BOTTOM LINE: Golden State comes into the matchup with Washington after losing five in a row.
The Wizards have gone 11-22 in home games. Washington is ninth in the Eastern Conference with 47.3 points per game in the paint led by Anthony Davis averaging 13.1.
The Warriors are 13-20 on the road. Golden State ranks seventh in the Western Conference shooting 35.8% from 3-point range.
The Wizards' 12.9 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.2 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Warriors allow. The Warriors' 45.8% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.1 percentage points lower than the Wizards have allowed to their opponents (47.9%).
TOP PERFORMERS: Bub Carrington is averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 assists for the Wizards. Will Riley is averaging 14.4 points over the last 10 games.
Gui Santos is shooting 50.0% and averaging 7.9 points for the Warriors. Brandin Podziemski is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wizards: 0-10, averaging 113.6 points, 39.5 rebounds, 23.4 assists, 7.0 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 128.5 points per game.
Warriors: 2-8, averaging 112.0 points, 44.9 rebounds, 29.1 assists, 8.8 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.1 points.
INJURIES: Wizards: Anthony Davis: out (finger), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Alex Sarr: out (hamstring), Leaky Black: out (ankle), Kyshawn George: out (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related).
Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Seth Curry: out (adductor), Al Horford: out (calf), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Moses Moody: out (wrist), Draymond Green: out (back), Kristaps Porzingis: out (illness).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn looks to break its three-game skid when the Nets take on Portland.
The Nets have gone 9-23 at home. Brooklyn ranks last in the Eastern Conference averaging only 106.7 points per game.
The Trail Blazers are 14-20 on the road. Portland has a 6-5 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Nets are shooting 44.5% from the field this season, 2.9 percentage points lower than the 47.4% the Trail Blazers allow to opponents. The Trail Blazers average 115.1 points per game, 0.5 fewer than the 115.6 the Nets allow to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nic Claxton is averaging 12 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Nets. Danny Wolf is averaging 12.2 points over the last 10 games.
Deni Avdija is scoring 24.1 points per game with 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists for the Trail Blazers. Jerami Grant is averaging 19.8 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 49.2% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 2-8, averaging 105.8 points, 39.4 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.0 points per game.
Trail Blazers: 4-6, averaging 111.6 points, 45.5 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 9.3 steals and 7.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points.
INJURIES: Nets: Noah Clowney: out (rest), Ben Saraf: day to day (calf), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: out for season (thumb), Michael Porter Jr.: out (ankle), Terance Mann: out (achilles).
Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to keep its four-game home win streak intact when the Pelicans play Dallas.
The Pelicans are 6-8 against division opponents. New Orleans is fourth in the Western Conference with 12.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Yves Missi averaging 2.8.
The Mavericks are 4-10 against opponents in the Southwest Division. Dallas is the best team in the Western Conference scoring 17.7 fast break points per game led by Cooper Flagg averaging 3.4.
The Pelicans average 11.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 fewer makes per game than the Mavericks give up (12.5). The Pelicans average 113.2 points per game, 6.6 fewer points than the 119.8 the Pelicans give up.
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Pelicans won the last meeting 119-113 on Dec. 23, with Zion Williamson scoring 24 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pelicans. Saddiq Bey is averaging 19.2 points and 5.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
P.J. Washington is scoring 13.9 points per game and averaging 7.0 rebounds for the Mavericks. Flagg is averaging 13.0 points and 4.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 6-4, averaging 118.9 points, 46.8 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 9.1 steals and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.6 points per game.
Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 105.5 points, 46.0 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 6.1 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.2 points.
INJURIES: Pelicans: Bryce McGowens: day to day (toe).
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Daniel Gafford: day to day (rest), Klay Thompson: day to day (rest), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Philadelphia 76ers (37-31, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (41-27, fifth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia will try to break its four-game road slide when the 76ers play Denver.
The Nuggets are 18-13 on their home court. Denver has a 7-11 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The 76ers are 17-15 on the road. Philadelphia ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 16.7 fast break points per game led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 5.7.
The Nuggets score 120.7 points per game, 4.7 more points than the 116.0 the 76ers give up. The 76ers average 115.6 points per game, 1.1 fewer than the 116.7 the Nuggets give up.
