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April 14, 2025

Oilers Injury Update: Ekholm and Kane's Playoff Status

Mattias Ekholm. (Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images)

The playoffs are so close you can taste it.

For the Edmonton Oilers, that means it's decision time. With so many players injured, it's been hard to get a handle on their playoff lineup. They got some clarity on that front on Monday morning, as Kris Knoblauch issued a slew of injury updates after the morning skate. Buckle up, this one's a doozy.

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The big one concerns defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who reaggravated his nagging injury on April 11th against Dallas. Knoblauch confirmed that Ekholm is ruled out for the first round of the playoffs and could be out for quite a while longer.

"Mattias will be out for a while, and he won't be returning any time soon," Knoblauch told the media. By all appearances, it seems Ekholm may not return at all during the playoffs.

The other news wasn't quite so grim. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will return to the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings after missing the past three games with an illness, while Troy Stecher will be out after leaving Sunday's game with an injury.

Connor McDavid, after picking up nine assists in three games since returning from injury, will also sit out on Monday for precautionary reasons.

"With us playing three games in four days and a back to back, we feel there's too much to lose there, so we're playing that extremely safely," Knoblauch said on Monday.

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Everyone else--Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Jake Walman, and Trent Frederic--is officially day-to-day. Draisaitl and Walman are questionable for the final game of the regular season on Wednesday and ready for game one of the playoffs, while Hyman is likely in the same boat as a precautionary measure. Frederic, meanwhile, is questionable for the start of the playoffs as his timetable continues to get pushed back.

Finally came the big event: Evander Kane's first media availability since the beginning of training camp. Kane, who's been skating with the team for weeks now, seems ready to go for sometime in the first round, which will be his first game action since game two of the Stanley Cup Final.

"I'm really excited to get going here," Kane said. "As soon as we get to 100%, which should be pretty soon."

Kane also opened up about his recovery journey, describing the January knee surgery that kept him out for longer than expected. Kane's absence was originally due to a double hip adductor surgery he underwent in September.

"It was very weird. Probably ten days after surgery, I just felt [my knee] was stuck, it was sticking every day," Kane said on Monday. "So we got an MRI, and there was a benign mass kind of wrapped around my ACL and PCL, and we were able to get that removed."

The Oilers play against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night and close out their regular season on Wednesday in San Jose. The Stanley Cup Playoffs start on Saturday, April 19th.

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April 14, 2025

"I'm Honored To Be Here": Ryan Greene Will Make NHL Debut With Blackhawks

Now that the home portion of the Chicago Blackhawks' schedule is complete, they have two more road games before they call it a year. That starts with a visit to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. There is some excitement surrounding this game for both sides.

For the Blackhawks, this will mark the NHL debut for Ryan Greene. After losing the National Championship with Boston University, they got him signed up to his entry level deal and now he’s ready to start his pro career.

"The fact that it's here, it's pretty nerve-wracking," Greene said of making his NHL debut. "But it's also just really exciting. Even being in the locker room with a lot of these guys is so cool. I'm honored to be here."

Greene is going to start on a line with captain Nick Foligno and Oliver Moore. Like Greene, Moore signed his ELC after being eliminated from college, so they have that in common. Playing together with an elder statesman like Foligno may be a great experience for them.

Ahead of the game, interim head coach Anders Sorensen said that Greene is a "really good skater" and "really reliable defensively". Those two attributes are what an NHL coach looks for the most. With the step that Greene took offensively at BU this year, he's set up to be a solid pro right away.

The rest of the lineup will look like this:

Donato - Bedard - Mikheyev

Teravainen -Nazar - Bertuzzi

Foligno - Greene - Moore

Slaggert - Veleno - Reichel

Vlasic - Rinzel

Murphy - Crevier

Kaiser - Levshunov

Once again, the Blackhawks have an incredibly young defensive core. Murphy is the only true veteran among them. Sam Rinzel continues to play with Alex Vlasic on the top pair, which is a duo who will be hard to play against for a long time coming.

