Chicago Bulls (29-49, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (17-61, 15th in the Eastern Conference)
Washington; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Chicago is looking to break its seven-game losing streak with a victory against Washington.
The Wizards have gone 11-37 against Eastern Conference teams. Washington has a 4-40 record against opponents over .500.
The Bulls are 17-31 in conference games. Chicago is fourth in the Eastern Conference scoring 52.4 points per game in the paint led by Tre Jones averaging 8.7.
The Wizards are shooting 46.3% from the field this season, 1.6 percentage points lower than the 47.9% the Bulls allow to opponents. The Bulls are shooting 46.9% from the field, 1.8% lower than the 48.7% the Wizards' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the second time this season. The Bulls won the last matchup 121-120 on Nov. 23, with Josh Giddey scoring 18 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Bub Carrington is averaging 10.3 points and 4.6 assists for the Wizards. Jaden Hardy is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Matas Buzelis is averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Bulls. Collin Sexton is averaging 18.7 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 1-9, averaging 114.9 points, 38.0 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 8.3 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.4 points per game.
Bulls: 1-9, averaging 117.1 points, 43.9 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 132.1 points.
INJURIES: Wizards: Anthony Davis: out (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (knee), Justin Champagnie: day to day (knee), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Tre Johnson: day to day (foot), Alex Sarr: day to day (toe), Kyshawn George: out for season (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out (quad), Bilal Coulibaly: day to day (heel).
Bulls: Anfernee Simons: out (wrist), Jalen Smith: out for season (calf), Matas Buzelis: day to day (illness), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Josh Giddey: day to day (hamstring), Nick Richards: day to day (elbow), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles will try to keep its 10-game home win streak alive when the Lakers take on Oklahoma City.
The Lakers are 30-18 in conference matchups. Los Angeles ranks ninth in the Western Conference with 31.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Luka Doncic averaging 7.1.
The Thunder are 39-9 in Western Conference play. Oklahoma City averages 12.0 turnovers per game and is 50-10 when winning the turnover battle.
The Lakers make 50.1% of their shots from the field this season, which is 6.7 percentage points higher than the Thunder have allowed to their opponents (43.4%). The Thunder average 119.2 points per game, 3.9 more than the 115.3 the Lakers allow to opponents.
The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 139-96 in their last matchup on April 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points, and Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 15 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: LeBron James is scoring 20.8 points per game with 6.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the Lakers. Jaxson Hayes is averaging 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 79.2% over the past 10 games.
Chet Holmgren is scoring 17.0 points per game and averaging 8.8 rebounds for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 7-3, averaging 119.7 points, 42.2 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.5 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 52.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.5 points per game.
Thunder: 9-1, averaging 123.9 points, 47.1 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 9.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.3 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (rib), Marcus Smart: out (ankle), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
Thunder: Alex Caruso: day to day (illness), Luguentz Dort: day to day (undisclosed), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Milwaukee Bucks (31-47, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (19-59, 13th in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Milwaukee visits Brooklyn looking to stop its three-game road losing streak.
The Nets are 13-34 in Eastern Conference games. Brooklyn is 2-4 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Bucks are 20-28 against Eastern Conference opponents. Milwaukee is 18-31 in games decided by 10 points or more.
The Nets score 106.2 points per game, 10.6 fewer points than the 116.8 the Bucks give up. The Bucks are shooting 47.8% from the field, 1.8% lower than the 49.6% the Nets' opponents have shot this season.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Nets won 127-82 in the last matchup on Dec. 14. Egor Demin led the Nets with 17 points, and Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks with 20 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nic Claxton is averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Nets. Nolan Traore is averaging 11.3 points over the last 10 games.
Myles Turner is scoring 11.9 points per game and averaging 5.3 rebounds for the Bucks. Ryan Rollins is averaging 15.0 points and 3.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 2-8, averaging 104.0 points, 34.2 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.1 points per game.
Bucks: 3-7, averaging 107.5 points, 39.1 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.2 points.
INJURIES: Nets: Ziaire Williams: day to day (foot), Noah Clowney: day to day (ankle), Nic Claxton: day to day (hand), Danny Wolf: out for season (ankle), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: out for season (thumb), Michael Porter Jr.: out for season (hamstring), Terance Mann: day to day (achilles), Ben Saraf: day to day (back).
Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr.: out for season (knee), Giannis Antetokounmpo: day to day (ankle), Bobby Portis: day to day (wrist), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (hip).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (18-60, 14th in the Eastern Conference)
Indianapolis; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota comes into the matchup against Indiana after losing three games in a row.
The Pacers are 11-27 on their home court. Indiana averages 13.7 turnovers per game and is 13-25 when it wins the turnover battle.
The Timberwolves are 21-17 on the road. Minnesota ranks eighth in the Western Conference scoring 49.9 points per game in the paint led by Julius Randle averaging 10.3.
The Pacers average 112.5 points per game, 1.7 fewer points than the 114.2 the Timberwolves give up. The Timberwolves average 117.5 points per game, 3.2 fewer than the 120.7 the Pacers give up.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Timberwolves won 114-110 in the last meeting on Oct. 26. Randle led the Timberwolves with 31 points, and Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 33 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Siakam is averaging 24 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pacers. Obi Toppin is averaging 11.9 points over the last 10 games.
Rudy Gobert is scoring 11.0 points per game and averaging 11.5 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Donte DiVincenzo is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 3-7, averaging 121.5 points, 38.6 rebounds, 34.4 assists, 6.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.4 points per game.
Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 110.9 points, 45.4 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 9.2 steals and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points.
INJURIES: Pacers: T.J. McConnell: day to day (hamstring), Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (back), Ben Sheppard: day to day (hip), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Pascal Siakam: day to day (back), Jarace Walker: day to day (back), Aaron Nesmith: day to day (neck), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards: out (knee), Jaden McDaniels: out (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Miami plays Toronto in Eastern Conference action Tuesday.
The Raptors are 30-18 in Eastern Conference games. Toronto ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 29.5 assists per game led by Immanuel Quickley averaging 6.0.
The Heat are 25-23 in Eastern Conference play. Miami has a 6-4 record in one-possession games.
The Raptors average 11.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.7 fewer makes per game than the Heat allow (14.0). The Heat average 13.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 more made shot on average than the 12.6 per game the Raptors give up.
The two teams play for the third time this season. The Raptors defeated the Heat 112-91 in their last matchup on Dec. 24. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 27 points, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Heat with 21 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Barnes is scoring 18.1 points per game with 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 19.6 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 47.7% over the last 10 games.
