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Fantasy Basketball Stock Up, Stock Down: Can managers count on LeBron to win them a championship?

Welcome to Week 23, better known as Championship Week for most fantasy leagues. As the NBA prepares for its final full week of action, injuries and seeding are among the most important factors at this time of year. Who can you ultimately trust to bring valuable production to close the season? Who should you maybe avoid? We have some suggestions.

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→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock: The Magic and the Cavaliers will tip things off at 8 p.m. ET before the Suns and Nuggets square off at 11 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.

STOCK UP

Daniss Jenkins, PG/SG, Pistons

The Pistons essentially have hardly missed a beat after losing superstar point guard Cade Cunningham to a collapsed lung in the middle of March. Jenkins has played some good ball in the seven games since being elevated to the starting lineup as an injury replacement, averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. Those are not quite Cunningham-type numbers, but impactful ones nonetheless. Jenkins' biggest moment came in a 30-point performance in a win over the Lakers recently, which was immediately followed by a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. The sophomore guard isn’t someone who fantasy managers should necessarily lock in for big games on a nightly basis. However, the floor seems high, considering the current role and workload; any strong stat lines shouldn’t be surprising.

Gary Trent Jr., SG/SF, Bucks

Need scoring? Need three-pointers? Trent Jr. may be your guy! Although his 2025-26 season has been one of his least impressive in years, he finds himself currently back in the starting rotation for a Bucks team that is officially eliminated from the playoffs, dealing with several key injuries, and has just cut the guard who was likely occupying some of Trent Jr.’s backcourt minutes off the bench. In other words, he’s in a good position to play freely without much pressure, which he’s done effectively over the past week. The eighth-year guard has had 18-point, 20-point, and 36-point games in his most recent run, while tallying 20 made triples over the last four games. He’s surely capable of some lows — see his zero-point, 0-of-7 shooting outing against the Trail Blazers on March 25 — but his highs provide quality fantasy value for those in pursuit of three-point scoring.

Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF, Nuggets

Speaking of three-point shooting, how many players in the league off the bench are more capable of setting the nets on fire than Hardaway Jr.? He’s been filling such a role since his playoff runs with the Mavericks, and now appears to be gearing up for another significant one in his first year with the Nuggets. The veteran sharpshooter has drained at least four three-pointers in four of his last six games, scoring at least 16 points in each. There’s little else being contributed from a fantasy standpoint, so Hardaway Jr.’s appeal likely would be for those fantasy managers in category leagues. If three-point production is needed, THJ is a qualified streaming option.

STOCK DOWN

Quentin Grimes, SG/SF, 76ers

“No Paul George. No Tyrese Maxey. No Joel Embiid. Just lots of Quentin Grimes lately,” — me, in last week’s column, labeling Grimes as a “Stock Up” performer. Well, each of those injured stars has returned, and now Grimes’ production has decreased significantly, and quickly. He’s, understandably, coming off the bench now and seeing far fewer attempts over his past three games, totaling 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. Grimes’ most recent performance, an 11-point, five-rebound, four-assist line against the Hornets, reflects the type of numbers that should be considered as realistic moving forward, given his decreased role. The Sixers are both trying to cement a playoff spot while getting their core group acclimated and back in the flow ahead of the postseason. It may not be a good idea to rely on Grimes during Championship Week.

LeBron James, SF/PF, Lakers

It feels very weird to put a player of this caliber and status into the Stock Down category, but the numbers represent a player who probably shouldn’t be counted on to consistently put up game-changing numbers. To be fair, James, in Year 23, is coming off a triple-double against the Wizards on Monday. But for context, that was in a game that Luka Doncic missed to serve a one-game suspension. When the team has been healthy recently, James has logged stat lines that reflect a more measured approach and a seemingly backseat role to his teammates as the Lakers continue to collect wins. Barring key absences, it’s hard to see the formula changing much down the stretch of the season. Shout out to LeBron, though, for being able to adapt and play whichever role is required at the time.

Jay Huff, C, Pacers

Huff began March with five consecutive double-digit scoring performances and multiple three-pointers in each contest — his ending to the month hasn’t been quite as productive. Over his last five appearances, the floor-spacing center has failed to reach double figures in points four times and combined to shoot 6-of-16 from beyond the arc. His recent slippage isn’t a grand one; rather, it could be considered a letdown, based on the highs he’s reached at points this season, and how big his role could be on a banged-up Pacers team. Huff should still be in position to end the season strong. However, it’s difficult to get a feel for what to expect from him on a nightly basis.

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Spurs vs. Bulls player grades: Victor Wembanyama looks like the MVP

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks over Guerschon Yabusele #28 of the Chicago Bulls in the first half at Frost Bank Center on March 30, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to nine against the shorthanded Chicago Bulls on Monday night. San Antonio dominated the game in a 129-114 blowout. The Spurs used a 35-19 second quarter to build a lead and never looked back, despite Chicago’s best efforts to keep the game close.

Victor Wembanyama once again looked like an MVP candidate as he’s made a late push to win the award. He single-handedly dominated the game on both ends, helping the Spurs breeze to an easy victory. He’ll headline a new series of articles for every game through the end of the season, where we grade each player on their performance.

These grades are based on each player’s on-court performance, going beyond just the stat sheet. So if someone makes a clutch shot or gets beaten repeatedly on defense, that will be accounted for. A “B” grade represents the average performance for an individual.

Victor Wembanyama

31 minutes, 41 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 17-for-27 shooting, 3-for-6 threes, +15

Wembanyama owned the entire game. The Bulls didn’t have the size to compete with San Antonio’s big man in the paint. He got everything he wanted at the rim and knocked down three triples, including a clutch shot at the end of the first half as time expired. Defensively, he was up to his usual tricks, keeping the Bulls out of the paint whenever he was in the game. The game was another MVP-level statement. There aren’t many players who can completely own a game on both ends like Wembanyama.

Wembanyama currently trails Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in MVP odds on FanDuel at +300.