All of the forwards listed here are guys who will be competing for a job next year. Some of them are more locked in than others, but everyone wants to finish strong so they can feel good about their game going into 2025-26.

Arvid Soderblom will make his final start of the 2024-25 season. It was a breakout year for him. Coming into camp, he thought that he'd be splitting time in Rockford. Instead, injuries led to opportunity, and he ran with it. Being Spencer Knight's backup in 2025-26 is a real possibility for him, thanks to how he played.

Greene isn't the only player making his NHL debut in this match. You may remember when the Blackhawks had the number two overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. There was a solid debate as to whether they should draft Artyom Levshunov or Ivan Demidov.

They went with the defenseman over the forward. Demidov ended up falling to the Montreal Canadiens at five, mostly because of his KHL situation. Well, Montreal's risk has paid off. Now he's with them in the NHL.

It is fitting that Demidov will make his debut against the Hawks, the first team to pass on him. He will skate as a trio with Alex Newhook and Joel Armia, which is a perfect line for him to start on.

Demidov is a wildly talented forward who can make big plays using his shiftiness, speed, and skill. It will be entertaining to see him go at the NHL level.

Montreal can clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a win over Chicago in any fashion. They would be locking up the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by doing so. For being game 81 for both sides, there is a lot of intrigue.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

April 14, 2025

Why former NBA players believe ‘sneaky' Kings can escape play-in

Why former NBA players believe ‘sneaky' Kings can escape play-in originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Programming Note: Tune into “Kings Pregame Live” at 6:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday on NBC Sports California before the Kings and Mavericks tip-off. Immediately after the final buzzer, tune back in for “Kings Postgame Live.”

Two former NBA players are convinced the Kings will walk away victorious on Wednesday night – and potentially could be one of the playoffs’ surprises.

Ahead of Sacramento’s 2025 Western Conference play-in game against the No. 10-seeded Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center, Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams each signaled why interim coach Doug Christie and Co. could cause havoc if they get past their first must-win bout.

“And by the way, the Kings are sneaky,” Parsons said to host Michelle Beadle and Williams on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” on Monday.

“The Kings win this game, and they can go and win the next game and get the [No. 8] seed. The Kings are rolling.”

"Kings are sneaky. Kings win this game, they can go win the next game and get the 8-seed, too. They're rolling." –
Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams believes Sacramento is beating the Mavericks in the play-in.@MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/QBFzo9lMyJ
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 14, 2025

After all, the Kings won all three regular-season matchups against Dallas, who on roster and injury fronts, experienced a lot of turbulence throughout the 2024-25 NBA season.

“I think they beat them one more time,” Parsons added. “I think Dallas without Kyrie Irving, they have a huge hole to get out of.

“Anthony Davis, we don’t know if he’s completely healthy. They just went through so much this year, and the Kings, right now, are playing so good.”

Like Dallas, Sacramento underwent a rollercoaster season of its own, characterized by the dismissal of 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown after 31 games and the departure of star guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs shortly after.

Parsons, however, points to the Kings’ offensive force and their roster depth as to why Sacramento will move on to play the winner between the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors and No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies in hopes of a first-round showdown against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

“[DeMar] DeRozan is rolling. Zach LaVine is rolling. Sabonis. They’re just a better team,” Parsons concluded. “They’re just a deeper team. I think they get this game.”

Williams echoes the former Mavericks forward’s perspective.

“I’d agree. One thousand percent. Like, I won’t even make it difficult,” Williams said. “I just think they have the healthier team. They’re poised to win this basketball game.”

“They’re at home. And the Mavs have just been banged up all year. I don’t think they have enough manpower to get over that hill.”

Surely, Sacramento will take any support ahead of the season-defining clash — especially if it’s coming from a pair of proven former players.

