MIAMI (AP) — Griffin Conine hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, and the Miami Marlins scored four runs in the fourth in a 9-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
The Marlins, who were hitless in the first three innings, got their first hit in the fourth when Xavier Edwards singled off starter Erick Fedde (0-1). Agustín Ramírez doubled, then Liam Hicks sent them both home with a hit deep down the first baseline. Hicks leads MLB with eight RBIs this season.
Center fielder Luisangel Acuña committed two errors moments apart on throws to home. The first came on Owen Caissie’s single that drove in Hicks, and then on Heriberto Hernández’s single that sent Caissie home and gave Miami a 4-2 lead.
Fedde threw 80 pitches over five innings, earned four strikeouts, three runs and a walk.
With Hernández on third, Graham Pauley bunted. Relief pitcher Bryan Hudson overthrew the throw to home, giving the Marlins their fifth run. Conine and Hicks scored on sacrifice flies in the seventh and eighth.
Munetaka Murakami singled to drive in Edgar Quero, and Andrew Benintendi hit a line drive to right field to bring Acuña home and give the White Sox a 2-0 lead in the second.
Anthony Bender (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings with a strikeout and a walk. Marlins starter Janson Junk allowed two runs and five hits with five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Up next
Chicago's Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 0.00 ERA) starts against Shane Smith (0-1, 16.20) in the series finale Wednesday.
For the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Lakers will finish the regular season atop the Pacific Division.
The Lakers (49-26) clinched a playoff spot and the division title before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night even tipped off, thanks to the Phoenix Suns' 115-111 loss to the Orlando Magic earlier.
While the Lakers have historically dominated the Pacific with 26 titles since the division was established in 1970-71, their current run of two straight since the arrival of head coach JJ Redick snapped a dry spell that began after their NBA championship run in 2019-20.
The red-hot Lakers — winners of 11 of their last 17 — currently sit as the third seed in the West after Monday, one game ahead of the fourth-place Denver Nuggets and three games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets. And with their postseason spot now in hand, LA could have a chance to cement their claim at the third spot with wins over the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Suns and Utah Jazz.
Mar 31, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns lost to the Orlando Magic 115-111 on Tuesday. Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 points, but Collin Gillespie was the only other Suns starter to score in double digits. The Suns struggled to shoot from both the field and from three. While the Magic had 25 turnovers, the Suns had 20. The team’s two-game losing streak has been snapped.
Phoenix trailed for the majority of the contest, not taking their first lead until early in the fourth quarter. However, on the second night of a back-to-back, the Suns’ offense went cold down the stretch, going more than five minutes without hitting a field goal late. To start and end the game, Phoenix had trouble executing offensively.
Now 42-34 on the year, it’s looking more and more likely the Suns will be in the play-in. The question is will be it as the 8th or 7th seed. Their lead over the Clippers is now just 2.5 games.
Game Flow
First Half
It was a tepid start for the Suns. Technical fouls were flying for both teams and the Suns had just two made field goals in the first 5;35 of the game. Orlando was up 20-8 about halfway through the first. Phoenix was able to cut the lead down to single digits, going on an 8-0 run to end the quarter. It was 28-21 Orlando after the first quarter.
The Magic pushed the lead back to double digits early in the second with a 5-0 run. Phoenix started to creep back around the midway point of the quarter. Jordan Goodwin had an impactful four-point play that cut the deficit to five.
Want to know how Dillon brooks is back? He picked up four fouls in the first half and had to be subbed out less midway through the second because of his foul troubles.
When the Suns cut the lead down to a one-possession score, Orlando responded with a 9-0 run. For the rest of the half, Orlando had a sizable lead Phoenix just couldn’t crack too deeply into. At the half, the Suns trailed the Magic 70-56.
Second Half
To start the third quarter, Phoenix quickly cut their second half lead in half and more some. An 11-2 run prompted an early Orlando timeout, and the Suns pushed the game into a one-score contest at 80-77. Jordan Goodwin was flying all over the court. With Brooks in foul trouble, Goodwin anchored Phoenix’s defense.
The Orlando lead hovered around five points. Phoenix struggled to retake the lead. When Phoenix cut it to two with less than two minutes left in the third, Desmond Bane hit a straightaway triple. It was the perfect depiction of how the final six minutes of the third went until the end. A quick 8-0 run by the Suns to end the third tied the game up at 94 heading into the fourth.
