17-year-old defeats in-form Australian 7-6(4), 7-5 in qualifier
Harriet Dart beats Kimberly Birrell 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Melbourne
Australia’s quest to win a place in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals is off to the worst possible start, losing both opening-day singles matches, with spearhead Talia Gibson falling to British teen Mika Stojsavljevic.
Gibson was expected to get the tie at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena off to a flying start on Friday, but she was a shock loser 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 against the lowly ranked 17-year-old.
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia heads into the matchup with Indiana as losers of three straight games.
The Pacers are 15-35 in conference matchups. Indiana is 9-41 against opponents with a winning record.
The 76ers have gone 25-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks eighth in the league scoring 17.0 fast break points per game. Tyrese Maxey leads the 76ers averaging 5.5.
The Pacers' 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.1 fewer made shots on average than the 13.4 per game the 76ers give up. The 76ers' 46.2% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.7 percentage points lower than the Pacers have given up to their opponents (48.9%).
The teams play for the fourth time this season. In the last meeting on Feb. 25 the 76ers won 135-114 led by 32 points from Maxey, while Andrew Nembhard scored 23 points for the Pacers.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nembhard is averaging 16.9 points and 7.7 assists for the Pacers. Micah Potter is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Maxey is scoring 28.3 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the 76ers. Paul George is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 4-6, averaging 121.3 points, 41.1 rebounds, 34.8 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.9 points per game.
76ers: 5-5, averaging 117.8 points, 45.0 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 7.4 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points.
INJURIES: Pacers: T.J. McConnell: out (hamstring), Kobe Brown: out (back), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (back), Ben Sheppard: out (hip), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Pascal Siakam: out (back), Aaron Nesmith: day to day (neck), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).
76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (illness), Cameron Payne: out (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans visits the Boston Celtics after Jeremiah Fears scored 40 points in the Pelicans' 156-137 win over the Utah Jazz.
The Celtics have gone 28-11 in home games. Boston ranks seventh in the league with 12.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 3.0 offensive boards.
The Pelicans are 9-30 on the road. New Orleans has an 8-41 record against teams over .500.
The Celtics score 114.5 points per game, 5.1 fewer points than the 119.6 the Pelicans give up. The Pelicans average 11.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 fewer made shots on average than the 14.1 per game the Celtics allow.
The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on Oct. 28 the Celtics won 122-90 led by 18 points from Payton Pritchard, while Jordan Poole scored 22 points for the Pelicans.
TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is averaging 16.6 points and 5.4 assists for the Celtics. Jayson Tatum is averaging 21.1 points, 10 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 10 games.
Saddiq Bey is averaging 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Pelicans. Fears is averaging 17.9 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 115.0 points, 46.2 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 5.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.9 points per game.
Pelicans: 2-8, averaging 112.6 points, 41.0 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 9.2 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.7 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Jaylen Brown: out (achilles).
Pelicans: Trey Murphy III: out (ankle), Zion Williamson: out (knee), Yves Missi: out (hand), Karlo Matkovic: day to day (back), Herbert Jones: day to day (rest), Saddiq Bey: day to day (rest), Dejounte Murray: out (hand), Bryce McGowens: out (toe).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: New York hosts Toronto aiming to prolong its six-game home winning streak.
The Knicks are 34-16 in Eastern Conference games. New York is 22-22 against opponents with a winning record.
The Raptors are 4-11 against opponents in the Atlantic Division. Toronto has a 21-26 record against opponents over .500.
The Knicks score 116.8 points per game, 4.9 more points than the 111.9 the Raptors give up. The Raptors average 114.6 points per game, 4.3 more than the 110.3 the Knicks allow.
The teams meet for the fifth time this season. The Knicks won 111-95 in the last matchup on March 4.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Brunson is averaging 26 points and 6.9 assists for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 18 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the past 10 games.
Scottie Barnes is scoring 18.1 points per game with 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 20.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 46.2% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 7-3, averaging 114.2 points, 42.7 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.8 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.3 points per game.
Raptors: 6-4, averaging 120.4 points, 41.6 rebounds, 34.0 assists, 10.4 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.9 points.
INJURIES: Knicks: Tyler Kolek: out (oblique).