Grade: A+

Julian Champagnie

28 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 5-for-7 shooting, 3-for-5 threes, +9

It was a pretty meh game from Champagnie. Early on, the Bulls were going at him defensively and getting some easy buckets. He made up for it by having an efficient shooting night on the other end, only missing two shots. Champagnie’s three-point shooting is a swing skill for San Antonio. When he’s knocking down threes off screens and in catch-and-shoot opportunities, the Spurs offense is hard to stop.

Grade: B

Devin Vassell

31 minutes, 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 2-for-9 shooting, 2-for-4 threes, +20

It’s hard to complain too much about a player who is +20 in a blowout win. Vassell wasn’t knocking down shots inside the arc, but did go 50% from three. Vassell’s floor spacing makes the Spurs offense run smoothly even if he’s missing shots at the rim or in the mid-range. He also had an emphatic swat in the fourth quarter that was called a goaltend, but for a thrilling few seconds, it was an awesome highlight.

Grade: C+

Stephon Castle

35 minutes, 21 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, 6-for-12 shooting, 3-for-6 threes, +24

Castle was two rebounds shy of his second-straight triple-double. Once again, he was dependable from three, hitting 50% of his six attempts beyond the arc. He didn’t finish at the rim as consistently as he usually does, and he made some pretty silly turnovers early in the game. However, the Spurs were much better with him on the court than with him on the bench, and he put up some big numbers in the win.

Grade: B+

De’Aaron Fox

23 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 3-for-8 shooting, 0-for-3 threes, +9

Fox struggled quite a bit in a game where he wasn’t necessarily needed. Wembanyama had a clear offensive advantage inside, where he demanded the ball. Castle and Dylan Harper were providing plenty of rim pressure. It felt like another one of those games where Fox takes a back seat and kind of floats offensively. When he did take shots, he was way off, especially from deep. Games like this are fine in March against the Bulls, but a bad Fox game in April and May could mean a playoff loss.

Grade: C-

Harrison Barnes

17 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 1-for-5 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, -5

Barnes has been hot and cold lately. Monday night was a frigid one for HB. The veteran couldn’t find an offensive rhythm. He had a solid drive on a smaller defender in the first half, but other than that, he didn’t make much of an impact off the bench. Maybe Barnes is saving it all for the playoffs?

Grade: D

Keldon Johnson

26 minutes, 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 5-for-11 shooting, 2-for-5 threes, +5

Chicago is the type of team Johnson can thrive against. They are smaller and aren’t great at transition defense. KJ was able to get into the paint and score against the Bulls with his bully-ball-like drives. He was a key part of the Spurs’ big run in the second quarter that helped them eventually win the game. His spark plug play off the bench continues to be good enough to put him in the Sixth Man of the Year chase.

Grade: B+

Carter Bryant

6 minutes, 0 points, 0-for-1 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, -4

As the playoffs approach, the rotation is tightening. Bryant has been getting squeezed out lately as the team prepares for the postseason. He played sparingly against Chicago and didn’t register a single statistic.

Grade: C

Luke Kornet

19 minutes, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 4-for-5 shooting, -8

Kornet has to have one of the toughest jobs in the NBA. It’s easy for him to look bad compared to his starter. Nobody scores on Wembanyama at the rim, so when Kornet comes into the game and gives up a bucket in the paint, it’s easy for fans to feel frustrated. All things considered, it was a fairly solid game from Kornet. Chicago was able to attack the basket more freely when he was in the game, but he made up for it on the other end by finishing plays efficiently.

Grade: B-

Dylan Harper

24 minutes, 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block, 4 fouls, 6-for-11 shooting, 1-for-2 threes, +4

Harper made an immediate impact when he subbed in the game. He knocked down a three and got to the rim a few times. He’s been super efficient at the rim this month, shooting 67.4% on drives, good enough for 3rd in the NBA. His jump shot is looking better, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. He’s also one of the best perimeter defenders on the team (even if he could afford to foul less). Harper looks ready to make an impact in the playoffs.

Grade: B+

Monday’s Inactives: Harrison Ingram, David Jones-Garcia, Emanuel Miller

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Arizona Diamondbacks News 3/31: First Win! But Also Ribbon Board Loss

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks warms up in the on deck circle during the sixth inning of the home opener against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field on March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Game Recaps

Soroka’s 10 K’s – and immaculate inning – pave way to win in home opener by Steve Gilbert [Dbacks.com]

A sellout crowd greeted the Diamondbacks on a festive night that featured a triple and homer from Corbin Carroll and a stellar Arizona debut for Michael Soroka, who recorded the fourth immaculate inning in franchise history.

And while things did get a little too interesting, the end result was all that mattered — a 9-6 win over the Tigers in the home opener at Chase Field.

D-backs Secure First Win of 2026 in Stressful Fashion by Alex D’agostino [Arizona Sports]

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Paul Sewald fired a 92 MPH fastball past Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson, capping off a 1-2-3 ninth inning. 

The D-backs had won their first game of the season 9-6, as Sewald locked down his first save back in the closer’s role.

It was not, however, an easy victory. Arizona held an 8-0 lead as late as the seventh inning, but watched that lead evaporate in an ugly bullpen meltdown. But it would not end in as disappointing a manner as many others have.

Diamondbacks News

Diamondbacks’ new ribbon boards causing problems for fans on Opening Day by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in problem-solving mode, according to a team spokesperson, as the new ribbon boards at Chase Field are causing view obstructions for fans, particularly those sitting in the 300 level.

The D-backs, in partnership with Daktronics, had ribbon boards installed below the 200 and 300 sections around the ballpark, along with a shorter board underneath the suites.

Several fans sitting in the front row of the 300 level explained that they had to lean forward or bring multiple seat cushions to see the field, as they could no longer watch the game between the rails.

Diamondbacks Call Up Exciting Infield Prospect by Alex D’Agostino [SI]

Fernandez, Arizona’s newly-crowned No. 27 prospect, has been an exciting prospect to watch ahead of the 2026 season. He surged for 17 home runs in 2025 with Double-A Amarillo, then came on strong in Cactus League play with a .280/.308/.840 slash. 

Both offensively and defensively, Fernandez stood out to Arizona’s coaching staff this spring.

“You guys saw him all spring training long, a very exciting player, very youthful, continuing to climb through the system and learn and grow about our concepts, and just plugs right in,” manager Torey Lovullo said.

