Manager knows his quadruple-chasers have a target on their back in their FA Cup fifth round trip to Mansfield
Mikel Arteta knows the score. There is a reason why Arsenal’s trip to Mansfield Town on Saturday is the tie of the FA Cup fifth round, why it has been selected by TNT Sports for a 12.15pm kick-off. It has all the ingredients and everybody – Arsenal fans aside – is looking for an upset. Arteta was asked whether he was clear on that point. “Yes,” the Arsenal manager replied.
It has always been this way when a top club visits a minnow and, to repeat, the plotlines are certainly there for this one. Mansfield are 16th in League One, too close to the relegation line for the comfort of the manager, Nigel Clough. The Stags have gone nine league matches without a win.
DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland scraped past Wales 27-17 and stayed in the Six Nations title race on Friday for at least 24 hours.
France can successfully retain the title by beating Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
While Ireland won its first-ever Friday home championship match with a four-try bonus point, Wales took most of the plaudits.
Wales started as a 20-point underdog but was trailing by only two points as late as the 68th minute.
Wales hadn't beaten Ireland in Dublin in the championship in 14 years but Irish flyhalf Jack Crowley was made to kick a 77th-minute penalty to avoid the chance of a humbling draw.
Wales was second best in terms of territory and possession but backed up its three-point home loss to Scotland in the last round with magnificent defense, and an even better all-round show of commitment and progress.
Wales' Six Nations losing streak was extended to 15 games and it may yet finish the tournament with a third consecutive wooden spoon, but it was more encouragingly competitive against Ireland than coach Steve Tandy hoped for.
“We're disappointed but massive pride in our character,” Tandy said. “There's confidence building in the team and that is going to take us to the win in the near future.”
There was none of the fist-pumping joy by Ireland coach Andy Farrell during the record away win against England two weeks ago as his team failed to back that up with the expected big win over Wales.
“Credit to Wales, they were outstanding, certainly getting better defensively," he told broadcaster ITV. "They made it a scrap so to come away with a bonus-point, happy with that."
Wales didn't give Ireland the space on the outside that it enjoyed against England. Wales' rush defense, spearheaded by center Eddie James, frequently shut down Ireland attempts to go wide.
The defense was outstanding, especially on the tryline. Alex Mann made 28 tackles and two turnovers in his 22, Dafydd Jenkins added 27 tackles, James Botham 24 and Dewi Lake 23.
Ireland started impressively. Winger Jacob Stockdale ran off the shoulder of midfielder Stuart McCloskey, his Ulster clubmate, to score his first test try since 2021.
Ireland had two more attacks of at least a dozen phases in the first 20 minutes. But an Irish knock-on rubbed out a try for Jack Conan, and the second chance was turned over by Mann.
Holding out Ireland galvanized Wales.
Ireland took a half-hour to score again, through Crowley, who couldn't convert his own try.
The Irish looked set to reach halftime up 12-3. But Wales prop Rhys Carre, who was prevented from adding another tap penalty try that he managed against France and Scotland, made like a winger from 35 meters out and blew past three Irish for a brilliant try. Wales' leading try-scorer in the championship was even smiling before he scored.
"I saw some space and went as hard as I could and no one caught me,” Carre told ITV.
The Irish gave themselves breathing room on the scoreboard again when Conan scored from a tap penalty after halftime.
But Wales refused to bow down. Josh Adams botched a try chance throwing a forward pass to Botham but Botham scored off a ruck and Dan Edwards converted for 19-17.
It took a Joe McCarthy steal to launch the fourth Irish try walked in by fullback Jamie Osborne with 12 minutes to go. Wales lost scrumhalf Tomos Williams to the sin-bin and Crowley, who missed two easy goalkicks, made the result safe for Ireland with his only penalty.
When it comes to the race for NBA Most Valuable Player, we’re coming to an inflection point.
Because of the 65-game eligibility rule stipulating that a player must appear in at least as many games to qualify for individual honors, several stars who have dealt with injuries are now approaching disqualification.
Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s MVP, must play in 13 of his team’s final 18 games of the regular season. Denver Nuggets All-Star center Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP, can miss no more than a single game over the team's final 20 to maintain eligibility.
It all sets up for a tight finish through the final month of the 2025-26 season.