Bam Adebayo is averaging 20.2 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat. Tyler Herro is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 4-6, averaging 116.8 points, 39.0 rebounds, 34.2 assists, 10.3 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.1 points per game.
Heat: 3-7, averaging 123.1 points, 43.3 rebounds, 29.5 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.8 points.
INJURIES: Raptors: Immanuel Quickley: out (foot).
Heat: Norman Powell: day to day (illness), Tyler Herro: day to day (personal).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Houston will look for its 50th victory of the season when the Rockets visit the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns are 27-21 in Western Conference games. Phoenix has an 18-27 record against teams over .500.
The Rockets are 27-22 against Western Conference opponents. Houston is 21-16 against opponents with a winning record.
The Suns are shooting 45.5% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points lower than the 46.0% the Rockets allow to opponents. The Rockets average 11.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.6 fewer makes per game than the Suns allow.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. In the last matchup on Jan. 6 the Rockets won 100-97 led by 26 points from Kevin Durant, while Devin Booker scored 27 points for the Suns.
TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Gillespie is averaging 12.9 points and 4.8 assists for the Suns. Booker is averaging 26.5 points over the last 10 games.
Durant is averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun is averaging 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 4-6, averaging 115.5 points, 42.9 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 9.1 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.4 points per game.
Rockets: 8-2, averaging 121.2 points, 47.0 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 7.3 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points.
INJURIES: Suns: Haywood Highsmith: day to day (knee).
Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 5: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on April 5, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Good news awaited the Golden State Warriors on Sunday: at long last, the return of Steph Curry, who finally rejoined the team after 27 games on the sidelines. And it almost propelled the team to a stunning comeback victory against the Houston Rockets.
Almost.
Instead, the Warriors lost their fourth consecutive game, falling 117-116 after a Curry game-winning three-point attempt was off line at the buzzer.
It was clear from the opening tip that something was different with the Warriors, in a good way. They were clearly energized by Curry’s return, even though he wasn’t in the starting lineup (Steve Kerr opted for a starting five of Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porziņģis because of Curry’s minutes restriction).
That energy and life led the Dubs to a 7-0 lead in the blink of an eye, and they maintained that lead to take a 13-6 advantage even when Houston settled down and started executing well. When that happened, the Rockets were able to start scoring at ease, with some exceptional ball movement and pick and roll action. Finally, with 4:54 left in the quarter, Curry made his return.
It took a few minutes for Curry to get into rhythm, which is understandable. Charles Bassey, who was just signed, made his Warriors debut at the same moment and Curry’s return, and it was Bassey who was making the bigger impact, as he was everywhere on the court and protected the rime.
Finally, Curry made his first bucket, bailing the team out with a desperation three to beat the shot clock buzzer to kick off a two-for-one, helping the Warriors take a 31-26 lead into the second quarter.
Ime Udoka’s defense was unreal to start the second quarter, though, and it took its toll on the Dubs. Spanning the final possession of the first quarter and the opening few minutes of the second, the Rockets scored 13 straight points to turn a seven-point deficit into a six-point lead, prompting Kerr to call a timeout before the Warriors had even scored in the quarter.
But near the halfway mark of the quarter, the Warriors came roaring back, as their defense — which featured spirited efforts by Green and Gary Payton II, among others — started putting on the clamps, and creating opportunities for their offense. It was around then that we also got a special moment: Steph and Seth Curry sharing a court together for the first time.
That seemed to spark Steph, as he began finding a rhythm in his second stint on the court, as the Warriors were going toe to toe with the Rockets. But Houston surged ahead late in the quarter, regaining control thanks to some outrageous displays of individual offense from Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson, and some exceptional passing. The Warriors were able to end the half with a lot of momentum, though, after Green stripped Durant and found Podziemski for a transition dunk in the closing seconds, and then the Warriors forced another Rockets turnover. With Curry scoring 10 points, the Dubs trailed just 55-53 at the half.
Things did not go well to start in the third quarter. The Warriors were struggling, as their offense couldn’t find rhythm or buckets, and the Rockets were starting to figure things out. Curry’s first stint of the half came much earlier than it did in the first, perhaps due to Kerr sensing a sinking ship. Either way, the Dubs were down 11 points after just four minutes, and the deficit would grow to 15. It felt like they were in danger of completely falling apart, but, thanks to some utterly absurd buckets by Curry — who started to take over in the frame — they found what they needed, and got right back in the game. But they couldn’t maintain it through the finish line of the quarter, as the Rockets ended on a surge to take a 92-82 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Golden State, however, was unfazed. They started the fourth quarter with the same energy they brought to the first, and rattled off a 5-0 run. But the Rockets, who are fighting with the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets in the standings, with a chance to move into the fourth or third seed, punched right back, with seven straight points of their own.
As we got to the halfway mark of the final quarter, it began to feel like the Warriors were out of it.
And then came a final, heroic run. Down 14, the Warriors blitzed the Rockets to score seven straight points. It turned into a 12-3 run, and they pulled within five points, with four minutes remaining. Then Melton sank a three to bring the house to their feet, capping a 15-3 run that made it a two-point game at the 2:30 mark.
After the teams exchanged buckets, Curry cut to the rim off ball, grabbed a slick Green pass, and laid it in with 1:27 remaining. Suddenly the Warriors were down just a single point.
Houston fired back, with a three-point play from Alperen Şengün, who was huge down the stretch. But Curry, playing the heroic role the Warriors have so desperately needed for months, responded with a three. The Warriors were back within one point with just under a minute remaining.
After holding Durant to a miss, the Warriors had a chance to take the lead, and take the lead they did. With Curry acting as a decoy to pull Houston’s defense away from the rim, Payton cut through the paint, and Green whipped a pass to him. GPII’s layup was destined for the bottom of the net before it was goaltended.
With 20 seconds left, the Warriors had their first lead since the second quarter.
But the Rockets executed a perfect play on the other end, with Durant finding a cutting Şengün for a go-ahead layup with 11 seconds left. The Warriors opted not to call timeout, choosing instead to try to score against a defense that wasn’t set.
Curry danced on multiple defenders, and was able to hoist a deep three from straightaway, but it just didn’t fall.
In his return, Curry finished with a team-high 29 points, while shooting 11-for-21 from the field and 5-for-10 on threes. The Warriors outscored the Rockets by 12 points in the 26 minutes he played, and were outscored by 13 points in the 22 minutes when he was on the bench.
