The Sharks aren’t headed to the Stanley Cup playoffs this season, but they are so close, they can taste it.
Despite San Jose’s 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena, the Sharks officially were eliminated from playoff contention with the Los Angeles Kings’ 5-3 win over the Seattle Kraken later in the evening.
The Kings’ win gives them 89 points on the 2025-26 NHL season, while the most the Sharks can get now is 88.
The Kings, meanwhile, earned the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot.
After six tough years, the fruit of the Sharks’ labor finally started to show this season, as they nearly doubled their win total (37, entering the final two games) from last year (20).
Celebrini, the 2024 NHL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick, blossomed into a must-see star and Hart Trophy contender. With two games left in the season, he has a chance to break the franchise’s single-season points record (Joe Thornton — 114 in 2006-07).
Now that the Sharks are on the brink of the postseason, it will be up to general manager Mike Grier and the front office to add veteran pieces who can get the team over the hump.
Considering the Sharks were winless in their first six games of the season (0-4-2), they should be proud that they got things on the right track and gave themselves a shot to make the playoffs.
But in need of every point possible, the Sharks lost four of their last six games, crushing any chance of catching the teams ahead of them in the standings.
With Celebrini and Smith at the top, the sky is the limit for the Sharks, and next season should go a long way to showing if they are capable of climbing to the mountaintop.
The Sharks aren’t headed to the Stanley Cup playoffs this season, but they are so close, they can taste it.
Despite San Jose’s 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena, the Sharks officially were eliminated from playoff contention with the Los Angeles Kings’ 5-3 win over the Seattle Kraken later in the evening.
The Kings’ win gives them 89 points on the 2025-26 NHL season, while the most the Sharks can get now is 88.
The Kings, meanwhile, earned the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot.
After six tough years, the fruit of the Sharks’ labor finally started to show this season, as they nearly doubled their win total (37, entering the final two games) from last year (20).
Celebrini, the 2024 NHL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick, blossomed into a must-see star and Hart Trophy contender. With two games left in the season, he has a chance to break the franchise’s single-season points record (Joe Thornton — 114 in 2006-07).
Now that the Sharks are on the brink of the postseason, it will be up to general manager Mike Grier and the front office to add veteran pieces who can get the team over the hump.
Considering the Sharks were winless in their first six games of the season (0-4-2), they should be proud that they got things on the right track and gave themselves a shot to make the playoffs.
But in need of every point possible, the Sharks lost four of their last six games, crushing any chance of catching the teams ahead of them in the standings.
With Celebrini and Smith at the top, the sky is the limit for the Sharks, and next season should go a long way to showing if they are capable of climbing to the mountaintop.
Chants of “Daniel Farke, Daniel Farke” rang out from the travelling faithful after this seismic Leeds win lifted them six points clear of Tottenham, whose plight darkens further after the visitors pulled off a first league win at Old Trafford since February 1981.
It means Michael Carrick has lost a home game for the first time as Manchester United’s interim manager. His team lacked control throughout, a state not aided by Lisandro Martínez’s silly 56th-minute red card for yanking Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ponytail, and he is now suspended for three matches, though the club may appeal.
MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28, 2026: Bo Davidson #91 of the San Francisco Giants takes a lead at first base during the eighth inning of a spring training game against the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
It’s that time again: the mega roundup to recap Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates. There will be a lot of words, so proceed with caution! Monday is an off day in the Minors, so all four teams will get back in action on Tuesday.
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
News
Only one piece of news: AA Richmond RHP R.J. Dabovich was placed on the 7-Day IL. That’s a big bummer, as injuries have really hurt the career of the 2020 4th-round pick. Dabovich, who is 27, had a healthy 2022, but has pitched just 18.1 innings since.
AAA Sacramento (9-4)
Friday: Sacramento River Cats beat the Las Vegas Aviators 11-0 [box score]
When all was said and done, Sacramento ended up playing just 1 game this “weekend,” and no games during the actual weekend. The storm that blew threw Northern California postponed Saturday’s game to Sunday, and then cancelled that doubleheader altogether. So it goes.
The River Cats made the most of their solo game, though, earning their 2nd consecutive shutout — a very impressive thing anywhere, but especially in the Pacific Coast League. That gave them a sweep in their truncated series against the A’s affiliate, and ran their winning streak to 6 games. Good times on the feeder team!
It was a boisterous day with the bats, as the River Cats bashed 16 hits and drew 7 walks. All eyes in Sacramento are on designated hitter Bryce Eldridge (No. 1 CPL), and I’m pleased to report that he had the best day of them all. Eldridge has started to catch fire, and that certainly was on display on Friday, when he went 4-5 with a double and a strikeout.
The contact was extremely loud for Eldridge, as his hits were, in order, a 99.2-mph single, a 109.4-mph single, a 101.9-mph double, and a 103.6-mph single. Goodness gracious!
Eldridge had a little bit of a slow start to the season, but in his last 3 games, he’s hitting 9-14 with 3 extra-base hits, which has pumped his OPS up to 1.012, and his wRC+ to 182. Will that be enough for the Giants to bring him up to help an offense that is on life support? I still think the answer is likely “no,” especially since Casey Schmitt is hitting so well while DH’ing in San Francisco. Ultimately, the Giants likely want to see Eldridge’s contact improve a little before he comes back to the Majors: he has a 30.2% strikeout rate, a 16th-percentile whiff rate, and a 19th-percentile in-zone contact rate.
Speaking of giving a boost to the Major League offense, the Giants sure are struggling to find hits from their outfielders. It seems unlikely that a roster move is going to be the fix there, since the team isn’t going to bench Harrison Bader, Jung Hoo Lee, or Heliot Ramos anytime soon, but right fielder Will Brennan just keeps hitting in Sacramento. On Friday he hit 3-5 with a double and a strikeout, which boosted his OPS to .938 and his wRC+ to 148. Brennan is certainly staying ready in AAA and is on the 40-man roster, though he is a 28-year old with a large MLB sample of being a below-average hitter, so I’m guessing the Giants are proceeding with caution there.
Second baseman Nate Furman (No. 39 CPL) and first baseman Jake Holton both had 3-hit days, with the former bopping a double and the latter drawing a walk. Each player is off to a tremendous start to the year in their debut AAA seasons: Furman has a .996 OPS and a 182 wRC+, while Holton is sporting a .929 OPS and a 177 wRC+.