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn: out (knee), Trayce Jackson-Davis: out (illness).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Bronny James has played alongside father LeBron for two seasons at the Los Angeles Lakers [Getty Images]
Bronny James passed to parent LeBron for the first son-to-father assist in NBA history as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 119-103.
Bronny, 19, stole possession and passed to LeBron, who ran the length of the court for an uncontested dunk that was part of a 26-point contribution from the 41-year-old.
The pair recorded the first father-to-son assist in a match against the Brooklyn Nets last month.
LeBron also added 11 assists while Bronny scored 10 points with three assists as the Lakers saw off their state rivals.
The Lakers sit fourth in the Eastern Conference while the Warriors are in 10th, with both having already qualified for the post-season play-offs that begin on 18 April.
Elsewhere, the New York Knicks won 112-106 against the Boston Celtics, with Josh Hart scoring 26 points, to put pressure on their opponents in the Western Conference.
The sides are third and second respectively in the standings, with two matches left to play in the regular season.
The Toronto Raptors triumphed 128-114 against the Miami Heat while the Houston Rockets won 113-102 against Philadelphia 76ers to solidify their chances of a play-off place.
In matches between sides already out of post-season contention, the Chicago Bulls won 119-108 against the Washington Wizards while the Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 123-94.
WNBA approves three-team expansion
The WNBA has approved expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia and will become an 18-team league by 2030.
The Cleveland franchise will be the first to make their debut in the competition - they will appear in 2028 - while Detroit and Philadelphia will follow in 2029 and 2030 respectively.
The WNBA has gone through a period of expansion in recent years with the Golden State Valkyries joining in 2025 while the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire are set to follow this year.
The new season starts on 8 May and its regular season will run to 24 September.
Phoenix Suns (44-36, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (51-29, fourth in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Collin Gillespie and the Phoenix Suns take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in Western Conference play.
The Lakers have gone 9-7 against division opponents. Los Angeles scores 116.4 points and has outscored opponents by 1.2 points per game.
The Suns are 10-6 against the rest of their division. Phoenix scores 112.8 points while outscoring opponents by 1.4 points per game.
The Lakers' 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.4 fewer made shots on average than the 12.2 per game the Suns allow. The Suns' 45.5% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.0 percentage points lower than the Lakers have given up to their opponents (48.5%).
The teams meet for the fifth time this season. The Suns won 113-110 in the last matchup on Feb. 27.
TOP PERFORMERS: Deandre Ayton is averaging 12.4 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers. James is averaging 16.5 points over the last 10 games.
Royce O'Neale is scoring 9.8 points per game and averaging 4.7 rebounds for the Suns. Gillespie is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-4, averaging 114.5 points, 41.2 rebounds, 26.8 assists, 9.2 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.9 points per game.
Suns: 5-5, averaging 116.8 points, 42.2 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (rib), Marcus Smart: out (ankle), Jaxson Hayes: out (foot), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
Suns: Devin Booker: out (ankle), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee), Jalen Green: day to day (knee), Jordan Goodwin: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Orlando will try to continue its four-game win streak with a victory against Chicago.
The Bulls have gone 19-31 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 17.4 fast break points per game led by Tre Jones averaging 2.8.
The Magic have gone 25-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is eighth in the Eastern Conference with 32.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Paolo Banchero averaging 7.2.
The Bulls are shooting 46.9% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points lower than the 47.7% the Magic allow to opponents. The Magic are shooting 46.4% from the field, 1.3% lower than the 47.7% the Bulls' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Bulls won the last matchup 121-114 on Jan. 3. Matas Buzelis scored 21 points to help lead the Bulls to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Sexton is shooting 48.5% and averaging 15.4 points for the Bulls. Jones is averaging 20.1 points over the last 10 games.
Desmond Bane is averaging 20.5 points and 4.2 assists for the Magic. Banchero is averaging 22.8 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 47.4% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 3-7, averaging 120.0 points, 45.9 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 7.6 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.3 points per game.
Magic: 6-4, averaging 118.6 points, 41.3 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.4 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.3 points.
INJURIES: Bulls: Anfernee Simons: out (wrist), Isaac Okoro: out (quad), Jalen Smith: out for season (calf), Matas Buzelis: out (illness), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Josh Giddey: out (hamstring), Guerschon Yabusele: day to day (shoulder), Nick Richards: day to day (elbow), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).
