Lakers’ Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura sitting out against Pistons

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Rui Hachimura dribbles the ball up the court, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart reacts during a game against the New York Knicks

DETROIT — The Lakers will be without one of their starters and a key bench player during Monday’s road game against the Pistons.

Starting guard Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness) and Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness) were downgraded to unavailable against the Pistons after entering the game as questionable.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart reacts against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) Getty Images

Magic big man Goga Bitadze fell on Marcus Smart’s right foot after Smart drew a shooting foul on a layup attempt late in the first half of the Lakers’ Saturday win in Orlando.

Hachimura was seen on the bench with his right half wrapped up to start the second half of the game against the Magic. He played five minutes in the third quarter on Saturday but wasn’t seen on the bench to close out the game.

Reserve big man Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is available for the first time since March 8.

March 23, 2026

Mets inform Carson Benge that he's made 2026 Opening Day roster as starting right fielder

Mets top outfield prospect Carson Benge entered 2026 spring training with a legitimate chance to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

And that's exactly what he's done.

Manager Carlos Mendoza announced that Benge, the Mets' first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, has made the Opening Day roster.

"We just told him that he will be playing right field on Thursday for the New York Mets, so he made the team," Mendoza said.

"A moment that he’ll never forget…. It’s a big day for the organization. A kid that gets drafted in 2024 and two years later here we are giving him the news that he’s going to be playing in the big leagues for us."

Benge, understandably, was ecstatic to hear the news.

“Joy over everything, I would say. Just knowing that I worked hard for it," Benge said. "Countless hours I spent, all my family members and friends that have sacrificed some time for me, that it’s all going to come true, my dream since I was little, it’s pretty cool.”

The 23-year-old Benge hit .366 with a .435 OBP, driving in five runs and stealing a base. And that doesn’t include a home run that he hit in an exhibition game against Team Israel.

He also more than held his own among a lineup filled with stars like Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, Francisco Lindor, and others, looking confident at the plate while playing a strong right field.

"He earned it," Mendoza said. "He had a hell of a camp, and we are all excited to watch this kid play."

"We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves here, but just how he carried himself throughout camp, you could tell with the way that he was interacting, the way he presented himself on the field and off the field, you could tell right away that there is something special about this guy," the manager added.

“I’d say I’ve always had a certain amount of confidence in myself," said Benge, "being able to compete with whoever it may be that I’m going up against. So I feel like I’ve always had a good amount of confidence in myself.”

The Mets will now travel from Port St. Lucie back to New York, with first pitch of Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates set for 1:15 p.m.

Benge will take the field with his teammates for the first time as a big leaguer, and should receive a rousing ovation from the Citi Field crowd.

“I’ve always thought about it since I was a little kid, thinking about that moment when you first take the field in the big stage for the first time," Benge said. "It’s going to be surreal. I’m going to try my best to take it in. Stay calm and play my game.”

March 23, 2026

Flames Eye Offseason Shakeup With Two Departures

The 2025-26 NHL campaign has been unforgiving for the Calgary Flames.

With several cornerstone players shipped out and GM Craig Conroy constrained by ownership on further trades, the franchise now faces the daunting task of rebuilding while keeping one eye on their highly anticipated new arena in a few years.

Conroy has already made waves, moving Mackenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, and there’s little doubt more roster maneuvers are on the horizon before the June draft. Here’s a closer look at two Flames who are almost certainly on their way out:

Jonathan Huberdeau – The Contract Catastrophe

DOH!

Jonathan Huberdeau’s tenure in Calgary has been, to put it mildly, a blazing disappointment. After a career-high 115-point campaign with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22, Huberdeau was packaged in the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk trade, a deal that looked promising on paper but has largely backfired for the Flames.

This season, Huberdeau has tallied just 25 points in 50 games, including 10 goals and 15 assists, a far cry from the elite production Flames management hoped for. At an eye-popping $10.5 million AAV, his contract is widely regarded as one of the worst in the NHL, if not among the most burdensome deals of recent memory.

Financially, a buyout seems inevitable if Calgary wants to avoid being shackled to this albatross through 2031. The proposed buyout structure is steep: $10.3 million in the first two years, $7.8 million in the third, $10.3 million in the fourth, tapering to $5.8 million and finally $800,000 in the last two years. The math simply does not add up, and on-ice results haven’t justified the investment. Huberdeau’s Calgary experiment has been, in every sense of the word, a disaster—or perhaps more aptly, his tenure has gone up in… flames.

