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Illinois State beats Wake Forest 78-75, winning twice in NIT for first time in 30 years

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Ty Pence had 23 points, Johnny Kinziger scored 19, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with two seconds left, and Illinois State rallied to beat top seed Wake Forest 78-75 on Sunday in the second round of the NIT.

Fourth-seeded Illinois State (22-12) heads to No. 2 seed Dayton for a campus-site quarterfinal. The last time the Redbirds won twice in a NIT appearance was in 1996.

Illinois State trailed 53-44 with 11:28 remaining before rallying to tie it on Landon Wolf's 3-pointer with 6:29 to go and then taking the lead on a Pence 3-pointer on its next possession.

There were four lead changes and five ties from there — the final tie came on Tre'Von Spillers layup with 28 seconds left to set the stage for Kinziger.

Pence made 8 of 11 shots with three 3-pointers and all four of his free throws. Kinziger buried 5 of 10 from beyond the arc and added five assists. Chase Walker scored 15.

Spillers made all 11 of his shots and scored 24 to pace the Demon Deacons (18-17), adding eight rebounds. Juke Harris totaled 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Harris finished with 750 points this season — the second highest total in program history. Len Chappell set the record with 932 points during the 1961-62 season. Chappell had 745 points his prior season. Dickie Hemric scored 746 in 1954-55.

Omaha Biliew added 11 points and six boards for Wake Forest, while Myles Colvin scored 10 off the bench.

Cooper Schwieger's dunk for Wake Forest in the final minute tied it 32-all at halftime.

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Game Thread: Knicks vs Wizards, March 22, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: Josh Hart #3 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks box out Kyshawn George #18 of the Washington Wizards during the game on February 3, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Knicks (46*-25) host the Washington Wizards (16-54) tonight at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks aim to extend their five-game winning streak while the Wizards risk a 16th straight loss that would tie their franchise record for longest skid.

Tip-off is 7:30 pm EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Bullets Forever. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Treat each other respectfully. And go Knicks!

* Should be one more, but NBA Cups are for jock support, not record books.

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Luka Doncic's 16th technical foul rescinded by NBA, avoids suspension

The NBA decided to rescind Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic's 16th technical foul, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Doncic will be allowed to play in Monday's road game against the Detroit Pistons, as the Lakers look to extend their winning streak to 10 games.

If the appeal was upheld, Doncic would’ve had to serve a one-game suspension without pay. If he does receive another technical foul, he will have to sit out a game.

Doncic was given a technical foul after getting into an argument with Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze on Saturday.

The Lakers were down 85-82 with 1:19 left in the third quarter when the guard was called for the technical foul. Referee Marat Kogut also charged Bitadze with a technical foul.

The team had appealed the foul shortly after the game.

Doncic indicated during postgame media availability that Bitadze “would (expletive) my whole family.”

Bitadze offered a different account to reporters and stated that it was Doncic who started the verbal exchange.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers' Luka Doncic's 16th technical foul rescinded by NBA

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Enright's goal helps Wisconsin beat Ohio State 3-2 at Frozen Four, win program's 9th championship

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) — Claire Enright scored the go-ahead goal in the third period Sunday, Ava McNaughton had 34 saves, and No. 2 seed Wisconsin beat top-seeded and Ohio State 3-2 at the Frozen Four to win its second consecutive national championship.

Wisconsin (35-4-2) leads all NCAA programs with nine NCAA titles — which includes four of the last six (the 2020 Frozen Four was canceled due to COVID) — and 21 Frozen Four wins.

The Badgers and Ohio State have faced off in each of the last four championship games and combined to win six consecutive national titles.

Enright, on the right side, darted toward net along the goal line and ricocheted a shot off the back post into the net to cap the scoring with 6:18 left in the game.

Kelly Gorbatenko had a goal and an assists, Laney Potter also scored a goal, and Adela Sapovalivova had two assists for Wisconsin. Gorbatenko has 50 goal contributions (28 goals and 22 assists) this season.

Kassidy Carmichael and Jocelyn Amos each scored a goal for Ohio State (36-5-0). Hailey MacLeod had 31 saves.