Phoenix’s first lead of the game came early in the fourth quarter, with a Rasheer Fleming slam. The game went back and forth. Neither team was able to build more than a possession lead. Both offenses started to slow down their paces. Grayson Allen started to find a bit of a rhythm after a rough start to the game.
Down 109-107 with 4:08 left, Jordan Ott and company called a timeout. Both team’s offenses remained static and couldn’t generate baskets or good looks. Down the stretch, Phoenix’s offense especially struggled. They went over five minutes without making a field goal which ended up being their kryptonite and ending their two-game win streak.
Up Next
The Suns will face the Hornets on Thursday for their third game in four nights and their third game of their four-game road trip. Phoenix beat Charlotte 111-99 last month back in Arizona.
ATLANTA (AP) — Francisco Trincão scored in the 37th minute, João Félix added a goal in the 59th and Portugal beat the United States 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday night to deal the Americans their eighth consecutive defeat against European opponents.
U.S. star Christian Pulisic was moved from a wing to the top of the attack but failed to convert a pair of good scoring chances.
Pulisic, who played only the first half, is scoreless in eight national team games dating to November 2024 and in 12 games with AC Milan since Dec. 28.
Preparing to co-host the World Cup, the U.S. has been outscored 22-6 during its losing streak against Europe and is winless against the continent in 10 matches since 2021.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino announces his World Cup roster on May 26, and the Americans play their last warmups against Senegal five days later and Germany on June 6. The Americans open the World Cup on June 12 against Australia, face Paraguay a week later and close the first round vs. Turkey on June 25.
Before a pro-US crowd of 72,297 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Portugal went ahead after American midfielder Weston McKennie knocked a hard-to-control pass from Alex Freeman to Vitinha, who played a through ball to Bruno Fernandes. As defenders Chris Richards and Auston Trusty converged on the midfielder, he dropped a backheel pass to Trincão, who took a touch and slotted it past Matt Freese and inside the far post for his third international goal.
Félix scored his 12th international goal following Fernandes' corner kick. Left unmarked just outside the penalty area, Félix sent a half-volley in on two bounces off the far post.
Freese was back in goal after his streak of 12 straight starts ended when former No. 1 goalkeeper Matt Turner played in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium.
Stephen Curry went through a full practice on Tuesday, his first in two months, and is targeting a Sunday return to the Golden State lineup.
Curry is officially day-to-day but took a big step forward with the practice and scheduled scrimmage on Tuesday, reports Sam Amick and Nick Friedel of The Athletic. Warriors' coach Steve Kerr said after practice that "being healthy is the No. 1 priority," and that he was out Wednesday against the Spurs and doubtful to play Thursday against the Cavaliers. That leaves Sunday against the Rockets, and with that return date he could play in up to five games before the postseason.
"He went through a full practice, but it was very light," Kerr said. "We didn't do anything live. He's gonna scrimmage right now five-on-five. It's a good step for him."
Curry has been out since Jan. 30 with "runner's knee" — and he strained his adductor during rehab — missing 25 games. Without him, Golden State has gone 9-16 and slid to 10th in the West, and it's unlikely it will climb up from there, meaning the Warriors would need to win two games just to get out of the play-in.
Still, the Warriors are optimistic that if healthy they can make a run.
Curry, 38, is at the heart of that optimism, it's his gravity that makes the Warriors' offense work. When healthy this season, he is averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists a game, shooting 39.1% from 3-point range. With Jimmy Butler (ACL) and Moses Moody (knee) out for the remainder of the season, the Warriors need Curry to be his vintage self to have a chance this postseason.
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 7: Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz plays defense during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 7, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz are nearing the end of another season at the bottom of the rankings. Looking forward to next season, the question is going to be, how good can the Jazz be? The major issue with this team during this rebuild has been the defense. At no point has the Utah Jazz defense been even remotely good, and it does bear asking, can the Jazz become a good defense next year? With a potential front court of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler, can they become at least top-10 in the league?
Speaking of next season, Utah has the potential to be one of the best starting lineups in the league. But who will stand out the most among them? My other question this week is, who is most likely to be an All-Star representing the Jazz? Chances are at least one player will, but it’s difficult to decide who.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jazz fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 7: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 7, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards return to the friendly confines of Capital One Arena to take on the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
Game info
When: Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Injuries: For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly (heel), Tre Johnson (foot), and Alex Sarr (toe) are questionable, while Trae Young (quad), Kyshawn George (elbow), Anthony Davis (hand), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.
