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"The Whole Room Is Mad": Red Wings Lament Missed Opportunity After Costly Loss To Senators

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It was one of the biggest opportunities of the 2025-26 NHL Season for the Detroit Red Wings to prove that this year would be different than seasons past.

They faced a fatigued Ottawa Senators team that had not only played the night before but was also missing its top two defensemen, instead dressing a pair of rookies in their first NHL contests.

Instead, it was the Senators who jumped out to a 3-0 lead, eventually holding on for a 3-2 victory at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday evening to leapfrog Detroit in the standings by a point. 

Ottawa now occupies the second Wild Card postseason spot in the Eastern Conference, while Detroit's margin of error continues to shrink. 

The latest missed opportunity by the Red Wings had their dressing room in a frustrated mood, according to team captain Dylan Larkin, who returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence. 

"The room is mad, the guys are mad. That was a big game for our hockey team," Larkin said in the dressing room afterward. "And unfortunately, for how well we played against those guys all year and this one tonight, it kind of wipes away our record against those guys.

That was a big game, but we're going into Buffalo on Friday night. We have to pick ourselves back up, and that's mental toughness."

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For the second straight game, the Red Wings appeared to take a 1–0 lead, only to have the goal wiped out—just as it was in their loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.

This time, instead of the clock expiring by just 0.2 seconds, replays showed that Detroit had entered the zone an inch offside.

Rather than taking a 1–0 lead, Detroit was soon penalized and ultimately fell behind 1–0 on a power-play goal by Brady Tkachuk.

But according to head coach Todd McLellan, there was no use in crying over spilled milk. 

“There are rules in play for certain reasons, we ran out of time the other night against Boston, and we were clearly offside on the entry," he said. "If the linesman picked that up and made the right call, we wouldn’t even be talking about the goal that didn’t count. That’s why the rules are there.”

The Red Wings had earned victories in each of their three games against the Senators leading up to their final contest of the season.

However, the Senators continued to frustrate Detroit in March, in matchups with significant playoff implications.

As has been the case over the past two seasons, the Red Wings have now seen their playoff cushion completely vanish.

Defenseman Moritz Seider admitted that Detroit's level of urgency likely wasn’t where it needed to be in the first half of the contest, while adding that it’s up to the group to find a solution.

“Obviously, we've been in that situation before,” Seider said. “We know how much it can stink, we'd better come up with an answer for that. It's all on us right now.”

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Lakers vs Pacers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves was the beating heart of the team’s recent winning run, logging major minutes during L.A.’s nine-game streak. But with that red-hot stretch coming to an end at Detroit on Monday, and a matchup with the lowly Indiana Pacers on deck, the spunky shooting guard will see his floor time dip.

My Lakers vs. Pacers predictions read into tonight’s game script, and my NBA picks see Reaves coming up short on the scoresheet on Wednesday, March 25.

Lakers vs Pacers prediction

Lakers vs Pacers best bet: Austin Reaves Under 22.5 points (-110)

During the Los Angeles Lakers’ winning streak, head coach J.J. Redick tightened his rotation and really leaned into the starters. 

That had Austin Reaves averaging a team high 38.8 minutes per game over the past 10 showings — more than five minutes above his season average.

That additional floor time came with a boost in offensive activity. Reaves’ field goal attempts jumped from 14.8 to 16.5 per contest, and he scored 23.4 points during this span, including a few 30-point efforts.

Reaves’ spike in scoring had him topping his player points prop in six of the last nine outings, including dropping 24 points versus a prop total of 20.5 O/U against the Detroit Pistons.

Los Angeles has played in several tight games during this recent run, with eight of the 10 spreads closing below five points. Tonight’s point spread versus the Indiana Pacers, however, is set at -10.5. Game script says Los Angeles cruises to an easy win, limiting Reaves’ late-game usage.

We could see Redick gear down his starters in this final stop on a six-game road swing. Monday’s loss to Detroit burns any incentive to keep the streak going, and he has to be careful to protect his top talents for the final nine games, as the Lakers try to hang on to the No. 3 seed in the West.

Reaves’ player projections range from 22.1 to 20.1 points. My number comes out to 21.25, which should have the Under 22.5 priced around -140. We can get that same total at a flat -110 at bet365.

Lakers vs Pacers same-game parlay

The spread and game models say the Lakers pick up where they left off, bouncing back from Monday’s loss. Los Angeles is trying to keep Denver at bay in the Western Conference standings.

Jarace Walker has been solid from outside. The Pacers forward has made two or more 3-pointers in six straight games, and is a much better shooter from deep at home (40.9% vs. 33.5% road).

Lakers vs Pacers SGP

  • Lakers moneyline
  • Austin Reaves Under 22.5 points
  • Jarace Walker Over 1.5 3-pointers

Our "from downtown" SGP: Going through the paces

The Pacers snuffed out a streak of their own last time out, snapping a 17-game losing skid with a win over Orlando. If Los Angeles is in a bit of a letdown after the loss Monday, all those points add quite a cushion for the home team.

Lakers vs Pacers SGP

  • Pacers +10.5
  • Jarace Walker Over 1.5 3-pointers
  • Pascal Siakam Over 5.5 rebounds
  • Jay Huff Over 10.5 points

Lakers vs Pacers odds

  • Spread: Lakers -10.5 | Pacers +10.5
  • Moneyline: Lakers -550 | Pacers +400
  • Over/Under: Over 239.5 | Under 239.5

Lakers vs Pacers betting trend to know

For as bad as the Pacers are, they’re 12-7 ATS (63%) as double-digit underdogs this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Pacers.

