CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on from the bench during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on April 5, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The end is here. One week left before the second season begins. It’s the one that matters: the postseason. But this final stretch still carries weight for the Phoenix Suns, and not only in the standings. There is another layer to watch. Devin Booker and his path to an All-NBA nod.
Since the league implemented the 65-game rule back in 2023, eligibility has become part of the conversation. To qualify, a player needs to appear in at least 65 qualifying games, with at least 20 minutes played in 63 of them. For the other two games to play, the player must have played at least 15 minutes.
Per the CBA:
A player shall be considered to have played in a Regular Season game if he played at least twenty (20) minutes of such game, provided that in respect of no more than two (2) Regular Season games per Season, such player will be considered to have played in a Regular Season game if he played at least fifteen (15) minutes and fewer than twenty (20) minutes in such game.
As we enter the final week, Booker has played 62 games. Of those, 60 meet the 20-minute threshold. Only two fall short: the early exit against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1 and the limited run against the San Antonio Spurs on February 19. Both were under 10 minutes played.
And this is where the challenge arises for Booker. Four games remain. If Booker plays in all four and logs more than 20 minutes in each, he clears the threshold relative to games and becomes eligible for All-NBA consideration on the surface. But his “eligible” games are 64, seeing as he did not play 15 minutes in his early exits against the Lakers and Spurs.
You might look at it on the surface and say it doesn’t matter. That this isn’t an All-NBA caliber season for Devin Booker. And statistically, there is an argument there. 25.8 points per game, technically up from last season’s 25.6, but the efficiency has dipped. 45.5% from the field, his lowest since 2017–18. 33.0% from three, his lowest since 2018–19. Add in 6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 turnovers, and it doesn’t scream peak Booker. It feels steady. Productive. Not dominant.
But the 65-game rule has changed the landscape.
Look at who is falling off the board. Luka Doncic sits at 64 games and is done for the regular season. Had he not hit 16 techs, thus being suspended for one game, he’d be eligible. Stephen Curry has only appeared in 40. Cade Cunningham, who had a real case for All NBA First Team, is sidelined at 61. Anthony Edwards is at 60, and even if he plays out the final 4 games with the Wolves, he will not reach the threshold. He’d end up at 64, with 63 games deemed “eligible” after he played just three minutes against the Pacers in October.
That changes the field. When you filter it down to guards who are actually eligible, Booker’s profile looks different. He becomes one of the top scoring options in that group, sitting sixth among eligible guards. His 6 assists per game places him 11th. Not elite, but solid. Consistent. Available.
So while it may not feel like one of his best seasons when you watch it night to night, when you stack it against the league and apply the rules that now govern awards, there is a real path there. Not because he has been perfect. But because he has been present, and in today’s NBA, that counts for more than it used to.
So what happens? Do the Suns make an appeal, seeing as Booker played in 66 games but had to leave due to injury? Rumor has it the Lakers will be doing the same for Luka, who sits at that 64-game mark, and all of his games exceed 15 minutes played.
I have said it before, and I will say it again: the 65-game rule feels arbitrary. I understand the intent. The league wants its stars on the floor, wants fans to see the players they paid to see, and wants availability to matter. That part makes sense. But the game does not operate in a vacuum. Injuries exist. They always have. And this season has been a perfect example. Top-tier players are missing time not by choice, but because their bodies forced it. That is what has reshaped this race. That is what has created openings for players who stayed on the floor.
And that is where Booker may benefit. Not because he has had his best season. Not because he has been dominant every night. But because he has been there. Because he has played. Because in a year where availability has thinned the field, that matters more than it used to. How the NBA navigates this scenario with Booker will be interesting.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 26: Donte Divincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter during the home opener at Target Center on October 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Pacers 114-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers Date: April 7th, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM CDT Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves entered Sunday night’s game against Charlotte desperately needing a win to gain stability and maintain some semblance of control in the Western Conference standings. For three quarters, it looked like a normal, competitive NBA game. Minnesota hung around, traded punches, defended just well enough, and kept things within a possession or two. It wasn’t pretty (it rarely is with this team lately) but it was functional. You could see a path. You could talk yourself into it.
And then, somewhere late in the third, the whole thing cracked open.
Not slowly. Not subtly. Just… boom.
A one-point game turned into a double-digit deficit in what felt like two minutes. Then it stretched to 20+, and suddenly the Wolves weren’t just losing, they were disintegrating. The defense became a series of late rotations, wide-open looks, and revolving doors to the hoop. The offense devolved into turnovers, rushed threes, and missed layups that made you wonder if the rim had been raised a few inches mid-game.
It was one of those stretches where every possession feels like it’s somehow worse than the last. And the worst part? You’ve seen it before. This isn’t new. This is the recurring nightmare of the past week where the five-minute meltdown erases 40 minutes of decent basketball.
And just like that, they were done.
The Standings Gut Punch
If this were happening in January, you shrug, maybe fire off a few angry texts, and move on.
But it’s not January.
