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Joey Wentz exits spring training game with apparent leg injury

Feb 10, 2026; North Port, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Joey Wentz (33) works out during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

During today’s spring training contest between the Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta’s organizational depth when it comes to their starting pitching may have taken yet another hit. Joey Wentz had to be carted off the field during today’s game with an apparent injury to his leg — probably his knee.

There’s no video of the incident but from what we can gather on the radio, Joey Wentz hurt himself trying to cover first base. He stayed on the ground for quite a bit and had to be carted off as a result of the incident.

Bowman is right about the fact that while Wentz was carted off, he was still able to walk around. In fact, Wentz was standing up and attempted to walk off the field under his own power but was probably advised to just go ahead and take the cart ride to the dugout, at least.

Here’s hoping that this is just a day-to-day thing for Joey Wentz. Wentz was right in the thick of the competition to make it into the starting rotation for Opening Day but at the same time, you don’t want to see Atlanta’s organizational depth get any thinner than it is near the major league level at this point. Hopefully Wentz will be able to return to action sooner rather than later and we’ll have any updates for you as they become available.

UPDATE [3:18 p.m. ET]: Mark Bowman is reporting that they believe Wentz has avoided a “serious” injury, continuing to reiterate the “promising” initial diagnosis. We’ll see what happens!

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Elly De La Cruz has another 50+ steal season in him for 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds slides as he steals second base during the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Elly De La Cruz is no longer going to lead off for the Cincinnati Reds. That much we are sure of since manager Terry Francona took over, with his switch-hitting superstar now penciled into the #3 spot in the lineup each and every day.

Elly is also a guy who filed a 67 steal season onto his ledger at just 22 years of age, and already has 139 steals in 420 career games as he enters just his age 24 season in 2026. All that despite playing most of the latter half of 2025 with a quad injury that clearly sapped both his ability to reach base in the first place and take extra bases once getting there.

It’s a bit of a dichotomy, especially when you factor in the tendencies of previous manager David Bell and Tito, who wants his baserunners to be a bit more cautious and calculated when taking off. It’s a situation with enough variables that I thought it worth asking you, the fine readers of Red Reporter, whether you thought Elly had another 50+ steal season in him in 2026.

In a pretty overwhelming vote, you sure as heck think he does.

A healthy quad will certainly help Elly, who still managed 37 swipes in that banged-up 2025 campaign. Presumably more thumpers behind him in the lineup everyday will, too, as the likes of Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suárez work deeper counts, take more pitches, and see more off-speed breaking balls as pitchers try to keep the ball in the ball park.

There’s also the playing time factor that Elly may have to deal with more in 2026 than ever before. Francona has spoken openly about trying to get Elly days off here and there after he played in the full 162 games last year (and looked worn down and hurt a lot of the time), and even a modicum of reduction in opportunities will obviously make racking up counting stats harder to do in a shorter amount of time. However, that could mean he’s closer to 100% in more games played, and that could be enough for his turbochargers to reset faster than they did just last year.

Personally, I took the over here, too. I think Elly’s got a handful of 50+ steal seasons in those legs, and we’ll look back at 2025 as the exception to the rule.

MLB Reacts are brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook.

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'It’s hard to walk away': Tarik Skubal grapples with emotional WBC decision

HOUSTON — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who originally was scheduled to leave Team USA and rejoin his Detroit Tigers teammates in Lakeland, Florida, remained in Houston on Sunday and attended USA's workout.

Skubal remains torn on whether he’ll still leave Team USA as he originally planned, stay with Team USA for the duration, or return to the Tigers’ spring training camp for one appearance and possibly rejoin Team USA if it advances to the finals in Miami.

He spoke late Saturday night with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, his agent, Scott Boras, and his family.

"I don’t think anything has been determined …," Hinch told reporters Sunday. "He’s incredibly emotional about the experience. It's a difficult time. It weighs heavily on players because they want to do it all."

Skubal told FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal after throwing 41 pitches in Saturday’s 9-1 victory over Great Britain during the game that he’s not prepared to give an answer, and he reiterated his dilemma afterward to reporters outside the clubhouse.