But the biggest swing of the bat belonged to veteran catcher Eric Haase, who only hit 1-5 with 3 strikeouts, but drew a walk and smashed a 3-run home run.
Suffice to say, the Giants are not going to be looking to replace Daniel Susac (No. 20 CPL) with a more veteran option anytime soon, but the next team that only uses 2 catchers in a season will probably be the 1st, so Haase is great depth.
Another rough day for center fielder Grant McCray, who shockingly doesn’t have a hit since April 1, though he did draw 2 walks and steal a base in this game, while going 0-4 with 2 strikeouts. Since that April 1 game, the lefty is 0-20 with 9 strikeouts, though he’s drawn 8 walks.
It was a great pitching game, as the score would suggest, and it was entirely handled by players who are either on the 40-man roster, or were in play to make the Opening Day roster. Kicking things off was RHP Carson Seymour, who had a tremendous showing, tossing 4.2 shutout innings while allowing just 2 hits and 1 walk, and striking out 2. Seymour needed just 63 pitches to get his 14 outs, and threw 43 of those for strikes.
The typical strikeout stuff hasn’t really shown up for Seymour this year in his 1st 3 starts, as he’s K’d just 7 batters in 10.2 innings. But more importantly, he’s only allowed 6 baserunners (3 hits and 3 walks) during that time, and is still rocking a pristine 0.00 ERA. Given the Giants noted hatred of issuing walks, it’s fair to wonder if Seymour has temporarily surpassed LHP Carson Whisenhunt (No. 8 CPL) on the 6th starter depth chart, as Whiz has walked 9 batters in 11.2 innings.
Then it was RHP Spencer Bivens, who had a dynamic bullpen outing, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings with 2 hits, 0 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Bivens has just a 3.52 ERA and a 6.23 FIP through 5 appearances, but this was his 2nd straight excellent game, so perhaps he’s finding the stuff that landed him on the MLB roster for the entirety of the 2025 season. Notably — and very impressively — Bivens threw 25 of 31 pitches for strikes.
Finishing out the game was the duo of LHP prospect Juan Sánchez (No. 41 CPL) and veteran RHP Michael Fulmer. Each tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout.
Like their big brothers in Sacramento, the Squirrels entered Friday’s game with a 5-game winning streak, scored 11 runs, and pushed that winning streak to 6. Unlike their big brothers, they played again on Saturday and Sunday … and extended the streak to 8 games (the poor Pirates’ affiliate, on the other hand, fell to 0-9 on the year).
It was not without drama, though, as Richmond ceded 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning on Saturday, before mounting a rally in the bottom half of the inning, which ended in a walk-off Dayson Croes fielder’s choice. Anything for the win!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 12, 2026
The weekend was well-balanced for Richmond, with almost all their players contributing in some form or fashion, and nobody really having a star weekend. There was a star game, however, which came from the top prospect suiting up for the squirrels: center fielder Bo Davidson (No. 4 CPL).
Davidson had an utterly dynamic Friday, hitting a solo home run in the 7th inning, and following it up with a 3-run blast just 1 inning later. Talk about a big day!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 11, 2026
BO DID IT AGAIN!!!
THE FIRST TWO FLYING SQUIRRELS HOME RUNS AT CARMAX PARK BELONG TO BO DAVIDSON 💣 pic.twitter.com/CZHbwYPcnz
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 11, 2026
The undrafted lefty didn’t do too much over the weekend other than those big flies, as he went 4-12 with a sacrifice fly, an outfield assist, and 2 strikeouts … but that’s still a mighty fine weekend, and one that gives him an .854 OPS and a 113 wRC+ through 6 games this year. So far he’s picking up where he left off last year, and that’s a tremendous sign … doesn’t hurt that he can play defense pretty well, too!
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 12, 2026
Davidson wasn’t the only player to have a multi-XBH day, as his fellow outfielder Scott Bandura carried the team to victory on Sunday, hitting 2-3 with 2 doubles, a sacrifice fly, and a strikeout, while accounting for 50% of their hits, 100% of their extra-base hits, and 100% of their runs batted in.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) April 12, 2026
Bandura, a 7th-round pick in 2023 out of Princeton, has been fairly tied at the hip to Davidson in terms of where they’re playing, as they were promoted at the same time last year. Their performance is mirroring each other, as well: after a 5-9 weekend that also included a stolen base, the 24-year old has an .804 OPS and a 120 wRC+. Will we see that pair handling the Sacramento grass at some point this season?
Speaking of outfielders, Turner Hill had yet another nice game, as the speedster attempts to play his way into the Major League depth chart in a Jared Oliva-esque role. The just-turned 27-year old UDFA, who played both corners this weekend but also can handle center well, hit 4-7 with 3 walks, a hit by pitch, a stolen base, and a strikeout.
It does feel like Hill, a lefty, will get a cup of coffee at some point, though he has to be a little frustrated that he’s still grinding away in AA. He posted a 107 wRC+ in 222 plate appearances at the level back in 2024, and then raised it to a 114 wRC+ in 314 plate appearances last year, with more walks than strikeouts. He’s back in Richmond for a 3rd stint and, for now at least, would seem to be the next man up if the River Cats need another outfielder.
One other note on Richmond’s hitters: Aeverson Arteaga started at third base twice, in addition to a game at shortstop. Once considered the best defensive shortstop in the system, Arteaga is now ceding much of the time at the position to Maui Ahuna (No. 33 CPL). That’s because Arteaga had a miserable 2025 and Ahuna is now just a better prospect, but it’s also worth noting that Arteaga took some steps backwards defensively a year ago.
Thankfully, Arteaga’s having a bounce-back year so far, as he went 3-9 with 2 hit by pitches and 2 strikeouts over the weekend, bringing his batting average to .286, his OPS to .730, and his wRC+ to 124. Great numbers? No. But after having a .189 average, a .508 OPS, and a 49 wRC+ a year ago, certainly a welcome sight. Arteaga’s story is far from being complete: he only just turned 23 (he’s a full year younger than Ahuna), so there’s plenty of time for him to recover from his miserable 2025.