Blake Coleman – The Trade Deadline Survivor

Blake Coleman’s presence in Calgary past the trade deadline raised eyebrows, given the significant interest from other clubs for the versatile former Stanley Cup winner. Yet Conroy remained firm, refusing to lower his asking price.

Looking ahead to the NHL Draft, expect Coleman to be back on the market. Calgary will likely test the waters again, hoping to secure a valuable first-round pick for a player who, while effective, no longer fits the Flames’ long-term blueprint. His combination of experience, versatility, and leadership makes him a tempting target for contenders seeking a playoff-ready piece.

March 23, 2026

Red Wings' Dylan Larkin Listed As Game-Time Decision Ahead Of Crucial Matchup vs Senators

The Detroit Red Wings will head into what could be their biggest game of the season on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators with uncertainty surrounding captain Dylan Larkin.

According to multiple reports, head coach Todd McLellan said that Larkin will be a game-time decision, leaving Detroit fans anxiously waiting to see if their leader will be on the ice.

Detroit fell out of the playoff picture for the first time since December 1 after the New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 on Sunday. The Red Wings now sit just one point behind New York, while Ottawa is right on their heels, three points back. The Senators have been in scorching form recently, going 13-3-2 over their last 18 games, making Tuesday’s matchup critical for Detroit to maintain their playoff hopes.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.

With both the Islanders and the Boston Bruins facing relatively easier opponents, Chicago and Toronto respectively, Detroit cannot afford to drop any more games if they hope to stay competitive in the playoff race. Securing a win against Ottawa would not only keep the Red Wings close in the standings but also stop the Senators from closing the gap further.

Larkin’s potential return is seen as a key factor as the team’s captain and leading offensive presence, his presence could tip the balance in a game that might define Detroit’s postseason chances. With the stakes this high, Tuesday’s showdown against Ottawa is shaping up to be the Red Wings’ most important game of the season.

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March 23, 2026

Grizzlies vs Hawks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Atlanta Hawks will try to extend their home winning streak as they host the floundering Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

Atlanta is blowing out teams left and right, and I’m taking it to cover tonight in my Grizzlies vs. Hawks predictions below.

Read on for the full analysis in my free NBA picks for Monday, March 23.

Grizzlies vs Hawks prediction

Grizzlies vs Hawks best bet: Hawks -14 (-110)

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning 10 in a row at home and 12 of their last 13 overall.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have lost 10 of 11 and are playing with a hobbled roster, with Ja Morant and many other notables out for tonight’s game.

Atlanta has a point differential of +12.8 over its last 10 games. The Grizzlies are coming off a 23-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets and have lost each of their last three road games by 16 points or more.

I’m taking the Hawks to cover at home.

Grizzlies vs Hawks same-game parlay

Dyson Daniels showed up big for the Hawks on Saturday without Jalen Johnson in the lineup, but the 23-year-old has been playing well recently, no matter who Atlanta puts on the court. I like Daniels to hit the Over on his scoring and rebounding totals, as he’s hit both in six of his last eight.

I’m also backing the Under tonight, as both teams have played below this total in almost all of their recent games.

Grizzlies vs Hawks SGP

Dyson Daniels Over 13.5 points
Dyson Daniels Over 6.5 rebounds
Under 240.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Okongwu shows versatility

For my long-shot SGP, I’m focusing on Onyeka Okongwu, another Hawks contributor who sometimes gets overlooked.

Over his last five games, Okongwu has dished out at least four assists on four different occasions. He’s also a capable 3-point shooter, averaging 1.9 makes per game from beyond the arc in 10 games this month.

Grizzlies vs Hawks SGP

Hawks -14
Under 240.5
Onyeka Okongwu Over 3.5 assists
Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 made threes

Grizzlies vs Hawks odds

Spread: Grizzlies +14 (-110) | Hawks -14 (-110)
Moneyline: Grizzlies +625 | Hawks -950
Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Hawks betting trend to know

The Hawks are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Hawks.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Hawks

Location	State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date	Monday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off	7:30 p.m. ET
TV	FDSN-Memphis, FDSN-Atlanta

Grizzlies vs Hawks latest injuries

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March 23, 2026

Nets vs. Trail blazers: Late night hoops

DENVER, CO - MARCH 22: Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 22, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

While it isn’t ideal to want your team to lose, the Nets kind of did what they were supposed to last night against the Sacramento Kings. After a back and forth outing at the Golden 1 Center, Brooklyn lost 126-122, which means they are now one and a half games ahead of the Kings and only two games behind the overall No. 1 held at the moment by the Indiana Pacers. Perfect timing considering the fact that A.J. Dybansta and Darryn Peterson should now be all in to their NBA training at this point.