Here's the latest iteration of the USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP rankings:
His standing here will almost certainly be compromised, now that Jayson Tatum is making his return for the final 20 games of Boston’s season. Brown, though, was a stabilizing presence and may even continue to be the primary option as Tatum works his way back to game shape. The Celtics owe him immense gratitude for his efforts to carry the team on both ends. He’s averaging career-highs in points (28.9; tied for fourth-most in the NBA), rebounds (7.2) and assists (5.0), and is a steady defensive presence. The Celtics are one of the big surprises of the season because of him.
There’s a strong argument for Wembanyama to be higher up on this list. The Spurs are just behind the Thunder in the West, and Wembanyama continues to impact both ends of the floor with efficiency. He leads the NBA in blocks per game (2.7), but he also alters dozens of shot attempts per game. He ranks sixth in rebounds (11.2) and is shooting a career-high 50.1% from the floor. It seems that we write this in every edition of the MVP power rankings, but, once again, he’s only getting better each time he steps on the court.
As mentioned above, the big issue here is Jokić’s availability and eligibility. Yet, consider this: he has played 47 games this season, and 23 of those – or 48.9% – have resulted in triple-doubles. Statically, no player has better numbers than Jokić, who is actually averaging a triple-double (28.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists per game). And, frankly, if Jokić hadn’t missed all the games that he has, he’d probably top this list. But that time missed cannot be overlooked, at least at this point in the season.
Unfair or not, MVPs tend to go to the best player on the best teams. The Pistons have lost two consecutive games to a pair of contenders in the Cavaliers and Spurs. In one of those losses, against Cleveland, Cunningham scored just 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting, though he did generate 14 assists. Still, Cunningham is the catalyst through which Detroit’s offense runs. His 9.8 assist per game rank second in the NBA (behind Jokić), and his defense is an essential part of his game; his length and persistence helps establish Detroit’s defensive identity.
Always the model of consistency, Gilgeous-Alexander moves slightly ahead of Cunningham after an uneven week for the Detroit star. Gilgeous-Alexander is on the verge of breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126 consecutive games with at least 20 points, now three games away from the mark (through March 5). Gilgeous-Alexander has worked on his efficiency this season – which was already remarkably high. He’s shooting fewer 3s, is at a career-high 55.1% field goal rate and is carrying his team as Oklahoma City is dealing with several injuries.
The New York Rangers have reportedly traded Brennan Othmann to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Jacob Battaglia.
Othmann was selected by the Rangers with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, marking Chris Drury’s first draft pick as Rangers president and general manager.
Despite being drafted with high expectations, Othmann struggled to carve out a sustainable role with the Rangers.
He spent much of his time with the organization playing for the Harford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Over the past two seasons, the 23-year-old forward has played a total of 39 NHL games, recording one goal, two assists, and three points.
“I just think it has been a little bit of an inconsistent game,” Mike Sullivan of Othmann said shortly after the Rangers sent him down to the AHL. “There’s been times when he’s made a positive impact on the game, there’s been others when he hasn’t. We’ve talked a lot to him about attention to detail, bringing in a reliable conscientious game.”
The Flames selected Battaglia in the second round with the 62nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The 19-year-old forward currently plays for the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League. In 22 games this season, Battaglia has recorded 12 goals, four assists, and 16 points.
Battaglia also served as captain of the Kingston Frontenacs before being traded to the Firebirds.
NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Napoli beat Torino 2-1 on Friday to close the gap on second-place AC Milan to one point and maintain its record as the only team still unbeaten at home in Serie A this season.
Torino hasn’t beaten Napoli in the top tier since the 2008-09 season and it fell behind after six minutes.
Alisson Santos created a meter of space on the edge of the Torino penalty area and fired a low shot past the outstretched arm of Alberto Paleari.
Third-place Napoli dominated throughout and Eljif Elmas spun to volley home Matteo Politano’s knock down and make it 2-0 midway through the second half.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte introduced playmaker Kevin De Bruyne for his first appearance since an October injury, but his team was forced to sweat in the final seconds after Cesare Casadei pulled back a late consolation goal for Torino.
Napoli, though, held on to open a five-point gap on fourth-place Roma. It now has 56 points, one behind Milan and 11 behind champions-elect Inter.
Inter and Milan face off in the Milan derby on Sunday.