It’s the final stretch. And this loss didn’t just sting. It shifted things.
With Houston taking care of Golden State and the Lakers dropping one to Dallas, the Western Conference picture, which had been this chaotic, constantly shifting mess, suddenly snapped into something a little more rigid. A little more real.
Minnesota is now three games back of Houston with four to play.
Read that again. That’s not a gap you close. That’s a gap you stare at and try to rationalize.
Yes, there’s still a head-to-head matchup looming. Yes, mathematically, it’s not over. But realistically? The Wolves are holding an engraved invitation to the six seed.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s the uncomfortable part nobody wants to say out loud: Phoenix is still there. Still lurking. Still holding the tiebreaker.
Would it take a collapse of truly spectacular proportions for Minnesota to fall into seventh? Absolutely. But if you’ve followed this franchise long enough, you know the phrase “spectacular collapse” isn’t exactly foreign territory.
So now Wolves fans are living in that weird emotional space where you’re 90% sure it’s the six seed… and 10% terrified you’re about to watch something go sideways in a way that ruins your season.
So Now What?
At this point, the conversation starts to shift. Yes, the standings still matter. Yes, you want to hold off Phoenix. Yes, maybe you squint and convince yourself there’s still a path to fifth. But more than anything, this is about getting right before the playoffs.
Because if this version of the Wolves, the one that unravels under pressure, is the one that shows up in round one?
It won’t matter who they play.
The Pacers Game
What appeared to be an early-April afterthought has suddenly become a must-win game for the Wolves. On paper, this is the easiest game left. A bottom-of-the-standings team. The kind of opponent you’d normally pencil in and move on. But nothing about this Wolves team is “pencil in” anymore, and the team can’t afford to let this one slip.
With Minnesota unable to field a healthy roster, their opportunities to notch a critical victory are growing thin. Their last battle with the Magic resulted in them being run out of the gym. Expecting them to go into Houston and pull out a short-handed W is asking a lot. Lose here to Indiana, and it’s not too far-fetched to envision a scenario where this team heads into its finale in New Orleans needing a victory to avoid the play-in.
This game with the Pacers isn’t about style points. It’s not about a bounce-back statement.
This is about survival.
Keys to the Game
1. Finish Defensive Possessions
At this point, the Wolves don’t have a defensive scheme problem. They have a finishing problem.
On many trips down the floor, they are actually doing enough on the initial action. They’re contesting. They’re forcing tough looks. They’re getting to that point where a possession should end… and then it doesn’t. The rebound kicks out. The loose ball bounces the wrong way. Someone hesitates instead of attacking it. And suddenly what should have been a stop turns into a putback, a reset three, or worse, a momentum swing.
That’s been the difference in these recent losses.
You can live with great offense beating great defense. What you can’t live with is giving teams second and third chances when you already did the hard part.
Against Indiana, this has to be a point of emphasis from the opening tip. Rudy Gobert can’t be the only one treating rebounds like they matter. Julius Randle has to bring force. The wings have to crash. It has to look like five guys who understand that the possession doesn’t end until someone in a Wolves jersey actually secures the ball.
2. Recognize the Avalanche, and Stop It Before It Starts
Every Wolves fan can feel it now. That moment when the game starts to tilt. When the offense gets a little rushed, the defense a half-step slow, and suddenly the teems is teetering. It’s subtle at first, a turnover here, a missed rotation there, but it builds.
And the Wolves keep letting it build.
Good teams don’t eliminate runs, that’s impossible, but they interrupt them. They sense when things are slipping and they respond immediately. A timeout. A set play. A drive to the rim to get to the line. Something to stop the bleeding. Minnesota hasn’t been doing that. They’ve been letting those stretches snowball into game-deciding runs.
That’s where Chris Finch comes in. That’s where the veterans come in. That’s where the group has to show some awareness and maturity. If Indiana strings together six quick points, the response can’t be another rushed three and a blown defensive rotation. It has to be intentional. It has to be controlled.
Because the difference between a 6–0 run and a 16–0 run? That’s the season right now.
3. Tighten the Rotation and Ride the Players Who Have It
We’re past the point of experimentation.
If someone doesn’t have it, whether it’s Naz Reid struggling through the shoulder issue, or a shooter who clearly doesn’t have his legs, Finch has to adjust. He can’t wait for it to fix itself in real time.
The Wolves need energy. They need decisiveness. They need players who are going to play with force.
If that means leaning into younger legs, giving someone like Beringer a real look, if that means riding the hot hand instead of the expected one… so be it.
The worst thing this team can do right now is stick to a script that clearly isn’t working. Find the five guys who are ready to compete that night. Then trust them.
4. Push the Pace
When this team gets stuck in the halfcourt right now, things tend to stall. But in transition? There’s still life. Bones Highland pushing tempo. Ayo getting downhill. Randle attacking early before the defense sets. Those are the moments where the offense feels natural again.
More importantly, upping the tempo prevents the kind of stagnation that leads to bad shots and live-ball turnovers, which are the exact things that have fueled opponents’ runs this past week.