Magic: Jett Howard: out (ankle), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Washington aims to break its eight-game skid when the Wizards play Miami.
The Wizards are 2-13 in division play. Washington is 8-49 in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Heat are 25-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Miami is 6-4 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Wizards' 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.9 fewer made shots on average than the 13.9 per game the Heat give up. The Heat average 120.4 points per game, 4.2 fewer than the 124.6 the Wizards allow to opponents.
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Heat won 152-136 in the last meeting on April 4. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Heat with 32 points, and Will Riley led the Wizards with 31 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Bub Carrington is shooting 41.8% and averaging 10.4 points for the Wizards. Riley is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Bam Adebayo is scoring 20.0 points per game with 10.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Heat. Tyler Herro is averaging 18.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 47.8% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 1-9, averaging 114.9 points, 40.9 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 9.2 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.3 points per game.
Heat: 3-7, averaging 120.8 points, 42.7 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 128.7 points.
INJURIES: Wizards: Anthony Davis: out for season (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: out (knee), Jaden Hardy: out (back), Bilal Coulibaly: out (heel), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Tre Johnson: out (foot), Alex Sarr: out (toe), Kyshawn George: out for season (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out for season (quad).
Heat: Nikola Jovic: out (ankle), Dru Smith: out (foot).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Maxime Raynaud and the Sacramento Kings host Brandin Podziemski and the Golden State Warriors in Western Conference action.
The Kings are 3-12 in division games. Sacramento has a 6-39 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
The Warriors are 7-7 in division play. Golden State ranks seventh in the Western Conference giving up just 115.1 points while holding opponents to 48.0% shooting.
The Kings are shooting 46.7% from the field this season, 1.3 percentage points lower than the 48.0% the Warriors allow to opponents. The Warriors' 46.1% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.4 percentage points lower than the Kings have given up to their opponents (49.5%).
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Warriors won the last matchup 110-105 on April 8. De'Anthony Melton scored 21 points to help lead the Warriors to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nique Clifford is scoring 8.2 points per game and averaging 3.7 rebounds for the Kings. Raynaud is averaging 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Podziemski is averaging 13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Warriors. Pat Spencer is averaging 10.3 points and 4.1 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 3-7, averaging 111.7 points, 42.4 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.1 points per game.
Warriors: 4-6, averaging 113.3 points, 39.8 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 9.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.1 points.
INJURIES: Kings: Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Russell Westbrook: out (foot), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Drew Eubanks: out for season (thumb), DeMar DeRozan: out (hamstring), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).
Warriors: Quinten Post: out (foot), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Al Horford: out (calf), Kristaps Porzingis: out (illness), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Will Richard: out (back), Gui Santos: out (pelvis).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
They could’ve rolled over Thursday, April 9 to let the Boston Celtics clinch the No. 2 seed. They could’ve rested their stars compromised their competitive spirit to gear up instead for the playoffs, which begin April 18.
Let me explain.
In the days leading up to this game, a faction of social media basketball strategists pondered whether New York, the current three-seed in the East, would be better served to target the No. 4 slot. The thinking was that it would avoid an eventual matchup against the surging Celtics, who have won 25 of their last 33 games, in the conference semifinals.
Instead, Knicks forward Josh Hart drained all five of his 3s in the second half — including a pair inside the final 43 seconds that put the game away — to help New York narrowly outlast Boston, 112-106, in a game that had 13 ties and 16 lead changes.
Despite the victory, the Knicks, however, could still feasibly throw their final two games to tank into the four-seed to avoid Boston.
Should they?
I’ll concede that it does make some practical sense for teams at the bottom of the standings to tank. Those attempts to manipulate draft positioning, particularly in a draft class as loaded as this one, can theoretically be the difference between an elite, franchise-altering player and a good-to-very-good one.
Taking this approach, however, as you’re trying to win it all, would be a tell for loser behavior. Indirectly, the message would be that a team is scared of another, or at least giving it far too much respect.
“We’re heading in the direction of where we need to be at,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after the game. “I like the climb that we’ve made the last week or so, the last three or four games. We’ve got a couple more games to get there.
“For us, we’ll take it one game at a time, but we’ve got these two left, and we’d like to win both of them. What does that mean? I don’t know; we’ll see. But when we lace them up, we’re playing to win.”
