson scored a career-high 30 points, John Konchar and Bez Mbeng had triple-doubles, and Utah beat short-handed Memphis.

Bez Mbeng had a career-high 27 points, Kennedy Chandler scored 26 and Ace Bailey 23 for the Jazz, who snapped a 10-game skid.

Mbeng added 11 rebounds and 11 assists and Konchar finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the first game in which the Jazz had two players record a triple-double in the same game.

When Konchar scored his 11th point, his former Memphis and current Utah teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. got so excited he ran onto the court and drew a technical foul.

Memphis’ Dariq Whitehead (21 points) and Tony Okani (20 points) also posted career-highs, and Adama Bal added 18 points.

TIMBERWOLVES 136, ROCKET 132

HOUSTON (AP) — Anthony Edwards had 22 points, with a key 3-pointer late, Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 23 points off the bench and Minnesota snapped Houston's eight-game winning streak.

Amen Thompson had a career-high 41 points and Kevin Durant added 33 for the Rockets, who have clinched a playoff berth but are still playing for postseason seeding. The Timberwolves are also heading for the playoffs with the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

Minnesota led by 10 with about four minutes left before Houston used an 8-2 run, with four points from Alperen Sengun, to cut the lead to 132-128 with about a minute to go.

But Edwards hit a 3-pointer a few seconds later to push the lead to 135-128 and send the home fans streaming toward the exits.

The Rockets led by five before Minnesota used a 13-4 run, with the first eight points from Donte DiVincenzo, to take a 116-112 lead with about eight minutes to go.

Reed Sheppard made a basket for Houston, but Minnesota scored the next seven points, capped by a 3 from DiVincenzo, to push the lead to 123-114 midway through the quarter.

The 37-year-old Durant has scored 2,026 points this season, making him the oldest player to reach 2,000 in a season. He passed Karl Malone, who did it in the 1999-00 season when he was 36. It’s Durant’s eighth season with at least 2,000 points and the first since 2023-24.

KINGS 124, WARRIORS 118

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Devin Carter scored a career-high 29 points and Sacramento missed an opportunity to improve its draft position by beating Golden State.

The Kings remained tied with Utah for the fourth-worst record in the NBA this season, matching a win by the Jazz earlier in the night.

Maxime Raynaud added 23 points for Sacramento in the final home game of the season.

Brandon Podziemski scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Warriors, who used the game as a tuneup for next week’s play-in tournament.

This was just the second game that Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis played together for Golden State after the two had about eight minutes on the court at the same time on Sunday against Houston in Curry’s first game after missing 27 games with a knee injury.

Coach Steve Kerr said before the game he wanted the two to get as much time as possible in the final two games of the regular season. Golden State is assured the 10th seed in the Western Conference and will need to win two play-in games to make the playoffs.

Curry and Porzingis each scored 11.

TRAIL BLAZERS 116, CLIPPERS 97

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Deni Avdija scored 35 points, Donovan Clingan had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Portland beat the Los Angeles Clippers to take the inside track for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

If Portland beats the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the Blazers will secure their spot in the 7-8 play-in game on Tuesday in Phoenix against the Suns.

Robert Williams III had 13 points and 10 rebounds as Portland outrebounded the Clippers 46-35 and won the turnover battle despite leading the league in turnovers.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds.

After Portland took a 55-35 first-half lead, the Clippers stormed back. Jordan Miller’s 3-pointer gave the Clippers their first lead since the first quarter at 82-79 with 2:05 left in the third. But the lead was short-lived as Matisse Thybulle tied it at 82 on Portland’s next possession.

LAKERS 101, SUNS 73

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had 28 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs with their victory over Phoenix.

Luke Kennard scored 19 points and Rui Hachimura added 13 for the Lakers, who will be either the third or fourth seed in the Western Conference despite finishing the regular season without injured stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Los Angeles (52-29) is one game behind third-place Denver (53-28) with one game left, but LA holds the tiebreaker over the Nuggets.

The Lakers won their second straight and their 15th in 19 games with a vintage performance from the 41-year-old James, who showed no weariness on the second night of a back-to-back set in which he scored 54 points on 63.6% shooting (21 for 33).

James also recorded the 12,000th assist of his career in the first half, becoming only the fourth NBA player to reach the milestone.

The NBA scoring king racked up 14 points in the first quarter, and he added six points and seven assists in the second half while making sure the Lakers’ lead stayed firm.