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April 14, 2025

Marsh ‘putting a lot of pressure on himself,' sits in series opener against Giants

Marsh ‘putting a lot of pressure on himself,' sits in series opener against Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

If you hear 162 games and think it’s a long season — you’d be right, because it is.

It’s still very early in the Phillies’ 2025 campaign but Rob Thomson isn’t wasting time tinkering with the lineup to find something that works.

We’ve seen three different leadoff hitters for various reasons: Trea Turner against a left-handed pitcher, Kyle Schwarber against a righty and Bryson Stott to protect Bryce Harper.

He’s flipped Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm in the order — a way to acknowledge Castellanos’ early success while allowing Bohm to work through his current struggles.

And now, after the club’s 2-4 road trip and going 0-for-14 during that stretch, Thomson made the call to sit Brandon Marsh in Monday’s series-opener against the Giants — for reasons outside of the opposing starting pitcher. Here’s what Monday’s lineup looks like:

Bryson Stott (L), 2B
Trea Turner, SS
Bryce Harper (L), 1B
Kyle Schwarber (L), DH
Nick Castellanos, RF
J.T. Realmuto, C
Max Kepler (L), LF
Alec Bohm, 3B
Johan Rojas, CF

Marsh hasn’t hit since the season-opening series in Washington and his average is down to a team-low .108.

“He’s thinking about it quite a bit right now and everybody goes through it at some point,” Thomson said Monday. “I just thought maybe give him a day or two off and just let him watch for a minute. …

“I think he’s really thinking about (his lack of offense). He really feels like he’s letting his teammates down. He’s putting a lot of pressure on himself to do well. When you get to that point I think it’s time just to relax for a minute.”

The two days may turn to three, given the Giants’ rotation for the series. They’ll face lefty Robbie Ray Wednesday, who is currently 3-0 with a 2.93 ERA. More notably, he’s only allowed two hits to left-handed hitters.

Marsh is available off the bench for this next stretch but it seems highly unlikely he’ll be used outside of an emergency situation.

“The game is very, very tough,” Marsh said Monday. “It’ll bring you down, break you down and bring you up when you least expect it. Just got to keep a positive mindset and really just keep your head in the work.

When reporters began filtering into the dugout for Thomson’s pregame availability, Marsh was already in the cage taking an early batting practice.

“I’m usually not out here this early for hitting,” Marsh said. “Not being in the lineup today, I wanted to take advantage of my time and get the body right. … Just clearing the mind and going out there and playing ball.”

The current slump certainly isn’t for lack of effort.

Marsh isn’t the only concern offensively for the Phillies, though. The club was shutout twice in the weekend series against the Cardinals and they haven’t hit a home run since Thursday’s series finale against the Braves.

“I think they’re just trying to do too much,” Thomson said. “If you look at our ground ball rate as of late, it’s probably gone way up, especially on the pull side. They have to get back to doing what we were doing earlier in the year and getting good pitches to hit and controlling the strike zone and using the entire field.”

They’ll look to get back on track during their seven-game homestand.

April 14, 2025

Jets' Connor Hellebuyck Named NHL's Third Star Of The Week

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) celebrates on the ice after getting the shutout win over the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been named the NHL's third star of the week.

The 31-year-old posted a 3-0-0 record, as well as a .931 SV% and a 1.62 GAA. He recorded his eighth shutout of the season against the Dallas Stars and was stellar when the Jets defeated the red-hot St. Louis Blues.

He currently leads the NHL in wins (46), save percentage (.924), goals against average (2.02) and shutouts (8).

Hellebuyck will likely win back-to-back Vezina Trophies but may also find himself very high on the Hart Trophy ranking, expected to receive a fair share of first-place votes.

Here's what NHL.com had to say about Hellebuyck's extraordinary week.

