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Oblique injury casts doubt on Sung-Mun Song’s Padres debut

The San Diego Padres received disheartening news about their top free agent signee, Sung-Mun Song, who suffered an oblique injury that could sideline him for approximately four weeks. The injury occurred during a recent offseason batting practice session.

Oblique muscles are essential to excel in baseball 

Oblique injuries are quite serious, as they impair a player’s ability to swing a bat or throw a baseball. The abdominal muscle is crucial for a hitter to generate maximum bat speed through the strike zone. It allows them to create power between the upper and lower parts of their body.

Healthy, strong internal and external obliques are essential for core functionality. A baseball player needs to be able to rotate their trunk when swinging and throwing. Any level of an oblique strain will impact their ability to make the most basic baseball-related move.

Often, most oblique injuries occur on the dominant side of the player’s body. 

Time missed = severity of injury

The amount of time sidelined is dependent on the severity of the injury. Mild oblique strains will keep a player out of the lineup for two to three weeks. A more severe oblique injury will sideline them for up to eight weeks. The average major leaguer needs between 22 to 27 days to recover from an abdominal injury.

Rehabbing an oblique strain is very challenging, as the injured region cannot be immobilized for too long. Your core muscles, specifically the diaphragm, are essential for breathing. Most athletic trainers will implement a three-stage rehab program to get the player back on the field.

Detailed rehabilitation program

The rehab program begins with isometric abdominal exercises, which restore core stability while avoiding trunk rotation. Other suggestive activities include side bending, which slowly increases flexibility. Gradually, a player will be able to walk or cycle for short distances. 

The next stage is performing basic baseball movements without any discomfort. The rehab exercises become more challenging in stabilizing the abdominal region. Typically, it involves trunk rotations using resistance bands or cables.

The final stage before returning to the club involves mimicking all movements that occur in a game. The workout drills begin with light swings with a fungo bat, advance to hitting off a tee, and conclude with live batting practice sessions.

A throwing program begins with building arm strength with a weighted ball. Before progressing to the next phase, the trainers must determine that there is no discomfort in the abdominal region. If the player comes away with no limitations, they will become eligible to be activated from the injury list.

Not completing their rehabilitation program significantly increases a player’s risk of reinjuring themselves. Rushing back to the lineup does raise the likelihood of aggravating their oblique injury on a check swing or an extended throw. 

What is next for Song?

Establishing a timeline for Song’s recovery from an oblique injury can be tricky until he arrives in Peoria. Song is expected to report to the complex for full squad workouts on Feb. 15. His availability for the World Baseball Classic is unknown at this time. The tournament takes place between March 5 and 17.

The Friars’ training staff will take a cautious approach to what Song can do at the start of Spring Training workouts. The goal is not to re-aggravate his injury. 

Do not be surprised if the Padres place Song on the injured list to begin the regular season. It is all about protecting their investment.

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Penguins/Kraken Recap: Pens pull away to start road trip with a win

Pregame

Pittsburgh gets Ryan Graves into the lineup and gives Jack St. Ivany a night off. Stuart Skinner gets the start in goal.

First period

It’s not the smoothest start for the Penguins, though you wouldn’t know if from the scoreboard. Skinner has to stop Eeli Tolvanen on a clean breakaway early. Pittsburgh gets the game’s first power play but don’t do much with it. Soon after it expires they score anyways. Blake Lizotte sends a pass back to Parker Wotherspoon and it glides on into the net in no small part to the large frame of Anthony Mantha taking goalie Joey Daccord’s vision away. 1-0 Pens out of nowhere. Who needs a power play when you have Lizotte and Wotherspoon?

The Kraken are awarded a power play, yet it’s the Pens who score. Connor Dewar knocks the puck away from an opponent and has a step right by them for a breakaway. Dewar makes it count by blowing a shot by the glove of Daccord. 2-0.

Seattle is the next on the board, Skinner and Brett Kulak can’t smoothly handover a transition play, the next thing they new Ben Meyers had the puck going to the net and lifted a beauty of a shot to the top corner.

That’s the end of the first. The Pens are up, though they didn’t have a great start. Pittsburgh only managed three shots at 5v5, seven total in the period. They made the most of some chances as they popped up but there was a lot of downtime in between. The Kraken didn’t do much better posting five 5v5 shots of their own and six total in the first 20 minutes.

Second period

Lizotte gets sent off for a minor penalty, the Pens kill it off.

The period becomes heavy on the wall battles, Seattle wins one of those battles when Justin Brazeau can’t clear the defensive zone on his backhand along the boards. A couple of passes later it’s a tie game when Ryan Winterton makes a short pass for Ryan Lindgren to chip in. 2-2 game.

Pittsburgh finds an answer, Sidney Crosby wins an offensive zone faceoff back to Brett Kulak. Kulak pulls the puck towards the middle of the ice as he drifts backwards and tosses a long-range shot on goal. There’s enough traffic again to foil Daccord. 3-2, Pens back in front with five minutes to go.