How to watch Lakers vs Pacers

LocationGainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
DateWednesday, March 25, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVSPECSN, FDSN-IN

Lakers vs Pacers latest injuries

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Spurs vs Grizzlies Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visit the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at the FedExForum, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. 

Second-year guard Stephon Castle has been in his bag, and my Spurs vs Grizzlies predictions expect him to show out. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25.

Spurs vs Grizzlies prediction

Spurs vs Grizzlies best bet: Stephon Castle Over 17.5 points (+100)

While Victor Wembanyama gets a ton of credit for the San Antonio Spurs’ success, other pieces have also been key to their rise to the second-best team in the Western Conference.

Stephon Castle is a perfect example. 

The 21-year-old is averaging 16.5 points per game, cashing the Over in points in five of his last seven contests. 

Castle has hit the Over in two of his last three road outings, also scoring 23 last week against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Memphis Grizzlies are an easier matchup for shooting guards, allowing 22.8 ppg to the position. 

Also, Castle’s backcourt mate, De’Aaron Fox, won’t play in Memphis due to back soreness. That means the young guard will have a heavier workload for the Spurs.

In nine games without Fox, Castle has averaged 18.9 points.

Spurs vs Grizzlies same-game parlay

Wemby just dropped 26 against the Heat, and he’s cashed the Over in five of his last nine appearances. The big man is averaging 24.3 ppg overall and 26.6 per outing in March. 

Wembanyama already erupted for 30 earlier in the campaign vs. Memphis, and he’ll also benefit from Fox’s absence with more offensive workload. 

Dylan Harper is a sparkplug off the bench for the Spurs, and he’s one of their better playmakers. Harper is averaging 3.8 dimes per game, and he just dished out six assists on Monday evening. 

The Rutgers product had finished with five dimes in four of five games before Monday, and without Fox — an elite facilitator — he’ll be tasked with stepping up as a passer. 

Spurs vs Grizzlies SGP

  • Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
  • Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
  • Dylan Harper Over 5.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Spur of the moment

The Spurs are averaging 119.2 ppg this season, which ranks third in the Association. They’ve cashed the Over in three of their last four, and San Antonio just scored 136 against the Heat. 

They’ve hit the Over in team points in two of the last four meetings with Memphis, who is 22nd in defensive rating. 

Keldon Johnson has cashed the Over in triples in back-to-back contests and in three of his last four appearances. He’s 5-for-9 from downtown across his last two games alone. 

Spurs vs Grizzlies SGP

  • Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
  • Dylan Harper Over 5.5 assists
  • Spurs team total Over 124.5
  • Keldon Johnson Over 1.5 threes

Spurs vs Grizzlies odds

  • Spread: Spurs -16.5 (-115) | Grizzlies +16.5 (-105)
  • Moneyline: Spurs -1600 | Grizzlies +900
  • Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5

Spurs vs Grizzlies betting trend to know

The Spurs have hit the moneyline in 27 of their last 40 away games (+29.25 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Grizzlies.

How to watch Spurs vs Grizzlies

LocationFedExForum, Memphis, TN
DateWednesday, March 25, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN-SW, FDSN SE-MEM

Spurs vs Grizzlies latest injuries

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The Morning After: Wait… Are the Senators Really Doing This?

It was the Ottawa Senators' biggest game of the season, and while they've been on a fantastic run, everything seemed to be working against them as they prepared for the Red Wings in Detroit on Tuesday night.

They were in game two of a back-to-back with travel, playing the night before with four defensemen. They had five defensemen out with injury, including their best two, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot.

They had two kids on D making their NHL debuts against a well-rested Detroit team, which enjoyed home ice and last change to try to capitalize on the potential mistakes of the first-timers. The Wings were 3-0 against the Sens this season and needed this one to return to a playoff position.

And just before the game, they learned that Dylan Larkin, the Wings captain who always gives the Senators fits, would be ready to return from injury.

It seemed like a magnificent recipe for disaster, complete with a chef's kiss, until the Senators reminded us all why we play the games. They marched right into Detroit and handed the Red Wings a 3-2 loss, moving into a playoff spot for the first time in almost four months.

And it was one of the kids, who were described in Detroit as liabilities, who helped lead the way.

Carter Yakemchuk, the Senators' top prospect, had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut. He had a large contingent of family and friends who hustled from Alberta to Michigan once the 20-year-old got the call.

“This was a really special night,” Yakemchuk told the media afterward. “It was awesome to be a part of this win.”

While he and Brady Tkachuk helped set the table with a goal and an assist, it was Linus Ullmark who helped preserve the victory. The Wings battled back from a 3-0 deficit and pressed hard in the late going, but Ullmark stepped up big to preserve the win, stopping 32 shots (.941).

Things didn't start so well when former Senator Alex DeBrincat appeared to give Detroit a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Senators took it off the board with a successful offside challenge. Less than two minutes later, Brady Tkachuk's 20th goal of the season gave the Senators a 1-0 lead.

The very sudden two-goal swing marked a heavy shift in mindset for both teams.

The Senators then opened up a 3-0 lead on two quick goals midway through the second period, on precision shots from Yakemchuk and Lars Eller.

Yakemchuk showed great poise on his goal, especially for a rookie. He accepted a D-to-D pass from Artem Zub, and instead of blasting it as soon as he could, he saw that no one was coming out to challenge him. So, he calmly took the extra ten feet of real estate available before ripping a snapshot past Gibson.