The two teams match up for the second time this season. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 125-124 in overtime in their last meeting on Jan. 6. Jalen Pickett led the Nuggets with 29 points, and Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 32 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tim Hardaway Jr. is scoring 13.9 points per game and averaging 2.6 rebounds for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic is averaging 27.9 points and 13.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Dominick Barlow is scoring 8.2 points per game and averaging 4.7 rebounds for the 76ers. Quentin Grimes is averaging 17.1 points and 4.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 5-5, averaging 119.9 points, 44.5 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.8 points per game.
76ers: 5-5, averaging 109.7 points, 42.0 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 10.0 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.4 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).
76ers: Tyrese Maxey: out (finger), Johni Broome: out (knee), Jabari Walker: out (illness), Dalen Terry: out (shoulder), Joel Embiid: out (oblique), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (elbow).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Mike Brown (L.) and Josh Hart look on during the Knicks-Warriors game on March 15, 2026.
Mike Brown is ticked off by the starts but isn’t considering a lineup change.
At least not yet.
“Right now I don’t feel the need to,” Brown said Sunday after his team beat the shorthanded Warriors 110-107, but not before falling into a 21-point hole in the first quarter. “But like I said, if I felt the need to, I would. I don’t feel the need to right now.”
When fully healthy, the Knicks starting lineup has consistently included Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.
However, recent injuries to Hart, in particular, have thrown the lineup in flux.
Landry Shamet has been the most reliable plug-in.
Bridges, meanwhile, has struggled mightily and was benched again in the fourth quarter Sunday.
Mike Brown (L.) and Josh Hart look on during the Knicks-Warriors game on March 15, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He logged just 21 minutes as Shamet and Jordan Clarkson soaked up a lot of the two-guard playing time.
“It’s not too late to do anything. And if I feel the need, I will,” Brown said of a lineup change. “I’m not thinking that right now. I’m not concentrating on each individual because, like you said, we’ve started different people at different times.”
Brown said he’s disappointed in the starts in four of the last five games, including the entirety of their current three-game winning streak — all against subpar opponents.
After Warriors coach Steve Kerr again campaigned Sunday for fewer games on the schedule, Hart agreed it would help the NBA product but doubted the relevant parties — meaning owners and players — would sacrifice money.
“Do I think it will probably be better for the game and the quality on the court? I think so. Do I think it will happen? Probably not because everybody is so money-hungry and money-driven,” Hart said. “I think everybody puts that above everything else.”
Kerr has been publicly pitching to reduce the schedule because of the rash of injuries, believing a lighter load would allow players to be more effective and available. Sunday’s game became another example of a diminished product on prime-time national TV.
The Knicks were fully healthy outside of Miles McBride.
But the Warriors were missing almost all their top players, including Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III.
“Looking at the data, hearing the experts in our own group talk about the load that these guys are facing and then you get older players like Steph or Al [Horford] or Jimmy — we have to manage them through 82,” Kerr said. “So there are nights where you just have to say, ‘Can’t play this guy.’ I get emails all the time from fans saying, ‘I spent $2,000 on tickets to go to this game and Steph didn’t play.’
“And it wasn’t an injury designation, and I held him out. Shouldn’t we reconcile that somehow?”
Kerr said Sunday he’d take a pay cut.
“I’m willing to stick my neck out and say I’m all for that because I think the quality of the product is the most important thing,” he said.
Brent Headrick is making a case fpr a role in the Yankees bullpen.
TAMPA — With a week left in camp before the Yankees head west, Brent Headrick took his latest swing to claim one of the final two bullpen spots.
The big lefty tossed a scoreless inning of relief and struck out a pair on Sunday in the 12-1 loss to the Tigers at Steinbrenner Field, his fourth scoreless outing in five appearances this spring.
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“I like where he’s at,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think he can really help us. I think he can be a factor. I think he can be impactful. It’s just about consistently repeating the stuff, time in and time out. That’s what we saw last year — really good one day, little bit of a falloff the next time out. So getting that consistent stuff, because when he’s at his best, it really plays.”
Headrick, who was still adjusting to being a full-time reliever last season, averaged 93.9 mph with his fastball Sunday, down a tick from his 94 mph average in 2025, though he maxed out at 95.1.