Let’s very quickly run through the scenarios.
The Celtics (54-26) will almost certainly clinch the No. 2 seed. All they need to do is win one of their two remaining games, both of which are at home: against the Pelicans (Friday, April 10) and Magic (Sunday, April 12).
Because the Knicks (52-28) hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (51-29), New York would clinch the three-seed with a victory in either of its remaining games, which are also both at home: against the Raptors (Friday) and Hornets (Sunday).
And, assuming both Boston and New York handle their first-round playoff series, that would set up, once again, a rematch in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
If the Knicks fell to the fourth-seed, their semifinal opponent would likely be the No. 1 Pistons, who only just got All-Star Cade Cunningham back Wednesday, April 8 from a collapsed lung.
Making the prospect of a Knicks-Celtics rematch more enticing is that Boston’s players seemingly want it.
“It felt like death,” Jaylen Brown said of last year’s playoff loss during a recent Twitch stream. “The Knicks — good team — but to blow two 20-point leads, like, how does that happen? Just, the energy was off, and we lost, but shout out to the Knicks. They won. They moved on. We lost. We did it to ourselves. Can’t be mad at it.
“But this (year is a different story). We might match up with the Knicks again, and we’ve got to be ready to slide. … Sometimes, you’ve got to spin the block. You’ve got to run it back.”
By beating the Celtics Thursday night, New York can now say that it went 3-1 against Boston in the regular season. The Knicks sharpened their late-game actions in the clutch. They blitzed Celtics star Jayson Tatum — who was playing his first game here in Madison Square Garden since he tore his Achilles in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals — showing they have a recipe to defend him in the postseason.
Most of all, New York can use this momentum to galvanize its group into a rallying point as it tries to win its first NBA Finals since 1973.
Granted, none of New York’s victories over Boston this season were with both Tatum and Brown, who missed Thursday’s game with left Achilles tendinitis, on the floor.
Either way, all of this is setting up for what should be a fascinating rematch.
“That’s fool’s gold, trying to pick and choose your spots in the standings and who you play,” Knicks All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns told reporters after the game. “That’s fool’s gold (thinking) you have to lose to win.”
Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) hits a walk-off grand slam home run against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo (not pictured) to win the game in the twelfth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
The San Diego Padres played their first extra-innings game of the 2026 season and the first under new manager Craig Stammen. It took 12 innings for the Padres to top the Colorado Rockies in their series opener at Petco Park on Thursday night, giving them and Stammen the win.
The game was settled in the bottom of the 12th inning when Xander Bogaerts blasted a grand slam home run deep into the left field bleachers for a walk-off 7-3 win. The San Diego shortstop made Colorado pay for issuing intentional walks to Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado with Jake Cronenworth on third base after a Fernando Tatis Jr. sacrifice bunt to load the bases. Bogaerts delivered the game winning drive on a 1-0 pitch on the inside part of the plate that sent the Friar Faithful home happy.
The game-winning heroics by Bogaerts required Cronenworth to make a game-saving throw to the plate on a two-hopper on the infield to give San Diego a chance to win the game in extras. With one out in the top of the 12th inning, Cronenworth fielded a ground ball off the bat of Brenton Doyle and threw quickly to Luis Campusano at home plate who applied a tag to Willi Castro to keep the game tied, 3-3. Reliever David Morgan got the Padres out of the inning two batters later when Kyle Karros grounded out to Bogaerts at shortstop, sending Tatis Jr., Merrill and Machado to the plate with a chance to win the game.
Great play by Jake Cronenworth to nail the runner out at home to keep the game tied for the #Padres in the 12th pic.twitter.com/k2jTD76GJ1
The end of the game got the headlines and overshadowed another fabulous start from Randy Vasquez, who pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits with eight strikeouts and no walks allowed. Vasquez worked in and out of trouble throughout the game but the one blemish on his start was a solo home run allowed to Doyle in the top of the third inning.
Randy Vásquez strikes out 8 Rockies' hitters over 5 2/3rds in outing vs. Colorado
The San Diego offense matched the one run scored by Colorado in the bottom half of the inning when Freddy Fermin and Cronenworth hit back-to-back one out singles to put runners at the corners for Tatis Jr. The Padres right fielder lifted an 0-1 pitch into left field that allowed Fermin to tag up and score from third base.