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Aaron Boone explains not pinch-hitting for Randal Grichuk in ninth inning of Yankees' loss to Rays

The Yankees offense had another tough game on Friday night.

Going up against the Rays in Tropicana Field, the Yankees lineup scored two runs in the first inning before finally pushing across another run in the eighth. The team had just five hits, but despite all of that, the Yankees had a chance to at least tie the game in the ninth inning, but manager Aaron Boone made a curious decision.

Down 5-3, Giancarlo Stanton and Amed Rosario led off with singles. Jazz Chisholm Jr. grounded into a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners with two outs. Chisholm would steal second to give the Yankees an opportunity to tie the game with just a single. Randal Grichuk, who started in right field in Boone's right-handed-heavy lineup against Tampa's southpaw starter, Steven Matz, was due up. 

The Rays had right-hander Bryan Baker on the mound to start the ninth looking for the save, so it seemed like a golden opportunity for the Yankees skipper to go to his bench for a left-hander in this scenario. 

Trent Grisham was on the bench and could easily take Grichuk's spot in the outfield in the bottom half of the inning, but Boone decided to keep Grichuk in. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Grichuk struck out on four pitches for the second out. Boone would call Grisham's number to bat for Jose Caballero, but the veteran outfielder popped out to end the game.

"I like the righties against Baker," Boone explained. "Had it been two outs, I might have gone Grisham."

Baker, 31, is in his sixth season in the bigs and Boone says he has reverse-splits. This season, Baker has not allowed a base runner to a lefty (eight batters), but has allowed three hits, including a home run, against right-handers (10 batters). Expand that for his career and it plays out similarly. Entering Friday, right-handed batters have hit .240 with 15 home runs against him in 513 plate appearances. Left-handed bats are hitting .201 with nine home runs in 348 plate appearances.

Grichuk, who broke camp with the Yankees because of his elite bat against left-handers. Entering Friday, Grichuk was hitting .267 with 79 home runs in 1677 plate appearances against lefties. He's still solid against right-handers, batting .241 with 133 home runs in 3161 plate appearances, but Grichuk has struggled mightily to start the season. 

Including Friday, Grichuk is now 0-for-9 with five strikeouts.

But the Yankees' offensive struggles aren't just on Grichuk. The three runs they scored in the series opener is the same as they scored in their last two games. As MLB.com's Bryan Hoch points out, the Yankees are batting .201 as a team, which third-lowest in MLB behind the Mariners and White Sox. Their team OPS of .648 is now ranked 23rd in baseball.

"No, I don’t think there’s any concern," Ben Rice said of the offense. "We’re so early in the year. We got off to a hot start as well. Everyone is very calm here and understands there’s a long road ahead. WE got the team that can get us to where we want to go."

"Up until the last game of the homestand, we’ve been walking a ton, giving ourselves an opportunity, just got to get some guys clicking and obviously get that big hit," Boone said. "We’re not hitting a ton of longballs right now, but for the most part, approach-wise, I’ve been good…it’s going to happen sometimes from the offense. They’ll get it rolling and some people will pay the price."

The Yankees hope to get their lineup going offensively again and break their three-game losing streak when they play the Rays on Saturday evening.

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Shohei Ohtani passes Ichiro Suzuki for another Japanese MLB record

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gestures while standing on first base during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani has reached base in his last 44 regular season games, setting an MLB record for a player born in Japan, surpassing Ichiro Suzuki, a player he admired while growing up.

Ohtani singled in the fourth inning against Kumar Rocker the Texas Rangers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, his 13th game in 13 tries this season reaching base by hit, walk, or hit by pitch at least once. The streak dates back to August 24, 2025, covering his final 31 games of last season.

Ichiro’s longest streak in MLB was reaching base 43 games in a row from April 28-June 14, 2009 while with the Seattle Mariners.

In 2024, Ohtani’s 59 stolen bases broke Ichiro’s record for most steals in a season by a player born in Japan. Ichiro’s best steal season was 56, in 2001. Dave Roberts is third on that list, with 49 steals in 2006 with the San Diego Padres. For what it’s worth, Roberts’ best on-base streak was 24 consecutive games, also in 2006.

The caveat here is that streaks like these are regular season only. Last postseason, Ohtani was on base in 15 of 17 games, only failing to reach in Game 3 of the National League Division Series and Game 5 of the World Series.