Around the League

Night of firsts as Bader’s blast sends Giants into win column by Maria Guardado [MLB]

The Giants checked off several key firsts in Monday night’s series opener against the Padres at Petco Park.

They got their first home run of the season. They got their first quality start. And most importantly, they got their first win.

MLB 2026: Best, worst automated balls-strikes challenges by Jeff Passan [ESPN]

Just like with the pitch clock, the advent of robot umpires did not break Major League Baseball. The automated ball-strike system (ABS) debuted in the major leagues Wednesday after years of testing in the minor leagues, and in the 47 games since, exactly 94 calls have been overturned. Some were egregious, others by literal millimeters. The general consensus, based on in-stadium fan reaction and seamless integration into television broadcasts: Not only does ABS work, it makes the game better.

Skeptics and holdouts remain — just as they do with the pitch clock two seasons after it was added. Unlike the complaints about the pitch clock that mostly concern one’s personal preferences, the criticisms of ABS are rooted in math and logic. The system’s margin of error (approximately 1/6th of an inch, according to the league) is larger than some of the calls being overturned. And if the system is as good and accurate as the league says, does it not make sense to utilize it for all ball-strike calls?

The 50 Most Eyebrow-Raising Team Promotions of 2026 by Kiri Oler [FanGraphs]

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There’s not an obvious cat equivalence to the ever popular Bark in the Park events held annually by most teams, but that hasn’t stopped a couple of clubs from trying.

Saturday, August 29 has been declared Caturday at Nats Ballpark. Back in 2012, Washington launched its initial Natitude Campaign as a tone-setter for the fanbase, but over time it devolved into a sarcastic rallying cry that rang out only when things weren’t going great for the club. Then last spring, with a new wave of young stars on the rise, the team attempted to reignite the bit with Next Gen Natitude and a hype video that was roughly as inspiring as the 2025 Nationals. But this year, the Nats have finally struck the correct chord with a Next Gen Catitude shirt that I would happily wear to the gym, should one fall into my possession.

Cody Ponce Going For Imaging With Knee Discomfort by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]

Blue Jays starter Cody Ponce left tonight’s season debut on a cart in the third inning. The team has only announced the injury as right knee discomfort.

Ponce stumbled while trying to field a chopper off the bat of Rockies center fielder Jake McCarthy (video provided by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet). The big righty was unable to field the ball cleanly, then tried stopping abruptly to pick it up. He tweaked his right leg, took a few more steps, then went down on the dirt a little to the left of first base.

Cam Schlittler’s Improved Cutter Hints at Future Breakout by Michael McDermott [Mike’s Hardball Blueprint]

At surface value, it appears that the right-hander added nearly 8” of lift to his cutter based on his 2025 and 2026 pitch shape data. If you look at the raw data from Baseball Savant, his cutter went from an average of 4.9” induced vertical break in 2025 to 12.5” in 2026. That also came with a velocity jump from 92.0 MPH to 95.0 MPH.

Based on those metrics, it certainly appears that Schlittler has morphed a mediocre cutter into a “plus-plus” offering. I agree with that on principle, but his 2025 data may be an example of how improperly identified pitches can muddy the aggregate metrics. That’s an important thing to consider when you look at pitch data from an analytical lens.

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This Week in the Minors: Omaha’s opening weekend, and a preview for other Royals affiliates

Luinder Avila pitching for the Omaha Storm Chasers | Minda Haas Kuhlmann

It was not a great opening weekend for the Omaha Storm Chasers, as they played on the road, against the Louisville Bats and were swept. The Bats are the AAA affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds.

The Storm Chasers lost a pair of one run games, 2-1 and 6-5 (in 10 innings), but were routed in the series finale 10-4. Some notable stats and numbers from some players that just missed out on cracking the Royals Opening Day roster are as follows:

  • Josh Rojas- 4-12, 1 HR, 1 double, 3 runs scored and 4 runs batted in.
  • Kameron Misner- 2-12, 3 runs batted in, 6 strikeouts.
  • John Rave- 3-10, 1 run batted in, 5 walks, 2 stolen bases.
  • Abraham Toro- 3-15, 1 run batted in, 7 strikeouts.

For the pitchers, Ryan Bergert was the Opening Day starter. He went 4.1 innings, gave up seven hits, two runs and struck out four.

Luinder Avila also got a start, despite fans clamoring for him to be a backend bullpen piece. The Royals want him stretched out to be a potential starter. In his start, he went 3 innings, gave up four hits, two runs, two walks, while striking out three.

Steven Cruz, who emerged as a key bullpen piece last season, before suffering an injury, got a save opportunity on Saturday, with a 5-3 lead. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old surrendered a game tying two-run homer to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. However, on a positive note, Cruz did strike out three batters in that inning.

The Storm Chasers are home Tuesday-Sunday for a six-game series against the Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays’ AAA affiliate.

In AA news, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals open their season Thursday, April 2 with a four-game road series, against the Wichita Wind Surge, the Twins’ AA affiliate. Dennis Colleran got a lot of hype from the Spring Training outings he had for Kansas City. He will be a name to keep an eye on. The 22-year-old quickly moved through the minors last season, working through Quad Cities and Columbia with dominating numbers. A 2.85 ERA over 66.1 innings, with an opposing batting average of .161, with 72 strikeouts and 34 walks.

Frank Mozzicato, the 7th overall pick in 2021, had a rough season for the Naturals last season, but the lefty is primed to bounce back and continue working his way up the ladder.

In High-A ball, the Quad Cities River Bandits open their season Friday at the South Bend Cubs, the Chicago Cubs High-A affiliate. Two top names to keep an eye on are right hander Drew Beam and catcher Blake Mitchell.

In Single-A, the Columbia Fireflies, open their season Thursday on the road against the Hickory Crawdads, the Rangers Single-A affiliate. Right-handed pitcher Kendry Chourio, who has received national hype as a prospect is the top Firefly to watch early on.

