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With Angel Reese’s return and Phantom-Laces, Week 6 begins with the best Unrivaled night yet

Angel Reese. | Getty Images

The Unrivaled excitement should be at an all-time high in Sephora Arena on Friday night.

Not only does the Week 6 action begin with a battle between Phantom and Laces (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV), the second and first place teams in the standings, but the second game will welcome the return of Angel Reese, when Rose takes on Hive (8:45 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV).

Reese’s Unrivaled arrival should thrill all fans, whether or not your allegiances lie with Rose.

Most simply, the more great players who suit up in Unrivaled, the better. And Reese is a great player. The 305 Barbie averaged an 11.6-point and 10.8-rebound double-double for Rose across 14 games last season. Those numbers earned her All-Unrivaled Second Team honors, while she also was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, an award she garnered largely due to her best-in-the-league defense against eventual MVP Napheesa Collier.

Reese will provide an needed injection of energy for Rose: running in transition, going all out on the glass and assuming tough defensive assignments.

The defending champs have experienced an up-and-down season, with wins often requiring clutch-time heroics from 1-on-1 Tournament champion Chelsea Gray.

However, even if Reese plays productive and positive ball, her presence might not have the immediate, winning impact envisioned. As Gray discussed when on the Unrivaled broadcast on Tuesday night, it’s going to take time to re-integrate Angel and re-establish a rhythm, even if she has experience playing with Gray, Kahleah Copper and Lexie Hull.

Critcally, Reese and Shakira Austin will have to learn to play together.

Not only has Austin been way too effective to see her minutes cut significantly for Reese, but, last season, Rose had success with two-big lineups featuring Reese and Azurá Stevens, whose departure to Hive opened the way for Reese’s return, as Rose sent out Stevens in the three-player swap without receiving a player in return. Yet, Austin is a different style of big, lacking the shooting touch of Stevens and preferring to flex her physicality around the basket. When on the court with Austin, Reese might need to play from the perimeter more often, tapping into her point forward skills and continuing to experiment with her outside shot.

On Friday night, the mere adrenaline rush of Reese’s return might be enough for Rose to get a needed win. At 5-6 and in fifth place, Rose’s postseason spot is far from secure. Plus, it was Hive that sent Rose to their first loss of the season, spoiling Rose’s 4-0 start with the unexpected 78-75 win.

At 3-8, thus needing every win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Hive will be angling for another upset.

And Hive is particularly well equipped to give Rose problems, and that’s not only due to any intel Stevens can provide or the extra motivation the former Rosebud might carry into the matchup. With Stevens, Monique Billings and Ezi Magbegor, Hive has a surfeit of size that can make Rose’s efforts to experiment with Reese-Austin lineups go awry. Billings will battle Reese for every board, Magbegor provides rim protection and Stevens can remind Rose of what they’re missing by stretching the floor and sinking a couple of 3s.

While no one will be surprised if the Point Gawd pulls another victory from the jaws of defeat for Rose, another Hive win also shouldn’t be a shock.

Don’t miss the battle between Unrivaled’s very best

Last time Phantom and Laces met, the Solemates squeaked by the Ghost Gang, winning 76-75 on a pull-up triple from Brittney Sykes.

Laces starting triumvirate of Sykes, Jackie Young and Alyssa Thomas powered them with 17, 17 and 19 points, respectively, while Phantom’s dynamic duo of Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston combined for almost 50 points, with KP scoring 25 and AB adding 23.

While that quintet of players all could assuming starring roles again on Friday night, both clubs sit at the top of the standings because of their reliable depth.

For Laces, Naz Hillmon has three double-doubles on the season, Maddy Siegrist has three games with multiple 3s and Jordin Canada swiped three steals in her first game back from an injury on Monday night. Phantom can turn to Kiki Iriafen, who has six double-digit scoring games from off the bench, while Natasha Cloud has been on fire from behind arc, shooting better than 40 percent from 3. Their third starter, Tiffany Hayes, has provided consistent across-the-board production.

However, the most interesting matchup is the 1-on-1 game we were denied: Thomas vs. Boston.

Will Boston’s combination of size and skill allow her to overpower Thomas on offense, as she also uses her defensive length and smarts to stall AT’s forays to the rim? Can Thomas apply of her veteran savvy to neutralize Boston’s offense, while also baiting AB into fouls that send her to the bench?

Tune in for a tilt that could determine which club finishes the season in first place.

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Jaylen Brown's all-around impact with Celtics is reaching new heights

Jaylen Brown's all-around impact with Celtics is reaching new heights originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Jaylen Brown continues to compile evidence for his case as the best two-way player in the NBA.

Brown generated season highs in rebounds (15) and assists (13) to go along with 23 points Thursday night as the Celtics built a big early cushion then skidded to the finish line of a 121-110 triumph over the Golden State Warriors.

Brown’s points + rebounds + assists (PRA) total of 51 was tied for his third-highest output of the season. He’s now averaging 41 PRA for the 2025-26 season, the seventh-highest mark in the NBA. 

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With the Celtics facing off against two core members of the 2024 title team in Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, Brown showcased why the Celtics sit 17 games above .500 despite last offseason’s roster overhaul. Brown set an unselfish tone early as the Celtics blitzed the Warriors for 74 first-half points.