Ben Kindel gets needlessly driven into the ice late in the period by Lindgren, Pittsburgh gets their second power play of the game, but again are held off the board by Seattle’s 32nd ranked penalty kill.

Both teams scored in the second period, the Pens were able to handle the shot count by a tidy 15-8 margin in the middle frame. That’s more of what was expected coming into this game for Pittsburgh to take advantage in that department.

Third period

The Pens start out strong, Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov nearly team up for a goal but are denied on a nice save by Daccord. Daccord’s got nothin’ for Brazeau top-shelf shot off a drop pass from Anthony Mantha that hinders the goalie’s vision yet again. 4-2 Pittsburgh, still 17:39 to go.

The pressure continues, Kulak hammers a shot on net with a ton of traffic in front, Daccord fights it off but leaves a rebound that Noel Acciari knocks off the post.

Kulak takes his second minor penalty of the game, Seattle makes them pay. Holy cow does Tolvanen hammer a slapshot. Lotta power on that one. 4-3 game, the Kraken still have 12:13 to work with.

Brandon Montour gets a penalty called on him and the Pens have a chance for a potential dagger but they can’t score on the power play. Instead the dagger comes a little later from Rickard Rakell. Crosby wins the puck back off the wall and quickly passes it back to Rakell who jams one in front the front of the net. 5-3 game.

Seattle pulls the goalie but there’s no late-game dramatics to be found today. Dewar shoots from way back to extend the score to a 6-3 final.

Some thoughts

  • The early start wasn’t the best, perhaps for understandable reasons considering the long plane flight yesterday combined with an odd 2pm local start. Body clocks must have been going haywire, tough to get the legs freed up- which shown through in the Pens’ game in the early going. They got better and grew stronger in their play as the game went along.
  • Have to give Seattle some credit though, they clogged things up as much as possible and made Pittsburgh play a hard game along the boards. We all know Crosby doesn’t mind getting in the trenches and muckin’ it up but that makes for a long night at the office when the puck is along the wall so often and a player has to fight for and earn every inch out there.
  • To that end of making the game tough, the Pens had their share of moments too. Daccord’s eyes were taken away with bodies in front of him, that strategy brought success for the visitors to score on a couple of innocent enough long-distance shots, had the goalie been able to see them.
  • Dewar’s shorthanded goal was only Pittsburgh’s second of the whole season, now 48 games into the season. That’s a bit of a surprise with how generally good the PK has been and even how productive many of the typical PKers have been at even strength.
  • It was also only the second game of the season for the Pens that two defenseman scored in the same game (the other being 10/25 vs CBJ).
  • You can tell how dissatisfied the coaches were with St. Ivany by opting to dress four left-handed defensemen instead, a rarity for them to select these days. The move also got Graves into his first NHL game in over a month. Shame there for St. Ivany, how long will he stay in the doghouse?
  • While one right-handed defenseman in St. Ivany is stock down in recent days and games, Connor Clifton would have to be the opposite for stock up. These last five games were the first time this season Clifton has gotten picked to play five in a row, he’s been making the most of the opportunity with his physical play (as to be expected), the more surprising inputs have been his skating and puck moving being noticeable these days. And if you haven’t seen the #content Clifton produced from the team’s jet, spend the next 3:17 of your day on it. A star is born?
  • The Pittsburgh PK gave up their first goal in 21 tries against them in the third, took one heck of a blast from Tolvanen to break the streak. Considering the Pens’ PK scored a goal for themselves they found an unconventional way to keep it even.
  • The power play was hardly as good, though. Aside from picking on a weak Flyer PK last week that group hasn’t been performing that well lately, perhaps the one area where Erik Karlsson’s injury absence has been felt the most.
  • Casual two point night for Crosby in his 1,400th career NHL game. Such a satisfying career to watch unfold, especially since becoming the 45th player in league history to hit this many games looked more a longshot at times. Instead, only Wayne Gretzky had more points through 1,400 games. Maybe Connor McDavid has something to say about that one day, for now that speaks to how great Crosby has been.

The Pens will now head north of the border for a bit, next game is in Calgary on Wednesday to try and repay the Flames for winning in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago.

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Steep Price Sharks Paid For Sherwood Should Be Price Sabres Are Willing To Pay To Make Their Own Major Move

Kiefer Sherwood (Bob Frid, USA TODAY Images)<br>
Kiefer Sherwood (Bob Frid, USA TODAY Images)<br>

The Buffalo Sabres lost out on a potential fit when the Vancouver Canucks traded rugged winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. But as we covered in this story, the Canucks still have other players Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekalainen should be interested in. And the biggest takeaway is that the price the Sharks paid to land Sherwood is a price the Sabres should be more than willing to part ways with to add NHL-ready talent right now.

The price San Jose GM Mike Grier paid for Sherwood was steep: two second-round draft picks, and prospect defenseman Cole Clayton. But the reason why Grier was comfortable surrendering three assets for a player who will be a UFA this summer is because the Sharks are moving from a long-term rebuild into a team ready to challenge for a Stanley Cup playoff spot. And you can say the same thing about where Kekalainen is with the Sabres.