Eller's goal came from some fine board work from Tkachuk. As he corralled the puck, he laid a reverse check on his defender to buy time and find Eller in a perfect shooting position in the slot. Eller made no mistake, giving the Sens a 3-0 advantage.

And despite the late charge by the Wings after goals by Dominik Shine and Dylan Larkin, they couldn't find the equalizer.

Since January 25, the Senators' record is now 15-3-2, which is starting to move into Hamburglar Run territory, when the team finished 20-3-3 to make the 2015 playoffs. They now hold Wild Card position 2, tied with the Islanders in points at 85 points, but the Isles have played one more game.

Ottawa actually got quite a bit of help from the Tuesday out-of-town scoreboard for a change, led by a favour from the Toronto Maple Leafs, of all teams. They defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2. The Islanders lost to Chicago 4-2, and Pittsburgh fell to Colorado 6-2.

Tuesday scores that didn't favour the Senators include Montreal taking down Carolina and Columbus defeating the Flyers.

NHL.com
NHL.com

On Wednesday night, the Sens will pick up a game in hand on the Bruins, who have a back-to-back of their own, facing the Sabres in Buffalo. Joonas Korpisalo, who the Senators are still paying, starts for Boston. It would be nice if the Sens got something for their money. 

Then on Thursday, it's another crucial battle* with the Senators hosting Pittsburgh.

* Spoiler: they're all crucial battles now.

The Senators deserve major credit for forcing their way back into the playoff race with 11 games left. Getting there was tough. Staying there will be tougher, especially with the injuries.

But after that gutsy effort in Detroit, it’s hard to bet against them.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News

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Butler hires former player Ronald Nored as men's basketball coach

Butler named Ronald Nored as its next men's basketball coach Wednesday, March 25.

Nored, 36, will be the 25th coach in program history, replacing Thad Matta after his retirement following the 2025-26 season. Nored is first coach hired by athletic director Grant Leiendecker, a former Butler basketball player who took over for outgoing AD Barry Collier in December of 2024.

Nored told the Atlanta Hawks, where he was an assistant coach, Wednesday morning, Leiendecker sharing a photo of the moment on Twitter.

"The term ‘dream job’ doesn’t do justice to how I feel about the opportunity to lead the Butler program," Nored said in a release. "Butler is an incredibly special place. As a player, I poured blood, sweat and tears into this program. No one appreciates both the responsibility and the potential that comes with this position more than me. Passionate fans, Hinkle Fieldhouse, the Big East, storied tradition, a world-class education, a thriving city … there is incredible momentum at Butler right now and I can’t wait to hit the ground running as we elevate Butler to new heights."

Nored emerged as a candidate to replace Matta due to his strong relationship with Leiendecker. Nored and Leiendecker played together at Butler for three seasons, including Butler's back-to-back national championship runner-up teams in 2010 and 2011. Of the potential coaching candidates, Nored was the only one without head-coaching experience at the college level, but his relationship with Leiendecker provides a level of familiarity and comfort for the AD.

“In a rapidly evolving college basketball landscape, our priority was identifying the absolute best leader to spearhead the future of Butler Basketball. Ronald Nored is that leader,” Leiendecker said.

“Ron is a relentless worker with an elite basketball IQ and a proven track record of developing talent at the highest level of basketball. He is the ultimate competitor, and he will cultivate that same quality within his team and staff. He is a gifted relationship builder who commands respect through his character and his craft. While he understands the soul of this university, we didn't hire him for his history here — we hired him for his vision of what we can become and how we will get there. His experience in the NBA provides us with a distinct competitive advantage as we navigate this new era of college basketball. He will attract an elite staff and student-athletes and build deep relationships within the Butler and Indianapolis communities. I have total confidence that Ron will put his own fingerprints on this program, set a new standard for our student-athletes, and elevate Butler Basketball to new heights.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler hires Ronald Nored as next men's basketball coach

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Does Rick Bowness Have A Chance To Win The Jack Adams?

Rick Bowness has turned the Columbus Blue Jackets into a wagon since he took over for the fired Dean Evason. 

Since he took over prior to the January 13th game against the Calgary Flames, the CBJ are 19-3-4. Prior to Bowness coming to Columbus, the Blue Jackets had 19 wins all season. Columbus has 19 wins in 26 games since he took over. They're currently playing at a 132-point pace over an 82-game stretch. 

When Bowness took over, the CBJ were 28th in the NHL and floundering. Today, they're currently 8th in the NHL and second in the Metro Division. Where would they be had they not blown all those third-period leads?

Prior to Bowness arriving in Columbus, the CBJ were giving up 3.40goals per game. Since he took over, they're only giving up 2.46.

They're also scoring 3.61 goals per game, up from 2.91 goals per game prior to him getting hired. 

When Don Waddell fired Dean Evason, the Jackets responded by immediately beating the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks. When Elvis Merzlikins was interviewed after the Canucks win, he was asked what sparked the team. His response was simple: "New Coach!" You can't get blunter than that. 

So, does Bowness deserve to win? He will only coach 37 regular-season games. 

Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres is going to have something to say about the Jack Adams Award, that's for sure. 

Since December 9th, the Sabres have been hands down the best team in the NHL and have vaulted themselves from the basement of the Eastern Conference in December, to leading the Atlantic Division. Starting in December, the Sabres rattled off 10-straight wins before being knocked off at Nationwide Arena by the aforementioned Blue Jackets. But that loss didn't get to them.