The 44 straight games during the regular season are eight games longer than his previous best streak, which lasted from September 11, 2022 to April 15, 2023 while with the Angels. Ohtani’s 44-game streak is tied for the fifth-longest on-base streak in the modern era of Dodgers history (since 1900).

Longest Dodgers on-base streaks since 1900:

  • Duke Snider: 58 games (May 13-July 11, 1954)
  • Shawn Green: 53 games (April 25-June 23, 2000)
  • Willie Keeler: 50 games (August 22, 1900-April 22, 1901)
  • Ron Cey: 47 games (September 9, 1975-May 12, 1976)
  • Zack Wheat: 44 games (September 6, 1919-May 22, 1920)
  • Len Koenecke: 44 games (May 10-July 11, 1934)
  • Shohei Ohtani: 44 games and counting (August 24, 2025-April 10, 2026)

The Dodgers have played baseball since 1884, and joined the National League in 1890. But there aren’t full gamelogs for 19th century games. Baseball Reference has data going back to 1898, and there’s at least one known streak longer than these modern Dodgers streaks. Fielder Jones, a center fielder for Brooklyn, reached base in 70 straight games from June 13-September 7, 1899.

Let’s check back in mid-May to see if Ohtani can keep up with the Joneses.

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Player Grades: How the Mavericks fared in a 139-120 loss at the San Antonio Spurs

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a three point basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on April 10, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (25-56) took on the San Antonio Spurs (62-19) for the last time in the 2025-2026 season. Saturday night’s matchup ended with Dallas on the wrong side of a 139-120 final score, with the loss dropping Dallas’ record to 25-56 with one game remaining. The Mavs had eight players listed as “out” so some unusual suspects got to showcase their talents.

Let’s get to the grades!

Ryan Nembhard: B-

13 PTS / 1 REB / 7 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 31 MIN

Nembhard had a relatively solid game with nothing remarkable. He chipped in a few points, he led the team in assists nearly from the opening tip and didn’t do much to get upset about.

Max Christie: A-

16 PTS / 1 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 31 MIN

This is the kind of game Christie is capable of at really any given time. I still don’t love the high frequency of three-point attempts for a guy who can drive and shoot the mid-range, not to mention hit free throws at a high clip. That said, when he shoots the three this well, it’s nice to see and gives the Mavs a different dimension.

Cooper Flagg: A

33 PTS / 6 REB / 5 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 32 MIN

Flagg got himself back on track after a poor scoring night last game. His shooting was spot-on (13-for-25; 3-for-7 from deep) and he poured in the points by making good decisions for easy baskets, while connecting on a number of tough, well-defended shots. This was his eleventh game scoring 30 or more points.

Khris Middleton: B

14 PTS / 3 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 25 MIN

Middleton was efficient (5-for-8) yet quiet, in that his contributions didn’t really pop out while watching the game. He was solid and made the most of his chances.

Marvin Bagley III: N/A

2 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 8 MIN

Bagley suffered a shoulder injury that took him out of action after only eight minutes, so qualifying for an actual grade isn’t possible. Hopefully he will be able to play in game 82 as opposed to ending his season here.

John Poulakidas: C+

12 PTS / 1 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 30 MIN

Poulakidas couldn’t replicate what he did last time out, and it wasn’t even close. He hoisted a lot of three-pointers as would be expected, but almost none of them went through the net until late in the game when he caught fire a bit. Despite the late flurry, he was the worst Mav in terms of plus/minus (by a big margin) for most of the night. Perhaps the best part of his game is that he stayed within himself and didn’t stop shooting. He demonstrated confidence that not may two-way players would show after such a rough start.

AJ Johnson: B

13 PTS / 1 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 20 MIN

I joke around with other MMB staffers that Johnson is a legend in the making. While that isn’t necessarily likely, I do still think there is a good NBA player inside the rough edges of what he currently is. He shot decently well (4-for-9), buoyed by a bank-shot three-pointer, and nailed his free throws (4-for-4) while showing little flashes that have me rooting hard for him to develop more this offseason to see what he can bring to the team next year. This was his highest scoring game since coming to Dallas.

Tyler Smith: C+

6 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 19 MIN

Smith displayed his athleticism and some decently quick hands on a so-so shooting night (3-for-7 but 0-for-4 from beyond the arc).

