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Embiid ‘pissed off' he wasn't allowed to play against Wizards

Embiid ‘pissed off' he wasn't allowed to play against Wizards originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid shared his perspective Friday night on the odd series of events that led to him missing the Sixers’ win Wednesday against the Wizards.

He was displeased, to put it mildly.

A recap, for those who didn’t follow the mini-saga: 

Embiid played through an illness in the Sixers’ loss Monday to the Heat. On Wednesday morning, the Sixers wound up holding a film session at their hotel instead of their initially scheduled shootaround. Embiid was not present. In the late morning, the Sixers formally ruled him out for that night’s game. Embiid tweeted that the news “must be an April Fools” joke and said he was “planning to play tonight.” He later tweeted, “I guess they won’t let me play basketball!!” 

“We had activities this morning, film and stuff,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame at Capital One Arena. “He didn’t make the film after reporting some sickness from Miami the other day. Medical obviously went to see him and wanted him to get checked out by a doctor … decided to rule him out at that point.

“He obviously played the other night through some of that, but they just decided, a couple days (of being sick) here in a row, that he needed to get checked out.”

So … time for Embiid’s side of the story following the Sixers’ home win Friday over the Timberwolves.

“I was pissed off,” Embiid said. “I wanted to play basketball. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball. So I think this is more of a question for (Sixers president of basketball operations) Daryl Morey and whoever makes the decisions. I think, going into Miami, I was pretty sick, but I understood how important the game was. I still wanted to give us a chance to go out there and try to do something. … I felt a little bit better going into Washington. Definitely much better than I felt against Miami. 

“I woke up … didn’t sleep until probably 5 in the morning or 6. With that, couldn’t make it to shootaround. And then after that, I found out online that I wasn’t playing that night. That kind of caught me off guard. That pissed me off. But then again, I guess they make the decisions. It doesn’t matter what I think or not, I’ve just got to follow it. But that’s more of a question for Daryl and them. I don’t know what’s going on. I just want to play basketball.”

It’s notable that the Sixers appeared very likely to beat the Wizards, who sit at 17-59, regardless of whether Embiid played. On paper, having their star center grit it out against such an opponent wouldn’t have been prudent.

The Sixers had a rough first half defensively in D.C., but Paul George dropped 39 points and the team ultimately checked off a convincing win.

Listed as doubtful Thursday night, Embiid was upgraded to probable during the day Friday and then officially deemed available about 30 minutes before tip-off. While he had a slow start vs. Minnesota and finished 6 for 17 from the field, he was very good defensively and on the glass. The seven-time All-Star posted 19 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. It was a high-quality win for the Sixers, who needed it to stay sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with five regular-season games left. 

Embiid acknowledged postgame that the right oblique strain he suffered in late February has continued to affect him. 

“A little bit,” he said. “I got hit again today, so that doesn’t help. Just got to keep playing and try to not think about it.”

Embiid was asked whether he might play in the second leg of the Sixers’ back-to-back, a meeting Saturday night with the top-seeded Pistons. 

“There’s a chance,” he said. “I don’t know. I guess these guys decide to let me play or not. Whatever they tell me, I guess I’ve got to follow.”

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Survival or glory? Farke weighs up options as Leeds’ season nears climax

A first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 is within reach but manager says Premier League is ‘our bread and butter’

As Leeds travel to West Ham for an FA Cup quarter-final both teams could arguably do without, one thing is not in doubt: Daniel Farke knows how to read a balance sheet. As the holder of an MA in economics and a diploma in sporting directorship, the Leeds manager needs no reminders that, financially, avoiding relegation is infinitely more important than trying to win the FA Cup. “The Premier League’s our bread and butter,” he said on Thursday . “It’s our priority.”

There is, though, another side to Farke. Away from the training pitches at Thorp Arch, one of the German’s preferred ways of switching off is to spend hours reading on his sofa, transported to different worlds through his love of literary fiction. His favourite novels include Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.

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Yankees news: Judge leads Yanks to home opener victory

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a single in the eighth inning during the home opener at Yankee Stadium on April 03, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The New York Yankees defeated the Miami Marlins 8-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

ESPN | Jorge Castillo: On Thursday night, with the Yankees’ home 0pener looming, the team’s players received a missive from their captain. The message was simple: suits tomorrow. Aaron Judge followed up on his sartorial directive with a booming two-run homer in the first, setting the tone for an eventual 8-2 victory. “That’s what he does best,” first baseman Ben Rice said after the game. “Coming out, swinging out the gate like that for us is huge. It’s just so contagious and got everybody going.” Most importantly, the team dodged a bullet when Judge was hit by a pitch on the forearm in his next at-bat, a type of HBP which once caused the right fielder to break his wrist, and walked away unscathed.

SNY | Garrett Stepien: Another highlight in Friday’s victory was an improbable, juggling grab by Cody Bellinger in the ninth inning to help close the door. After the ball hit off his wrist, the left fielder somehow managed to reach down and grab it before it hit the ground. “I definitely got lucky. I threw my glove out there,” said Bellinger, who was visibly surprised with the recovery. The veteran excelled in left last year in his debut with the Yankees, tying for tops in the AL with five Outs Above Average at the position.