Podziemski (18), Santos (15), and Payton (14) also finished with double figures, while Green dished out 12 assists, with the team having 34 on the night. Durant led the Rockets with 31 points and nearly had a triple-double, while Şengün had 24 and Jabari Smith Jr. 23.
With the loss, the Warriors fell to 36-42 and clinched a losing regular season. They have just four games left before the play-in tournament, starting on Tuesday when they host the Sacramento Kings at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Jalen Brunson is, for the most part, a known quantity.
A good way to view the Knicks offense is that Brunson is the floor, and his supporting cast is the ceiling. A big part of that is OG Anunoby. When he is aggressive and involved offensively, it is usually a good sign for overall success.
When Anunoby scores 20 or more points this year, the Knicks are 22-4. In their past two wins, over the Grizzlies and Bulls, he scored 25 and then 31 points.
That’s the version of Anunoby the Knicks will need in the playoffs.
“I think he’s starting to fully understand his areas where he can be aggressive within the offense, within the flow of the game,” Josh Hart said after practice Sunday. “That’s one thing about Mike [Brown], Mike never tells us not to do something. He always wants us to be aggressive, he wants us to shoot shots. … He doesn’t really put limits on us, and I think OG is really starting to really understand ‘where can I be aggressive? Where can I find my spots to go score?’ He’s an efficient scorer, physical, athletic, so he’s starting to understand that.”
Knicks puts up a shot as guard Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden, Friday April 3rd, 2026, in New York, NY. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Anunoby’s primary role in Brown’s offense is to stay in the corners and wait for drive-and-kick 3-pointers. At times, it can limit his contributions. And Brown has vocally set the hierarchy as Brunson first, Karl-Anthony Towns second, and everyone else after that.
But having four strong scoring threats in Brunson, Towns, Anunoby and Mikal Bridges is what is supposed to make the Knicks offense dynamic. Finding a balance between accepting his role as a catch-and-shooter and actively looking to drive and get to the rim is something Anunoby and the Knicks are still, this late into the year, working on.
“When OG is aggressive, he’s hard to deal with,” Landry Shamet said Sunday. “The beauty of our team is that we have so many different options. Sometimes the ball’s just finding you. There’s a certain rhythm about things. Right now, OG is the recipient of a lot of that. When he’s in that situation and when it’s finding him, he’s being really aggressive, really decisive. He’s hard to contain when he puts his head down and drives.”
Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks slams the ball and is fouled by forward Guerschon Yabusele #28 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Madison Square Garden, Friday April 3rd, 2026, in New York, NY. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Giannis Antetokounmpo confirmed, as part of his larger comments going at Bucks management, to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Milwaukee and the Knicks engaged in talks before the season.
The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported before the season that the two teams talked about an Antetokounmpo trade, but that discussions did not go far because the Knicks believed the Bucks lacked motivation to make a deal.
The Knicks have a clean injury report for Monday’s game against the Hawks in Atlanta. Towns, after missing Friday’s game due to a right elbow impingement, is not listed.
So unless something changes, he should be good to go.
Despite the news, Doncic and the Lakers are hopeful that he can be ready in time for a postseason run.
Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in the Lakers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.
The point guard has since consulted with Lakers doctors and his own medical team about seeking specialized treatment in Europe for his hamstring, Doncic's agent Bill Duffy told ESPN.
A Grade 2 hamstring strain is a “moderate injury that is typically a partial tear in the muscle; patients are likely to limp when walking and will have occasional twinges of pain during activity,” according to Mercy Health.
The injury could take close to a month to heal, but “returning to sports before the injury is fully healed can cause more severe injuries.”
Injury-riddled Lakers lose to Mavericks
Playing without Doncic and Austin Reaves — who has an oblique injury — the Lakers were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks, 134-128, on April 5.
LeBron James finished with a team-high 30 points as the Lakers continue to march toward the postseason without the services of two of their key contributors.
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) takes a three-point shot past Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele (28).
Landry Shamet finds himself in a place that most wouldn’t have expected to start the season.
Healthy again after missing a few games with a knee issue, he is pretty much a lock to be in the Knicks playoff rotation.
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) takes a 3-point shot past Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele (28). Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
“I don’t take these moments for granted, man,” Shamet said after practice Sunday. “This thing’s delicate, I know that. It’s a special team, special market, special opportunity and just to wear the jersey even. I’m grateful and happy to be a part of this group and have Mike’s [Brown] trust and my teammates’ trust. I trust in them as well. Super grateful for it.”
He hardly had a role under Tom Thibodeau last year.
And before the year, having signed just a nonguaranteed, veteran minimum contract, he was one of the last players to make Brown’s roster — and likely only did so due to Malcolm Brogdon’s sudden retirement.
Then after 15 promising games to start the year, he dislocated his shoulder — the same one he dislocated last year. The Knicks, given Shamet’s deal wasn’t guaranteed, could have cut him and looked to get help elsewhere.
But they afforded Shamet time to rehab. And it’s paid tremendous dividends. He has emerged as a key shooter off the bench, averaging 9.6 points per game — which would be a career high for a full season — and shooting 39.4 percent from 3-point range. He has also been one of the team’s best point-of-attack defenders.
DeJon Jarreau and Landry Shamet are fighting for a loose ball during a basketball game. Getty Images
There is certainly a case to be made that the Knicks have gotten more out of Shamet than any player on a minimum deal in the league.
One area in which he’s contributed, though, has gone under the radar — his ability to be a backup point guard. Brown has praised Shamet’s ability to handle that role, despite him being much more of a shooting guard most of his NBA career. Though neither are naturals at the position, Brown feels comfortable with both Shamet and Miles McBride there.
And now with both healthy, that doesn’t leave much room for Jose Alvarado in the rotation.
“He’s a good enough ball handler, he has a good enough feel/IQ to initiate the offense,” Brown said of Shamet on Sunday. “And then conceptually, because of his feel and the other guys’ feel, we’re able to generate some things offensively. We’re not relying on him to be a traditional point guard. He and Deuce [McBride] are more than capable of doing the things that we’re asking in terms of initiating the offense. And then at the end of the day, can they play pick-and-roll, can they play the [dribble handoff] game, get downhill and spray the ball or throw the lob to a guy like Mitch [Robinson]? I think he can.”
Shamet fills multiple vital roles for the Knicks. There was a time it didn’t seem like he’d even have any.
In the final three games against the San Francisco Giants, the Mets allowed five total runs en route to three wins to culminate a 4-3 road trip. Even in their losses, New York allowed three runs or fewer in two of them and for the most part has gotten superior starting pitching two times through the rotation.