Against Indiana, the Wolves need to play like a team that understands its current reality. They’re not at full strength. They’re not at full rhythm. They can’t afford to make the game harder than it needs to be.
Run. Attack. Force the issue. Get easy ones before the defense can settle in. When this team is playing fast and decisive, it looks like a completely different group.
5. Play With Urgency, Not Anxiety
This is the fine line.
The Wolves know what’s at stake. They know the standings. They know the margin for error is basically gone. And sometimes, that awareness shows up as tightness instead of urgency. That can’t happen here.
Urgency means focus, energy, purpose. It means sprinting back on defense, making the extra pass, attacking the glass.
Anxiety is the opposite. It’s rushed decisions, forced shots, and trying to make the “big play” instead of the right one.
The Wolves don’t need to play desperate. They need to play locked in. Because when they do, we’ve seen what it looks like. Boston. Houston. Those weren’t accidents.
That version of this team that still exists. They just have to channel it.
This Is About Who They Are, Right Now
At some point, the standings become secondary to something more important.
Identity.
Right now, the Wolves are sitting in that uncomfortable space where they’re good enough to beat anyone, but not stable enough to trust it. They’ve shown flashes of being a team nobody wants to see in a playoff series… and stretches where they look like a team that’s one bad quarter away from packing it up early.
That’s the tension of this moment. The six seed is probably where this is headed. The Houston gap is real. And unless something dramatic happens, Minnesota’s playoff path is starting to come into focus.
But how they arrive there still matters. If they limp into the postseason, still dealing with the same issues like the rebounding lapses, the offensive stagnation, and the mental collapses, then it won’t matter who they draw. Denver. Los Angeles. Whoever. That series is going to feel like an uphill battle from the jump.
But if they use these final games, starting with Indiana, to clean this up, to reestablish their defensive identity, to rediscover their rhythm and confidence?
Then suddenly the conversation changes. Then you’re not talking about a fragile six seed. You’re talking about a dangerous one.
That’s the opportunity sitting right in front of them.
Because the truth is, for all the frustration, for all the missed chances, for all the “what are they doing?” moments, this team is still right there. Still talented enough. Still experienced enough. Still capable of flipping this thing in a way that makes the last few weeks feel like noise instead of foreshadowing.
But that switch? It doesn’t flip itself.
And if they don’t find it now, against teams like Indiana, in games they absolutely have to bank, then we’re not going to be talking about matchups or paths or possibilities. We’re going to be talking about another season that felt like it had more in it… and never quite got there.
And at this point?
Nobody in that locker room, or watching from the outside, wants to sit through that ending again.
Toronto, Ontario, Saturday, November 1, 2025 - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) reacts after Toronto Blue Jays' Andrés Giménez was hit by a pitch leading to an argument during the fourth inning of Game seven of the 121st World Series between the LA Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Apr 6, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson (14) and designated hitter Yandy Diaz (2) react after beating the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Rays played all last season in the home run prone Steinbrenner Field, and made their return to the pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field by….hitting three home runs. They won their home opener against the Chicago Cubs 6-4.
Let’s start with the bad news. Anyone who had the wild fantasy that Shane McClanahan would return after over a year and a half away from baseball looking like his old self find today’s pitching performance disappointing. He was pulled after four innings, with the second inning standing out as his worst. He walked three batters and then gave up a two-run single. Honestly he looked so rattled I though getting out of that inning with just two runs scored was very fortunate.
Also troubling — his fastball velocity is down from high 90s to mid 90s. Can you be a successful major league pitcher with a 94 mph fastball? Of course! But when you used to throw 98, it takes an adjustment.
But the Chicago lead was soon erased.
Chandler Simpson singled. And stole second. And stole third. With Cedric Mullins up at bat, I was thinking Chandler should consider stealing home because Cedric has not done much with the bat. But I clearly underestimated the man (or didn’t think pitcher Jamison Taillon would actually throw him an offspeed pitch given how he struggles to catch up with a fastball) because he put the Rays on the board with a two-run homer.
The home run itself was a thing of joy, but my favorite part was watching Simpson’s reaction as he skipped down the line to score. Yep, Chandler, baseball is fun!
Look at how hyped Chandler Simpson was after the Cedric Mullins HR, you love to see it pic.twitter.com/ME0AhmYcKG
Taylor Walls, back on the team after his IL stint, then doubled (!) and was driven home by Yandy Diaz, to give the Rays a 3-2 lead.
We were probably all holding our breathes a bit when McClanahan returned to the mound in the third. He did retire the side quickly, on three fly balls, but one of them looked like this:
Guys who work hard to improve in areas of weakness are my favorite players, so lots of respect to Simpson, who has supposedly spent his off season working to improve his outfield play.
The Rays went up 4-2 in the bottom half of the inning, when Caminero hit a no-doubt homer — 106 mph, 400 feet.