Gorbatenko opened the scoring almost 1 1/2 minutes into the game with a wrist shot from a few feet inside the blue line and Potter slammed home a pass from Gorbatenko to make it 2-0 about six minutes later.

Carmichael redirected a shot from the right side by Mira Jungaker past goaltender Ava McNaughton's glove side to get the Buckeyes on the scoreboard with 16:28 left in the game and, just more than two minutes later, Amos rammed in the rebound of a shot by Emma Peschel to tie it at 2-2.

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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

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Tye Kartye continues to make early Rangers impression in more ways then one

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Rangers player Tye Kartye and Winnipeg Jets player Adam Lowry scuffle on the ice, separated by a referee, Image 2 shows New York Rangers players celebrate a goal against the Winnipeg Jets

The Rangers may have found something in Tye Kartye.

Over his first 12 games with the Blueshirts, Kartye has racked up three goals and five assists for eight points since the organization plucked him off the waiver wire from the Kraken toward the end of February.

The game-tying goal he scored 41 seconds into the second period of Sunday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Jets counted as the 22nd of his career.

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Kartye has already matched his production through his first 40 games of the season with the Kraken.

“Just his speed,” captain J.T. Miller said of what’s impressed him the most since teaming up with Kartye on a line. “I like playing with guys like that, that are relentless and a very good forechecker. Backs the D off, even if he doesn’t have the puck, he’s backing him off because he’s slashing out or whatever. It’s a simple game. I like playing with him and [Conor Sheary].

“Like when we get chances, try to play below the hash marks and grind the game down. Don’t make it too difficult on ourselves. Tye had a big game today. He was a big part of the success we had.”

A scuffle breaks out between left wing Tye Kartye of the New York Rangers and center Adam Lowry #17 of the Winnipeg Jets during the first period when the New York Rangers played the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, March 22, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post

He’s primarily skated in the middle six since coming to New York, but has skated on the wing of Miller and Sheary in the past couple of games.

Head coach Mike Sullivan has also worked him into the penalty-killing rotation, in which he has averaged 1:20 of short-handed ice time per game.

The PK ultimately fended off three of four power-play opportunities Sunday.

“I think Tye’s played great for us,” Sullivan said of the undrafted forward, who has 48 points in 191 career NHL games. “He’s a great kid, first and foremost. He brings great energy to the rink. He loves hockey. He loves to be on the ice. He loves to practice. He’s enthusiastic, and I think that energy is contagious. He can really skate. The one thing that jumps out to me is his puck-pursuit game, the offensive zone, just hunting pucks and hunting down defensemen and taking their time and space away. I think he creates opportunity for him and his linemates when he does it. And he’s a pretty conscientious guy defensively. He has a good stick. He’s willing to block shots…I think he’s been a welcomed addition to our lineup.”

The day after signing his three-year entry level contract, Drew Fortescue watched the Rangers take on the Jets from the MSG press box Sunday afternoon.

Considering the Rangers play another game against the Senators on Monday night, the expectation is Fortescue will get at least one practice with the team before making his NHL debut. The Rangers are scheduled to be off Tuesday following the back-to-back slate, so Fortescue’s first practice likely won’t be until after the team plays the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday.

His NHL debut could be Friday against the Blackhawks.

Left wing Tye Kartye #24 of the New York Rangers celebrates with his teammates after he scores a goal during the second period when the New York Rangers played the Winnipeg Jets Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Madison Square Garden Robert Sabo for NY Post

“I would envision him playing some games here moving forward and we’re excited to work with him,” Sullivan said after the loss Sunday.

The Rangers were pleased with how it worked out with Gabe Perreault last season, when the organization signed the young wing right after his season at Boston College ended and had him report to New York.

So much so that they wanted to do the same with Fortescue, who will also burn a year of his ELC by coming straight to Manhattan.

Had the Rangers not signed him this season, Fortescue would’ve only been eligible for a two-year deal after next season.

By signing him now, the Rangers get Fortescue into the system sooner and set him up to be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2028.

The Rangers are back in game action Monday night, when they welcome the Ottawa Senators to Madison Square Garden.