On Sunday, it was Kodai Senga's turn to deliver a quality outing and the right-hander handed in five scoreless innings before getting tagged for two runs in the sixth where only one ball was hit particularly hard.
Senga finished his outing by going 5.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits, two walks and striking out seven on 88 pitches (55 strikes). Early on, he even struck out five in a row and looked great for a second straight start, this one on four days rest.
"It wasn’t perfect today, but good enough to make the game winnable," Senga said after the game through an interpreter.
It's the same kind of mentality that Senga used to have with himself when he was going good, often being hyper critical of things that he could improve on and fix for the next one.
Still, manager Carlos Mendoza was much more effusive of the right-hander's performance, saying "he pretty much dominated that lineup… Overall I think he was outstanding."
Senga is the latest of Mets starters to pitch well, following Clay Holmes' seven scoreless innings on Saturday and Nolan McLean's five hitless innings on Friday. As a unit, New York's starting rotation has a 3.13 ERA, eighth in MLB and third in the NL.
What's also encouraging? The Mets rank third in total innings pitched by their starters at 54.2 -- a year after their staff was routinely unable to go deep into games. As the season progresses and the temperature gets warmer and pitchers become more stretched out, hopefully that number continues to go up as well.
"I think it’s a really strong group," Senga said of the starting rotation. "As long as we stay healthy, stay out on the mound, we can be a stabilizing force for the team. That goes for everybody and myself. I don’t want to be the one lagging behind, I want to be up there with them."
Of course, after his incredible first half last season, Senga returned from a hamstring injury and had a dreadful end to the year. It became such a problem that New York sent him down to the minors to try and restore his stuff and his confidence.
The team even entertained trading the 33-year-old during the offseason but decided to keep the right-hander who then rewarded the Mets with a strong showing in spring training that has continued into the regular season.
It's obviously still very early into the season, but the signs are good for Senga and if he's able to keep it up he can certainly be a part of a Mets staff that has all the makings of a top rotation in baseball and be that stabilizing force that he was talking about.
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, left, kicks a pass by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026,...
SAN FRANCISCO — Steph Curry was triumphant in his long-awaited return to the court and, against all odds, nearly were the Warriors.
There was a renewed energy inside Chase Center on Sunday night, a buzz that had mostly been absent since Curry went out more than two months ago, that reached an apex in the final minute of 117-116 loss to Kevin Durant and the Rockets.
The defeat could have dealt a cold dose of reality on Curry’s big day, but instead it only emphasized what hadn’t been possible in the Warriors’ 27 games without him since Jan. 30.
Golden State trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half and was still behind by double digits with as little as 4:51 remaining. Curry scored eight of his team-best 29 points from then on.
Curry converted a driving layup to cut the Rockets’ lead to a 112-111 with 87 seconds to play, then one-upped himself by pulling up from 32 feet and draining an answer to Houston’s 3-point play on the other end. With 11 seconds left, Curry had the ball in his hands, down one.
He crossed over and pulled up from the top of the key. It wasn’t to be.
The return of Curry wasn’t enough to overcome the Warriors’ defensive deficiencies. APCurry scored 29 points in 26 minutes. AP
But the performance was an encouraging sign for the Warriors’ prospects, given that Curry’s scoring total in 26 minutes off the bench trailed only Durant’s 31 that required 37 minutes.
The supporting cast that had gone 9-18 without Curry over the past two months didn’t do enough to pull out their first game with their north star back on the floor.
Kristaps Porzingis fouled out with more than 10 minutes left in the game, Brandin Podziemski scored only three of his 18 points in the second half, and the Warriors’ next-leading scorer, Gui Santos, was completely shut out after putting up 15 in the first half.
What it means
Curry looked like himself and finished the game in good health. For a Warriors team locked into the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, that’s all that really mattered.
Turning point
It was a two-point game at halftime, but Durant completed a four-point play on the Rockets’ first possession of the third quarter, and the Warriors spent the rest of the second half trying to get it back to that margin.
The foul on Durant came courtesy of Kristaps Porzingis, who went on to pick up three more within the first four minutes of the second half and fouled out for good with 10:13 to play.
Not only did Porzingis’ foul trouble keep the Warriors’ second-best player off the floor for most of the second half, it robbed coach Steve Kerr of valuable time to assess his pairing with Curry.
The duo’s limited action Sunday was their first time ever sharing the court, including in practice.
Porzingis’ foul trouble robbed Coach Steve Kerr of valuable time to assess his pairing with Curry. AP
MVP: Kevin Durant
Durant finished with eight rebounds and eight assists to go with a game-high 31 points. He drained his third 3-pointer of the night immediately after De’Anthony Melton sank a 3 that cut the Rockets’ lead to 109-107.
Golden State hosts the Lakers on Thursday. Curry will reportedly be limited to around 25 minutes. AP
Stat of the game: 55/44.8/84.2
The return of Curry wasn’t enough to overcome the Warriors’ defensive deficiencies.
Golden State provided little resistance to the Rockets, who were only prevented from a vaunted 50/40/90 shooting split by missing one too many of their 19 free-throw attempts.
Up next
With four games left on the Warriors’ schedule, all that’s left to be determined is how much Curry will play leading into their No. 9/10 play-in matchup. Golden State hosts the Kings on Tuesday before LeBron James and the Lakers pay a visit Thursday for its final home contest of the regular season.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
Pearl River native Drew Fortescue and his homecoming for his debut provided one of the more feel-good moments of this lost 2025-26 season.
In the grand scheme of this evaluation period for the organization, however, the prospects who have been longing for their moment are making up for lost time with the Blueshirts. Each day is an opportunity for Matthew Robertson, Jaroslav Chmelar, Adam Sykora and Dylan Garand to finally work on carving their path at the NHL level — and they have each treated it as such.
After years stewing in the American Hockey League, the four have made notable impressions.
Sykora may be the most recent recall from the organization’s AHL affiliate, but the 21-year-old has arguably made the most lasting impression in the shortest amount of time. The 63rd overall pick in 2022 was in the midst of his third full season in Hartford when the Rangers called.
Adam Sykora #38 of the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in New York, NY. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
He has everyone rooting for him. No one’s demeanor has been more infectious.
His best buddy and Hartford roommate, Chmelar, has been in Hartford since making the jump from Providence College in 2023-24. Since the 144th overall pick in 2021 earned brief recalls in November and December, the 22-year-old has adjusted to the speed of the NHL and been much more effective in his fourth-line role.