After going 11-3-0 in December, they backed it up with a 10-4-1 January, a 4-1-1 February, and are 9-1-1 so far in March. 

After they fired former CBJ OG Kevyn Adams and promoted Former CBJ GM Jarmo Kekäläinen to lead the team, the Sabres and Lindy Ruff blasted off and can't seem to be stopped. 

Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs in 15 years, and weren't expected to do much this year either, but they somehow turned themselves into legitimate Stanley Cup heavyweights. 

In my opinion, it's Lindy Ruff's award, and I don't think it'll be particularly close either. What Rick Bowness has done has been nothing short of spectacular, but the CBJ were expected to push for the playoffs this year, while the Sabres were expected to finish near the bottom of the Atlantic, per usual. 

It's an interesting debate and will be sure to rage on as both teams push for a playoff spot. 

Next Up: The Blue Jackets travel to Montreal to play the Canadiens on Thursday night. 

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Lily James, Andy Murray and a million Britons: padel’s rise nears milestone

  • UK participation levels more than doubled in 2025

  • 860,000 Britons played padel at least once last year

It was once seen as a quirky upstart or continental fad. But padel now has nearly a million players across the UK after participation levels more than doubled in 2025.

According to LTA figures seen by the Guardian, 860,000 Britons played padel at least once last year – up from 400,000 in 2024 and 129,000 in 2023 – as the racket sport’s dizzying rise continued.

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Red Wings Playoff Chances Nearly Cut in Half Over 18-Game Rough Patch

The Detroit Red Wings suffered a deflating 3–2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night, a result that carried significant implications in the tightly contested wild card race.

With the victory, Ottawa surged past multiple competitors and claimed the second wild card position previously held by the New York Islanders. New York, despite slipping, still remains just ahead of Detroit in the standings, adding further pressure on a Red Wings squad that has struggled to maintain its footing in recent weeks.

Detroit’s recent skid has been a major concern as since late January, the team has posted a disappointing 6-9-3 record over its last 18 games, a stretch that has seen its once promising playoff outlook steadily deteriorate. Earlier in the season, optimism surrounded the Red Wings’ postseason chances. According to MoneyPuck, their playoff odds sat near 80 percent heading into the Olympic break and peaked at 83.2 percent on February 28.

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However, that confidence has since eroded as the Red Wings now find themselves with just a 45.8 per cent chance of making the playoffs, trailing closely behind the Islanders at 46.6 per cent. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins have created some separation at 64.3 percent, and Ottawa’s recent surge has propelled them to a commanding 76.1 percent, leapfrogging the entire pack.

The road ahead offers little relief for Detroit with their remaining schedule appearing stacked with high caliber opponents, including the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Tampa Bay Lightning, all games that carry must-win weight as the regular season winds down.

Despite the bleak trend, the situation is not yet beyond repair. A strong run in the coming games could quickly stabilize Detroit’s playoff chances and push them back into contention. But with time running short and competition intensifying, the margin for error has all but disappeared.

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Mavericks vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Denver Nuggets hope to avoid a season series loss when they host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Ball Arena.

Nikola Jokic is one of the best playmaking bigs the NBA has ever seen, and my Mavericks vs. Nuggets predictions expect a big night of dishing for the Denver legend. 
 
Read on for my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25. 

Mavericks vs Nuggets prediction

Mavericks vs Nuggets best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists (-115)

Nikola Jokic does not chase assists. They come from how the Denver Nuggets run their offense, with the ball in his hands at the elbow or in the post on most possessions. 

From there, he reads the defense. If defenders stay home, he scores. If they help, he passes to the open man.

The Dallas Mavericks are a team that will send help. They do not have a reliable one-on-one defender to handle Jokic in the paint, so extra defenders will come once he establishes position.

That creates passing lanes and open shots for Denver’s perimeter players.

Our NBA player prop projections model notes that the Nuggets have played at the eighth-quickest pace-of-play in the league over the last 10 games, while the Mavericks have played at the third-speediest tempo over the last five.

This should lead to increased plays for Denver, and more possessions lead to more chances for Jokic to create assists without forcing the action. 

His production in this area is steady. He's averaging 10.5 assists per game along with 17.7 potential assists, which shows how often he is creating scoring chances for teammates.

Recent form supports the play as well. Jokic has recorded at least 11 assists in seven of his last nine games.

His assist total should soar against a Dallas defense that leaks like a sieve, ranking third-worst in assists allowed per game to centers this season.

Mavericks vs Nuggets same-game parlay

Without Aaron Gordon, there’s more pressure on Denver’s secondary scorers like Christian Braun and Cam Johnson to finish plays, and they have.

Braun should see 30+ minutes, and has scored 13 or more points in four of his previous five games.

Johnson should see more scoring opportunities with Gordon likely out. He’s scored at least 13 points in seven of his previous eight contests. 

Mavericks vs Nuggets SGP

  • Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
  • Christian Braun Over 12.5 points
  • Cam Johnson Over 12.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Mile high total

Cooper Flagg is the Mavericks' offense, and has scored 21+ points in four of his last six.

March has been kind to Tim Hardaway Jr. He’s averaging 13 ppg during March, while Peyton Watson missed Tuesday night’s clash with Phoenix but has scored 11 points or more in eight of his last nine.

All signs point to high scoring.

Denver is 12-4 to the Over on zero days' rest. Dallas has allowed 130 or more points in four of its last six games, while all three head-to-head meetings this season have eclipsed the total. 

