Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center/forward Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard/forward Andrew Nembhard (2) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Joel Embiid returned from a prolonged four-game absence without looking like he missed a beat. He scored 27 points in 26 minutes as the Sixers rolled against a Pacers team whose injury report looked like a CVS receipt. We’ll see what he looks like against stiffer competition and when the games start piling up again, but it was an encouraging outing.
Tyrese Maxey also seems to have found his stride again. He dropped 39 this past Sunday in Minnesota and nearly recorded a triple-double in Indy. Most importantly — he got the entire four quarter off agains the Pacers. Rookie VJ Edgecombe is also looking like the All-Star break did him some good, averaging over 20 points a game over his last four.
After things appeared to be teetering a bit with four straight losses, the Sixers have won the last two. They still sixth in the East, but the Orlando Magic, who have been playing better, are tied in the loss column. The schedule doesn’t let up, as games against the Heat, Celtics and Spurs loom.
Hit me with your questions and comments below.
I also wanted to take everyone’s temperature on doing a sort of an AMA-style deal in The Feed. Basically I would sit in The Feed post for like an hour and get to as many questions as I can. If enough of you are into it, maybe we can make it a weekly thing.
SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Willie MacIver #47 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the Texas Rangers photo day at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for February 25, 2026 against the Cleveland Guardians.
The world of soccer throws up no shortage of questions. Today, Graham Ruthven endeavors to answer three of them
The soccer news agenda hasn’t exactly been a picnic recently. Concerns over the hosting of World Cup matches in Mexico. Gianni Infantino cozying up to Donald Trump whenever he can. The fleecing of supporters planning to visit the US this summer. Is all this really worth it? But then there’s Bodø/Glimt.
Everything felt heavy Tuesday night inside Crypto.com Arena. Not loud. Not electric. Just heavy.
The Lakers led the Magic for nearly 90 percent of the game. They built up multiple 12-point cushions. They shot over 48 percent from the field. Made more threes. Blocked more shots. On paper, it should have been a comfortable win.
Instead the paper will read 110-109 Magic. Another disappointing loss by the Lakers to a more physical team.
Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026. Getty Images
“I thought we played well enough to win tonight,” said Lakers head coach J.J. Redick. “We played hard enough to win.”
This wasn’t a loss to juggernauts like the Thunder or Spurs from the start of their homestand. This was an Orlando team hovering above .500 without Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner — two of their stars.
Instead, it was another entry in the growing catalog of evidence that these Lakers are not contenders. They are pretenders wearing expensive clothes and jewelry.
“We need to be more consistent,” said Luka Doncic who finished with 22 points and 15 assists. “We should have won a couple more games [on this homestand].”
The Lakers had no answer for Paolo Banchero, who has struggled to regain his All-Star form this season. Nonetheless, he looked like an All-Star Tuesday night, bullying his way to 36 points like a man crashing a private party. He attacked a defense that continues to talk toughness but rarely delivers it.
Orlando outscored the Lakers 58-50 in the paint and out-rebounded them 47-39. They surrendered 12 offensive rebounds, including two on the game-winning putback by Wendell Carter Jr.
“With their size and their strength you know it’s going to be a rock fight,” said Redick. “We lose points in the paint by eight in a one-point game. That’s the difference. We had more turnovers than them, and they had more offensive rebounds than us.”
If you’ve watched the Lakers over their eight-game homestand that saw them fall to 16-12 at home on the season, then you’ll notice a familiar pattern: jump out to an early lead, get outhustled and collapse in the second half.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Doncic started hot, but fizzled. He shot 8-for-24. He went 2-for-10 from three. He missed five free throws. His poor shooting from beyond the arc must have been in his head when he picked up his dribble and didn’t shoot on the game’s final play. Instead he passed to James who had to force an off balance fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer.
I’ll let you answer how that went.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 24, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers should have never lost this game. Not with three different closers on the court in James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
Every time Doncic had the ball in his hand late in the game his possessions devolved into isolation theater, everyone standing around waiting for brilliance instead of manufacturing advantage. The ball stopped moving. The oxygen thinned.
James was efficient — 8 for 13 for 21 points, including a dunk for the final Lakers points of the evening — but his five turnovers came at critical moments. The Magic scored 14 points off the Lakers 12 turnovers, Los Angeles only scored four. That’s basketball malpractice.
They led most of the night and yet it still felt like they were barely hanging on.
In early December, the Lakers were the second seed in the West. Now they sit 34-23, clinging to sixth, two games clear of the play-in undertow. They just finished an eight-game homestand and won four of them. Four. At home. In a conference that punishes hesitation.
Contenders slam the door. Pretenders admire the hinges.