For the Sixers, Johni Broome (Knee) is out.
What to watch for
The depleted Wizards host a 76ers squad that suddenly has a clean bill of health for the final stretch of the season. Both Joel Embiid and Paul George have been in Philly’s lineup for each of the last three games, and the pair has put up 54.3 points per game between them in those contests.
Will Riley found his scoring touch during Washington’s recently concluded 5-game road trip. He scored in double figures in each contest, pacing the Wizards with 17.2 points per game during that span. If Tre Johnson is cleared to play, he’ll also get his third crack at a head-to-head matchup against his longtime peer VJ Edgecombe.
With the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets both winning on Sunday, the Wizards are now tied with the Pacers for the No. 1 seed in this year’s tankathon with two weeks left in the season.
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after the game on November 10, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks (24-51) head back out on the road Tuesday night to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks (29-45). This one is a make up game following a cancellation due to weather earlier in 2026. Dallas is coming off a brutal beating of a loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Bucks are stumbling down a four game losing streak, most recently Sunday night to the Los Angeles Clippers
Here are the main things you need to know:
WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Milwaukee Bucks
WHAT: A make up game!
WHERE: Firserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass
NOW it seems like the Mavericks are embracing an element of tanking. Let’s take a look at who is out for the game: Marvin Bagley, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Klay Thompson, and PJ Washington. Moussa Cisse IS going to be playing, so Josh will have something to watch at least. The other two-way guys are available as well, so expect heavy minutes there.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss this one, so the Bucks are folding it in as well. Kevin Port Jr. and Bobby Portis will also miss this game. Kyle Kuzma is playing though, so hey, maybe a big game from him incoming.
The season needs to end already. There’s nothing to watch for and yet here I am. Perhaps a Cooper Flagg bounce back game after a stinker on Monday night? Seems likely, the main question that follows there is can he hit a shot. I have faith. The form looks good, the threes just arent falling.
Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!
Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!
NEW YORK (AP) — The men's NCAA tournament is averaging 10.3 million viewers through the Elite Eight, according to Nielsen. That is the tournament's best audience since 1993 and a 9% increase over last year.
Friday's early window with Duke-St.John's on CBS and Michigan-Alabama on TBS/truTV averaged 14.2 million, the most-watched Friday regional early window since 1992.
The Final Four and title game will be on TBS, TNT and truTV.
The women's NCAA tournament on ESPN's networks and ABC is averaging 789,000 viewers through Saturday's Sweet 16 games. That is a 1% decrease from last year.
Ratings for Sunday and Monday's regional finals are expected to be available on Wednesday.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (48*-27) face the Rockets (45-29) tonight at Toyota Center. New York needs wins to hold onto third place in the East, while Houston is jockeying for playoff positioning in the West. The national audience should enjoy a thriller tonight, with both teams rating in the top ten for offense and defense and motivated to play hard.
Tip off is 8 p.m. EST on NBC and MSG. This is your game thread. This is The Dream Shake. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Keep all limbs inside the vehicle and be respectful of your fellow passengers. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but NBA Cup Finals are just well-disguised scrimmages.
The Warriors superstar took his most significant step yet to returning from a knee issue that has kept him out since Jan. 30, participating in practice with the team Tuesday.
While it was a “very light” session, according to Steve Kerr, the coach said Curry was expected to take part in a 5-on-5 scrimmage immediately afterward — a first for the 38-year-old sharpshooter and probably a step that had to happen this week for there to be enough time for Curry to return this season.
“It’s a good step for him,” Kerr said.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three-point shot against the Detroit Pistons. Getty Images
The Warriors must see how Curry’s knee responds to the live, on-court action, ruling him out for a 26th consecutive game Wednesday against the Spurs. Kerr left open the possibility that Curry could play Thursday against the Cavaliers, but said that was “doubtful.”
“We’ve got to see how he responds to the scrimmage. And then we’ll just take it day-by-day,” Kerr said. “It’s scrimmage today. And we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. And we’ll go from there.”
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The development represented the most positive turn of events in a stop-and-go saga that Curry has described as “frustrating.”
He is dealing with inflammation and bone bruising in his right knee — commonly known as runner’s knee — that can be tricky to manage, according to doctors. The injury subsides with rest, but returning to action too quickly can cause it to flare up again.