Tonight, the Nets will continue their West Coast road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland currently sit as the ninth seed in the Western Conference and a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for playoff contention. If you ask me, both teams can definitely use each other’s help in this one if you know what I mean (wink wink).

Where To Watch

Catch the late night action tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

Danny Wolf is out with a sprained ankle sprain and Noah Clowney with a sprained right wrist. Drake Powell is also unavailable for left knee injury management. Terance Mann is resting and three Nets remain out for the season: Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring strain); Egor Demin (left plantar fascia injury management); Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb surgery) — four if you want to count Grant Nelson (left knee tendinitis.) That means more minutes for the team’s three two-ways.

For the Trail Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe (calf) and Vit Krejci (calf) will be out of action tonight. Damian Lillard will not play of course He’s recovering from his left achilles surgery.

The Game

If there is a team to look out for in the future, it is the Portland Trail Blazers. Even though they have been plagued with injuries this season, the pieces around this team could shape this organization into a playoff contender very soon.

Starting with the guards, the Trail Blazers have a good group in the backcourt. Jrue Holiday is still a great piece at 35 years old. He is averaging 16 on 45.6% from the field. Scoot Henderson has shown promise after many thought he was a bust as a top 3 pick in his draft class. Newcomer Caleb Love has proved himself an NBA level scorer and shooter. And the best part of it all, the franchise’s best two players in Damian Lillard and Shaedon Sharpe will most likely be back at the start of next season.

Combining this with a forward who gives you 24 a game like Deni Avdija and a center like Donovan Clingan who gives you a double double in his sleep, Portland has much to be happy for.

For this game specifically, those certain players would be able to do a lot of damage against Brooklyn tonight, especially as Jordi Fernandez continues to lose players. Danny Wolf, who left the game last night against Sacramento due to a left ankle sprain, has become another Net who we will most likely not see for the rest of the year.

But all will be well soon, Nets fans. The tank will continue on, and before you know it, the Draft will bless the organization with something they have been looking for some time now, hope.

Player to Watch

A couple of years back, a lot of fans subscribed to the vague rumor that the Nets should trade Mikal Bridges to Portland for the rights to Scoot Henderson. Sean Marks & co. instead waited and got a haul from the Knicks for Bridges. Whether that rumor was real or not we don’t know, but his story remains a cautionary tale.

The Blazers took Henderson at No. 3 and although there have been patches of light seeping through, the picture remains cloudy. One of those patches took place last week and as Joe Moore of Blazer’s Edge, our sister site in Portland, admitted this is a time when some gaudy numbers come from unlikely names. That said, Moore wrote Henderson did indeed play well last week.

Henderson averaged 17.3 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in 22.8 minutes per game this week through the four games. The assist numbers were much lower than his season average of 4.0 per game, but that came as a result of him playing extended minutes alongside Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija who averaged 5.0 and 7.3 assists respectively this week.
In a role that was more off-ball, Henderson showed great improvement on his shot from deep. He made 14 of his 23 attempts from behind the arc, good for a blazing 60.9% mark. He shot 47.9% from the field overall.

Moreover, Moore noted that Henderson, 22, is playing less out-of-control basketball and perhaps just maturing.

His explosiveness was one of his best qualities coming into the 2023 NBA Draft, and he does not seem to have lost a step after coming back from injury. He still struggles with being out of control at times, as evidenced by his low two-point percentage and averages of 3.0 turnovers and 3.3 fouls this week, but his confidence is growing every game and he has been able to string together a group of good games showcasing a newfound consistency.

There’s no doubt fans are disappointed in Henderson’s progress. The organization may be more patient. He’s averaging 13.5 points but on mediocre shooting numbers: shooting splits of 41/32/81. For tonight’s purposes, it should also be remembered that it was a little more than a year ago that Henderson had his best game: a 39-point explosion vs. the Nets in same arena where they play Monday.

The cautionary tale(s) out of the Scoot Henderson experience is that even super-hyped players given the right situation don’t always make it or you have to be, yes, patient.

From the Vault

January 23, 1991 is not seen as a great date in NBA history, but it is. That was the day the New Jersey Nets traded for Drazen Petrovic in a three-team deal involving the Blazers, Nets and Nuggets. Petrovic had been stuck behind Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter and the knock against European players was that they were soft if skilled.

