Shohei Ohtani left his Dodgers teammates to be with Team Japan as it prepares for the World Baseball Classic. JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
Just before Samurai Japan took on the Chunichi Dragons in a WBC tuneup at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Ohtani stepped into the box for some batting practice and ripped ball after ball after ball into the seats.
The thousands in attendance — including fellow baseball players — all paused what they were doing to watch the show, and video captured from inside the venue shows nearly everyone was stunned.
In fact, some on the field even pulled out their phones to document the four-time MVP’s session at the dish.
At points, several on the Dragons roster let out audible gasps seeing how far Ohtani was putting baseballs.
Shohei Ohtani’s batting practice left onlookers stunned in Japan on Friday. Chunichi Dragons
When Ohtani wrapped his time at the dish, he received an applause usually reserved for a Home Run Derby contestant.
Ohtani will officially take the field for Team Japan in the WBC when his team kicks off its tournament run on March 6 against Chinese Taipei.
While he isn’t scheduled to pitch in the event while trying to preserve his arm for the 2026 MLB season, it’s clear there will be more than a few fans tuned in to watch his at-bats.
Feb 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) dunks the ball against LA Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
This topic is a little random, but I was somewhat inspired by various podcasts and articles that talk about players that aren’t what they used to be or haven’t lived up to our expectations. I don’t know if he’s the first to come up with this, but a common phrase that Keith Smith likes to use is “he’s more name than game at this point.”
The examples that I can think of off the top of my head are mostly older players that were once very good to great but Father Time has caught up with them. Guys like Brook Lopez, Joe Ingles, and Kevin Love. Some might put Al Horford in that category, but honestly I don’t want to. Actually, I think Nikola Vučević has been trending in this direction for a year or more.
Then there’s a similar type of player that maybe was ranked highly in the draft, showed some promise early on, or flashes in his career, but just haven’t panned out as anyone would have hoped. Sometimes related to injury, and sometimes just not panning out. Maybe that falls under the “bust” category, but not always. Think guys like DeAndre Ayton, Duncan Robinson, Dejounte Murray, or Jalen Green.
So who am I forgetting? Who would you call overrated or over the hill or whatever? Who’s more name than game these days?
PHILADELPHIA - MAY 24: Doug Collins speaks with the media after being named the new coach of the Philadelphia 76ers during the press conference on May 24, 2010 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Tyrese Maxey’s ascension as the next superstar Sixers perimeter player continues to crystalize. On Thursday night in a win over the Miami Heat, the 25-year-old All-Star set the franchise record for made three-point shots, moving ahead of Allen Iverson’s total of 885. Maxey has his whole career in front of him, one that hopefully includes him wearing Sixers red, white and blue for the entirety of it. If all goes as well as Philadelphia hopes, the sharpshooting guard will make this an unbreakable record for the franchise.
The fact that Maxey was able to break this record so quickly into his NBA life is a testament to his skill when launching it up from deep, but also speaks to how weird and inept the Sixers franchise has been when it comes to three-point shooting and how long they were in the basketball Stone Age.
Iverson, who played before the NBA’s analytical and three-point revolution, was never a great shooter from deep. He shot just 30.9 percent from three during his decade-plus stint in Philly. He was just chucking them up while mixing in his crafty driving and ability to live at the free throw line as an undersized superhero.
Previously second in made threes was Robert Covington, initially a Process-era afterthought who carved out an 11-year NBA career. Those Sixers teams, after Sam Hinkie came to power and installed Brett Brown as head coach, finally caught up to the fact that three points are worth more than two. Novel idea! No one was hoisting more shots from beyond the arc during that time than Covington, who did so for some tremendously bad teams in addition to some pretty damn compelling ones.
Before that though? Before Hinkie, after years spent with Daryl Morey in Houston as the Rockets became the league’s most analytically inclined organization, came to Philly? It was as if the team was scared to shoot threes.
I became a full-on NBA nerd, consuming podcasts and all that, during Doug Collins’ tenure. Do you know how hard it was to be a 17-year-old basketball dork who was watching teams like San Antonio flourish, pushing the sport into the next generation, while the laughably irrelevant Sixers preached an offensive philosophy built around long-2s and general junk nonsense? Don’t even get me started on whatever they were doing when Eddie Jordan was running the show with his Princeton offense in 2010 too!