Mavericks vs Nuggets SGP

  • Over 245.5
  • Cooper Flagg Over 20.5 points
  • Tim Hardaway Jr. Over 12.5 points
  • Peyton Watson Over 10.5 points

Mavericks vs Nuggets odds

  • Spread: Mavericks +14.5 |  Nuggets -14.5
  • Moneyline: Mavericks +523 | Nuggets -730
  • Over/Under: Over 245.5 | Under 245.5

Mavericks vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Over is 3-0 in their three previous meetings this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Mavericks vs Nuggets

LocationBall Arena, Denver, CO
DateWednesday, March 25, 2026
Tip-off10:00 p.m. ET
TVKFAA, ALT

Mavericks vs Nuggets latest injuries

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NHL Standings: The real March Madness

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 22: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes makes a save in front of Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 22, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

The NHL playoff race is reaching it’s peak this year, no where more than in the competitive and tight Eastern Conference. While the West is something of a pillow fight in the Pacific and a turtle race in general (Nashville is on a statistical pace for 89 points and currently holding a playoff spot), the East is a much more unforgiving place to be. The Islanders and Red Wings are currently on pace for 97 points and find themselves below the playoff line as of this morning.

Here’s the standings as of today.

It’s tough times in Detroit, the Red Wings are just 5-6-2 since play resumed after the Olympics and now in serious trouble with their playoff outlook. While Detroit’s season pace may be for 97 points, that is dropping by the game with their recent results in shambles. Ottawa, boasting a 10-2-2 record since the break, have now pulled ahead of Detroit.

It’s a similar story in the Metropolitan Division, where a run by the Columbus Blue Jackets (9-2-4) have overtaken the Penguins and Islanders in the standings as of this morning with 11 games to play, 10 for NYI.

Further down the line, any spoiler hopes for a last gasp run by Philadelphia and Washington took major hits with regulation losses last night. The four point swing in the Flyers/Blue Jackets game last night could have meant just a three point separation had the Flyers won last night. Instead, they lost and now are seven points behind Columbus and five points behind the playoff line, dealing a serious blow to any far-flung playoff hopes.

The Penguins have been in a mode of hanging on lately, their 17 games in March is an NHL high and presented a monumental challenge. They’ve had to do much of it without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They have had some great moments lately – like an OT comeback win over Boston and a great performance against Colorado mixed in with some ugly defeats to Carolina, Vegas and the Avalanche. Monday’s upcoming game against NYI is looming absolutely massive for the potential fortunes of both teams.

Here’s some models on the Pens’ current outlooks:

The Athletic: 72%

Hockey Stats: 84%

Moneypuck: 75.2%

Hockey Reference: 80.2%

Most of the models remain fairly bullish on Pittsburgh, in part due to the remaining schedule. The Pens have gotten through much of their toughest games (though Ottawa and Dallas are on the horizon) and now statistically have the 20th easiest strength of schedule based on points% of remaining opponents. Less than 10 days ago, Pittsburgh had the No. 1 toughest remaining schedule, which speaks to how many quality opponents they’ve dealt with recently – four of the Pens’ last five games have been played against Carolina or Colorado who make up two of the top three teams in the league. Pittsburgh negotiated that to a 1-2-1 record and soon will finish off the season with six games against non-playoff opponents (two against Florida and Washington, New Jersey and St. Louis).

On the other hand, the toughest remaining schedules in the whole league belong to: NYI, BOS, CBJ and OTT, direct competitors for the Penguins. Schedule strength only accounts for so much and is no guarantee of success, both NYI and Boston lost last night in what should have been games they needed results against Chicago and Toronto, respectively. Teams still have to play the games and get the results, though it’s preferable to have an easier path it also doesn’t bring any promises.

In that outlook, there’s some reason for optimism, the Pens have made it through the absolute toughest part of their schedule and found a way to pick up a few points and remain slightly above the fray. Soon they need to take advantage of what remains. That won’t be immediate with the upcoming games of playing in Ottawa and hosting Dallas in the coming days will present big challenges but relief could be coming after that.

Ultimately and easily enough for the Penguins, if they stay ahead of NYI AND Detroit then the Pens will make the playoffs. Should Columbus cool off a little and the Pens slip by them, it becomes an even easier proposition. Pittsburgh (with 29 regulation wins compared to 27 for Detroit and 26 for the Islanders) also figure to hold that tiebreaker over both clubs below them, so it could presumably even be more favorable since those teams actually have to gain more points in the standings to pass the Pens.

Interestingly enough, Pittsburgh plays NYI on Monday and then Detroit on Tuesday next week. Both of those games will present massive opportunities to deal blows to the opposition’s chances of being able to end up ahead of Pittsburgh by the end of the year. There still could be bigger games at the very end of the season for absolute ‘must win’ situations, but the upcoming games against NYI and DET are about as big as it gets for importance.

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Jordan Walsh opens up about Celtics’ success, his up-and-down role, and more

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 4: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics plays defense during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 4, 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Jordan Walsh knew that his Celtics team was going to be just fine.

In the offseason, when many in the media and the public predicted the Celtics would end up a lottery team, Walsh could only laugh.

“As soon as I started hearing people talking about losing and tanking and all that stuff, I immediately knew that that was never gonna be us,” Walsh told CelticsBlog at a PIMCO-sponsored dinner at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club.

The discourse around the Celtics tanking was particuarly wild for the 22-year-old to digest.