Brown generated a season-high 33 assist points, with more than half of his helpers leading to 3-pointers for teammates. No one benefited from Brown’s passing more than Payton Pritchard, who turned 12 passes from Brown into 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting.

With Jayson Tatum rehabbing from Achilles surgery to start the 2025-26 season, it was obvious that Brown’s PRA was going to climb this year. But he has firmly positioned himself among the MVP frontrunners with his spike in PRA output this season. 

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Brown posted his third triple-double of the season. No one is expecting him to be Nikola Jokic on a nightly basis, but combine his PRA output with his willingness to routinely defend the best offensive player on the opposing team, and it further accentuates Brown’s case to be regarded as the best two-way player in the league. 

With his all-around impact, Brown is steamrolling toward a return to the All-NBA roster.

The Celtics are now 9-1 when Brown has 10-plus rebounds this season. His 48.1 assist percentage on Thursday night against the Warriors was double his season average. 

If not for a 34-point lead in the third quarter on Thursday night, Brown might have challenged some of the biggest all-around outputs of his career. His 51 PRA was tied for his third-highest output of the season but was highest for any game in which he’s scored less than 40 points.

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If the season ended today, Brown’s 29.2 points per game would rank third in Celtics franchise history, trailing only Tatum (30.1, 2022-23 season) and Larry Bird (29.9, 1987-88). 

Cracking the team’s top 20 in single-season PRA is no easy feat, considering Bill Russell owns eight of the top 16 slots while averaging 20+ rebounds in those eight seasons. If you set aside Russell’s lofty numbers, Brown is entering some elite company among non-centers in Celtics history in PRA generated.

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Braves News: ABS challenge system, Austin Riley, and more

The Atlanta Braves got a taste of the future of umpiring this week, testing Major League Baseball’s new Automated Ball Strike Challenge System during Spring Training in North Port. The system gives teams two opportunities per game to challenge a called ball or strike and forced Braves players and coaches to begin adjusting to what feels like a new strike zone. 

MLB plans to implement the challenge system league wide in 2026, making this spring an important trial run. While the technology has been tested in the minor leagues, its arrival in big league games will add a new layer of strategy and decision making that could subtly shift the rhythm of every matchup.

More Braves News:

A healthy Austin Riley might be the key for Atlanta’s offense this year, and here’s why. 

Gabe Burns of the AJC discussed how prospect JR Ritchie can help the 2026 Braves.

MLB News:

Bob Melvin is returning to the A’s, this time as a special assistant to the baseball operations department. 

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Yankees boost international scouting efforts, but patience is needed

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: A detailed photo of a New York Yankees cap before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Dermis García. Wilkerman García. Raimfer Salinas. Antonio Cabello. Alexander Vargas. Oswald Peraza. Hans Montero. Hoy Park. Have you heard of them recently? Do you remember them?

A few of of them reached the majors, yes, or had moderate success in the minors in 2025, but in all fairness, their careers haven’t developed the way they wanted. Some fans might even include Brando Mayea and Roderick Arias in that group, but they still have a chance to have an MLB career. It’s important to note, however, that the former hasn’t made it out of the Complex League, and the latter had an 88 wRC+ in 465 plate appearances in Low-A last year — his second in a row there.

Those are some of the highest-profile international free agency busts in recent memory, with some of them collecting bonuses as high as $4 million. The Yankees’ system, however, was also damaged by the signings that didn’t take place, or the ones they lost through the years: it seems that, except for Jasson Domínguez, they haven’t had an amateur free agent making a real impact since maybe Luis Severino, and he was signed in 2011. One could certainly pick nits at Domínguez’s level of impact as well.

It’s hard to point the finger at the players in this group: they were 16 or 17 at the time of signing their contracts, getting hefty bonuses that changed their lives for better or for worse. They often fell victim to huge and unfair expectations for prospects of that age. In the end, their failure to establish themselves as major leaguers was hardly their fault. Of course, maybe one or two of that group could have achieved more and didn’t have the fortitude to make it happen. That’s baseball, Suzyn. However, the Yankees’ employees making the decisions and paying the bonuses on the team might have misjudged their talent and failed to give them the tools to succeed.

Those misses likely led to the organization parting ways with Donny Rowland, their director of international scouting since 2010. To replace him, the Yanks recently appointed Mario Garza, whose experience didn’t come in scouting per se, but instead, in player development and coaching.

Garza hopes to leverage that knowledge and experience into a solid job in his new position. He speaks Spanish and, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, learned how to build lasting relationships with Latin American players. The Yankees have a lot of ground to make up on the race to dominate the Latin American market, but they feel Garza’s ability to communicate and generate trust can result in more quality signings.

Garza is also willing to lean on smart, prepared people to reclaim their place as a preferred landing spot for Asian players. The West Coast teams—mainly the Dodgers—have nabbed most of the elite Japanese and Korean talent in the last few years, including some players the Yankees pursued, such as 2025 World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Reports that the Yankees added Matt Slater and Nao Masamoto to the mix are extremely positive. The former, who worked 18 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, is “very connected in Asia,” as Garza told Kuty. The latter became a key cog in the Cubs’ ability to recruit Asian players in recent seasons. Yu Darvish, Seiya Suzuki, and Shota Imanaga are some examples.

To make a long story short, the Yankees needed to implement some changes to their international scouting and player acquisition practices. And the moment they decided to take that step, everybody knew it was going to hurt for some time. Indeed, Rowland’s preexisting agreements with the latest IFA prospects, like Wandy Asigen, became unfortunate casualties.