All the credit in the world to Maxey. Again, he should make this total skyrocket with any future Sixer unable to close in on it. I do hope, however, someone like VJ Edgecombe and whatever future role players that the team surrounds the backcourt duo with are up for the task of rewriting this sad record book as it stands currently.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons dismissed assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis on Friday, just hours before he was named as a suspect in a sexual assault case.
The dismissal came shortly after the Falcons said they were looking into allegations that surfaced on social media.
"We are aware of allegations regarding LaTroy Lewis," the Falcons said in a statement before making the move to fire Lewis. “We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”
A direct message seeking comment was sent to Lewis on social media.
The allegations date to Lewis' time at the University of Michigan, where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2022 season before being promoted to assistant defensive line coach for the next two seasons.
“The Ann Arbor Police Department was just recently made aware of allegations regarding a sexual assault reported to have occurred on December 5, 2024,” Ann Arbor Police spokesman Chris Page said. "The suspect in this investigation is LaTroy Lewis.
“The AAPD Detective Bureau launched an immediate investigation into the incident. This investigation remains active and ongoing.”
Karen Truszkowski, the attorney of the woman accusing Lewis of sexual assault, said her client filed an incident report with Ann Arbor police and requested a protective order against Lewis.
The woman and Lewis connected on a dating app in July 2024, and she claims his behavior became aggressive via text message and phone calls, according to Truszkowski. They met for the first time at an Ann Arbor hotel in December 2024, when she told police Lewis that raped her, according to Truszkowski.
The Milford (Michigan) Police Department responded the next month to a 911 call from the woman's neighbors, who heard raised voices, according to Truszkowski. The attorney said her client and Lewis told the police that their argument was not physical.
Truszkowski said her client told Milford police that Lewis was a coach at Michigan, saying she didn't want to talk about it. She was afraid to tell the police at the time that Lewis had physically abused her, according to Truszkowski.
A request was sent to Ann Arbor Police to obtain the police report and protection order tied to the allegations against Lewis that were published on social media by podcast host Justin Spiro.
Lewis coached under former Michigan coaches Sherrone Moore and Jim Harbaugh. Moore was fired in December after having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and charged with three crimes, including felony home invasion and stalking.
“As we have noted, the university launched an investigation of the circumstances and conduct leading to Sherrone Moore’s firing, as well as a broader culture review of the athletic department,” Michigan spokesman Paul Corliss said Friday. “We continue to urge anyone with relevant information to reach out to the law firm conducting the investigation.
“The work is ongoing, and we will be able to share more when it is completed.”
The 32-year-old Lewis, who is from Akron, Ohio, was a standout linebacker at Tennessee and played in two NFL games with the Houston Texans during the 2017 season.
Lewis was hired by the Falcons earlier this month after he spent the 2025 season as Toledo’s defensive line coach.
It is not a secret that one of the San Jose Sharks' biggest needs right now is another defenseman to bolster their blueline. This is especially so when noting that they have several pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) defensemen, like Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg, Vincent Desharnais, and Timothy Liljegren.
The Sharks' right side, in particular, could use a boost. With this, the Sharks are continuing to be connected to one of the NHL's top right-shot defenseman trade candidates.
According to The Fourth Period, the Sharks are one of the teams interested in acquiring New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider.
This is not the first time that the Sharks have been connected to Schneider, and it makes sense given their need for another right-shot defenseman. If they acquired him from the Rangers, he would instantly become one of their top defenseman and likely would play in their top four because of it.
Schneider's age also makes him stand out as a likely fit for the Sharks. This is because he is still only 24 years old and could have the potential to improve with a much-needed fresh start.
Yet, with Schneider being a former first-round pick who is still in his mid-20s, it is likely that the Sharks will not be the only team interested in him. It will be interesting to see if San Jose can end up landing him from here.
Feb 17, 2026; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher MacKenzie Gore during media day at Surprise Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Today the Texas Rangers are back to playing only one spring training game. That game will be played from Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ where the Rangers will take on the Chicago White Sox.
LHP MacKenzie Gore is set to take the mound for Texas opposite RHP Erick Fedde for Chicago.