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Carlos Alcaraz loses to Sebastian Korda in the third round of the Miami Open

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated in the third round of the Miami Open on Sunday, losing to Sebastian Korda in three sets.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz, who completed the career Grand Slam when he won the Australian Open in January, dropped to 17-2 this season. The No. 1 player in the men's rankings also lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals at Indian Wells last weekend.

Korda served for the match at 5-4 in the second, but Alcaraz rallied by winning five consecutive games. The 25-year-old Korda then regrouped and closed out a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory in two hours, 19 minutes.

“It was a tough match, obviously,” Alcaraz said. “I think (Korda) was incredible today. Played such a great game. A lot of tied moments that I just didn't make the most of it, and I think he was better on (those) points and (those) moments.”

At No. 36, Korda became the lowest-ranked man to beat Alcaraz since No. 55 David Goffin accomplished the feat in the second round in Miami last year, according to the ATP Tour.

“A lot of tense moments, for sure,” Korda said. “But you know I think today, the ultimate thing was belief. Going back to just believing, committing into every shot, and luckily I got it done at the end.”

Next up for Korda is qualifier Martin Landaluce, who advanced with a 6-3, 7-6 (2) win against 14th-seeded Karen Khachanov.

Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul joined Korda in the fourth round. The sixth-seeded Fritz beat Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4, and No. 22 seed Paul eliminated Raphael Collignon with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (5) victory.

No. 21 Jiri Lehecka, No. 24 Valentin Vacherot and No. 29 Tomas Martin Etcheverry also were among the winners.

On the women's side, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 win against Catherine McNally. No. 3 Elena Rybakina beat No. 27 Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-4, and No. 5 Jessica Pegula posted a 6-2, 6-2 win over No. 26 Leylah Fernandez.

No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, No. 9 Elina Svitolina, No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova, No. 15 Madison Keys and No. 18 Iva Jovic were eliminated. Paolini lost to No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in three sets, and Svitolina was knocked out by Hailey Baptiste in straight sets.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

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Carson Benge still waiting for his Mets roster verdict after impressive spring: ‘I’ll be patient’

New York Mets’ Carson Benge (93) celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a wild pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Carson Benge reacts after scoring during the Mets' Feb. 27 spring training game.

JUPITER, Fla. — Carson Benge has performed at a high enough level this spring to earn a job with the Mets. Now he awaits the final verdict.

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The stud prospect completed his initial Grapefruit League season Sunday, finishing 1-for-3 in the 4-3 loss to the Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Benge, who finished with an .874 OPS in 14 games, hardly appeared overwhelmed, both on the field and off.

“I am happy that I carried myself in a really good way,” the 23-year-old outfielder said. “I showed everyone what kind of person I am and I feel like that is what spoke the loudest for me.”

Mike Tauchman’s removal from the mix — the veteran outfielder has a torn meniscus in his left knee that needs surgery — may have strengthened Benge’s chances, although the Mets conceivably could have carried both Tauchman and Benge.

Carson Benge reacts after scoring during the Mets’ Feb. 27 spring training game. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty are right field options, and Jared Young is another possibility.

But it may be determined that Benge is ready, handing him the starting job.

The Mets will break camp after a workout Monday, but it’s possible Benge won’t know his fate until just before Thursday’s season opener.

Benge is not on the 40-man roster.

“I’ll be patient,” Benge said. “I have waited this long, I will wait a little longer.”

Benge was asked about his biggest takeaway from camp.

Carson Benge looks to make a catch during the Mets’ Feb. 27 game during spring training. Imagn Images

“Just the level that these guys play at,” Benge said. “Day in and day out, they put in the work. They put real focus into everything they do, from preparation, hydration, stuff on the field, stuff off the field is really what I picked up.”

Nolan McLean and Sean Manaea will pitch in Monday’s intrasquad scrimmage.

It will be a final tuneup for McLean before his scheduled Sunday start against the Pirates.

It’s unclear when Manaea will pitch for the first time, as he begins the season in the bullpen in a piggyback role.

Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga will remain in Port St. Lucie to pitch in minor league games this week before heading north.

David Peterson allowed one earned run on five hits over five innings against the Marlins to finish the Grapefruit League with a 4.15 ERA.