"Hellebuyck went 3-0-0 with a 1.62 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and one shutout the help the Jets (55-22-4, 114 points) clinch their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. He denied 14 shots as Winnipeg halted the St. Louis Blues’ franchise-record 12-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory April 7. Hellebuyck then earned his League-leading eighth shutout of the campaign with 25 saves in a 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars April 10. He finished the week by stopping 28 shots, and turning aside two of three shootout attempts, in a 5-4 triumph versus the Chicago Blackhawks April 12. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, paces the NHL (minimum: 25 GP) in wins (46), goals-against average (2.02), save percentage (.924) and shutouts (8) through 62 total appearances this season. Only four goaltenders in League history have recorded more wins in a single campaign: Martin Brodeur (48 in 2006-07 w/ NJD), Braden Holtby (48 in 2015-16 w/ WSH), Bernie Parent (47 in 1973-74 w/ PHI) and Roberto Luongo (47 in 2006-07 w/ VAN)."

Finishing ahead of Hellebuyck as the NHL's first star of the week was Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves, posting three wins, a shutout and a .962 SV%, and Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid, recording nine assists in three games.

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

April 14, 2025

Expect Montreal's Ivan Demidov To Shine in NHL Debut Monday versus Blackhawks

Montreal Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov is poised to put together a breakout performance versus Chicago Blackhawks Monday

Monday night is the ultimate opportunity for NHL fans, with a loaded slate of thrilling matchups that fans eagerly anticipate. The game that sticks out is one with the Montreal Canadiens, who are looking to bounce back after a tough 1-0 loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday and clinch their first playoff berth since losing in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.

They will take on a Chicago Blackhawks team that can't wait for the season to end after finishing with the second-worst record in the league at 23-46-11 and the second-worst defence with a 3.58 goals against average.

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 9-3 record on our last 12 picks and our 17-6 record on our last 23 underdog picks.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL: NHL Betting Roundup: Demidov and Nikishin To Make Debut, Landeskog Return

Chicago Blackhawks vs Montreal Canadiens Best Bets:

Ivan Demidov anytime goal (+230)
Ivan Demidov Over 1.5 shots on goal (-160)
Habs -1.5 (-114)
Nick Suzuki Over 0.5 assists (-162)

One of the hottest players in the NHL right now is Habs captain Nick Suzuki with 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points over his last 24 games since the Four Nations break. He has helped carry Montreal into a playoff spot as they've managed a 14-5-5 record during his hot streak.

They are on the verge of securing a playoff berth and have called in the reinforcements to get the job done. Top prospect Ivan Demidov will be making his NHL debut Monday with many comparing him to the new all-time leading goal scorer in Alex Ovechkin.

More Betting: Early Stanley Cup Playoffs Bets to Explore Before First Round is Set

Demidov, 19, is coming off a season where he dominated in Russia's KHL while playing with SKA St. Petersburg and recorded 49 points in 65 games. He started skating with Montreal this past weekend and was impressive to say the least, making through the legs moves and stride dekes to get past some of NHL level defencemen.

He is expected to slot into the third line alongside centre Alex Newhook and winger Joel Armia, who are both due for a goal.

Canadiens' Ivan Demidov Targeting His NHL Debut | Saturday HeadlinesElliotte Friedman joins Ron MacLean to talk some of the NHL’s top stories, including the Edmonton Oilers preparing to potentially lose Mattias Ekholm, Ivan D...

I'm expecting a shining welcome party for the young superstar as Demidov will be playing in his first NHL game against a very vulnerable Blackhawks backend that the Habs have been able to regularly dominate with a 4-1-0 record and 17 goals scored over their last five games versus Chicago.

Montreal should be able to get the job done and secure their playoff spot in an easy win.

More NHL:Blues Enter Stanley Cup Playoffs As Dark Horse Contender

April 14, 2025

Jackson Page becomes first snooker player to make two 147 breaks in one match

Welshman stars in World Championship qualifying win
In line for £147,000 bonus and edges closer to Crucible

Jackson Page has received a £147,000 bonus after becoming the first snooker player to compile two 147 breaks in the same match in Sheffield on Monday. The 23-year-old from Ebbw Vale achieved the unique feat in the eighth and 12th frames of his 10-2 win over Allan Taylor in the third round of world championship qualifying.