The Yankees believe he has the ability to handle both lefty and righty bats — which could help his case to make the roster, given that he would be the third lefty in the bullpen, alongside soft-tossers Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough — and both of his strikeouts Sunday came against righties. The final two spots are expected to come down to Headrick and righties Jake Bird, Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest and Kervin Castro.
Brent Headrick is making a case for a role in the Yankees bullpen. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“I think [Headrick] is taking to becoming a reliever,” Boone said. “I think he trained this winter with that in mind, that he is a reliever. So it’s learning how to bounce back sometimes the next day or pitch four outs and be in play two days later. I feel like he’s training for that now and hopefully that serves him well from a consistency standpoint but also allowing him to be more durable too.”
Oswaldo Cabrera was a proud countryman Saturday night, watching his native Venezuela knock off Japan in the WBC quarterfinals.
“I was almost crying for my guys over there,” Cabrera said in Sarasota after the split-squad doubleheader nightcap against the Orioles was washed out in the third inning. “You know how much that [means] for all Venezuelan people. Especially on this side, playing baseball, I know almost everybody who is there [on the team]. They are making a full country so proud. So they are doing a really nice job.”
Anthony Volpe stood in on Gerrit Cole’s bullpen session Sunday morning just to track pitches as he continues his hitting progression.
Volpe has not yet faced live pitching, but is scheduled to do so in the coming weeks.
Cody Bellinger was replaced in right field after four innings, but Boone said he was fine and it was just a matter of the veteran playing a third straight day.
The Yankees made another batch of cuts Sunday, reassigning INF/OF Marco Luciano, INF Braden Shewmake, OF Duke Ellis, OF Yanquiel Fernández, INF/OF Ernesto Martínez Jr., INF Jonathan Ornelas, C Miguel Palma and INF Zack Short to minor league camp.
Since the All-Star break, the Knicks’ starting five has been outscored by a combined 34 points in the first quarter.
On Sunday, after his Knicks were outscored by six against a Warriors team missing eight rotation players, Mike Brown had seen enough.
"We have to figure out individually, collectively, how we can start games better…. I’m not talking about the outcome, win or loss, I’m talking about the start of the game,” Brown said after the Knicks walked off the floor with an ugly three-point win over Golden State. “(We need to start games) with a level of focus, a level of physicality, so that they’re feeling us to start the game.
"This group knows it. They understand it. Now we've just gotta go do it."
Is Brown going to change the starting five of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Karl-AnthonyTowns?
Not yet.
"If I feel the need, I will. I’m not thinking that right now,” Brown said. “I’m not concentrating on each individual (in the starting lineup) because….we’ve started different people (in recent games)... So it’s collectively (been a problem) in the last seven, eight games.”
The Knicks started Brunson-Bridges-Hart-Aunonoby-Towns for most of last season. The unit helped the Knicks win 50-plus games but had issues offensively in the final 3.5 months of the regular season. Those issues were exposed at points during the postseason. Eventually, Tom Thibodeau changed the starting lineup. That change – which came midway through the Eastern Conference Finals – was ultimately too late.
Will Brown stick with this starting five for as long as Thibodeau did? He’s not changing anything now, but Brown certainly sounded like a coach ready to shake things up.
“Right now I don’t feel the need to,” said Brown. “But, like I said, if I felt the need to, I would.”
Brown has been willing to change his closing lineup throughout the season. On Sunday, he again went away from Bridges in the closing minutes of a close game.
Bridges finished the game with seven points in 21 minutes. He missed five of his six three-point attempts.
Afterward, Brown praised Bridges’ overall impact on the club.
“It’s no secret Mikal has not shot the ball well. But he’s given us life at times, and he’s given us life at the right time at times,” the head coach said. “I thought he was fantastic in Indiana (on Friday). On both ends of the floor. So it’s not just Mikal. It’s us collectively as a group.”
Once again, Brown turned to Jordan Clarkson to spark his sleepy team. And Clarkson delivered again.
He finished with 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting in 21 minutes. New York outscored Golden State by 14 with Clarkson on the floor.
“Special. The stats don’t lie,” Towns said of Clarkson. “One of the best players coming off the bench in NBA history. He does one thing better than almost anybody in the league, and that’s put the ball in the basket. When he’s doing that, he’s playing with that fire and that passion he has; there’s not many players in the NBA coming off the bench you feel better about.”
You wonder if, at some point, Brown decides to insert Clarkson more into the rotation.