On the pitching front, it was all about Sunday’s starter, RHP Darien Smith. A 26-year old undrafted free agent in just his 2nd pro season, Smith was utterly dynamic in his 2nd Richmond appearance, throwing 4.1 no-hit innings, while striking out 9 batters.
It was a case of being effectively wild for Smith, as he largely lived outside of the zone, with just 38 of 60 pitches going for strikes. Yet despite that, he only issued 1 walk … though that walk scored when LHP Cesar Perdomo gave up a rally after coming into the game, so Smith was left with the unfortunate 0-hit, 1-run outing.
Smith took a little bit of time to get his feet wet last year in Low-A, but really exploded in High-A, where he had a 2.59 ERA and a 3.12 FIP in 7 games, with 9.6 strikeouts and just 1.9 walks per 9 innings. The Giants have used him in a hybrid role throughout his brief tenure, and it doesn’t seem outside of the realm of possibilities that he could make the Majors in a year or two as a long reliever, especially if he can keep suppressing walks so gracefully.
The other starters had fairly uninteresting days. On Friday it was LHP Joe Whitman (No. 26 CPL), who gave up just 5 hits, 1 walk, and 2 runs in 5 innings of work, with 5 strikeouts. Pretty solid all around, though 3 of the 5 hits went for extra bases, including a home run. Still, that’s an encouraging outing for Whitman, who threw 44 of 65 pitches for strikes, as the 69th overall pick in the 2023 draft looks to pitch his way out of AA, after spending all of 2025 there. Through 2 starts, the 24-year old has just a 6.23 ERA, but a 3.24 FIP …. that’s not unusual for Whitman, who last year had a 5.29 ERA and a 3.61 FIP.
As was the case a year ago, Whitman’s issue is with giving up too many hits: he has 12 strikeouts against just 2 walks in 8.2 innings this year, which is phenomenal. But he’s allowed 9 hits, 4 of which have gone for extra bases.
On Saturday it was RHP Trystan Vrieling, who allowed just 2 hits in 5 innings, but walked 4 batters and gave up 2 runs, with 4 strikeouts. That set the stage for a funny day for the Squirrels pitchers, who only gave up 5 hits in the 10-inning game, but issued a dozen walks.
Like Whitman, Vrieling — the 100th pick in 2022 by the Yankees — is trying to work his way out of AA after spending (virtually) all of 2025 there. Not a great start to his 1st full year in the organization, though, as he has a 6.75 ERA and a 5.20 FIP through 2 starts.
Really nice relief appearances by a pair of older arms that the Giants signed out of indy ball: RHP Dylan Hecht, signed last season, threw 2 perfect innings with 2 strikeouts, while RHP Mitch White, who was signed this past offseason, gave up 1 walk in a shutout inning, with 2 strikeouts.
High-A Eugene (7-2)
Friday: Eugene Emeralds beat the Vancouver Canadians 6-5 (10 innings) [box score] Saturday: Eugene Emeralds beat the Vancouver Canadians 3-2 [box score] Sunday: Eugene Emeralds lost to the Vancouver Canadians 8-5 [box score]
The Emeralds won 2 of their 3 weekend games, though it was fairly mild-mannered. The team was lacking in standout days and didn’t hit a home run … blame that cold Northwest air!
There was a really strong performance on the mound, thanks to Saturday’s starter, RHP Yunior Marte (No. 25 CPL). The 22-year old, whom the Giants acquired last year in the Mike Yastrzemski trade, made his 2nd High-A appearance and it went swimmingly, as he tossed 4.2 no-hit innings with 5 strikeouts. Marte was fairly wild, which has been a little bit of an issue for him in his short career: he walked 2 batters and also hit someone, while throwing just 46 of 74 pitches for strikes. That, combined with an error by his defense, put an unearned run on his ledger.
That certainly points to an area where the Giants will want and need Marte to improve, but it’s also abundantly clear that his fastball/slider combo plays very well. He’s not the most touted prospect that the Giants grabbed at last year’s deadline, but he sure was a nice addition who could end up being a really intriguing arm.
The other starters really struggled. LHP Luis De La Torre (No. 14 CPL) is hitting some bumps in the road as the 2025 breakout arm adjusts to a higher level. He pitched on Sunday and couldn’t find the strike zone, with just 33 of 64 pitches being strikes, while issuing 3 walks in as many innings. Still, LDLT showed off some of what makes him one of the top arms in the system, as he only allowed 2 hits (both singles) while striking out 4 batters in his 3 innings, though he gave up 2 earned runs.
Continuing the theme — or starting the theme, given that he pitched on Friday — RHP Hunter Dryden threw just 33 of 59 pitches for strikes, while allowing 3 walks and a hit batter in just 2 innings of work, though he only allowed 1 hit and 1 run, and struck out 3. Needless to say, there are some adjustments to make for the pitchers trying to tackle High-A for the 1st time!
A few relievers had nice games: RHP Trey Dillard, a 27-year old Minor League free agent, threw 3 no-hit innings with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts, while RHP Cade Vernon, a 10th-round pick in 2024, struck out 2 batters in 2.2 no-hit, no-walk innings, though 3 baserunners reached while he was on the mound, all via errors. RHP Austin Strickland pitched a perfect inning with 2 strikeouts, as the Giants hope he can blossom into a quality reliever so that they have something to show from the Joey Bart era. Unfortunately, RHP Liam Simon once again struggled to find the strike zone, as he gave up 2 hits, 2 walks, 1 hit batter, and 2 runs in an inning of work. Through 3 outings this year, Simon has allowed 7 walks, 2 hit batters, 10 runs, and 7 earned runs, while recording just 6 outs. He just can’t find his command following a string of injuries.
In the batter’s box, the stars were a pair of fairly unheralded infielders with 80-grade names: shortstop/second baseman Zane Zielinski, and second baseman Zander Darby. Zielinski, a 9th-round pick in 2024 who is repeating High-A after spending his entire debut season there, hit 5-10 with 1 double, 2 walks, 1 sac fly, 2 strikeouts, and 2 errors. After having a .642 OPS and an 89 wRC+ with Eugene last season, the 24-year old is sporting an 1.101 OPS and a 199 wRC+ through 7 games this year.
