The Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets will close out their regular-season schedules in a matchup between two disappointed teams that had their sights set on the playoffs.
My Capitals vs. Blue Jackets predictions expect the home side to come out on top in a high-event game.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Tuesday, April 14.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets prediction
Capitals vs Blue Jackets best bet: Blue Jackets moneyline (-145)
The Washington Capitals have controlled only 41.57% of high-danger chances at 5-on-5 over the last 10 games, ranking 31st in the league.
They’re consistently getting outplayed, and that should continue against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their share of high-danger chances over the same span is ~10% higher than Washington’s, and they also have the added motivation of closing out their season on a high note on home ice.
Washington’s tendency to get out-chanced could be even more problematic with Clay Stevenson in net.
Stevenson is a 27-year-old journeyman with a .892 save percentage through four NHL starts, and he is unlikely to measure up to Jet Greaves at the other end of the rink.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets same-game parlay
Seven of the Capitals’ last 10 games have eclipsed the total, and that was with Logan Thompson — who leads the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected — starting in nine of them.
With no stakes in tonight's matchup and a third-string netminder taking the crease, this sets up as a free-flowing contest where the offenses shine.
The Blue Jackets also tend to play in faster games, ranking sixth in 5-on-5 pace this season, which should create a better environment for scoring.
Capitals vs Blue Jackets SGP
Blue Jackets moneyline
Over 6.5
Capitals vs Blue Jackets odds
Moneyline: Capitals -105 | Blue Jackets -115
Puck Line: Capitals +1.5 (-250) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+205)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)
Capitals vs Blue Jackets trend
Seven of Washington’s past nine games have featured at least eight goals. Find more NHL betting trends for Capitals vs. Blue Jackets.
How to watch Capitals vs Blue Jackets
Location
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Capitals vs Blue Jackets latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 22: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game on OCTOBER 22, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The regular season has come to a close, and for the first time since 2019 (well, technically 2022 if you want to count the play-in), this is not the end of the line for the Spurs! After a 28-game turnaround from last season’s 34-48 to 62-20, the Spurs are headed to the playoffs as the second seed in the West and NBA overall. They will face the winner of tonight’s 7th vs. 8th seed match-up between the Phoenix Suns or Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 already scheduled for 8:00 PM CT on Sunday regardless of opponent.
We’ll have plenty more when we know about that series, but in the meantime, I thought it would fun to look back at what was the most exciting regular season for the Spurs since 2016-17. In my mind, there were four parts of this season. The first is what I would consider the pre-NBA Cup (in Vegas) stretch, where the Spurs played well and showed they were on a new level but were having to patiently wait for a complete roster due to injuries. Then there was the December surge when they finally were healthy, followed by a January “slump”, and lastly, February and onward, when they started looking like a true contender.
We’ll look back at each part of the season and how it shaped what turned out to be one of the greatest regular season’s in Spurs history, beginning with:
Part 1: Oct. 22 – Dec. 10 (17-7)
Despite having doubters, the Spurs entered the season with high optimism. Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return from deep vein thrombosis that had shortened his previous season to the All-Star break, and he was determined to make the most of it. He also got to open the season against the next great prospect to enter the NBA in Cooper Flagg, and Wemby dominated with a 40-point, 15-rebound performance, determined not only to remind everyone who he is, but also that despite the hype, the doe-eyed rookie was not on his level just yet. (Although he has proven he will be darn good. Everyone is watching the Wemby vs. Chet Holmgren rivalry, but keep an eye on this one, too.)
The Spurs would go on to win their first five games — a franchise record — by riding Wemby’s dominance, all while waiting for De’Aaron Fox to make is season debut following offseason finger surgery and a hamstring injury. He finally did nine games in, only for Wemby to then miss 12 straight games with the most dreaded two words in sports these days: calf strain.
Still, it may have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed Fox to integrate himself with the roster and gain their respect as the main ball handler. He averaged 25 points — 6.5 above his season average —and 6.5 assists during that stretch, with his best game being a memorable 114-112 OT win in Orlando, in which he had 31 points and 5 assists while showing why he was Mr. Clutch in 2023. As the cherry on top, the game was capped off by a hilarious Luke Kornet block-and-pose, who also showed his worth as Wemby’s best backup yet and quickly becoming one of the most underrated offseason acquisitions in the league.