Clarkson was averaging just 2.4 minutes per game after the All-Star break until Brown called his number. Over the last three games, Clarkson has scored 49 points on 19-for-35 shooting.
Shorter season?
Steve Kerr wants NBA stakeholders to have a "meaningful discussion" about changing the length of the regular season.
“I’m just saying what I see with all the injuries. The soft tissue injuries. I see all the data about how fast the guys are running, how much distance guys are covering now compared to 20-30 years ago. I see all the injuries, the tanking. I see everything,” Kerr said before the Knicks-Warriors game on Sunday. “I’ve been in the league a long time. I’m well aware fewer games would mean less revenue, which means everybody takes a pay cut, and I’m willing to stick my neck out and say I’m all for that because I think the quality of the product is the most important thing. So I don’t say these things flippantly. I say these things because I mean them.
“I think there’s a meaningful discussion to be had, and I love the league, I’ve loved the NBA my whole life. My whole adult life has been spent in the NBA in some form and it’s an amazing league. We have incredible people in this league and great fans. I just want to make sure we give our fans the very, very best product we can and try to satisfy all of our corporate partners, and I just think there’s probably a way to do that without just completely — I don’t know, ignoring some of the obvious issues we’ve established.”
Earlier this month, Kerr suggested that the NBA shorten its season by 10 games. As stated above, Kerr is well aware of the revenue loss that comes with a shortened season. But he believes something needs to change.
“In talking to performance people, looking at the data, hearing the experts in our own group talk about the load that these guys are facing and then you get older players like Steph (Curry) or Al (Horford) or Jimmy (Butler) – we have to manage them through 82 (games). So there are nights where you just have to say, can’t play this guy. I get emails all the time from fans saying ‘I spent $2,000 on tickets to go to this game and Steph didn’t play.’ And it wasn’t an injury designation and I held him out. Shouldn’t we reconcile that somehow?
“Maybe it’s stretching the season out a little bit. If you can’t give up 10 games, can you extend the season by two weeks and give players more time in between games? I don’t know,” Kerr said. “I know there’s no guarantee that players are going to be out there every night, but I know that we have enough issues all clumped together that if we put our heads together – we’ve got a lot of really smart people in this league. I think we can address a lot of them and satisfy the fans, the owners, the TV partners. I believe that’s possible. Maybe I’m naïve. But I think it’s important to put it out there just for discussion and see where it goes.”
For his part, the Knicks’ Hart seemed lukewarm to the idea of changing the schedule.
“I probably be retired before that happens. So I don’t care,” Hart said. “Nah, do I think it will be probably be better for the game and the quality on the court? I think so.
“Do I think it will happen? Probably not because everybody is so money-hungry and money-driven. I think everybody puts that above everything else.”
Observations from Yankees spring training on Sunday.
Good start
Veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk, brought in to mash lefties, delivered a single in his first at-bat Sunday against Tigers southpaw Framber Valdez.
De-Boot
Paul DeJong could not handle a ground ball behind second base in the fourth inning, resulting in the veteran shortstop’s first error of the spring, though he got picked up when Ryan Yarbrough got the next batter to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.
Max Schuemann has enjoyed a strong spring. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Caught my eye
Max Schuemann, who has an outside shot to make the roster as a backup shortstop (in addition to being a defensively gifted utility player), continued his strong spring at the plate.
He recorded a pair of singles off Valdez and is hitting .409 with a 1.112 OPS through 11 games.
Monday’s schedule
The Yankees have their final off-day of camp, though Cam Schlittler will throw a simulated game to keep him on track the opening weekend of the season.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Isaiah Collier #8 of the Utah Jazz drives against Killian Hayes #3 of the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Golden 1 Center on March 15, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz fell to the Sacramento Kings, with a final score of 111-116.
For tank-watchers at home, this game was vital for Utah’s chances at picking up a few more lottery balls in May. The Jazz, currently fifth in the lottery standings, are now only 2.5 games behind the Kings for fourth place. Jumping up to fourth would give Utah ~5% increased chance at a top-four pick, and most importantly, eliminate any remote chance of conveying their top-eight protected pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Lottery considerations aside, 17-year veteran DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 41 points and 10 assists on an efficient 11-21 from the field. At 36 years-old, DeRozan is still one of the most impressive isolation scorers in the league. Utah’s inexperienced group bit on his array of lullaby dribbles, slow spins, and pump fakes. He was helped by recent signee Killian Hayes, who chipped in 16 points and 8 assists. Hayes signed a two-year deal on Sunday following a 10-day contract.