“What is that? What does that mean purposely lose? Like, try not to win? Walsh said. ”There’s never going to be a situation where I feel like the Boston Celtics are not going to try to win — especially with Joe as the head coach.”

“Nobody in our organization wants to lose. I don’t care what it’s for – from Brad [Stevens] all the way down to me, nobody ever wants to lose.”

But, what kind of season was he, individually, destined for?

That, he wasn’t sure.

In total, Walsh has appeared in a 58 games this season, averaging 17.2 minutes a night. He’s tallied 5.3 points per game on 52.5% shooting, including 40.8% from three. All of those numbers are career-bests.

Walsh wasn’t in the rotation to start the year, but quickly emerged as a key part of the Celtics’ early success. He began starting games in November, and in December, he became one of the Celtics’ most crucial two-way players. That month, he shot 54.2% from three-point range, and was regularly tasked with guarding opposing teams’ best players.

After one December match-up, Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves praised Walsh’s defense, per CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning.

“I can see him being one of the best defenders in the league for many years to come,” Reaves said,

But, the Celtics’ rotation continued to change, largely dependent on needs and recent play. Sam Hauser replaced Walsh in the starting lineup in January, and around that time, Baylor Scheierman also emerged as a key contributor and a secondary playmaker for the Celtics who demonstrated a proclivity for crashing the glass.

How Jordan Walsh has dealt with fluctuating minutes

Walsh’s minutes have steadily declined throughout the season; he averaged 24.1 minutes per game in November, 20.6 minutes in December, 15.8 minutes in January, 14 minutes in February, and 11.8 minutes in March.

Since Tatum’s return, he has mostly racked up DNPs as the odd man out from the Celtics’ pack of wing defenders. But, when he reflects on the year, he feels good about what he accomplished, even if it wasn’t always perfect.

“I’m still okay with where I’m at because Year 1, I had no chance of playing,” Walsh said. “This year, I started 20 games, and we went 15 and 5 — and I proved that I can play at a high level.”

It also helps that there are many other players on the Celtics roster who have also dealt with fluctuating minutes and benchings throughout their career.

“I’ve gotten a piece of everybody’s story — Payton [Pritchard], JB [Jaylen Brown], Xavier [Tillman], all these people kind of went through similar things,” Walsh said. “I’ve gotten their story, and they gave me their knowledge on it.”

Tillman, however, has been a notable absence in the locker room. Walsh said last month that Tillman was his closest friend on the roster, and someone he often turned to for motivation and support. But, Tillman was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in the hours ahead of the trade deadline, and Walsh said soon after that he’d have to find another teammate to lean on.

For now, that teammate is Jaylen Brown, who he sits next to on the team plane. But, Tillman is irreplaceable.

“I still talk to Xavier all the time — that’s my guy,” Walsh said. “He’s got a special place in my heart because of how he helped me get through certain things, and even just stuff that has nothing to do with basketball. But, JB is a good second, though.”

Walsh and his teammates are a few weeks away from postseason action, and he’s excited to kick off his third playoff run as a Celtic.

“As a competitor, as somebody who wants to be the best and wants to bring the best at other people around him, like there’s no better place to be, for sure,” he told the students at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club.

The season has been made extra sweet because of the fact the team has defied expetations. Walsh didn’t take offense to the misconceptions on the outside, but he understood from the jump that outside discourse has severe limitations.

“The media, they report what they can,” he said. “They do it the best they can. And most of the time, or some of the time, it’s not like they’re wrong. They just — they’re not in the inside, so they don’t know the inside scoop. But I think that with that going around, and people saying it, podcast, TV and stuff saying it – completely wrong.”

“I never had a doubt that we were going to be a good team.”

As far as his own individual season?

He’s embracing a changing role and ensuring his mindset doesn’t change, even when opportunities do.

“It’s kind of just doing my best in the role that I am in now, and that’s just supporting the guys, showing up to practice, being the last one to leave,” Walsh said. “Like, all that stuff is so cool to me.”

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Bulls vs 76ers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Philadelphia 76ers welcome the Chicago Bulls to Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight as they look to bounce back from a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

My Bulls vs. 76ers predictions are eyeing Philly to get back in the win column on its home court. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25. 

Bulls vs 76ers prediction

Bulls vs 76ers best bet: 76ers -6 (-110)

The Philadelphia 76ers are staying afloat despite being bitten by the injury bug. They’re in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 39-33 record, and will likely be in the Play-In Tournament. 

Tyrese Maxey remains out, while Joel Embiid is a game-time decision due to an oblique injury. Paul George is also on track to return from a 25-game suspension. 

Nonetheless, Philadelphia has still found ways to win without its stars. It's won four of its last six games, and Nick Nurse’s squad covered tonight’s spread in three of those. While the Sixers have lost both meetings with the Chicago Bulls this season, they were on the road and came from a time when Chicago was competitive. 

The Sixers are 20-17 at home, and the Bulls are 11 games below .500 on the road. Philly has also covered the spread in two of its last three games at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Meanwhile, Chicago has lost three of their last four on the road, failing to cover the spread in each of those defeats. 

Philadelphia will finally end its losing skid against the Bulls and strengthen its case for the Play-In. The return of both Embiid and PG will be huge.

Bulls vs 76ers same-game parlay

VJ Edgecombe has been a brilliant piece for the Sixers in 2025-26, averaging 16 points per game. He’s had even more of a run lately due to the absences, and the youngster has cashed the Over in three straight. Edgecombe just dropped 35 points on the Thunder. 