Petrovic, of course, proved that notion incorrect. He was both and he could lead an NBA team. Not only was the trade lopsided for the Nets (Portland and New Jersey also exchanged firsts) but more importantly, it broke down stereotypes and the league slowly but surely became more international. A year later, he led Croatia to the silver medal at the Olympics which became a huge milestone for a worldwide game.

And so, there is never a bad time for a look back at Petrovic’s career:

Portland’s loss was the Nets gain.

More reading: Blazers Edge, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
Portland Trail Blazers Game Notes – Portland Trail Blazers
Brooklyn plays Portland, looks to stop road losing streak – AP

March 23, 2026

Raptors vs Jazz Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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It’s been a tough couple of games for the Toronto Raptors. They couldn’t hold on to another double-digit lead against the Nuggets on Friday, which led to a predictable letdown against the Suns.

But they’ll need to refocus quickly as they play the second half of a back-to-back tonight against the Utah Jazz.

Toronto is a big favorite, but is the number too big? My Raptors vs. Jazz predictions and NBA picks break it all down for this matchup set to tip off at 9 p.m. ET at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday, March 23.

Raptors vs Jazz prediction

Raptors vs Jazz best bet: Jazz +12.5 (-110)

The Toronto Raptors generally get the job done against weaker teams. However, I’m not sold on them covering a number this large in this spot.

The second half of a back-to-back at elevation in Salt Lake City. And the Utah Jazz haven’t been as bad as you might think.

While they’re just 3-8 straight up in March, they’re 6-5 ATS and rank 21st in net rating. Toronto is just 17th in net rating over the same stretch and is 1-4 ATS this season when laying double-digit chalk.

The Raps should pull out the win, but this is too many points.

Raptors vs Jazz same-game parlay

Ace Bailey is showing why he was a high lottery pick in last June’s NBA Draft. He's averaging 18.1 points while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range over 13 games since the All-Star break.

He’s hit three or more threes in four of his last games, and the Raptors perimeter defense has dropped off in March, ranking 28th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

For the Raptors, Immanuel Quickley has also been jacking up the treys. He’s hit three or more threes in seven of his last 14 games, and the Jazz allow the most made threes per game in the NBA.

Raptors vs Jazz SGP

Jazz +12.5
Ace Bailey Over 2.5 threes
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Make It Rain

The Raptors' heavy legs will be evident in this one, and defense will likely become an afterthought for both teams, leading to jacking up more shots from long range.

Raptors vs Jazz SGP

Ace Bailey Over 2.5 threes
Brice Sensabaugh Over 2.5 threes
Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes
Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes

Raptors vs Jazz odds

Spread: Raptors -12.5 | Jazz +12.5
Moneyline: Raptors -800 | Jazz +550
Over/Under: Over 231 | Under 231

Raptors vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Jazz have hit the Game Total Over in 29 of their last 40 games at home for +16.90 Units and a 38% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Jazz.

How to watch Raptors vs Jazz

Location	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date	Monday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off	9:00 p.m. ET
TV	Sportsnet, KJZZ

Raptors vs Jazz latest injuries

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March 23, 2026

Predators' Forward Named NHL Second Star Of The Week

The National Hockey League (NHL) announced the three stars presented by GEICO for the week ending March 22.

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg and Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield have been named the recipients.

Forsberg, 31, ranked second in the NHL with four goals, five assists and nine points in four games to propel the Predators (33-28-9, 75 points) to a perfect week.

His terrific week also pushed the Preds into the final Wild Card position in the Western Conference.

FILIP FORSBERG HAVE YOURSELF A DAY pic.twitter.com/mgR5tzPvyE
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 22, 2026

He became the sixth Swedish-born player in League history to accumulate at least 350 career goals and currently sits second on the Predators in goals with 32 and points with 62 through 70 total games this season.

It is his third-straight 30-goal season and his sixth of his career.

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

March 23, 2026

Pirates send Mike Clevinger to the minors after a so-so spring training

BRADENTON, Fla. — Mike Clevinger’s career reset with the Pittsburgh Pirates is going to start in the minors.

The club reassigned the veteran right-handed pitcher to minor league camp. The 35-year-old, who agreed to a minor league deal with Pittsburgh in early February, went 1-0 with a 5.02 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings of work during spring training, starting in two games and serving as a reliever in two others.

Clevinger is 60-44 with a 3.55 ERA across nine seasons with Cleveland, San Diego and the Chicago White Sox. He has dealt with injuries in recent seasons and struggled with the White Sox last spring after being moved to the bullpen. He bounced back after returning to the rotation with Triple-A Charlotte. Clevinger went 7-3 with a 4.20 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 22 starts in the minors last summer.