Brendon McCullum is set to remain England’s coach across all formats as the England and Wales Cricket Board wrapped up a review following their 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 10: Alan Roden #19 of the Minnesota Twinswarms up before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field on August 10, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch (CT):5:05 PM TV: Twins.TV Radio: 830 WCCO/Audacy App Know Yo’ Foe: Battery Power
What to watch: We’re on Roden CF watch yet again. With how well both he and James Outman have been playing this Spring, the Twins will have some hard decisions to make if a trade isn’t done before Opening Day. Also, Twins legends Kyle Farmer and DaShawn Keirsey are in the lineup for Atlanta!
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 27: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans is defended by Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the game at Smoothie King Center on December 27, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (35-27) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (20-44)
When: 7:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center— Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Suns+
Listen: KMVP 98.7
There is no time to wallow. No time to lick your wounds.
The Phoenix Suns dropped a game last night to the Chicago Bulls, and less than twenty-four hours later, they are back on the floor again. This time the opponent is the New Orleans Pelicans.
On paper, it feels like a matchup Phoenix should handle. That thought probably sounds familiar, because the same thing was said before the Chicago game. The Suns walked into that one flat, unmotivated, and disconnected on the defensive end. That performance came against a team fully comfortable living in the tank. Yet the Suns could only muster 103 points. The taste of blood is still fresh in your mouth as you attempt to get back up off of the mat.
New Orleans presents a different kind of challenge on Friday night as they coem on on the second night of a back-to-back as well. They are coming in off of a victory against the Sacramento Kings.
Yes, the Pelicans bring a 20-44 record into the building. At first glance, that looks like another team drifting toward the lottery. The recent results tell a different story, however. They have won five of their last seven games, and they have zero incentive to lose. Why would they? Their first-round pick in this upcoming draft already belongs to the Atlanta Hawks, the price they paid to acquire Derik Queen. Losing games does not help them. Competing does. Evaluating talent does. Using the final stretch of the season as a launching pad toward next year does.
So when the Suns step on the floor tonight chasing win number 36, a total that would match last season, they will not find an easy path waiting for them. The team from the Big Easy is coming in with a purpose, and Phoenix already learned the hard way what happens when you assume the schedule will cooperate.
That question kept coming up over and over during their loss to the Chicago Bulls. Chicago attacked the paint all night long. It felt like every drive found daylight. Granted, the Bulls bring a pair of unbelievably twitchy guards in Collin Sexton and Tre Jones. Both of them repeatedly beat Suns defenders off the dribble and forced the defense to collapse.
The Pelicans approach the paint in a different way. They do not rely on guard burst in the same fashion, although they still place enormous pressure on the interior. New Orleans attempts the fourth most two-point shots in the NBA. They are also eighth in offensive rebounds, pulling down 12.3 per game. Their offensive identity revolves around pressure near the rim. No team in the league takes more shots in the restricted area than the Pelicans. They average 34.8 attempts per game in that space. That number sits 3.8 attempts more serious than the second-place team.
That second-place team? The Chicago Bulls.
On the other end of the spectrum sit the Suns. Phoenix averages 19.8 attempts per game in the restricted area, the second-lowest mark in the league.
So the script tonight might feel familiar. The method of attack could look slightly different, although the destination remains the same. Chicago leaned on its guards to slice through the defense. New Orleans applies that pressure through size and physicality on the wings and inside. Zion Williamson averages 9.1 field goal attempts per game in the restricted area. Derik Queen sits at 4.7. Trey Murphy adds another 4.4.
They attack the interior with length, power, and volume.
Meanwhile, the Suns will likely lean into their own identity. Phoenix spreads the floor and fires away from deep. That is their offense, as they are 6th in NBA in three-point rate, attempting 45.1% of their shots from deep. Last year’s team was at 44.0%.
The question is whether their defense can survive the constant pressure waiting for them near the rim. Which leads me to…
Key to a Suns Win
The Suns are going to have to hit their three-pointers. Plain and simple.
When this team shoots well from deep, the math works in their favor. When the shots do not fall, the margin disappears quickly. It really is that straightforward. In games where Phoenix shoots under 35% from three point range, they are 9-17. In games where they clear that 35% mark, they are 26-10.