The Lakers admired too much.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP
Orlando dictated terms on the glass and in the paint. The Lakers reacted instead of imposing their will. They played as if the game would simply tilt their way because it usually does for talented teams.
It doesn’t work that way in late February.
The Western Conference doesn’t care about potential. It cares about execution under pressure. And right now, this group tightens when the moment demands clarity.
Thursday in Phoenix looms large against a Suns team missing key stars. Another “should win.” Another trap disguised as opportunity. Win, and they give themselves breathing room. Lose, and the standings squeeze even tighter.
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Inside Crypto.com Arena, you could feel the doubt settling like dust in the rafters. Fans didn’t explode in anger. They exhaled in recognition. They’ve seen this movie before — double-digit lead, stalled offense, defensive lapses, one-possession heartbreak.
If the Lakers want to be taken seriously in May, then nights like this suggest they’re not even ready for March.
Talent alone does not make you a contender. Toughness does. Discipline does. Killer instinct does.
On Tuesday night, the Orlando Magic had all three.
The Lakers had none.
And that’s why they walked off their own floor pretending to be something they are not.
The Boston Celtics (38-19) wrap up a four-game road trip tonight at Ball Arena against the Denver Nuggets (36-22) in a battle of NBA heavyweights.
The Celtics have won each of the first three games on this West Coast road trip and four games in a row overall while the Nuggets have alternated wins and losses over their last six games.
Denver’s lack of consistency is in large part due to the absence of the injured Aaron Gordon (hamstring). Sunday night they lost in San Francisco to the Warriors, 128-117. The loss came in spite of another triple double from Nikola Jokic (35 points, 20 rebounds, 12 assists).
Boston takes the court tonight after winning last night in Phoenix, 97-81. Jaylen Brown (knee) was out injured but Derrick White scored 22 and Sam Hauser was 4-10 from deepto pace the attack against a Suns’ team minus their starting backcourt of Dillon Brooks and Devin Booker.
With Brown’s availability in question for the Celtics, Denver’s ability to defend the perimeter will be that much more critical. No doubt they will rely on their efficiency from inside the arc and their rebounding in an attempt to counter Boston's 3-point heavy approach.
Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Celtics at Nuggets
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 10PM EST
Site: Ball Arena
City: Denver, CO
Network/Streaming: ESPN
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Celtics at Nuggets
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Boston Celtics (+136), Denver Nuggets (-162)
Spread: Nuggets -3.5
Total: 228.5 points
This game opened Nuggets -3.5 with the Total set at 228.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Celtics at Nuggets
Boston Celtics
PG Derrick White
SG Ron Harper Jr.
SF Baylor Scheierman
PF Sam Hauser
C Neemias Queta
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Julian Strawther
SF Christian Braun
PF Cam Johnson
C Nikola Jokic
Injury Report: Celtics at Nuggets
Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown (knee)is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Jason Tatum (Achilles) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray (hamstring) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Julian Strawther (toe) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Jalen Pickett (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Tamar Bates (foot) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Celtics at Nuggets
The Nuggets are 15-11 at home this season
The Celtics are 20-10 on the road this season
The Nuggets are 32-26 ATS this season / 12-14 at home
The Celtics are 33-23-1 ATS this season / 20-9-1 on the road
The OVER has cashed in just 21 of the Celtics’ 57 games this season (21-36)
The OVER has cashed in 37 of the Nuggets’ 58 games this season (37-21)
The Celtics are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games
The Game Total UNDER has cashed the last 3 times these teams have played
The Celtics are 14-6 this season against the Western Conference
Nikola Jokic is AVERAGING 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game this season
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Celtics and Nuggets’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Nuggets on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Nuggets -3.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 228.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
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PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Cal Raleigh has already gone deep this spring, yet the switch-hitting Seattle Mariners catcher isn't focused on trying to hit 60 home runs again this season.
Raleigh, who had an MLB-leading 60 homers last year, hit a 427-foot homer against the Chicago White Sox in an exhibition game Tuesday. His first spring homer came in his third game.
“I think the elephant in the room is 60 home runs. That’s not something I’m setting out to do,” Raleigh told Seattle Sports this week. “To me, I’m just trying to be as consistent as possible, trying to do what I did last year.”
His 60 homers last season were the most for a player who was primarily a catcher, having started 119 games behind the plate and another 38 at designated hitter. The 29-year-old Raleigh, nicknamed “Big Dumper,” also had a career-high 125 RBIs and finished second in the American League MVP voting behind New York Yankees slugger and third-time winner Aaron Judge.
Judge and Raleigh are both set to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, which begins pool play next week. Judge set the AL record with 62 home runs in 2022.