McClanahan left after a successful fourth inning — presumably Kevin Cash thinking to lift him on a high note – and was replaced first by Kevin Kelly, and then by Ian Seymour. Seymour got himself into trouble giving up a series of hits and a sac fly to make the score 4-3, but he managed to get out of the inning without reminding us too much how he looked in the season opener.
The Rays hitters weren’t done however; in the seventh inning Jonathan Aranda also homered, scoring Ben Williamson, who had drawn a walk, and giving the Rays a three run lead. Although closer Bryan Baker did give up a solo home run in the ninth, the Rays bullpen was on the whole quite effective, with Hunter Bigge contributing 1.2 strong innings.
The Rays won today with the continued offensive strength of Yandy Diaz and Chandler Simpson (two hits each), and less expected contributions from Taylor Walls and Cedric Mullins. It is great to see the bullpen settling down, and those of us who looked forward to the return of Hunter Bigge – both for his skills and the endless possibility for puns — are pleased to see that he hasn’t seem to have lost a step.
Remember last year, when the Cubs bats were on fire for most of the first half? Yeah, me too.
Remember last year, when the Cubs bullpen was solid for most of the year? Yeah, me too.
Neither of those things is going well for the Cubs so far in 2026, and those were the primary reasons for the 6-4 loss to the Rays Monday afternoon, the first time this year the Cubs have lost consecutive games.
The Cubs scored first in this one. In the top of the second, Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson led off with walks. After Matt Shaw and Pete Crow-Armstrong struck out, Miguel Amaya walked to load the bases.
But Jameson Taillon could not hold the lead. A single in the bottom of the second followed by a two-run homer from Cedric Mullins tied the game in the bottom of the second. Taillon got the second out of the inning, but then gave up a double.
That clip is from the Rays broadcast (with former Cubs radio guy Dewayne Staats!), but on the Marquee broadcast Jim Deshaies said Swanson should have probably just eaten the ball. Had he done so, the runner would likely have held at third. Taillon then got the third out.
The Rays made it 4-2 in the third on a solo homer by Junior Caminero.
The Cubs tied things up in the sixth. Ian Happ led off with a double. Carson Kelly also doubled, but Happ had to hold at third because it wasn’t clear if Kelly’s ball would be caught.
So the Cubs trailed by only one run when Taillon’s afternoon was wrapped after six innings. It was a decent start, six innings, seven hits, no walks. The two home runs weren’t good, but he does get a “quality start” for that effort, for whatever that’s worth. Here’s more on Taillon’s outing [VIDEO].
So it’s a one-run game heading to the bottom of the seventh and Phil Maton entered in relief. Maton walked the leadoff hitter, which is never, ever good. He did retire the next two hitters, including Taylor Walls on this nice diving catch by Happ [VIDEO].
Riley Martin made his MLB debut throwing the bottom of the eighth, and it was a success. He gave up a one-out infield single, but got out of the inning with a double play. Congrats to Martin, whose journey to MLB came from a Division II school (Quincy University). Looks like he could be a useful part of the Cubs bullpen — which they could use, because so far in this young season only Caleb Thielbar and Daniel Palencia have been reliable.
The Cubs did hit some baseballs hard for outs in this game but in general, the offense has just not shown up so far this year. The Cubs had just four hits on the afternoon and four walks and that’s just not going to cut it. The current team BA of .199 ranks 27th and the team OPS of .628 ranks 25th.
Now, this offense is better than that and when Seiya Suzuki returns on Friday it should get better. If the team was getting better relief pitching I’d worry less, but… that’s been another concern. It is still very early in the season, and things can turn quickly, as you know.
It would be nice if that would start tomorrow.
Today was the Rays’ first game back at the renovated Tropicana Field, but they still had the upper deck closed and reported 25,114 paid for the afternoon. It looked nice, though:
Javier Assad will start Tuesday’s game for the Cubs after Matthew Boyd hit the injured list with a bicep issue. Drew Rasmussen will go for the Rays. Game time Tuesday is 5:40 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy and players on the bench react during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Mathew Barzal is familiar with the business.
Nearly a decade removed from making his NHL debut with the Islanders, the 28-year-old forward has played games under five head coaches.
Jack Capuano was fired midseason, months after leading the franchise to their first playoff series victory in 23 years. Doug Weight was gone after less than two full seasons. Barry Trotz was fired one year after the Islanders made their second consecutive run to the conference finals. And Lane Lambert was let go before finishing his second season with the team.
What could surprise Barzal now?
“When [John Tortorella] got hired in [Las] Vegas the other week, I kind of laughed, [coming] with eight games left,” Barzal said Monday. “And then this happens. There was no sense of that.”
The shock of Patrick Roy’s firing was still evident after Monday’s practice on Long Island, less than 24 hours after the head coach was dismissed with four games remaining in the regular season.
Islanders players staunchly defended Roy, denying he had lost the locker room near the tail end of his third season in charge, shouldering the blame for the season-worst four-game losing streak that has put the team’s playoff hopes in jeopardy.
“We all love Patty and wish that we could have done better over the last 10 days,” Barzal said. “You look in the mirror and there’s chances that I missed … As competitors, you feel disappointment, just thinking you could have done more.