"This is going to be one of the toughest decisions I made in my career," Skubal said. "I didn't expect these types of emotions to run through my brain, or my thoughts to differ. I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp. Things have changed, obviously."

Simply, Skubal didn’t anticipate the flood of emotions being around his USA teammates, the patriotism, and the significance of representing his country.

"It just changes your perspective a little bit, you know?" Skubal said. "And how proud I am to be an American and go out there and pitch and compete. (Thinking about) the people that make real sacrifices for me to play a kids' game. …

"It’s just hard. When you get into these environments, when you get this team, it’s hard to walk away from that."

Team USA, which has won its first two games in the WBC, is expected to play a quarterfinal game Friday, March 13 at Daikin Park in Houston. If the U.S. wins, it would play in a semifinal game either Sunday, March 15 or Monday, March 16. The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.

It’s possible that Skubal could return to Tigers camp and pitch Thursday, March 12 against the New York Yankees in Lakeland, and then wait and see if he’d be needed to pitch in the WBC championship game.

Skubal said players have been supportive of him, whatever he chooses, completely understanding his predicament. He not only wants to be on regular rest and start the Tigers' season-opener in San Diego on March 26, but he’s a free agent after the season, and in line to receive a contract in excess of $400 million, the largest contract by a starting pitcher in history.

"The guys have been cool about it," Skubal said earlier in the week, "but I mean, obviously, like publicly, it’s a little bit different perception. But I think they understand what it means for me to be here. Obviously, I want to be in the room, you know, and that's cool for them to even take that aside and be like, it's awesome that you're here."

Whatever his decision, Team USA officials insist they understand, and he has the full support of his USA teammates.

"He's got the two Cy Young Awards, but this guy's about to make half a billion dollars here in the next offseason," Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge said. "So, for him to put it all on the line for his country, and come out here and show up for us. … You know, maybe it is just one game, but you know there's a risk with everything you do, and for him to take that risk and come out here and be with us, the boys love it."

Follow Bob Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tarik Skubal’s emotional WBC decision weighs on Tigers ace

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Mets' Juan Soto seals Team Dominican Republic's mercy rule victory over Netherlands with two-run homer

The local talents had been relatively quiet through two World Baseball Classic games for Team Dominican Republic, but they were finally able to make their mark in Sunday’s win over the Netherlands.

First it was Yankees catcher Austin Wells, who lifted one of the teams two homers as part of a six-run bottom of the fifth. 

The two-run shot came on a 3-1 fastball low in the zone, and landed 388 feet away in the second-deck in right. 

It was just Wells’ second hit of the tournament, but certainly was a big one. 

Mets slugger Juan Soto got in on the fun later in the game, as well. 

After being held hitless over his first few at-bats, the All-Star outfielder launched a two-run shot of his own, officially helping Team DR hit the run rule in the bottom of the seventh.

Soto jumped all over a first pitch slider, depositing it 419 feet into the seats in right-center.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a pair of strong showings during DR's tune-up meetings last week, but he had been relatively quiet over the first two games, before the blast.

He had two homers and a tournament-high 1.500 OPS during the 2023 WBC.

There was also former Yankee and former Yankee crime earlier in the contest, as Didi Gregorious lifted a solo homer off of DR starter Luis Severino in the top of the second. 

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Game Thread: Knicks at Lakers, March 8, 2026

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in action against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on February 01, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Lakers 112-110. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Knicks (41*–23) visit the Lakers (38–25) at Crypto.com Arena in a nationally televised tilt. Los Angeles ranks middle-of-the-pack on both ends (12th in offense, 15th in defense) and is powered by Luka Dončić (32.5 PPG), Austin Reaves (23.5 PPG), and LeBron James (GTD, elbow). Favored to win, the Knicks will look to exploit the Lakers’ weak rebounding and push the pace against these plodders.

Tip off is 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC. This is your game thread. This is Silver Screen and Roll. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Practice kindness. And go Knicks!

* Should be one more, but the CIA made the win disappear.