It’s allowed Chmelar to position himself in the dangerous areas of the ice more, which has led to more offense. He earned the secondary assist on Sykora’s second-period score Sunday.
Between his 6-foot-4, 226-pound frame and his commitment to finishing checks, Chmelar hasn’t looked out of place on the ice.
Robertson has been with the Rangers since opening night, but he didn’t become a serviceable every-night defenseman until mid-November. The 2019 49th overall pick spent the previous four full seasons in Hartford without a call-up until the second-to-last game last season.
Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson #29 scores the game winning goal during the overtime. The New York Rangers defeat Boston Bruins 4-3. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Now, Robertson has appeared in 59 of the last 60 games. He’s even gotten top four minutes at times, logging the fifth-most ice time among all Rangers defensemen so far this season.
There’s no question Garand earned at least one more game after his first two NHL performances. He is 1-0-1 with a .954 save percentage and a 1.44 goals-against average.
The early numbers are encouraging, but head coach Mike Sullivan said he felt completely comfortable with Garand between the pipes just based on what he was seeing from the rookie netminder.
Selected 103rd overall in 2020, Garand made his Wolf Pack debut in 2020-21 and was in the midst of his fourth full AHL season at the time of his recall last month. The Rangers have continuously maintained third-string goalies over the years — such as Louis Domingue and Keith Kinkaid — that have filled in whenever Igor Shesterkin and/or whichever backup was injured.
Even this season, the Rangers signed Spencer Martin out of the Kontinental Hockey League in November. He appeared in six games for the Rangers this season amid injuries to Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick.
But it was finally time for Garand, who expressed just how much he’s been clamoring for the opportunity after his first win on March 27.
Dylan Garand #33 of the New York Rangers defends the net during the second period when the New York Rangers played the Winnipeg Jets. Robert Sabo for NY Post
While Noah Laba could be considered among the long-awaited prospects, the 111th pick in the 2022 draft essentially jumped from college to the NHL. He played 11 games for the Wolf Pack at the end of the 2024-25 campaign before making the Rangers lineup straight out of training camp.
In Sunday’s win, Laba was a goal shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick after notching an assist on Sykora’s goal and dropping the gloves with Washington’s Hendrix Lapierre.
Laba hasn’t spent extended time in the minor leagues like Robertson, Chmelar, Sykora and Garand have.
Those four have made the extended wait worthwhile.
Here's our rest-of-season Top 300. Expect this space to be updated every Monday. Players are ranked for 5x5 mixed leagues using a one-catcher format. I include the mixed-league disclaimer because I do reward upside, particularly past the top 200 or so.
⚾️ Baseball is back on NBC: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason and much more.
2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 overall ranks
**Updated Sept. 21**
Sept. 21
Top 300
Team
Pos
Pos Rk
Sept. 14
1
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Cubs
OF
1
1
2
Yordan Alvarez
Astros
OF
2
2
3
Bobby Witt Jr.
Royals
SS
1
3
4
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Braves
OF
3
4
5
Junior Caminero
Rays
3B
1
6
6
Juan Soto
Mets
OF
4
8
7
Elly De La Cruz
Reds
SS
2
14
8
Pete Alonso
Orioles
1B
1
12
9
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Padres
2B
1
5
10
Kyle Schwarber
Phillies
1B
2
15
11
Logan Gilbert
Mariners
SP
1
66
12
Bryce Harper
Phillies
1B
3
17
13
James Wood
Nationals
OF
5
7
14
Jackson Chourio
Brewers
OF
6
13
15
Corbin Carroll
Diamondbacks
OF
7
25
16
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Dodgers
SP
2
16
17
Matt Olson
Braves
1B
4
22
18
Tarik Skubal
Dodgers
SP
3
11
19
Jacob Misiorowski
Brewers
SP
4
10
20
Miguel Vargas
White Sox
3B
2
52
21
Mason Miller
Padres
RP
1
24
22
CJ Abrams
Nationals
SS
3
20
23
Michael Harris II
Braves
OF
8
27
24
Josh Hader
Astros
RP
2
28
25
Kyle Tucker
Dodgers
OF
9
21
26
Ketel Marte
Diamondbacks
2B
2
33
27
Oneil Cruz
Pirates
OF
10
31
28
Ben Rice
Yankees
C
1
32
29
Francisco Lindor
Mets
SS
4
37
30
Zack Wheeler
Phillies
SP
5
46
31
Cristopher Sanchez
Phillies
SP
6
19
32
Parker Messick
Guardians
SP
7
69
33
Jose Ramirez
Guardians
3B
3
54
34
Chris Sale
Braves
SP
8
29
35
Corey Seager
Rangers
SS
5
35
36
Mookie Betts
Dodgers
SS
6
44
37
Sal Stewart
Reds
2B
3
26
38
Cade Smith
Guardians
RP
3
47
39