The Phoenix Suns are 15th in the NBA in three-point shooting at 35.9%
In games in which they’ve made >35% of their threes: 26-10 (.722)
That number tells the story. The Suns live and die with the long ball, and nights like this one will likely follow that same script.
We will probably see a similar formula tonight, especially when you consider how much size the Pelicans bring to the interior. The Suns do not have many players who consistently penetrate and finish at the rim. That has been an issue throughout the season, and with more injuries piling up, it becomes even more noticeable.
Without reliable pressure at the rim, the offense continues to lean heavily on the three-point line. That is where the spacing comes from. That is where the scoring bursts arrive. So the math remains the same. If the Suns hit over 35% of their three-pointers, they put themselves in a position to win this game.
Prediction Time
I struggle with this one. The Suns have not looked good for a while now. We all know the reasons. Injuries, totations shifting, and players trying to rediscover rhythm. All of that exists. The reality remains the same: they have not looked good.
It does not seem to matter whether the offense runs through the number one option or the number two option. Some nights, they look unstoppable from beyond the arc. Other nights, the offense goes quiet and the game drifts into long scoring droughts. The inconsistency is real right now. This was a top ten three-point shooting team earlier in the season. They have slipped to fifteenth in the league. Maybe it is tired legs. Maybe it is rhythm. It certainly is not a lack of opportunity.
The Suns take the sixth-most wide-open three pointers in the NBA. Despite that, they rank fourteenth in converting those shots. The looks are there. The results have been uneven.
But I am going to lean toward a bounce back tonight. Grayson Allen does not go 5-of-16. Jalen Green does not go 1-of-8. Collin Gillespie does not go 1-of-5. The Suns hit around 37% of their threes, knock down 17 of them, and that ends up being enough to win the game.
Brennan Othmann #78 of the New York Rangers warms up before a game against the Boston Bruins.
Brennan Othmann is getting a fresh start.
The Rangers traded Othmann, the 16th-overall pick in 2021, to the Flames before Friday’s 3 p.m. deadline, per a league source. In exchange, the Rangers received wing prospect Jacob Battaglia from Calgary.
Both skaters needed a change of scenery, and this deal made it possible.
Brennan Othmann #78 of the New York Rangers warms up before a game against the Boston Bruins. NHLI via Getty Images
Othmann has been on the trade block for a majority of this season. Over 42 games with the Rangers across parts of three seasons, the 23-year-old was unable to establish himself at the NHL level. It took him 34 games to score his first goal, but it finally happened this season against the Flyers on Jan. 17.
He finishes his Rangers tenure with one goal and two assists while averaging 9:52 of ice time per game.
Battaglia was drafted 62nd overall in 2024 by the Flames, but he has yet to make his NHL debut. This season in the Ontario Hockey League, the 19-year-old was traded from the Kingston Frontenacs to the Flint Firebirds in early January.
Jacob Battaglia #88 of the Kingston Frontenacs skates against the Ottawa 67’s. Getty Images
In 58 OHL games this season between the Frontenacs and Firebirds, Battaglia has posted 26 goals and 17 assists.
MUNICH, Germany (AP) — Luis Díaz scored one goal and made another as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-1 on Friday to extend its lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 14 points over second-place Borussia Dortmund.
With Harry Kane injured, Nicolas Jackson started in the centre-forward position for Bayern, one of seven changes to the side that beat Dortmund in Der Klassiker last weekend.
But it was Colombian Díaz who started the rampage.
He opened the scoring after 33 minutes with a crashing volley and then turned provider 12 minutes later when his clever pass set up Konrad Laimer to make it 2-0.
Bayern’s task was made easier when Rocco Reitz was sent off for rugby tackling Jackson 10 minutes into the second half.
Jamal Musiala dispatched the resulting penalty to score his first goal of the season and Jackson celebrated his return to the side by adding a fourth 11 minutes from time.
Wael Mohya, 17, grabbed a consolation goal for Gladbach in the dying moments, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
The only disconcerting note for reigning champion Bayern was the withdrawal at halftime of Manuel Neuer. The Germany goalkeeper had returned after missing two games through injury. The extent of his complaint was not immediately apparent.
Gladbach remains in 12th place with 25 points, only three clear of the relegation zone.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Kaety L’Amoreaux scored 21 points, Meghan Andersen added 16 points and No. 25 Fairfield eased by Sacred Heart 69-53 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament for its ninth victory in a row.