The Pirates have a young rotation led by reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, veteran Mitch Keller and rookie Bubba Chandler, who went 4-1 during a stint in the majors at the end of last season.

Clevinger was eyeing a spot either at the back end of the rotation or as a long reliever. Pittsburgh instead went with Carmen Mlodzinski as their fifth starter and Jose Urquidy and Hunter Barco in middle-inning relief roles.

Clevinger’s best days came with Cleveland from 2017-19, when he was 38-18 with a 2.91 ERA.

March 23, 2026

What The Los Angeles Kings Will Regret Most If They Miss The Playoffs

After picking up another overtime defeat on Sunday against the Utah Mammoth, the Los Angeles Kings have lost some ground in the wild-card race in the Western Conference.

Though the Kings picked up a point in comeback fashion, the Nashville Predators are coming off four straight wins and pulled ahead with a two-point cushion.

The opportunity for Los Angeles to make the post-season is still very much alive with 12 games remaining on the schedule, and many are winnable. But over the course of this season, multiple hiccups have handicapped this team from putting together the campaign they were expecting and prepared for.

If the Kings end up missing the playoffs, here is what they'll regret the most.

Not Capitalizing In Overtime

Sunday night was just one of several instances in which the Kings couldn't capitalize on the opportunity to earn the extra point.

Their loss to the Mammoth was the 17th occasion on which the Kings were defeated beyond regulation. Owning 17 overtime and shootout losses is the most in the NHL currently, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have 16.

Of those 17 defeats in extra innings, 10 of them were in overtime, and the remaining seven were in the shootout.

Looking back, if Los Angeles had been able to get on the right side of these overtime frames at least a handful more times than they have, the team may be in a much more comfortable position at this point in terms of pushing for the post-season.

Waiting To Make Coaching Change

On March 1, GM Ken Holland and the Kings' front office decided it was time for a coaching change. Jim Hiller was fired, and D.J. Smith was made the interim head coach.

Holland's decision came to fruition based on various moments throughout the season, but when Los Angeles lost to the Edmonton Oilers 8-1 in the second game back from the Olympic break, his mind was made up.

The Kings haven't made a big surge since the coaching change by any means, with a 4-4-3 record since Hiller's dismissal. However, the change was much needed.

The team has found a new purpose and sense of motivation with each game under Smith. One example is that before Smith became the interim bench boss, the Kings were 26th in the league in hits. Since his promotion, Los Angeles is first in the NHL in hits.

Has D.J. Smith Shown Enough To Become The Kings' Permanent Bench Boss?From now until the end of this season, what does Los Angeles Kings interim head coach D.J. Smith need to do in order to earn the full-time position?

Hits don't necessarily win hockey games, but they're certainly a factor and evidence that the team is more engaged and responding to a new voice behind the bench.

Now, 'if ifs and buts were candy and nuts,' Smith could've had more time to put his imprint on this roster if Hiller had been relieved earlier, and who knows what the results would say at this point in the season.

Off-Season Acquisitions

Kings fans will be banging this drum for a long time, until they're given a reason to believe otherwise, but the acquisitions of defensemen Brian Dumoulin and, specifically, Cody Ceci will always be questioned.

Now, Holland should be credited with the additions of right winger Joel Armia and goaltender Anton Forsberg, who both have had respectable campaigns for the Kings this season. But there are many different concerns surrounding Dumoulin and Ceci.

Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

First, the two blueliners have been a defensive pairing for the majority of this season, playing over 600 minutes together, according to moneypuck.com. And against the Mammoth on Sunday, Ceci and Dumoulin were on the ice for every conceded goal during regulation.

The pair finished the game with a minus-three rating each and played a part in Utah's third goal that gave them a 3-2 lead over Los Angeles in the third period.

Not only is the duo of veteran defensemen having a relatively forgettable season, but they're also under contract for the long term.

Ceci, 31, signed a four-year deal with the Kings and is earning $4.5 million against the salary cap. Not to mention, he has a 10-team no-trade list for the duration of this deal. His contract expires following the 2028-29 season, and he'll be 35.

As for Dumoulin, the 33-year-old earns $4 million against the cap through 2027-28. He also has a 10-team no-trade list for the entire length of his contract.

March 23, 2026

NHL power rankings: Half of playoff field could be new faces

The NHL regular season ends in a little more than three weeks, and there will be a lot of new faces if the current standings hold up.