“The biggest thing I’ll take away from Patrick is just the accountability and the honesty within the room … He was so honest in discussion, and the way he looked you in the eye and was completely honest with you. Never told a lie. And that’s something you really appreciate out of a coach.
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy and players on the bench react during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“But I think at this time of the year you can’t let anything linger too long. You move on as a player. You ride with what you’re given. You wake up this morning and you’re excited to give everything you’ve got.”
It was time to move on because there is so little time left in the season, so little time to become acquainted with new coach Pete DeBoer and the basics of a structure that has allowed him to lead four different teams to the conference finals.
“He was being honest with us about what we can do better,” Jean-Gabriel Pageau said following Monday’s practice. “He’s had a lot of success everywhere he’s been and we’ll listen to everything he has to say. It’s not gonna be a problem to buy into his system. It’s exciting to have that little reset and fresh start.”
New Islanders coach Peter DeBoer hits the ice. New York Islanders/Kathryn Howell
Star rookie Matthew Schaefer shared similar enthusiasm, speaking of the opportunity to learn from the accomplished coach.
And despite the sudden change, the team’s mindset remains the same.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position to expect to make the playoffs,” captain Anders Lee said. “We can go out there and get this thing done.”
A coach can only do so much, center Brayden Schenn said:
The Sixers’ odds of needing to go through the NBA’s play-in tournament increased Monday night.
With a 115-102 road loss to the Spurs, the Sixers dipped to 43-36. The defeat again meant that the Sixers fell from sixth to seventh in the ever-changing Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors hold a half-game lead over the Sixers for the final spot above the play-in. Toronto will host the 10th-seeded Heat on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Both the Hornets and Magic now also sit at 43-36. The Sixers hold tiebreakers over each team.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers with a 34-point, 12-rebound performance.
Paul George scored 16 points. Tyrese Maxey tallied 15 points and VJ Edgecombe added 14.
Stephon Castle posted a triple-double for San Antonio with 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.
The Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama was ruled out at halftime with a left rib contusion. He had 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting, five rebounds and three blocks in the first half.
The Sixers’ next stop in Texas will be Houston, where they’ll play the Rockets on Thursday night. Here are observations on their loss in San Antonio:
Injuries a central story
Kelly Oubre Jr. started instead of Dominick Barlow. It’s the first time that’s been the case since Oubre returned from his left elbow sprain in late March and that Sixers had all their rotation pieces available.
George drained three three-pointers in under six minutes. He had another excellent first quarter, posting 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting. George also picked up an early steal when he poked that ball away from De’Aaron Fox on the perimeter. That started a fast break which Oubre finished off with a put-back layup.
Uncertainty about Embiid’s status was the largest story of the first quarter.
The Sixers’ star big man landed awkwardly after blocking Wembanyama in the first minute of the game. Embiid sat on the scorer’s table with 7:42 left in the first quarter and the Sixers called timeout. Andre Drummond entered. It wasn’t clear exactly what was bothering Embiid, though he appeared to be flexing his left foot or ankle at one point.
Whatever the issue, Embiid subbed back in with 3:33 to go in the first. He swished a jumper from the right elbow 23 seconds later, although Embiid continued to move gingerly late in the first quarter. Eventually, he looked more steady and forceful.
For the Spurs, Castle and Wembanyama also had apparent injuries pop up in the first half.
Castle was cleared to return and fine for the rest of the night, but Wembanyama kept dealing with discomfort that seemed to stem from a collision with George. Luke Kornet started the second half at center.
Nothing doing for Maxey in first half
Maxey entered Monday averaging 28.6 points. He scored zero in the first half on 0-for-4 shooting.
The Sixers’ All-Star guard dished out seven assists over the first two quarters and wasn’t blatantly gun-shy. He was certainly more deferential than usual, though.
Embiid got into a good offensive rhythm in the second quarter. His highlights included a nimble step-back three over Wembanyama that cut the Sixers’ deficit to five points. The team trailed by seven at halftime.
The last time Embiid and Wembanyama matched up before Monday, Embiid scored 70. He was never anywhere near that pace Monday, but Embiid showed he’s still a serious challenge for any defender to face 1-on-1.
While Embid served as the Sixers’ primary defender on Wembanyama, Barlow also got key minutes guarding the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 superstar in the first half. As usual, he was intelligent and high-effort in that task.
Crucial Embiid-less stretch goes poorly
The teams exchanged runs early in the third quarter. The Sixers briefly went in front with an Embiid triple, but San Antonio replied with a 9-0 spurt.
The Spurs shifted to small ball after Kornet subbed out. Embiid’s physicality was a plus against whoever San Antonio had on the floor. The seven-time All-Star’s rebounding and free throw numbers were two reflections of his strong night in that department.
Embiid recorded five offensive boards and seven defensive boards. He set new season highs in free throws made (16) and free throws attempted (19).