Today’s Lineups
RANGERS
WHITE SOX
Evan Carter – CF
Miguel Vargas – 3B
Jake Burger – 1B
Kyle Teel – C
Josh Smith – 2B
Colson Montgomery – SS
Michael Helman – LF
Austin Hays – RF
Alejandro Osuna – RF
Andrew Benintendi – LF
Cameron Cauley – SS
LaMonte Wade – 1B
Jose Herrera – C
Sam Antonacci – 2B
Rafe Perich – DH
Brooks Baldwin – CF
Luke Hanson – 3B
Dustin Harris – DH
MacKenzie Gore – LHP
Erick Fedde – RHP
Chicago has a radio and video feed for this one, otherwise you’ll have to follow along on Gameday. First pitch from Camelback Ranch is scheduled for 2:05 pm CT.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The 76ers defeated the Suns 109-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to Arizona Sports’ insider John Gambadoro, Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker is set to return to the lineup either on Tuesday or Thursday of next week against the Kings or Bulls.
This development arrives at a critical time for a team that’s been searching for offensive rhythm and a semblance of perimeter consistency. They get their engine back!
Devin Booker is progressing well from a hip strain and trending towards being back after this four-day break – Likely either Sacramento on Tuesday or Chicago on Thursday.
Booker’s return should hopefully allow Jalen Green to settle into the role we all envisioned him being in, rather than having to be “the guy”. In the last four games he’s missed, Phoenix has gone 1-3, and their offense has fallen off a cliff outside of last night’s game, which probably says more about the Lakers’ defense than the Suns’ offense.
Booker missed significant time previously this season, but with Brooks, Allen, Gillespie, and Goodwin available (mostly) during that stretch, it was easier to survive. Now, without Brooks, the margin for key guards being absent is razor-thin.
As for Goodwin, his projected return being about a week behind offers another layer of reinforcement. His defensive edge and point-of-attack pressure have also been missed, particularly in matchups where Phoenix has struggled to contain dribble penetration.
The Next 6 Games
March 3 @ Sacramento Kings
March 5 vs Chicago Bulls
March 6 vs New Orleans Pelicans
March 8 vs Charlotte Hornets
March 10 @ Milwaukee Bucks
March 12 @ Indiana Pacers
The Suns' next 6 games. Presents a great opportunity to make up some ground, especially with Devin Booker returning. pic.twitter.com/HVikU2e4Ry
They have an unusual number of days off as their next game isn’t until Tuesday, giving them time to reset and recover. The schedule lightens up, and they get their star back. It’s time to make up some ground!
Erik Fedde’s first shot at staying out of street clothes in 2026 comes today vs. Texas. | (Photo by Rayni Shiring/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The White Sox have three split-squad game days this spring, including the Prospect Breakout game vs. the Dodgers. And, lucky you, today is the first! There no Munetaka Murakami today for the Sox — or for any time in the near future, as he has departed to join Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
Leading off at 2:05 p.m. CT is the Camelback Ranch game, hosting Texas:
Old friend and apparent heir apparent to the No. 5 starter spot, Erik Fedde, gets his first look of the spring. The impressive Sam Antonacci gets another start, in the 6-spot, continuing to get a long early look from the Sox.
The game is on White Sox radio (WMVP-AM 1000) and also on something called CWS Video. I presumed that meant a webcast, but at the moment I’m not certain that’s so. But still THIS is the game with actual White Sox broadcast coverage, in some form.
Over in Phoenix, Sean Burke takes the ball for the second time this spring, hoping to stay perfect through his two or three frames:
Slugging star shortstop Tanner Murray takes the 6-spot in this one, as the two lineups for today are equally strong (or weak, depending on your take). This ballgame is a Cactus League ghost on the White Sox side, with only Gameday and Brewers radio to confirm its existence.
Phoenix, AZ - February 17, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) at the 2026 Dodgers spring training at Camelback Ranch, Phoenix, AZ on February 17, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Dodgers look to make it a 7-0 start this spring, as they are on the road to take on the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Yoshinobu Yamamoto makes his final spring start against left-hander Robbie Ray.