Rosters have not been set for other affiliates, but the Royals have made a few transactions. Drew Waters cleared waivers and was assigned to Omaha yesterday. The Royals released infielder Brennon McNair, outfielders Tyler Gentry and Milo Rushford, and pitchers Chandler Champlain, Jonathan Heasley, Yenfri Sosa, Fraynel Nova, Jesus Rios, Juan Martinez, and Mack Anglin. Infielder Javi Vaz, pitchers John Means, Tyson Guerrero, Anthony Simonelli, and Asa Lacy were placed on the 60-day IL. And third baseman Sam Ruta, a West Point graduate, was placed on military leave.

Baseball is just picking up for all the Royals affiliates, with everyone other than the Storm Chasers playing their first games this week. There will be more to cover and write about next week, but who might you want to learn about? Which team or prospect intrigues you the most? It should be a fun season for all the Royals affiliates and I’m excited to keep a close eye on them.

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Yankees Birthday of the Day: Chien-Ming Wang

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 27, 2008: Pitcher Chien-Ming Wang #40 of the New York Yankees winds up during a game with the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. New York won 1-0. Chien-Ming Wang08-1224115 (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

If you watched any of the Little League World Series in the late 2000s, you will recall the number of times you saw Chien-Ming Wang listed as a favorite player. The legend began 46 years ago today in Taiwan’s oldest city, long before he became a household name in New York or a symbol of pride across his home country.

Chien-Ming Wang
Born: March 31, 1980 (Tainan City, Taiwan)
Yankees Tenure: 2005-09

Wang’s path toward the major leagues started to take shape in 1999, when he helped lead Taiwan to a silver medal at the World Port Tournament. He posted a 1.59 ERA in the event, allowing just six hits and striking out six over 5.2 innings, a performance that caught the attention of MLB scouts. The Yankees saw enough to invest, signing him in May of 2000 for a reported $1.9 million bonus.

At the time he was not viewed as a future ace, and no one from Taiwan had ever made it to the majors. In fact, Wang was not considered one of the top amateur players in his own country at the time. What he became was gradually built one worm-burner after another. Shoulder surgery derailed Wang’s second season with the club, so he really jumpstarted his journey to the Bronx in 2002.

Wang worked his way methodically through the Yankees’ minor league system, refining the pitch that would ultimately define his career. With the help of Yankees instructors, he developed a heavy sinker that transformed him from a conventional pitcher into something far more unique. As Wang worked his way through the system, his identity was clear: He was not going to overpower hitters; he was going to overwhelm them with movement, forcing contact and turning at-bats into groundballs.

That identity carried him to the majors in 2005. And he did not arrive quietly.

Wang made his MLB debut on April 30, 2005, becoming just the third Taiwan-born player in MLB history after Dodgers bench outfielder Chin-Feng Chen and Rockies pitcher Chin-hui Tsao. He fired seven innings of two-run ball against the Devil Rays, grinding them down.

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Indeed, Wang quickly proved he belonged, going 8–5 with a 4.02 ERA across 17 starts, recording a 1.246 WHIP, a 0.7 HR/9, and a 63.9-percent groundball rate — second in the majors among all pitchers with at least 100 innings to only the next year’s NL Cy Young Award winner, Brandon Webb. He gave the Yankees exactly what they needed in that moment, innings, stability, and a glimpse of something more.

Wang broke out in 2006, going 19–6 with a 3.63 ERA across 218 innings in 33 starts, tying for the Major League lead in wins and finishing second to Twins ace Johan Santana in AL Cy Young voting. He did it with just 76 strikeouts, relying instead on elite contact management. He led the Junior Circuit in groundball rate at 62.8 percent and allowed just 12 home runs all season (an MLB-best 0.5 HR/9), a reflection of how dominant his sinker truly was.

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In a rotation that included Hall of Famers Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson (and big money Carl Pavano), Wang became the constant. The kid was not just part of the rotation; he was leading it.

And he backed it up in 2007.

Wang again won 19 games, going 19–7 with a 3.70 ERA, allowing just nine home runs all season, good for a 0.4 HR/9, and continuing to dominate with his sinker-heavy approach. Across those two seasons, he went a combined 38–13, establishing himself as one of the most reliable and valuable pitchers in baseball. It was just unfortunate that the Yankees were a dynasty in twilight and consigned to three consecutive ALDS losses, so the postseason resume was not there. It didn’t help that he looked worn down by the end of 2007, when Cleveland pummeled him twice in a four-game ALDS loss.

Nonetheless, Wang’s strategy for success was clear: he did not overpower hitters. He controlled them. And heading into 2008, it looked like more was coming.

Wang opened the 2008 campaign in dominant form, jumping out to an 8–2 record and once again anchoring the Yankees’ rotation. He became the fastest pitcher to reach 50 career wins in decades, doing so in just 85 starts, and looked every bit like a pitcher entering his prime.

It felt sustainable. It felt as repeatable as Wang’s smooth hands over head delivery. It felt like as long as the infield defense could remain steady behind him a legendary career was destined.

Then, during interleague play in Houston on June 15, 2008, everything changed. Fans of the era might want to avert their eyes:

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Wang was allowed to reach base on an ineffective bunt that led to a force out, and he later scored on a Derek Jeter single. Immediately after crossing home plate, the Yankees’ ace hopped in pain, reached for Robinson Canó’s baggie jersey, and as his hand rested on his knee every fan held their breath. Ultimately, Wang needed help to get off the field.

The diagnosis was severe: Wang suffered a sprained Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of a tendon in his right foot. This sparked a wave of calls for the universal designated hitter, but it would be more than a decade before that rule would be put into place. (Five years after this, Houston joined the American League and there never would’ve been a pitcher batting there anyway.)

What initially felt like a fluke injury became the turning point of Wang’s career. He missed the rest of the 2008 season began a long rehabilitation that altered his mechanics and eventually led to shoulder and arm issues.

Wang attempted to return in 2009, but the effects of the injury were immediate and difficult to overcome. Across 12 starts, he went 1–6 with a 9.64 ERA, as the command never fully returned and his sinker flattened out. The pitcher who had built his success on precision and movement suddenly could not replicate either. By the end of the season, the Yankees made the difficult decision to non-tender him, bringing his chapter in the organization to a close. The ace was gone as quickly as he had arrived. However, Wang went out with a ring—a teastament to all the hard work and quality innings he gave them in the years before ’09—and the organization has not secured one since.