Two of those teams – the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks – are leading their divisions despite a combined drought of 21 seasons. They met on Sunday, March 22, with the Ducks prevailing 6-5 in overtime.

Another six teams, as of the morning of Monday, March 23, were in a playoff position despite missing the postseason last season: Pittsburgh, Columbus, Boston, New York Islanders, Utah and Nashville.

In the meantime, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are currently sitting below the playoff line, as are 2024-25 division winners Winnipeg, Washington and Toronto. The other four 2024-25 playoff teams who could miss out this season: New Jersey, Ottawa, Los Angeles and St. Louis.

Plenty of time remains and only two teams have clinched spots so far.

Here are the latest USA TODAY NHL power rankings:

NHL power rankings

Statistics are through March 22. Numbers in parentheses indicate changes from the previous power rankings two weeks ago:

1. Colorado Avalanche (0)

Captain Gabriel Landeskog scored in his March 22 return from a two-week absence. He needed surgery after being hit by a teammate's slap shot in the lower body and also missed time this season before the Olympics with broken ribs.

2. Dallas Stars (0)

The Stars joined the Avalanche in clinching a playoff spot. They missed a chance to clinch outright when they lost to the Golden Knights in regulation but a Kings loss later on March 22 extended their playoff streak to five seasons. Dallas has lost in the conference finals the last three seasons.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (+1)

Goaltender Brandon Bussi has given up three or more goals in five of his six starts after the Olympics. His save percentages have been below .900 in those six games.

4. Buffalo Sabres (+1)

The Sabres, who lost three of four games heading into the Olympics, have gone 12-1-1 since. Their surge began after they changed general managers in December. Sitting atop the Atlantic Division standings, they're in position to end their NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.

5. Minnesota Wild (-2)

The Minnesota hockey community is mourning the death of Jessi Pierce, who covered the Wild for 10 years as a reporter for NHL.com. She, her three children and the family dog died on March 21 in a fire at their home.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning (0)

Nikita Kucherov moved past Edmonton's Connor McDavid for the NHL scoring lead as they played head to head. Kucherov had four points in the game to McDavid's one. On one sequence, McDavid was checked hard on a scoring attempt and Kucherov scored a short-handed goal.

EMIL LILLEBERG LAYS OUT CONNOR MCDAVID AT ONE END 💥

NIKITA KUCHEROV SCORES A SHORTY AT THE OTHER END 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ENNTlOuxAK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 22, 2026

7. Montreal Canadiens (+1)

Cole Caufield had his first career five-point game and linemates Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky each had four points in a 7-3 win against the Islanders.

8. Boston Bruins (+3)

Charlie McAvoy had three assists as the Bruins beat the Red Wings on March 21 to hold onto the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins (-2)

Sidney Crosby is back from his Olympic injury and Evgeni Malkin has returned from his five-game suspension. The Penguins went 2-3 with both out and 1-1-1 with both back.

10. Columbus Blue Jackets (+3)

The Blue Jackets' 1-0 loss to the Islanders ended a 12-game point streak. Their 18-3-4 run since Rick Bowness was named coach has pushed the team into a playoff position.

11. New York Islanders (-1)

Ilya Sorokin, who was pulled in a loss to the Canadiens, rebounded the next game with a shutout of the Blue Jackets as the Islanders moved back into a playoff position.

12. Anaheim Ducks (0)

The Ducks lead the Pacific Division, putting them in position to end a seven-year playoff drought. The highest they finished in that time was sixth in the division. They haven't won a division title since 2017.

13. Utah Mammoth (+1)

The Mammoth, by virtue of holding the first wild-card spot in the West, would play teams from the weaker Pacific Division in the first two rounds, a better prospect than going through Colorado, Dallas or Minnesota.

14. Detroit Red Wings (-5)

Andrew Copp is back from an injury and captain Dylan Larkin is a game-time decision for March 24. The Red Wings have gone 3-4-2 in their last nine games to fall out of a playoff position.

15. Ottawa Senators (0)

The Senators are getting back their forfeited first-round pick but it will be at the end of the round at No. 32. They can't trade or transfer the pick and were fined $1 million Canadian for failing to inform the Golden Knights, when they traded Evgenii Dadonov in 2021, about the specifics of his no-trade protection. The Golden Knights' later trade of Dadonov to the Ducks was invalidated because Anaheim was on his no-trade list. If the Senators finish out of the playoffs and win one of the two draft lotteries, the lottery will be conducted again.