The lefty is scheduled to face the Pirates on Saturday at Citi Field.

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NBA’s Last Two Minute Report for Lakers-Magic was a mess

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game on March 21, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Considering that the Lakers beat the Magic in a dramatic game, the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report was destined to be the center of attention the following day.

Well, the results are in and their findings leave a lot to be desired.

For starters, there was a lot of heat brought on Deandre Ayton. He had three calls that the league claims they missed that would’ve negatively impacted the Lakers.

According to the NBA, he should’ve been called for a three-second violation on two separate occasions and a foul call on Tristan da Silva in the final seconds of the game shouldn’t have been awarded. That foul led to two free throws for Ayton, who unsuccessfully attempted to recreate Austin Reaves’ intentional missed free throw heroics.

However, the biggest question for most was going to be the ruling of Paolo Banchero’s foul on LeBron James’ game-tying layup attempt.

Well, they claim it wasn’t even a foul, stating he made initial hand-on-ball contact first and that any incidental contact occurred after the block.

The video they shared doesn’t exactly give a great look to agree with them, and regardless, Paolo slapped LeBron’s entire arm, so it’s hard to understand how even the day after that’s still not a foul.

This isn’t the first time the Lakers have received confusing officiating information.

Earlier this season, the NBA clarified that it’s not a goaltend if a player extends their entire hand through the net while a shot is being taken.

The only good news the Lakers got from this Last Two Minute Report is that LeBron didn’t touch the ball last on a late out-of-bounds play.

The NBA even brought out the Hawk-Eye camera during the initial challenge, which seems to be the LeBron Cam since it’s been used on him a couple of times now during key reviews. While the decision went against LeBron last year in the Lakers-Wolves playoff series, he was on the right side this time.

The NBA’s attempt to aim for transparency and accountability with these reports is a good thing, but there has to be a better way.

Not only does this report fail to change results, but it also leads to a confusing rationale for calls that still feel missed even after extended reviews.

It’s hard to see the point of this if teams on both sides will still be upset and unsatisfied with the ruling and reviews after the fact, even after the NBA has tried to clarify things.

The only solace Lakers fans have is that they still ultimately won the game, so it’s best to read the report, shake your head and move on.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Five Years Later, Tim Stützle Still Puzzled By Senators' Decision To Let Michael Amadio Get Away

To say that Ottawa Senators winger Michael Amadio has been a model of consistency in his NHL career would be a major understatement. As an example, Amadio has posted exactly 27 points in each of the past three seasons.

But this year is now officially a career year.

Just a few weeks shy of his 30th birthday, Amadio marked the occasion early by hitting the 30-point plateau and scoring a huge third-period goal in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sens winger Tim Stutzle is a member of the Michael Amadio fan club and wonders why the team ever let him get away.

Amadio is in year two of a three-year contract with the Senators, and for a player who can be trusted in all situations, his $2.6 million salary is outrageously team-friendly.

Tim Stützle is among his admirers. When asked about him, Stützle quickly recalled Amadio's first go-around in Ottawa near the end of the 2020–21 season. The Senators acquired him from Los Angeles for defenceman Christian Wolanin almost exactly five years ago (March 29), when Stützle was closing out his rookie season.

“Nothing against the (former) management, but (Amadio) was a pretty good player, and we traded him away," Stutzle told the media.

“I was able to play on his line when he came in. We actually had a really good game, and then the next day he was traded. So I was really excited for him coming back (in 2024).

“And he's really underrated. In my opinion, he has one of the best sticks in the league, killing penalties, too... playing in every situation. I think just the space he creates for his teammates, it’s been awesome to see, and I think that line has been going really well.”

Amadio was Nick Paul's junior teammate for three seasons as they helped lead the Brampton/North Bay Battalion, and he's brought the same kind of no-frills reliability that Paul had here in his last couple of years before Ottawa shipped him to Tampa Bay.

Coaches love reliability.

It’s often said the very best way to know what a head coach thinks of a player is not to directly ask him, but to check his ice time. As the Senators took down the New York Islanders in a crucial 3-2 win on Thursday night, the Sault Ste. Marie native led all Senators forwards with 20:13.