They are among only seven players with a 60-homer season, and Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are the only ones to do so in consecutive seasons (1998 and 1999). McGwire and Sosa are the only players with multiple 60-homer seasons, and Sosa had a third in 2001.
NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 04: Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder (55) throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 4, 2025, at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s Spring Training Game Thread time. Wooooo.
It’s the very “fun” matchup of Paul Skenes and Bryce Elder, but really, it’s an early Grapefruit League tuneup for both arms.
This game is one of the Spring Training games broadcast on Gray TV, and should be available via MLB.tv as well, regardless of where you are.
The Braves will start the regulars in a home game, as is their wont. The Pirates have kind of a half-and-half lineup as some of their starters are making the trip to North Port. The Braves will get their first look at Marcell Ozuna wearing Pittsburgh’s colors this afternoon.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Johan Oviedo #29 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 22, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Is it on TV?
Yes, it’s on NESN at 1:05 PM.
What’s the lineup?
What should we watch for?
It’s always fun when you get a first look at a new pitcher. It’s especially fun when that pitcher is a 6’6” beast of a man. And it’s even more fun when that beast of a man gets his size from his mother: “My mom is huge. I feel like I kind of got that from her. She’s like 5-11 I think but she’s like big and wide and huge legs. She’s a monster of (a) woman.”
The wheels of infamy were set in motion on this day, 109 years ago, with the acquisition of Chick Gandil from Cleveland. | (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
1903 Though under contract to the White Sox, shortstop George Davis made it known he intended to go to court in order to break it and return to the New York Giants (“May ask courts for release; Davis has novel idea for jumping contract with White Stockings despite peace” read one headline, with the “peace” referring to the battle for players between the new American and established National League.)
Davis’ decision kicks off a tug-of-war over the superstar that lasted more than eight months. He would in fact report to New York, who paid him but flouted his White Sox contract in only four instances (games on June 26-27, June 30, and July 1 before a court injunction took him off of the field for the Giants).
Only when New York formally waived any rights to Davis, in November, did the shortstop re-join the White Sox to resume his Hall of Fame career.
1917 In an ill-fated move that would stain two pennants and one title over the next three seasons, the White Sox purchased Chick Gandil from Cleveland for $3,500 (close to $100,000 in today’s dollars). Gandil was the ringleader of two scandals involving baseball bribery: the Black Sox in 1919, as well as the lesser-known (and unpunished) payoff of the Detroit Tigers late in 1917 to help ensure the pennant.
Ironic in the Gandil saga (he, of course, was banished form the game along with seven teammates for throwing the 1919 World Series) is that he was a terrible player by the time he came back to the White Sox for a second tour. (Gandil made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 1910.) After strong seasons from 1913-15 with Washington (13.5 WAR, 116 OPS+), his 1916 in Cleveland was poor for a full-time player (1.2 WAR in 602 PAs). With the White Sox, he was even worse, with just 3.6 WAR over 1,562 PAs — not much better than a replacement player.
1946 The White Sox create what is regarded as the first media guide, handed out to beat writers.
Now, clearly there were programs and even media guides published before 1946, even by the White Sox themselves. However, those were often (always?) Spring Training and/or player rosters-only. The guide, written by Marsh Samuel and running 17 pages, actually just triggers a deeper, more interesting story … that the White Sox were once forerunners of the metrics revolution!
According to researcher Alan Kornspan at Cleveland State, beginning in 1946 and following in the footsteps of some other innovative figures (Branch Rickey, for one), Samuel began tracking advanced statistics, likely of his own creation but resembling some of what we see in the metrics world today. Cleveland owner Bill Veeck got wind of what Samuel was doing — and hired him away! At that point, Sox successor Ward Stevens took the reins and continued the work, which was still merely siloed in the PR department — not player evaluation.
However, once Frank Lane was hired as GM — at this time, no one wanted the White Sox GM job, as the team was in hock and possessed a woeful roster — he added Earl Flora as both publicity director but also statistician.
Lane’s pet stat, tracked as a child rooting for the Cincinnati Reds, was RBI with RISP. Under Lane’s direction, Flora started tracking reach percentage (i.e. on-base percentage), base runs (both bases advanced by runners, as well as bases a batter’s hit moved runners) and GWRBI. In fact, Lane felt so strongly that RBIs were an overblown stat that he created his own offshoot: OBR (Opportunities to Bat in Runs), the percentage of time batters drove in RISP.
Without extending this too long, Flora returned to sports editing, to be replaced by future White Sox GM Ed Short, a tireless worker who drove statistical analysis on the South Side to new heights.