The prize fund was available for any player who made two 147 breaks across the three “triple crown” events and the Saudi Arabian Masters this season – and will rise further if he holds on to the tournament’s £15,000 high break prize.

April 14, 2025

Jet Greaves Named As One Of The NHL's Three Stars

Jet Greaves is on fire!

The 24-year-old goalie from Cambridge, Ontario, was just named as one of the NHL's three stars of the week. Greaves was given the honor of being the league's first star.

Greaves was called up last week on an emergency recall and was immediately named the starter against the Buffalo Sabres. He beat the Sabres by allowing just two goals and had a .951 SV%.

Then came this past weekend. He was called upon to be the starter against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, and all he did was stop 22 shots and earn his first career NHL shutout in route to a 7-0 Columbus win.

The following night, against those same Washington Capitals, he was again put in the net in a must-win situation for the CBJ. He gave up a goal to Alex Ovechkin on the first shot of the game but then shut down the Caps after that. He made 29 saves to pick up his third win in 4 nights.

Greaves went 3-0 with a .968 SV% and gave up just a single goal. That one goal came against the NHL's new all-time goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin. You can't really complain about that one.

It remains to be seen if Greaves will start the season's final two remaining games, but I would put money on it that Greaves does.

Up Next: The Blue Jackets travel to Philadelphia to play the Flyers on Tuesday in the final road game of the season and the penultimate game of the season.

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.

Blue Jackets Sweep Weekend Series Against Washington; Stay Alive In Playoff RaceZach Werenski(22), Adam Fantilli(28, 29), and Dmitri Voronkov(22) scored the goals for Columbus, while Jet Greaves was fabulous, stopping 29 Washington shots.

Blue Jackets' Prospect Skates For First Time Since April 5th 2024The Columbus Blue Jackets received some good news today. Their first-round draft pick, Cayden Lindstrom, joined the scratches and skated with them ahead of the Medicine Hat Tigers’ second-round game tonight.

Blue Jackets' Goalie Prospect Signs ATO With Cleveland MonstersThe Columbus Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate has announced that they have signed goaltender Evan Gardner to an amateur tryout contract.

April 14, 2025

Suns fire head coach Mike Budenholzer after one season at helm

In a move widely expected around the league, Mike Budenholzer has been fired after one season as head coach of the Phoenix Suns, the team announced Monday.

Phoenix released the following statement: "Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season. Our fans deserve better. Change is needed."

This change had been expected for a while. Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia is not a patient man and, after an unmitigated disaster of a season, finishing 36-46 and missing even the play-in despite having the highest payroll in league history, major changes have been coming. Budenholzer being shown the door was only the first step. It is expected the Suns will work with Kevin Durant to find him a new home via trade, they also will try to trade Bradley Beal (who still hold s a no-trade clause and can veto any deal), and general manager James Jones — who has largely only followed Ishbia's orders — could also be scapegoated here, some around the league speculate.

Budenholzer came to Phoenix with the reputation of a defense-first coach, but without many quality perimeter defenders and no great rim protectors, the Suns struggled on that end, eventually seeming to give up, and finished 27th in the league on that end of the floor. At points, Durant was pleading with Budenholzer to simplify the offense that many of the younger players on the team never fully grasped. Budenholzer simply never connected with his players.

This makes three coaches in three years for the Suns under Ishbia (he pushed Monty Williams out the door and hired Frank Vogel — another coach with a ring and a defensive reputation — who did not connect with the players). Budenholzer signed a five-year contract to take the job last summer, now the Suns are paying three coaches (Williams is still cashing a check).

The next coach is going to take over a team with a dramatically altered roster built more around Devin Booker, but that new coach also will not face the championship or bust expectations that came with Budenholzer and all the high-end talent on the roster (well, the new coach won't face those expectations outside the owner's suite, at least).