Neither offense could do much against the opposing pitchers and the game remained tied into the 10th inning. Both teams scored runs in the 10th and 11th innings and the game was decided in the 12th.
San Diego and Colorado play Friday at 6:40 p.m. and the Padres will wear their City Connect 2.0 uniforms, which were officially unveiled on Thursday.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Willi Castro #3 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after being tagged out at home during the 12th inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 09, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies fought and fought, pushing the San Diego Padres into extras. Unfortunately, they came out on the losing end of a crooked loss, but they showed some absolute heart. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak, and also marked the longest game (by innings) in 2026.
Jimmy Herget opened with a clear inning
Herget played the role of “opener” today. He said on the broadcast that last year he made an appearance in every inning except the first, so today he got his chance. Herget set the tone with an excellent first inning, going 1-2-3 to Jake Cronenworth, Fernando Tatís Jr., and Jackson Merrill. None of the outs were strikeouts, but outs are outs and Herget only threw 10 pitches (six for strikes).
Go Do(llander)
As expected, Chase Dollander took over in the second and ended up going 4.1 innings. He allowed just one earned run with one walk and three strikeouts. He started laboring in the sixth, but was able to get a huge strikeout of Tatís Jr.
Extra (extra) bases
Ezequiel Tovar reached twice again tonight, knocking two doubles.
Brenton Doyle also got to don the purple coat, which did make the trip. The center fielder hit his first home run of the year in the third inning to put the Rockies up 1-0.
In the sixth inning, Hunter Goodman got hit on the right hand for the second day in a row. Randy Vásquez threw a pitch up and in, and it caught Goodman’s hand wrapped around the bat. He walked to first and was met by Warren Schaeffer and Andy Stover. They immediately wrapped his middle finger and it looked like he would attempt to carry on, but he then started bleeding under the bandage. He went into the dugout to get it wrapped and more deeply examined, but then tore off his helmet and threw it down in frustration — Brett Sullivan would then enter the game in his place.
Luckily, it appears that x-rays were negative and Goodman just suffered a right finger laceration. Schaeffer said after the game that Goodman is “day to day.”
Defensive unraveling
The Rockies have had impeccable defense for most of the season, but when it rains, it pours sometimes…
In the bottom of the sixth, the Rox had plenty of opportunities to make outs but couldn’t hold onto the ball. First, Manny Machado reached on a throwing error by Edouard Julien, who tossed the ball into the dirt and Troy Johnston couldn’t smother it. Then, Dollander had Machado picked off but Johnston couldn’t keep it in his glove to record the out. And then, Xander Bogaerts hit a tailor-made double play ball, but Tovar bungled the transfer and rather than record three easy outs, the Rockies then had first and second with one out.
Bullpen wizardry
Luckily, Jaden Hill came in and quickly struck out Gavin Sheets, but then a double steal put men on second and third. Sullivan attempted to pick off Machado at third, but Willi Castro wasn’t quite at the bag. But Hill struck out Nick Castellanos and the Rockies escaped what could’ve been a very bad inning.
Hill stayed in for the seventh inning and got Ty France, Freddy Fermin, and Cronenworth 1-2-3.
Juan Mejia came in for the eighth and was outstanding. He battled against Tatís Jr., who did end up walking. They nearly got him at second after Merrill flied out to center, but Castro was once again slightly behind the bag. However, he was picked off on this excellent play:
Tyler Freeman hit another clutch single like he did in Toronto to put the Rockies up 2-1 in extras. Unfortunately, he slid early and was nearly leveled by Bogaerts — and that ended up being called interference to end the inning.
In the Padres’ half, Tovar kept Luis Campusano close at second, but then when Cronenworth hit a sacrifice bunt, Victor Vodnik was able to field and pick him off at third base. Unfortunately, Tatís singled and then Merrill walked to load the bases. Machado then hit a sac fly to score Cronenworth.
In the 11th, Sullivan led off with a double down the right field line to score Kyle Karros and put the Rockies up 3-2.
Johnston then walked, but then TJ Rumfield struck out swinging. Tovar grounded into a force out to get Johnston at second, and then Castro gathered a platinum sombrero with an inning-ending fifth strikeout.