Embiid played the whole third quarter. Andre Drummond opened the fourth on a night Adem Bona never left the bench.
The Sixers didn’t fare well during that important Embiid-less stretch. Drummond missed a corner three. Kornet then beat him down the floor and slammed in an alley-oop dunk. A Dylan Harper three put the Spurs up by 14 points.
Quentin Grimes’ subpar outing also did not help when the Sixers were were trying to tread water without Embiid. Grimes had five points on 2-for-7 shooting and two rebounds in 23 minutes as the Sixers’ sixth man. Oubre had an identical stat line of five points on 2-for-7 shooting and missed multiple late jumpers. Barlow subbed in for Oubre with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter.
The Sixers were left with almost no margin for error in the final minutes against an opponent that’s grown very accustomed to winning. The Spurs cemented their 60th victory.
A character from the steel, foam, and fiberglass sculpture called The Audience appears on the facade of The Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto, Canada, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Mike Campbell/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Stupid Dodgers are in town to play the Jays. Stupid Dodgers.
We 1/16th of the way through the season, after this.
I’m in Kitakyushu, Japan, one of those places I’m really interested in seeing, when this game happens. And roughly halfway through the holiday.
I bought the new OOTP Baseball the other day. The early roster isn’t exactly what the Jays started the season with, but I could restart the game when the season starts and get the roster closer to what it will really be. I’m enjoying it so far. You could also start with the teams the way they were at the end of the season, and sign your own free agents, or try to re-sign Bo Bichette if you really wanted, which might be fun to do. If you have never played OOTP, well, I really enjoy it. You can play as GM and Manager. Or you could play as just the GM and let the game do the in-game stuff by itself. I like playing the games as the manager. But then it takes a lot longer to get through a season. Give it a try.
BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 26: Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins warms up prior to a during a game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 26, 2026 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch (CT): 6:40 TV: Twins.TV Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App Know Yo’ Foe: Bless You Boys
The Minnesota Twins are back in action this evening facing the division-favorite Detroit Tigers. The Tigers ran back essentially the same squad as 2025 with two key additions. Primarily All-Star starter Framber Valdez, who the Twins will face on Wednesday. But don’t overlook rookie phenom Kevin McGonigle. The Top-5 prospect has an .865 OPS and a few key hits in this young season. For a lineup that was often lacking some punch, McGonigle could be a welcome addition for a team trying to make a title push before likely losing back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal in 2027.
It was widely expected that Michael Malone would return to coaching next season. His jumping to college was not.
Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the franchise's only NBA title, reportedly will soon be announced as the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, a story broken by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and since confirmed by other reports.
North Carolina had been big game hunting to replace Hubert Davis, who was fired after the Tar Heels' second consecutive first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament (his teams had won two total tournament games in the past four years and missed the big dance one of those seasons, an unacceptable outcome in Chapel Hill). Reports had linked Bulls coach — and two-time NCAA champion at Florida — Billy Donovan to the job, and he didn’t exactly deny it. Two coaches in the Final Four — Tommy Lloyd of Arizona and Dusty May of Michigan — also were liniked to the job.
Malone came more out of nowhere, but he brings an NBA pedigree that should be a draw for players (that and a large NIL budget). Malone did start his career as a college assistant coach, but the last time he was in the college game was 2001 at Manhattan. Malone is a respected Xs and Os coach, and with the dynamics of college basketball moving closer to those of the professional ranks, the theory is that Malone can step right in and have an impact.
Malone was expected to get a long look from some teams changing coaches this offseason, with reports that the New Orleans had a strong interest in him. With the North Carolina job off the table, it is more likely that Donovan returns to the Bulls. According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line, they want to keep him despite firing Arturas Karnisovas, the executive vice president of basketball operations and decision maker, as well as general manager Marc Eversley, on Monday.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 1: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons defends against Jevon Carter #2 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at the Kia Center on March 1, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The headline of today’s extremely good and compelling game preview by Brennan Sims was “The Pistons are not done.” The Detroit Pistons’ injury report might slightly disagree with that take. Detroit is down several players: Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert, notably among them.
Now, the Detroit Pistons have spent an entire season proving every doubter wrong, and that includes the team’s ability to win games no matter which players are suiting up. This is the same team that took the Oklahoma City Thunder to overtime shortly after losing Cunningham to a collapsed lung, after all. But the Orlando Magic, tonight’s opponent, is no Washington Wizards or Utah Jazz. They are a playoff team and currently sit above .500. You can’t sit that many core rotational pieces and expect to have an easy path to victory.
But I like Detroit’s odds. It feels like a special Ausar game to me. Maybe that’s just me being tricked by the pleasant spring weather I experienced today. But Ausar is often special in invisible ways, and I’m manifesting a very visible dominating performance that sends a handful of highlight plays ricocheting through social media. It could also be another good Daniss Jenkins night. The Magic are not shy about fouling players who force the action inside, and when Jenkins has everything working, he can put some sauce on his drives and create real contact.