Chauncey Billups had been rumored as a name for the Suns job — Durant, Booker, and others like the former Piston and NBA champion player, plus he had a Michigan connection with Ishbia — but he signed an extension to stay in Portland and keep building out that roster and culture. Will Ishbia and the Suns search for another big name, or will they pivot and look for a top assistant deserving of a chance?

It's going to be one long, hot summer in Phoenix either way.

April 14, 2025

Winnipeg Jets Accomplish A Canadian Club Rarity By Capturing NHL's Presidents' Trophy

Neal Pionk, Mark Scheifele and Cole Perfetti (Matt Marton-Imagn Images)

The Winnipeg Jets earned their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history on Sunday.

Although Winnipeg lost 4-1 to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, the Washington Capitals lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets, meaning they can’t catch the Jets.

The Jets led the Western Conference since Jan. 14, dominating the regular season with a 55-22-4 record with one more game remaining. Although Winnipeg and Washington raced for the top spot for most of the season, the Jets separated themselves.

That means the Jets are the first Canadian team to win the Presidents' Trophy in 13 years.

The Vancouver Canucks were the last Canadian team to finish on top of the NHL, accomplishing the feat in 2012. They also won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2011, when they lost in the Stanley Cup final to the Boston Bruins.

Since the award was introduced in 1986, a Canadian team has won the Presidents’ Trophy only eight times. Winnipeg is the fifth Canadian club to win it, with three Canadian franchises winning multiple times. Before the Canucks won, the Ottawa Senators clinched the trophy in 2003.

The Oilers were the first team to capture the Presidents' Trophy, taking it home in 1986 and 1987. After that, the Calgary Flames were the best team in the regular season in 1988 and 1989. The Oilers followed their Presidents’ Trophy win in 1987 with the Stanley Cup championship, while the Flames did the same in ’89.

However, winning the Presidents' Trophy does not often lead to Stanley Cup success. The last team to be the champion of the regular season and playoffs were the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2012-13 season.

In recent years, it has been more likely for teams to win the Stanley Cup one or two seasons after winning the Presidents' Trophy.

The Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and Capitals are all recent examples of this. Florida won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2022 and the Cup in 2024. The Avalanche won the Cup in 2022, one year after being regular-season champs, while the Lightning captured back-to-back Cups in 2020 and 2021 after finishing first in the 2019 regular season. The Capitals won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2016 and 2017 before winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.

The Jets, meanwhile, haven’t had plenty of playoff success lately. In their last two playoff campaigns, they lost in the first round in five games. They hope things will be different this year with a Presidents' Trophy under their belt.

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April 14, 2025

Phoenix Suns fire Mike Budenholzer after single, disastrous season

Mike Budenholzer has a 520-363 career record over 11 NBA seasons. Photograph: Ross D Franklin/AP

Mike Budenholzer is the latest NBA coach to be fired as the Phoenix Suns announced they are parting ways with him after just one season in charge.

The team announced Budenholzer’s departure in a short, terse statement on Monday. “Competing at the highest level remains our goal, and we failed to meet expectations this season,” the statement said. “Our fans deserve better. Change is needed.”

The move was unsurprising after the Suns missed the postseason, despite the presence of All-Stars such as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The Suns lost nine of their last 10 games to slump to a 36-46 record, meaning they finished 11th in the Western Conference, three wins short of a place in the play-in tournament. That snapped a four-season run of postseason appearances for Phoenix, including a run to the NBA finals in 2020-21, when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks that season were coached by Budenholzer.

Budenholzer was hired in May, replacing Frank Vogel, who also had a one-year tenure that ended in disappointment. It was hoped that Budenholzer – an Arizona native – could finally bring a championship to the desert. He didn’t come close.

The season started with optimism after the Suns jumped to an 8-1 record, but Durant went down with a calf strain that knocked the team into a tailspin. Even after the 15-time All-Star returned to the lineup a few weeks later, Phoenix were unable to recapture their early momentum.