Cody Williams continues to shine for Utah. After setting a career-high of 19 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, he blew that away with 34 points on 12-19 on the field tonight. While Williams has struggled with on-court confidence at times, he attacked the rim, made a number of smooth turnaround jumpers, and even attempted seven shots from three.
Isaiah Collier, who left the game because of a right knee contusion, scored 21 points on as many shots and had a team-low plus-minus of minus-15. 10-day contract player Andersson Garcia snagged 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in a team-high 43 minutes.
Utah returns to action in Minneapolis against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
The United States defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 at loanDepot park on Sunday night to advance to the World Baseball Classic championship game, but the final called strike had the DR fuming, and rightfully so.
Dominican Republic Geraldo Perdomo reacts after striking out at the end of the ninth inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026. AP
American pitcher Mason Miller fired the ball and his 3-2 pitch was clearly out of the strike zone, but home plate umpire Cory Blaser surprisingly called it the third strike to end the game.
Dominican Republic batter Geraldo Perdomo was fuming when he heard the strike call and threw his hands up into the air in shock as his team had the tying run on third base.
MLB’s ABS system that allows a batter to challenge balls and strike calls is not part of the World Baseball Classic.
The Fox Sports broadcast noted the ball was outside the strike zone and even the MLB’s own Statcast showed the pitch well below the strike zone.
Geraldo Perdomo #2 of Team Dominican Republic strikes out looking to end the game against Team United States at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026. Getty Images
“That slider right there that was below the zone. And, one team reacting. The other just stunned,” former major league pitcher John Schmultz said on the broadcast after viewing the replay.
“Thinking, ‘You sure we don’t have ABS yet? You sure we can’t challenge that?’” play-by-play man Joe Davis added. “Perdomo and the Dominican Republic are wondering, and they’ll have to wonder what would have happened with Fernando Tatis Jr. left standing on deck.”
It wasn’t the only time in the game that Blaser had made a seemingly bad call.
In the eighth inning with Juan Soto on at the plate, a third strike was called on a pitch that had been outside the strike zone, and was backed up by the statcaster.
“You just hate to end a game this big with these types of consequences on a pitch that’s not a strike,” Alex Rodriguez said during the Fox postgame show.
In a similar vein to Davis’ comments, Derek Jeter predicted that there could be a change coming to the WBC regarding ABS.
“Well, you can pretty much guarantee they’re going to have the (ABS) challenge system in place for the next WBC, right?” he said.
Getty Images
The United States will face the winner of Italy and Venezuela, which will be played on Monday, in Tuesday’s title game.
Team USA had to battle back from an early 1-0 deficit and managed to gain the lead in a two-run fourth inning.
Gunnar Henderson had hit a solo home run to kick off the inning and tied the game at one.
Roman Anthony gave the United States the lead with his own solo shot two batters later.
Not long after Pittsburgh Penguins' veteran forward Evgeni Malkin was suspended five games for his slash to the head of Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, it appears another player in the organization is headed for a similar fate.
On Friday, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) announced that Penguins' defensive prospect and Guelph Storm blueliner Quinn Beauchesne was suspended upon review for his slash to the head of London Knights' forward Ryan Brown in the waning minutes of their game. The incident happened just after a faceoff on a late London power play, and the Knights were beating the Storm, 4-3.
London forward Brody Cook was also suspended upon review for his knee-on-knee hit on Guelph defenseman Noah Jenken during the first period.
Beauchesne, 19, was selected in the fifth round (148th overall) by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 6-foot, 187-pound blueliner showed some flashes of potential during September's Prospects Challenge in Buffalo as well as during training camp with his skating, his offensive smarts, and his physicality.
He has seven goals and 31 points in 57 OHL games this season with Guelph, and the team has three games remaining before the end of their regular season. They have already clinched a playoff berth.
The length of Beauchesne's suspension has not yet been announced, as he has yet to have his hearing with the OHL's Department of Player Safety. According to many OHL talking heads, it is expected to be a relatively lengthy suspension.