16. Philadelphia Flyers (+2)

The Flyers have won five of their last six games to pull within five points of a playoff spot. Four of their next seven games are against teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings.

17. Washington Capitals (+4)

Alex Ovechkin scored his 1,000th career goal (combined regular season and playoffs) on March 22 on his typical one-timer from the left faceoff circle. Only Wayne Gretzky (1,016) has more. Ovechkin is in the final year of his contract and hasn't indicated his plans beyond this season.

18. Vegas Golden Knights (-2)

The Golden Knights have only five wins in 14 games since the Olympics, but a March 22 victory against the Stars moved them into second place in the Pacific Division. They would have home-ice advantage in the first round if they finish in that spot.

19. Edmonton Oilers (-2)

The Oilers have made two announcements about their stretch drive. Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and Connor Ingram will be the No. 1 goaltender ahead of Tristan Jarry.

20. Nashville Predators (+7)

Despite being a seller at the trade deadline, the Predators have won four in a row and moved into the second wild-card spot.

21. New Jersey Devils (+2)

Jack Hughes, who scored the golden goal at the Olympics, has points in 10 of his 12 games since returning. That includes a hat trick and an assist against the Rangers and two three-point games.

22. Los Angeles Kings (+2)

Anze Kopitar passed Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne to become the Kings' all-time leading scorer. His career numbers are 451 goals and 1,311 points, all with the Kings. He has announced plans to retire after the season.

23. San Jose Sharks (-4)

Forward Ryan Reaves appeared to dislocate his finger in a fight against the Flyers' Garrett Wilson on March 21. Before heading to the penalty box, he skated to the bench to have a trainer snap it back in place. Reaves went to the dressing room, skated one more shift then spent the rest of the game on the bench.

24. Seattle Kraken (-4)

The Kraken have gone 4-9 since the Olympics to drop from third place in the Pacific Division to four points out of a playoff spot. They have given up four or more goals seven times in that stretch.

25. Florida Panthers (-3)

The Panthers, already missing several key players because of injury, have lost fourth-line forward A.J. Greer to a suspension. He is sitting out three games for boarding the Flames' Connor Zary.

26. Winnipeg Jets (0)

The Jets, sitting five points out of a playoff spot, could become the second consecutive team to go from winning the Presidents' Trophy to missing the postseason the following season. The Rangers did it last season.

27. Toronto Maple Leafs (-2)

Goalie Anthony Stolarz was taken to the hospital and later released after being hit by a puck in the throat during warmups. It was his second hospital trip in less than a year because of a game-related injury. He left a 2025 playoff game shortly after a collision in the crease.

28. St. Louis Blues (0)

Forward Robert Thomas has 13 points in 10 games this month since returning from an injury. He had been mentioned in trade rumors but told reporters that he had never been asked to waive his no-trade clause.

29. Calgary Flames (0)

Forward Ryan Strome had six points in nine games, including a March 22 overtime goal, since arriving from the Ducks at the trade deadline. He had nine points in 33 games with Anaheim this season and is averaging nearly five more minutes a game in Calgary.

30. New York Rangers (+1)

Forward Mika Zibanejad is scheduled to play in his 1,000th career NHL game on March 23. He's facing the Senators, his original NHL team. Zibanejad enters the game on a roll with 11 points in his last eight games.

31. Chicago Blackhawks (-1)

Prospect Anton Frondell is expected to play for the Blackhawks this week with his season over in Sweden. The center, drafted No. 3 overall by Chicago in 2025, helped Sweden win its first world junior championship gold medal since 2012. Coach Jeff Blashill told reporters that based on Frondell's level of play, he'll probably throw him into the fire rather than ease him in.

32. Vancouver Canucks (0)

The Canucks are the first team to be officially eliminated from 2026 playoff contention. With only 50 points this season, they almost certainly will finish with the best draft lottery odds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL power rankings: Potential playoff field filled with new faces

March 23, 2026

ST Game 32: Seattle Mariners at San Diego Padres

Mar 19, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners at Seattle Mariners, March 23, 2026, 12:10 p.m. PST

Watch: None

Location: Peoria Sports Complex – Peoria, AZ

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

Last one of Spring. pic.twitter.com/INazw40mmD
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 23, 2026

One more before the real thing at @TMobilePark on Thursday. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/VMdXyTz41R
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 23, 2026

Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

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Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our threads

GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

March 23, 2026

Ask Pinstripe Alley: Yankees mailbag questions request

It’s finally here: this week Opening Day arrives and the Yankees’ 2026 season will kick off in San Francisco. We’ve got just a couple of spring training games left to get through before the record resets, but by the time this mailbag returns to answer your questions New York will officially be either a half-game up or behind the rest of the division.