The Spurs surprisingly went 9-3 in that timeframe without Wemby, including making the NBA Cup Tournament. That stretch concluded with a dominant 132-119 quarterfinals win in Los Angeles against a healthy Lakers squad that had already beaten them once this season, led by a dominant performance from Stephon Castle, who went toe-to-toe with Luka Doncic with a 30-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist performance. As good as the reigning Rookie of the Year was coming into the season, he made an even bigger leap than expected in his sophomore campaign, bringing plenty more optimism for the future.
Despite 50% of the first part of the season coming without Wemby, the Spurs were able to show off their depth and establish themselves as a force to be reconned with perhaps a season sooner than expected, and soon, they would have the entire league’s attention.
Check back tomorrow as we continue to walk down memory lane of an incredible regular season, and make sure to add more of your favorite memories from the opening stretch in the comments below!
The Washington Wizards finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-65 record — the worst in the NBA — in Brian Keefe’s second full season as the team’s head coach. The record looks bad, but it’s what the organization wanted this season, and in season’s past, while under Keefe’s leadership.
Keefe owns a 43-160 record in two-plus seasons in Washington, which marks the worst winning percentage (.212) in NBA history among coaches with at least 200 games coached. He’s been on the sidelines with for countless blowout losses, including Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night, and has lost 16 straight games on four separate occasions during his tenure.
But he also used nearly 50 different starting lineups this season and didn’t appear to have full control over his rotations as the Wizards tanked for the league’s worst record. He’s also well liked by the players and has developed the team’s young talent.
So, does Keefe deserve a shot at coaching the Wizards when they’re actually trying to compete? Or is it time to move on as the team enters a new phase of its rebuild?
Greg Finberg and Domo (@Domo8186 on X) discuss in the latest episode of “The Wizards Podcast.“
DENVER, CO - APRIL 6: Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros prepares to bat in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:
Carlos Correa is not making excuses for a 1-9 road trip:
Carlos Correa doesn’t want injuries to bean an excuse.
Ten games, nine losses, five injuries (Pena, Imai, Brown, Javier, Meyers) – it’s been rough
Eleven days, 10 games, nine losses and five injuries after it began, one of the most hellacious road trips in Houston Astros history is over – https://t.co/Z17hvuZ4o4
Despite the losing streak, Cam Smith has shown tremendous growth thus far:
While the Astros' road trip has been rough team-wise, Cam Smith has had some big moments that highlight his growth in his second big-league season. https://t.co/W7sjY1HfcI
Angels-Yankees gave us something not seen in 70 years:
Aaron Judge and Mike Trout hit 2 HRs apiece in Yankees' 11-10 victory over the Angels. The only other time two 3-time MVP winners homered twice in same game? Stan Musial and Roy Campanella in Brooklyn's 9-8 victory on Campanella's 3-run walk-off HR, June 21, 1956, per @OptaSTATS
This is an ugly situation, and the worst part of it is that he has to sue his own parents:
News: Alec Bohm’s legal team has requested a preliminary injunction amid his legal battle vs. his parents, seeking return of $500K+ to a brokerage account.
Also, Bohm has fired agent Scott Boras and re-hired Nick Chanock of The Team.
How a three-minute voice memo from Kiké Hernández to Andrew Friedman and a prompt Zoom call during MLB's winter meetings helped spark the Dodgers' pursuit of Edwin Díaz. This story is unlocked and free to read:https://t.co/1TegTXaSpQ
With the Philadelphia Flyers officially clinching a spot in the playoffs, they have called up five players from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ahead of their season finale against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Flyers have announced that they have recalled Anthony Richard, Jacob Gaucher, Hunter McDonald, Oliver Bonk, and Aleksei Kolosov from the Phantoms.
The Flyers also shared that Bonk and McDonald will make their NHL debuts against the Habs.
Richard has appeared in 63 games this season with Lehigh Valley, where he has 18 goals and 44 points in 63 games. He played in 15 games for the Flyers last season, posting two goals and six points.
Gaucher has played in three games this season with Philadelphia, where he has zero points and a minus-1 rating. He has 20 goals and 36 points in 66 games with Lehigh Valley this campaign.
McDonald has six assists and 88 penalty minutes in 62 games this season with the Phantoms. The 6-foot-4 defenseman was selected by the Flyers with the 165th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Bonk is certainly a notable call-up, as he was selected by Philadelphia with the 22nd overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. In 44 games this season with the Phantoms, he has six goals and 19 points.
As for Kolosov, he has a 0-2-0 record and an .830 save percentage in four games for the Flyers this season. He also has a 15-20-2 record and an .898 save percentage in 37 games with the Phantoms this season.