But that is a story best continued on another Day in White Sox History.
1997 After a one-season spurt with the White Sox, 34-year-old free agent outfielder Danny Tartabull signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $2 million. Tartabull had been acquired before the 1996 season to add some punch to an already-formidable White Sox lineup, and punch he did: 27 homers, 101 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .487. However, Tartabull’s defense was so poor in right field as to earn him just 0.6 WAR on the season, so with Albert Belle signed for left field and Dave Martinez coming off of a 4.8 WAR season as a supersub ready to step into right, Tartabull was not re-signed.
And that turned out to be a solid move, because a broken foot limited Tartabull to just three games in 1997, and he never saw the majors after that. Thus the final home run of Tartabull’s 262-dinger career came in a White Sox uniform, at the Metrodome, on Sept. 27, 1996.
Mar 9, 2025; Peoria, Arizona, USA; A general view of the fans in attendance during the early inning of a spring training game between the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images | Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Hatfields and McCoys. Dominos and Pizza Hut. Coke vs. Pepsi. None of these rivalries hold a candle to the red-hot intensity that awaits in The Battle of Camelback Ranch, as the Dodgers face the White Sox, their spring co-tenants, on Thursday afternoon.
It’s the first of two meetings this spring between the two teams who have called Camelback Ranch home since 2009, with another encounter on the docket for Saturday, March 14. On Thursday, the Dodgers are the home team.
Tyler Glasnow is on the mound for the Dodgers, making his first spring start. Left-hander Sean Newcomb starts for Chicago.
A fly ball fall between Oklahoma City infielder Alex Freeland (5) and Oklahoma City infielder Hyeseong Kim (6) during the home opener Minor League baseball game between the Oklahoma City Comets and the El Paso Chihuahuas at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Dodgers are back on the road Wednesday to play the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. Here are the active players for the fifth game of the Dodgers’ spring, including Roki Sasaki making his first Cactus League start this year.
Lineup
Hyeseong Kim CF Santiago Espinal 3B Dalton Rushing C Alex Freeland 2B Ryan Ward 1B Nick Senzel DH James Tibbs III RF Zach Ehrhard LF Noah Miller SS
Kim starts in center field after two starts this spring at second base. Freeland makes his second start at second base to go with his other two starts at shortstop.
Other pitchers
Edwin Díaz will make his 2026 Cactus League debut on Wednesday, and River Ryan will see his first game action in 563 days after Tommy John surgery in 2024.
Will Klein and Ronan Kopp will each make their second appearances this spring, as will non-roster invitees Chris Campos and Garrett McDaniels.
Other active pitchers on Wednesday are Waytt Crowell (wearing uniform number 01), and Joseilyn Gonzalez (04), Christian Suarez (90), Payton Martin (91), and Cody Morse (93) up from minor league camp.
Other position players
Mike Siani is the other active player from the 40-man roster.
The daily active player group of non-roster invitees Ryan Fitzgerald, Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Kendall George, and Chris Newell are all making the trip, as are catchers Griffin Lockwood-Powell, Nelson Quiroz, and Eliézer Alfonzo.
Up from the minor league side on Wednesday are outfielder Damon Keith (06) plus infielders Sean McClain (44), Jake Gelof (05), and Logan Wagner (96).
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas, who is second on the team with 33 points, will take a temporary leave of absence because of a personal matter.
Blues president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong announced the leave of absence on Wednesday.
Thomas is expected to return to the team on Friday.
In 42 games, Thomas has 11 goals and 22 assists. He was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 16 with a lower body injury and has not returned. He made his last appearance in a game on Jan. 10 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Feb 18, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jonah Tong (21) throws a pitch during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF
Juan Soto – LF
Francisco Alvarez – DH
Mark Vientos – 1B
Hayden Senger – C
Christian Arroyo – 3B
Vidal Brujan – SS
Cristian Pache – CF
Grae Kessinger – 2B
Jonah Tong – RHP
Cardinals lineup
JJ Wetherholt – SS
Jose Fermin – 2B
Nolan Gorman – 3B
Nelson Velazquez – RF
Leonardo Bernal – C
Nathan Church – CF
Joshua Baez – DH
Blaze Jordan – 1B
Chase Davis – LF
Richard Fitts – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:10 PM EST TV: PIX11 Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Feb 19, 2026; PortCharlotte, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Brody Hopkins (88) poses for a photo during media day at Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Rays top overall prospect will make his spring debut this afternoon, getting the start against the Baltimore Orioles.
There isn’t any radio coverage today, but the Orioles are broadcasting the game so it can be seen on MLB.tv.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road against the Atlanta Braves, where they will try and pick up another win.
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