As for Darby, a 23-year old who was taken in the 12th round in 2024, he went 3-10 with 2 doubles, though he struck out 4 times. The left-handed hitter spent most of 2025 with Low-A San Jose, and struggled mightily during his month with the Emeralds. That’s not the case this year, however, as he’s rocking a 1.033 OPS and a 175 wRC+ through 7 games.
Quiet weekends for the top hitting prospects at the level, and they each got a day off. Shortstop/designated hitter Gavin Kilen (No. 7 CPL) hit 3-9 with a double, a sacrifice fly, and 2 strikeouts, and now has an 1.101 OPS and a 183 wRC+; center fielder/designated hitter Trevor Cohen (No. 15 CPL) went 0-8 with 2 walks and 1 strikeout, dropping his OPS to .628 and his wRC+ to 81; and center fielder Dakota Jordan (No. 5 CPL) hit 2-8 with 1 walk, 1 strikeout, and 1 stolen base, moving his OPS to .797 and his wRC+ to 105.
Low-A San Jose (7-2)
Friday: San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 5-2 [box score] Sunday Game 1: San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 3-2 (7 innings) [box score] Sunday Game 2: San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide 4-2 (7 innings) [box score]
Like Sacramento, San Jose had their Saturday game rained out … but unlike Sacramento, they were actually able to play the Sunday doubleheader.
Still, it was a relatively mild weekend, as the 7-inning doubleheader deprived us of 4 additional innings and, most notably, shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL) didn’t play at all. No word on what’s going on with Level though, thankfully, Roger Munter makes it sound like there’s likely nothing at all to worry about.
In Level’s absence, the standout offensive weekend belonged to first baseman/designated hitter Jeremiah Jenkins, who had one hell of a run over the 3 games, hitting 3-8 with a home run, a double, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts.
A 14th-round pick in 2024, Jenkins — who turns 23 next month — struggled in San Jose last year, though he did a great job limiting his strikeouts. He’s off to a red-hot start this year, and has really been showing off his power, with 4 extra-base hits in 6 games.
Center fielder Andy Polanco had a nice weekend, continuing his strong start to the season. The soon-to-turn 21-year old, who was an 11th-round selection in 2024, hit 4-7 with a stolen base and 2 strikeouts, and now has a .924 OPS and a 145 wRC+ through 7 games. That’s quite a nice start given that he only had an 85 wRC+ in the Complex League last year in his debut. Critically, Polanco plays strong defense (though he committed an error on Friday), and has 4 stolen bases on the year.
Andy Polanco drives in a pair with a single up the middle, and the Giants take a 3-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/4dbPjulsVQ
But the star performance came on the mound, where RHP Argenis Cayama (No. 13 CPL) had his best performance since a late promotion to San Jose last year. Cayama took the mound on Friday and showed why the organization — and people outside of it — are so high on him, as he tossed 4 innings with 4 hits, 0 walks, 1 run, and a whopping 8 strikeouts. It was a tremendous display of strike-throwing, as Cayama threw 44 of his 55 pitches for strikes.
Cayama broke out in the Complex League last year with a brilliant 10.3 strikeouts and just 3.4 walks per 9 innings, numbers that took a huge hit upon his promotion to the Baby Giants. But this year? Through 2 starts he has 12 strikeouts in 7.2 innings …. and 0 walks. He did get hit hard in his 1st outing of the year, but that will happen occasionally. The Giants have to be thrilled with this start to the season for the hot prospect.
Argenis Cayama struck out 8 over four innings of work to pace San Jose to victory over Visalia on Friday.
But while Cayama’s performance was the most exciting long-term, the most meaningful in the short term came on Sunday, when Major League LHP Sam Hentges kicked off a rehab appearance. You can’t really learn anything about someone rehabbing in Low-A, but it’s always better to be … well … better, and Hentges did that, retiring all 3 batters he faced, needing just 10 pitches, and recording a strikeout. San Francisco’s bullpen will look better when he’s in it, that’s for sure.
Finishing off the weekend was RHP Alix Hernandez, who had another fantastic game, striking out 4 batters in 2.1 no-hit innings, while issuing 1 walk. Hernandez, a 21-year old who was signed in 2022 out of Venezuela, has some mesmerizing stuff, but has struggled with both command and health. He’s off to a great start this year, with 8 strikeouts against 1 walk in 5.1 innings, and a clean 0.00 ERA through 3 outings.
Home run tracker
2 — Bo Davidson x2 — [AA] 2 — Jeremiah Jenkins — [Low-A] 1 — Eric Haase — [AAA]
Sixteen teams – 20, counting those participating in the Play-In Tournament – will now have the chance to make their pushes in the postseason with the hopes of an NBA title up for grabs. The final week of the season saw teams jostling for seeding, as they tried to improve their path forward.
The end of the regular season also meant that the 10 teams that were officially eliminated from postseason contention can formally plan for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Here are the final USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings of the 2025-26 regular season:
USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings
Note: Records and stats through April 12. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings.
There wasn’t very much movement in this group as teams at the top of the Eastern and Western Conferences more or less bunkered in. The Spurs got some good news with Victor Wembanyama’s rib injury, and the days off before the start of the postseason should provide invaluable rest.
Two teams out West, however, who finished the season strong were the Nuggets, who ended the campaign on a 12-game winning streak, including a victory over San Antonio to preserve the No. 3 seed, and the Rockets. Houston went 9-1 over its last 10 and now has a first-round matchup against the Lakers, who could be in trouble with the extended absences of NBA leading scorer Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique strain).
Composed mostly of teams in the Play-In Tournament, this group will need to prove their worth by advancing in that bracket and then battling against the No. 1 and 2 seeds in the two conferences. One of the teams in the Play-In who finished strong was the Trail Blazers, winners of 10 of their last 14.
On the opposite end was the Magic, who inexplicably lost to a Celtics team that was sitting its top seven players in their rotation. As a result, the Magic dropped to the No. 8 seed and now have to travel to Philadelphia for their matchup in the play-in against the 76ers.
The season of tanking has mercifully ended, and now the lottery awaits. Practically all teams in this section of the list were playing for draft positioning, with the exception of the Pelicans, who don’t own their first-round selection. Yet, the biggest news out of this group is Doc Rivers stepping down as the coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. This raises questions about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and whether the team can salvage its relationship with the star. Whom the Bucks eventually hire could be an indicator whether Antetokounmpo is put on the trading block this offseason.