"The Big Show"

Indeed, you can make the case that for many years now, the Sabres have been where San Jose is right now. But that’s a column for another day. The point of this column is that, if Grier was justified paying a big price to land a player of note, then Kekalainen should be ready, willing and able to do the same thing to improve the Sabres.

As it stands, Buffalo currently has two of its three second-round draft picks in the next three drafts – its second-rounder in 2027, and its second-rounder in 2028. The Sabres also have a prospect pool deep enough where they can deal one or two young players and still have a solid group of youngsters to build around.

Obviously, the trick is to figure out what youngsters to hold on to at all costs, but you have to give something to get something, and that’s why a decent prospect should be expendable for Kekalainen.

Sabres Facing Crucial Stretch That Could Define Their SeasonSabres Facing Crucial Stretch That Could Define Their SeasonThe Buffalo Sabres' playoff hopes could hinge on a grueling 10-game stretch. Can they rise to the challenge and end their 14-year playoff drought?

Standing pat can’t be an option for the Sabres. There’s enough talent on the trade block for Kekalainen to at least come away with one experienced hand – and, like Sherwood, someone who could be kept beyond this season, should the stars align and make the player a fine fit for the long haul.

At some point, you have to be more willing to package prospects and draft picks in return for younger players with upside. And that’s where Buffalo is right now.

If San Jose can afford to sacrifice some of their promise in return for players who can make a positive impact right away, surely the Sabres can do the same. And if he doesn’t do that, Kekalainen is going to be rightfully criticized. 

Sabres Get Massive Night From Thompson In Win Over Habs – And That's What They Need More OfSabres Get Massive Night From Thompson In Win Over Habs – And That's What They Need More OfBuffalo Sabres star winger Tage Thompson had a season-best performance against the Montreal Canadiens. And the Sabres need consistent brilliance from Thompson to secure their playoff spot.

For a long time, the Sabres were the team who dealt away players like Sherwood in exchange for picks and prospects. But the tables have turned 180 degrees, and it’s now in Buffalo’s best interests to step to the plate and take a massive swing on the trade market.

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Former Canadiens Forward Back In The NHL

A former Montreal Canadiens forward is getting another chance in the NHL.

The Colorado Avalanche have called up former Canadiens forward Alex Barre-Boulet from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. 

Barre-Boulet was called up to the Avalanche's roster in response to forward Valeri Nichushkin being sidelined for the Central Division club due to an upper-body injury.

Barre-Boulet immediately made his Avalanche debut following his call-up against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 19. The former Canadiens forward made a solid first impression during his debut for Colorado, too, as he recorded an assist on Parker Kelly's first-period goal for the Avalanche. 

Barre-Boulet certainly earned this call-up from the Avalanche, too, as he has been having a strong season with the Eagles. In 36 games with the AHL squad so far this campaign, the former Canadiens forward has posted 12 goals, 25 assists, 37 points, and a plus-11 rating.

Barre-Boulet spent this past season with the Canadiens organization. In two games with Montreal during the 2024-25 season, he recorded zero points and two penalty minutes. Yet, he primarily played with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, this past season. In 64 games with Laval in 2024-25, he posted 22 goals, 41 assists, and 63 points. He also had three goals and 11 points in 13 playoff games for Laval. 

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Ja Morant trade rumors: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo part of the reason the Morant market is so tepid?

No player is generating more trade chatter than Ja Morant, but is it all smoke and no real fire? Here are the latest Morant trade rumors.

Morant says he wants to stay

After missing six games with a calf contusion, Morant returned to the court in London on Sunday, scoring 24 points with 13 assists in the Memphis win over Orlando in an NBA Europe game. After the game, Marc Stein asked Morant if he wanted to stay with the Grizzlies, and he was clear he did.

"I've got a [Grizzlies] logo [tattooed] on my back, so that should tell you exactly where I want to be… If anybody in here knows me, I'm a very loyal guy."

What Morant wants may not matter. However, the Grizzlies may not have a choice but to keep him unless they want pennies from the dollar.

Is Antetokounmpo hurting Morant market?

Two things that we have consistently heard this season from league sources and reported here at NBC Sports: 1) There is not much of a trade market for Morant; 2) The Milwaukee Bucks are not going to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo during the season unless he demands it — and he said he would never do that.

Despite all that, the possibility that Antetokounmpo might be available for trade this summer could be hurting the Morant market now.

Take the Miami Heat, one of the rumored suitors for Morant. Memphis is seeking a young player and a first-round pick back in any deal for Morant. Miami doesn't want to get in the mix if it means sacrificing a player it needs to potentially chase Antetokounmpo this summer, reports Marc Stein at The Stein Line.

"One well-placed league source insisted to me that the Miami Heat should be scratched as a Ja Morant suitor — even if the terms are favorable—if such a move jeopardizes a future trade run at Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo."

To be clear, other factors have kept the Morant marketplace tepid: Morant's lengthy injury history (he hasn't played in more than six consecutive games in almost three years), his declining stats, and the fact that he is guaranteed $87 million dollars across the two seasons after this one. But Antetokounmpo is part of the mix, too.