SNY | Ben Krimmel: Yesterday morning, manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts on a few key Yankees topics. After reports that Carlos Rodón suffered a hamstring issue as he works his way back from elbow surgery, Boone expressed confidence the setback would be minor. “He’s able to keep his arm going through this,” the skipper noted, adding that the hamstring issue “is minor enough that that’s the case, so it’s a good thing.” Gerrit Cole is also continuing his progression back from Tommy John, with Boone indicating that his recovery is “going well, he looks great, every bullpen, every live, every game that I’ve seen from him has been really, really encouraging.” The last update on the IL front is that shortstop Anthony Volpe is expected to begin a minor-league rehab start around mid-April if he avoids any setbacks in his recovery.

Boone also sang the praises of Giancarlo Stanton, who started the year a scorching hot 10-for-20. “He’s just kinda been on everything,” Boone said of his DH. “Recognizing pitches well. He’s really good at devising a game plan that he wants to use against a particular pitcher and staying disciplined to that.” He also noted Stanton’s contributions to the clubhouse, calling the veteran “such a stud in our room.”

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Celtics vs. Bucks player grades: Boston ends road trip on fire

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 03: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball past Ousmane Dieng #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on April 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Miami or Milwaukee, South Beach or north at the border, Boston’s blueprint might have been drafted on this 3-1 road trip. After splitting days off in a back-to-back in Charlotte and Atlanta, we’ve seen an impressive two games from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With Brown leading the scoring charge, Tatum has flexed his all-around game with nearly two triple-doubles against the Heat and Bucks.

A 133-101 throttling started with the Celtics hitting 8-for-12 from behind the arc to take a 43-26 lead in the first and they never looked back. All five starters and sixth man Payton Pritchard scored in double figures with the team committing just eight turnovers in a fairly lackadaisical game.

The Celtics now have four of their final five games at TD Garden and a magic number of three to finish #2 in the East. Their only road game is of course Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Their odds have improved all week with our friends at FanDuel and now are +550 to raise Banner 19 and the favorite to rep the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Jaylen Brown

30 minutes, 26 points (2-4 from 3, 10-11 from the free throw line, 7-17 from the field), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals, +27

After a bout with Achilles tendonitis, Brown seems rejuvenated. After scoring 43 against the Heat, he dropped 26 points in 30 minutes in Milwaukee that included 11 trips to the free throw line. He had the full repertoire on display: the pitter patter drives, the strong finishes at the rim, and his fall away in the mid-range.

Grade: A

Jayson Tatum

31 minutes, 23 points (4-8 from 3, 3-4 from the free throw line, 8-16 from the field), 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals, +30

Early in his comeback, Tatum was a little prone to holding the ball a little too long and going in to his isolation game like it was 2024 all over again.

Now, he’s making decisions so much quicker. That’s really opened up Queta’s game whenever he slips out of picks or short rolls to the free throw line.

Grade: A+

Neemias Queta

29 minutes, 19 points (3-4 from the free throw line, 8-11 from the field), 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks, +33

Queta has quickly become the closest approximation of Robert Williams III the Celtics have seen since Timelord was traded three years ago. As soon as he catches the ball, he’s so quick off the bounce and has developed an array of Olajuwon-esque moves in the paint. Add four blocks and four offensive rebounds and it was a near perfect game for the Most Improved Player candidate.

Grade: A

Sam Hauser

27 minutes, 13 points (3-4 from 3, 5-6 from the field), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, +25

Attention all playoff opponents, Sam Hauser is getting hot. Maybe it was Tatum’s return. Maybe it was just water finding its level. Maybe it’s just destiny.

After spending scuffling under 40% from 3, Hauser sits at 39% with five games to go. He’s hit eight of his last eleven triples and become an important cog in the starting lineup.

Grade: A

Derrick White

31 minutes, 17 points (5-9 from 3, 6-11 from the field), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, one turnover, +34

I don’t want to jinx it, but DWhite looked great last night and had the highest +/- on the evening. I’ll stop there and hope that the juju has permanently changed.

Grade: A-

Payton Pritchard

26 minutes, 16 points (2-6 from 3, 7-12 from the field), 3 rebounds, 6 assists, one turnover, +2

Pritchard own the second quarter with the second unit. He led the team with twelve points and scored at all three levels.

Grade: A

Luka Garza

12 minutes, 2 points (1-2 from the field), 4 rebounds, one assist, +0

The starters plus Pritchard were absolutely unconscious that players #8-#10 in the rotation didn’t have to do too much.

Grade: B

Baylor Scheierman

23 minutes, 2 points (0-2 from 3, 1-3 from the field), 2 rebounds, 3 assists, one turnover, one steal, +4

Like Garza, Scheierman didn’t light up the box score, but filled in with quality minutes off the bench. Two of his dimes came in the alley-oop variety.