With a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs in hand, the Philadelphia Flyers have made a handful of roster moves to rest some key players.
On Tuesday morning, the Flyers brought up five players from the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with two set to make their NHL debuts.
Headlining the group is 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk, who is currently in the midst of his first professional season after some very productive years with the OHL London Knights.
After Dan Vladar's heroics on Monday night, prospect Aleksei Kolosov will be inserted into the lineup, presumably to back up Sam Ersson against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night and keep Vladar off the ice at all costs.
The Flyers will also be welcoming back center Jacob Gaucher, who played three games for the NHL squad in November, and veteran Anthony Richard, who scored six points in 15 games for the Flyers last season.
As for further lineup changes, the expectation is that David Jiricek will make his Flyers debut, with Alex Bump, Carl Grundstrom, Noah Juulsen, and Garrett Wilson also drawing in for Flyers players in need of a rest ahead of the playoffs.
Jiricek, 22, played 25 NHL games for the Minnesota Wild this season, with his last appearance coming back on Jan. 31.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 11: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds steals second base during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Great American Ball Park on April 11, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have finally run into a team they’re hitting better than here through the season’s first couple of weeks. If you ignore the Yankees series, the Giants are actually around a league average offense (96 wRC+) in their last 13 games. Meanwhile, the Reds are the worst in the National League (76 wRC+). According to FanGraphs’ measure of WAR, they’ve been exactly replacement level (0.0) over their last 14 games. Does this mean the Giants have a great shot in this 3-game series at the Great American Ball Park?
Sure. Anything’s possible.
They’ve also been a medicore pitching team, with a 4.10 ERA and 5.09 xERA. That’s because they have been walking hitters like crazy, to the tune of 5.04 per 9 innings over their last 125 innings. That’s the worst in the NL and fourth-worst in MLB. And yet, they’re 9-7 overall, with 5 of those wins coming on the road in Texas and Miami. They have a -16 run differential compared to the Giants -21. The Giants staff has walked hitters at too-high a rate as well, with a 4.18 BB/9 over their last 114 innings. That’s 21st in MLB and 10th in the NL.
On the full season — so, if we go back and include the Yankees series — the Reds have only outscored the Giants by 3 runs (54 to 51). They’re hitting as a team just .205/.298/.325 compared to the Giants’ .243/.288/.357. Their offensive leaders have been Elly De La Cruz (152 wRC+) and rookie Sal Stewart (178 wRC+). The only other player who comes close to league average (100 wRC+) is platoon bat Nathaniel Lowe (92 wRC+ in 23 PA).It’s a rough lineup here in the early going. The Giants counter that with Casey Schmitt (186 wRC+), Willy Adames (127), Matt Chapman (118), and Luis Arraez (106).
Rather than silo him in the players to watch section, I’ll talk about the Reds’ dynamic Elly De La Cruz right here, because he’s just 24 years old and is once again playing like an MVP-caliber player. He has 5 stolen based in his first 16 games of the season, an 11.1% walk rate and 27.8 strikeout rate. It’s doubtful he’ll sustain those rates through the season, but they’d both be career bests (his career averages: 9.5 BB% and 29.7 K%). He was projected to be a 4-to-5-WAR player and has already been worth 1.0 fWAR through the first 16 games of the season. That’s a 10-WAR pace. Also probably not sustainable, but worth mentioning here because he’s white hot right now.
The Great American Ball Park has been less a house of horrors here in the 2020s than it was in the 2010s when the Giants went 12-21. They’re 11-6 here in the 2020s and, as you’ll recall, the Giants got off to such a scintillating start last season because of the opening series in Cincinnati. A year later and the team feels considerably less surprising and brimming with possibilities, but who knows? Maybe another series win here will kick off a nice run of success. This series is a battle of old (the Giants) versus young (the Reds), with the Giants’ older lineup (28.9 on average) battling the Reds’ younger pitching staff (28.4) while the Reds’ young hitters (27.8) take on the Giants’ more veteran (30.2) staff.
Series overview
Who: San Francisco Giants (6-10) at Cincinnati Reds (9-7) Where: Great American Ball Park| Cincinnati, Ohio When: Monday & Tuesday at 3:40pm PT, Wednesday at 9:40am PT National broadcasts: None.
Sal Stewart: The 22-year old first baseman ended last season as the #3 prospect in the Reds’ system, according to MLB Pipeline. Indeed, the top three prospects from their system at the end of 2025 will be featured in this series, with Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder both scheduled to pitch.