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 18: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game Portland Trail Blazers on November 18, 2025 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We are finally here. The Play-In bracket is set, and the Phoenix Suns have their opponent in the 7/8 game after a long 82-game season with many ups and downs.
Here are the main questions for Week 25 we want your thoughts on as the Suns head into postseason play:
Facing the Blazers
The Suns will be facing the Portland Trail Blazers in the 7/8 game. Phoenix won the season series, but Portland has been the better team the last two months; they went 10-6 in their last 16 games. Devin Booker only played in the first matchup, but Jrue Holiday was not in the lineup for Portland in the second matchup. Both teams are set to come into the matchup the healthiest they’ve been all season. The Blazers are in the top-10 in defensive rating and are fifth in the last two months, as they leapfrogged the Los Angeles Clippers for the ninth seed.
How do you think the Suns match up against the Blazers? Would you have preferred that they play the Clippers or the Golden State Warriors?
Struggling to end the year
It was not a strong end to the season for the Suns. The team lost 10 of their last 16 games and quickly lost any opportunity they had to climb the standings and avoid being seeded in the play-in. Credit, Phoenix was dealing with injuries, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams were out a lot during that span, but the team did not do any favors down the stretch in games against the Spurs, Celtics, and Raptors, and Collin Gillespie had his worst stretch of the season to end the year.
The team is now healthy heading into the playoffs, but how do they make sure their struggles to end the season do not carry them into the play-in?
Did the Suns hit their Regular Season ceiling?
Before the year, Suns fans said the team’s regular ceiling was 40-59 wins. They achieved that.
After seeing the Suns play a whole 82 games, seeing how the rest of the Western Conference competition turned out, do you think the Suns hit their ceiling?
On the Suns’ Plate this Week
Phoenix will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night in the 7/8 game. If they win, they’ll face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. If they lose, they’ll host the winner of Clippers/Warriors, the 9/10 game on Friday, and if they win that game, they’ll play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. If they lose, they’ll be eliminated.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 07: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez (61) walks to the dugout after being pulled from the game during a MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants on April 07, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Trinity Machan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jonathan Quick’s retirement announcement will have a profound impact on Dylan Garand.
With Quick set to retire at the end of the 2025-26 season, the New York Rangers’ backup goaltending position moving forward is up for grabs, and there’s no doubt that Garand is the best positioned to land the job.
As Quick served as Igor Shesterkin’s backup over the past three seasons, Garand was making a name for himself in the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack, emerging as the Rangers’ top goalie prospect.
Since being selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Garand has played in 165 AHL games.
He established himself as one of the premier goaltenders in the AHL, to the point where he was named to represent Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in the American League. I’ve played a lot of games down there,” Garand said. “They say if you play more than 100 games in the American League, that’s a good amount of experience, and I’ve played 165, so that helped me just keep developing, and not rush my development, and be more ready for the transition when that time comes.
“It's the second-best league in the world, so to spend a lot of time down there, and the World Championship, was a really good experience for me too. My experience for sure has helped.”
The Rangers recalled Garand from the Hartford Wolf Pack on March 20 since Quick was dealing with an upper-body injury, as he finally got his first taste of NHL action.
The 23-year-old goaltender has started in two games, posting a 1-0-1 record, 1.44 goals against average, and .954 save percentage.
While two games are a short sample size, Garand showed his readiness to take on an NHL role in the future.
Garand hasn’t started a game since notching his first NHL win on March 27 against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the Rangers have still opted to keep him around despite not giving him any more starts, which has raised some confusion.
Quick’s retirement announcement puts all the pieces together, and it explains why the Rangers decided to keep Garand around.
“Obviously, I want to be here, and that's got to be earned,” Garand said. “It's been great to get an opportunity. Like I said, I've been waiting a long time for it. It’s been great to be here right now, kind of getting familiarized with the guys, with the coaching staff, and things like that. Hopefully that helps me move forward.”
The Rangers could still realistically go out and sign another goaltender in the offseason to serve as the backup, but Garand has perfectly positioned himself to take over that role, and he should be given an opportunity to earn a spot on the roster come training camp.
Dick Vitale's latest biopsy has brought some bad news.
In a statement shared by ESPN's PR account on X (formerly Twitter), the legendary college basketball analyst announced on Monday, April 13 that results from his biopsy last week confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in both his lung and liver cavity.
"I've beaten melanoma. I've beaten lymphoma. I've beaten vocal cord cancer. I've beaten lymph node cancer. I'm four-for-four and I'm fully confident I'm going to make it five-for-five," Vitale wrote in the statement.
Vitale said he'll soon be starting immunotherapy treatment and plans on "winning" this latest health battle of his. He also said he is "feeling fantastic" amid the diagnosis. Last week, Vitale shared that he underwent a biopsy at a hospital in Sarasota to look into some of the "abnormalities" that his doctors found on a series of recent routine tests, which included a PET scan, a CAT scan and two MRIs.
He shared in a social media post late Sunday night that he hasn't been able to sleep recently, he has been "so worried about the report," adding that his PET scan last week "shocked" him.
Vitale has had multiple health issues, including several types of cancer, over the last few years. He was declared cancer-free last year and made his return to broadcasting, most recently in the First Four game between Texas and North Carolina State.
"I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I've received from so many people," Vitale said in his statement on Monday. "I'm incredibly blessed to have my family beside me, and my ESPN family — led by Chairman Jimmy Pitaro — has been absolutely terrific. Their support has inspired me to keep fighting and I will do everything in my power to win another battle."
Dick Vitale health update
Here's a look at Vitale's full health update statement:
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa
TEAM: BYU
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Massachusetts
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Wizards finished with the worst record in the NBA and would benefit tremendously from a lottery win. They had the second-worst offense in the league and could instantly inject life into their offense by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the NCAA scoring champion and Julius Erving Award winner. He emphasized that point during his one game for BYU in March Madness, putting up 35 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year led the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star also had 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10 and averaged a stellar 28.8 points per game over his final 17 appearances.
2. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Boozer
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Florida
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18
Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was dominant during his first NCAA season, earning national collegiate player of the year honors. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival teams believe Boozer would be the "preferred selection" for the Pacers because of his "potential fit" alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac. The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel, but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that made it to the Sweet 16 before a heartbreaking last-second loss.