The rubber will hit the road this summer with Antetokounmpo when the Bucks can offer him another max contract extension. A couple of times before, in this situation, Antetokounmpo used the threat of leaving as leverage, forcing the Bucks to make a big upgrade (signing Jrue Holiday, trading for Damian Lillard), then he signed the extension. This summer, teams are not so sure Antetokounmpo will sign that deal, and Milwaukee will be forced to trade him or risk losing him for nothing.

All of which has teams thinking past this trade deadline, something Zach Lowe discussed on NBA on Prime, explicitly mentioning the Heat as well as the Hawks, Warriors, and Lakers.

"[Those teams are] considering holding onto their assets for a potential pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo now or in the summer... If he doesn't take that extension, that's the same thing as basically demanding a trade… Right now, the Bucks are only 5-5 since he came back from injury. They are getting shellacked every second that he's off the floor on the bench resting. They're still in 11th in the East."

Interestingly, teams holding out for Antetokounmpo could leave the Bucks as the most serious suitor for Morant — Milwaukee is going to make an addition at the deadline, one way or another.

To point out what Bucks fans are screaming at their phones/computers right now, none of this means Milwaukee is going to trade Antetokounmpo this summer. He may sign the extension and stay, just as he has every other time he's been in this position. What is real is that other teams are preparing for the possibility that Antetokounmpo becomes available, and they are not going to give up a pick or a young player for Morant, who could be part of a blockbuster this summer.

Memphis fans love Morant

Another consideration for the Grizzlies — trading Morant would not go over well in Memphis.

Moving on from Morant would be "extremely unpopular" in Memphis, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on the Hoop Collective Podcast. While not as devastating, this has some Doncic-to-the-Lakers vibes, in that the front office would need a plan in place to deal with what would be a backlash from the community, where Morant is loved.

Jaren Jackson Jr. not looking to leave

It's a lot more wishful thinking than reality, at least according to league sources NBC Sports has spoken with, but there are still teams checking to see if Memphis wants to blow things up and trade its most valuable player, center Jaren Jackson Jr.

JJJ isn't looking to go anywhere, he just wants to know the plan, reports MacMahon of ESPN on the Hoop Collective Podcast.

"I poked around a little but about the Jaren Jackson Jr. situation, and my understanding is he doesn't necessarily want out. There have been people around the league who have suggested that's the case, I'm told that's not necessarily true. He just wants to understand what the plan is."

Maybe the Grizzlies ultimately decide to tear it all down and rebuild from the ground up, but that is not happening at the February trade deadline.

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Flyers Make Roster Moves Ahead Of Golden Knights Matchup

The Philadelphia Flyers have made some roster moves ahead of their contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

The Flyers have announced that forward Bobby Brink has been activated off injured reserve. In addition, the Flyers shared that goaltender Dan Vladar has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 14. 

Brink has not played for the Flyers since getting injured during their Jan. 6 matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, where he was limited to only 26 seconds of ice time. Yet, now that Brink has been activated from injured reserve, he is set to return to action for the Metropolitan Division club. 

Getting Brink back is good news for the Flyers, as he has been a solid part of their roster this season. In 41 games so far this campaign, he has posted 11 goals and 20 points.

Vladar, meanwhile, has been sidelined since leaving the Flyers' Jan. 14 matchup against the Buffalo Sabres early due to injury.

In 28 games this season with Philadelphia, Vladar has a 16-7-4 record, a .905 save percentage, and a 2.46 goals-against average. 

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Mackinnon’s Historic Night Lifts Avalanche to 5-2 Win Over Capitals

After their worst loss of the season against the Nashville Predators, the Colorado Avalanche face off against the Washington Capitals. There were some questionable calls in this game, but it was the Avalanche who capitalized on their chances late and secured a 5-2 victory.

Period 1:

Ilya Solovyov is called for an early holding call, but the Avalanche are able to kill it off. Cale Makar shakes off Ryan Lenard with a nifty spin move on the blue line and sends a wrist shot towards the net, which Parker Kelly tips in to open the scoring. That is his ninth goal of the season, officially marking a career high in goals.

Included in the goal is Alex Barre-Boulet, who was called up before the game to replace Valeri Nichushkin, and he gets the secondary assist on the goal, his first point as a Colorado Avalanche.

Then one of the most controversial calls of the season happens as Scott Wedgewood is called for tripping when a Capital knocks his stick out of his hands and trips over it behind the net. Jacob Chychrun capitalizes on the power play as he rips home a wrist shot from the blue line and in to tie the game 1-1. Josh Manson is called high-sticking, but the Avalanche kills off that penalty, and the period ends 1-1.

Period 2:

Jacob Chychrun, behind the net, goes to battle for the loose puck infront of his own net but gets called for high-sticking Ross Colton. The call is a double minor, and after review, it stands, sending the Avalanche to a 4-minute power play. Halfway through the power play, Martin Necas helps Nathan MacKinnon explode into the offensive zone with a nifty drop pass, and MacKinnon rips it to make it 2-1. 