Budenholzer couldn’t seem to settle on a regular playing rotation with rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro playing big minutes one night before being benched the next. Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic had an awful start to the season – and complained about a lack of communication with Budenholzer – before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets.

Booker and Durant stayed relatively healthy for most of the season, but Beal had constant injury issues and missed more than 20 games in the regular season for a sixth straight year. The Suns tried to retool at the trade deadline, but Beal’s no-trade clause and the team’s salary cap status above the second apron made making any major moves difficult.

Budenholzer’s departure signifies major upcoming roster upheaval for a team who have underachieved for three straight seasons. Owner Mat Ishbia has deep pockets and a desire to win, but almost every move he has made since taking over the team in February 2023 has backfired.

Budenholzer has a 520-363 career record over 11 NBA seasons with the Hawks, Bucks and Suns.

Budenholzer’s departure comes a week after the Denver Nuggets fired their coach, Michael Malone.

April 14, 2025

Former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy found dead by authorities after vehicle chase: What we know

Former LSU wide receive Kyren Lacy was found dead by authorities in his car after being chased near Houston, Texas on Saturday night.

April 14, 2025

How do the Lakers match up against the Timberwolves entering their playoff series?

Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards works toward the basket as Lakers' LeBron James defends him during a basketball game. — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards works toward the basket as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the teams' first meeting of the season. (Eric Thayer / Associated Press)

Four games and no information? A season series that offers little roadmap for the postseason meetings to come?

It’s a bit of a weird situation as the Lakers head into the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, their roster overhaul and strange December making it hard to really look to the past for information on the future.

“We had games the last, six, seven weeks where we hadn't played the team since [Anthony Davis] was on the team and didn't have Luka [Doncic]. So we have a way of prepping based on previous games, previous games against Luka,” JJ Redick said Sunday. “We have a general idea of what their rules are, just like they have a general idea of what our rules are.”

Still, there have to be things from the Lakers games with the Timberwolves this year that are going to matter.

As the teams open their first-round playoff series Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena, let’s take a quick look at how they match up.

KEY TEAM STATS

Lakers

Record: 50-32

Offensive rating (OFF RTG): 115.0 (11th)

Defensive rating (DEF RTG):113.8 (17th)

Net Rating (NET RTG)*: 1.2 (14th)
(*Net rating subtracts defensive rating from offensive rating for a projected margin of victory.)

Timberwolves

Record: 49-33

Offensive Rating (OFF RTG): 115.7 (8th)

Defensive Rating (DEF RTG): 110.8 (6th)

Net Rating (NET RTG)*: 5.0 (4th)
(*Net rating subtracts defensive rating from offensive rating for a projected margin of victory.)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lakers

Luka Doncic: 28.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.5 apg, 43.8 fg%/37.9 3-pt. fg%/79.1 ft%

LeBron James: 24.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 8.2 apg, 51.3 fg%/37.6 3-pt. fg%/78.2 ft%

Austin Reaves: 20.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, 46.0 fg%/37.7 3-pt. fg%/87.7 ft%

Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards: 27.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 44.7 fg%/39.5 3-pt. fg%/83.6 ft%

Rudy Gobert: 11.9 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 67.4 fg%/67.5 ft%

Julius Randle: 18.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 48.5 fg%/34.7 3-pt. fg%/80.6 ft%

HOW THEY FARED

Season Series: 2-2

Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles

Lakers 110, Timberwolves 103

The Lakers won their season opener as LeBron James and Bronny James become the first father-son duo to play as teammates in an NBA game. JJ Redick’s first win was sparked by the Lakers holding Minnesota to just 42 first-half points. Anthony Davis dominated with 36 points, Rui Hachimura had 18, LeBron James had 16 and Austin Reaves scored 12, the Lakers shooting five of 30 from three-point range. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 27.