But just to be on the safe side, the Ottawa media directly asked Travis Green what he thinks about Amadio.

“Yeah, Ammo’s one of those players. He just quietly brings a good game a lot of nights. He’s very smart. He’s got a real good stick, he can intercept passes well, and he’s got good hockey sense.

“He’s a nice player for us to have for sure.”

Amadio wasn't actually traded away by the Sens in 2021, so it didn't go down exactly as Stutzle described. Former GM Pierre Dorion just opted not to qualify him that summer, and Amadio eventually signed with the Leafs.

Toronto placed him on waivers in the first month, when he was snapped up by Vegas, where he eventually won a Stanley Cup in 2023. The following year, Ottawa signed him to the biggest deal of his career, a three-year pact worth $7.8 million.

Five years ago, under previous management, it's safe to say the Senators didn't know what they had. But today, in their fierce battle for a playoff spot, they'll take all the Ammo they can get. 

Steve Warne
The Hockey News

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Ducks Sign Herman Träff to Entry-Level Contract

The Ducks have signed Herman Träff, the prospect to a three-year entry level contract beginning in 2026-27. Träff will join the San Diego Gulls in the AHL for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Träff was acquired by the Ducks last season when they sent Brian Dumoulin to the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline. Playing for HV71 in the SHL at the time, Träff finished out the 2024-25 season with HV71 before signing a one-year deal with Oskarshamn in the HockeyAllsvenskan this past summer.

“I just feel like I’m gonna be at the place now (where I need to) play much, get more ice time and do my thing,” Träff said at Ducks development camp this past July. “I think it’s going to be good, in Oskarshamn, to do that. We will see. It feels good, and I’m ready for it.”

“He’s a big kid who has some nice skill,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said of Träff in his 2025 post-trade deadline conference call. “He has hockey sense. He plays with an edge and he’s a big kid. And I like that. He’s got an aggressive attitude when it comes to his physical game. Another piece that we can kind of look at to add to this team in the future.”

With Oskarshamn, Träff was able to utilize his shot more than he had before, becoming a power play weapon on the left flank and reaching the 20-goal mark for the first time in his juniors career.

Träff describes himself as a power forward who likes to shoot the puck and throw the body around. At 6-foot-3, he can certainly use his size to his advantage. The next step in his development, Träff says, is to be more direct when attacking.

“Sometimes, I can circle around (the offensive zone) a bit (too) much. I know the hockey they play here (in North America), it’s more against the net.”

The AHL is just the right place to hone in on that, with the style of play often being chaotic and resulting in several goalmouth scrambles every game. It will likely be a couple of seasons in the minors for Träff before he's ready to make the transition to the NHL, but his development path looks promising.

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Kings Vs Mammoth Game Preview: Kings Playoff Hopes Are In Danger

The Kings are on the second game of their back-to-back; they dropped their first game to the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. The Kings scored the first goal halfway through the first period, but after that, it was all Buffalo, as they scored 4 unanswered goals. The Kings have fallen out of a playoff spot, and with the Predators winning today, they are once again 3 points out. The Mammoth are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, so they will be looking to bounce back. 

Projected Kings Lines

Here are the projected lines for the Kings tonight: 

Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere

Alex Turcotte - Scott Laughton - Joel Armia

Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Mathieu Joseph

Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty

Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke

Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci

Darcy Kuemper

Anton Forsberg

Projected Mammoth Lines

Here are the projected lines for the Mammoth tonight: 

Clayton Keller - Nick Schmaltz - Lawson Crouse

JJ Peterka - Logan Cooley - Dylan Guenther

Jack McBain - Barrett Hayton - Michael Carcone

Alexander Kerfoot - Kevin Stenlund - Kailer Yamamoto

Mikhail Sergachev - MacKenzie Weegar

Nate Schmidt - John Marino

Ian Cole - Sean Durzi

Karel Vejmelka

Vitek Vanecek

Injuries and Line Changes 

The Kings did not have a morning skate since they played yesterday. The Kings have scratched Jacob Moverare, Taylor Ward, Jared Wright and are still without Andrei Kuzmenko due to injury. The Mammoth are dressing the same 18 skaters they used in the loss against the Anaheim Ducks. 