It’s important to be patient, though, because changes of this magnitude often take time. We are talking about overhauling an entire system, modifying the way dozens of people work, and how they approach the young players, coaches, instructors, agents, and even their own scouts.

Right now, the Yankees are just starting to implement these changes, so expecting them to land top-notch talents immediately is not realistic. They did well to reach a pre-agreement with top international catcher Sebastián Pérez a few days ago, but they will have to actually get his signature on January 15, 2027, and it’s no longer just a formality with them. It has to happen before everyone can pop the champagne, with Pérez and other potential recruits for next year.

It’s also pertinent to point out that we are in the final year of the current collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLBPA. A contentious labor fight is on the horizon, and for all we know, the current controversial signing system could change (a draft was floated last time around). Nonetheless, the Yankees—and every MLB team—will still need quality scouting of Latin American and Asian talent anyway.

Changes needed to be made, and they finally happened. Now, patience is required.

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A recap of 2026 post-arbitration deadline contracts

Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 11: William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates at home plate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during Game Five of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Back in January, arbitration-eligible players and teams who did not come to an agreement on a salary for the 2026 season at the deadline had to file for the salary they thought the player deserved. This year, 18 players exchanged figures with their clubs to head to arbitration. The Brewers had just one player among that 18, the same one they couldn’t agree with at the deadline last year, William Contreras.

Now that we’re into spring training, the hearings are all done and the verdicts delivered. Some of the 18 players were able to settle with their teams before going into a hearing, however.

The Brewers and William Contreras were one such example of that. Contreras filed for a $9.9 million salary while the Brewers filed at $8.55 million, but ultimately, just before heading into a hearing, the two settled on a $9.4 million salary with a club option for $14.5 million in 2027, Contreras’ last year of team control. That $9.4 million salary figure is a new record for a second-year arb-eligible catcher.

Here’s a quick rundown on the rest of the players who filed for salary figures after that January deadline:

  • Reid Detmers (filed at $2.925 million, Angels at $2.625 million) – Angels won hearing
  • Yainer Díaz (filed at $4.5 million, Astros at $3 million) – Díaz won hearing
  • Isaac Paredes (filed at $9.95 million, Astros at $8.75 million) – Agreed to $9.35 million contract with club option for 2027 at $13.35 million
  • Eric Lauer (filed at $5.75 million, Blue Jays at $4.4 million) – Blue Jays won hearing
  • Dylan Lee (filed at $2.2 million, Braves at $2 million) – Lee won hearing
  • Bryce Miller (filed at $2.625 million, Mariners at $2.25 million) – Agreed to a $2.4375 million contract with club option for 2027 at $6.075 million
  • Calvin Faucher (filed at $2.05 million, Marlins at $1.8 million) – Marlins won hearing
  • Cade Cavalli (filed at $900,000, Nationals at $825,000) – Agreed to a $870,000 contract with a club option for 2027 at $4 million
  • Kyle Bradish (filed at $3.55 million, Orioles at $2.875 million) – Bradish won hearing
  • Keegan Akin (filed at $3.375 million, Orioles at $2.975 million) – Orioles won hearing
  • Edwin Uceta (filed at $1.525 million, Rays at $1.2 million) – Uceta won hearing
  • Graham Ashcraft (filed at $1.75 million, Reds at $1.25 million) – Ashcraft won hearing
  • Tyler Stephenson (filed at $6.8 million, Reds at$6.55 million) – Stephenson won hearing
  • Vinnie Pasquantino (filed at $4.5 million, Royals at $4 million) – Agreed to a two-year, $11.1 million contract that pays $4.2 million in 2026
  • Kris Bubic (filed at $6.15 million, Royals at $5.15 million) – Bubic won hearing
  • Tarik Skubal (filed at $32 million, Tigers at $19 million) – Skubal won hearing
  • Joe Ryan (filed at $6.35 million, Twins at $5.85 million) – Agreed to $6.1 million contract with club option for 2027 at $13 million

Overall, 12 of the 18 players ended up going to hearings, with the players going 8-4 in those hearings. Six players, including William Contreras, were able to settle with the club prior to heading into the hearing. It was a good year for the players in 2026.

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The way we watch rugby on TV is changing. What is coming next?

Do satellite channels have a future? Is free-to-air as important as it was? Will Netflix and Prime make moves?

By No Helmets Required

What were once a DVD postal service, an online bookstore and an American cable channel renowned for showing B movies in motel rooms are now heavyweights in the sports broadcasting market. Netflix and Amazon have changed the global landscape, leaving TNT Sports under pressure to hold on to its subscribers.

I spent the last Super League off-season living in a stable (true story) with no access to satellite or cable, but still got my sports fix via free-to-air networks and subscriptions to Premier Sports, Prime Video and Netflix. I was fully sated on a diet of live rugby union, football, cricket, NFL and NBA – all for less than a Sky Sports or TNT subscription. So how will the increased competition between broadcasters affect league and union viewers?

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Itoje’s character and consistency shine through as he joins England’s 100 club | Ugo Monye

Captain’s moment must be celebrated at Twickenham on Saturday, as should Edwin Edogbo’s first Ireland cap

I was struck by Tommy Freeman’s comments this week when he said he had struggled mentally on the back of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia last summer. It struck me because it was a very similar sentiment to that expressed by Maro Itoje earlier in the season, and it was a feeling with which I could sympathise. After the 2009 tour of South Africa, I was wrecked.