Brennan Bernardino came in to pitch the bottom half of the 11th and gave up a single to Sheets. He got Castellanos to line out on a spectacular glove save by Karros followed by a strikeout of Ramón Laureano. But then Campusano doubled to score Sheets and then Cronenworth popped out to Karros to send things to the bottom half.
In the bottom half, Valente Bellozo came on to try to hold the the Padres’ best hitters off the board. Tatís Jr. laid down a bunt to move over Cronenworth. Then, Schaffer elected to intentionally walk Merrill and Machado. Unfortunately, Bogaerts belted one over the left field wall for a walk-off grand slam, and the Rockies lost 7-3 after battling back all through extras.
Up Next
Luckily, tomorrow is another night game.
Tomoyuki Sugano will take on Walker Buehler at 6:40pm MT.
In their penultimate home game of the 2025-26 season, the Anaheim Ducks hosted the San Jose Sharks in a crucial Pacific Division matchup on Thursday night at Honda Center.
The Ducks, suddenly desperate, entered this game carrying a six-game winless streak and having seen their five-point lead in the Pacific completely evaporated. At puck drop, they were third in the Division, behind the Vegas Golden Knights by a point and ahead of the Los Angeles Kings by four points.
The Sharks were on their second game of a back-to-back, after having lost a critical game on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The Sharks were three points out of the second wild card spot with a game in hand.
This was the biggest game of the season for both sides.
The Ducks remained without forward Cutter Gauthier (upper body) and defenseman Radko Gudas (lower body), each having been sidelined since their March 30 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. After playing forward in Tuesday’s loss to the Nashville Predators, Olen Zellweger was scratched for this game.
Here’s how the Ducks lined up:
Kreider-Carlsson-Terry
Killorn-Granlund-Sennecke
Vatrano-McTavish-Viel
Washe-Poehling-Moore
LaCombe-Trouba
Mintyukov-Carlson
Hinds-Helleson
Lukas Dostal got the start for the Ducks and saved 18 of 19 shots in this game. For the Sharks, Yaroslav Askarov got the nod and stopped 24 of 30.
Game Notes
From an on-ice perspective, with the scoreboards removed, this game felt like a continuation of their game on Tuesday against Nashville. The Ducks were possessing the puck for extended periods of time, including not allowing a shot against for (roughly) the first 15 minutes of the hockey game, and utilizing crisp breakouts to counter and keep pucks out of their end.
San Jose expectedly pushed back, but Anaheim ensured their shot attempts wouldn’t lead to elongated cycles. The Ducks did little things like remain disciplined, only heading to the penalty box once, in a coincidental situation, and blocking every perimeter shot they could, tallying 22 in total.
“We haven’t had a lead like that in a long time, early in the game,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said after the game. “I thought we did some solid things all game long. With them playing last night, we got after them early in the game and set a very fast pace.
“That was beneficial to us from the start. It’s one of those games where we needed it in the worst way, and we showed that we were going to do everything we could to find a way to get it.”
Containing Celebrini: The coaching staff hard-matched Celebrini’s line with the Ducks’ fourth line (Washe-Poehling-Moore) and top defensive pair (LaCombe-Trouba). Underlying metrics will indicate Celebrini got the better of them, but as a five-man unit, they did well to eliminate time and space while forcing him to defer pucks to teammates, limiting the time it spent on his tape.
They pressured San Jose’s below-average back end on the forecheck, eliminating Celebrini’s ability to transport pucks up ice. They shadowed him in the neutral zone, forcing puck movers to attempt outlets elsewhere, and they kept him to the perimeter in the offensive zone, refusing to give up the middle of the ice, an area of severe weakness for the team throughout the course of the season.
John Carlson: The story of this game will remain Carlson’s first career hat trick. He unleashed his world-class throwback slap shot on all three goals, and they weren’t only hard but cleverly placed and utilized screens in front.
Moving forward, as it did in this game, this weapon can be a go-to form of offense when the Ducks’ power play “Plan A” is denied. Sennecke’s willingness to suffer abuse, act as a presence in front of the opposing netminder, and disrupt his vision was a key factor in all three of Carlson’s tallies.