Key Factors 

The Kings are in must-win mode, with only 13 games left this season. With them currently 3 points back, they need to make up ground, and this game is a great time to start. The Kings need to protect the lead when they have it and stay in the driver's seat. 

The Kings have also allowed 9 goals in their last 3 games, and that needs to change. This team has been solid defensively throughout the season, and they need to get back to that. As with Panarin, the offence has been better, but the Kings need to play better defensively. 

The Kings are likely to start Darcy Kuemper, and the Mammoth are likely to start Karel Vejmelka, so the goaltending matchup is a big one in tonight's matchup. The Kings have been relying on the Panarin-Kempe duo, and while that has been working well, the depth forwards have to start producing for the Kings. 

If the Kings can play stronger defence and get that depth scoring, they can capitalize on more mistakes, and with the Mammoth being a younger team, the Kings can use that to their advantage.

Overall, the Kings need to win this game to stay within a point of the last wildcard spot. My prediction for tonight's matchup is a 3-1 Kings win. 

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Cubs 12, Brewers 0: Cade Horton is ready for the season

Cubs right-hander Cade Horton, who shapes up to be the No. 2 starter after Matthew Boyd begins the season, had an excellent six-inning outing against the Brewers Sunday at Sloan Park.

Okay, so it was against a team of Brewers minor leaguers, as all the MLB Brewers had departed for Milwaukee Sunday, as they have exhibition games there against the Reds Monday and Tuesday.

Still, Horton was again dominant and the Cubs smashed the Double-A and Triple-A Brewers 12-0.

Horton threw 68 pitches (48 strikes). Here’s more on Horton’s outing [VIDEO].

As for the Cubs offense, most of the regulars played the first few innings of the game and hit those minor-league Brewers well.

Here’s an RBI double by Moisés Ballesteros in the second [VIDEO].

Ballesteros later doubled again. He’s a hitting machine, perfect for the DH role he’ll embody this year.

In the third, Alex Bregman homered [VIDEO].

Ian Happ followed that with a solo homer of his own [VIDEO].

Nico Hoerner had a pair of hits, including a two-run double. Dansby Swanson also drove in a pair.

So, yes, against minor leaguers. Still, it has to be good for these hitters to get into a rhythm before Opening Day on Thursday. After today the Cubs don’t face the Brewers until May 18.

Ben Brown threw two scoreless innings of relief, and was touching 97-98 consistently. I think this will be an excellent role for him this year, and it appears he’s going to make the Opening Day roster and serve in that precise role.

Attendance watch: 14,375 paid on another hot (96 degrees) day at Sloan Park. That pushes the season total over 200,000, at 202,927 for 16 dates. That’s an average of 12,683 per date. (This does not include the Spring Breakout game.)

One more note, ICYMI:

No surprises here. Jonathon Long might have had a shot at the Opening Day roster, but the injury he suffered early in camp set him back too far. I’m thinking he’ll get some chances in the big leagues later this year.

The Cubs will wrap Spring Training 2026 with two exhibition games against the Yankees at Sloan Park. Monday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. CT, Shōta Imanaga will face Carlos Lagrange. No TV Monday, there will be radio broadcasts on both WSCR The Score and the Yankees flagship WFAN 660.

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Forsberg Propels Nashville Predators Past Blackhawks In Overtime | Recap

Filip Forsberg netted his third game-winning goal of the season in the Nashville Predators' 3-2 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday at the United Center. 

The Predators are riding their longest winning streak of the season at four games, rattling off wins over Winnipeg, Seattle, Vegas and Chicago. 

Nashville now has a two-game lead on the Los Angeles Kings for the Wild Card 2 spot. with 75 points. Even if the Kings defeat the Mammoth on Sunday, they will still be a point behind the Predators. 

On the goal, Forsberg shoved Andre Burakovsky off the puck behind the Chicago net and pulled around front. From the right side of Spencer Knight, Forsberg beat him on the left corner for the win. 

It's Forsberg's 32nd goal of the season, nine points in four games. He finished with three points (two goals and an assist) against the Blackhawks. 