Feb 26, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Fans wait for autographs while holding baseballs before the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Florida Marlins during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Last Thursday, I put up an open thread, saying that I was going to do so every Thursday so we could have a place to talk about whatever was on our minds. And then, Yesterday, I totally forgot about that.
So this week, it is a Friday Open Thread.
You can discuss anything you like (barring, you know, politics and religion). It doesn’t have to be baseball, but it can be if you like.
At the moment, the thing on my mind is: There are a lot of places on this planet where, if you go to bed and it is +10 C, you will not not wake up to 5 inches of snow on your driveway the next morning. Why do I live in one of those latter places?????
Nimmala started 2025 on fire with High-A Vancouver, hitting nearly .290 and looking like he was ready to take the next step. But as the season wore on, the hot start simmered, and he struggled to maintain that early production over the final two-thirds of the year. Now 20, he enters 2026 with a chance to find more consistency and build on his flashes of promise. Double-A is next, and if he can carry his early-season form across a full campaign, Nimmala could begin to establish himself as a reliable everyday shortstop.
Arjun is 20 this year. I don’t know critical season? It would be great if he blew the doors off of the season and forced the Jays to put him active roster next year. But I don’t think the Jays will give up on him if he has a terrible year.
I don’t know, it is a critical season for Yariel Rodriguez. I guess it depends if you call him a prospect or not. Now Yariel is making a lot of money, so this season is critical for his baseball career, if not his bank account.
Ricky Tiedemann? He’s number 5 on FanGraphs list of top Blue Jays prospects, but he’s 23 now and coming off Tommy John surgery. I’m going to discount the soreness they told us about the other day. He’s just off Tommy John, there is going to be soreness. But, if he’s going to have the MLB career we thought he was going to have, he’s going to have to get it on track again.
If you want a non-baseball topic? What are you watching? I’m watching West Wing (again). I watch it every two or three years. I like the writing and the acting. I like the idea of smart people talking about big decisions. I like the idea that the people who make the big decisions care about the people those decisions are going to effect.
A clinical century from Georgia Voll has propelled Australia to One Day International victory over India in Hobart on Friday and ahead in the multi-format series.
Feb 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; San Antonio Spurs center Mason Plumlee (45) during warm up before a game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Spurs have signed center Mason Plumlee for the remainder of the season. They first signed him to a 10-day contract — you guessed it — 10 days ago, and now they’re making it permanent.
Mason Plumlee is signing a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Plumlee completed his first 10-day contract and now will finish his 13th NBA season in San Antonio. https://t.co/FYMiJDfzq5
Plumlee has yet to appear in a game for the Spurs as he works his way back into game shape, having last played on Dec. 22 for the Charlotte Hornets. He was signed after the Spurs waived Jeremy Sochan (who went on to sign with the Knicks) to help shore up their depth at the center position. While Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet have been one of the best starter/back-up combinations in the league, both have had injuries at times this season, so having that third insurance policy player is important.
By signing Plumlee before the March 1 Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline, he will be eligible to play in the postseason. (It’s so nice we can say that again, let alone without having to attach any caveats such as “if they make the playoffs” — although to be fair, they technically haven’t yet.) The signing solidifies the Spurs’ roster at 15 guaranteed players, so if they wish to sign any other players, they’ll need to waive someone themselves. (Jordan McLaughlin would be the most likely candidate, but the odds of that are likely slim at this point. There’s no reason to mess with a good thing.)
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the first inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Surprise Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello and welcome to week two of Spring Training. I was going to write up a separate “perfectly reasonable reactions” post as I usually do at this time of Spring Training but there’s just too much going on this year, so I’m going to hit you with some bullet points here, instead:
Josh Rojas has already socked a couple of dingers, and while it seems unlikely he’ll make the roster, if he keeps it up, he positions himself to get an early chance somewhere this year.
Helcris Olivárez seems to be making a case to join the roster as a left-handed reliever. He’s already appeared three times after signing as a minor league free agent, and the book on him was that he had big stuff, but he couldn’t get it near the strike zone; he’s been keeping it near the strike zone so far this spring. He might not make the Opening Day roster but he figures to be among the guys rotating between Omaha and KC if he can keep this up.