Final Thoughts

At this point, Mavs’ losses are far more valuable than Mavs’ wins. Without P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and a host of others, this was a nice game to take the L while letting some younger guys get opportunities they otherwise would not have, all the while watching Cooper Flagg put on a show.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

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Senators’ 4-1 Homestand Sets Up Chance To Clinch Playoff Spot Saturday

As they fought for their playoff lives at the start of April, the Ottawa Senators were glad to get home for a late-season, five-game homestand that ran from April 2-9. They opened that stretch tied with Detroit and Philadelphia, and all three teams were two points out of a wild-card spot held by Columbus.

But the Sens' homestand wasn't going to be easy, as four of their five opponents were clearly playoff-bound. Buffalo, Minnesota, Carolina, and Tampa Bay were all high on the guest list to Lord Stanley's ball, and the fifth opponent was the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers, who had just trampled them a few days earlier.

Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss Tim Stutzle's amazing goal against the Carolina Hurricanes this week.

The Senators' performance in the past week was beyond anyone's expectations.

They split the first two games, beating Buffalo and then losing to Minnesota. After that, they ran the rest of the table, beating Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Florida by a combined score of 17-6, and grabbing 8 of a possible 10 points.

Entering Saturday's action, every team in the Eastern Conference now has just three regular-season games left to play.

With a little help, the Senators can clinch a playoff spot by Saturday at 8 pm.

The Sens will be in New York to face the Islanders at 1 pm. If they defeat the Islanders in any fashion AND the Red Wings lose to the Devils (5 pm) in any fashion, then it's time to dust off your playoff car flags.

The Senators would officially punch their ticket to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

If you want to look at the bigger picture, without looking for help, the Senators will automatically make the playoffs if they can pull three out of a possible six points from their last three games. If they do that, then it's over. There's nothing anyone behind them can do to about it.

The Sens will certainly get the best version of the Islanders, who are also fighting for their playoff lives with a new head coach at the helm in Pete DeBoer. But on Sunday, the Sens will have a date with the Devils in a battle of two teams in a back-to-back situation. 

Because Jacob Markstrom has been shut down for what's left of this season, the Sens will face goalie Nico Daws, who was just called up and has played only one NHL game this season. That said, Daws gave the Senators absolute fits in a game in Dec. 2023, a few days after Jacques Martin had taken over as interim coach.

Clinching at home against the Leafs would be sweet for Sens Nation. They'd love the idea of sending Toronto to the golf course with a flourish, but they'd rather not leave this to the last second and give their hated rivals a chance to spoil the party.

Ottawa:
SAT: Ottawa at Islanders
SUN: Ottawa at New Jersey 
WED: Toronto at Ottawa 

After they play the Devils, the Red Wings close out with two games in Florida, where both NHL teams feature depleted rosters. But maybe the spring break effect will hit the Wings the way it seemed to hit the Senators a couple of weeks ago in their ill-fated trip to Florida.

Detroit
SAT: New Jersey at Detroit
MON: Detroit at Tampa Bay
WED: Detroit at Florida

Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:  

Chabot Cleared To Play... 17 Days After Breaking His Arm
Ullmark Describes Masterton Trophy Nomination As Bittersweet
'A Superstar Moment:' The Senators Goal Everyone Is Talking About
Sens Sign Two Of Their Drafted NCAA Prospects
20 Goals: Former Senator Now Exceeding All Expectations

Great Opportunities: The Rise Of Senators Defenseman Jordan SpenceGreat Opportunities: The Rise Of Senators Defenseman Jordan SpenceFrom healthy scratch to catalyst, Jordan Spence has capitalized on a great opportunity in Ottawa.
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Sabres Star D-Man Named Potential Summer Trade Candidate

In a recent mailbag for Daily Faceoff, Anthony Di Marco named a handful of NHL trade candidates to watch during the summer. Among the players Di Marco discussed is Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.

"The Buffalo Sabres are surging right now, but defenseman Bowen Byram may still ultimately want a new destination in the long run. Signing just a two-year contract extension last summer and rumored to want to have more of an opportunity to be a legit no. 1 defender, he may chase another situation," Di Marco wrote. 

Byram is no stranger to being in the rumor mill, so it is easy to understand why he is being named as a potential summer trade candidate. The 24-year-old defenseman would certainly have the potential to get the Sabres a nice return in a move, as he is a young top-four blueliner having a strong year. 