Grade: B

Jordan Walsh

12 minutes, 7 points (1-3 from 3, 3-5 from the field), 2 rebounds, +1

Walsh has seemingly leapfrogged Gonzalez on the wing rotation. His defense remains his calling card, but if he can hit more than 35% from 3 and generate stocks (steals and blocks), those 20+ possessions per game he’s on the floor for should have a positive impact.

Grade: B

Charles Bassey / Hugo Gonzalez / Ron Harper Jr.

5-6 minutes, 8 points (0-1 from 3, 4-6 from the field), 4 rebounds, one assist, one turnover, one steal +4

With how well Gonzalez and Harper Jr. have looked in spurts this season, it’s unfortunate that we don’t get to see them play here at the end of the season. Mazzulla seems to be trimming the rotation down to nine players and they’re just simply the odd man out…until Mazzulla throws another curve ball and one of those guys are starting a game in April.

Grade: INC

DNP-CDs: Max Shulga, John Tonje, Amari Williams

Inactives: Nikola Vucevic

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Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Denver Nuggets

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 12: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs greets Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at the end of the game at Frost Bank Center on March 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Spurs are on their second 11-game win streak right now.

After leaving a Kawhi Leonard-shaped crater behind them in Los Angeles, without the aid of the Monstar that is Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs should enter this one with peak confidence.

It almost feels like a lack of exaggeration to say the silver-and-black have been so in lockstep over the last several games that it’s hard to point out who (if anyone) can end this streak.

The Nuggets are on that *very* short list, though, with most of their top contributors back on the court for this match-up.

When healthy, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon pose particular problems for the Spurs, with Gordon exploiting the Spurs’ weakness at Power Forward, and Jokic’s passing negating some of Wemby’s otherwise smothering presence in the paint.

I’d also be remiss to leave out the ever-levitating Jamal Murray, who serves as one of the best challenges to the usually stellar defense of San Antonio’s guards.

Difficult enough to guard on an average day, you never know when Murray is going to summon the golden touch and completely wreck a lead, or San Antonio’s entire game plan. Almost every player, given enough time, will go on a hot streak that surpasses even the loftiest expectations, but Murray is in his own category in that respect, to the extent that it would have turned even Kobe Bryant’s head.

If I’m being honest, it reminds me of the way that Manu Ginobili would get hot back in his prime. And that’s as high a compliment as I can give.

That being said, the Spurs are in an interesting state of mind (and health), with the team seemingly getting stronger the longer that the streak goes on.

Wemby’s been tossing out 40-point games with the ease of a longtime paper boy running his route for the 1000th time. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are burning up the rims from long-distance, each easily shooting 40%+ outside of the arc (with Harper shooting 50%) over the last 10 games. All of the important players are off the injury report.

The Spurs are #1 in Offensive and Net Rating since February. Their defensive rating over that same stretch? That would be 2nd in the NBA. And according to this nifty, newly updated chart, these Spurs have officially passed the ‘Beautiful Game’ Spurs of 2014 in Net Rating for the season.

Even with a perfectly healthy Jokic, Gordon, and Murray, that might be too much to overcome, and I’m not confident that Jokic and Gordon are that kind of healthy.

Still, between the infamous Mile High Air and the cohesiveness of the Nuggets when they are all present, there’s a chance this could go down to the wire. It should certainly be entertaining.

I wouldn’t place any bets on the Nuggets, though. Especially with Victor likely to be hungry coming off of rest. This San Antonio team is something else.

And not only do they know it — they’ve been playing like it.

San Antonio Spurs (59-18) vs Denver Nuggets (49-28)

April 4th, 2026 | 2:00 PM CT

Watch: NBA on Amazon Prime/KENS| Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: None

Nuggets Injuries: Tim Hardaway Jr: Probable (Knee), Peyton Watson: Out (Hamstring), Spencer Jones: Out (Hamstring), Zeke Nnaji: Out (Hip)

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Lakers star Doncic to miss rest of regular season

LA Lakers star Luka Doncic covers his face with his hands as he walks off the court after suffering an injury
The Los Angeles Lakers have already clinched a play-off spot [Getty Images]

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the regular NBA season with a hamstring injury.

The Slovenian, 27, had played himself into contention for the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during an outstanding March in which he became only the 10th player in history to score 600 points in a single month.

But he will miss the final five regular season games after suffering a grade two strain of his left hamstring during Thursday's heavy loss to Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers have not provided a timetable for Doncic's return after he had a scan on Friday - just two weeks before the start of the NBA play-offs on 18 April.

Doncic is the NBA's leading scorer this season with 2143 points for an unequalled average of 33.5 points per game.

However, having been sidelined for four games with a left hamstring strain earlier in the season, and missing two games to return to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter in December, Doncic is set to fall short of the minimum games threshold required to qualify for the NBA's major end-of-season awards.

Doncic, who is one appearance short of the 65 required, will apply for an "Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge", according to his agent Bill Duffy.