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 9: Carlos Rodón #55 of the New York Yankee works out before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 9, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New York Post | Greg Joyce: Carlos Rodón continues to work back from offseason arm surgery, and he’s surprised himself a bit in bullpen sessions. “I backed off and threw harder,” Rodón said. “I was like, ‘OK, that makes no sense.’ But it made it easier to command. It’s just little ins and outs of pitching, trying to find the stroke again, knowing how much effort in this pitch and the line of this pitch.” The radar readings on Rodón thus far have been promising, with the left-hander reportedly sitting in the 93 mph range and touching 95 mph. There’s reason to hope that at full health in 2026, Rodón can rediscover a bit of the velocity he lost in 2025.
The Athletic | Brendan Kuty: ($) One of the few remaining positional battles on the Yankees roster exists in the underbelly of the bullpen, and a new name to watch is that of Kervin Castro. The 27-year-old Venezuelan has been with the organization since being selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft in 2023, and he’s impressed some key figures with a strong performance this spring. “Kervin’s got my attention,” Aaron Boone said this weekend. “Elite human being,” bullpen coach Preston Claiborne added. Though Castro is still unlikely to make the bullpen out of camp barring injuries, he certainly seems to be in the mix for a call-up once the regular season gets going.
MLB.com | Jonathan Mayo: Mayo runs down the state of the Yankees’ farm system, which was depleted after the club sent out 17 prospects as part of midseason trades last season. But the Yankees have shown an ability to restock even while sending out boatloads of players; Mayo highlights the $10,000 international signing of Jesus Rodriguez, who helped net Camilo Doval last summer, and Rafael Flores, an undrafted free agent who went to Pittsburgh in the David Bednar trade. Now, the Yankees are looking for their 2025 draft class to flourish and help replenish a system that seems a little thinner at the moment. First-round pick Dax Kilby has thus far been up to the task, starting fast with the organization in 2025 and already ranking among the top 100 prospects in the game despite falling to the Yankees at the 39th pick.
FanGraphs | David Laurilla: As part of his Sunday Notes, Laurilla spoke with Aaron Boone at camp, where Boone noted that last spring was the first time he got a good look at Cam Schlittler, thinking to himself at the time that Schlittler was going to quickly make an impact on the Yankees. Laurilla asked which players fit that bill this year, and Boone highlighted Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodríguez, and Ben Hess. At this point, fans have heard Lagrange and Rodríguez’s names quite a bit this spring, and it’s no surprise that either could be factor come midseason. Hess, the team’s 2024 first rounder, is more of a dark horse, but it’s notable that the Yankee manager called him out by name. The right-hander had an impressive first full season in pro ball last year, and could earn himself a ticket to the Bronx sooner rather than later if he stays on an upward trajectory.
Dec 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Houston Rockets are about to play the most important two-game slate on their schedule tonight and Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Houston has lost their season series against the Denver Nuggets, but have chances to win thei season series against the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Houston leads both series 1-0 thanks to wins earlier this season, so only need one win against each to clinch the series since they only play each other three times this season. Both games against the Lakers are obviously at home and Houston has one game left against the Timberwolves at Toyota Center.
The Lakers have won five straight and eight of their last nine games. Their only loss was to the Nuggets, which they avenged on Saturday night. That streak also includes wins over the Knicks and Timberwolves.
Houston won the first game against LA due to their size advantage and great defense. The Lakers are also the top team in the league at getting to the free throw line (hold your gasps), but Houston held them to 11 trips there on Christmas Day. If LA gets to the line as much as they normally do, this could get ugly.
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 15: Roman Anthony #3 of Team USA celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic WBC game presented by Capital One between Team USA and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot park on Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
All things considered, this year’s iteration of the World Baseball Classic has delivered on all of its promise for excitement. Sunday’s game, between two powerhouses in the Dominican Republic and the United States, was a matchup that was highly anticipated, and would decide who would appear in the WBC championship game. The Classic’s semifinal game did not disappoint on this front, as high quality pitching from both sides and a couple of big solo home runs were ultimately the deciding factor.
Semifinals Game 1: United States 2, Dominican Republic 1
Adrenaline was flowing for perhaps the premier matchup for this tournament, and it was clear from the very beginning. Both starting pitchers in this one—Paul Skenes for the United States and Luis Severino for the Dominican Republic—were pumping fastballs close to triple-digits. Both hard-throwing righties looked good in their starts, though they were ultimately bit by the limited mistakes they did serve up.