3. Brooklyn Nets: Darryn Peterson
TEAM: Kansas
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 19
While he is no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. The Nets had the worst offense in the NBA and could change the course of the franchise by selecting Peterson. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season.
4. Sacramento Kings: Caleb Wilson
TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Big
BORN: Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Kings need the best player available regardless of fit, and that is North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson, who unfortunately missed the NCAA Tournament with a broken thumb. Wilson, who also suffered a hand fracture earlier in the season, did more than enough to earn this placement. According to Bart Torvik, before the injury the All-ACC big man led the nation with 67 dunks recorded. He was also the only player under 20 years old to reach thresholds of 2.5 percent for both block and steal percentage while also notching a defensive rebound percentage above 20.0 percent.
5. Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings
TEAM: Houston
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Texas
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Jazz had the worst defensive rating in the Western Conference and could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings to join Keyonte George in their backcourt. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Flemings helped lead Houston to the Sweet 16, and with highs as high as his were this season, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.
6. Memphis Grizzlies: Yaxel Lendeborg
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Forward
BORN: New Jersey
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 23
Keep an eye on the Grizzlies as a potential suitor for Yaxel Lendeborg, who showed on his way winning the national championship that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have selected players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward. They are also not afraid to draft away from consensus and have shown a willingness to pick older, more experiences players like Zach Edey.
7. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Darius Acuff Jr.
TEAM: Arkansas
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Michigan
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Hawks need a guard like Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. after trading away Trae Young, using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but playing alongside Dyson Daniels would help cover that problem.
8. Dallas Mavericks: Keaton Wagler
TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Kansas
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Mavericks had the worst offensive rating in the Western Conference and could benefit from a player like Illinois standout Keaton Wagler. The 19-year-old guard played a crucial role to help the Fighting Illini earn a spot in the Final Four, where he recorded 20 points and 8 rebounds against UConn in the national semifinals. The freshman also dropped 25 points in the Elite Eight. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, while connecting on as many as nine 3-pointers in a game. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year has athletic limitations but is a cerebral basketball player who averaged 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
9. Chicago Bulls: Brayden Burries
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Guard
BORN: California
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 20
Arizona freshman Brayden Burries was an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas. He had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. He has proven productivity, and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble. Burries would make a great pick for whatever new executives take over the front office for the Bulls.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Mikel Brown Jr.
TEAM: Louisville
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Florida
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 20
The Milwaukee Bucks, potentially heading toward an ugly Giannis Antetokounmpo divorce, must simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and was among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9, while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before an injury on Feb. 28 forced him to miss March Madness.
11. Golden State Warriors: Labaron Philon
TEAM: Alabama
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Alabama
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 20
The Warriors will be seeking more reliable players in the backcourt and could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. Even though the All-SEC guard was not playing at 100 percent during March Madness due to injury issues, he played well in the tournament, recording 35 points during a loss against Michigan. He also notched 29 points in his first-round game and 12 assists in his second. The guard averaged 22.0 points per game this season, and he improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 39.9 percent as a sophomore, while also managing 5.0 assists per game in the process.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Aday Mara
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Spain
HEIGHT: 7-3
DRAFT AGE: 21
After winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder could add even more lottery-caliber talent, like Michigan center Aday Mara, in the 2026 NBA Draft. While leading his team to win the NCAA championship, Mara became one of the prospects who helped himself the most during March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a fantastic rim protector. Opponents only attempted 20.4 percent of their field goals at the rim when the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was on the court, per CBB Analytics, which ranks near lowest among all NCAA players. He can also pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition and at the rim.
13. Miami Heat: Koa Peat
TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Arizona
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. Arizona played at a significantly faster pace (3.9 extra possessions) when Peat was on the floor relative to when he was not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miami’s fastest-paced offense in the NBA. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Braylon Mullins
TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Indiana
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19
Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald's All-American, was a breakout star in the NCAA tournament after hitting one of the most improbable 3-pointers in March Madness history. Mullins continued to show a winning mentality, helping the Huskies earn a spot in the national championship game. The Big East All-Freshman wing shot 40.7 percent on 3-pointers during his first 18 games in the starting lineup. He is a useful off-ball threat, too, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level.
15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers): Nate Ament
TEAM: Tennessee
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Virginia
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Chicago Bulls will receive this pick if the Portland Trail Blazers advance in the play-in tournament. After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament started to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. He was not as efficient during March Madness, but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking near the lottery.
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic): Joshua Jefferson
TEAM: Iowa State
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Nevada
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 22
The Grizzlies will have another first-round pick thanks to the Desmond Bane trade. A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. For the second year in a row, the Iowa State forward was an impactful dribble-pass-shoot forward who met many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players who spent many years on their roster. The All-Big 12 forward got injured during the first round of the tournament, but Iowa State still earned a spot in the Sweet 16.
17. Charlotte Hornets (via Suns): Jayden Quaintance
TEAM: Kentucky
POSITION: Big
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18
Jayden Quaintance recorded just one start during his sophomore campaign as he recovered from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. The big man is still one of the youngest players in this class, but he has shown flashes during his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When healthy, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that desperately needs frontcourt help, like the Hornets. But health may cause some concern for evaluators.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Karim López
TEAM: International (Australia)
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Mexico
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19
The Thunder have drafted multiple players from Australia’s NBL and could dip into this well again by selecting Karim López with their pick from the Philadelphia 76ers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, he is physically gifted and widely seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder.
19. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Hannes Steinbach
TEAM: Washington
POSITION: Big
BORN: Germany
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 20
German big man Hannes Steinbach is a name worth watching in the 2026 NBA Draft. While his team missed the tournament, the All-Big Ten post is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, including an absurd 24 rebounds against USC on March 4. Additionally, the center is one of the more prolific pick-and-roll finishers in college basketball. He shined during the FIBA U19 World Cup, too, and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads. Steinbach could make an excellent backup to Victor Wembanyama.
20. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz
TEAM: Iowa
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Missouri
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 22
The Raptors need another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. After transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble in isolation or the pick-and-roll. The All-Big Ten guard can also finish plays from dribble handoffs. His play during March Madness, which included 24 points against Illinois and 20 points against Nebraska, earned a spot in the Elite Eight. The Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who did the same at Iowa.