What followed was not a clean ending, or a ride off into the sunset, but a long and difficult fight.

Wang’s comeback took years. After leaving the Yankees, he spent time with the Nationals, Blue Jays, and Royals, along with multiple minor league stops and extended rehab assignments. He returned to the majors in 2011 with Washington, again in 2013 with Toronto after starring for Taiwan in the World Baseball Classic, and later in 2016 with Kansas City, nearly eight years after the injury that changed everything.

Nearly a decade later, he was still chasing it. That persistence became the second half of his career. The documentary Late Life captures that stretch, showing a former ace grinding through the minors with uncertainty, driven by the belief that he still had something left.

It was not glamorous. But it mattered. Because he did make it back. And in doing so, he showed something just as meaningful as his peak. Who he was. Not just the ace, but the competitor who refused to walk away.

Today, Wang remains in the game as a coach, most recently working with the Taiwanese team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, helping guide the next generation of pitchers from his home country.

That legacy is now formally recognized as well. In 2024, Wang was inducted into the Taiwan Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving over 90 percent of the vote in recognition of both his big-league success and his impact on the game in Taiwan. He remains the most accomplished Taiwanese player in MLB history.

For a time, Chien-Ming Wang was not just the Yankees’ ace. He was one of the most effective pitchers in baseball and the standard for a generation of Taiwanese players. Wang was also a homegrown product, And long after that ended, he showed what it meant to keep going.

Happy birthday, Chien-Ming Wang.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

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Mariners News, 3/31/26: Cal Raleigh, Cody Ponce, and Cooper Pratt

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 30: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off single during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Happy Tuesday! We were treated to our first walk-off of 2026 last night after a single from Cal Raleigh slipped past first base and scored Leo Rivas from third. Another stellar pitching performance featured six innings from Luis Castillo with no runs, two hits, and seven strikeouts. The bullpen largely did their job, and Matt Brash looked electric in his first save of the season.

The second game of the series against the New York Yankees starts tonight at 6:40 PM with a pitching duel of Logan Gilbert versus Max Fried.

In Mariners news…

Around the league…

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Emerson, Mariners agree on $95 million deal

MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Colt Emerson #85 of the Seattle Mariners rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a Spring Training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on March 08, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MLB Rumors: Colt Emerson and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to terms on an 8 year, $95 million deal, per reports. This is the largest contract ever for a player under team control who has yet to play in the major leagues.

Emerson, a shortstop who doesn’t turn 21 until July, was the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He appeared in the back end of top 100 lists prior to the 2024 season after an impressive pro debut. He split the 2024 season between low-A and high-A, putting up a 867 OPS in low-A and a 648 OPS in high-A. That performance as a teenage shortstop made him a consensus top 25-30 prospect.

Emerson put up a .285/.383/.458 slash line in 2025, primarily in high-A, but with 34 games in AA and six games at AAA. He has started the 2026 season at AAA Tacoma, but with a long-term deal now in place, one would expect he will be in the majors in the very near future, likely displacing Leo Rivas at shortstop.

We have seen a spate of contract extension over the last week or so. The Chicago Cubs inked a 6 year, $115 million extension with Pete Crow-Armstrong as well as a 6 year, $141 million deal with Nico Hoerner. Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt, who, like Emerson, is in AAA currently and has yet to play in the majors, is reportedly on the verge of doing an 8 year, $50 million-plus extension.

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Open end of season mailbag (Topic Tuesday)

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 6: Jayson Tatum #0 and Head Coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics hug during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 6, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Boston Celtics sit at 50-25 with 7 games remaining in the regular season. Not too bad for a “Gap year” right Jaylen?

Note this conclusion I wrote in the linked article above:

Unless something very weird and wonderful occurs next season, we won’t be raising Banner #19. But there’s enough interest and intrigue to keep us watching and following this team. At some point next season there will be a stretch where the vision starts coming together and you’ll be able to squint and say, “imagine adding a top-5 player in the NBA to this group.” Because soon enough, that’s gonna happen.

Turns out it was sooner than I ever could have imagined. Perhaps something “weird and wonderful” is occurring before our very eyes. Can’t wait to see how it develops in the playoffs.

Before we get there, however, let’s take a moment or two to reflect on the regular season. What questions do you still have as we finish out the season? Any thoughts on regular season awards? Want to make fun of me for my early season skepticism? I’m open to topics on all things.

Also, if you are the kind of person that’s always looking forward, give us your questions on the playoffs (matchups, rotations, predictions) or even the upcoming offseason (draft, free agency, etc.).

Leave your questions in the comments section below. As always, I’ll give it a few days and try to answer as many questions that I can. I don’t claim to be all-knowing, just a humble blogger that has been doing this for exactly 21 years (as of today – cheers!).

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Where to watch Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The Boston Red Sox are seeking their second victory of the season as they take on the Houston Astros. Houston's Hunter Brown, who looked strong in his first start, will face Boston's Brayan Bello, who has an ERA of 3.35.

  • Date: Tuesday, March 31

  • Time: 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT

  • Where: Daikin Park, Houston

  • TV Channels: Space City Home Network, NESN

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Boston Red Sox: 1-3 (No. 5 in AL East)

  • Houston Astros: 3-2 (No. 2 in AL West)

  • Spread: Houston Astros -1.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Astros -150 / Boston Red Sox 125

  • Over/Under: 7.5

Boston Red Sox: Brayan Bello (11-9, ERA: 3.35, K: 124, WHIP: 1.24)
Houston Astros: Hunter Brown (0-0, ERA: 0.00, K: 9, WHIP: 1.71)

Weather: 76°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 41,000 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Grass

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Mavericks vs. Bucks: 3 Notes before Dallas visits Milwaukee

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 10: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 10, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (24-51) will make a quick trip north to face the Milwaukee Bucks (29-45) for a makeup game that was originally scheduled for January 25. Due to a winter storm that left the Mavericks stranded on the runway for several hours, the game was suspended and eventually moved to March 31.