Jac Caglianone continues to terrorize the Cactus League. launching a mammoth home run one day and a 120.2 MPH double yesterday. Once again, he seems to have little to prove anywhere except at the big league regular season level and he seems destined to get another shot, this year. Let’s hope it goes better the second time.
Carter Jensen is holding up his end of the Carter and Cags duo with a 1.222 OPS so far including a two-run bomb yesterday. Yesterday was really fun for fans of the non-existent western mystery series that the two seem to have come from, as there were two separate innings where they each collected a solid hit and an RBI.
Finally, Michael Massey entered the spring battling for a roster spot but as good as he has looked early, he might now be fighting for India’s starting job at second base. We’ve talked a lot about how India might bounce back this year, but it’s worth remembering that Massey isn’t without his prior big league success, either.
Anyway, here is today’s lineup:
I’m probably wrong, but this is the first time I remember EVER seeing Bobby hitting leadoff. Maybe Quatraro wasn’t blowing smoke when he suggested the shortstop might be leading off for the team this year. It may only be a trial to see how Bobby feels about doing it in practice and he may decide that, no, he really does hate it. But it’s interesting to at least consider it. Batting Isaac Collins fourth probably means nothing, but it’s also very interesting as a lot of the discussions around the Royals have been about how Maikel Garcia can’t lead off because Collins and India, the other two primarily considered candidates, can’t hit in the middle, and he can.
Bailey Falter is getting the start for today, but here are the other pitchers the Royals have included in their game roster and could pitch:
Nick Mears
Hector Neris
Dennis Colleran Jr
Oscar Rayo
Daniel Lynch IV
Carlos Estévez
Andrew Pérez
Aaron Sanchez
Steven Zobac
Hunter Patteson
Rayo, Pérez, and Patteson are probably the guys who only pitch if someone can’t get out of their inning before they hit a limit. Everyone will be keeping a close eye on Estévez’s velocity as it was way down in his first Spring appearance, but that’s hardly the first time that’s been true of the closer, including last year when he ended up doing just fine for himself.
Today’s game can be heard online at royals.com or through the At Bat app. It’s also available on the radio on 1660 AM in Kansas City.
No. 1 was a two-year, $40 million contract with the Diamondbacks. No. 2, at least on paper, seemed better.
When it came down to the Padres and Diamondbacks for Merrill Kelly this offseason, he said he chose Arizona due to California’s tax laws. Getty Images
It was a three-year, fully guaranteed deal with the Padres that appeared to have a similar average annual value.
Kelly, though, chose the former — and during a sitdown interview with Foul Territory’s Scott Braun and A.J. Pierzynski this week, he explained the decision was almost entirely due to the Golden State’s tax system.
“I don’t think it’s any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California,” the 37-year-old right-hander said.
There were, of course, other factors that pulled Kelly toward Arizona. He went to high school at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale and played collegiately at Arizona State.
Merrill Kelly reveals he had a three-year offer from the Padres on the table.
And, the father of two young kids has called the Phoenix area home while logging innings for the Snakes in each of the past seven seasons.
“Coming back here,” he admitted, “it was always the priority.”
But after Pierzynski jokingly told him he was “the first person ever that’s been offered a bunch of money to go live in San Diego and said no,” Kelly made it crystal clear that giving away a significant portion of his income to a state government was ultimately a dealbreaker for him.
“I love San Diego,” Kelly said. “It’s just, like I said, they take too much money out of my pocket, man. The taxes over there are a different level.
“We had my numbers guy run the numbers, and it just made more sense to come home.”
Merrill Kelly has logged innings for the Diamondbacks in each of the last seven seasons. Allan Henry-Imagn ImagesDiamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly throwing a pitch during a game at Yankee Stadium. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
If he had opted for the Padres’ offer, Kelly was likely staring down a state income tax in the ballpark of 13 percent. A far more palatable 2.5 percent state income tax rate was part of his Diamondbacks deal.
“It worked out best for us because that was honestly our second choice,” Kelly said. “It was between here and San Diego going into the offseason. San Diego was really the only place that, if we did go somewhere, that was probably high on our list if we weren’t in Arizona. It’s like, ‘All right, let’s just hop over and take a short, six-hour drive to San Diego.’
“But, yeah, the desert is home. I guess we’re not ocean people.”