This game was dictated by moments, and in a matchup of this stature, it were those by the biggest names the sport has to offer. Early on, the stars of the American League East shined in this one. It began in the bottom of the second inning, when Junior Caminero of the Rays continued his terrific tournament with a solo homer into left field. His third homer of the Classic sent loanDepot park and the D.R. dugout into a frenzy.
An inning later, the Yankees’ Aaron Judge made one of his patented rocket-like throws to third base, this one nabbing Fernando Tatis Jr. attempting to take an extra base.
The United States squad took that momentum and pumped it into the bats in the top half of the fourth. In that inning, more AL East-ers had their moment, when a solo homer from Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson tied the game up, and another from Boston’s Roman Anthony gave the U.S. the lead.
For a good stretch after the big solo bombs from the United States’ youngsters, this game was dictated by good defense and pitching that kept possible offensive opportunities at bay. Skenes stranded the bases loaded in the fourth inning, and when he was lifted in a tight spot an inning later in favor of Tyler Rogers, the side-winder induced an inning-ending double-play to put an end to another rally.
The Dominican lineup was threatening once again in the seventh, when hits from Austin Wells and Geraldo Perdomo had a couple of runners in scoring position. David Bednar, who came out of the ‘pen to being the frame, was able to record subsequent strikeouts of Tatis and Ketel Marte to escape yet another jam, as the U.S. continued to tightrope out of danger against the potent D.R. lineup.
For the U.S., the bullpen continued to deal, as Garrett Whitlock was the next man up, and he managed a seamless 1-2-3 inning against the heart of the Dominican lineup — with the aid of a generous called strike three on a man who knows the strike zone better than anyone this side of Ted Williams, Juan Soto.
For the ninth inning, yet another electric arm hit the mound for the United States, as Mason Miller was tasked with locking things down in the ninth. He did not make it the smoothest of rides, with Julio Rodríguez reaching on a walk and advancing on a wild pitch, but after an eight-pitch battle with Perdomo, the hard-throwing righty ultimately shut this one down with a strikeout.
As with Soto, the last pitch was below the zone. As with Soto, home-plate umpire Cory Blaser punched Perdomo out anyway.
The United States bullpen pitched 4.2 scoreless innings to finish this game off, which was ultimately the deciding factor. It should be mentioned as well that the relievers for the D.R., five of whom kept the U.S. scoreless for the final five innings of the game, were terrific in their own right.
I’m surely not alone in this sentiment, but it feels safe to say that this was about as high quality a baseball game as you can possibly find, and it was almost entirely a joy to watch from end-to-end. Between terrific pitching, defensive highlights, and big homers from three of the game’s biggest and youngest stars, it was a terrific exhibition of the beautiful game. It’s just a shame that a one-run affair had to end in an umpiring controversy.
The United States will play the winner of Venezuela and Italy on Tuesday at 8pm ET in the World Baseball Classic’s championship game.Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has said that talented 24-year-old Mets righty Nolan McLean will get the ball, hoping for a better outing than his start against Italy. The second semifinal will take place tomorrow night at the same time, with Venezuela’s Keider Montero set to face Italy’s Michael Lorenzen.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warriors is fouled by Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Exactly 10 days ago, the Golden State Warriors — sans a whole cast of players — shocked the Houston Rockets with an overtime win on the road. I emphatically proclaimed it as the win of the year, stating that no other game for the rest of the season can match it.
Golden State followed it up by losing four consecutive games, but on Sunday they almost made me eat my words. Again on the road, this time against an arguably even better team in the New York Knicks, and now missing even more players, the Warriors came oh-so-close to pulling off a truly stunning upset, ultimately losing 110-107.
The Warriors were playing without Steph Curry. And without Jimmy Butler III. And without Draymond Green. And without Al Horford. And without Kristaps Porziņģis. And without De’Anthony Melton. And without Moses Moody. And without Seth Curry.
Against a team with NBA Finals aspirations, the Warriors ran out a 10-player rotation that featured one first-round pick, three second-round picks, and six undrafted players. A rotation that used all three two-way contracts, plus a player who began the year on a two-way contract, and also someone just signed to a 10-day contract who was playing in his first NBA game in 23 months.