Byram could be exactly the kind of trade chip the Sabres used to upgrade their roster elsewhere. The Sabres could use another top-six center or top-four right-shot defenseman. 

However, with Byram being a key part of the Sabres' defense, it would also be understandable if they keep him around. In 80 games this season, he has set new career highs with 11 goals and 42 points. 

It will be interesting to see what happens between Byram and the Sabres from here. He will be a pending unrestricted free agent during the 2026-27 season. 

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Tigers offense quiet once again in 1-0 loss to South Carolina

After its 5-1 series opening loss to the Gamecocks in which the Tigers mustered two hits, Missouri baseball was ripe for an offensive resurgence. On a cold Friday evening at Taylor Stadium, neither side was able to muster much offense. Three combined hits, one of which was a bunt single, came from the Tigers and Gamecocks for the opening five innings.

Behind the eight-inning, 10 strikeout performance from South Carolina starting pitcher Amp Phillips, the Gamecocks squeaked away with a 1-0 victory that can only be described in two words: pitchers duel.

“We just didn’t make any adjustments,” Missouri coach Kerrick Jackson said. “(Amp) kept doing the same thing over and over again, and we were late to a fastball that was good, but not above-average. We never adjusted. Nobody even really tried to be early and do something different, so we got the results we got.”

Morris Hodges, who was the home plate umpire had a workout for the same time frame. The pair of starting pitchers, Brady Kehlenbrink and Amp Phillips had each struck out at least six batters by the end of the fifth. It took a throwing error from the usually sure-handed Missouri shortstop Kam Durnin to get the first Gamecocks run across the plate in the top half of the fourth.

It was a night at the plate for the Tigers where on top of all of the strikeouts and three failed bunt attempts, the little things weren’t going their way either. A potential rally starting infield single by Kam Durnin in the bottom of the fourth was snuffed out, by Durnin himself. After the Tigers next batter, Pierre Seals came up to the dish, Durnin was gunned down by Gamecocks catcher Talmadge LeCroy at second base.

Seals’ walk right after posed the “what if” scenario immediately after, which in an ideal world for Jackson’s squad, no stolen base attempt by Durnin, a Seals walk and two runners on with one out and Jase Woita coming up to the plate. In reality, a Woita fly-out to right field ended the bottom of the fourth, and another inning in the books for Phillips.

“As I told them yesterday, trying to get a hit is not an approach,” Jackson said. “We need to change that, and we need to figure out and go back to what we’ve done at times. Its not like the concept is foreign to us, as when we put up some runs, we’ve had quality at bats up and down the line that we’ve understood what the pitchers were doing. We’ve made adjustments in game at times, and some guys have even made adjustments at from at-bat to at-bat and for the last two days, we just haven’t been able to do that.”

The bottom of the fifth nearly yielded a run across the plate, once again, the clutch factor for the Tigers was missing. After a leadoff single from Kaden Peer, followed by a Mateo Serna single one batter later, a sacrafice bunt attempt by Eric Masionet found foul territory and the glove of LeCroy. Keegan Knutson connected on a hard line drive which was caught by third baseman Erik Parker, signifying the frustrating tone of the Tigers evening offensively.

Jackson was blunt and to the point post-game on what he thought was missing in the batters box Friday evening.

“Fight, plain and simple,” Jackson said. Brady comes out there and just pitches his tail off, and offensively, we didn’t even come close to matching the competitive effort and spirit that he had.”

The sixth, seventh and eighth innings for MU’s offense went similar to the song by the Beat in 1982. 1-2-3. Phillips continue to pitch his way to a multitude of season-highs, eight innings pitched, 10 strikeouts. In the bottom of the seventh, Jase Woita appealed that his groundout went off of his leg, therefore deeming the ball dead.

The umpires, after convening in the middle of the diamond, disagreed. Cameron Benson then struck out, for his third punch-out of the evening at the plate. The ninth inning for the Tigers was the last gasp, the last hope to give themselves a chance to win their first SEC game at Taylor Stadium since Mar. 23 2024.

A first pitch single for MU lead-off hitter Blaize Ward began the ninth inning. Kam Durnin quickly followed with another small-ball attempt by the Tigers, a bunt that this time went succesfully for Mizzou, after Parker failed to get a good grip on the ball, putting two runners on first and second, nobody out and Pierre Seals at the plate.

The next three plays led to the ultimate downfall for Missouri.