He was a high school bat drafted in 2022 and, per Pipeline’s writeup:
Stewart’s advanced approach has been apparent from day one of his pro career. He carried a miniscule 15.7 percent career strikeout rate into the 2025 season and he’s walked as often as he’s struck out (138 BB vs. 139 Ks). He makes a lot of hard contact and can send line drives to all fields consistently against all kinds of pitching. Just 21 for all of this season [2025], he’s still learning to tap into his considerable raw power, with confidence it will come without him losing any of his hitability.
He hit 5 home runs in an 18-game cup of coffee last season (58) and slashed .255/.293/.545. He’s hitting .309/.435/.600 in the first 16 games and 69 plate appearances of this season. That includes 4 home runs, 4 doubles, and 13 walks against 10 strikeouts. No wonder Eno Sarris giddily selected his future over Bryce Eldridge’s when asked about it during the offseason.
Rhett Lowder: A sinker-slider-changeup guy whose fastball velocity (he does have a four-seamer, too) that sits in the 92-94 range. I’m thinking the right-handed Cade Povich, if you want a recent comparison to a Giants’ opponent. I’m interested to see how his 6.1 K/9 (though 3.74 FIP) plays against this Giants lineup. He missed all of 2025 with some elbow issues, but in 2024, he had a 1.17 ERA (3.10 FIP) in 6 starts (30.2 IP).
Eugenio Suarez: The veteran has yet to get it going in the early season with a .642 OPS through his first 16 games. He was a Red from 2015-2021 and since 2021 he’s his 163 home runs for 3 teams in 774 games. He has a career line of .244/.331/.516 with 15 home runs in 59 games and 245 PA against the Giants.
Giants
Jung Hoo Lee: Lee, like a lot of the Giants, got off to a fast start in Cincinnati last season, with a 3-for-10, a double, a stolen base, and a pair of walks in that season-opening series. He’s had a dismal start to 2026 (.185/.246/.315) and could really use a good series. Three right-handed starters in a park that favors hitters is a nice pairing of ingredients for a hitter.
Tyler Mahle: He was drafted by the Reds in the 7th round of the 2013 draft and spent his first 5 1/2 seasons with them, posting a 4.34 ERA in 117 starts. This will be the first time he’s ever faced his former team?! That seems impossible, so maybe I’m reading his Baseball Reference page wrong. Anyway, he has a career 5.02 ERA in 285.1 IP at the Great American Ball Park.
Patrick Bailey: Speaking of performance at GABP, the Giants catcher is just 1-for-27 in his career. That’s just 9 games, but it’s another strike against a backstop who certainly racks up strikes whenever he steps to the plate. There’s probably not a starting catcher controversy just yet, but we almost certainly figure to see Daniel Susac more often should Bailey’s bat maintain its sub zero temperature.
Tony Vitello watch
He’ll be going up against the legend Terry Francona, which might be interesting if the Giants are able to keep games close late. It’s not that the Great American Ball Park is Coors Field, but bullpen decisions will be important. Also, I wonder how much time Vitello has spent in Ohio. The Volunteers played Cincinnati, so maybe he’ll have a couple of old college stories to share during the media scrum.
Nike Basketball unveiled the new Nike LeBron Witness IX PE Monday, a player-exclusive colorway in honor of Bronny James. The shoe not only symbolizes the LA Lakers rising guard and his famous father, but also Bronny’s backstory as a survivor, who has overcome several obstacles in order to reach his NBA dream.
The new shoe, which is the second such shoe in the series, leans into restraint. It features a tonal upper layered with subtle textures. It has red accents and features the name “Bronny” on the toe and his logo on the heel.
The new Nike shoe symbolizes the LA Lakers’ rising guard Bronny James and his backstory as a survivor. APIt has red accents and features the name “Bronny” on the toe and James’ logo on the heel. Nike
Bronny James’ journey from son of arguably the greatest player in NBA history to rising star with the Lakers is not linear. After committing to University of Southern California for college, Bronny collapsed during an early-morning practice on July 24, 2023 inside USC’s Galen Center. He suffered a cardiac arrest that was later attributed to a congenital heart defect. James’ future in basketball was suddenly in doubt.
LeBron IX Witness PER for Bronny inspired by his recovery and journey back to the court. pic.twitter.com/NyR1VzgwKA
LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son teammates ever to share the court in the NBA. Getty Images
Less than five months later, he returned to the court and made his collegiate debut with the Trojans. After his freshman season, he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected in the second-round at No. 55 overall by the Lakers. That October, LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son teammates ever to share the court in the NBA.