Leo Carlsson: Carlsson’s “lead-by-example” brand was on full display in this game, seemingly refusing to let his team go down a goal and not allowing their lead to slip away late. He displayed his typical danger off the rush, utilizing his speed to drive opponents back and create in the ice afforded.
However, in this game, he also manufactured offense from the cycle, astutely read opposing breakouts and picked off outlet attempts, and he was diligent in his end, picking up assignments and supporting pucks effectively.
Against the brightest young star in the game, Carlsson showed a relentless physical and mental motor, singlehandedly, completely unwilling to let his team suffer a seventh straight loss.
The Ducks will wrap up their home schedule on Sunday, when they’ll host the lowly Vancouver Canucks.
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 7-2 Thursday night at United Center.
It was an epic beatdown by the Hurricanes, who were even without seven starters, as they continued to hold strong to their spot atop the Eastern Conference.
Here are seven takeaways from the win:
Carolina dominates Chicago 7-2
1. Seven Starters Sitting
The Carolina Hurricanes came into the game against the Blackhawks with one thing in mind: getting their top guys some rest.
Now that's both a comment on the Hurricanes' current playoff position, locked in to the top spot of the Metropolitan Division, but also to how lowly the Blackhawks, the league's 31st ranked team, are.
Because even despite resting seven key players — Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin, Jalen Chatfield — they still laid the boot to Chicago, scoring seven goals on 22 shots.
"You score on the first shift and that just set the tone," said Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour. "It's obviously better to play ahead and then we didn't really have too many lapses in the game. I thought we just played a solid road game. Overall, just everybody had their hand in it."
2. The Regulars Held It Down...
In total, 11 different players found their way onto the scoresheet Thursday night.
Logan Stankoven led the way for Carolina with two goals and three points and other standout performances included those by Mark Jankowski (2g) and William Carrier (3a).
In fact, all but one of the team's anticipated playoff starters registered at least one point in the contest (Eric Robinson did not have a point).
"It just creates confidence for everybody and that's what we're gonna need in these last few games and into the playoffs," Stankoven said. "It's nice when everyone can chip in. It's great for the team, but it's also great individually. It makes everyone feel good."
The only non-assumed playoff starter to even register a point was Nicolas Deslauriers, who picked up his first point as a Hurricane with a secondary assist on the seventh and final goal of the game.
"That was awesome," Jankowski said. "Before my second one there, he was joking on the bench like, 'Guys, get me a touch, get me my first one,' so when he got the assist, he was just fired up. We got the puck for him, his first point as a Cane. He's been huge in our locker room and on the ice when he's been in. It's been a pleasure to play with him and it's great for him to get his first point there."
Even though they didn't end up on the scoresheet, it was still a solid night for the team's four AHL callups.
Bradly Nadeau, Skyler Brind'Amour, Josiah Slavin and Charles Alexis Legault all got time on the PK, which went a perfect 4-for-4, and each held their own in their 15+ minutes of ice time.
Nadeau didn't have as much opportunity for power play looks, as the team only got one call their way and Nadeau himself cancelled it out after just 56 seconds, but he still had three shot attempts, a block and four hits.
Brind'Amour also went 8-for-10 on draws and nearly had a redirect goal, but it was called off due to his contact with Spencer Knight.
"I thought they did a great job," Brind'Amour said. "It's not the easiest thing to throw all of them in, but I thought they did a great job. On the kill we used them and just everywhere. We had to put them in. There was no, 'Uh, oh. They're on the ice,' type of thing.
"You have to kind of know your people and they fit perfectly. They know how to play and they know how we play. Obviously they're not replacing the guys we had out, but it helps when you have guys that know what they're doing. Kudos to them."
"Our system is pretty straight up so anyone can squeeze right in," Carrier said. "They play the same way down there, so they fit right in like they had been here all season with us."
4. Logan Stankoven: 20(21*)-Goal Scorer
There were certainly a lot of people in my mentions this year that said very adamantly that Logan Stankoven was not a second-line center.
Well, now that the 23 year old has eclipsed the 20-goal and 40-point milestones this season, it's kind of crazy how I don't really see those same complaints anymore.
"It's what you dream of as a kid," Stankoven said on the milestone moment. "A lot of work, for sure, and I know it's far from over. I'm gonna keep getting better every game. I think I'm far from a finished product and I just want to be the best version I can of myself.