Bryan Woo
Mariners
SP
9
75
40
Brice Turang
Brewers
2B
4
30
41
Jeremy Pena
Astros
SS
7
59
42
Gunnar Henderson
Orioles
SS
8
36
43
Jhoan Duran
Phillies
RP
4
45
44
Zach Neto
Angels
SS
9
39
45
Julio Rodriguez
Mariners
OF
11
18
46
Trea Turner
Phillies
SS
10
48
47
Riley Greene
Tigers
OF
12
53
48
Seiya Suzuki
Cubs
OF
13
51
49
Randy Arozarena
Mariners
OF
14
49
50
Jordan Walker
Cardinals
OF
15
42
51
Alec Burleson
Cardinals
1B
5
55
52
Cody Bellinger
Yankees
OF
16
50
53
David Bednar
Yankees
RP
5
63
54
Jackson Merrill
Padres
OF
17
41
55
Henry Bolte
Athletics
OF
18
86
56
Roman Anthony
Red Sox
OF
19
60
57
Manny Machado
Padres
3B
4
38
58
Louis Varland
Blue Jays
RP
6
64
59
Wyatt Langford
Rangers
OF
20
78
60
Jacob deGrom
Rangers
SP
10
56
61
Mike Trout
Angels
OF
21
61
62
Bo Bichette
Mets
SS
11
77
63
Kevin McGonigle
Tigers
SS
12
72
64
Drake Baldwin
Braves
C
2
74
65
Freddie Freeman
Dodgers
1B
6
76
66
Reid Detmers
Angels
SP
11
85
67
Raisel Iglesias
Braves
RP
7
87
68
Teoscar Hernandez
Dodgers
OF
22
67
69
Isaac Paredes
Astros
3B
5
108
70
Geraldo Perdomo
Diamondbacks
SS
13
98
71
Cam Schlittler
Yankees
SP
12
34
72
Yandy Diaz
Rays
1B
7
70
73
Luke Keaschall
Twins
2B
5
95
74
Brandon Nimmo
Rangers
OF
23
94
75
Shohei Ohtani
Dodgers
DH
1
NR
76
Taj Bradley
Twins
SP
13
216
77
Gabriel Moreno
Diamondbacks
C
3
138
78
Gerrit Cole
Yankees
SP
14
79
79
Bryan Reynolds
Pirates
OF
24
89
80
Daylen Lile
Nationals
OF
25
99
81
Wilyer Abreu
Red Sox
OF
26
96
82
Lawrence Butler
Athletics
OF
27
186
83
Mason Montgomery
Pirates
RP
8
109
84
Sonny Gray
Red Sox
SP
15
101
85
Hunter Goodman
Rockies
C
4
80
86
Kevin Gausman
Cubs
SP
16
203
87
Nolan McLean
Mets
SP
17
91
88
Cal Raleigh
Mariners
C
5
97
89
Otto Lopez
Marlins
SS
14
107
90
Carlos Rodon
Yankees
SP
18
136
91
Ivan Herrera
Cardinals
C
6
92
92
Andy Pages
Dodgers
OF
28
NR
93
Josh Naylor
Mariners
1B
8
84
94
Trevor Megill
Brewers
RP
9
81
95
Jose Altuve
Astros
2B
6
121
96
Shea Langeliers
Athletics
C
7
160
97
Bryan Baker
Rays
RP
10
113
98
Konnor Griffin
Pirates
SS
15
115
99
Logan Henderson
Brewers
SP
19
73
100
Brandon Lowe
Pirates
2B
7
162
101
Paul Skenes
Pirates
SP
20
106
102
Kenley Jansen
Tigers
RP
11
142
103
Munetaka Murakami
White Sox
3B
6
129
104
Jo Adell
Guardians
OF
29
123
105
Luis Garcia Jr.
Yankees
2B
8
118
106
Ranger Suarez
Red Sox
SP
21
120
107
Michael Busch
Cubs
1B
9
110
108
Max Muncy
Dodgers
3B
7
102
109
Kyle Stowers
Marlins
1B
10
112
110
William Contreras
Brewers
C
8
100
111
Tommy Edman
Dodgers
2B
9
82
112
Carson Benge
Mets
OF
30
126
113
Jacob Latz
Rangers
RP
12
116
114
Dominic Canzone
Mariners
OF
31
104
115
Coby Mayo
Orioles
3B
8
199
116
Austin Riley
Braves
3B
9
103
117
Max Fried
Yankees
SP
22
65
118
Christian Walker
Astros
1B
11
148
119
Jonathan Aranda
Rays
1B
12
135
120
Max Clark
Tigers
OF
32
124
121
Jake Bauers
Brewers
1B
13
114
122
Tyler Glasnow
Dodgers
SP
23
128
123
Luis Arraez
Phillies
2B
10
133
124
Chandler Simpson
Rays
OF
33
150
125
Alec Bohm
Phillies
3B
10
137
126
Nick Martinez
Rays
SP
24
177
127
Shane Baz
Orioles
SP
25
168
128
Trevor Story
Red Sox
SS
16
143
129
Nico Hoerner
Cubs
SS
17
111
130
Payton Tolle
Red Sox
SP
26
149
131
Freddy Peralta
Rays
SP
27
125
132
Gavin Williams
Guardians
SP
28
62
133
Ty France
Padres
1B
14
172
134
Jose Soriano
Blue Jays
SP
29
119
135
Kazuma Okamoto
Blue Jays
3B
11
139
136
Shota Imanaga
Cubs
SP
30
194
137
Jake McCarthy
Rockies
OF
34
146
138
Drew Rasmussen
Rays
SP
31
83
139
Bryson Stott
Phillies
2B
11
147
140
Dylan Crews
Nationals
OF
35
134
141
Sandy Alcantara
Marlins
SP
32
105
142
Josh Jung
Rangers
3B
12
192
143
Chase DeLauter
Guardians
OF
36
132
144
Cade Cavalli
Nationals
SP
33
161
145
Spencer Jones
Yankees
OF
37
151
146
Tyler Mahle
Braves
SP
34
190
147
George Springer
Blue Jays
OF
38
155
148
JJ Wetherholt
Cardinals
SS
18
NR
149
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Blue Jays
1B
15
58
150
Zack Gelof
Athletics
2B
12
198
151
Ozzie Albies
Braves
2B
13
156
152
Noah Cameron
Royals
SP
35
163
153
Kade Anderson
Mariners
SP
36
145
154
Emilio Pagan
Reds
RP
13
166
155
Steven Kwan
Guardians
OF
39
141
156
Zebby Matthews
Twins
SP
37
258
157
Daulton Varsho
Astros
OF
40
158
158
Ethan Pecko
Astros
SP
38
254
159
Brett Bateman
Blue Jays
OF
41
157
160
Aroldis Chapman
Red Sox
RP
14
57
161
Brandon Marsh
Phillies
OF
42
169
162
Caleb Durbin
Red Sox
3B
13
164
163
Michael Wacha
Royals
SP
39
170
164
Framber Valdez
Tigers
SP
40
122
165
Will Smith
Dodgers
C
9
175
166
Seranthony Dominguez
Mariners
RP
15
NR
167
Connor Prielipp
Twins
SP
41
NR
168
Nolan Arenado
Diamondbacks
3B
14
233
169
Michael King
Padres
SP
42
204
170
Jeff McNeil
Athletics
2B
14
243
171
Jac Caglianone
Royals
OF
43
188
172
Jackson Jobe
Tigers
SP
43
213
173
Vinnie Pasquantino
Royals
1B
16
130
174
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Yankees