This new sneaker lives in that space between what almost was and what now is.
The Witness IX PE becomes less about LeBron’s signature line and more about the upcoming evolution. A passing of narrative from one generation to the next and an example of Nike’s investment in the entire James family.
On April 3, the St. Louis Blues signed Colin Ralph to a three-year, entry-level contract, bringing the highly anticipated defenseman into the organization. He is finishing the 2025-26 season on an ATO with the Springfield Thunderbirds, as his ELC will kick in at the start of the 2026-27 season.
Ralph spent his two seasons following the NHL draft in the NCAA, first with St. Cloud State University as a freshman before entering the transfer portal and joining Michigan State University as a sophomore.
Michigan State was one of the favorites to win the National Championship, and although they did fall short, Ralph had a strong year.
Ralph won’t blow you away with his offense, as he finished this season with just one goal and 11 points in 37 games, but the 20-year-old is a stout defender and has quickly earned the trust of his coaches at every level.
With Michigan State, Ralph averaged nearly 21 minutes of ice time on a blueline that featured four other drafted prospects. Standing 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Ralph has the frame of a physical defenseman, and he utilizes it to his advantage. Like Colton Parayko, his physicality might be his best trait in the NHL, but he has shown that his skating and puck-moving abilities are strong enough for the higher level.
His calling card in the NHL, and even in the AHL for the next couple of seasons, will be his defensive game. His size, reach, and defensive understanding are already at a high level, and he’ll be able to polish them in the AHL.
His short-term outlook is in the AHL, but if Ralph can continue to develop and work his way into the NHL, he’ll be exactly what the Blues will need. The 2024 second-round pick (48th overall) played his first three AHL games this weekend, failing to record a point.
While it is still no guarantee that Adam Jiricek, Theo Lindstein, and Logan Mailloux reach the levels some anticipate they will, if they meet expectations, the Blues will have three smooth-skating, puck-moving defensemen with plenty of offensive skill in their top four alongside Philip Broberg. As Parayko ages, they’ll need a replacement for him, and Ralph has the skill set to do so, rounding out the backend.
Ralph can be that defensive first defender who allows Jiricek, Lindstein, and Mailloux to thrive and play their own game.
The Blues have plenty of depth within their prospect pool, which means Ralph will have several competitors to deal with.
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 10: Manager Tony Vitello #23 and Drew Gilbert #0 of the San Francisco Giants watches practice during Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium on February 10, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants have, somewhat unconventionally, only used 27 players this year, which means they’ve only made one move involving the Major League roster. That move was forced on them, after reliever José Buttó was placed on the Injured List, and replaced by Blade Tidwell.
It’s the time of the year where teams start to tinker with their rosters. Like the Giants, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers have also used just one additional player; but the Colorado Rockies have used three, and the Arizona Diamondbacks four.
The Giants will likely make another pitching move before long, as relievers Sam Hentges (a lefty) and Joel Peguero (a righty) have both started rehab assignments after beginning the year on the IL. But where they really could use a move is on the offensive front. The Giants are, somewhat surprisingly, ninth in the Majors in batting average, but that’s where the good times end. San Francisco is 28th in on-base percentage, 24th in slugging percentage, dead last in walk rate, dead last in home runs, dead last in stolen bases, 29th in runs, 27th in OPS, and 27th in wRC+.
But the issue, of course, is that the Giants don’t have any quick fixes. The obvious solution to boost the offense would be to promote their top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, but even if the Giants thought he were ready (which I doubt they do), it still doesn’t really help things. Their best hitter this year has been Casey Schmitt, who has primarily been used as the DH, which is where Eldridge would need to slot in. Schmitt’s not going to displace Matt Chapman or Rafael Devers for obvious reasons, and Luis Arráez has been one of the team’s only good hitters this year, so he’s not getting displaced, either. Which means there’s no place for Eldridge.
Jesús Rodríguez is the other bat who could help the team, but similar concerns arise. The contact-heavy utility player is not going to take starts from Patrick Bailey or Arráez, and replacing Daniel “greatest hitter of all time” Susac isn’t something that needs doing.