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High Point gets 30th win, beats Winthrop 91-76 for 2nd straight Big South Championship title

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — Rob Martin scored 24 points, Cam’Ron Fletcher added 17 with 19 rebounds, and top-seeded High Point beat No. 2 seed Winthrop 91-76 on Sunday for the Panthers' second straight Big South Conference Championship title.

High Point (30-4) set a program and Big South record with its 30th victory of the season. It is also coach Flynn Clayman's first year at the helm with the Panthers.

Martin shot 6 of 19 from the floor and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line to go with seven assists. Fletcher made two 3s and matched a tournament record for most rebounds in a game.

Terry Anderson added 18 points for the Panthers. Owen Aquino and Chase Johnston chipped in with 11 points apiece.

Kareem Rozier scored 22 points and Daylen Berry 18 for Winthrop (23-11). Logan Duncomb, the Big South Conference player of the year, scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds before fouling out with 4:32 to play and the Eagles down 79-68.

High Point took the lead for good early in the second half and had its largest lead, 67-51, with 9:49 remaining.

The teams split the regular-season series, each winning at home. Winthrop won the first meeting 92-75. High Point won the second 89-87.

Up next

Selection Sunday is March 15.

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Lakers’ LeBron James sidelined for Knicks game

Lakers star LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Lakers star LeBron James was sidelined for Sunday’s home game against the Knicks, the second straight game he missed after sitting out of Friday’s win over the Pacers.

The Lakers hoped James would be available against the Knicks, but he was ruled out a little over an hour before tipoff because of the bruised left elbow injury he suffered during Thursday’s road loss to the Nuggets and left foot arthritis.

Lakers star LeBron James will not play Sunday against the Knicks. (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers have listed James on the injury report because of arthritis multiple times on the second night of back-to-backs since the 41-year-old, four-time MVP made his season debut in mid-November after he missed the first 14 games because of sciatica. 

James was icing his left elbow during his postgame media availability at Ball Arena inside the visitor’s locker room after falling onto the court after Nuggets star Nikola Jokic made contact with him in the air while James made a layup to cut the Lakers’ deficit to 110-106 with just over four minutes left.

He wasn’t on the court for the final 20 seconds of the game in the loss to the Nuggets. 

“It felt like one of those funny bone situations,” James said Thursday. “But like, super more intense.”

Sunday was the first time James missed consecutive games since making his season debut.

He’s averaging 21.4 points (50.4% shooting), seven assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in the 44 games he’s played this season.

Rui Hachimura started against the Knicks in James’ place.

Deandre Ayton was available and back in the starting lineup after sitting out of Friday’s win over the Pacers and only playing a few minutes against the Nuggets before leaving the game with left knee soreness.

Backup big man Maxi Kleber was also available against the Knicks after sitting out the last couple of games with back ailments.

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Bucks won't have Giannis Antetokounmpo available for Sunday's game with Magic

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t play Sunday night against the Orlando Magic as the Milwaukee Bucks continue to work him back gradually from the right calf strain that caused him to miss 15 straight games.

The Bucks are playing for a second straight night, which explains the decision to rest Antetokounmpo. The 6-foot-11 forward had 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 27 minutes Saturday as the Bucks snapped a four-game skid with a 113-99 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Antetokounmpo has played three games since returning from the calf injury that knocked him out for five weeks. He has missed time with a right calf strain on two separate occasions this season.

This will mark the 30th game Antetokounmpo has missed this season. Never before had he missed more than 21 games in a single season.

Antetokounmpo, 31, is averaging 27.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 33 games.

The Bucks also will be missing second-leading scorer Kevin Porter Jr. for a third straight game because of swelling in his right knee.

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JJ Redick told Austin Reaves to ‘be himself’ amid current slump

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 6, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Much has been made about the need for the Lakers’ big three to build chemistry with one another. While that can sometimes be a blanket statement, the easiest evidence of their current problems has been the play of Austin Reaves.

Luka Dončić certainly has still been able to produce at a high level. LeBron James has some early bumps in the road before starting to find his groove in more recent games.

Austin Reaves, however, has not had that breakthrough. Often, he’s been relegated to being just another guy on the court, looking more like a role player as opposed to the All-Star he was to start the year. While there have been glimpses in plenty of games of the player he was, it’s never been sustained.