"This season, Luka Doncic has performed at a historic level, leading the league in scoring, carrying the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference and placing himself in the middle of one of the most tightly contested MVP races in memory," Duffy told ESPN.

"To ensure Luka's incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honoured and he can be considered for the league's end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an 'Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge' to the 65-game rule."

Doncic was named March's player of the month following 13 consecutive 30-point performances which helped the Lakers to 13 wins in 14 games prior to the defeat by Thunder.

Rookie Flagg makes history in defeat

Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks goes for a dunk against Paolo Banchero
[Getty Images]

Cooper Flagg became the first teenager in NBA history to reach 50 points in a game - but that was not enough to earn the Dallas Mavericks victory against the Orlando Magic.

Flagg, 19, scored 51 points - including 24 in the fourth quarter - to surpass his previous career high of 49 in January.

But the 138-127 loss brought Dallas' 14th consecutive home defeat.

"It's always fun getting into that type of mode," Flagg said.

"The basket feels big. But I like to win. That was my main focus. It's hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we're down 20, down 10, down 15, for the majority of the game."

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Michigan Final Four appearances: Wolverines' deepest March Madness runs

Dating back as far as the Players Era Festival in November, Michigan men's basketball has been one of the top programs in the country for a majority of the season.

The Wolverines strengthened that claim by rolling past their four opponents in the first two weekends of the Men's NCAA Tournament, highlighted by a colossal 33-point win over No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight that came off from a 27-point performance from Yaxel Lendeborg.

So, is this the year that the Wolverines get over the hump and the season-long mission of being national champions with two wins at the Final Four?

Final Four odds: Expert picks to win March Madness

On part, because of its depth, experience and physicality inside the paint, Michigan has as good a chance as any of the four teams in Indianapolis to do that. Oddsmakers agree.

To get to their first national championship celebration since 1989, though, Dusty May's squad must get through a challenging No. 1 Arizona team with just as high a ceiling as Michigan and which brings as much physicality and presence around the rim as the Wolverines do.

Here's what to know on Michigan's history in the Final Four:

When was the last time Michigan went to Final Four?

It has been eight years since the Wolverines last reached the Final Four in 2018.

Michigan basketball Final Four history

Michigan is making the ninth Final Four appearance in program history, but only seven of those are recognized by the NCAA after the Wolverines vacated appearances in the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons due to improper benefits paid by a booster to players.

Here's a breakdown of how Michigan has fared in the Final Four:

  • 1964: lost semifinal to Duke, 91-80; lost third place game to Kansas State, 100-90
  • 1965: won semifinal vs. Princeton, 94-76; lost final to UCLA, 91-80
  • 1976: won semifinal vs. Rutgers, 86-70; lost final to Indiana, 86-68
  • 1989: won semifinal vs. Illinois, 83-81; won final vs. Seton Hall, 80-79
  • 1992: won semifinal vs. Cincinnati, 76-72; lost final to Duke, 71-51 *
  • 1993: won semifinal vs. North Carolina, 81-78; lost final to North Carolina, 77-71 *
  • 2013: won semifinal vs. Syracuse, 61-55; lost final to Louisville, 82-76
  • 2018: won semifinal vs. Loyola-Chicago, 69-57; lost final to Villanova, 79-62

* Denotes vacated Final Four appearances

Michigan basketball Final Four record

The Wolverines are an official 5-1 in the Final Four in their six previous trips that are recognized by the NCAA. Michigan's lone loss in the Final Four came in 1964 when Dave Strack was the head coach, and the Wolverines finished as the co-champions of the Big Ten conference.

Michigan's last trip to the Final Four came in 2018 when it stopped Cinderella sweethearts Loyola-Chicago's (with viral sensation and legend Sister Jean) run in March Madness in the national semifinals. The Wolverines would then see their run come to an end in the national title game when it ran into the buzz saw of Villanova.

Has Michigan won a Men's NCAA Tournament national championship?

Yes, Michigan men's basketball has won the national championship once in program history, coming in the 1989 NCAA Tournament. To win the national championship that season, the Wolverines — the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Region — defeated No. 3 seed Seton Hall in a one-possession, overtime game thanks to 31 points from Glen Rice and 21 points from Rumeal Robinson.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many Final Fours does Michigan have? March Madness history

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Dan Hurley contract: UConn coach bonuses, buyout details before Final Four

Dan Hurley has built quite the powerhouse at Connecticut in his eight seasons in the so-called "Basketball Capital of the World."

He's won a lot because of that, too.

The Jersey City, New Jersey native, who started out coaching high school basketball at St. Benedict's Prep, is widely considered as one of the top coaches in the country ... And perhaps of all-time. So, what are the numbers?

REQUIRED READING: Braylon Mullins is more than a big shot. He's been UConn's missing piece

Since taking over the Huskies program in 2018, Hurley has led the Huskies to a 198-74 overall record, back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, a Big East tournament title and six straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

In the NCAA Tournament alone, the Huskies are an impressive 17-3 overall under him, and are the first team in over a decade to make the Final Four three times in a four-year span. His overall 19-5 NCAA Tournament record, which includes a few trips with Rhode Island, has him with the best winning percentage in March Madness among active coaches and third-best all-time with a minimum of 15 games.