The matchup will not feature Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains out due to a knee injury. Milwaukee will also be without Kevin Porter Jr. (knee), Bobby Portis (wrist), and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (knee). Gary Harris (personal) is listed as questionable. That leaves the spotlight on emerging Bucks star Ryan Rollins and the Mavericks’ own Cooper Flagg. The injury report for the Mavs has Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington listed as questionable (illness), Marvin Bagley (shoulder), and Caleb Martin (heel) as doubtful. 

It’s warming up outside, but Dallas and Milwaukee didn’t get the memo, because both are ice cold entering Tuesday’s matchup. The Bucks, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, are 2-8 in their past 10 games. The Mavericks are 3-7 in their past 10 games. Here are three notes to keep in mind ahead of Tuesday night.

The Bucks are low hanging fruit

The vibes in Cream City suck. It’s no secret that the past two seasons have been disastrous for the Mavericks, but the Bucks aren’t far behind. Milwaukee was supposed to be in the East’s elite after snagging Damian Lillard, to pair him with franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the results were disappointing. Following a 2024 first-round exit to the Pacers, the Bucks entered last season with renewed hope that they could gain some traction with their new star duo and head coach Doc Rivers. Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles in the first round of the 2025 playoffs and ultimately played his last game as a Buck. He was waived in the 2025 offseason, and Milwaukee owes him $22 million a year for the next five years.

The Antetokounmpo soap opera will enter another offseason, after the Bucks entertained offers up until the trade deadline but ultimately decided to hang onto their star. He has all but demanded a trade, but with Antetokounmpo wanting to compete for a championship and Milwaukee going nowhere fast, it’s likely he’s played his last game in a Bucks uniform.

Entering Tuesday, the Bucks have a plethora of injuries, have lost 14 of 17 games, and are desperately limping to the finish line of the season. They have the NBA’s fifth-worst defense, giving up 119.1 points per 100 possessions. The Mavericks’ schedule the past month has been one of the hardest in the NBA, and Dallas has only lost one game by double digits in the past two weeks – last night against Minnesota. They’re competing. Milwaukee, on the other hand, has seemingly lost its soul from another weary season. If there’s a game for the Mavericks to get another surprising win on the road, this one makes sense.

Should Marvin Bagley III be here next season?

Most of the chatter about the 2018 draft centers around how the Mavericks and Hawks swapped Doncic and Young. It’s often forgotten that Marvin Bagley III was drafted second overall ahead of both. Bagley has had an underwhelming career, but part of that could be the cultures he’s been exposed to. What is your actual ceiling if most of your career has been with the Kings and Wizards? Co-interim GMs Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley were excited about the idea of bringing Bagley to Dallas as part of the Anthony Davis trade, and the results beg the question – should Bagley be in Dallas next season?

This season, Bagley is averaging 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. With the Mavericks, he’s averaging 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. And perhaps most importantly, he’s played in 56 games this season. For Dallas and big men, the best ability is availability, and Bagley is that.

Dallas will be limited in bringing Bagley back next season since they only have his non-bird rights. He’s on a minimum $2.2 million deal this season, but with his production this year, teams could (and probably will) offer him a bigger payday. The most the Mavericks can offer him next season is $3.7 million, unless Dallas decides to pay him part of the mid-level exception. However, splitting the MLE isn’t ideal, as it limits the Mavs in signing other high-caliber role players.

Bagley’s future in Dallas may be uncertain, but we know one thing for sure. He’s on the court and can add high-quality minutes to a big man rotation that’s seen its fair share of injury problems.

Cooper Flagg is finding his shot (again)

In his first five games after returning from a left foot injury, Cooper Flagg shot 27-94 from the floor, 28.7%. He also shot a dismal 3-15 from three, 20%. We’re throwing out last night’s game against the Timberwolves, since it’s more of an exception to the rule.  In his eight games since (minus last night), Flagg has shot 71-139 from the floor – 51% and 5-23 from three, 21.7%. The three-point shot needs work, but his polish at the rim has returned, and the jump shot looks smooth. During this last eight-game stretch, Flagg is averaging 23.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game. On the defensive end, he’s adding 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

Kon Knueppel may ultimately win Rookie of the Year, as his Hornets are looking for their first playoff berth since 2016. But Flagg’s impact on both ends is what makes him arguably the most complete rookie since LeBron James. And similar to James in his early years, Flagg only has one noticeable weakness – his shot.

The NBA is a shooter’s league. Flagg is good in just about every measurable (and non-measurable) way. But his shot, particularly his three-point shot, needs work. This should be a priority for the 19-year-old this offseason. He’ll figure it out. And once he does, he’ll be truly unstoppable.

How to watch

Milwaukee and Dallas are both trying to get to the end of their respective seasons. With injuries and drama derailing the past two years for each franchise, both have their sights set on the offseason. But to get there, you have to play the games. And while wins have come few and far between for both sides, someone will come away victorious. And at the end of the day, it’s another opportunity for Mavs fans to enjoy watching Cooper Flagg play basketball. He’s one of one.

The Mavs and Bucks tip off at 7PM CT from the Fiserv Forum. You can watch on KFAA Channel 29, Mavs TV, or NBA League Pass. Go Mavs!

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Game 5 Preview: Tigers look to bounce back against Diamondbacks

The Detroit Tigers floundered in the opening game of their road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, as Justin Verlander was anything but in vintage form in the team’s 9-6 loss.

They will get another shot on Tuesday night in the desert behind their former No. 1 draft pick, Casey Mize, who opens the campaign in the fifth and final spot of the starting rotation. The Snakes will send fellow right-hander Brandon Pfaadt to the mound opposite him, looking for the victory and his team’s first series win of the nascent season.

With just four games elapsed, the American League Central division has the Cleveland Guardians out to a half-game lead over the rest of the field with a 3-2 record, while Detroit and the Kansas City Royals are both 2-2 so far. The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins inhabit the bottom portion of the standings, both at 1-3.

But the year is young! There is plenty of baseball to be played.

With that in mind, take a look below at a brief comparison of Tuesday night’s pitchers.