The outfield is where the Giants really need some help, but it probably needs to come from Heliot Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee, and Harrison Bader remembering how to hit. The reinforcements there don’t seem likely to do much better: AAA Sacramento’s outfield is Grant McCray (who is in an awful slump), Will Brennan (a veteran with a large track record of being a below-average hitter in the Majors), Drew Gilbert (who isn’t lighting up the box scores and has been a very bad hitter in the Majors) and Victor Bericoto (who is still adjusting to the level).
So while most people are likely hoping for a move to come soon, it’s probably still a ways away for the Giants. But that won’t stop me from asking for your prediction of when it will occur, and who it will be.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: A view of the center court logo is seen prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 04, 2026 in New York City. 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 Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As Lucas Kaplan had put it to you yesterday, the Brooklyn Nets hosted an official end of the season private press conference on Monday to share the takeaways everyone gathered from this season.
Despite the traditional setting of the atmosphere with members of the organization on the dias and various journalists sitting in seats waiting to ask questions, there was a sense of camaraderie Monday among the group. They may have had different jobs, questioned each other, set an debated strategy, etc, but overall one thing united them … It was a LONG season. Losing games is not fun, and it can take a toll on everyone.
Nevertheless, Sean Mark, Jordi Fernandez, MPJ, Noah Clowney, and Sean Marks still doled out some smiles, and answered key questions, some in more detail, others in less. There were Q. and A.’s on their approach during the season and what we can look forward to for this summer and the 2026-2027 — starting with a crucial draft, NBA Season. Here are some of the quotes that stood out. Lucas already handled MPJ’s answers in Monday’s report.
Jordi Fernandez: In the Moment
The life of an NBA coach is hard, especially when you’re in Jordi’s shoes. Not only is he responsible for developing young NBA talent, but he is in the middle of a rebuild where losing has become the norm in such a great city.
Fernandez started out with some humor, detailing that he should’ve been more considerate toward his family when they told him that being a head coach would be hard.
“You don’t know how to deal with your emotions until you have to do it. It’s really hard. Because you want to go out there and win games like the Boston game or Orlando when you’re right there.”
As he often does, Fernandez thanked a long list of people who had helped in development of the youngest team in the last 20 years.
“Between Long Island, the coaching staff, and the front office, the exposure that these guys had to the real games I thought was great. I think we led the league in minutes played by rookies [they did], and I thought that tells you that the best player development coaches are real live minutes. Those are the wins that don’t; show up in the standings, but the wins that we believe in.”
“I feel I’m supported, I also feel like whenever I make a mistake, I’m going to be challenged. When all of those things happen, it is all positive.”
Sean Marks: Fresh New Start/ Development
“Our rookie class specifically played more minutes than anyone else in the league from a rookie class standpoint. That’s something we’re certainly proud of. There’s excitement about the next 3-4 months of this summer. Talking to the coaching staff, I know they need to get away but they are all excited about what lies ahead of them.”
“One of the biggest lessons from an on-the-court perspective is that they got to feel what a real NBA athlete and game feels like and the preparation that is involved. Sometimes that takes a year or two, or maybe even three to get 40 games under their belt. A lot of our guys were exposed to it early to what that feels like.”
“We always look at the best available. As opposed to taking a guy and making him into your roster and what you already have. I think number one we’re looking for a competitive guy. You gotta fit, have that “Brooklyn Fit.” We always look at the upside, and that can be a tricky game to play, but we’re excited to see wherever this pick falls and there the opportunity will be for us.”
As for free agency and trades, Marks was cagey, as one might expect:
“It depends a little on what becomes available. You just never know,” said Marks. “We’ve put this Nets team and franchise in a place to be able to be opportunistic. Does that fit our timeline? Does this particular trade work for us right now?
“You can always add talent, but does that talent fit our approach and for the development of these young guys, fit in with the group we have? So, those are discussions I look forward to having with Jordi [Fernández] and the rest of the coaching staff, front office, mostly Joe [Tsai] — when we want to add and how we want to add.”
Marks also pointed out that Josh Minott’s performance might have even been better if he had been healthy.
“The shooting is something that probably surprised me slightly, but I look forward to seeing him healthy,” Marks said. “He was playing on one leg with us for most of the time here, so it is nice to get that ankle taken care of and then again have another big summer. … But he’s excited and incredibly motivated. And as we said before, I love the competitive nature and competitive fire that he has.”
Marks wouldn’t commit, at least not yet, to picking up Minott’s $2.5 million team option.
Noah Clowney: Correction
When it was Noah Clowney’s turn to sit to talk to the media on Monday morning, his body language said exhausted. That mixture of an 82-game season along with all that losing, Clowney had good reason. He spoke of his development which in his mind was mediocre.