After a sacrafice bunt attempt by Seals went foul, an attempted double steal by the Tigers went haywire, as pinch-runner Isaiah Frost was thrown out at third, giving the Gamecocks a crucial opening out.

Seals proceded to strike out swinging and Woita, the former Gamecock, couldn’t do damage to his old team as he flew out to end a painful home loss that had few but major missed opportunities for MU.

“We had options there,” Jackson said. “Bunting is not necessarily (Pierre’s) forte as you saw with the first pitch that he attempted to bunt that we fouled off. At that point, to be able to put ourselves in a position to move the runners, it was we’ll hit and run here, I don’t care where the ball goes it just had to go forward. It could’ve been a 15,000 foot chopper that just moved the runners up, and with the way that he can be at times, he averages 100 miles an hour exit speed every time he puts the barrel on the ball. So you roll the dice there, because bunting just is not his thing.”

THE ULTIMATE REDEMPTION START FOR KEHLENBRINK

Coming into his Friday evening outing against South Carolina, Kehlenbrink’s last two outings were far from noteworthy on the positive spectrum. After nearly three inning a piece and nine and seven earned runs respectively given up against Texas A&M and Kentucky, the momentum wasn’t on his side.

Any negative carryover from those pair of outings was simply non-existent in Kehlenbrink’s outing against the Gamecocks. The left-hander pitched nothing short of in Mizzou baseball twitter’s words, “ a gem.”

7.1 innings pitched, two hits, zero earned runs and 10 strikeouts, just one short of his career-high mark he established on Mar. 8 against UIC.

“You never really have a bad outing if you learn from it,” Kehlenbrink said. “Me and the pitching coaches, Drew and Nick, sat in Drew’s office and watched some video and realized my mechanics were a little off. We worked a lot this week on getting back in gear, and I went out and executed.”

In his previous two starting appearances, the walks amounting to run scoring opportunities was a nagging issue for Kehlenbrink, giving up nine combined in the pair of outings. Zero free passes were issued to the Gamecocks with the one run coming from a slightly errant throw by Durnin, that just pulled Woita off the first base bag.

The lone run wasn’t easily given by Kehlenbrink, it was very fought for and earned the hard way. The addition of the Tigers pitching coach Drew Dickinson has made this theme much more consistent as opposed to last season.

 The way he works with all of us and helps us develop is huge” Kehlenbrink said. “He doesn’t miss a bullpen, he’s always there watching us, helping us improve our repertoire, and helping us throw strikes.”

UP NEXT

Mizzou will look to avoid a series sweep on Saturday at 2:00 P.M against the Gamecocks. Both starting pitchers are still yet to be announced for both teams.

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Dodgers’ new cooler cups’ price leaves sour taste in fans’ mouths

Dodgers fans love the team’s newest souvenir cup.

Its price, however? Not so much.

On Friday, during the Dodgers’ matchup with the Rangers, Los Angeles offered its supporters for the first time in 2026 a plastic drinking vessel that was made to look like a cooler, and while it was an immediate fan favorite, the cost certainly left a sour taste in some of its consumers’ mouths.

For the first time in 2026, the Dodgers put souvenir cooler cups up for sale at Dodger Stadium.

“I mean, s—t,” Dodgers fan Adriana Gonzales told The California Post after she ordered one with tequila and Red Bull in it. “I was not expecting almost $50 for one.”

The item’s official price tag is $39.99, but with taxes, it easily cleared the $40 mark. And nearly every fan The Post spoke with at Dodger Stadium believed that was simply gouging.

“My first words were, like,” Silvia Verdugo said, “‘I cant believe we just spent $45 on a cup.'”

Most, though, said the trinket ultimatley felt worth it in the end.

Dodgers fans paid $39.99 plus taxes for the new cup. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post

“I mean,” Eric Huitron said, “it’s Dodger Stadium and they’re going to make their money. You pay a premium here no matter what. You can see everybody thinks it’s worth it because they wouldn’t be in line if they didn’t.”

The Dodgers had initially planned to sell the mug on Opening Day last month, but fans said they were told shipping issues pushed back their arrival by two weeks.

Gerald Encininas told The Post when the Dodgers announced on Friday morning that they’d be available for the first time, he made up his mind he was going to get one, “intense” price or not.

Despite its high price, fans were seen buying the cup all over Dodger Stadium. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post

“It’s worth it for the experience,” he said. “I’ll be using it at home.”