21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves): Christian Anderson
TEAM: Texas Tech
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 20
While they are one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and will want more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who had the most unassisted 3-pointers (61) among high-major players, per CBB Analytics. After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman.
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Patrick Ngongba II
TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Big
BORN: Virginia
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 20
Many teams might benefit from a big like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. The big man, who helped Duke earn a spot in the Elite Eight, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Allen Graves
TEAM: Santa Clara
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 20
One of the most under-the-radar prospects in all of college basketball this season was Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves, who was nearly a March Madness hero. It was hard not to notice the WCC Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year after he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals Feb. 7 against Washington State. The only players under 21 years old who held a higher box plus-minus, via Bart Torvik, were Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. He declared early entry for the 2026 NBA Draft but also entered his name in the transfer portal.
24. New York Knicks: Chris Cenac Jr.
TEAM: Houston
POSITION: Big
BORN: Louisiana
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 19
It was an up-and-down season for former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American Chris Cenac Jr. at Houston. He did, however, got hot at the perfect time. During his first game in the Big Dance, the big man recorded a season-high 18 rebounds, while also knocking down a 3-pointer and grabbing a steal. Then in the Round of 32, he showed off more scoring with some impressive cuts to the basket, dropping 17 points against Texas A&M. He was quieter in the Sweet 16 but still managed 10 rebounds.
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Morez Johnson Jr.
TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Illinois
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 20
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season, leading his team to win the NCAA championship game, and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should carve out minutes at the next level.
26. Denver Nuggets: Thomas Haugh
TEAM: Florida
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Pennsylvania
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 22
After winning a national championship with Florida last season, Thomas Haugh was instantly regarded as one of the most interesting players who elected to return to college. The All-SEC forward had one of the top motors in the NCAA this season before an early elimination from March Madness. While he did not score efficiently in a set offense this year, he does not need the ball in his hands very often to make a difference on the floor for his team. He can serve as a glue guy for a contending team looking to win an NBA title like the Nuggets.
27. Boston Celtics: Cameron Carr
TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Minnesota
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 21
One of the players who improved his draft stock the most this season was Baylor junior Cameron Carr. The All-Big 12 wing brings athleticism and shooting and, per Bart Torvik, he was the only player to make at least 40 field goals that were dunks and more than 60 field goals that were 3-pointers this season. Baylor outscored opponents by an additional 28.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor relative to when he was not, via CBB Analytics, which ranked as the fourth-most of any high-major player in the NCAA.
Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is an interesting early entry candidate in the 2026 NBA Draft. The first-team All-ACC guard was a day-one starter in the NCAA who is potentially capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Timberwolves. He averaged 23.2 points per game, recording 40 points against conference rival Virginia Tech and seven other games with at least. 30points. Okorie could also return to school but should earn serious first-round buzz if he turns pro.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Dailyn Swain
TEAM: Texas
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 21
After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain became one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders.
30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder): Tarris Reed Jr.
TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Big
BORN: Missouri
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 23
UConn senior Tarris Reed Jr. helped himself quite a bit during the NCAA tournament en route to an appearance in the national championship game. He recorded four double-doubles during March Madness, notching 31 points and 27 rebounds against Furman. Reed also had 26 points with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals during a win over Duke. Expect him to come into the league and find a role sooner rather than later.
The Colorado Avalanche head north to Alberta for a tightly packed back-to-back, opening Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers in what will be the final regular season meeting between the clubs.
The season series has already delivered extremes. Colorado dismantled Edmonton 9–1 on November 8, only to fall 4–3 on home ice on March 10. Monday offers a rubber match—but it arrives under less-than-ideal circumstances for the Avalanche.
Head coach Jared Bednar will not travel with the team after suffering facial fractures and a corneal abrasion during Saturday’s loss. While surgery isn’t required and a full recovery is expected, his absence leaves assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol to guide the bench through both games of the trip—a subtle but meaningful disruption at a critical point in the schedule.
A Game That Slipped Away
Colorado’s 3–2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday felt like one that lingered.
They had stretches of control. They generated enough offense. But small lapses—one missed coverage, one lost puck battle—proved costly.
Devon Toews opened the scoring on the power play, and Nick Blankenburg—in his first goal with Colorado—helped pull the game back to even in the second period. In net, Mackenzie Blackwood was steady, turning aside 25 shots.
But against elite teams, “steady” isn’t always enough.
Jack Eichel ended it at 1:19 of overtime, finishing a rush chance that felt inevitable the moment it developed.
The Engine Still Runs
For all the turbulence, Colorado still leans on one of the most dominant players in the sport.
Nathan MacKinnon continues to drive everything—leading the NHL with 52 goals while sitting near the top of the scoring race with 126 points. His production against Edmonton has been just as reliable: 39 points in 30 regular season games, plus another five in the playoffs.
Alongside him, Martin Necas has quietly built one of the league’s most productive stretches, sitting just shy of the century mark in points and piling up offense at an elite rate since late February.
And while his role has evolved, Gabriel Landeskog remains a factor in this matchup historically, with consistent production against Edmonton across both regular season and playoff play.
Edmonton’s Counterpunch
Of course, any conversation about the Oilers begins with Connor McDavid.
He leads Edmonton in every major offensive category—goals, assists, and points—and remains the most dangerous player on the ice any given night. Behind him, Evan Bouchard continues to evolve into a high-end offensive defenseman, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins provides secondary scoring depth.
Still, Edmonton enters this one coming off a flat 1–0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings—a game where chances were limited and frustration built as the night wore on.
Trends Beneath the Surface
There are signs Colorado is still trending in the right direction, even if the results haven’t always followed.
Since March 1, their power play has clicked at over 27 percent—one of the better marks in the league over that stretch. More recently, their team save percentage has surged, sitting among the NHL’s best since early April.
And then there’s Necas, whose 37 points since late February place him among the most productive players in hockey during that span—a reminder that Colorado’s offense isn’t a one-man show.
What to Watch
This game isn’t just about talent—it’s about response.
How does Colorado handle adversity without Bednar behind the bench?
Can they tighten the defensive details that cost them against Vegas?
And can they slow down McDavid long enough to let their own stars dictate the pace?