All but one of the England lads who went on that tour needed major surgery within a year of it finishing but, even if the body is holding up, you just don’t quite feel right. You’re back at your club, expected to be one of the best performers and don’t want to admit you’re tired, but sometimes you need someone to intervene and tell you to take a breather. There’s endless data these days but, for all that, mental fatigue can be hard to quantify and there can be no doubt that is something the Ireland squad is wrestling with at the moment.

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Phillies News: Bullpen, BayCare Ballpark, J.T. Realmuto

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Adolis Garcia #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait during photo day at BayCare Ballpark on February 19, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to the last Friday without Phillies baseball for a while. Well, that’s not strictly true: there’ll be a Friday off after the home opener. But you know what I mean.

Onto the links.

Phillies news:

For those of us lucky enough to go to Clearwater, the Phillies announced the fan amenities you can expect at BayCare Ballpark.

The Phillies’ new-look bullpen is off to a good start.

For a while, J.T. Realmuto thought his 2026 would see him wearing different colors.

MLB news

Jazz Chisholm isn’t content with just having the coolest name in baseball: he also wants to join Shohei Ohtani in the 50-50 Club.

Uniform nerds, rejoice (to be clear, I count myself among your ranks): the Tigers have unveiled a pair of alternate uniforms.

Davy Andrews of FanGraphs has an unusual, but highly timely question: which ballplayers would be good at ice dancing? ($)

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Chicao Cubs history unpacked — February 20

The end of the College of Coaches and other feel-good stories.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths.

“Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1920 – The Chicago Cubs give an unconditional release to Lee Magee after having learned from him a week ago that he has been betting against his team. Magee will sue the Cubs for his salary of $4,500, charging that his livelihood as a ballplayer was destroyed through the sudden canceling of his contract. The Cubs will ask for a dismissal of the suit, saying that “previous to the making of the contract the plaintiff was guilty of betting against the team of which he was a member, and sought to win bets by intentional bad playing to defeat said team.” (2)
  • 1929 – The Boston Red Sox announce they will play Sunday games (allowed for the first time in Boston) at Braves Field, because Fenway Park is located too close to a church. (1,2)
  • 1943 – Chicago Cubs owner Philip Wrigley and Brooklyn Dodgers executive Branch Rickey draw up charter for the “All-American Girls Softball League”, which will eventually become the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). The league, originally conceived in the belief that the major leagues would suspend play because of World War II, will operate from 1943 to 1954 around the Chicago area. When the league changes its name and switches to hardball, the pitching distance is 40 feet and bases 68 feet apart. After struggling through poor attendance in its early seasons, the league will draw over one million fans in 1948. (1,2)
  • 1953 – August A. Busch buys the St. Louis Cardinals from Fred Saigh for $3.75 million and pledges not to move the team from St. Louis, Missouri. (1,2)
  • 1953 – The U.S. Court of Appeals rules that organized baseball is a sport and not a business, affirming the 25-year-old Supreme Court ruling. This effectively dismisses the antitrust suits of Jack Corbett and former Brooklyn Dodgers minor leaguer Walter Kowalski. The $300,000 suit of Corbett, the owner of the El Paso Texans, is based on his belief that he lost money when Major League Baseball prohibited him from signing several players suspended for participation in the Mexican League. Kowalski’s $150,000 suit is based on the general principles of the antitrust and restraint-of-trade laws. Their lawyer in these cases is Frederic Johnson, who also represents player Danny Gardella in his suit against Major League Baseball. (2)
  • 1963 – The Chicago Cubs put an end to their radical “College of Coaches” system and hire Bob Kennedy* as manager. Under Kennedy, the Cubs will sport a respectable record of 82-80. (2)
  • 1992 – The episode of the animated series The Simpsons entitled “Homer at the Bat” gets its first broadcast on FOX. In the episode, Springfield Nuclear Plant owner C. Montgomery Burns hires a team of major league ringers in order to win a bet he placed on a softball game against a rival businessman. In the end, though, it’s the hapless Homer Simpson who saves the day with a walk-off hit-by-pitch. A number of contemporary major league stars, many of them future Hall of Famers lend their voices and likeness to the show, which is considered one of the classic episodes of the series. (2)
  • 2015 – Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announces a series of measures to quicken the pace of the game. Chief among them are that a batter will need to keep at least one foot in the batter’s box at all times during an at-bat, and that the intermission between half innings will be strictly timed. Pitchers will be required to complete their warm-up pitches before there are only 30 seconds left before resumption of play, or risk forfeiting any unmade pitches. More dramatic changes, such as adding a pitch clock, are not introduced at this time. Violation of the new guidelines will result in fines, and not in game-related penalties. (2)
  • 2025 – The first day of spring training games also marks the introduction of the ball and strike challenge system at the major league level, although there are no plans to use it in regular season games this year. There is a scary moment in the Cactus League game between the Dodgers and the Cubs as Dodgers P Bobby Miller is hit on the side of the head by a hard line drive off the bat of Michael Busch. Miller has to exit the game and is placed in the concussion protocol, but it seems that he has escaped serious injury.

Cubs Birthdays:Frankie Gustine, Jesus Figueroa, Ryan Sweeney, Julio Borbon, Spencer Patton. Also notable: Sam Rice HOF.