Detroit Tigers (2-2) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (1-3)

Time (ET): 9:40 p.m. ET
Place: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
SB Nation Site: AZ Snake Pit
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 5: RHP Casey Mize (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

* Note: Stats in the table below are Fangraphs’ 2026 projections

PlayerGIPK%BB%ERAFIPfWAR
Mize28144.020.86.74.114.082.0
Pfaadt29162.019.24.84.213.952.0

MIZE

PFAADT

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Tiebreaker vs. Pistons could be anyone’s game

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 11: The Toronto Raptors celebrates during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 11, 2024 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After an up-and-down road trip the Raptors returned home to win two straight games in a dominant fashion. Now, they embark for a single away game to face the Detroit Pistons for their third and final contest of the season.

Currently 1-1 in prior matchups, Toronto won the most recent game by double-digits only two weeks ago. They also have a rest advantage, but with both teams missing prominent players due to injury, this could be anyone’s game and ultimately come down to effort.

At this point in the season, most games are “must-win”. Tied with Atlanta but holding the tie-breaker, they continue to try to avoid a play-in game. Only 3.5 games separate them from 10th, so there’s little margin for error here. Detroit has a comfortable 4-game lead in first, but wouldn’t want to give away the lead to Boston either.

Without Quickley, the facilitation game will likely be what the Pistons attack. Detroit is a tough, physical team, who leads the league in steals with 10.5 per game. Protecting the ball and limiting turnovers will also limit extra possessions and scoring opportunities for Detroit. Toronto will have to look to Scottie and Shead for most of the playmaking as both have shown an ability to facilitate for the team.

The Raptors are also going to be limited in scorers potentially missing BI, RJ, and IQ. Hopefully at least one of RJ or BI is available, but in the event that neither is, Scottie will have to have a performance warranted of his All-Star nod tonight. Jak could have another strong performance, and Ja’Kobe has had a great season so far and could chip in to help keep them afloat. Preventing lapses on defence that could give up points that would be difficult to earn back could be the key here.

Another challenge for Toronto will be the lack of bodies on the court. With the lengthy injury report, guys are likely going to see more minutes than they’re accustomed to. Pace and transition play, both things that require tremendous effort and energy are going to be a challenge when doing it for that long. This is great conditioning for the playoffs, especially playing fatigued in the fourth quarter and needing to execute effectively. This execution has been another struggle for them this season, one that needs to be worked out before the playoffs.

Probable Starters

Toronto: Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead

Detroit: Ausar Thompson, Daniss Jenkins, Kevin Huerter, Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris

Injury Report

Toronto: RJ Barrett (Probable: Shoulder stiffness), Jamison Battle (Out: Not with team), Chucky Hepburn (Out: G-League), Brandon Ingram (Questionable: Heel inflammation), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Out: G-League), Collin Murray-Boyles (Questionable: Back spasms), Immanuel Quickley (Out: Plantar fasciitis)

Detroit: Cade Cunningham (Out: Chest), Isaiah Stewart (Out: Calf)

Where to Watch

Tune in at 8pm ET on Sportsnet!

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LeBron Puts on a Masterclass, Wizards Forget to Guard Him (Literally)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 30: Justin Champagnie #9 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Wizards final West coast trip of the 2025-26 season ended about the way you’d expect — with a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The final margin was only 19. The game itself didn’t feel that close, which is pretty normal for the Wizards this season.

Both the Wizards and Lakers shot poorly from three-point range — Washington, a mind-numbing 20.0%; the Lakers a merely bad 29.2%. The Lakers won on the boards (+15 rebound advantage) and by making twos at a much better clip. LA converted 67.3% of their shots inside the arc, and Washington just 58.6%.

LeBron James put on a pick-and-roll masterclass and notched a triple-double to help the Lakers beat Washington. | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Lakers also won from the free throw line. They earned twice as many trips to the free throw line and outscored Washington 25-12 on foul shots.

The preceding should not be read as complaining about the refs. The Lakers drove frequently, and the Wizards are a group that struggles to defend without fouling. Which is to say, Washington gets beat at the point of attack and then does a lot of reaching and grabbing and swiping, which often draws whistles. They’re also antsy, which in this case is a euphemism for man do they bite on ball fakes a lot.

To be honest, in a lot of ways it felt like the Lakers had some mercy (or perhaps a different agenda) on the offensive end last night. Washington was utterly incapable of doing anything to slow LeBron James and Austin Reaves pick-and-roll actions. In fact, they had a difficult time handling James setting ball screens for anyone.

As an aside, what James is doing this season is impressive. He’s spent his entire life with the ball in his hands. He’s been the guy others set screens to get loose. Now in his 23rd season, he’s setting ball screens (something he rarely did in his previous 22 years in the NBA) and playing as a third option when Luka Doncic is on the floor.

As for the Wizards, Justin Champagnie made shots. There’s a cranky old man vibe to his game, which seems to morph into bemusement when things get physical. He also tends to play hard, and he has a kind of sneaky Jeff Green-esque athleticism. It seems like he’s just kinda gliding along like a normie NBA athlete, and then suddenly he’s throwing down a dunk over a seven-footer or blocking a shot above the box. He was pretty good last night — 18 points on 12 shots.

Tristan Vukcevic notched a decent PPA score, though I did not think he played well. He ended the night with four steals and a block in 20 minutes, which is a lot. His overall defensive effort wasn’t good, in my view.

Jaden Hardy came off the bench to score 11 points on eight shots in 23 minutes. He had several genuinely good defensive possessions against James (the elder one), and grabbed five rebounds. I’m intrigued enough by his shooting and offensive aggressiveness to want to see him in extended action the final seven games. By “extended,” I mean 30+ minutes per night with maybe 2-3 starts mixed in.