The Huskies now look for their 18th NCAA Tournament win under Hurley on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET when they face No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

For his success at UConn, Hurley is well compensated by the Huskies. Here's a look at Hurley's contract at UConn:

REQUIRED READING: Dan Hurley isn’t actually a jerk entering Final Four. He just plays one on TV | Opinion

Dan Hurley contract

Hurley signed a new six-year contract with UConn in July 2024, less than a month after he turned down a job offer in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. His deal currently has another four years left on it, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

His contract extension in 2024 was his second in a span of a year, as he had signed an original six-year, $32.1 million contract extension following the Huskies' first of two back-to-back national championship titles.

"It's an honor to coach basketball at UConn and to represent this world-class institution and the great state of Connecticut," Hurley said in a statement at the time of his July 2024 contract extension. 

He is making a total of $8.025 million this season, making him one of the highest-paid coaches among public universities and colleges.

Dan Hurley bonuses

Hurley has already earned $475,000 in postseason bonuses for leading the Huskies back to the Final Four, according to his contract. He could also an addition $300,000 if UConn beats Illinois on Saturday, and then an addition $500,000 if the Huskies win it all.

All told, Hurley could earn up to a total of $1.275 million in postseason bonuses this season.

Dan Hurley buyout

Hurley's buyout is currently set at $3 million if he were to leave UConn, which was set for April 1. Should Hurley be fired by the Huskies with cause, his buyout is currently at just under $34.8 millon as of April 1.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Hurley contract: UConn coach's bonuses, buyout before Final Four

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Southampton’s Daniel Peretz: ‘We have a lot of respect for Arsenal, but we are not afraid’

Goalkeeper on representing Israel, learning from Manuel Neuer at Bayern and targeting an FA Cup upset

A few days after returning from international duty, there is only one place to start with Daniel Peretz: his pride at representing Israel during the unsettling and tense backdrop of war and geopolitical conflict. His excitement at facing Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals can wait. Almost all of his family are in Tel Aviv, where wailing air raid sirens have become a staple of the mood music. “Unfortunately, it has become a bit of a routine,” says the Southampton goalkeeper, who is on loan from Bayern Munich.

When they sound, his loved ones head to the nearest bunkers and safe rooms. “It’s not always easy to do this separation in life and you are worried a lot about what’s happening,” he says. “But they are always following the instructions and I’m always in touch with them. We speak regularly to check everything is OK.

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The Daily Hilario: Saturday

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 03: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Alex Freeland (76) fields a ground ball during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals on April 03, 2026 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. (Photo by Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Overdue

Most

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Observations From Blues' 6-2 Win Vs. Ducks

The St. Louis Blues are trying to do their part to stay in whatever margin they have remaining in the Western Conference wild card chase.

A second dominating performance in a month against the Anaheim Ducks produced a resounding 6-2 win at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on Friday and pulled the Blues (32-31-12) within three points of three teams (San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators) who are all tied in points with 79 for that second wild card.

The Blues also jumped over the Seattle Kraken by a point and even with the Winnipeg Jets with 76 points in the standings; all of the aforementioned teams have played 75 games except for the Sharks and Kraken, who each have a game in hand.

But the problem the Blues are facing is the head-to-head matchups that all the teams fighting for one spot are facing. Fort instance, Nashville and San Jose square off on Saturday, so by the end of the night and when they next play, the Blues will once again be five points behind someone.

Dylan Holloway led the offense with a pair of power play goals; Robert Thomas had a goal and two assists, Pius Suter and Colton Parayko each had a goal and an assist, Jake Neighbours had his third two-assist game in the past four games, and Philip Broberg had two assists to extend his point streak to seven games (two goals, six assists). 

Let's get into Friday's game observations: 

* When does Holloway start being looked at as a star in this league -- I mean, guys, it's starting to feel that way.

And let's be honest, the forward was on this trajectory at the end of last season until that torn abductor muscle April 5, 2025 against the Pittsburgh Penguins sent him on a long journey, that also included a high ankle sprain, and has sent the 24-year-old on a road to full health.

His 18th of the season put the Blues ahead 2-1 at 11:15 of the opening period on a simple shot that may have caught goalie Lukas Dostal off guard, but it looked more like something that was off a smart read of scouting this particular goalie:

And his power-play goal at 1:22 of the third period wrapped up the scoring and made it 6-2 on a cross-seam pass from Thomas and one-timer from the right circle:

But since he came back healthy following the Olympic break on Feb. 26, Holloway has 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 18 games, averaging 1.28 points per game. The 23 points is tied for 12th in the NHL; the 11 goals is tied for seventh, and his plus-22 is best in the league, only ahead of Thomas at plus-20.