Game Vitals
When: 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons -1
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (57-21)
Daniss Jenkins, Kevin Hueter, Ausar Thompson, Javonte Green, Jalen Duren
Orlando Magic (42-36)
Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Tristan da Silva, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Mar 31, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals road trip continues with a Monday night game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. According to MLB.com, Andre Pallante will get the start for St. Louis while Washington will turn to Zack Littell. Masyn Winn is a late add-in to the Cardinals lineup just shared late this afternoon.
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 2: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 2, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks (50*-28) face the Atlanta Hawks (44-33) tonight at State Farm Arena. This matchup is a potential playoff preview as the third-place Knicks attempt to hold off the surging fifth-place Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings. New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to return from an elbow injury, while Atlanta remains without backup center Jock Landale due to an ankle sprain.
Tip-off is 7:00 pm EST on MSG Network. This is your game thread. This is Peachtree Hoops. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Picture yourself as a well-mannered individual and proceed accordingly. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup disappeared after a blind date with the Stanley Cup.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It didn’t seem like it would happen this soon, but here we are: the 2026 season for the Houston Astros may already be approaching a pivotal moment. And it all centers around one name, Hunter Brown.
News of Brown dealing with shoulder discomfort has immediately put the entire organization, and its fan base on edge. Not just because he’s the unquestioned ace of the staff, but because of what Astros fans have been through in recent years when it comes to injury transparency and medical communication.
A History That Still Lingers
The frustration isn’t new. Over the past several seasons, the Astros’ handling of player injuries, from diagnosis to public messaging, has drawn significant criticism. Timelines have often proven unreliable. Initial reports have downplayed severity, only for situations to escalate into long-term absences or more serious conditions.
Whether it was miscommunication, misdiagnosis, or simply poor transparency, the result has been the same: a fractured sense of trust between the organization and its supporters.
That frustration grew loud enough that changes were made this past offseason. But for many fans, words and structural adjustments aren’t enough. Proof is required.
The Weight on Brown’s Shoulder
That’s why this moment feels so significant.
Brown isn’t just another arm in the rotation, he is the rotation’s anchor. As the Astros’ ace, his health directly impacts the team’s ability to contend. His right shoulder now carries not only the hopes of a clubhouse, but the expectations of an entire fan base.
When the term “discomfort” is used in relation to an Astros injury, it doesn’t land lightly, it sends shock waves.
For Astros fans, it’s become something of a trigger word, one that has too often preceded news of something far more serious. Fair or not, “discomfort” has a history of evolving into injuries with major, long-term consequences.
Optimism vs. Skepticism
To this point, the messaging around Brown has been relatively optimistic. Early indications suggest the issue may not be serious and that his absence could be limited.
But optimism is being met with understandable skepticism.
Fans have heard similar reassurances before, only to watch timelines stretch and situations deteriorate. That lingering doubt is the direct result of past experiences, and it won’t disappear overnight.
A Defining Test for a New Era
This situation represents the first real test for the Astros’ revamped medical and communication approach.
Every department is under scrutiny when it comes to player injuries, from the physicians and training staff to the public relations team responsible for delivering updates. The expectation is simple: clarity, honesty, and accuracy.
If Brown’s situation is handled transparently, if the timeline matches reality and communication remains consistent, it could mark the beginning of a restored relationship between the organization and its fans.
If not, the skepticism will only deepen.
Actions Over Words
Ultimately, this isn’t just about one injury. It’s about credibility.
The Astros have said the right things and made necessary changes. Now comes the part that matters most: execution.
Because for fans, trust won’t be rebuilt through press releases or optimistic language. It will come from seeing words align with outcomes, from hearing a timeline and watching it hold true.
As the 2026 season unfolds, all eyes remain on Hunter Brown’s shoulder. But just as importantly, they’re on the Astros themselves.
This time, fans are watching and waiting, to see if they can finally believe again.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on in the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 21, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s be honest, Cameron Boozer’s name was never in the conversation for #1, and he has slim chances at being #2. Even his projected #3 spot has been infiltrated by names such as Caleb Wilson or Darius Acuff.
Much like his father, who we should all be aware of by now if you dare call proclaim as a Jazz fan, Cameron is a highly polished 250-pounder juggernaut forward that’s a walking double-double machine. He’s strong, he’s steady, and he’s likely going to be the most reliable out of the three at the top of the draft.
Boozer was the longest-lasting competitor out of the top three, taking his first-seeded Blue Devils squad all the way to the Final Four of the March Madness Tournament — the story of Braylon Mullins’ walk-off fastbreak snipe shall be a story left until another day.
NBA Draft Profile: Cameron Boozer
Bio: 6 ft, 9 in | 250 lbs | 18 yrs old | Duke University
Accolades: Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year, Karl Malone Award Winner, ACC Player of the Year, National Player of the Year
NBA Comparison: Anywhere between the Kevin Love-Al Horford-PJ Washington archetype, Jayson Tatum’s defensive and scoring versatility
Mastery
The hype around Cam is that he’s going to contribute to winning; that’s almost an undeniable fact. He’s a bulky 90s computer with a Windows 11 operating system. Throughout March Madness, we’ve seen more of him putting the ball on the floor and getting to his spots by using his strength.