The Padres — who told The California Post on Friday, when asked for a statement on Kelly’s remarks that they “do not comment on contract negotiations” — could have certainly used the pitcher’s arm on their roster this season.
In 184 innings last year (split between the Diamondbacks and Rangers following a trade at the MLB’s summer deadline), he boasted a 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA and 167 strikeouts.
Baseball Reference projects him to own a 10-7 record with a. 3.79 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 2026, though Kelly did confirm this week the start of his season will be delayed due to a back injury.
The Padres will now head into ’26 with a starting rotation anchored by Michael King, Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta — and a big wonder of what if California’s tax laws were just a little less strenuous.
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Our NBA player prop projections are back for tonight’s marquee matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Our Covers prediction model has led us to a few NBA prop bets that offer solid value. We’ve evaluated the numbers, and our Nuggets vs. Thunder predictions are based solely on our data-driven model.
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Nuggets computer picks
Cameron Johnson Over 11.5 points (-115)
Projection: 14 points
Cameron Johnson has fit seamlessly into the Denver Nuggets' rotation, and this projects as a bounce-back scoring spot even though he’s fallen short of this number in four of his last seven.
Johnson does most of his damage from beyond the arc, and that’s where the opportunity lies. The Oklahoma City Thunder has allowed nearly 13 made threes per game over its last five contests, which fits into Johnson’s role.
With the pace uptick and three-point volume in play, Johnson is in a good spot to reach at least 12 points tonight.
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Julian Strawther Over 2.5 rebounds (-135)
Projection: 3.4 rebounds
Julian Strawther has quietly been productive on the glass for Denver, and this sets up as another favorable rebounding spot for the former Gonzaga standout.
He’s grabbed at least three boards in two of his last three games, and the matchup helps. Oklahoma City has allowed 44 rebounds per game over its last five, creating steady opportunities for wings and guards to chip in on the glass.
Strawther averages around 25 minutes per night, which is more than enough runway to clear a modest rebounding number. With consistent floor time and a cooperative matchup, he’ll get there again.
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Christian Braun Under 1.5 made threes (-145)
Projection: 1.1 made threes
Christian Braun has hit two or more threes in just two of his last five games, and our model doesn’t project a breakout spot.
He’s shooting a career-low 28% from deep on 2.5 attempts per game this season, and efficiency has been the bigger issue than volume. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back, Oklahoma City’s perimeter defense tightens up, particularly against opposing guards.
The Thunder are allowing just three made threes per game to guards, limiting clean catch-and-shoot looks, and Braun's opportunities for a strong shooting night from downtown.
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Thunder computer picks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 28.5 points (-115)
Projection: 24.7 points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected back after missing nine games, but this number assumes a full workload, and that’s far from certain.
While the matchup may look favorable on paper, Oklahoma City has no reason to push its franchise player in his first game back. A managed minutes plan is the most logical approach, especially with the bigger picture in mind.
Gilgeous-Alexander has also scored fewer than 29 points in three of his last five appearances, and if his floor time is trimmed even slightly, he won’t clear his prop total.
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Isaiah Hartenstein Over 9.5 points (-112)
Projection: 11.1 points
Isaiah Hartenstein has quietly become a reliable interior scorer for Oklahoma City, and tonight shapes up as another favorable spot.
He’s reached double figures in four of his last five games, finding consistent looks around the rim and in pick-and-roll action. The matchup helps: Denver is allowing nearly 50 points per game in the paint, leaving room for physical centers to operate inside.
Hartenstein should see roughly 25 minutes, and with SGA back to draw defensive attention, the quality of his touches could improve even further.
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Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points (-120)
Projection: 18.4 points
Chet Holmgren is coming off a quiet seven-point outing in Toronto and has cleared this scoring number just once in his last five, but this sets up as a strong rebound spot.
Holmgren’s versatility is the key. With SGA back in the lineup, Oklahoma City can fully re-engage its pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop actions, which are two areas where Holmgren thrives.
The added defensive attention on SGA should create cleaner looks both at the rim and from mid-range and allow Holmgren to get back to getting buckets for OKC.
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How to watch Nuggets vs Thunder tonight
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Friday, February 27, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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