Max Fried will get the first start of the year, and then a trio of Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers will follow him. The early schedule will allow the team to forego a fifth starter, at least for the first couple of turns through the rotation, and that’s allowed them another bat off the bench in Randal Grichuk. Will the journeyman outfielder manage to impress enough to stay on the roster once they return to a five-man rotation? How will Fried shoulder being the ace of the staff once again? How will Aaron Judge open his quest for a third-consecutive MVP season? If you have questions like these, or anything else on your mind, send ‘em in for a chance to be featured in our Yankees mailbag.

Answers will run on Friday afternoon. All questions received by the night of March 26th will be considered. You can leave your submissions in the comment section below or by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

March 23, 2026

Karim Lopez NBA mock draft projection: Where the forward is expected to land

March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. But one international prospect not in the tournament already has caught the eye of many scouts — Mexico's Karim Lopez.

The forward is expected to go in the first round. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects his draft night will play out.

Karim Lopez 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 17 overall, Oklahoma City Thunder

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Thunder have drafted several players from Australias NBL, including Josh Giddey. They could dip into this well again by selecting Karim Lopez with their pick from the Los Angeles Clippers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, the physically gifted forward is widely seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Karim Lopez player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

Position: Forward
Current Team: International (Australia)
11.9 points per game
6.1 rebounds per game
2 assists per game
50.2% field goal percentage
32.6% three-point field goal percentage

Oklahoma City Thunder 2026 projected draft picks

No. 15 (via LAC), No. 16 (via PHI) and No. 36 (via DAL)

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karim Lopez NBA mock draft projection: Where International (Australia) star is expected to land

March 23, 2026

Spurs vs Heat Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Miami Heat have dropped four straight games, and they’ll look to get back on track Monday when they host the San Antonio Spurs, winners of five straight.

The home team will be close to full strength, and my Spurs vs Heat predictions expect Miami to keep it close against the powerhouse visitors.

Here are my free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown from Kaseya Center on Monday, March 23.

Spurs vs Heat prediction

Spurs vs Heat best bet: Heat +4.5 (-110)

The Miami Heat have played great basketball at home this season, winning 23 and covering in 36 games at Kaseya Center. Miami sports the second-highest cover percentage as a home underdog, going 7-2 against the spread.

Miami just covered in a one-point loss to Houston, and that was without Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez, and Andrew Wiggins.

All three are expected to suit up, and they'll all play a part in helping the Heat's Top 10 home offense keep up with the San Antonio Spurs' explosive offense, while Bam Adebayo can focus on containing Victor Wembanyama.

Spurs vs Heat same-game parlay

The Heat rank 10th in offensive rating at home, while the Spurs rank ninth on the road.

Bam has been on a heater, and Miami has a plethora of scoring options to rack up points. The Spurs will have Stephon Castle back, and Devin Vassell could return as well, giving San Antonio extra firepower.

Since scoring a historic 83 points, Adebayo has averaged 25.3 points across his last four outings, going for 22+ three times. He leads the Heat in minutes in that span, clocking in at a whopping 39.1.

Spurs vs Heat SGP

Heat +4.5
Over 243
Bam Adebayo Over 21.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bunch of buckets

Wemby has averaged 28.7 points across his last nine games, going for 27+ in six of them. He finished with 27 points in his first matchup with the Heat, and he’ll need to be at his best to keep up with a hot Miami offense.

Castle will return following a two-game absence, and Andrew Wiggins is expected to play after eight games on the sidelines.

Castle scored 21 against the Heat earlier in the season, and he averaged 21.8 points in five games before sustaining his hip injury. Wiggins scored 12+ in seven of eight contests before injuring his toe, and he dropped 24 in his first meeting with the Spurs.

Spurs vs Heat SGP

Bam Adebayo Over 21.5 points
Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
Andrew Wiggins Over 11.5 points

Spurs vs Heat odds

Spread: Spurs -4.5 | Heat +4.5
Moneyline: Spurs -200 | Heat +165
Over/Under: Over 243 | Under 243

Spurs vs Heat betting trend to know

The Miami Heat have covered the first-half spread in 33 of their last 50 games (+15.85 Units / 27% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Heat.

How to watch Spurs vs Heat

Location	Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date	Monday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	Peacock/NBCSN

Spurs vs Heat latest injuries

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