As he’s continued to struggle, the volume of the conversation around him has grown. Prior to Friday’s game against the Pacers, Redick was asked about Reaves.

“Austin and I talked,” Redick said. “In the same way that LeBron sort of is hunting those transition opportunities, Austin, when he gets those throw-aheads, has to hunt those paint touch opportunities and sort of make plays out of that. We can obviously do a better job of calling a play for him.

“Last two games we’ve given him a minute less with Luke and a minute more with LeBron in the substitution matrix, so I think that’s given him a little bit more on-ball duties, But, look, I’d have to look back at last year or the beginning of the season when we did have those three for those few games, his usage percentage is like 1% lower. It’s not like something drastic.”

Not much changed for Reaves in the game that followed. He finished with 19 points on 6-14 shooting and was a -12 in a game the Lakers won by double digits. It was another game where he struggled and showed glimpses of his old self, too.

Predictably, Reaves was a topic of conversation again prior to Sunday’s game.

In theory, with LeBron sidelined with an elbow injury, this could serve as a time for Reaves to find his groove again. However, even if that happens, the return of LeBron changes the dynamic again.

However, as things are, anything would help Reaves right now. He’s clearly not himself and needs some type of boost. Hopefully, it’s something that comes in the absence of LeBron as the Lakers can’t rely on heroic performances from Luka every night.

At their best this season, the Lakers had an All-Star version of Reaves. If they want to get back to that point, they certainly need him to turn things around and do so soon.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Game Thread: Royals (6-7) at White Sox (9-7)

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Jarred Kelenic #24 of the Chicago White Sox at bat during the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Jarred Kelenic is running out of time to claim a White Sox roster spot. | (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

The back end of the Sox rotation is still up for grabs, but the staff in Charlotte is starting to take shape. The White Sox announced Saturday that righthander Tanner McDougal had been optioned to Triple-A, while lefty Noah Schultz was sent over to minor league camp.

They’ll presumably join David Sandlin, Duncan Davitt, and perhaps Hagen Smith in the Knights rotation to start the year.

One place there definitely won’t be any competition is at the top of the big league rotation. The team also announced earlier this afternoon that, as one probably would have expected, Shane Smith will be taking the ball on Opening Day later this month.

Smith will be the eighth different pitcher in 10 years to start the opener since Chris Sale departed the team. He joins José Quintana (2017), James Shields (2018), Carlos Rodón (2019), Lucas Giolito (2020-22), Dylan Cease (2023), Garrett Crochet (2024) and Sean Burke (2025).

If I had to be reminded that James Shields actually started an Opening Day for this team, so do you.

Anyhow, here’s the lineup the White Sox are running out in the present day against Kansas City:

Hicks has an even 6.00 ERA in two spring outings thus far, but his fastball has looked sharp, averaging a blistering 99.2 mph on the sinker — substantially up from the 97.5 mph and 94.5 mph averages it showed the last two seasons. Just 4-for-20 with seven punchouts, Jarred Kelenic is running out of time to claim any chance at a backup outfield spot, but LaMonte Wade Jr. might be making a real run at a backup 1B/corner OF spot with a homer, two doubles, and five walks to just three strikeouts in 24 spring trips to the plate.

Here’s what Kansas City will be countering with:

The Sox get their second-ever look at Noah Cameron this afternoon, who finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting last year with a 2.90 ERA over 24 starts. A seventh round pick in 2021 out of Central Arkansas, Cameron made the record books last year when he threw at least six innings with no more than a single run allowed over the first six starts of his big league career.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT, and will be broadcast on CHSN and ESPN AM 1000.

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Pirates Paul Skenes ranked 6th best player in baseball by ESPN

Mar 3, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Team USA pitcher Paul Skenes (30) against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In his first two MLB seasons, Paul Skenes has won the National League Rookie of the Year Award and the NL Cy Young Award.

Not bad!

Before he embarks on his third season with the Pirates, Skenes will lead Team USA’s strong rotation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, looking to claim the championship for the second time in tournament history. 