“I think I progressed this year, maybe not as much as I wanted to, but I got better at a few different things and I got more experience, so I’m going to take that for what it is. I also got to gel more with the group that will be around for a while.
Clowney gave more in detail as the questions started to roll in.
“I think I had a really strong summer. I think you can ask anybody around here they can tell you the same. And when the season first started, it wasn’t translating how I wanted it too, and that led to frustration.”
During the season Clowney had upped his scoring average to 12.3 while playing in the most games of his young career.
“I think I got a lot better at getting to the rim. I think my handles have to get a lot better, that’ll prevent turnovers and things of that nature. Defensively it’s always been consistency. I can do it at times, and other times I just don’t.”
Other than being disappointed with himself, Clowney also mentioned about his unawareness of what next year can potentially look like. After all, he will be a restricted free agent this summer.
“I don’t know what the roster will be next year. I’m not looking forward to nobody specifically. I hope everybody still here, but we all know that’s not realistic. I’m looking for another opportunity to play, though.”
Jimmy Snuggerud is ending his rookie campaign on a huge high. He's picked up a point in 20 of his past 29 games, averaging more than a point per contest along the way.
My Penguins vs. Blues predictions expect Snuggerud to put together another productive outing against a Pittsburgh team looking toward the playoffs.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Tuesday, April 14.
Penguins vs Blues prediction
Penguins vs Blues best bet: Jimmy Snuggerud Over 0.5 points (-145)
Jimmy Snuggerud has played exceptional hockey alongside Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway on what has been one of the league’s best lines.
That trio has absolutely run over everybody in its path, outscoring opponents 20-5 at 5-on-5 while posting excellent underlying metrics since being assembled.
They also fully correlate on the top power play, allowing their chemistry to flourish in easy offensive situations.
That’s an important factor heading into a matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who’ve conceded a power play goal in five of the last six games in which they took at least two penalties.
Penguins vs Blues same-game parlay
The St. Louis Blues’ top line dominates territorially almost nightly, meaning plenty of offensive zone time for Holloway to put his shot to use.
He's cleared 2.5 shots in 10 of his past 14 games and has averaged a healthy 6.4 attempts along the way. He should get his share of looks against a Penguins team with nothing to play for.
We’ll round out the parlay with a bet on the Blues to take care of business in their home finale. They rank eighth in points percentage over their final 25 games and should handle a Penguins team whose biggest priority is getting through this game healthy.
Penguins vs Blues SGP
Jimmy Snuggerud Over 0.5 points
Dylan Holloway Over 2.5 shots on goal
Blues moneyline
Penguins vs Blues odds
Moneyline: Pittsburgh +110 | St. Louis -130
Puck line: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-240) | St. Louis -1.5 (+195)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)
Penguins vs Blues trend
The Blues have hit the moneyline in 13 of their last 20 games (+8.60 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Blues.
How to watch Penguins vs Blues
Location
Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Penguins vs Blues latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Craig Kimbrel is still working out the kinks with his new team.
In his second appearance with the Mets, Kimbrel and catcher Francisco Alvarez got their wires crossed during the sixth inning with two outs on a 2-2 pitch to Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers leading 4-0.
Alvarez called for time while Kimbrel was mid-windup and the veteran reliever nearly threw the ball at the Mets catcher, who was about five steps across home plate toward the pitcher’s mound.
Francisco Alvarez calls time and Craig Kimbrel stops his pitching motion just before throwing the ball pic.twitter.com/v7GuyJcg1B
Ohtani and home plate umpire Nic Lentz immediately ducked to avoid what looked like a potentially dangerous situation if the ball was released.
Alvarez did not get out of the way and instead stood his ground and tried to quickly get into a stance to catch the pitch, despite the distance between him and the pitcher closing.
Kimbrel was able to hold himself back from throwing the pitch and looked away as Alvarez came to the mound — and Ohtani took a sigh of relief.
Francisco Alvarez tries to hold Craig Kimbrel up from throwing a pitch in the Mets-Dodgers game on April 13, 2026. SNY/X
“Whoa,” the Mets broadcast of Ron Darling and Gary Cohen said in unison.
“Alvarez was running out to try and beat the pitch clock, and Kimbrel was ready to throw the pitch,” Cohen said. “That could have been a disaster.”
“That was almost going to be a little league distance pitch,” Darling added. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before. Alvarez gets time from the umpire, but Kimbrel doesn’t know that. Wow.”