It’s the second cup that’s caused a stir at Dodgerr Stadium this year — a Shohei Ohtani-themed tumbler and its $79.99 price tag alarmed fans during LA’s season opener.

Unfortunately for those who opened up their wallets on Friday, the new cup doesn’t come with free refills like the Ohtani one.

But, Gonzales did admit she got good news when she first sipped her beverage.

“It’s strong,” she said with a laugh.

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You feel better after that win

Willy Adames and Matt Chapman leaping to bump elbows.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 10: Willy Adames #2 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with Matt Chapman #26 after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 10, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

At some point this year, there was a brief moment — a very brief moment, but a moment nonetheless — where you wondered if the San Francisco Giants would win three games this season. And now they’ve won three straight. Things can change quickly, it turns out.

The Giants beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 on Friday, kicking off a nine-game road trip in style. More importantly, however, the Giants beat the Orioles in a fashion that made you feel happy and confident, not in a “even the sun shines on the Colorado Rockies 50 times a year” way.

They won because some of the stars that are supposed to carry the team, carried the team. They won because the players you’re worried about had encouraging games. They won because their starting pitching was excellent. They won because all of the above added up to give the bullpen enough of a buffer that they didn’t need to be great, or use their most trusted arms.

There are wins and there are “hey, maybe this team is all right” wins, and this was, thankfully, the latter.

The other day I wrote about how all teams make mistakes every game. And you can expand that: all teams get bad luck every game, and all teams have moments of inadequate play every game. And when a team is bad, those mistakes, bad luck, and inadequate play stand out like sore thumbs, because they have no way of overcoming it. When a team is good, you can go whole games, series, or even weeks not noticing the mistakes, bad luck, and inadequate play, because they have the ability to negate it entirely.

Let me give an example for those of you who watched the game on Apple TV, or listened to the radio: how many of you remember that the game started with Luis Arráez drawing a one-out walk, and Matt Chapman grounding into a frustrating double play on the very next pitch? Right now you’re probably nodding your head wisely, and saying ahh, yeah, oh…yeah, i guess that did happen.

Had the Giants been as useless as they were the last time they played an AL East team, that sequence would be seared into your brain. It would represent their ineptitude and struggles, and your general frustration with the team.

Instead, it was just a play.

A play you forgot as soon as the third inning rolled around when, with two outs and the bases empty, Willy Adames stepped up to the plate, worked the count full, forced Shane Baz to find the strike zone, and absolutely pummeled the baseball.

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It was a gorgeous swing of the bat, and if you want to know why the Giants offense has been struggling lately — and why maybe it will break out a bit this week — well, it perhaps provided a comical insight.

Adames’ dinger brought life to the offense (their only hit the first time through the lineup was a Jung Hoo Lee double), as it was followed up by another Arráez walk (you don’t see that everyday) and a Chapman single. But Rafael Devers was unable to capitalize, ending the inning with a ground out.

That wasn’t a mistake, per se, but it was an opportunity not fully taken advantage of. Which, again: happens every game. And, again: you didn’t remember this one. I just told you it happened and you still might not remember that it happened. You might think that I’m making something up to prove a point, the way Duane Kuiper once admitted that he replaced a late-inning substitute’s name with his neighbor’s name during a Spring Training broadcast and no one noticed.

But I’m not. That really happened, and you really don’t remember it, perhaps because you didn’t watch the game and that’s why you’re here, or perhaps because it was Just Another Play in a game with plenty of good ones.

For instance, in the very next inning, when Casey Schmitt led off with one of the three doubles he had on the day, each as gorgeous and emphatic as the one before. Lee was robbed of an RBI single by second baseman Jeremiah Jackson, presenting yet another moment that could have been frustrating if the Giants weren’t so … good? Is that the word I’m looking for?

We’re used to Lee getting robbed (which moved Schmitt to third), tearing out our collective hair (mine’s getting grey, I don’t mind pulling it out) about the bad luck, and then wailing in frustration as Schmitt gets stranded on third by a strikeout, something you’ll mull over all night, with the only silver lining being that you permit yourself to have a second beer out of misery.

But no. Lee’s robbed base was followed up by an RBI single off the bat of Heliot Ramos, slumping in the slumpiest of slumps, in desperate need of such a hit.

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And the rally continued with a single off the bat of Patrick Bailey, also slumping in the slumpiest of slumps, also in desperate need of such a hit (perhaps to save his entire career, if you made the mistake of listening to talking heads on the radio or the internet over the last week).