Dec. 2 in Minneapolis

Timberwolves 109, Lakers 80

The Lakers had a season low for points, playing without an injured Austin Reaves (hip contusion). The team made only six of 31 from three, with D’Angelo Russell making four of them. Anthony Edwards shot just three of 13 , but three different Minnesota reserves scored in double figures off the bench.

Dec. 13 in Minneapolis

Timberwolves 97, Lakers 87

The Lakers offense was only slightly better in Austin Reaves’ first game back from injury. LeBron James was out dealing with a foot injury. Four players not currently on the roster played significant minutes — Anthony Davis, Max Christie, D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish.

Feb. 27 in Los Angeles

Lakers 111, Timberwolves 102

Playing with their full rotation, the Lakers held Minnesota to 17 first-quarter points while leading by as many as 17 points. LeBron James scored 33 and grabbed 17 rebounds while Austin Reaves had 23 and Luka Doncic 21 against Minnesota, which was playing without Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. Rookie Terrance Shannon Jr. led Minnesota with 25 points off the bench. Anthony Edwards got ejected and played just 26 minutes.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

April 14, 2025

New Orleans Pelicans fire David Griffin, their head of basketball operations

This was expected. Over the weekend, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that people around the league are "undeniably bracing" for sweeping changes in New Orleans.

They have: The Pelicans have parted ways with Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin, the team announced Monday, following an injury-riddled 21-61 season that saw New Orleans miss even the play-in.

"After considerable thought and evaluation, I have decided to relieve David Griffin of his duties as executive vice president of basketball operations," Pelicans owner/governor Gayle Benson said in a statement. "This was a difficult decision, but one that I feel is necessary at this time to bring a fresh approach to our front office and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success, on and off the court. I am committed to hiring the right person to lead our basketball operations department and deliver an NBA Championship to our city. That is what our fans deserve. I am truly appreciative of David for his leadership and many contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community over the last six years. We wish David and his wife, Meredith, and their family all the best moving forward."

The new executive will decide Willie Green's future as the team's head coach. Generally, that's a bad sign for a coach, new GMs tend to want to hire their own guys, although Benson reportedly is a Green fan.

In the six years Griffin was on the job, the Pelicans made the playoffs twice and won two games total in those series.

While the chronic injuries to Zion Williamson and others — this season Dejounte Murray (torn Achilles), Trey Murphy III (torn laburm), Herb Jones (torn labrum) and CJ McCollum all missed considerable time with injuries — was part of the problem this season, it was player evaluation and usage that had become a bigger source of frustration. Dyson Daniels spent two seasons scrapping for minutes in New Orleans, losing out on run that went to Jones, Murphy, Jose Alvarado and others, but he was traded to Atlanta this season, given a real opportunity with the Hawks playing 11 more minutes a night, and has had a breakout season where he is the frontrunner for Most Improved Player and is in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year (and, at least will make First Team All-Defense). Daniels became the symbol for missed opportunities.

Whoever is hired as a new head of basketball operations takes over a team at a crossroads: Do they test the trade market for Zion Williamson, or bring him back? Zion has three years and $126.5 million remaining on his contract, and he looked like an All-NBA player (24.6 points a game on 56.7% shooting with 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists a night) when healthy, but he only played 30 games.

It's decision time for the Pelicans, and there will be someone new making the decisions.

April 14, 2025

Football Daily | Hold the back page: the battle for third, fourth and fifth place is on!

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The Scottish Grand National, the Hell of the North that is the Paris-Roubaix bicycle race and the Masters at Augusta were among the sporting spectacles which Football Daily watched over the weekend while also keeping an eye on goings-on in the Premier League. And while we are happy to applaud the spirited efforts of also-rans such as – deep breath – Our Power, Grozni, Rock My Way, Mads Pederson, Wout van Aert, Florian Vermesch, Patrick Reed, Scottie Scheffler and Im Sung-jae, our interest in these not-football contests was certainly not piqued by the prospect of seeing who would finish third, fourth and fifth.