Nathan MacKinnon after Avalanche 5-2 victory over the Capitals (01/19/25)

Ivan Miroshnichenko was called for hooking, but Samuel Girard was called for holding, leading to 4-on-4 time. Aliaksei Protas called for interference, but the Avalanche can’t capitalize on it. Victor Olofsson roofs a rebound off a Manson point shot to make it 3-1. Brock Nelson with a clean face-off win to help get the puck straight to Manson, which sets up the play. Though, just 17 seconds later, Ethan Frank is wide open infront of the net to finish the pass from Ovechkin, 3-2.

Period 3:

Chychrun sends the puck over the glass and is called for delay of game. Just over 30 seconds in, Anthony Beauvillier is called for hooking, sending the Avalanche to 5-on-3 for the remaining 1:26. Unfortunately, just 23 seconds into the two-man advantage, Neslon is called for hooking, and all of the calls are killed off.

MacKinnon finds Makar cutting to the net, and he rips to make it 4-2, though the Capitals take a timeout and decide to challenge it for goaltender interference. After review, it goes to the Capitals' way, and the goal is overturned back to 3-2. Though the lead is re-gained quickly after MacKinnon steals the puck as a Capital is trying to leave their zone and feeds Artturi Lehkonen to make it 4-2 again. MacKinnon passes Peter Stastny on that goal in 2+ point games and is now 2nd in franchise history. 

Necas steals the puck from Rasmus Sandin behind Charlie Lindgren and finds MacKinnon to make it 5-2. That is also MacKinnon's 1,100th point and the 70th player in NHL history to reach that mark. Lindgren, with less than 20 seconds left, makes a diving stick play that trips Olofsson and is called for it.

The Avalanche are back in action on Wednesday, Jan 21, when they face off against the Anaheim Ducks.

Trade Ideas Heat Up: O’Reilly, Colton, and the Stakes in Colorado’s Cup ChaseTrade Ideas Heat Up: O’Reilly, Colton, and the Stakes in Colorado’s Cup ChaseThe Colorado Avalanche are still looking for their solution at third-line center.
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Former Canucks Coach Part Of 2026 BC Hockey Hall Of Fame Class

The BC Hockey Hall of Fame has announced their class of 2026. Among those who will be inducted later this year is former Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green. The others who will join Green are former NHLers Josh Georges and Andrew Ladd, builders Malcom Ashford and Daryl Reaugh and the 2009 and 2010 Vernon Vipers. 

Green, who is from Castlegar, BC, started his career in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. He recorded 341 points in 283 games, which led to him being drafted 23rd overall in 1989 by the New York Islanders. Green made his NHL debut on November 19, 1992 and scored his first goal on November 21, 1992.

Over his 14-year career, Green played 970 games while recording 455 points. During his career, he also won a World Championship in 1996 and the Spengler Cup in 2007. Green retired from the NHL after the 2006-07 season. 

After a few seasons, Green jumped behind the bench in the WHL. He started as an assistant coach with the Portland Winterhawks and led them to the Memorial Cup in 2013. Green then made his way to the AHL, where he became the head coach of the Utica Comets for four years. 

Nov 17, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green addresses the media in the post game press conference after the Canucks suffered their fifth straight loss after a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Arena. Colorado won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green addresses the media in the post game press conference after the Canucks suffered their fifth straight loss after a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Arena. Colorado won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Green would eventually get his chance with the Canucks in 2017 and would spend four and a half seasons with the organization. He went 133-147-34 as head coach while also winning 10 playoff games. Green is currently the head coach of the Ottawa Senators and has been behind the bench in Ottawa for two seasons.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Game Preview #44 – Timberwolves at Jazz

Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz
Date: January 20th, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM CST
Location: Delta Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio

The Timberwolves limp out of their Texas two-step having stumbled twice, once in Houston, once in San Antonio, and the standings, as always, offer zero sympathy. On paper, it’s two losses. In reality, it’s a little more complicated than that, and also a little more frustrating than it needed to be.

Friday night in Houston was the kind of game that should age well in hindsight and still feels annoying in the moment. Minnesota was without Anthony Edwards, facing a Rockets team with Kevin Durant very much doing Kevin Durant things, and still found itself with every opportunity to steal one on the road. The Wolves defended well early, pushed the pace, generated good looks, and turned Houston misses into transition opportunities. And then the second half arrived, the rhythm disappeared, the whistles multiplied, and Minnesota calmly lit 15 points on fire at the free-throw line. In a five-point loss. That’s not bad luck. That’s self-sabotage.

Saturday in San Antonio somehow managed to be even more exhausting. Without Rudy Gobert, Minnesota spotted the Spurs a 48-point second quarter and found itself staring at a 25-point deficit against Victor Wembanyama on his home floor. That should have been the end of it. Instead, the Wolves did the thing they’ve quietly been doing more often lately. They refused to die. They clawed all the way back, briefly took the lead, and turned what should have been a blowout into a one-possession game in the final minutes. Moral victory? Sure. But moral victories don’t move you up the standings.