Today in history:

  • 1472 – Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a dowry payment.
  • 1792 – US postal service created, postage 6-12 cents depending on distance.
  • 1933 – US House of Representatives completes congressional action to repeal Prohibition.
  • 1942 – Lt E.H. “Butch” O’Hare single-handedly shoots down five Japanese heavy bombers, becomes America’s first World War II flying ace.
  • 1952 – Emmett Ashford is certified to be first black umpire in organized baseball; has to wait until 1966 for MLB debut.
  • 1959 – Jimi Hendrix (age 16), rock and roll guitarist, plays his first gig in the Temple De Hirsch synagogue basement, Seattle; fired from the band after the first set due to “wild” playing.
  • 1962 – John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, aboard Friendship 7.

Common sources:

*pictured.

Some of these items spread from site to site without being fact-checked, and that is why we ask for verifiable sources, in order to help correct the record.

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Orioles news: O’s baseball returns today

Orioles players get warmed up before starting drills. The Baltimore Orioles began full-squad workouts this week at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota as the 2026 spring training season gets started. The Grapefruit Leage features 15 Major League Baseball teams that hold spring training in Florida. Games start this weekend and run up to opening day on March 25, 2026. | Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

I’ve got good news and bad news for you, Orioles fans. The good news is that baseball is happening today! The O’s will play the Yankees in their Grapefruit League opener in Sarasota at 1:05. The game will be broadcast on MASN and WBAL radio as the Orioles return to the field after nearly five long months.

The bad news is Jordan Westburg’s murky injury status, which is hanging like a dark cloud over the early days of camp. As reported by The Baltimore Banner, Westburg — who was already sidelined by a sore oblique — had imaging done on his elbow, which indicates the possibility of a much more serious injury. The O’s haven’t announced a diagnosis for Westburg, but in general, when a player has pain in his elbow such that it requires imaging, it’s hard not to assume the worst-case scenario. The initials T.J. jump to mind, and I don’t mean Thomas Jefferson.

Again, nothing is official yet. Maybe we’ll be pleasantly surprised and the imaging won’t reveal any serious damage to Westburg’s elbow. Even if that’s the case, though, he’s still got the oblique injury that will cost him some time, and he almost certainly won’t be ready for Opening Day, further weakening an O’s infield that will already have Jackson Holliday sidelined for a few weeks.

Newly acquired utility guy Blaze Alexander can’t fill both positions at once, which means the Orioles are either going to have to give Coby Mayo another shot at playing third base — something he’s struggled with throughout his minor and major league career — or they’ll need to make an emergency trade or free agent signing. I’ll note that former O’s Gold Glove third baseman Ramón Urías is available, having been non-tendered by the Astros in November, but there’s been no indication so far that the O’s are interested in a reunion.

The Orioles’ season isn’t over just because of Westburg’s injury, nor Holliday’s. There’s a full slate of spring training baseball and then 162 regular season games ahead of us. Still, after the 2025 Orioles were so badly ravaged by health problems that tanked their season, the fact that 2026 is starting with injuries to two key players is turning the spring vibes a little bit sour.

Links

Taking another look at possible position players, German impressed Alonso in live batting practice – School of Roch

I was racking my brain trying to think of what player the O’s had signed from Germany before I realized the headline was referring to Nestor German. I need more sleep.

Rogers will start Orioles’ Grapefruit League opener – BaltimoreBaseball.com

Don’t necessarily take this as a sign that Rogers will be starting on Opening Day for the Orioles. Case in point: the Yankees’ starting pitcher in this spring opener is Elmer Rodriguez.

Three reasons why – Kyle Bradish is vital for the 2026 Orioles – Steve Melewski

These all boil down to: Kyle Bradish is really good.

Jon Meoli: How did Jean Carlos Henriquez end up in Orioles camp after a decade out of baseball? His ‘brazo de goma’ – The Baltimore Banner

I had never heard of this particular non-roster invitee before Meoli’s article, but now I’m pulling for Henriquez all the way. What a baseball journey he’s been on.

Nelly, Vanilla Ice to perform at Camden Yards in Orioles’ concert series – The Baltimore Sun

Phew! What a lucky break that Vanilla Ice was available.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! The two former Orioles with Feb. 20 birthdays are outfielder Julio Borbón (40) and the late right-hander Jim Wilson (b. 1922, d. 1986), an All-Star with the 1955-56 Birds.

On this day in 1990, the Orioles signed former Red Sox designated hitter Sam Horn. While Horn went on to put up decent numbers in three years in Baltimore, hitting 42 homers and posting a .797 OPS, he infamously struck out six times in one game on July 17, 1991, forever prompting a six-K game to be known as a “Horn.”

And on this day in 2017, the O’s signed free agent Craig Gentry. The veteran outfielder played 145 games in two seasons with the Birds, providing some defense but little in the way of offense, before calling it a career. The Orioles sure had some pointless signings near the end of the Dan Duquette era.

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Wizards to increase season ticket prices for 2026-27 season

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: A police vehicle sits outside of

The Washington Wizards are raising season ticket prices for the 2026-27 season, according to documents obtained by Bullets Forever.

Wizards season ticket prices will reportedly increase by an average of 6.31%, with certain sections receiving price hikes of nearly 15%. The price increases, which will affect 43 of the arena’s 45 member tiers, come as Capital One Arena undergoes an $800 million renovation.