Stankoven made the move back to his natural position of center to start the year, that being just his second full NHL season at that, and so you knew it was gonna take some time for him to really get used to it.
But really right away, he found some strong chemistry with Jackson Blake and a variety of other linemates, whether that was Nikolaj Ehlers or Taylor Hall, and his lines had consistently been one of the most possession dominant in the league.
He wasn't getting any bounces for a while there, but now the pucks are finally starting to drop for him and his numbers are matching what his expected production has always been, as Stankoven now ranks 25th in the league in 5v5 goals amongst true centers.
"We've been talking about him all year and he went through that stretch where he wasn't scoring, but he was getting those chances and it was just a matter of time and clearly that's what's happening here lately," Brind'Amour said.
Stankoven is also the sixth Hurricane this season to reach the 20-goal milestone, tied not only for the most in the league this year, but also the most in franchise history.
"I think it's a great confidence booster," Stankoven said. "There's times when it has been frustrating when you get a lot of chances and they don't go in, but I've kind of said to my linemates on the bench, for all the times they've set me up and I've missed or hit posts and it didn't go in, that it's kind of nice now that they are starting to fall and drop in for me."
5. Taylor Hall Continuing To Impress
It seems like Hall can't stop scoring now that he's finally earned his 300th career goal.
Before he got that goal in Ottawa, Hall had gone seven games without a tally, but was racking up the assists and chances.
He's still getting assists now too as his production continues to climb, but his scoring touch seems to be back too, scoring his 18th of the season, and third straight, on Thursday (could we see a seventh player reach 20?).
The Masterton nominee has been a key part of Carolina's offense all year and he's been the perfect mentor for Blake and Stankoven.
It also shouldn't be overlooked that Hall was the one player given a letter to wear with the entire leadership team up in the press box.
The 34-year-old is a long-time veteran of the game, but he's also a well respected member of the Hurricanes.
6. A Solid Outing For Frederik Andersen
A lot of talk has been made about the Hurricanes' current goaltender situation and how it'll play out come Game 1 of the playoffs.
For me, it's really come down to a game-by-game basis on who can emerge as the strongest candidate in these last few games.
While Brandon Bussi has had the better overall body of work this year, he's really struggled since the Olympic break.
Frederik Andersen hasn't been that impressive either to be honest as of late, but tonight was certainly another point in his favor.
The veteran netminder made 23 saves in the win, even stopping a handful of grade-A chances for the Hawks, none bigger than his breakaway stop on Nick Lardis.
"That's what you need in a game like that," Brind'Amour said on the timely saves. "We had a couple gaffes, guys falls down and gives up a breakaway. You don't see that very often and that's a big turning point in the game if they score there. That was probably the save of the game for me."
Freddie was very solid overall for Carolina in a game they were actually outshot in, with none of the two goals he gave up even being remotely on him.
As we get closer and closer to the postseason, let's also not forget the fact that Andersen has been a steady playoff performer.
Yes, he had a poor outing in 2024 against the Rangers, but other than that, the Danish netminder has come up strong in many different series for Carolina.
With the win, the Canes moved back into sole possession of the top spot in the Eastern Conference (108 points)
They now sit two points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres (106) and have a game in hand on them.
However, the Sabres have four more regulation wins than the Hurricanes, meaning they'll actually finish ahead of Carolina should they end up tied in points and there's no way for the Canes to nullify that tiebreaker.
Buffalo isn't the only team the Canes have to worry about either though, as both the Montreal Canadiens (104) and Tampa Bay Lightning (102) are still in the race too, although they have a much more difficult route to the top.
Montreal can't catch the Canes in regulation wins, so they'll need to finish with more points. For that to happen, the Canadiens would have to secure five or more points more than the Hurricanes in each's last three games.
Tampa Bay meanwhile has to win out just to catch Carolina in points, which means any points gained by the Canes would eliminate the Lightning from being able to catch them.
However, should the Hurricanes lose out and Tampa Bay catches them, the Lighting hold the edge in regulation wins and would finish ahead.
But the Hurricanes control their own destiny and so the best thing for them to do is just to keep winning.
One win would mean that Buffalo remains their only opponent in the race for the East and three points in any fashion would officially secure the conference crown regardless of what anyone else does.
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