That is why not only Curry’s return to practice, but how he feels the following day, is critical.
Curry had been progressing well enough for the Warriors to set up a scrimmage for him on their last road trip and fly the head of their medical staff, Rick Celebrini, to Atlanta. In just one example of the unpredictable nature of the injury, Curry wasn’t cleared and the scrimmage didn’t take place.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts against the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
It seemed to be a step in the wrong direction for Curry, leading Kerr to acknowledge last week that there was “actually a conversation now” about whether there would be time left for him to come back this season. “We need to give him a runway if this is gonna work,” he said, “and we are running out of games.”
Golden State has seven games remaining starting Wednesday against the Spurs. Even if Curry wasn’t cleared to return until after the back-to-back, that would still give him five regular-season games to get ready for the Warriors’ inevitable date with the play-in tournament.
With wins against bad teams in three of their past four games, the Warriors improved to 9-16 over the course of Curry’s absence. They once hoped to avoid the play-in, or climb to the No. 7-8 matchup, but their fate has been sealed for some time. All the while, Curry has been determined to return.
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 15: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the net against Jamal Shead #23 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 15, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a good fight on Monday before falling in OT, and now they face a quick turnaround with a game today against the Toronto Raptors. Luckily, the Pistons are getting some reinforcements. Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and Duncan Robinson are all listed as probable after being held out of the game against the Thunder. Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart remain out, and Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser are questionable tonight. The Raptors will be without Immanuel Quickley, and Brandon Ingram is listed as questionable.
These two teams faced off about two weeks ago, with an Ingram-led Raptors attack helping propel Toronto to a 119-108 victory. RJ Barrett chipped in 27 and Jakob Poeltl was a monster on the boards with 18. It was also the rare game where the Pistons were outscored in the paint.
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -3.5
And even though Hayes made it clear through his actions and words that he can do it more, the Lakers don’t need him to.
With three seconds left on the shot clock on a sideline out of bounds play midway through the fourth quarter, Hayes caught a pass from LeBron James with none of his teammates open to receive a pass and nothing but space in front of him.
Instead of attempting to drive into the paint for a floater or one of his signature dunks, Hayes let it fly from beyond the 3-point arc.
And he made it, putting him at 3 for 3 on 3-pointers this season, with a celebration dance to follow.
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards Monday, March 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP
Hayes has attempted just 14 combined 3s with the Lakers over the last three seasons after taking 14 in his second season with the Pelicans, 57 in his third season and 29 in his fourth season before coming to Los Angeles.
“Always,” Hayes responded when asked whether he works on his 3-pointers. “Always. At the end of the day, I’m an NBA player and I still work on other things too. I can’t just work on dunking all day, so I gotta work on some things.”
But for the Lakers, spacing and stretching out the floor isn’t necessary or the role they need from him.
They need Hayes’ activity near the rim, which was showcased with the three dunks and two putbacks he had against the Wizards.
Or the 2.2 offensive rebounds he’s averaged over the previous six games entering Tuesday’s home game against the Cavaliers.
“Hopefully not,” coach JJ Redick quickly responded when asked about Hayes or starting center Deandre Ayton shooting more 3s.
Redick added: “Even though Jaxson made one, it’s so important for those guys, for our team, for them to put pressure on the rim. They’ve done it in a number of ways. Done it in transition. Jaxson gets ahead of his guy early, [LeBron James] hits him, he gets a dunk. DA as a roller. Jaxson out of our 88 spacing always does a really good job just playing off LeBron or Luka [Doncic]. For us, we’re elite when we touch the paint and we don’t touch the paint enough. So, the emphasis is not for our bigs to pick-and-pops and shot 3s. But it’s to put pressure on the rim.”
Deandre Ayton of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot by Nolan Traore of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
And over the last few weeks, both have been exceptional in their roles, giving the Lakers nearly 48 minutes of quality big man play, which is a stark contrast to how they finished last season.
After trading for Doncic last February, with Maxi Kleber sidelined with a foot injury, Hayes was the lone big man getting regular rotation minutes, but still averaged just 21.8 minutes as the Lakers’ starting center post-All-Star break – just two more minutes than he’s averaged as the backup big post All-Star break this season.
The Lakers’ reliance on center-less lineups to close out last season worked, but left them vulnerable to bigger teams, a factor in why the Timberwolves beat them in five games in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers high five before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Desmond Bane #3 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