One season ticket holder, whose seats are located in section 432, told Bullets Forever the cost of his tickets increased by nearly 10% for the 26-27 campaign. This comes one year after those same seats saw a 5.6% increase amid another tanking season in Washington.

That source, who wished to remain anonymous, said he purchased his season tickets for $1,312 in 2013. His upper-level seat now costs $4,368, which marks a 233% price increase over a 13-year period in which the Wizards have just four winning seasons.

“It’s disappointing to see the team continue to push large increases to ticket prices year over year, while the team’s performance has been historically poor and demand for most games is low,” the season ticket holder told Bullets Forever. “It feels like ownership is passing along the cost of the stadium renovation to fans and doesn’t really care about fan loyalty.”

The price increases coincide with the organization’s recent shift toward premium seating. The list of premium sections at Capital One Arena includes the Michelob Ultra Courtside Lounge and Hennessy Lofts, located under each basket, and the United Globe Club & Lounge, which was introduced before the 2025-26 season.

Large clusters of seats in sections 110, 111 and 112 are reserved for members of “The Vaults,” according to the Wizards’ 2026-27 season ticket pricing chart. The Vault Suites allow fans to travel between their lower-level seats (in sections 110-112) and their own private suite, which seats up to 20 people and features a private bar, an exclusive tasting room and more.

The issue with this particular section of premium seating, as one source outlined, is that the guests spend most of their time in their suites, which leaves hundreds of lower-level seats empty for most of the game.

Seats allocated to members of The Vault sit empty during a Washington Wizards game. | Reddit/Outrageous_Web9312

Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which is owned by Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, recently announced another luxury space at Capital One Arena called “The Halo.” Expected to debut in 2027, The Halo is a multi-level hospitality space that features VIP entrances, tasting rooms, plush lounge seating and more.

In a video posted to X, Monumental Sports and Entertainment said the goal is to invite premium seat holders to leave their seats and explore.

“The modern guest is the most sophisticated we’ve ever seen,” Jackie Keller, the Founder and CEO of Èlan/Arc Hospitality group, said in a video posted to X by MSE. “Their next experience, they have this high expectation of what it’s going to deliver. And the concierge service inside the Halo is how we’ll bring that feeling to life.”

Amid the large rise in ticket prices, the organization has also changed the rewards in its ticket renewal program, which includes milestone benefits for every five years of ticket renewal.

Monumental Sports’ Wizards season ticket renewal rewards program, updated for the 2026-27 season

One source, who’s in his 13th season as a Wizards season ticket holder, told Bullets Forever that the old 15-year renewal reward, which was a free Lexus Level suite for a Wizards game, was changed to a round-trip Uber service to a game and a complimentary pregame dinner.

“I’m coming up on 15 years [as a season ticket holder], which is supposed to be a Lexus suite to a game. And [the suite] got replaced by an Uber ride and dinner. Greedy fucks,” the season ticket holder told BF.

The Wizards are 15-39 in their third rebuilding season. Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, they own the NBA’s worst record at 48-170, which is 18 fewer wins than the next closest team.

After acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis, Washington hopes to compete next season. But its season ticket holders haven’t seen an above-.500 team since 2018, which explains their frustration amid another price hike.

One longtime season ticket holder told BF he understands the organization’s decision to increase prices. But he refused to back the team’s tanking methods because “they don’t guarantee success.”

“I fully understand that the team raises ticket prices almost every year. It’s a business,” the season ticket holder told BF. “I’m more upset that they purposefully and willingly lost games for the last three years, with no guarantee that this actually works. Until they find that elite franchise player, we are all still stuck in the ‘hope’ cycle.”

Monumental provided the following statement to Bullets Forever:

“Our goal is to keep tickets accessible while ensuring we’re putting the resources in place to provide a best-in-class experience for our fans, and these modest adjustments support our long-term goals. 
 
We remain committed to offering a range of pricing options so that all our fans have the opportunity to be part of what we’re building for decades to come.”

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Open Thread: De’Aaron Fox’s frame-worthy moment at the All-Star Game

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Team USA Stripes and De’Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs and Team USA Stripes celebrate after Fox's game winning 3-pointer against Team USA Stars the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Even All-Stars can be awe-struck by moments with all-time greats. That’s what happened with Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox on Sunday afternoon during the NBA All-Star Game in an event that, gimmicky or not, turned out to be much more exciting than past iterations and produced the best viewer ratings since 2011. The round-robin tournament, with two US teams and one World Team, brought out the competitive edge in players that had been lacking, in no small part thanks to Victor Wembanyama setting the tone right out of the gates.

The game(s?) produced many highlight-real moments, especially the wild ending to Game 2 between Team Stars (the “young” US stars) and Team Stripes (the “old guard”). After Anthony Edwards hit a three with 17 sec left to put the Stars up by the two, Fox, who was a late injury replacement, hit a buzzer-beater three to win the match for the OG, complete with his signature celebration of looking at his hand as if it’s some kind of alien extremity.

While Fox is certainly a top 25-ish player in the league today, he may have felt like a boy among men on Team Stripes, and as all the legends around him raised their hands in celebration, LeBron James was the nearest and first teammate to come over and celebrate with him. It’s a moment Fox says he’ll never forget, with plans to frame the picture and get it signed by The King himself.