This was the sort of trajectory he was on last season and with restricted free agency status looming this summer, what type of contract are you comfortable if you're outgoing GM Doug Armstrong-incoming GM Alexander Steen giving to Holloway. Do you go bridge deal? Do you go for more term like Broberg's six-year, $48 million extension the defenseman signed earlier in the season? 

Holloway is playing himself into a bonafide top-line winger and there's no ignoring it when he's producing like he is and playing with an edge on the ice affecting the game like he's been doing.

He's just seven goals off of tying last season's career high of 26 in 25 fewer games played. It's food for thought folks, and it's a legitimate thought whether this kid can be a star winger.

* Blues scoring was balanced for a change -- Look, the top line of Holloway, Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud -- although he went without a point Friday -- produced three goals and two assists in the game, so they definitely had an impact in the game. But the Blues have been desperately searching for some balance in the lineup on the offensive side.

In 18 games (15 for Thomas), that line has produced 58 points (25 goals, 33 assists) and a combined plus-57. Just astounding numbers.

But Blues coach Jim Montgomery removed Pavel Buchnevich (maintenance), Alexey Toropchenko and Jack Finley off the forward group and Justin Holl on defense. In their spots, Jonathan Drouin, Oskar Sundqvist and Nathan Walker went in at forward, and Tyler Tucker, playing his first game since a lower-body injury on Oct. 18 against the Calgary Flames, went in on D.

You saw 10 guys get on the stat sheet in the game, and Montgomery moved Dalibor Dvorsky between Drouin and Jordan Kyrou, and Pius Suter centered an effective line with Neighbours and Jonatan Berggren, whose goal at 18:44 from the slot in the first period proved to be the winner and gave the Blues a 3-2 lead off a turnover and ensuing strong feed from Suter:

And when Suter is utilized more down the middle, he tends to be around the net more and certainly was when he took a Tucker feed on the backside to slam a shot in from the slot at 3:08 of the second period that made it 4-2:

Even Parayko got in on the scoring with Dvorsky and Kyrou setting the big defenseman up at 16:50 of the second that essentially put the game away at 5-2:

The Blues weren't as predictable as they have been in recent games with their top guys doing their best, and they certainly were, carrying the bulk of the offensive load.

* Tucker lowers the boom -- The Blues didn't actually get off to a good start in this game when the Ducks (41-30-5), fighting for the Pacific Division title, struck just 1:51 into the game on a Ryan Poehling redirect that made it 1-0.

You had to wonder if the losses in the past two games to the Sharks and Kings had a lasting affect on the Blues, who realize their playoff hopes are in dire straits. 

But then Tucker, who missed the past seven games, used all that pent-up energy from not playing and laid a jarring hit on Ducks talented rookie Beckett Sennecke. It seemed inspire the group and not long after, led to Thomas tying the game at 1-1 at 5:24, a beautiful top shelf goal set up by a Broberg feathery feed into space:

Tucker, who had another heavy hit in the third period, finished the game playing 12:55 with a blocked shot doing what he does best when the team needs a lift.

That hit on Sennecke certainly provided one.

Speaking of Broberg, how about him joining some rarified company for his point streak among Blues defenseman since the 1994-95 season? Pretty impressive.

Colin Ralph Leaves Michigan State, Signs Three-Year Entry-Level ContractColin Ralph Leaves Michigan State, Signs Three-Year Entry-Level Contract2024 second-round pick left St. Cloud State to join Spartans, in hopes of winning a national championship
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Mariners score three runs, two broken bats, beat Angels in extras

Apr 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Luke Raley (20) greets teammates after scoring during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images

12 years before I was born, while Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were bemoaning broken glass, the Seattle Mariners were breaking bats. The M’s of 1982 were the club’s crowning achievement, a 76-86 assemblage that was, at the time and until 1987, by far the franchise’s most respectable showing. On a night where the M’s pitching staff dazzled and had to wait for fashionably late aid from their hitters, this club I never witnessed was on my mind.

Having dealt OF Tom Paciorek in the offseason after his 10th-in-MVP-voting season that was the most recognition the club had received to that point, those M’s were shallow at the plate. They’d moved Paciorek for Todd Cruz, who’d become expendable to the Chicago White Sox after the North Siders determined Cruz potentially stealing a bunch of watches from an Edmonton, Alberta department store was a dealbreaker. Seattle also flipped future rotation stalwart Bud Black for 3B Manny Castillo, who gave the ‘82 M’s what he had: limited defense and awful hitting. He also was 2-for-10 stealing bases. I haven’t forgotten.

But what those M’s had for the first – and potentially only time – in the Kingdome era, was a club made competent by its pitching staff. While the hitters fumbled their rationed cromulence between one another, Floyd Bannister, Jim Beattie, Wild Bill Caudill, and Ed Vande Berg put together one of the greatest pitching staffs in Mariners history. They were buoyed by impressive work from Bryan Clark, Bob Stoddard, and several others, including 43 year old Gaylord Perry who famously secured his 300th win in this penultimate campaign. The M’s had, by FanGraphs, the best pitching staff in their franchise history that year, amassing 21.2 fWAR (5th in MLB) and 23.0 bWAR (3rd) by Baseball Reference.