He had 38 points last Thursday against the Kings, too, and he’s hit the Over in points in two of his last four at home. 

He’s also cashed the Over in triples in two of his last three, and Edgecombe just went 7-for-15 from deep in the loss to Oklahoma City. 

Bulls vs 76ers SGP

  • 76ers -6
  • VJ Edgecombe Over 20.5 points
  • VJ Edgecombe Over 2.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: By George, he's still got it!

Nurse said George won’t require a ramp-up period, which means he should play decent minutes tonight. He’s averaging 2.3 makes from deep for a 38% clip this season at home, and in one meeting against the Bulls, PG was 4-for-9 from 3-point territory.

Dominick Barlow is averaging 8.0 PPG for the Sixers and 7.4 at home. He’s averaging 7.5 in March so far, and the big man has cashed the Over in points in five of his last eight appearances.

Bulls vs 76ers SGP

  • VJ Edgecombe Over 20.5 points
  • VJ Edgecombe Over 2.5 made threes
  • Paul George Over 2.5 made threes
  • Dominick Barlow Over 7.5 points

Bulls vs 76ers odds

  • Spread: Bulls +6 (-110) | 76ers -6 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Bulls +195 | 76ers -240
  • Over/Under: Over 239.5 (-110) | Under 239.5 (-110)

Bulls vs 76ers betting trend to know

The 76ers have covered the 4Q Spread in 10 of their last 12 games (+7.65 Units / 55% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. 76ers.

How to watch Bulls vs 76ers

LocationXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
DateWednesday, March 25, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVCHSN, NBCSP

Bulls vs 76ers latest injuries

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Morning Flurries: Erik Johnson was made for television

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 31: Erik Johnson, the former NHL defenseman and 2022 Stanley Cup champion for the Colorado Avalanche makes his on-air debut for the ESPN network. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Though Colorado Avalanche fans tried to forget everything about the 7-2 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins last week (and a win last night helps ease tgat memory), one positive was the Erik Johnson experience between the benches. The former Avalanche defenseman is flourishing in his new television career which seems to be a natural fit.

On that note, check out this video to go behind the scenes with Johnson and fellow former Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie as they discuss their recent retirement from the NHL and what’s next up for each of them.

Speaking of playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in that loss last week at Ball Arena, here is the tribute video for Sam Girard provided by the Avalanche.

As always, a look back at how the trade deadline helped shape the two best teams in hockey and their stretch run before the playoffs begin in April.

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The art of a Mitchell Robinson offensive rebound

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 1: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks plays defense during the game against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs on March 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Who would you consider the best at each individual skill in the NBA?

Is Luka Doncic the best pure scorer? Is Nikola Jokic or Tyrese Haliburton the best pure playmaker? Is Stephen Curry the best shooter? Is Victor Wembanyama the best defender? When healthy, does Kyrie Irving have the best handles?

But notice how all of those guys are superstars. All of them have millions of kids around the globe draped in their jerseys, have multiple endorsement deals, and are recognized as pillars of the game. But can you say the same for, say, the best rebounder?

In terms of overall rebounding, it’s hard to quantify who’s the best at the overall skill exactly, but in terms of offensive rebounding? It’s very clearly one man, a backup center for the New York Knicks who makes just $14 million a year and almost never plays more than 27 minutes in a game.

Robinson is an artist at what he does. It’s not as simple as camping in the paint as the team’s lob threat; it’s all about positioning. He always seems to be in the right spot, reading the ball in the air to see the way it would bounce off the rim. You’ll naturally get enough offensive rebounds as a center just from standing there, but to do what Robinson does consistently? You have to be an artist.

Over the last five seasons, Robinson has per-36 averages of 6.4 OREB per game. In 2025-26, he’s pushed that number to an impossible 8.1, which leads all players who’ve played at least 10 games (Steven Adams, 7.1). He also towers over the likes of Donovan Clingan and Andre Drummond, two elite rebounders, in total rebounds per 36 (16.4).

It’s even baffling on a team-by-team basis. By himself, he’d be tied for 18th in the NBA in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. There are 10 entire teams he is outrebounding on a rate basis by himself. His offensive rebounding prowess is a big reason why the Knicks have had a supercharged net rating despite efficiency numbers on both sides of the ball not being inherently elite.

You want to know what impact looks like? I went and looked at each of his 235 offensive rebounds this season, through Tuesday’s win over the Pelicans, and sorted them by result:

Mitch layup/dunk attempt: 91 (52 made, 57.1%)
2-point attempt: 19 (8 made, 42.1%)
3-point attempt: 69 (29 made, 42%)
Foul: 29 (17-32 FT, not just Mitch)
Turnover: 16 (11 by Mitch himself)
Other: 11

Here are some other stats:

  • 24 of Mitchell Robinson’s 50 assists on the season are off his OREB, 18 of them three-pointers.
  • Only twice in 54 games has he been held without an offensive rebound. He has more games with eight (8) than he has fewer than two (5). That’s consistency.
  • Here’s how other players are shooting off of Robinson’s OREB:
    Brunson: 11-18 (10-15 3pt)
    Bridges: 2-14 (2-13 3pt)
    Clarkson: 4-11 (2-6 3pt)
    Anunoby: 6-10 (5-8 3pt)
    Towns: 6-7 (2-2 3pt)
    Kolek: 3-7 (3-5 3pt)
    Hart: 2-6 (0-2 3pt)
    Shamet: 3-4 (3-4 3pt)
    McBride: 1-4 (1-4 3pt)

Let’s put something else in perspective. Robinson’s penchant for getting the team extra possessions has stolen multiple wins. These are all the games that, if the Knicks don’t score the points they do off his offensive rebounds, they lose the game:

  • 11/19 @ DAL
  • 12/25 vs CLE
  • 12/27 @ ATL
  • 1/24 @ PHI
  • 2/4 vs DEN
  • 3/15 vs GSW
  • 3/24 vs NOLA

That Dallas game, if you remember, saw a controversial Brandon Williams offensive foul crush the shorthanded Mavericks’ dreams of an upset. Mitch’s three offensive rebounds led to five points in a two-point win.