Because when these two teams meet, it rarely settles quietly—and the stakes, even in April, tend to feel a little bigger than the standings suggest.
The 35-32-12 Winnipeg Jets are in Vegas for a test against the 37-26-17 Golden Knights on Monday night.
Now, more than ever, the Jets will need losses across the board.
Photo by James Carey Lauder/USA Today
A.) for the Jets' hockey club itself, to maintain a better position in the draft lottery for the NHL Draft this June.
B.) in case the Jets are able to win out the remaining three games of their schedule, they would need all of Los Angeles, Nashville and San Jose to also lose each of their remaining games, to allow Winnipeg a chance at the final wild card playoff spot.
There will be a number of changes to the Jets' lineup on Monday.
Nikita Chibrikov will return to Winnipeg's roster for the game since being sent down following injury recalls in the earlier stages of the season. While Brayden Yager will make his long awaited NHL debut - skating with Chibrikov and Nino Niederreiter.
Neal Pionk, Alex Iafallo and Vlad Namestnikov will all sit out due to injury - likely for the rest of the season, pending a miracle.
Connor Hellebuyck will get the start in goal for the first test of the back-to-back.
Winnipeg Jets' expected line combinations for Monday, April 13 at Vegas:
SCORING BY INNING: The Cubs scored in five innings yesterday, their second-highest count of the season. They scored in six at Tampa last Tuesday. They scored twice in two innings yesterday, raising their total to 24 innings with a pair of runs. They have tallied more than two in 13 innings, but in only one of their last 88, five runs in the fifth inning at Tampa last Wednesday. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
RUN DIFFERENTIAL: The Cubs’ run differential is +10 going into tonight’s action. Believe it or not, only five other teams currently have better run differentials (Braves, +46; Dodgers, +35; Yankees, +21; Brewers, +16; Padres, +14). The Cubs are tied with the Tigers at +10.
THE NICO FILES: Nico Hoerner has a 14-game on-base streak in which he is batting .340/.446/.528 (18-for-53) with seven doubles, a home run, 10 RBI and nine walks. Thus he has reached base in every game this year except for Opening Day.
WHAT A RELIEF: Cubs relievers did not allow an earned run in the last two games against the Pirates (one unearned run in extra innings Saturday), totaling nine innings over those two contests, with five hits and four walks allowed (1.000 WHIP) and 11 strikeouts.
Javier Assad stepped up when Cade Horton hit the injured list, and his first start, last Tuesday against the Rays, was outstanding: 5.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks.
Assad has been remarkably consistent through his 79 games (55 starts) as a Cub. No season ERA lower than 3.03, none higher than 3.73. FIP figures a bit higher, but also consistent. He will keep the team in the game and give innings.
His last start against the Phillies, Sept. 25, 2024 in Philadelphia, wasn’t very good. Don’t click on that boxscore link. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I suspect we’ll get a better one tonight.
Cristopher Sánchez had a breakout season in 2025, posting 8.0 bWAR and finishing second in NL Cy Young voting. He’s continued that so far this year in three starts, with a 1.65 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 16.1 innings with just four walks and no home runs allowed.
He has not faced the Cubs since that same 2024 game where Assad got hit pretty hard. He allowed three runs (one earned) in 4.2 innings that night. Nico Hoerner homered off him, for whatever that’s worth.
Cubs hitters will have a tough assignment tonight.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
On the other side of the playoff bracket, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (60-22) have been one of the East's biggest success stories, improving their win total by an astounding 16 games from last season.
Jonathan Quick, who announced his retirement on Monday, will be most remembered for the 16 years he spent with the Kings. He’ll be remembered for the two Stanley Cups he helped bring to Los Angeles, and for the Conn Smythe he won in 2012. He’ll be remembered for signing with his boyhood team, for being part of the group that won the fourth Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history, and for retiring as a New York Ranger. He’ll be remembered for becoming the winningest American-born goaltender of all time, and for the sheer longevity of his career.
The cup of coffee Quick had in Sin City will be little more than a footnote in his story. But during his brief tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights, he made his presence felt, leaving his mark on both his teammates and on the Stanley Cup.
“[Quick was] one of the best guys ever, in my short time [as his teammate],” said Keegan Kolesar. “Just such a giving guy. I’ve got nothing bad to say. I don’t think anyone can ever say anything average about the guy– he’s just such an above-average human being… It’s hard for me to muster up the words to describe how great a person he is, ‘cause like, I could go on and on.”
The Kings dealt Quick, their all-time leader in wins, to the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the 2023 Trade Deadline. As the Blue Jackets weren’t on track to make the postseason, they flipped Quick to the Vegas Golden Knights the very next day.
Despite having his world flipped upside down, Quick was a pro’s pro in Vegas. He played just 10 games in a Golden Knights sweater, but his teammates complimented his presence both in the locker room and on the ice.
“He was quiet,” Kolesar remembered. “He had a calm demeanor, but he was so funny. He would say things at the perfect time, where I would just be giggling to myself the whole time. There were a lot of funny instances that I can’t even talk about when we were partying that I’ll always remember.”
Brayden McNabb, who played with Quick both with the Kings and the Golden Knights, also raved about his former teammate.
“Oh, he’s the best,” said McNabb. “I was lucky, I had him for three years in LA and got to know him. When I heard he was coming here, I knew he would be perfect for this team, for the locker room.
“And I mean, that’s just talking about his character; his on-ice play speaks for itself,” McNabb continued. “I got to see him in LA, and it was pretty remarkable, some of the things he was able to do. And good for him, playing at… 40? As a goalie, that’s super impressive. So, super happy for him, and congratulations to him.”
Quick didn’t play during the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup run, dressing as the backup goaltender in 15 of the 22 postseason games. But it was Quick’s character and wisdom that most impacted his teammates, who still speak highly of him to this day.
Congratulations to Jonathan Quick on his retirement!! What an incredible career and we are honored to be a part of it!! 🏆🏆🏆 #VegasBornpic.twitter.com/CEkEIBTDct
— x - Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 13, 2026
“He was great,” said McNabb. “He worked hard, worked so hard. In the room, he was always positive. He always knew what to say. He wasn’t super loud, but he could understand when something needed to be said, and he was very good with that– he knew how to handle it and deal with it. And his presence was huge, and a big, important reason for us winning.”