And the standings matter. After grinding all January to climb back into the conversation, Minnesota now finds itself two and a half games behind San Antonio and two games behind Denver. The hill they spent weeks climbing just got steeper again. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that the Wolves are still very much alive, and the next five games represent a stretch that serious teams are supposed to handle without drama. Utah on Tuesday. Then home dates against Chicago, followed by a two-game set with Golden State at Target Center, before heading back to Texas for Dallas. Five games that range from manageable to very winnable. Five games that will tell us whether this past weekend was a blip… or the start of a slide.

Which brings us to Utah, the first stop in a much-needed reset.

Keys to the Game

#1 – Take this seriously, immediately.
This is the kind of game where the opponent doesn’t beat you — you beat yourself. Utah does not have the firepower, depth, or defensive presence to match Minnesota if the Wolves show up with purpose. We’ve already seen this matchup end in a 40-point demolition earlier this season. That wasn’t an accident. The only way this becomes uncomfortable is if Minnesota comes out flat, sloppy, or mentally checked out after a draining weekend. This is about professionalism. About urgency. About recognizing that dropping games like this is how promising seasons quietly derail. The Wolves should come out looking to end this by halftime.

#2 – Win on the perimeter so the paint takes care of itself.
When Minnesota spirals defensively, it usually starts on the wings. Lazy closeouts. Straight-line drives. Over-helping that leads to open threes. That can’t happen here. Utah only survives if you give them clean looks early and allows them to stick around in a game that they shouldn’t be in. If Rudy Gobert is back, great. Let him patrol the paint. But the wings, McDaniels, Edwards, and Clark, have to do their jobs first. Good perimeter defense makes everything else easier.

#3 – Bigs, be grown-ups.
Gobert’s status matters. Naz Reid’s shoulder matters. But regardless of who’s available, Minnesota’s frontcourt has a clear advantage in this matchup and needs to play like it. Utah isn’t built to punish you inside, but they will hang around if you don’t control the glass and finish possessions. If minutes open up, keep giving Joan Beringer run. He’s earned it, and the experience matters. Championship teams don’t wait until April to figure out who they trust.

#4 – Make the free throws. Period.
This shouldn’t still be a conversation, but here we are. Houston was a clinic in how to waste an otherwise solid road performance. These are free points. The Wolves have already watched a handful of games slip away at the line. You don’t get to keep doing that and call yourself a contender. This is a fix-the-basics moment.

#5 – Let Anthony Edwards remind everyone who he is.
Ant’s 55-point eruption in San Antonio wasn’t just a scoring binge. It was a signal flare. This is what the leap looks like. This is what it sounds like when a star kicks the door down instead of knocking. Utah has been one of Edwards’ favorite opponents, and Minnesota badly needs the emotional reset that only a dominant Ant performance can provide. This isn’t about style points. It’s about reestablishing order. About turning two frustrating losses into a footnote instead of a turning point.

This should be a win. No qualifiers. No excuses. The Wolves have the talent edge, the urgency, and the opportunity. Championship-caliber teams don’t overthink games like this. They bank them, snap losing streaks, and move on.

Do that here, and suddenly the Texas stumble becomes a speed bump instead of a warning sign. Do that here, and the path back toward the two or three seed is still wide open. This is how momentum is rebuilt — not with speeches or promises, but with decisive nights against teams you’re better than.

Handle Utah. Then we can talk about the rest.

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LIVE Discussion: Phoenix Suns at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 PM ET

The Brooklyn Nets couldn’t get it done against the Bulls in the home-and-home. They’re back in Brooklyn on Monday where they’ll welcome former Nets assistant Jordan Ott and his new-look Suns. It’s Ott’s first season as head coach after he spent six years with the Nets, spanning from Kenny Atkinson to Jacque Vaughn.

Onto the game… these Suns are no laughingstock.

🏀 Phoenix Suns (25-17) at Brooklyn Nets (12-28)

Location: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM ET
TV: YES Network | Gotham Sports App
Radio: WFAN 101.9 FM

⚠️ Injury Report

Sharpe: OUT – Illness/Throat Contusion
Dëmin: OUT – Left Plantar Fascia Injury Management
Thomas: OUT – Left Hamstring Injury Management
Highsmith: OUT – Right Knee Surgery, Injury Recovery
Etienne: OUT – G League Two Way
Johnson: OUT – G League Two Way
Liddell: OUT – G League Two Way
Saraf: OUT – G League Assignment

💬 Discussion

Share thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.

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Draymond Green out tonight against the Heat

Draymond Green is the latest inclusion in the injury report. He is listed as out for tonight against the Miami Heat due to a right ankle sprain, in what will be the first game of a home back-to-back.

The Warriors will be short of two key rotation pieces in Green and De’Anthony Melton, who is listed as out due to injury management. Melton still hasn’t been cleared to play back-to-back slates, which means he will be available tomorrow against the Toronto Raptors. Al Horford — available tonight against the Heat — also hasn’t been cleared to play both games of back-to-backs and will be expected to sit out tomorrow night’s game.