It was novel, not yet enshrined in their ballpark’s fabric to be baseball’s ballast to Coors Field, the bulwark of the Steroids Era and Launch Angle Revolution. The club had little in the way of expectation, nor could it compound their astounding improvements in the years to come. But tonight, watching Seattle’s hitters labor through their eighth game of the season, bearing expectations that would’ve been laughable in every year of the 1980s for a Mariners club, we witnessed a throwback victory.

Both Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez have started the year frosty. Seattle’s 2-3-4 hitters have been glacial at the dish, putting the M’s in uphill battles to score runs with their most frequent hitters producing nothing and less. Aptly, against Anaheim southpaw Reid Detmers, both Raleigh and Rodríguez chipped their barrels. Broken bats, everywhere, cautions the Grandmaster at this recap’s introduction. If it was just Seattle’s superstars, it might as well have been each plate appearance, as neither club mustered more than cardboard threats most of the evening. In their home opener, the Angels managed one hit, one walk, every ABS challenge going their way, and not a damn thing else. Bryan Woo, Matt Brash, Andrés Muñoz, and Gabe Speier made sure of of that.

While Anaheim are roundly expected to clutter the AL West’s cellar this year, at this stage, their lineup is no pushover. For Bryan Woo, whose lone hit yielded was a bloop single Victor Robles nearly speared at full dive and sprint and was backed up savvily by Cole Young, the resemblance between him and the image of an ace grew uncannier. I’ve shared before how much I adore seeing Woo pitch. The flow of his motion is the apogee of pitching to me, fastballs that ride and tumble to their intended locations, sweepers and sliders eluding bats and ending innings. 87 pitches for 7.0 scoreless, one-hit frames, and each reliever behind him was even more dominant. By the time Jorge Soler skied a sacrifice fly to cash in Mike Trout as the Manfred Runner, the end result had already been finished in pen, tossed in a “complete” bin like a Sunday Crossword.

But for much of the night, Seattle slogged. The gusting winds of Orange County blew fly balls back in the yard, added movement to pitches, and otherwise ensured a low-scoring affair. Despite six walks – four from an otherwise impressive Detmers – Seattle’s multiple well-struck gap-shots found premature conclusions in the gloves of Josh Lowe, Trout, and Jo Adell. The game felt, heading into the bottom of the 9th still knotted 0-0, eminently losable.

The ‘82 M’s would look foreign in today’s game in many ways. The club’s 7.3% K-BB% was fourth-best in the league then and would’ve been worst in the sport every year since 2011 now. But they’d have watched with knowing familiarity this predicament, albeit also narrow pride as Muñoz shredded the 9-1-2 of the Angels’ order, spaghettifying Trout on a pair of sliders and then a 100-mph heater at the zone’s apex.

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It feels wrong not to give Woo a clip this evening, but I hope if you did not see it, you can grant yourself a moment of zen. Close your eyes, and imagine this pitch from Muñoz, ad nauseum, all evening. A beautiful process, with many results just as gorgeous as the stage set in the top of the 10th for Seattle. Cole Young did his best Troy Bolton, starting the inning off with yet another highlight in this young season.

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That’s Cole Young, who started against a lefty, and evaded a pinch-hitter, albeit in part due to an early exit for Brendan Donovan which was minimally explained beyond caution with leg discomfort postgame with optimism from manager Dan Wilson. Cole Young whose ferocious early results are a massive feature in Seattle’s ability to overcome the palpitations of their order’s heart. Notably, Anaheim opted to pitch to Cal Raleigh with one out after retiring Rob Refsnyder, whose day at the dish in fairness included some of Seattle’s most capable PAs including a pair of walks. Raleigh, for his part, looked infinitesimally closer to clobbering Brent Suter’s heater, but put a two out opportunity in the hands of Rodríguez. Seeking a left-on-left matchup, Anaheim walked Julio, who dashed to second on a dirt ball to give the club an additional insurance run when Josh Naylor’s single lined into right.

The gap in expectations between 1982 and 2026 are chasmic. At times, I’ve struggled to balance those expectations, finding only relief in a win like this that could’ve been facile. But not today. Woo’s and the bullpen’s brilliance, a timely hit by a hot-starting youngster, J.P. Crawford’s healthy return, and the first road victory of the year. That’s beautiful enough for me.

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New Orleans faces Orlando, aims to halt 7-game skid

Orlando Magic (41-36, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-53, 12th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -3; over/under is 235.5

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to end its seven-game slide when the Pelicans take on Orlando.

The Pelicans are 16-23 on their home court. New Orleans is 14-24 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Magic are 17-20 in road games. Orlando has an 18-25 record against teams above .500.

The Pelicans score 114.9 points per game, 0.5 fewer points than the 115.4 the Magic give up. The Magic average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Pelicans allow.