Kimbrel wound up getting Ohtani to fly out to right field to end the inning, though four runs was more than enough for LA as right-hander Justin Wrobleski shut the Mets offense down.
Craig Kimbrel held onto the ball to avoid a potential disaster. SNY/X
After finishing fourth in the AL MVP race in 2024, Gunnar Henderson took a step back in 2025.
However, the Baltimore Orioles shortstop is swinging the bat well again, which is why my MLB picks are hammering his total bases prop. Henderson ranks in the 97th percentile in overall offensive talent according to THE BAT X, and he is slugging .691 over the last two weeks.
Henderson will have the platoon advantage at home against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly, with a stiff 13 mph breeze blowing out to the outfield at hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
Kelly is making his season debut after dealing with a back ailment, and he logged a 4.16 xERA across 32 starts last year. The D-backs also have one of the worst bullpens in the majors waiting in the wings.
Time: 6:35 p.m. ET
Where to watch: DBacks.TV | MASN
Drake Baldwin Over 0.5 RBI [+165]
Drake Baldwin won the NL Rookie of the Year Award last season and has been even better this year.
The Atlanta Braves catcher ranks in the 95th percentile in xSLG (.586) and the 88th percentile in barrel rate. Baldwin leads the Braves with 17 RBI, and he’s driven in a run in nine of his last 14 games.
Baldwin will have the platoon advantage against Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer tonight.
Meyer owns a 3.68 ERA through three starts, though his xERA sits significantly higher at 5.42. The right-hander posted a 4.73 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP in 12 starts last season, struggling particularly on the road.
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: BravesVision | Marlins.TV
Yordan Alvarez Over 1.5 total bases [-105]
After an injury-plagued campaign in 2025, Yordan Alvarez is healthy and playing like an MVP candidate. The Houston Astros slugger is fourth in the majors in slugging percentage (.714), and his expected xSLG is even higher at an incredible .821.
He'll have the platoon advantage against struggling Colorado Rockies hurler Michael Lorenzen, who sports an ugly 6.09 xERA through three starts, ranking in the 11th percentile in hard-hit rate and the sixth percentile in xBA (.323).
Alvarez will also benefit from 15 mph winds blowing out to the outfield at Daikin Park.
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rockies.TV | Space City Home Network
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Zion Williamson had a strong season, playing in 62 games — and it could have been 65, he sat out the meaningless final three games of the season, but could have played — while averaging 21 points a night on 60% shooting from the floor.
To some New Orleans fans, that just means the former No. 1 overall pick raised his trade value and the Pelicans should explore trading him this summer. That's not what Zion wants. He wants to stay, something he was clear about speaking to reporters after the New Orleans season ended.
"New Orleans is home for me. I don't say that because I'm sitting in front of these cameras," Williamson said, via Brett Martel of the Associated Press. "When the offseason hits, a lot of guys leave the city. I live here. ... I've been here since I was 19."
Williamson is under contract for two more seasons at a total of $87.1 million. That money, plus his level of production and injury risk, make this the kind of contract that is hard to get teams to take on in the tax apron era. While New Orleans front office decision-makers Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver have been open to discussing Zion trade in the past, other teams were far more eager to discuss Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones trades. The Pelicans set the price for either wing sky high.
Despite Zion's quality play, the Pelicans finished 26-56. They are looking for a new coach — interim coach James Borrego is part of that search — and some roster changes are expected this season. Dumars even discussed being open to a trade that would get the Pelicans back into the first round of the NBA Draft after they traded away their rights to this year's pick to Atlanta to move up last June and select Derek Queen.
As for Zion, who has played in 62+ games two of the last three seasons, he said he is proud of how he has bounced back from minor injuries this season, but he has work to do on his game.
"My play on the court — it was OK," Williamson said. "I was efficient, but I don't want to sit here and say it was OK and we're not even in [the postseason. Individually, I have a lot to go work on. I want to be able to attack from multiple areas on the court. I want to be able to be unpredictable on the offensive end, and I didn't really do a good job of that this year. ... I want to be able to do more for my team."
And it likely will be his team again. While you can expect Zion trade rumors to pop up this offseason, as they always do, finding a trade — with his salary and the aprons hanging over teams — will be difficult. That said, in what will be a wild offseason — with huge names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James likely on the move — nothing is impossible.
Fall 2026
IO6256-400
$200
apolloluo1976 (IG) 
Gunnar Henderson
Drake Baldwin
Yordan Alvarez