And it came down to the final possession. And they at one point led by 21.
But they came up just short.
The game started well. The Warriors looked good on offense in the early going, and had lots of energy as they jumped out to an early lead. Quinten Post was pouring in the buckets as the team built up a quick 19-13 lead. Ömer Yurtseven, the aforementioned player on a recently-signed 10-day contract, made his team and season debut before the halfway mark and looked solid. The Dubs weren’t getting much separation until the end of the quarter, when Brandin Podziemski’s aggression started to steer the game, and the Warriors ended the quarter on an 11-0 run that was punctuated on the final possessions when they forced a turnover, then scored on the other end courtesy of a Malevy Leons tip-in. It was a shocking 35-21 advantage after the opening frame.
They continued to pour things on in the second quarter, and within a few minutes held a 46-25 lead. Madison Square Garden was quiet, confused as to why their successful team was getting crushed by a squad that might struggle against some G League teams.
Golden State’s offense, which did a great job all night of penetrating rather than settling for threes, was getting the job done, while the defense was solid, and aided by the Knicks missing plenty of shots. That led to New York defaulting to isolations, as their offense stagnated and the frustration mounted.
Finally, near the end of the half, New York started to shift the momentum. As they tightened their defense, Golden State’s offense started to get sloppy. Not only were the Dubs leaving points on the table, but their turnovers were allowing the Knicks to find a rhythm. It was all punctuated with a very poorly run two-for-one to end the half, where the Warriors missed their chance for two possessions, turned the ball over, and then ceded a three on the other end. Still, they led 54-45 at halftime.
The Knicks picked up where they left off in the second half, quickly scoring the first five points of the third quarter. It was all slipping away from the Warriors, but they refused to back down. From second-chance opportunities to quick hands on defense to a Will Richard poster, the Warriors were finding ways to stay just ahead of the Knicks.
But eventually the damn would break. With just under four minutes left in the frame, Mikal Bridges sank a long corner two to tie the game. With 2:17 remaining, Jalen Brunson banked home a floated to give the Knicks a 77-75 advantage … their first lead since 9-8 in the opening minutes. When the buzzer rang marking the end of the third quarter, New York led 83-80.
To the Warriors credit, they were not at all discouraged. They didn’t stop hustling or flying around the court. Unfortunately for them, the Knicks started to do those things, and the result was that the loose balls and unclaimed rebounds started to equalize, rather than all going in Golden State’s direction. New York, with all their key players healthy, were finally flexing it, and simply executing much better than the Warriors were. And by the halfway mark of the final frame, they had pushed the lead to seven.
That’s the point where the game is supposed to unofficially end. Once you’ve taken your best shot as an underdog, and then blown the lead, you’re supposed to cave as the game gets away from you.
But it didn’t. The Warriors kept making hustle play after hustle play, and highlight after highlight. They blocked shots to get surprising stops, and creatively found their way to the bucket on offense, led by 11 ultra-crafty fourth-quarter points from Gui Santos. And in the final moments of the game, they pulled to within a point.
After getting a stop inside the final minute, Golden State had a two-for-one — if they acted quickly — and a chance to take the lead. They couldn’t quite get a shot off quickly enough, but Podziemski still got a good look at a three, though it didn’t fall. The shot clock was now off, and the Dubs were forced to foul. Landry Shamet made a pair of free throws to push New York’s lead back to three points, but Podziemski answered with a quick layup, pulling the Dubs back to within one. After OG Anunoby made his free throws, the Warriors had one last chance, and inbounded the ball from their own sideline with 6.2 seconds remaining, needing a three to force overtime.
But New York’s defense smothered them, and they were unable to get a shot off. And instead of a shocking win, the Warriors got a fifth straight defeat.
Podziemski led the Warriors with 25 points on 8-for-15 shooting, and added five rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Also clearing the 20-point barrier were Post, who had 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists, and Santos, who had 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. That trio, though, combined for 13 turnovers as the Warriors squared off with one of the sport’s strongest defenses.
The Dubs will be back in action tomorrow night at 4:00 p.m. PT, when they visit the Washington Wizards. That should be an easier game — the Wizards are very bad, and the Dubs should be getting at least Green and Melton back — but then again, the Warriors seem to struggle more with the easier games these days.