The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Magic defeated the Pelicans 128-118 in their last matchup on Jan. 11. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 27 points, and Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pelicans. Saddiq Bey is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Bane is averaging 20.4 points and 4.2 assists for the Magic. Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 3-7, averaging 111.5 points, 41.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points per game.

Magic: 3-7, averaging 114.2 points, 38.7 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.6 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Karlo Matkovic: day to day (back), Dejounte Murray: day to day (achilles), Bryce McGowens: day to day (toe).

Magic: Anthony Black: out (abdomen), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Mets' Nolan McLean dominates Giants lineup with just one working pitch: 'I was just trying to piece it together'

The Mets know what they got in Nolan McLean, and the young right-hander showed off that ace potential on Friday night against the Giants.

McLean may not have been as dominant as some of his past starts, but he was near-perfect for most of his outing. The right-hander pitched five perfect innings, before the Giants finally wore him down in the sixth. 

Still, McLean delivered the losing-streak-stopping stuff to help the Mets come away with a 10-3 win.

"He was very good. The cutter was the pitch he had today," manager Carlos Mendoza said of McLean's outing. "A lot of three-ball counts. And the cutter was the one to get back in counts to get swings and misses. It’s impressive when he doesn’t have the feel for the secondary pitches and that cutter was the way he did it today. It goes to show you that there are so many weapons there that he can go through lineups with a pitch or two. It was good to see it."

Those three-ball counts were McLean's one kryptonite on Friday. It elevated his pitch count and once the Giants batters started drawing walks, it was only a matter of time until they broke through. With one out in the sixth, and two runners on base via the walk, Willy Adames drove a double in the gap to give San Francisco their first hit and first run.

"I was just trying to piece it together," McLean said of his outing. "Nothing felt incredibly great. It felt ok towards the end of the game. Full counts snuck up on me there at the end, got a little fatigued by the end of it. Leaning on the cutter really helped things tonight."

McLean said he leaned on the cutter because it was the only pitch he could throw strikes with any consistency. Of his 93 pitches, 19 were the cutter (20 percent) and it's the pitch he got his most whiffs on (4). However, the 24-year-old said that his other pitches showed up at times, and made hitters keep them in the back of their minds. McLean took advantage of that to get through his outing.

In fact, he didn't even realize he was throwing a perfect game because of how ineffective most of his pitches were.

"I didn’t realize [I was perfect]," he said. "It didn’t feel that way because of how many 3-2 counts and behind in the counts I felt like I was. Felt grinder than what the scoreboard showed."

"If he's got a perfect game going and he didn't feel great, I can't wait to see what he does when he feels great," Marcus Semien said of McLean's start.

"It’s pretty impressive. He had one pitch today, which was the cutter, and he still dominated that lineup," Mendoza said. "Kid’s special, man. Still going to show you the breaking ball, the secondary, the sinker, he kept using it. But when he needed to get back into counts or execute a pitch, it was the cutter tonight."

Perfect or not, McLean delivered a performance the Mets needed. Although the offense exploded for 10 runs, McLean gave them the lane to break out offensively by putting up zero after zero. 

Friday was McLean's 10th start as a major leaguer. He's now 6-1 with a 2.16 ERA. And although it's a small sample size, the Mets know their chances of winning a game goes up with him on the mound.

"You feel good about your chances every time he takes the baseball," Mendoza said. "Every time he’s pitching, you feel good about winning that game and that’s what he’s done. And even when he’s not at his best, you know he’s going to keep you in games, he’s going to go at least five. That’s what makes him special."

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Memphis takes on Milwaukee, looks to break 3-game skid

Memphis Grizzlies (25-52, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (30-47, 11th in the Eastern Conference)

Milwaukee; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Memphis looks to stop its three-game losing streak with a victory over Milwaukee.

The Bucks have gone 17-22 in home games. Milwaukee allows 116.9 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.4 points per game.

The Grizzlies are 11-26 in road games. Memphis averages 14.7 turnovers per game and is 14-24 when committing fewer turnovers than opponents.

The Bucks average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 more made shot on average than the 14.0 per game the Grizzlies allow. The Grizzlies average 13.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 14.8 per game the Bucks allow.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Grizzlies won 125-104 in the last matchup on Dec. 27.

TOP PERFORMERS: Myles Turner is averaging 11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Bucks. Ryan Rollins is averaging 14.5 points and four assists over the last 10 games.

GG Jackson is averaging 12.5 points for the Grizzlies. Olivier-Maxence Prosper is averaging 12.8 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 2-8, averaging 106.0 points, 38.6 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.0 points per game.

Grizzlies: 2-8, averaging 109.7 points, 35.1 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.0 points.

INJURIES: Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr.: out for season (knee), Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (ankle), Ryan Rollins: day to day (hip), Bobby Portis: day to day (wrist), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (hip).

Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Jahmai Mashack: day to day (neck), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Walter Clayton Jr.: day to day (hip), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: day to day (ankle), Jaylen Wells: out for season (toe), Taj Gibson: day to day (foot), Olivier-Maxence Prosper: day to day (back), Cam Spencer: day to day (back), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.