Fairfield (26-4), the No. 2 seed, continues its quest for a third straight MAAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. The Stags already secured their third straight regular-season title, the seventh in program history.
L’Amoreaux, the conference player of the year, and Andersen combined for 22 points in the first half to help Fairfield build a 35-24 lead. Andersen scored five points during a 12-0 second-quarter run that gave the Stags a 14-point lead.
Fairfield led by double figures the entire second half. The Stags closed the third quarter on a 9-0 run and led by as many as 27 in the fourth before Sacred Heart scored the final 11 points of the game against reserves.
L’Amoreaux and Andersen each went 7 of 11 from the field to help Fairfield shoot 46% overall, while Sacred Heart was held to 19-of-54 shooting (35%). L’Amoreaux reached 20-plus points for the sixth time this season.
Cyanne Coe added 10 points for Fairfield. Carly Thibault-DuDonis reached 100 wins during her four-year career to become the fastest coach in MAAC history to reach the mark.
Emma Kirby led Sacred Heart (13-18), the No. 7 seed, with 15 points. Amelia Wood added 11 points, Missy Nuku had 10 points and Nalyce Dudley grabbed 10 rebounds.
Up next
Sacred Heart: Season likely comes to an end.
Fairfield: Awaits the winner of Saturday's quarterfinal game between Merrimack and Mount St. Mary's — with the semifinal set for Sunday.
For the Florida Panthers, this year’s deadline was far less eventful than in recent seasons.
That’s not terribly surprising considering this is the first time in several years that Florida is not poised to enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs with an eye on competing for a championship.
The Panthers were viewed as sellers, with pending unrestricted free agents Sergei Bobrovsky and A.J. Greer garnering the most interest.
Ultimately Florida decided to stand pat on both.
Bobrovsky, who is wrapping up the seven-year, $70 million deal he signed with the Panthers in 2019, is reportedly looking to sign an extension to seemingly finish his career in South Florida.
It’s something that the Panthers would also be interested in exploring, according to GM Bill Zito.
"Sergei is a part of our franchise, a part of our core, and we want to try and keep him,” he said. “He’s a consummate professional. I want Sergei to stay. and I’m looking forward to having him back.”
Bobrovsky will be 38 years old on Opening Night next season.
As for Greer, Florida received interest right up until the 3 p.m. deadline.
That’s also not a surprise as Greer is enjoying a career season, setting new highs in goals (11) and points (22) through just 61 games played, and he’s nine shots on goal away from a new career high in that department as well.
“I think with almost any player, and I say this a lot, you always listen,” said Zito. “When the phone rings, you answer, because you don’t know what could happen.”
Now the Panthers will head into the final 20 games of the season knowing that while this season did not go anywhere near how they’d hoped, there is still plenty to be excited about beyond 2025-26.
That starts as soon as this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. Florida’s 2026 first-round pick is lottery protected, meaning if the Panthers do not make the playoffs, they’ll be entered into the NHL Draft Lottery and the pick will remain theirs.
With 20 games left, Florida is next-to-last in the Eastern Conference. They’re 10 points back of the final Wild Card spot and would have to climb over seven teams to obtain it.
Impossible? No.
Improbable? Quite.
So odds are, Florida will end up with a first-round pick for the first time since 2021. Not a bad asset for a team as set up to ‘win now’ for the foreseeable future as the Panthers are.
“You'd love to say you could be strategic, but you can’t,” Zito said of the draft pick. “The team will play as hard as they can every single night, and whatever happens, happens.”
Once the season comes to an end and Zito can assess exactly where his team and his players are, the decisions can be made regarding how to move forward with the high-end asset.
“We’ll react once the season is over, and we know (where we stand),” Zito said. “But we're playing for both scenarios.”
Photo caption: Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer (10) celebrates with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after the third period against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
The Winnipeg Jets have activated defenseman Josh Morrissey from injured reserve as the team begins to get healthier heading into an important stretch of the season.
In addition to Morrissey’s activation, Winnipeg has recalled forwards Brad Lambert and Isak Rosen from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
Morrissey had been sidelined with a lower-body injury suffered while representing Canada men's national ice hockey team during the opening game of the Olympic tournament against Czechia men's national ice hockey team. The injury forced the Jets’ top defenseman out of the remainder of the event.