I am here to proclaim that Cameron Boozer is not a one-on-one replica of his dad. Carlos, who is currently playing a scouting and front-office role on the Jazz (whatever that implies), didn’t have Cameron‘s shooting, high-IQ and certainly not his handles.
The Boozer disciple was, however, blessed with his father’s upper body and nimble feet. Their free throws are identical, even though the form is completely different. Ge sets hard screens and is a threat to pop and roll. His pick and pop action is a tough assignment for defenders — his screening action equals buckets nearly every time.
Cameron’s bread and butter has always been his post-game. In high school, he completely dominated his opponents with his size, strength and touch. He dunks, he’s got a sweet touch, and he’s flat-out relentless. Mid-range isn’t too far out of his artillery. He’s got the tools and size that’ll translate nicely in the NBA.
Most burly bigs with Cam’s size struggle to drive to the rim, but Booz makes it look easy. He‘s shown many flashes as a fownhill creator, who has a tight handle to put his shoulder down, shove his defenders and finish well through contact. It’s an area of his game that will be one of the most valuable when it comes to success at the NBA level. His speed is impressive, but can he get a step on his opponents rather than relying on brute strength?
As a handler, Cam handles the rock quite well. He’ll randomly pull out combos that you’ve never seen guys of his caliber even think of attempting. You’ll have your patient eyes on him as a defender and then—oh, he just went past me off a behind-the-back and just dunked all over the rim.
That’s not to say he’s reliant on the inside. Jumpers are a last resort when defenders give him space, but his high-release shot makes him deadly off the catch. Back in December 2025, he was already shooting 47.2% from the three-point line in about 3 attempts per game. That included a key three-pointer in a 29-point performance against Florida. The fact that he’s already a decently reliable shooter is a big plus in the eyes of NBA scouts.
Cam provides a similar level on the defensive end to top it all off. He can guard from 2 to 5, depending on the matchups, using his physicality and strength to bring his opponents into the post and force tough shots. Off the ball, he parks in front of opponent driving lanes and positions himself smartly to clean the glass and limit opponents to one possession. He’s a great pick-and-roll drop defender that makes opponent decision-making less successful.
Margin
Booz isn’t the type of player who’s going to routinely jump over defenders for highlight-reel posters. He plays a very grounded game, relying more on his massive frame and footwork rather than raw pogo-stick leaping ability. His lack of vertical pop makes it tricky for him to finish in traffic when matched against true 7-footers with long wingspans. I worry that he’ll struggle to create easy separation against the freakish Wembys of the NBA.
Even though he’s a physical force, Cameron doesn’t really project to be a primary shot-blocker at the next level. He won‘t have the ‘twitchy’ second jump that elite rim protectors use to erase mistakes at the hoop. Most scouts see him more as a versatile forward who needs a dedicated shot-blocker to play alongside. There’s a big question mark about whether he can actually anchor a defense as a small-ball center. If not, then that really limits how Cameron can be utilized on a winning roster.
He’s definitely a threat from deep, but his shooting process is a bit slow and set rather than fluid. He usually needs a clear window and a wind-up to get his shot off. Faster NBA close-outs will exploit that. He also hasn’t shown much of a midrange pull-up game, mostly sticking to either rim finishes or spot-up threes. If he can turn that set-shot into a flick-of-the-wrist-weapon, he’ll become a much more needed three-level threat
When he catches the ball in the post, he often follows a pre-written script that smart scouts have already memorized. He tends to always spin toward the baseline or use the same shoulder, depending on which side of the floor he’s on. He’ll need to add some more counters to his counters so that the opponent can’t counter that counter with a counter. Diversifying his post-game will ensure that he isn’t just a one-trick pony when the game slows down in the half-court.
At times, Boozer has been critized for parking the car on defense to preserve energy for his offensive workload. There have been stretches where he seems less interested in impacting the ball as a help-side defender or rotation player. This lack of a high-motor, combined with his tweener size in some cases, makes it difficult to project him as a truly elite two-way. The Will Hardy mentorship program would have its hands busy.
Mandate
The verdict on Cameron Boozer is that he’s the ultimate safe harbor pick — a player who immediately contributes Utah’s size and versatility while providing a high-IQ offensive hub. Even if he doesn’t possess the flashy star explosiveness of Dybantsa or Peterson, Booz will have a place in this league for years to come if he lives up to the hype. His 2025-26 freshman season at Duke is statistically one of the best ever seen. For a Jazz team looking to pivot into playoff contention, Boozer is the best plug-and-play starter to find in the draft.
I’ll be blunt: Cameron Boozer would not be at the top of the board if the Jazz land the #1 pick — that honor would go to Ryan Smith’s funded AJ Dybantsa project. But Cameron Boozer’s family roots in the Jazz organisation don’t leave him too far down the list. This isn’t nepotism, this is a safe bet.