2B
15
NR
175
Jared Jones
Pirates
SP
44
200
176
Colson Montgomery
White Sox
SS
19
167
177
Sean Burke
White Sox
SP
45
275
178
Andre Pallante
Cardinals
SP
46
247
179
Clay Holmes
Cubs
SP
47
182
180
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
Orioles
3B
15
212
181
Garrett Mitchell
Brewers
OF
44
144
182
Jakob Marsee
Marlins
OF
45
220
183
Jarren Duran
Red Sox
OF
46
90
184
George Kirby
Mariners
SP
48
174
185
Joe Ryan
Twins
SP
49
179
186
Riley O’Brien
Cardinals
RP
16
193
187
Travis Bazzana
Guardians
2B
16
180
188
Ian Happ
Cubs
OF
47
178
189
Christian Yelich
Brewers
OF
48
127
190
Davis Martin
White Sox
SP
50
262
191
Grant Taylor
White Sox
RP
17
235
192
Dansby Swanson
Cubs
SS
20
NR
193
Blake Snell
Dodgers
SP
51
23
194
Angel Martinez
Guardians
2B
17
NR
195
Daniel Lynch IV
Royals
SP
52
NR
196
Lars Nootbaar
Diamondbacks
OF
49
205
197
Chase Meidroth
White Sox
SS
21
279
198
Cole Carrigg
Rockies
SS
22
176
199
Spencer Torkelson
Tigers
1B
17
267
200
Jonah Cox
Giants
2B
18
NR
201
Joey Cantillo
Guardians
SP
53
226
202
Heriberto Hernandez
Marlins
OF
50
208
203
Jonah Tong
Mets
SP
54
183
204
Cam Smith
Astros
OF
51
202
205
Ryan O’Hearn
Pirates
1B
18
217
206
Ezequiel Duran
Rangers
SS
23
197
207
TJ Rumfield
Rockies
1B
19
171
208
Robert Gasser
Brewers
SP
55
NR
209
A.J. Ewing
Mets
OF
52
173
210
Josh Bell
Twins
1B
20
214
211
Hunter Brown
Astros
SP
56
68
212
Josue De Paula
Dodgers
OF
53
165
213
Jake Burger
Rangers
1B
21
221
214
Hao-Yu Lee
Tigers
2B
19
260
215
Max Scherzer
Blue Jays
SP
57
291
216
Chris Bassitt
Orioles
SP
58
230
217
Walker Jenkins
Twins
OF
54
248
218
Aaron Nola
Phillies
SP
59
256
219
Willson Contreras
Red Sox
1B
22
88
220
Anthony Kay
White Sox
SP
60
NR
221
Sean Manaea
Mets
SP
61
272
222
Janson Junk
Marlins
SP
62
NR
223
Cristian Javier
Astros
SP
63
NR
224
Tanner Scott
Dodgers
RP
18
191
225
Kody Clemens
Twins
2B
20
210
226
Pedro Ramirez
Cubs
2B
21
292
227
Cooper Pratt
Brewers
SS
24
238
228
Christian Scott
Mets
SP
64
234
229
Carter Jensen
Royals
C
10
242
230
Matthew Boyd
Cubs
SP
65
215
231
Jesus Sanchez
Diamondbacks
OF
55
NR
232
Lazaro Montes
Mariners
OF
56
196
233
Adley Rutschman
Red Sox
C
11
218
234
Keider Montero
Tigers
SP
66
NR
235
JR Ritchie
Braves
SP
67
NR
236
Griffin Conine
Marlins
OF
57
239
237
Trevor Rogers
Orioles
SP
68
244
238
George Lombard Jr.
Yankees
SS
25
297
239
Xander Bogaerts
Padres
SS
26
159
240
Jung Hoo Lee
Giants
OF
58
225
241
JJ Bleday
Reds
OF
59
224
242
Walbert Urena
Angels
SP
69
282
243
Andrew Painter
Phillies
SP
70
232
244
Yainer Diaz
Astros
C
12
NR
245
Blade Tidwell
Giants
SP
71
NR
246
Zac Thornton
Mets
SP
72
NR
247
Eury Perez
Marlins
SP
73
131
248
Brayan Bello
Red Sox
SP
74
NR
249
Maikel Garcia
Royals
3B
16
246
250
Ben Joyce
Angels
RP
19
253
251
Drew Anderson
Tigers
SP
75
NR
252
Andrew Vaughn
Brewers
3B
17
294
253
Dustin May
Brewers
SP
76
187
254
Kodai Senga
Mets
RP
20
189
255
Grayson Rodriguez
Angels
SP
77
NR
256
Donovan Walton
Athletics
SS
27
NR
257
Spencer Miles
Blue Jays
RP
21
NR
258
Dustin Harris
Padres
OF
60
241
259
Rafael Flores Jr.
Pirates
C
13
NR
260
Matthew Liberatore
Cardinals
SP
78
NR
261
Nick Gonzales
Pirates
2B
22
265
262
Eugenio Suarez
Reds
3B
18
201
263
Javier Sanoja
Marlins
SS
28
285
264
Joey Ortiz
Brewers
SS
29
NR
265
Nathan Eovaldi
Rangers
SP
79
NR
266
Matt McLain
Reds
SS
30
287
267
Juan Morillo
Diamondbacks
RP
22
NR
268
Brooks Lee
Twins
SS
31
274
269
Mauricio Dubon
Braves
SS
32
NR
270
Tim Tawa
Diamondbacks
2B
23
281
271
Heliot Ramos
Yankees
OF
61
NR
272
Andres Gimenez
Blue Jays
SS
33
236
273
Tanner Bibee
Guardians
SP
80
152
274
Bryce Miller
Mariners
SP
81
NR
275
Cody Bradford
Rangers
SP
82
266
276
Hector Rodriguez
Reds
OF
62
207
277
Mickey Gasper
Red Sox
C
14
273
278
Will Warren
Yankees
SP
83
206
279
Leo Bernal
Cardinals
C
15
283
280
Calvin Faucher
Marlins
RP
23
NR
281
Wade Meckler
Angels
OF
63
271
282
Emmet Sheehan
Dodgers
SP
84
223
283
Grant Holmes
Braves
SP
85
NR
284
Quinn Mathews
Cardinals
SP
86
181
285
Pavin Smith
Diamondbacks
1B
23
NR
286
Xavier Edwards
Marlins
SS
34
153
287
Emmanuel Rodriguez
Twins
OF
64
296
288
Brandon Pfaadt
Diamondbacks
SP
87
NR
289
Connor Norby
Rockies
2B
24
NR
290
Colt Keith
Tigers
2B
25
237
291
Alejandro Kirk
Blue Jays
C
16
290
292
Nick Pivetta
Padres
SP
88
261
293
Salvador Perez
Royals
C
17
245
294
Nathan Church
Cardinals
OF
65
NR
295
Sam Antonacci
White Sox
2B
26
154
296
Chad Patrick
Brewers
RP
24
NR
297
Marcus Semien
Mets
2B
27
NR
298
Moises Ballesteros
Angels
C
18
NR
299
Michael Massey
Royals
2B
28
NR
300
Dean Kremer
Twins
SP
89
278
September 21 Notes
Falling off: Aaron Judge (ninth), Dylan Cease (40th), Alex Bregman (43rd), Andrés Muñoz (71st), Jesús Luzardo (93rd), Troy Melton (117th), Bryce Eldridge (140th) and 36 other players.