Skenes has started the last two All-Star Games for the NL and has the potential to be one of the top pitchers of all time.

It’s a lot to put on the shoulders of a 23-year-old, but Skenes has answered every question that comes his way.

As MLB prepares for what is likely to be its last season before a considerable lockout, ESPN ranked the Top 100 players in baseball. 

Skenes, of course, made the list… but the question is, where?

ESPN said that more than two dozen ESPN employees submitted their ballots that comprised the total ranking. Skenes had his number called at No. 6.

“Since May 11, 2024, the day he arrived in the big leagues, Skenes has found himself squarely in the conversation for ‘Best Pitcher in the World.’ And the numbers back Skenes’ claim to that title,” ESPN insider Jeff Passan said.

Skenes will make two starts in the WBC and is in line to pitch for the Americans in the semifinals, as long as Team USA gets there. 

The 2023 No. 1 overall pick out of LSU earned a 1.97 ERA last season and struck out a Pirates right-handed pitcher record 216 batters in 187.2 innings. He only allowed 41 earned runs and earned a total 0.95 WHIP.

“Since his debut, he has the best ERA in the sport by nearly four-tenths of a run (1.96), the fourth-lowest home run rate (0.59 per nine innings), the sixth-best strikeout rate (10.83 per nine), the hardest average fastball (98.5 mph), and, even with restrictions on his output, the 10th-most innings (320.2),” ESPN wrote.

2025 may have been the first of many NL Cy Young Awards for Skenes, who is under contract through 2029. Two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal finished two spots ahead of Skenes.

Skenes is in elite company, with Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Bobby Witt Jr. the top three players. Juan Soto ranks right ahead of Skenes at fifth. 

“What’s scary is that this is just the beginning,” Passan said. “Health permitting, Skenes will be an all-time great.”

Passan expects Skenes to considerably improve his win-loss record in 2026 from his stunning 10-10 mark as the best pitcher in the NL.

He projected Skenes to finish the regular season 18-4 with 251 strikeouts and 48 walks in 206 innings. This would mark Skenes’ highest total in each category.

Passan also noted in his prediction that Skenes will record a 2.03 ERA, which would also be his highest after finishing below a 2.00 over his first two seasons. He thinks Skenes will allow 11 home runs.

Passan thinks this stat line WILL be good enough to win Skenes his second-consecutive Cy Young.

Skenes will take the ball against the New York Mets in Queens on March 26 on Opening Day. Skenes hasn’t been announced as the starting pitcher, but barring injury, will make his second-career Opening Day start.

The WBC runs until March 17. The Pirates’ home opener is set for April 3 against the Baltimore Orioles at 4:12 p.m. at PNC Park, looking for playoff baseball to return for the first time in a decade.

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Trey Campbell scores 23 with 6 3s to lead UNI to MVC Tournament title and 1st NCAA berth since 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Trey Campbell hit six 3-pointers in scoring 23 points and Northern Iowa defeated UIC 84-69 to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and an automatic NCAA bid on Sunday.

The Panthers (23-12) won the tournament for the sixth time and earned their ninth NCAA appearance and first since 2016. Sixth-seeded UNI became to lowest seed to win the tournament and the first to win four games in four days.

Campbell was 8-of-13 shooting, including 6 of 9 from the arc, for the Panthers, who shot 63% and were 12 of 23 on 3-pointers. Ben Schwieger was 7-of-8 shooting and made three 3-pointers to finish with 18 points. Will Hornseth and Leon Bond added 10 each. Tristan Smith had a game-high eight rebounds to go with nine points.

Elijah Crawford scored 28 points on 13-of-29 shooting to lead the fifth-seeded Flames (19-15). Ahmad Henderson II added 13, and Rashund Washington Jr. and Jayce Nathaniel 10 each. UIC shot 44% against the nation's top scoring defense (61.1 ppg).

The Panthers led all the way and were ahead 48-41 at halftime. After hitting just one of its first six shots to open the second half, the Panthers made seven in row, including a pair of 3s from Campbell and another by Schwieger, to lead by 13.