And while Harrison Bader couldn’t move either runner over, the table was set for another dynamic Adames plate appearance, which resulted in a double ripped down the left field line, scoring a third run and giving Adames his seventh extra-base hit in the last four games.

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But it was the fifth inning that really provided the grist for the negative mill, should the Giants choose to … you know … uhh … mill it, or whatever. A Devers single and a Schmitt double put runners at second and third with just one out, but Lee was unable to find the situation at-bat to plate a run, and Ramos grounded out.

It could have been a moment that crumbled the game, especially with Baltimore starting to show some life on the offensive end. But like the other plays, it was a momentary struggle that you may have forgotten about, if you even registered it in the first place.

Because in the seventh inning, trying to add to a 3-1 lead, Chapman drew a one-out walk. And with two outs, Schmitt came through with the triple-double (animal style), knocking yet another triple. Chapman, running with two outs and never slowing down, ever so slightly beat out a tremendous left field relay, scoring the ever-important insurance run.

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I think, at this point in the game/story, I’ve described the difference between a frustratingly bad team and a competent one. But what happened next happened next is the difference between a competent team and a good one.

The fifth inning failure was behind them thanks to the insurance run, but that insurance run would triple just three pitches later, on something no one saw coming: Lee hitting not just a two-run home run, but hitting a two-run home run in an 0-2 count against a left-handed pitcher, reliever Nick Raquet.

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And if that doesn’t give you confidence in things turning around for the Giants, then I just don’t know what will.

Of course, half of the battle is on the other side of the ball, and it was there where the Giants did the exact same thing. Landen Roupp was not at his sharpest, but it didn’t matter because every mistake he wiped right off the board. He struggled mightily to find the strike zone, with just 54 of 93 pitches going for strikes, but somehow only walked two of the 25 batters he faced.

Even when Roupp didn’t erase his own mistakes, his teammates did, such as in the third inning, when he issued a one-out walk to Gunnar Henderson, before Adley Rutschman tattooed a two-out pitch off the right field wall. Yet even with the speedy Henderson getting a two-out jump, Lee was able to play the double so well that the runner was forced to stop at third, where he could only watch helplessly as Roupp struck out slugger Pete Alonso.

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Funnily enough, the Orioles would finally break through an inning later, when they seemed to learn from that situation. Again they drew a one-out walk (this time Dylan Beavers), which was again followed by a double to right field (this time a one-out shot by Leody Taveras). This time Baltimore sent a runner, who barely scored ahead of nearly-perfect relay by Lee and Arráez.

But other than that, Roupp held the Orioles completely in check by challenging when he fell behind in the count, and being especially stingy early in the innings. He gave up a double in the first inning, but with two outs. He allowed a single in the second inning, but with two outs. He did the same in the fifth inning. Finally, in the sixth inning — his last — Roupp set down the side in order for the first time all night, and needed just 10 pitches to do so.

But the theme carried over into the bullpen. Keaton Winn handled the seventh, and the leadoff hitter, Jackson, reached safely on an Adames error, when his throw was in the dirt and Devers — to his own ire — couldn’t pick it out. Like the other mistakes in the game, this one you forgot … perhaps because of what transpired in the rest of the game, or perhaps because, if you looked away for a few seconds, you not only missed that play but the ensuing pitch, in which Winn induced a double play to pick his teammates up.

Similarly, J.T. Brubaker issued two walks in the eighth and had to be removed from the game, but that went largely unnoticed because Matt Gage entered and, two pitches later, the inning was over.

The Orioles finally got to the Giants bullpen in the ninth inning, when Tony Vitello was in the no-man’s land of trying to preserve a big-but-not-insurmountable lead. Vitello landed on Tidwell, a sensible choice, but it didn’t go well. Baltimore finally found life in the inning when Henderson smacked a gorgeous two-out, two-run home run, making the score a more respectable 6-3.

You would have understood if Vitello pulled Tidwell there. You also would have understood if he pulled him an inning later, after Taylor Ward doubled. And you would have been livid if hindsight analysis allowed you to criticize those lack of moves after the Giants lost.

But Vitello opted to preserve his bullpen, and trust his young reliever with the tying run still outside the batter’s box. And after Rutschman popped up, it became clear that, like all other situations in the game, the good outweighed whatever we would have complained about had they lost.