Since returning to Winnipeg, Morrissey has missed five consecutive games, but the Jets have managed to stay on track in his absence. During that stretch, the club posted a 3-0-2 record, including a surprising 4-1 victory Thursday over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Josh Morrissey is likely to return to the lineup Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. Depth forwards Brad Lambert and Isak Rosen, who was acquired in the trade that sent Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn the other way, could also draw into the lineup. The two may help fill the gaps left after Tanner Pearson was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline and with Nino Niederreiter still on injured reserve.
Rosen, 22, is a former 14th overall pick at the 2021 NHL Draft and has been unable to carve out a roster spot, recording eight points in 31 NHL games. The Swedish winger has spent most of his time playing in the AHL, where this season he has been a standout with 25 goals and 18 assists for 43 points in 37 games.
Lambert, 22, was hoping to be moved at the deadline after feeling stuck within the Jets organization but after being recalled on Friday, he may finally get long runway to earn a main roster spot. So far this season, Lambert has a goal in four NHL games as well as 13 points in 34 AHL games with the Manitoba Moose.
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In a final bit of business ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline, the Rangers dealt forward Brennan Othmann to the Calgary Flames and defenseman Derrick Pouliot to the Chicago Blackhawks.
New York will add RW Jacob Battaglia in the deal with Calgary, and LW Aidan Thompson from Chicago.
Othmann, 23, appeared in 17 games with the club this season, scoring just one goal (minus-4) while averaging 9:53 time on the ice.
Selected 16th overall by the Blueshirts in 2021, Othmann tallied just three points (one goal, two assists) and a shade under 10 minutes of ice time over his 42 career games with the club.
The return will be Battaglia, a 19-year-old who Calgary took in the second round (62nd overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft. He has been with the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs for the last three seasons before being sent to the Klint Firebirds midway through this year. He had been the captain with Kingston before being dealt.
Pouliot, 32, hasn't played in the NHL since the 2023-24 campaign, and never suited up for the Blueshirts. He had signed a two-year, $1.55 million deal last July.
Thompson, 24 as of last month, was the 90th overall selection (Round 3) by the Blackhawks in 2022. He was on the Denver Pioneers when they were the collegiate champions in 2023-24.
The two moves cap a busy period for Chris Drury and the Rangers after dealing Sam Carrick to the Sabres on Thursday, Artemi Panarin to the Kings, and Carson Soucy to the Islanders. But the club held onto Vincent Trocheck.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 28, 2026 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All of a sudden, the Lakers’ upcoming contest against the Pacers looks like a much tougher game. Los Angeles is playing on the second night of a back-to-back and will be taking on Indiana without LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber.
The trio was ruled out on Friday afternoon. The Lakers will now have to find a way to win without two of their starting players.
LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber are all out for LA’s game tonight against Indiana. pic.twitter.com/hOK6gN6xVd
While Maxi Kleber has missed the past two games with this back injury, James and Ayton are new additions to the injury report.
Ayton exited LA’s game against the Nuggets with a knee injury after playing for just five minutes. Considering that the Lakers are playing the day after he got hurt, it’s no surprise he will be unavailable.
While Ayton has been struggling as of late, he’s been an important player for the Lakers. Ayton is averaging 12.6. points and 8.2 rebounds per game while starting in all 54 games he’s participated in.
LeBron also got injured playing against the Nuggets.
He fell in the fourth quarter, hurting his elbow in the process. James was able to complete the game, but said his elbow felt “pretty sore” during his postgame media availability. Now, he’s officially been ruled out with a left elbow contusion.
LeBron’s value cannot be overstated. He continues to be one of the team’s best offensive producers, averaging 21.4 points on 50% shooting.
LA losing both LeBron and Ayton to injury in their defeat to Denver makes the result that much more painful.
Now, they’ll have to figure out a way to get back on track with two starters out.
Luckily, even though the Lakers will be shorthanded, they should still be able to beat the Pacers. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are healthy and should be able to step up in this situation, generating enough offense to overwhelm their opponent.
Indiana has the second-worst record in the NBA and has lost seven straight games. Considering that the Lakers are fighting for a playoff spot and the Pacers are tanking, even with these key players missing, LA has to find a way to win.