The Flames rallied behind Nathaniel and Crawford who scored all the points in a 9-2 run to get within six. Campbell stopped that run with a straightaway 3-pointer to begin a 13-2 run that ended with UNI up by 17 — their largest lead — with 37 seconds left.

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LeBron James out vs. Knicks with elbow contusion

DENVER , CO - MARCH 5: LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers writes in pain after taking a bump from Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 120-113 win at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images

UPDATE: The Lakers will, in fact, not have LeBron James for Sunday’s afternoon showdown with the Knicks. After head coach JJ Redick called him a gametime decision during his pregame presser, the Lakers ruled LeBron out with a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis.

Technically, it’s not known for certain that the elbow is what is keeping him out of his this game since he’s listed with two injuries. However, the left foot arthritis has existed for most of the season while the elbow contusion is new.

The Lakers beat the Pacers without LeBron on Friday, but Sunday’s game against the Knicks will certainly be a tougher task.

The Lakers’ next game will be on Tuesday at home against the Timberwolves.

Original story follows.

It appears LeBron James’ absence from the Lakers’ lineup will be a short one.

After suffering an elbow injury against the Nuggets on Thursday, LeBron missed Friday’s game against the Pacers. On Saturday’s injury report, he was listed as questionable for the game with both a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis.

Prior to that contest against Indiana, head coach JJ Redick noted that the expectation is LeBron will be available on Sunday.

“LeBron has a contusion,” Redick said. “He’s still banged up, but we think he’ll be available for Sunday.”

The Lakers will play the Knicks in a matinee game starting at 12:30 p.m. PT. It’s a quicker-than-normal game, so it changes everyone’s routines. In some senses, it could be a positive that LeBron missed Friday’s game as that means he has a bit of extra time to recover.

LeBron didn’t seem too concerned about his injury following Thursday’s game when speaking to the media.

“It’s pretty sore right now,” LeBron said. “What was I feeling? Feeling like one of them funny bone situations but super more intense.”

Largely because of his injury at the beginning of the season, LeBron is already ineligible for postseason awards as he will not meet the 65-game minimum. It’s been a trying year for him and the Lakers when it comes to injuries.

Ayton being off the injury report is also notable. The big man played just 4:30 against Denver and sat out against the Pacers. At this point in the year, he has dealt with soreness in both knees, so it’ll be something to monitor the rest of the season.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Samford wraps up SoCon championship with 72-67 win over Chattanooga

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Kaylee Yarbrough scored 25 points, Francie Morris added 22, and their 3-point shooting was instrumental in sixth-seeded Samford's 72-67 victory over top-seed Chattanooga in the championship game of the Southern Conference Tournament on Sunday.

Samford advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time, the other appearances coming in 2011 and 2012.

Samford’s three-game SoCon Tournament run included victories over Chattanooga, ETSU and Wofford — the three teams that tied for first place in the regular season. The Bulldogs, 16-18 this season, are the 12th team to qualify for the NCAA Tournament with a losing record.

Yarbrough, a part-time starter during her freshman season, came off the bench to make 5 of 7 3-pointers and Morris made 3 of 6. Samford averages 26 3-point attempts and 8.4 made 3s per game. The Bulldogs made 10 of 17 on Sunday.

Samford took a 54-43 lead to the fourth quarter and saw the margin cut to two points when Chattanooga's Izzy McPherson buried three 3-pointers in a two-minute stretch, making it 60-58 with 5 1/2 minutes left.

Although the Mocs made only two shots the rest of the game, they had a chance to tie in the final minute. Caia Elisaldez made two free throws to make it 70-67 with 29 seconds left and her steal a few seconds later gave the Mocs a shot at overtime. Kalifa Ford missed from 3-point distance with eight seconds left, Samford rebounded, and Briana Rivera made two free throws to close it out.

Elisaldez scored 20 points and McPherson 17 for Chattanooga (20-10).

Sierra Godbolt scored 12 for Samford.

Chattanooga played in the SoCon Tournament title game for the 22nd time. The Mocs have played in the NCAA Tournament 17 times.

Up next

Selection Sunday is March 15.

___

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