Per Databallr, the Warriors have been a net neutral (plus-3.5 on the floor, plus-3.5 off the floor) this season with regard to Green’s on-off numbers.

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Carlos Beltran could add another Mets cap to Hall of Fame lineup

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Mets' Carlos Beltran smiles during an introductory baseball news conference in New York, Nov. 4, 2019, Image 2 shows New York Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran lunges for the ball during the third inning of an MLB baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, April 22, 2011 in New York.

Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza are the only players in the Hall of Fame enshrined as Mets, but that list could be expanding.

Carlos Beltrán, who told The Post last summer that he plans to wear a Mets cap on his plaque if he’s elected to the Hall of Fame, will know his fate Tuesday evening when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote is revealed for the Class of 2026.

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Beltrán last year appeared on 70.3 percent of the ballots cast. A candidate needs to reach the 75 percent threshold for induction.

Another player with New York ties, Andruw Jones, is a strong possibility to receive the call after last year appearing on 66.2 percent of the ballots. Jones played the final two seasons of his career with the Yankees. Beltrán also had a stint in The Bronx, where he spent 2 ½ seasons.

Over a 20-year major league career, Beltrán hit 435 homers and was selected to nine All-Star teams. He won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers. Beltrán played for the Mets from 2005-11 after beginning his career with the Royals and Astros.

“When he was on the field, he was always one of the best — if not the best — that was out there,” Hall of Fame closer Billy Wagner, a former teammate of Beltrán’s with the Mets, told The Post. “He was always in the thick of everything. He had a tremendous ability to stay calm at the plate a very high level.”

Beltrán, now in his fourth year of eligibility, might have seen his candidacy stalled following his involvement in the Astros sign-stealing scheme. Beltrán resigned as Mets manager — before he had even managed a game — as part of the fallout, but has since returned to the organization as a special assistant.

Mets’ Carlos Beltran smiles during an introductory baseball news conference in New York, Nov. 4, 2019. AP

Among the disappointments of Beltrán’s tenure in Queens was the called third strike he took with the bases loaded against Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright that ended Game 7 of the NLCS in 2006.

Largely forgotten is the fact Beltrán hit three homers in the series.

“We all had our moments in 2006 where we could have done something,” Wagner said. “But that was a heck of a series, and he played very well the whole series. It’s unfair to put that specifically on any one person. He had just been good the whole time.”

If Beltrán isn’t fully appreciated by the Mets fan base, it might be because the team failed to reach the World Series during his tenure.

“It’s not like when you are playing with the Mets that you aren’t dealing with the team next door,” Wagner said. “That’s always going to be your battle as a Met — the team next door has that many championships, so you are battling their championships.”

New York Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran lunges for the ball during the third inning of an MLB baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, April 22, 2011 in New York. AP

Jones won 10 Gold Gloves as the premier defensive center fielder of his era and hit 434 homers over a 17-year major league career. Jones was selected to five All-Star teams. He spent most of his career with the Braves and appeared in two World Series.

“He could change a game in so many ways,” Wagner said. “I don’t think [Tom] Glavine or [Greg] Maddux have the same numbers if Andruw Jones is not there.”

Others to watch on the ballot include Chase Utley, Andy Pettitte and Félix Hernández. Alex Rodriguez remains a long shot following his admission to using performance-enhancing drugs and a lengthy suspension for his association with a PED lab during his Yankees tenure.

David Wright received 8.1 percent of the vote last winter in his second year on the ballot. Candidates remain on the ballot for 10 years provided they secure at least five percent of the vote in a given cycle.

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Flyers put losing streak to bed with impressive road win over Golden Knights

Flyers put losing streak to bed with impressive road win over Golden Knights originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers brought their season-worst losing streak to a halt Monday night by gutting out a 2-1 win over the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

Travis Konecny delivered a big-time performance. He scored both of the Flyers’ goals on breakaways, with the second coming in the third period at shorthanded.

Amid the toughest stretch of his NHL career, Samuel Ersson had his best outing of the season.

The Flyers (23-17-8) stopped a six-game slide (0-5-1) in which they were outscored 31-12.

Rick Tocchet’s club earned a much-needed win to open a challenging three-game road trip against teams all in Western Conference playoff position.

The Flyers won in Vegas for the first time since Dec. 10, 2021, when they picked up a 4-3 decision. Carter Hart made 41 saves and Keith Yandle had two assists. Hart, now with the Golden Knights, didn’t face his old club Monday night. The former Flyers goaltender was out with a lower-body injury.

Vegas had a seven-game winning streak snapped. The Flyers split their two-game regular-season series with the Golden Knights (24-12-12). They lost to Vegas, 3-2, in overtime last month at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

• Perhaps this relieves some pressure for the Flyers.

They badly needed to grind one out and found a way to do it. The biggest positive for them was a competitive, low-scoring game, something that had totally eluded them the last five games of the losing streak.

Now the Flyers need to build on it and try to make life a little easier on themselves.

• Ersson was excellent, converting 24 saves on 25 shots.