Thoughts & Observations

  • It’s interesting how context can change the value of a player’s performance. Rui Hachimura with the Lakers is basically the same as he was in Washington, though with fewer rebounds, lower usage and higher efficiency. The latter two go together. In Washington, he had to carry a heavier creation load because the team didn’t have anyone else. In Los Angeles, he plays in the space created by Doncic, James, and Reaves and can take mostly open shots. He was always a good shooter (former assistant coaches told me he routinely won the team’s shooting contests in Washington). In LA, he gets easier shots.
  • Early in the first quarter, Hachimura drove a closeout on Will Riley that was an example of Washington’s defensive challenges. First, Riley was late on the closeout and off balance. Hachimura turned down an open three to drive. Riley recovered enough to run along a step behind but had no impact on the play. Meanwhile, Vukcevic was late to rotate, didn’t get into help position, and then was weak on top of it all. Hachimura ended up with a nearly ayup line finish.
  • Riley had a lot of trouble contending with Hachimura. He needs to spend a lot of time in the weight room getting stronger this offseason.
  • Vukcevic gave a Kornet contest on a three-point attempt in the first quarter. Reaves missed.
  • I didn’t think that I would ever write this sentence, but…On one possession, the Wizards forgot to guard LeBron James. Seriously, at 6:20 in the first quarter, literally no one matched up with arguably the best player in basketball history.
  • Stat from the Lakers broadcast: Doncic this season is the first player in Lakers franchise history to accumulate 2,000+ points, 500+ assists, and 100+ steals in the same season.
  • Another tidbit: Last night, James tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for all-time wins as a player, including playoffs. The LA victory was 1,228th time James has been on the winning team. Tim Duncan is third at 1,158, followed by Robert Parish at 1,121, and Karl Malone at 1,050.
  • It’s a shame Anthony Gill isn’t 10-12 years younger. With a steady diet of playing time this season, he seems to be figuring out how he can be successful in the NBA. He’s attacking closeouts, using ball fakes to create openings, and he competes hard on defense and on the boards despite giving up size and strength advantages to most of his matchups.

Four Factors

Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).

The four factors are measured by:

  • eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
  • OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
  • TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
  • FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORSWIZARDSLAKERSLGAVG
eFG%47.8%60.1%54.5%
OREB%11.4%24.3%26.0%
TOV%9.0%15.0%12.7%
FTM/FGA0.1290.3160.207
PACE10099.3
ORTG101120115.6

Stats & Metrics

PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).

PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.

POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.

ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.

USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%. Median so far this season is 17.7%.

ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.

+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.

Players are sorted by total production in the game.

WIZARDSMINPOSSORTGUSG+PTSPPA+/-
Justin Champagnie275614819.5%3.617211
Tristan Vukcevic204210431.2%-1.4138-16
Anthony Gill36751429.5%1.976-21
Jaden Hardy224712015.8%0.3109-12
Tre Johnson23488723.6%-3.259-3
Jamir Watkins27579020.6%-3.043-14
Will Riley36759125.9%-4.730-22
Sharife Cooper20427119.7%-3.7-332
Bub Carrington28597618.7%-4.4-24-20
LAKERSMINPOSSORTGUSG+PTSPPA+/-
LeBron James336911032.9%-1.319625
Jaxson Hayes204119819.6%6.736318
Luke Kennard234816220.3%4.527020
Deandre Ayton224714916.3%2.52209
Austin Reaves275710838.4%-1.81376
Jake LaRavia28581494.9%0.912123
Rui Hachimura265312516.2%0.81099
Jarred Vanderbilt23489012.4%-1.5805
Bronny James26535220.5%-7.0-1094
Dalton Knecht486012.9%-0.60-8
Drew Timme6122372.1%0.3-23-8
Kobe Bufkin369727.9%-0.3-61-8
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Where to watch New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The New York Yankees (3-1) face the Seattle Mariners (3-2) in the second game of a three-game series. Cal Raleigh walked off the win for Seattle in the opening game. Max Fried (1-0, 0.00 ERA) starts for the Yankees, while Logan Gilbert (0-0, 5.06 ERA) pitches for the Mariners. The Yankees are narrow favorites with a moneyline of -115.

  • New York Yankees: 3-1 (No. 1 in AL East)

  • Seattle Mariners: 3-2 (No. 3 in AL West)

  • Spread: Seattle Mariners 1.5

  • Moneyline: Seattle Mariners -105 / New York Yankees -115

  • Over/Under: 7

New York Yankees: Max Fried (1-0, ERA: 0.00, K: 4, WHIP: 0.47)
Seattle Mariners: Logan Gilbert (0-0, ERA: 5.06, K: 7, WHIP: 0.94)

Weather: 58°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 47,929 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Grass

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Game Preview: Knicks at Rockets, March 31, 2026

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tonight, the Knicks (48*-27) visit the Rockets (45-29) at the Toyota Center. New York has clinched a playoff berth, but need to get through a challenging slate in order to keep their third slot—or catch the 50-win Celtics. Houston is one of five over-.500 teams standing between the Knicks and the finish line. The Texans have been solid at home (25-10) and are motivated to win, as they sit in the thick of the Western playoff picture.

The teams last met on February 21 in New York, where the Knicks rallied from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 108-106. Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby both added 20, and New York limited their foes to 15 points in the fourth quarter. Kevin Durant scored 30 for the visitors and tweeted about the game from four burner accounts.

The Rockets score 114.4 points per game and allow 110.1, showing a balanced but efficient attack. They rely on interior dominance, athleticism on the wings, and spacing when healthy. Houston rates ninth for offense and eighth for defense.

Alperen Şengün anchors the frontcourt with 20.7 points, nine rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game while shooting efficiently inside. Durant provides elite scoring (around 26 PPG) and spacing as a knockdown shooter. Amen Thompson (17.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.5 SPG) delivers two-way athleticism. Jabari Smith Jr. (15.6 PPG) adds floor-spacing and versatility up front.

On New York’s injury front, Landry Shamet remains OUT with a right knee contusion. Miles McBride is listed as questionable after crashing into Lu Dort in his first game back from hernia surgery. Nothing new to report for Houston.

Prediction

ESPN gives the Knicks a 57% chance. That’s a safe bet. In their February meeting, the Knicks showed they can hang and make comebacks, but on the road in Houston, execution on both ends will be crucial. For New York to stay competitive, Brunson needs to control the tempo and create advantages, the bigs must battle Sengün on the glass and in the paint, and the defense has to limit Houston’s transition buckets. Should be a competitive affair that is decided late, with another late clampdown by our heroes. Knicks by four.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (48*-27) at Houston Rockets (45-29)
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Time: 8 PM ET
Place: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
TV: NBC
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but the NBA Cup win was forgotten on the tarmac.