On Christmas Day against Cleveland, Robinson grabbed eight offensive rebounds and it led directly to 13 points, including three triples in the fourth quarter of the miraculous comeback.

Two nights later, against Atlanta, the Knicks would’ve blown a huge lead if not for Robinson’s four offensive rebounds leading to six points.

Three days after a beatdown of Brooklyn ended the 11-game skid from hell, the Knicks held off a mostly healthy Sixers squad in Philly, thanks to Mitch’s six OREB that led to seven points.

That double overtime game against Denver never gets to overtime without Robinson’s putback layup in the first quarter.

They would’ve taken that embarrassing loss to a heavily shorthanded Warriors team in MSG without Robinson’s three offensive rebounds leading to four points.

Last night, against a suddenly healthy Pelicans team, the Knicks scored seven points off his four offensive rebounds.

Imagine the Knicks with six more losses. They’d be 41-32 and tied for sixth in the East. Imagine how toxic social media would be then, when it’s this toxic already with the Knicks tying the Celtics for the No. 2 seed.

Without Robinson’s offensive rebounding alone, the Knicks would be in danger of falling into the play-in tournament.

It’s going to be interesting to see what the offseason looks like with Robinson’s expiring contract and how the Knicks will be able to manage him, Mo Diawara, and Jose Alvarado’s impending free agencies while juggling the second apron, but we don’t have to worry about that for now.

Just enjoy greatness while you can. It’s not often you get a unicorn who’s this special at something like this.

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NBA owners approve exploring expansion bids for teams in Las Vegas and Seattle

NBA owners approve exploring expansion bids for teams in Las Vegas and Seattle originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Seattle and Las Vegas are one step closer to having NBA teams.

The league’s board of governors voted Wednesday to approve a plan that will allow NBA officials to “formally explore potential team expansion” to those two cities, which have long been thought of as the front-runners to land franchises.

“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”

Silver will hold a news conference later Wednesday to discuss next steps. The league said investment bank PJT Partners has been brought on “as a strategic adviser to evaluate prospective markets, ownership groups, arena infrastructure, and the broader economic implications of expansion.”

Expansion isn’t a done deal. But it’s not just a dream anymore, either.

New Orleans guard Dejounte Murray was 11 years old when Seattle last had an NBA team. He grew up with hopes of being like Gary Payton, Ray Allen and Shawn Kemp, and even remembers a rookie who played for the SuperSonics named Kevin Durant.

It’s been nearly two decades since those days ended. That said, Wednesday’s vote should finally fuel real hope of a basketball revival for Seattle — and a new chapter in Las Vegas.

“It’s a basketball city, basketball culture, so it’s mandatory I think that they get it back over there,” said Murray, a Seattle native.

Added Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, another Seattle native: “I think it’s been a long time coming for the city. I think everybody was pretty bummed out when they left. And since then it’s just been waiting and hoping that one day they will come back. I’m sure with the news, everybody’s excited. I know I’m excited for all the kids growing up because Seattle’s a really big basketball city.”

It is, and so is Las Vegas — which has become a major part of the NBA ecosystem even without a team.

The NBA’s Summer League is held in Las Vegas each year and has become a can’t-miss event for league executives, coaches, media, agents and even players who aren’t taking part in the games. The championship round of the NBA Cup, the in-season tournament, has been held in Las Vegas as well. And the city used to play host to the occasional regular-season game; for example, in 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers broke the league’s career scoring record in a game against the Utah Jazz — who used Las Vegas for some of their home games at that time.

The idea of putting a franchise there might have seemed unlikely a couple of decades ago. Not anymore, especially not with the NFL’s Raiders, the NHL’s Golden Knights and the WNBA’s Aces all already there and with Major League Baseball on the way.

“I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities,” Silver said in December, speaking about expansion while in Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.

Assuming owners will eventually decide to actually expand the NBA past its 30-team footprint, there will be much to figure out. On the short list: the expansion fee (expected to be at least $6 billion), the timeline for adding the clubs (2028-29 would almost certainly be the earliest this could happen) and how the Western Conference will be realigned (at least one team is likely to join the Eastern Conference).

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the SuperSonics were “one of the iconic franchises in the NBA.” The team left in 2008 and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I was shocked when the league left Seattle,” Kerr said. “Incredible fan base. Great basketball market. A ton of talent coming from Seattle. Top 10 media market. Incredible sports city. So, it was kind of shocking to all of us when the league left Seattle. And I think we all hoped it would be a lot sooner than 18, 19 years, whatever it’s going to be, before they got back in the league.

“They belong in that city, and a team belongs there,” he added. “Those fans deserve it.”

___

AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney and AP Sports Writers Schuyler Dixon and Joe Reedy contributed to this report.