While it hopefully won’t be the biggest moment for Fox this season (ideally, that will come in May or even June), it’s definitely one that will stick with him for the rest of his life, and it will be fun to show that signed picture of him being celebrated by one of the GOATs to his children and grandchildren.

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The Suns’ optimism was real until the injuries showed up again

Feb 19, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The “Sometime Soon Suns.” It kind of feels like a nickname is forming in real time, because sometime soon this team will be whole. Or at least that is the hope we keep circling back to.

Before the game against the San Antonio Spurs, the first one out of the All-Star break, there was genuine optimism tied to the injury report. It was clean as no names were on it outside of Haywood Highsmith, who the Suns recently acquired but has yet to play this season due to a meniscus injury. And of course, the suspended Dillon Brooks. For a brief moment, it felt like maybe this was the reset point.

Then, hours before tipoff, Grayson Allen popped up as questionable and ultimately did not play. We already knew Dillon Brooks would be suspended after picking up his 16th technical foul against Oklahoma City before the break. And then, with Jalen Green starting alongside Devin Booker, Booker exited in the first quarter. He returned in the second. Then he left again. A hip contusion was the explanation.

So yeah. The team will be healthy. Sometime soon.

As for the game itself, it is hard to compete when that much payroll is sitting on the bench. Against a team like the Spurs, who are starting to hit a real stride and look increasingly comfortable in what they are trying to be, it was always going to be an uphill climb. Even at full strength, that would have been true. This version of the Suns, stretched thin and scrambling, never really had a chance to flip the script.

Nothing about the outcome was shocking or appalling. It was simply Phoenix getting outlasted and overmatched against one of the better teams in the league right now. From an analysis standpoint, there is not a ton to mine. I appreciated Mark Williams for continuing to go at Victor Wembanyama instead of shrinking from the moment. I liked how bouncy and athletic Jalen Green looked, maybe the best he has all season. I remain frustrated with the minutes Ryan Dunn is getting. I continue to see the limitations in what Oso can ultimately provide. And I find myself wondering where the aggressive version of Collin Gillespie disappeared to.

Time will reveal more as the season plays itself out, but most of it feels secondary until the roster stabilizes. None of this really matters unless the Suns get healthy.

And they will.

Sometime soon.

Bright Side Baller Season Standings

What’s one genuinely fun thing to come out of the game against Oklahoma City before the All-Star break? Rasheer Fleming landing the Bright Side Baller award. 8 points, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, 3 rebounds, and a night where the box score almost felt secondary to the opportunity itself.

That game was a throwaway in the standings sense, but it mattered in a different way. We got an extended look at Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach, and honestly, they didn’t look half bad. I don’t care that it came against Oklahoma City’s third unit. They moved well, they competed, and they looked like players who belonged on an NBA floor. Fleming especially looked comfortable letting it fly, finding space, and playing within the flow instead of shrinking from the moment.

So yeah, Rasheer Fleming is officially on the Bright Side Baller board now, and that makes me smile. In a week that was otherwise wacky and hard to evaluate, that was a clean little win worth holding onto.

Bright Side Baller Nominees

Game 56 against the Spurs. Here are your nominees:

Jalen Green
26 points (11-of-23, 4-of-9 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, -20 +/-

Mark Williams
11 points (4-of-12), 10 rebounds, 1 block, 1 personal foul, -19 +/-

Oso Ighodaro
10 points (5-of-8), 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, -7 +/-

Jordan Goodwin
10 points (4-of-12, 2-of-7 3PT), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 personal foul, -27 +/-

Royce O’Neale
8 points (3-of-8, 2-of-5 3PT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, -18 +/-

Collin Gillespie
8 points (3-of-13, 2-of-8 3PT), 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -11 +/-

First Bright Side Baller on this side of the All-Star Break. Who gets it?

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Friday Headlines: Mark Pope wants more from Otega Oweh

Otega Oweh put together a very impressive first year as a Kentucky Wildcat and nearly turned pro last summer.

Instead, he decided to return to Lexington to work on his game and further improve his NBA draft stock.

That mission is going incredibly well as he’s increased his points per game, assists and steals averages over last year. He’s also one of the select players considered as frontrunners for Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.

And while that award will be tough to win considering who he is up against, Oweh is still having a historic season for a Wildcats team that desperately needs all he can give them.

Despite his Antonio Reeves-like season, head coach Mark Pope believes Oweh can deliver at an even higher level.

Now, Pope’s statement after the team’s loss to Georgia earlier in the week does contradict himself a bit. He is basically saying he wants more out of Oweh but also wants him to play less minutes.

Pope is going to have to face the reality of Kentucky being without three of their five best players and Oweh is going to have to carry the team on his shoulders if the Wildcats have any hope for the postseason.

How do you think Kentucky will do over the last few weeks of the season?

Tweet of the Day

These guys have had a big week.

Headlines

Is This What UK Basketball Will Be in the Mark Pope era? – Vaught’s Views

Let’s hope not.

NBA plans to enact anti-tanking rules next season, sources say – ESPN

Good luck.

Freshman Gabby Van Frayen Loves Being Part of UK Team – Vaught’s Views

Incredible culture.

Indiana unanimously passes bill to lure Bears away from Chicago – ESPN

Will it really happen?

An aggressive Jasper Johnson is the best version – KSR

Couldn’t agree more.