He made a number of timely stops. The Flyers will hope this is a major jolt for his confidence.

The 26-year-old entered with an .855 save percentage and had given up 15 goals over his previous three starts.

Dan Vladar was placed on injured reserve Monday, a stint retroactive to last Wednesday. So the 28-year-old could be activated this week. Based off Tocchet’s comments two days ago, it sounds like Vladar has a chance to return Friday for the final game of the road trip.

He has missed the last three games with what the team disclosed Monday as a lower-body injury.

Golden Knights netminder Adin Hill stopped 15 of the Flyers’ 17 shots.

• The Flyers were getting annihilated on special teams over the losing streak.

Despite allowing another power play goal Monday night, the Flyers’ penalty kill went 6 for 7 and produced the game-winning marker. Konecny has 11 shorthanded goals over the last four seasons.

Vegas tied the game with 32 seconds left in the second period after Noah Cates was whistled for tripping. Tomas Hertl deflected one home from the slot.

The Flyers have surrendered nine power play goals in the last five games, but their PK was tested a lot against the Golden Knights and looked significantly stronger.

• Nick Seeler made a great defensive play to break up a 2-on-1 rush in the second period and had a huge blocked shot in the final minute of the third period.

• After missing all six losses of the Flyers’ skid with an upper-body injury, Bobby Brink returned to the lineup.

It’s not a coincidence that the Flyers were better with him back.

Lane Pederson, called up Sunday from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, centered the Flyers’ fourth line in place of the injured Rodrigo Abols. The 28-year-old Pederson was playing his first NHL game in over 1,000 days.

• The road trip continues Wednesday when the Flyers visit the Mammoth (9 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

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Paul George out, Joel Embiid available vs. Pacers; Jared McCain recalled from G League

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Update: Joel Embiid is available and will start Monday night against the Indiana Pacers. Kelly Oubre, Jr. will start in place of Paul George.

The Philadelphia 76ers will play the first game of their eighth back-to-back of the season on Monday night hosting the Indiana Pacers.

They will take the floor at the Xfinity Mobile Arena for the contest without Paul George. PG was ruled out this evening (after being listed as questionable earlier in the day) for left knee injury management.

Now, Joel Embiid remains the name to watch for Monday night as he remains listed as questionable for left knee injury management and illness. For what it’s worth, the illness part of the designation did not appear until Monday afternoon. We will keep you posted on his availability as we know more.

George (and possibly Embiid) missing this game shouldn’t come as a terrible shock or worry, though. As mentioned, this is the start of a back-to-back for the Sixers, with the squad right back in action again on Tuesday night to host the Phoenix Suns, a more formidable opponent than the 10-33 Pacers. Neither PG nor Embiid have played on zero days rest this season, so if the Sixers want them in the lineup against the Suns, it would likely mean sidelining them for Monday.

In other availability news, Jared McCain is back with the Sixers after a short — and honestly, lackluster — one-game stint with the G League Delaware Blue Coats. McCain played 30 minutes in a contest against the  15 points on 18 shots in six turnovers in a Coats loss to the Noblesville Bloom. He was recalled to the Sixers on Monday afternoon and is listed as available to face the Pacers.

The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin.

The Sixers and Pacers tip off in South Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET.

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Red Wings Are Fully Locked In For Division Battles

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There is no more tightly contested division in the NHL right now than the Atlantic, which features several clubs that just can't seem to lose. 

The main focus for fans of Hockeytown is the Detroit Red Wings, who are in a first-place tie with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the division's top spot; the Lightning have won 12 of their last 13 games. 

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs have all gone on prolonged winning streaks of their own. Only eight points separate the first seed from the fifth seed. 

For the Red Wings, they understand the importance of raising their level of competition against Atlantic Division opponents. 

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"They mean a lot, it's a four-point game if you win in regulation, and you can get that advantage over them," Alex DeBrincat explained after scoring the overtime game-winner on Sunday evening against the Ottawa Senators, another Atlantic Division opponent. "An overtime win is good too, but I think you get more amped up for them. You see them four times a year, and there's a little bit of a rivalry there, so you have to be ready to play." 

While the Red Wings didn’t get off to the start they wanted against Ottawa, they rallied for their second win over the Senators in two weeks after a 5–3 victory on Jan. 5.

Speaking of divisional opponents, the Red Wings will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday for the fourth and final time this season, barring a matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Red Wings, who have already defeated the Maple Leafs three times this season, have been mostly playing with more energy and "juice" in the eyes of head coach Todd McLellan.  

“I think our guys have been coming to the rink with a lot of juice for all the games, which is a real good sign," McLellan said. "Now, divisional, yes, they understand the standings and circumstances of wins and losses." 

"We talk about winning season series; we’ve got four points against this team now, and they have one," he continued. "We can’t quite have the series in the bag, but it certainly helps. Our group has been coming to play....for the most part, we're there." 

Detroit has two remaining games against the Senators this season, starting with their first game in the post-Olympic break on Feb. 26, followed by the fourth and final matchup in Detroit on March 24. 

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