- It's a fool's errand, but here's one last update for the final week of the season. I tried emphasizing two-start starters unless they're particularly dangerous, but I also tried to take into account that some of the guys currently in line to start twice are going to end up being scratched or making only brief appearances next weekend.
- With no updates yet on Alex Bregman (face) and Andrés Muñoz (knee), I've dropped both from the rankings. Pedro Ramírez, who was set to fall off the list with Dansby Swanson back, reclaimed a spot in Bregman's place. Seranthony Domínguez seems like the likeliest choice for saves in Seattle in Muñoz's place, so he comes in at No. 166.
- Thank you so much to everyone who has followed along all season. Anyone interested in the full spreadsheet of where players have ranked start to finish, reach out to my gmail at matthewpouliot. I'll be back in mid-October with the first (or second) go at a 2027 Top 300.
September 14 Notes
Falling off: Shohei Ohtani DH (eighth), Rafael Devers (41st), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (58th), Bryce Miller (177th), Gleyber Torres (183rd), Hayden Wesneski (206th), Royce Lewis (214th), Kyle Bradish (222nd), Michael McGreevy (243rd), Brandon Pfaadt (246th), Braxton Ashcraft (250th) and 21 other players
- I don't have much of a notes section for you right now, since it's after 3 am and I'd like to get some sleep. Still, the rankings are updated for the final 14 days of the season. A lot of the pitcher movement this week is elevating guys with three starts remaining and dropping those with only two. I also gave Rockies hitters a nice boost, as they play 10 of their remaining 13 games at home. Padres hitters also got a little lift from that, as they'll be starting a four-game series in Coors Field on Monday.
September 7 Notes
Falling off: Kyle Harrison (101st), Shane McClanahan (125th), Luis Robert Jr. (163rd), Trent Graham (180th), Joe Musgrove (192nd), Byron Buxton (202nd), Cam Smith (219th), Brendan Donovan (227th), JJ Wetherholt (236th), Eric Lauer (243rd), Jesús Sánchez (247th), Xavier Edwards (254th), Sean Manaea (261st), Samuel Basallo (262nd), Nathan Eovaldi (265th), Connor Norby (268th), Chase Burns (273rd), Shohei Ohtani SP (280th), Tommy White (282nd), Daniel Palencia (285th), Colton Cowser (286th), Taylor Ward (289th), Ezequiel Tovar (290th), Alek Thomas (292nd), Willi Castro (294th), Elvis Alvarado (295th), Brandyn Garcia (299th)
- With three weeks to go, nearly every injured player is off the rankings at this point, with the exception of a few guys hopefully returning before the end of this week. Also, I'm paying a lot more attention to matchups, particularly this week's. So, some starters with multiple starts this week who wouldn't normally be in the top 300 make the cut. Also, Athletics hitters have moved up, since they'll be at home for six games this week. Rockies hitters have dropped off as that team goes back on the road after a week of home games.
- Rafael Devers gets an overdue late bump. There really was good reason for concern early on with his strikeout rate up and his bat speed down, but he bounced back nicely in both categories. Amazing is the consistency in his wOBAs since 2021: .373, .373, .359, .364, .365 and .365. His xwOBAs, on the other hand, still show a little decline: .391, .365, .380, .366, .367, .340. Still, it's been a really impressive season, and getting to 100 runs scored (maybe) and 100 RBI (almost certainly) on the moribund Giants offense is one heck of an accomplishment.
- The Orioles getting swept by Red Sox over the weekend, dropping their postseason odds at Fangraphs to just three percent, would seem to greatly increase the chances that Kyle Bradish gets shut down with a week or two to go. He's up to 152 innings in his first full year back from Tommy John, and he's not exactly doing his best work at the moment.
- Kyle Harrison might have lost his rotation spot with his performance Sunday against the Reds, though I thought about keeping him on the list anyway, since he could be well set up for wins in middle relief if moved to the pen. In the end, he didn't quite make the cut. It will be really interesting to see how the Brewers play things the rest of the way. I imagine both Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson will make a couple of shorter starts in an attempt to save bullets for October.
- It'll be nice to see Corbin Burnes back on a major league mound Tuesday, but given that he threw just two innings in his lone rehab start after Tommy John, so I couldn't see including him here just yet. San Diego's Nick Pivetta, on the other hand, at least made it up to 4 1/3 innings in his last rehab start as he returns from an elbow injury. That gets him a spot on the bottom of the list, even if he's a long shot to get a win Monday in his return.
Luka Doncic is headed to Europe for specialized treatment on his Grade 2 hamstring strain in hopes of a more rapid return to the court, reports Shams Charania and Dave McMenamin of ESPN. This came in consultation with the Lakers' team doctors, according to the report.
Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain against the Thunder on Thursday night, and the Lakers announced he will be out for the remainder of the regular season.
However, it's the playoffs that are the looming concern. The average time missed for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is more than a month, according to Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes (who maintains a database tracking NBA injuries). The playoffs start in less than two weeks, on April 18. If Doncic were out for a month, he would likely miss the Lakers' entire first-round series. Hence the effort to find a treatment that can help him return sooner.
The Lakers' Austin Reaves is also out for 4-6 weeks with an oblique strain and will miss the first round of the playoffs.
Without their two leading scorers and shot creators, Los Angeles would be heavy underdogs in any likely first-round matchup. The Lakers currently are tied with the Nuggets for the 3/4 seed in the West and could slide as low as the No. 5 seed. That would leave them with a first-round series against a quality opponent, such as Houston or Minnesota.
Without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers lost to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday despite 30 points and 15 assists from LeBron James, who now becomes the focal point of the offense. The Lakers had no answer for rookie Cooper Flagg, who scored 45 against Los Angeles. Doncic being out for the remainder of the season also leaves him one game short of the league's 65-game threshold to be eligible for postseason awards — and he would be a lock top-five finisher in MVP voting and be First Team All-NBA. Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy, has said he would file an "extraordinary circumstances challenge." Written into the CBA, the exception states that if "it was impractical for the player to play in one or more of the [missed] games" and the player would have reached 65 games if he had played in those games, an independent arbiter (selected by the league and player's union) can grant him an exception. Doncic missed two games in December for the birth of his child.