Cade Cunningham adds to MVP ‘case’ with 42-point game vs. Knicks – ESPN

He’s having a special season.

The Selection Committee is Higher on UK Than You Might Think – KSR

We can only pray.

Four Trade offers for Eagles’ A.J. Brown – ESPN

Will they really trade him?

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Canada, Finland face off in Olympics men’s hockey semifinals. Watch for free

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An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Mitch Marner (93) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning in Canada's 4-3 overtime win over Czechia in the quarterfinals of the men's Olympic hockey tournament on Feb. 18, 2026

The semifinals of the Olympic men’s ice hockey tournament get underway this morning with a matchup between the No. 1 seed, Canada, and the defending gold medalists from 2022, Finland.

Both teams advanced from the quarterfinals into today’s semifinal with overtime wins, though neither 3-on-3 overtime lasted more than three minutes. . Finland defeated Switzerland 3-2, while Canada won 4-3 against Czechia.

At the time of writing, there is still concern that Canada’s captain, Sidney Crosby, will not be available for today’s game. Crosby sustained a lower-body injury during Wednesday’s quarterfinal.

“Sid is by no means ruled out of the tournament,” head coach Jon Cooper said after a well-attended optional practice Thursday afternoon. “We’ve got the best of the best looking at him. … We’re taking this day by day. And we’re not going to put anyone in harm’s way. But if he can play, he’s definitely going to. We’ll know more in again in 24 hours.”

olympics 2026 men's hockey: what to know
  • What: Canada vs. Finland (Semifinals)
  • When: Feb. 20, 10:40 a.m. ET
  • Where: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan, Italy)
  • Channel: USA Network (joining in-progress at 11:50 a.m. ET)
  • Streaming: Peacock

If Crosby is sidelined, then Cooper will have to name a new captain, per international hockey rules.

The winner of today’s matchup will, of course, advance into Sunday morning’s gold medal game against either the United States or Slovakia, while the loser will play the loser of the second semifinal for bronze.

Canada vs. Finland start time

The Canada vs. Finland semifinal is scheduled to start at 10:40 a.m. ET today, Feb. 20.

How to watch Canada vs. Finland in Olympics hockey semifinals

If you want to watch the whole semifinal between Canada and Finland, we recommend a Peacock subscription.

Peacock currently offers two subscription types: Premium with ads and Premium Plus ad-free. Peacock Premium costs $10.99/month, while Premium Plus costs $16.99/month.

You can also save a bit by subscribing to one of Peacock’s annual plans, which give you 12 months for the price of 10. These cost either $109.99 with ads or $169.99 without ads.

SUBSCRIBE TO PEACOCK FOR $10.99/MONTH

You can also utilize a DIRECTV five-day free trial to watch the men’s hockey semifinals on USA Network.

Canada and Finland team rosters

Below, check out the rosters for Team Canada and Finland, along with each player’s NHL team.

Canada
  • Travis Sanheim (D) – Flyers
  • Devon Toews (D) – Avalanche
  • Cale Makar (D) – Avalanche
  • Thomas Harley (D) – Stars
  • Shea Theodore (D) – Golden Knights
  • Josh Morrissey (D) – Jets
  • Colton Parayko (D) – Blues
  • Drew Doughty (D) – Kings
  • Sam Bennett (F) – Panthers
  • Nick Suzuki (F) – Canadiens
  • Sam Reinhart (F) – Panthers
  • Bo Horvat (F) – Islanders
  • Macklin Celebrini (F) – Sharks
  • Seth Jarvis (F) – Hurricanes
  • Nathan MacKinnon (F) – Avalanche
  • Brandon Hagel (F) – Lightning
  • Tom Wilson (F) – Capitals
  • Mark Stone (F) – Golden Knights
  • Brad Marchand (F) – Panthers
  • Sidney Crosby (F) – Penguins
  • Mitch Marner (F) – Golden Knights
  • Connor McDavid (F) – Oilers
  • Darcy Kuemper (G) – Kings
  • Logan Thompson (G) – Capitals
  • Jordan Binnington (G) – Blues
Finland
  • Olli Määttä (D) – Mammoth
  • Mikko Lehtonen (D)
  • Henri Jokiharju (D) – Bruins
  • Esa Lindell (D) – Stars
  • Nikolas Matinpalo (D) – Senators
  • Miro Heiskanen (D) – Stars
  • Rasmus Ristolainen (D) – Flyers
  • Niko Mikkola (D) – Panthers
  • Anton Lundell (F) – Panthers
  • Sebastian Aho (F) – Hurricanes
  • Roope Hintz (F) – Stars
  • Eetu Luostarinen (F) – Panthers
  • Eeli Tolvanen (F) – Kraken
  • Joel Armia (F) – Kings
  • Erik Haula (F) – Predators
  • Artturi Lekhonen (F) – Avalanche
  • Mikael Granlund (F) – Ducks
  • Kaapo Kakko (F) – Kraken
  • Teuvo Teräväinen (F) – Blackhawks
  • Oliver Kapanen (F) – Canadiens
  • Joel Kiviranta (F) – Avalanche
  • Mikko Rantanen (F) – Stars
  • Kevin Lankinen (G) – Canucks
  • Joonas Korpisalo (G) – Bruins
  • Juuse Saros (G) – Predators

When do the Winter Olympics end?

The 2026 Winter Olympics end with the closing ceremony on Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.