Juuse Saros returned to the lineup after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury. He made 26 saves on 28 shots for his 25th win of the season. 

The first period was scoreless before Nick Lardis put the Blackhawks ahead early in the second. 

Nashville responded off Forsberg's first goal of the game. He got a feed from Jonathan Marchessault into the slot and Forsberg on a snap shot. Marchessault's assist was his third point in three games. 

Connor Bedard gave the Blackhawks the lead back in the second period off his 29th goal of the season. 

Steven Stamkos tied the game in the third period, redirecting a feed from Forsberg into the net. Stamkos now has five points in the last three games. 

The Predators head back home on Tuesday to take on the San Jose Sharks, who trail Nashville by five points in the standings. 

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Dodgers on Deck: Monday, March 23 vs. Angels

Los Angeles, CA - October 27: Relief pitcher Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning of game 3 of a World Series baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, October 27, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

After one game in Anaheim, the Freeway Series shifts to Dodger Stadium with the Dodgers hosting the Angels for the first of two games in Los Angeles.

Roki Sasaki makes his final exhibition start, trying to land the plane after a very turbulent spring training. Sasaki starting this middle game of the Freeway Series lines him up to start the second series of the regular season, against the Guardians.

Left-hander Reid Detmers starts Monday for the Angels.

Monday game info
  • Teams: Dodgers at Angels
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
  • Time: 6:10 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA, FanDuel Sports Network West (Angels)
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
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The Spurs should earn multiple end-of-season awards

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 21: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after basket against Indiana Pacers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on March 21, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night, head coach Mitch Johnson had high praise for Keldon Johnson, who led the team with 24 points.

“We are a team with an MVP candidate, multiple All-Stars, multiple All-Defensive NBA candidates, and every single one of our players has said he’s the heart and soul of our team,” Johnson said. “For the team that he is on and the circumstances that I just laid out, with the record that we have, I would find it very hard-pressed to find a better candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.”

KJ is just one of the many members of the team who should be considered for end-of-season accolades. Victor Wembanyama could be the MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Castle could join him on the All-Defensive team, Dylan Harper should be in the running for an All-Rookie team, and Johnson himself is in the running for Coach of the Year.

SB Nation polled readers this week on who should win some of the NBA’s most important awards.

The most interesting finding was that Wembanyama was the favorite to win MVP based on the poll. Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3 blocks while shooting 50.4% from the field, 35.6% from three, and 81.8% from the free throw line. Wembanyama’s offensive numbers don’t quite stack up with other MVP contenders like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, but his defensive impact is immeasurable. There is no perfect defensive stat, but Wembanyama leads the league in individual defensive rating per 100 possessions at 102. The Spurs have a 106.9 defensive rating when he’s on the court and a 117 rating when he’s off. Teams have to change their entire offensive strategy to account for Wembanyama’s presence.

Wembanyama would be the first MVP to average under 25 points per game since Steve Nash in 2005-06. If he gets the votes, his all-around defensive dominance and team success will be leading factors for voters.

The poll also displayed what could be the tightest race for end-of-season awards. Johnson and Detroit Pistons’ head coach JB Bickerstaff are neck-and-neck for Coach of the Year. Both coaches have similar candidacies. They took good young teams to another level, overcoming preseason expectations to establish them as championship contenders. Both teams have two All-Stars in Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Cade Cunningham, and Jalen Duren, and similar talent to build out their rosters.

Currently, the Spurs hold a better record than Detroit at 53-18, while the Pistons are 51-19. San Antonio also swept the season series, going 2-0 against the Pistons. You could argue that those factors give Johnson the edge. Bickerstaff is more likely to win his conference, with the Boston Celtics 4 games back in second place, and the Spurs still 3 games back, chasing the Oklahoma City Thunder for best in the West. As the poll indicates, it’s tough to decide who will win the honors when the season ends.

San Antonio has one of the best records in the NBA, so it makes sense that they will be top of mind for end-of-season award voters. There is a real chance the Spurs could take home serious individual hardware before they make their push for the biggest award of them all: the Larry O’Brien trophy.

To see the betting odds for the awards, use this link: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba