The Buffalo Sabres brought in multiple new players ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Sam Carrick was among them, as the Sabres acquired the veteran forward from the New York Rangers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Now, early on in his Sabres tenure, there is no question that Carrick is playing some strong hockey for the Atlantic Division club.
In seven games with the Sabres since the trade, Carrick has four goals, one assist, 11 hits, a 60.0 faceoff winning percentage, and a plus-3 rating. With this, he has been providing the Sabres with solid secondary scoring, grit, and help at the dot early on in his time with the club.
Carrick also just had a strong game for the Sabres in their 5-0 win over the San Jose Sharks, as he scored two goals.
With this, it is hard not to be happy with what Carrick is providing the Sabres early on. If he continues to play this well down the stretch, he will end up being an excellent addition for Buffalo.
Troy coach Scott Cross has emerged as the leading candidate in Georgia Tech's basketball coaching search, multiple people with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports on Friday, March 20.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about Cross' candidacy. It wasn't immediately clear whether Cross, who led Troy to its second straight Men's NCAA Tournament berth this season, has been offered the job.
The Georgia Tech job came open when athletic director Ryan Alpert fired Damon Stoudamire on March 8 after the Yellow Jackets closed their season on a 12-game losing streak and failed to make the 15-team ACC Tournament. Stoudamire, an ex-Arizona star, lasted three seasons with the Yellow Jackets and posted a 42-55 record.
Cross and Furman coach Bob Richey were among the candidates thoroughly vetted by Alpert during Georgia Tech's search, with Cross emerging as the focus, multiple sources told USA TODAY Sports.
Richey coached Furman to its eighth March Madness berth this season and second since 1980. The 15th-seeded Paladins (22-12) will face No. 2 UConn (29-5) in the first round on Friday.
Why Georgia Tech is targeting Scott Cross
Georgia Tech is trying to revive a program that has lost 93 games the past five seasons and has just one NCAA Tournament berth since 2010.
In narrowing the focus on Cross, Georgia Tech is targeting a coach coming off a successful stint after spending more than two decades at the Division I level.
Cross, who has 19 years' experience as an NCAA head coach, led Troy to a Sun Belt Conference championship and 22-12 record this season, ending with Thursday's 76-47 loss to Nebraska in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — For Hunter Haight, the moment finally came after a long wait. Despite the loss, in the Minnesota Wild's (39-19-12) game against the Chicago Blackhawks (26-30-12).
Skating in just his sixth NHL game of the season, and his first in over two months, Haight recorded his first career NHL point. A milestone that every young player imagines long before it becomes reality.
“Yeah, definitely something you dream of as a kid,” Haight said. “It’s nice to get the first one.”
The buildup to the moment wasn’t without its quirks. Haight joked that he avoided a tough morning skate bag skate after being informed of his call-up ahead of time.
Kirill Kaprizov was on the ice for morning skate, testing out his injury. He came off the ice and later told the staff he was not going to play. The Wild then let Haight know to get off the ice and that he would be playing.
“They actually let me know before that happened, so I was able to get off the ice,” he said with a smile.
Once the puck dropped, Haight didn’t look out of place. In addition to his first point, he put together a couple of strong shifts and even drew a penalty, small details that reflect growing confidence at the NHL level.
Still, the milestone came in a losing effort, something Haight kept in perspective.
“I mean, I think we did a lot of good things,” he said. “At the end of the day, our chances didn’t go in and theirs did. Just move on to the next one.”
In the second period, he set up Nico Sturm for the goal, which put the Wild within one. It happeded to be the first ever point for the rookie in his second professional season.
“It’s great. Really happy for Hunter," Wild head coach John Hynes said. "He’s developed his game. I think (Greg) Cronin and those guys have done a good job down there with him and you’ve seen progressive growth from him. This is basically the end of his second year pro. So, he looked quick, strong and confident. He was pretty good in the faceoff circle."
Haight's mindset has been shaped during his time in the American Hockey League with Iowa, where Haight has spent the bulk of the last two seasons developing his game. While the numbers may not always jump off the page, the growth behind the scenes has been steady.
“Yeah, for sure, I think I’ve been developing these last two years pretty well,” Haight said. “The American League obviously helps with that. So, yeah, no, it’s good.”
For prospects like Haight, the AHL serves as a proving ground, a place to refine details, adjust to the pro pace and build the habits needed to stick at the NHL level.
His performance in this call-up, capped by that first point, is a sign that the development path is starting to translate.
"You see that with young players, where they get opportunities, then they go back down," Hynes said. "I think he’s put in some work. I think the coaching staff has done a good job with him, and it’s nice to see a young guy come up and play the way that he did. So, that’s good for him.”
It may have taken time to get back into the lineup, but for Haight, the first NHL point is now in the books and likely just the beginning.
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BRADENTON, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Grant Wolfram (48) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 27, 2026, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hurray!
Opening Day is just a week out as the Orioles close out spring training and get ready for the upcoming season. To judge by the main Orioles-interested press outlets, there won’t be a ton of surprises in roster construction. This team is built with depth, and few holes. Manager Craig Albernaz maintains, “I am definitely not the decision-maker,” and that president of baseball operations Mike Elias takes an “organizational approach” to how roster decisions will be made.
That doesn’t mean, though, that there are no slots left, or that spring had no impact on roster decisions. Spring training stats don’t count, of course, but they do matter for folks on the bubble. Some of the “risers” this spring are no-brainers: catcher Adley Rutschman (an .841 spring OPS), infielder Coby Mayo (14 hits in 31 ABs), and catcher Samuel Basallo (a .310 BA and .946 OPS), and, on the pitching side, the whole presumptive starting rotation. But dark horses have surprised, too: utility infield candidate Bryan Ramos (10 hits, 4 XBH, in 29 ABs), outfielder and offseason acquisition Taylor Ward (a .976 OPS in 29 ABs), relievers Eric Torres (8 Ks in 3.2 IP), Grant Wolfram (a 0.00 ERA in five IP), Cameron Weston (an 0.80 WHIP in five IP).
Injuries to infielders Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg, plus veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge, have opened up a couple of spots on the 26-man roster. I’ve surveyed the major O’s-related publications, and here is the consensus view on the Orioles’ projected 26-man roster for the 2026 season. In bold are people on the bubble:
LINEUP:
Gunnar Henderson – Shortstop
Taylor Ward – Left Field
Pete Alonso – First Base
Adley Rutschman – Catcher
Tyler O’Neill – Right Field
Samuel Basallo – Designated Hitter (DH)
Coby Mayo – Third Base
Colton Cowser – Center Field
Blaze Alexander – Second Base
BENCH:
First Baseman – Ryan Mountcastle Outfield – Dylan Beavers Outfield – Leody Taveras (Banner, WBAL) Utility – Jeremiah Jackson
Analysis: Injuries to Holliday and Westburg were a blessing in disguise for Coby Mayo, who will get an extended chance to show he can handle third base. It’ll be an adventure, but he’s shown the offensive upside this spring: a .452 average, .742 slugging, and 1.183 OPS in 31 at-bats. Blaze Alexander will fill in at second, but could find himself back on the bench when Holliday returns.
As for the utility players, Luis Vázquez has options remaining and could be reassigned. Although Jeremiah Jackson has cooled off after a hot start, he has a track record of MLB success that other candidates in this pool don’t. As for longtime Chicago farmhand Bryan Ramos, he’s a sleeper candidate to crack the roster, having torn the cover off the ball lately.
Turning to the outfield, there is a crunch, with five viable options in Colton Cowser, Taylor Ward, Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Beavers and Leody Taveras. Cowser and Taveras are the only true centerfielders, although Beavers has seen plenty of innings at that position this spring. Taveras’ versatility has several publications putting him on the roster. Kjerstad and Noel started off the spring hot, but have cooled recently, and have options remaining.
A question will be what will happen when/if Westburg returns from his partially torn UCL in his elbow. Mayo and Mountcastle would be the odd men out, and while Mayo can be sent to the minors with an option, Mountcastle would need to be designated for assignment(cut) or traded.
ROTATION:
Trevor Rogers
Kyle Bradish
Chris Bassitt
Shane Baz
Dean Kremer
Zach Eflin
BULLPEN:
Closer – Ryan Helsley Set Up – Yennier Cano Keegan Akin Tyler Wells Dietrich Enns Rico Garcia Albert Suárez (Banner)
DEPTH:
Jackson Kowar (SI, WBAL) Grant Wolfram (The Sun, Baltimore Baseball) Yaramil Hiraldo (The Sun, Baltimore Baseball) Hans Crouse José Espada Cameron Foster Chayce McDermott Anthony Nunez Cade Povich Brandon Young Eric Torres
Not much suspense at the top tier of the rotation: Trevor Rogers is looking to build on a season that saw him become one of the best pitchers in the league, while Kyle Bradish wants to stay healthy after Tommy John surgery, and ideally return to his 2024 form that saw him finish in the Top 5 for the Cy Young. The biggest wild card will be from newcomer Shane Baz. Crazy as it sounds, he could be the best pitcher in the rotation if he lives up to his potential and stays healthy.
This group looks dramatically different from last season, when Zach Eflin was the Opening Day starter. The righty, rehabbing from back surgery last fall, may not even make the rotation this season, depending on his return from injury and whether the team utilizes a six-man rotation. If he is still ramping up, the team could carry an extra reliever in Grant Wolfram.
The bullpen will be the biggest question going into the season. The locks include closer Ryan Helsley, signed in the offseason to fill in for Felix Bautista and veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge, although he will miss the beginning of the season. Tyler Wells was moved to the bullpen after being a starter last season.
The last slot or two are interesting. Jackson Kowar, a 29-year-old waiver claim, is showing electric velocity, but he’s out of options. So is Albert Suárez, back on a one-year deal. If he gets cut, other teams will get a chance at him on waivers. Grant Wolfram has pitched great this spring, but he has an option remaining. So does Yaramil Hiraldo, who pitched for the O’s last season and has had a mixed spring. There are other intriguing names in here, including lefty sidearmer Eric Torres and Luis de León, a prospect with electric stuff who was just sent down for more seasoning.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Atlanta Braves pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) throws a pitch during Game 2 of the 2018 National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 5, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Braves have been killing it in Spring Training, but the roster still looks like it could use some upgrades. Some of those upgrades might even come courtesy of players still in other camps at the moment — provided the Braves find something they like.
This hasn’t been a huge source of contribution in years past for this Front Office, but Anibal Sanchez is the big one here. (Also, Jesse Chavez.)
In any case, I realize that the answer to this question depends on whom, exactly, other teams cut, and whether the Braves find those guys of interest, but here’s your chance to make a binary guess as to whether the Opening Day roster includes the likes of Brett Wisely, Kyle Farmer, or Dominic Smith… or whether the Braves ultimately make a move for perhaps a more recognizable name that had little to do with their Grapefruit League success.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Carlos Lagrange #84 of the New York Yankees pitches during the seventh inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 11, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Has any young pitcher generated more hype this spring than Carlos Lagrange? The Yankees’ 22-year-old right-hander came into the spring as the organization’s top pitching prospect (or number two, behind Elmer Rodríguez), with MLB Pipeline ranking him 79th, Baseball Prospectus at 61st, and FanGraphs at 73rd. And yet, as spring training winds down, those rankings have begun to look at least somewhat conservative.
Signed out of the Dominican Republic for just $10,000 in 2022, Lagrange steadily climbed through the Yankees’ farm before breaking out in a big way in 2025. Between eight games in High-A Hudson Valley and 16 with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, he posted a career high in strikeout percentage and innings pitched, along with a career low in walk rate. As the spring began, he drew comparisons to Cam Schlittler, who had a similar breakout in 2024 before emerging as arguably the Yankees’ best starter down the stretch last season.
Then, on the first day of spring training, he struck out Aaron Judge with a 102.6-mph fastball during live BP.
Carlos Lagrange strikes out Aaron Judge on three pitches. Last one at 102.6 mph. pic.twitter.com/Z4dODwf0Hn
That would be a sign of things to come. In 13.2 innings across four outings (including one start), Lagrange has allowed just two runs on six hits, striking out 13 and walking just four. He has drawn praise from, well, everybody who has seen him. ESPN Jeff Passan wrote late last week, “It wouldn’t surprise me if … Carlos Lagrange is pitching meaningful innings for the Yankees by September — if not sooner.” Dellin Betances, to whom the 6-foot-7 hard-throwing righty has been often compared, believes he “has the ability to be one of the best starters in the game if he continues to work on his craft.”
Judge agrees with that sentiment, and I’m pretty sure if Gerrit Cole had his way, Lagrange would start the season in the Yankees rotation. For his part, Lagrange thinks he would be “ready to compete” and following his most recent outing on Wednesday, catcher Austin Wells affirmed “I don’t have any doubts he could help us right now.”
Obviously, that’s not going to happen. Lagrange will begin the season in the minor leagues, either returning to Dougle-A Somerset or earning a promotion to Triple-A Scranton. The Yankees think very highly of this young righty and they don’t want to rush his development just to get him onto the Opening Day roster. As is common with pitchers of his stature, he is still a bit wild on the mound; as Eric Longenhagen and Brendan Gawlowski of FanGraphs notes, his delivery “features lots of head movement and spinal tilt,” which makes it a bit difficult to find the zone with consistency. The Yankees have enough pitching depth both in the rotation and in the bullpen (even if, as Josh notes, there’s quite a bit of uncertainty in the latter) that there’s no real need to rush Lagrange to start the season; and if they need to tap into their prospect depth for starting pitching, well, Rodríguez is going to get first crack, anyway.
Even so, if all goes well, I would expect Lagrange to get the call to The Show at some point this summer. Ideally, he tightens up his control, reduces his walk rate, and allows his electric stuff — which is already MLB-quality, according to most metrics — and forces the organization to find a spot for him in the rotation some time this summer. But should the summer roll around without a spot in the rotation open, well, the organization hasn’t ruled out using Lagrange as a bullpen weapon down the stretch.
And while that might scare Yankees fans who fear Lagrange following the career arc of Joba Chamberlain, pitching development league-wide has come a long way since then, and Chris Sale, Garrett Crochet, and Michael King are just a few of the numerous starters who completed their development into top-of-the-rotation starters while also working out of the big-league bullpen at to,es. Only time will tell if Lagrange might just join that group.
Mar 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) reacts during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
To some of us, it may sound like an echo from a not-so-distant past. How do we protect our superstar and franchise player from constantly getting hit and banged up – and carrying too much of the load?
“Health is the biggest thing,” Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said a few days ago about Cooper Flagg. “We’re looking for Cooper to come out of this (season) healthy.”
The focus is on injury prevention and finding ways to save his energy. In order to do that the coaching staff wants Flagg to take a new approach – or at least refocus his offensive game a little.
“Because he plays hard, because he attacks, he gets hit a lot, so that’s one of the areas that we want to make sure that he gets better at.”
And Kidd has a specific thing in mind that could help limit the amount of hits and bumps Flagg receives during the course of a game, but also save his energy: more shooting beyond the arc.
“He feels comfortable shooting it off the dribble,” Kidd said about Cooper Flagg. “We would like for him to get a little bit better at catch-and-shoot. Less energy spent, less banging.”
Sound familiar?
In many ways, this is not a new situation in Dallas. Not long ago, the calls for Luka Doncic to avoid getting banged up constantly were loud in the media and among fans. Back then, everyone wanted Luka Doncic to take more catch-and-shoot threes, as well. The issues were similar, but the question remains:
How do you save the energy of the franchise player and decrease the amount of times he gets hit and banged up during a game?
Back on January 1st, 2023, Jason Kidd talked in similar fashion about how Luka Doncic’s next step should be to learn to play in a way that would put less stress on his body:
“After that New York game, I wanted to see – could we say a Klay-type game where he had 5 dribbles and had 70 points? That’s the next step for him, to understand how to pick the defense apart without putting so much stress on his body.”
Jason Kidd on Luka Doncic's next step: "After that New York game, I wanted to see — could we say a Klay-type game where he had 5 dribbles and had 70 points? That's the next step for him, to understand how to pick the defense apart without putting so much stress on his body." pic.twitter.com/AuR0lolceL
And in yet another repetition of past struggles in Dallas, fans and media alike have been calling out the referees for not protecting Cooper Flagg. The same sentiment was very prevalent around Doncic for most of his career.
But isn’t this an issue with all stars, especially in that rookie year? you might ask. And the answer could very likely be yes. But that doesn’t mean that we should just accept the status quo.
There are ways to protect stars, superstars and even rookies. Jason Kidd knows what he’s doing, he understands that catch-and-shoot threes would help decrease the hits which Flagg receives every game.
But that’s not the only solution. Running plays that encourage more catch-and-shoots, forcing the rookie to sometimes settle for the shot, would help.
Making sure there’s always players around him to share the physical load (or upgrade the roster to accommodate it), and a playmaker to set the table on offense.
And then there’s simply standing up for Flagg more during games from the coaches, reminding referees, pushing back, taking a tech sometimes to prove a point. All of this could make a big difference. Same in the press conferences after. Make sure the focus is on this issue, shape the narrative.
Look, I get it, I’m not a refs complainer either. But when you see how other coaches go to war for lesser incidents and often end up with a better whistle down the road, you have to consider starting the conversation. Here’s a good example of how Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr always campaigns on behalf of his players.
STEVE KERR: "I'm pissed off. I wanted to go to Vegas. We wanted to win this Cup. We aren't going because of a loose ball foul 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line. I've never seen anything like it in my life. That was ridiculous. Thank you."pic.twitter.com/lO5S2qJVlK
As it did with Doncic, it is now beginning to take a toll on Cooper Flagg. In last night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, Flagg was clearly more agitated – both complaining more and showing bad body language, which seems to be an increasingly regular occurrence as the season wears on.
Obviously, this is a problem for the coaching staff to solve. They never really figured it out while Luka Doncic was in Dallas, but that doesn’t mean they won’t find a way to help Cooper Flagg.
It’s easy to sit behind a screen or in the arena and be an expert on how other people should do their jobs. It’s a different thing altogether to maneuver the situation on the floor in the moment it’s happening. Everybody who has played real and competitive basketball and coached knows that.
But the Mavs have to find a way to protect their franchise star one way or the other, and a concerted effort might be more effective than leaving the responsibility with the player.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 19: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 19, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks played what was definitely their worst game of this season, getting blown out by the 20-48 Utah Jazz, 128-96. Along with their play itself, this was also the team’s worst game from a body language standpoint, and that’s saying a lot. The Jazz, who, make no mistake, are going to extreme lengths to lose, simply couldn’t suck as much as the Bucks, no matter what they tried. Yikes. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
Maybe the worst game from Turner all season? Completely irrelevant all game on both ends. I hesitate to use the word “soft” these days, but this was pretty soft from the big man. Couldn’t assert any will on the game against dudes who, let’s be honest, are not even close to being NBA centres.
Got out in transition a few times, but same as Turner: irrelevant.
Grade: D-
AJ Green
11 minutes, 0 points, 0/4 FG, 0/4 3P, -13
Had multiple bad mistakes on defence as an off-ball defender, and couldn’t find his shot either. Been a rough stretch for AJ.
Grade: D-
Ousmane Dieng
24 minutes, 13 points, 5/7 FG, 3/4 3P, -27
Hit open shots, but made very little impact as a passer (apart from one nice skip pass). Also got dominated a few times by physical defenders. Being physical is going to keep popping up on the scouting report for those defending Ous until he proves he can beat it.
Made some early impact, but this was one of the few games this year where Bobby looked like the player he has been in seasons past. Looked slow and lethargic on both ends, getting blown by more than his standard this year. Also got beasted by Andersson Garcia way too many times on the boards; this was Garcia’s fifth game.
Grade: C-
Pete Nance
13 minutes, 0 points, 0/2 FG, 0/1 3P, -14
Nothing from a bloke who usually finds a way to make an impact on some level. That said, he didn’t get any real run until the fourth quarter, making it tough to find a rhythm.
Grade: F
Jericho Sims
17 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1/1 FG, -9
Jericho feeds off others making plays for him, and so when the likes of Rollins, Kuzma, and Dieng don’t produce in that area, it has a negative impact on Sims.
Cam’s stat line doesn’t look too bad, but I actually thought he was pretty horrendous from a process standpoint. His turnovers were ghastly. Plus, he didn’t play a lick of defence.
Grade: D+
Taurean Prince
16 minutes, 6 points, 2/5 FG, 2/5 3P, -4
I’d apply much of my “critique” for Sims—that his player type only works if the playmakers do their job—to Prince. That said, he did make a smooth self-created corner three.
Grade: C-
Gary Trent Jr.
17 minutes, 4 points, 1/5 FG, 1/5 3P, +0
GT just couldn’t hit shots, but he took the right ones. Was clearly trying to show the coaches that he was fighting like all hell on defence, though, which I appreciated.
Grade: C-
Doc Rivers
Part of me feels like the players came out with no want to play with any sort of intensity, and that’s not on Doc. But the number of guys the Jazz played who simply weren’t NBA players (or were fringe players at best)… you simply have to find ways to assert your dominance over them. I don’t recall Turner getting one look in the post against a 10-day guy. Advantages like these were almost never exploited, and that falls on the coach.
Grade: D
Garbage Time: Gary Harris, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Cormac Ryan, Andre Jackson Jr.
Inactive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Porter Jr., Alex Antetokounmpo
Bonus Bucks Bits
Bless Lisa and Marques… they tried their hardest to keep the vibe at least somewhat upbeat.
We got our first look at Cormac Ryan, who scored on his first NBA shot attempt (a three, of course).
Ace Bailey was a flamethrower, dropping a career-high 33 on 7/17 from three. That’s a lot of threes.
The Jazz were on the second night of a back-to-back, and played just eight guys.
The experience of watching your team get blown out by a tanking team is truly unique. I mean, the Jazz were already tanking hard, but I want to say Will Hardy gave it an extra push at one point by subbing out all of the best players who were playing all at once, but it quickly became evident that the Bucks were just too bad on the night for Utah to steal the L.
Just flagging that the Pelicans—having won consecutive games against the Clippers over the last two days—are now just four games “ahead” of the Bucks in the tank standings.
Up Next
The Bucks play again tomorrow against the Phoenix Suns. Catch the game at 9:00 p.m. CDT on NBA TV or FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
Andrew Painter made what is likely to be his last start of the spring on Wednesday when he finished four shutout innings against a Braves lineup that had numerous regulars. In total, Painter made three starts, pitched 7.2 innings, allowed three runs on six hits including a home run, and struck out five with only one walk in spring training.
His fastball shape is still a work in progress, but Painter has flashed an impressive arsenal this spring, highlighted by a sweeper-slider combination that racked up a combined six whiffs on a total of 19 pitches in his final start. He’s also shown an intriguing changeup that has potential to be a weapon as well.
But, Painter’s second start was a little concerning in that he lost velocity as it went on and was hit hard. Some of those worries were remedied in his last start where he held an average velocity around 96 MPH throughout his 4 innings and 52 pitches of work. Still, it will be something to monitor as he embarks on his rookie season, as velocity bleeding was an issue for Painter in 2025.
There are lofty expectations on Painter, even if some may be unfairly high. He is a former top pitching prospect in baseball, but he is a much different pitcher now than he was before suffering a torn UCL and missing essentially two years of development. Back then he could essentially feast off of two pitches thanks to his overpowering fastball. Now he’s developing a whole arsenal while trying to rediscover some of the same form of that fastball. Nevertheless, the Phillies are expecting Painter to come in and contribute right away as a rookie, as the fifth starter role in the rotation has been earmarked for the young righty all winter.
The results in spring have been encouraging, but there’s still clear things that must be worked on if Painter will reach his ceiling either this year or in the future. Frankly, there’s still discussions to be had about what exactly that ceiling is in a post Tommy John surgery career.
So, what do you make of Andrew Painter’s spring? Did he show enough for you to instill confidence in him? Or was it not enough yo quell your concerns? Or are you simply just “whelmed” with his performance and are looking forward to what he can do in real games?
Steve Borthwick will be reprieved by the RFU’s review but there are other factors at play from the makeup of his backroom team to the conveyor belt of English talent
The Rugby Football Union’s review into England’s least successful championship for 50 years is already up and running with an alacrity that would impress Louis Bielle-Biarrey. And one detail seems clear: barring something spectacular, Steve Borthwick will still be coaching the team this summer. As one well-placed insider put it: “This review is about supporting Steve to make improvements. If change is needed change is needed but it’s not about punishing him. He’s absolutely going to be in post this summer, there’s no question about that.”
ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 23: Oklahoma pitcher Kyson Witherspoon (26) screams after closing out an inning during the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship game between Oklahoma and Kansas on May 23, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Red Sox fans have been spoiled by the rosters of recent Spring Breakout games. That’s what happens when your farm system is stocked with some of the very best prospects in baseball.
The spring breakout roster isn’t quite as loaded this year. Here’s the team that will be in the dugout against the Orioles prospects tonight, per MLB.com:
PITCHERS (9) Jay Allmer, RHP, NR Jake Bennett, LHP, No. 7 Anthony Eyanson, RHP, No. 10 Patrick Galle, RHP, NR Marcus Phillips, RHP, No. 9 Reidis Sena, RHP, NR Juan Valera, RHP, No. 5 Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, No. 4/MLB No. 84
CATCHERS (3) Nate Baez, C, NR Franklin Primera, C, NR Gerardo Rodriguez, C/1B, No. 27
INFIELDERS (9) Marvin Alcantara, INF, NR Franklin Arias, SS, No. 2/MLB No. 31 Josue Brito, INF, NR Yoeilin Cespedes, 2B, No. 18 Freili Encarnacion, INF, NR Henry Godbout, 2B, No. 11 Hector Ramos, SS, No. 23 Mikey Romero, INF, No. 13 Dorian Soto, SS, No. 8
OUTFIELDERS (6)
Enddy Azocar, OF, No. 12 Miguel Bleis, OF, No. 17 Allan Castro, OF, No. 25 Justin Gonzales, OF, No. 6 Harold Rivas, OF, No. 20 Nelly Taylor, OF, No. 22
Even if we don’t have a Roman Anthony or Marcelo Mayer on the roster, we do have two elite prospects in shortstop Franklin Arias and pitcher Kyson Witherspoon. We’ve seen Arias make cameos in each of the last two spring trainings, but this will probably be the first look most Sox fans get of Witherspoon. They will likely be the center of attention.
But the guy I’ll be watching for is another shortstop: Dorian Soto. Soto is an 18-year-old who has yet to make his stateside debut. It’s irresponsible to draw any conclusions from the .307/.362/.428 slash line he put up in the Dominican Summer League last year. But he’s a switch-hitting infielder with a big frame (he’s already 6-3) and huge offensive upside. He’s not going to make an impact in the big leagues any time soon, if he ever does. But it should be fun watching him climb up the ladder, so he’s the guy I’ll be paying the most attention to. Who’s yours?
Talk about prospects, whatever else you want, and, as always, be good to one another.
Since their inception in 1962, lots of incredible players have donned the orange and blue. Below, the Mets all-time 26-man roster is unveiled.
But first, some rules...
In order to be eligible for the team, a player must have spent a chunk of his career in Queens and experienced a solid part of his peak during that time. That means Pedro Martinez and Nolan Ryan won't be in the starting rotation, and Willie Mays won't be patrolling center field. Meanwhile, Juan Soto doesn't yet qualify.
And now, the Mets' all-time team...
Starting Lineup
Catcher: Mike Piazza
Aside from the ace of the pitching staff, this was the easiest call to make.
While there is sentimentality when it comes to Gary Carter -- who was a co-captain with the Mets, helped them win the 1986 World Series, and is a Hall-of-Famer -- the answer is Piazza.
The greatest hitting catcher ever, who has a Mets cap adorning his plaque in Cooperstown, Piazza hit .296/.373/.542 with 220 homers in 972 games over eight seasons in Queens, was the backstop during two of their most exciting playoff runs, and has his No. 31 retired.
First Baseman: Keith Hernandez
A true difference-maker on both sides of the ball, the arrival of Hernandez via trade in 1983 helped revitalize the franchise.
Hernandez was a clutch performer, team captain, and heart and soul of the mid-to-late '80s squad. Like Piazza's No. 31, Hernandez's No. 17 is retired.
Both Carlos Delgado (who hit 104 homers in four seasons with the Mets) and John Olerud (whose departure after 1999 hurt in a big way) deserve to be mentioned here, but neither played with the Mets long enough to challenge Hernandez for this honor.
Pete Alonso, a five-time All-Star who hit .253/.341/.516 with 264 homers (the Mets' all-time record) in his first seven big league seasons, would've almost certainly grabbed this spot if he remained with the team beyond 2025. But his departure to the Orioles via free agency keeps Hernandez at the top.
Egardo Alfonzo / Eileen Blass, USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Second Baseman: Edgardo Alfonzo
Part of the Greatest Infield Ever with Olerud, Rey Ordoñez, and Robin Ventura, Alfonzo was the perfect sidekick to Piazza in the late '90s-early 2000s, and put up one of the best offensive seasons ever by a Met.
In 2000, Alfonzo slashed .324/.425/.542 with 25 homers and 40 doubles for a Mets team that made it to the World Series.
Unfortunately, injuries started to derail Alfonzo's career after the 2002 campaign.
Jeff McNeil, a batting champion and Mets mainstay for eight years, once looked poised to overtake Alfonzo. But his offense regressed over his last few seasons in Queens before he was traded to the A's.
In his first five seasons in Queens, Lindor has slashed .273/.342/.475 with 141 homers, 148 doubles, 117 stolen bases, 503 runs scored, and 445 RBI.
During that span, he has been one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball and finished top 10 in MVP voting four times.
When it comes to electricity on the field in a Mets uniform, there was nothing quite like Jose Reyes from 2005 to 2011, when his mix of speed and extra-base power combined to make him one of the best players in baseball.
But this is now Lindor's spot.
Mets 3B David Wright / USA TODAY Sports
Third Baseman: David Wright
The Captain and a career Met, Wright was on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory when injuries -- including chronic spinal stenosis -- derailed his career when he was in his early 30s. Even with that, he has received enough Hall of Fame votes during his first three years on the ballot to remain on and merit future consideration.
Wright is the Mets' franchise leader in most offensive categories, and his final career totals (even weighed down by his final injury-plagued seasons) are spectacular.
Wright hit .296/.376/.491 with 242 homers, 390 doubles, and 970 RBI in 14 seasons, and his No. 5 was retired during the 2025 season.
Left Fielder: Cleon Jones
An integral part of the 1969 Miracle Mets, Jones spent 12 of his 13 big league seasons in Queens, hitting .281/.340/.406 in a shade under 1,200 games played with the team.
Jones also caught the final out of the 1969 World Series in left field, clenching it moments before thousands of fans rushed the field.
Barring something strange happening, this will be Juan Soto's spot at some point. But he doesn't have the Mets track record just yet.
Arguably the greatest two-way player in Mets history, Beltran was one of the best fielding center fielders and an elite all-around hitter during his time in Queens from 2005 to 2011.
Beltran's smooth style was a joy to watch, and his 2006 season -- when he slugged close to .600 and crushed a then-team-record-tying 41 homers -- was incredible.
He is now back with the team in a front office capacity.
Beltran was recently inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, and he will be wearing a Mets cap on his plaque, becoming just the third player ever (along with Piazza and Tom Seaver) to have that distinction.
The Mets will be retiring Beltran's No. 15 during the 2026 season.
Right Fielder: Darryl Strawberry
A Rookie of the Year and seven-time All-Star with the Mets during his eight seasons in Queens from 1983 to 1990, Strawberry's sweet left-handed swing electrified Shea Stadium and helped New York turn the corner on the way to contention.
In a different world, Strawberry stays with the Mets after the 1990 season instead of bolting for the Dodgers, avoids off-field issues, and continues on his course to the Hall of Fame.
In this world, we'll have to settle for his still-tremendous Mets career that included a club-record 252 home runs.
His No. 18 is now retired.
***
*With the designated hitter now in the National League, we'll eventually add a DH to the starting lineup of the all-time team. But we're not there yet.
New York Mets pitcher Tom Seaver(41) poses for a portrait at Crosley Field / Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Rotation
1. Tom Seaver
The Franchise, Seaver was not only the best Mets pitcher ever but one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball.
Seaver won three Cy Young awards with the Mets (1969, 1973, and 1975), and helped lead New York to the World Series title in 1969 and within a game of a title in 1973.
In 12 seasons with the Mets, Seaver had a 2.57 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while fanning 2,541 batters in 3,045.2 innings.
2. Jacob deGrom
Unlike Seaver, deGrom came out of nowhere -- a converted shortstop who was initially called up to help the bullpen in 2014 but instead immediately became one of the best starting pitchers in baseball.
Winning back-to-back Cy Young awards in 2018 and 2019, deGrom became the first Met to accomplish that feat. And then he got better, with his fastball routinely hitting triple-digits and slider reaching as high as 96 mph.
In nine seasons with New York -- with the final two being marred be injury -- deGrom's numbers were staggering: A 2.52 ERA, 0.998 WHIP, and 1,607 strikeouts in 1,326.0 innings.
DeGrom had a chance to supplant Seaver as the ace on this list, but that went out the window when he left via free agency following the 2022 season to join the Texas Rangers.
Still, deGrom's No. 48 should be retired at Citi Field when his career is over.
Dwight Gooden / RVR Photos - USA TODAY Sports
3. Dwight Gooden
The "K Korner" was born at Shea Stadium when Gooden burst onto the scene, and he spun two of the most dominant seasons ever in 1984 and 1985.
In '85, Gooden won the Cy Young after putting up this ridiculousness as a 20-year-old: 1.53 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 268 strikeouts in 276.2 innings.
Like Strawberry, it's hard not to wonder what could've been with Gooden, whose battles with substance abuse began to severely impact his career in 1987.
Also like Strawberry, Gooden's number was recently retired.
4. Jerry Koosman
Seaver's wingman, Koosman -- whose No. 36 was retired in 2021 -- was a force in his own right during the 12 years he spent with the Mets from 1967 to 1978 -- posting a 3.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in over 2,500 innings.
His most dominant stretch came from 1968 to 1971, and included tossing a complete game in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series as the Mets won their first title.
5. Sid Fernandez
Fernandez is often overlooked, but he shouldn't be. And he eked out David Cone for this spot.
During his 10 seasons with the Mets from 1984 to 1993, Fernandez and his "rising fastball" posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.11 WHIP while striking out 1,449 batters in 1,584.2 innings.
Fernandez wasn't in the Mets' 1986 postseason rotation that featured Bob Ojeda, Dwight Gooden, and Ron Darling, but he made arguably the most important relief appearance in team history in Game 7 of the World Series against the Red Sox.
Taking over for Darling with the Mets trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning, Fernandez fired 2.1 innings of no-hit ball while walking one and striking out four to keep New York in the game.
Edwin Diaz screaming Mets pinstripes night game October 2022 / Brad Penner - USA TODAY Sports
Diaz, who persevered after a rough first season with the Mets in 2019, spun one of the best seasons any reliever has ever had in 2022.
In 62 innings over 61 appearances, Diaz -- utilizing his dastardly fastball/slider combination -- posted a 1.31 ERA (0.90 FIP) and 0.83 WHIP with 118 strikeouts (an eye-popping 17.1 per nine). Following the season, he signed a five-year extension that made him the highest-paid closer ever.
From 2020 to 2025, Diaz was a dominant force for New York, with a 2.36 ERA (2.15 FIP) and 0.97 WHIP while striking out 439 batters -- a rate of 14.6 per nine.
Setup Man: Billy Wagner
During his three full seasons with the Mets, Wagner was his regular unbelievable self, firing 100 mph fastballs as he posted a 2.37 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 230 batters in 189.2 innings.
Jesse Orosco pitching against the Red Sox in the 9th inning during Game 7 of the World Series at Shea Stadium Oct. 27, 1986. Mets Vs Red Sox 1986 World Series / Frank Becerra Jr/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK
Middle Relievers: John Franco, Armando Benitez, Jesse Orosco, Jeurys Familia, and Tug McGraw
The kid from Brooklyn, Franco had a 3.10 ERA in 14 seasons with the Mets and amassed 276 saves along the way, eventually becoming a setup man during a career that lasted 21 years.
Benitez gets a bad rap and will never be forgiven for blowing Game 1 of the 2000 World Series, but he was mostly dominant as a Met. Look at his numbers. Seriously, go look.
Orosco was splendid during his eight seasons with the Mets, posting a 2.73 ERA and closing out the NLCS and World Series in 1986.
Familia had a 3.27 ERA over 10 seasons with the Mets (with a brief trip to Oakland in the middle of that stint) and led the league with 51 saves in 2016.
McGraw was one of the glue guys for New York from 1965 to 1974.
Long Reliever: Rick Aguilera
Aguilera was a starter/reliever hybrid for the Mets from 1985 to 1988 before becoming a full-time reliever in 1989 and eventually moving on to the Minnesota Twins, where he became one of the best relievers in baseball. He's the perfect man for this job.
Bench
Before discussing the bench, it should be pointed out that the original version of this roster had a bench that was made up of players who were often used in a reserve role -- not the next best player at each position. You can see that version here.
But, since so many clamored for a bench that was the next best player at each position, it's below.
Mets Gary Carter jumps into the arms of Wally Backman after the Mets defeated the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 to win the World Series at Shea Stadium Oct. 27, 1986 / Frank Becerra Jr/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK
Catcher: Gary Carter
This was the easiest bench selection to make.
Carter's tenure in Queens spanned 1985 to 1989, and he was a four-time All-Star during that time. He had huge seasons in 1985 and 1986 (when he finished in the top six in MVP voting each year), and was part of the heart and soul of the '86 championship squad.
First baseman: Pete Alonso
With Alonso's Mets tenure over, he takes this spot.
The other main candidates were John Olerud and Carlos Delgado.
With the Mets rom 1997 to 1999, Olerud slashed .315/.425/.501, which included batting .354/.447/.551 in 1998. Olerud's .354 average in '98 is the Mets' single-season record.
Delgado slugged 104 homers for the Mets from 2006 to 2009.
Jose Reyes / Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports
Infielder: Jose Reyes
A typical Reyes season during his peak meant a high batting average and on base percentage along with 15-to-20 triples, 30-plus doubles, 55-plus stolen bases, and the daily sight of him turning singles into doubles and doubles into triples.
The gear Reyes hit when rounding second and heading to third was a sight to see.
Outfielder: Brandon Nimmo
If not for the recent trade that sent Nimmo to the Rangers, he soon could've found herself in one of the starting outfield spots on the all-time team.
In 10 seasons with the Mets, Nimmo hit .262/.364/.438 (.802 OPS) and was one of the clubhouse leaders.
Cliff Floyd was also in the conversation here, as was Michael Conforto, whose Mets tenure is woefully underappreciated.
Pinch-hitter: Rusty Staub
There's an argument here for Matt Franco, and a case could be made for Lenny Harris. But the pinch-hitter on the Mets' all-time team is Le Grand Orange, who spent two chunks of his terrific career with the Mets -- one in the 70s and another in the 80s.
March Madness officially kicked off on Thursday, March 19.
When the cameras went to the studio analysts for CBS and TNT Sports, some fans were shocked to see Ernie Johnson not present along with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, the longtime loved trio of "Inside the NBA," but also regulars hosting the NCAA Tournament.
Instead of Johnson, former NFL player turned "CBS Mornings" host, Nate Burleson, replaced Johnson with his hosting responsibilities. The former wide receiver also does football analysis in the studio with CBS and has been one of the commentators for Nickelodeon's Super Bowl broadcast for kids.
But why was Johnson not present for the opening of the NCAA Tournament and who is Burleson? Here's what you need to know:
Where is Ernie Johnson?
Johnson took on the lead role as the host last year, following the death of the legendary Greg Gumbel in December 2024.
However, this year, Johnson requested additional time off, necessitating the need for CBS to bring in a brand new host.
“At my request, I will take a step back from working the first two weeks of March Madness,” Johnson said to NJ.com in a statement. “I appreciate the support from TNT Sports, along with my CBS Sports colleagues. We have a tremendously talented broadcast team, and I look forward to hosting our studio coverage from the Final Four in Indianapolis.”
Johnson is set to return for the Final Four and championship game in Indianapolis on April 4 and 6.
Who is Nate Burleson?
Burleson, 44, was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on Aug. 19, 1981. His father, Al, was a defensive back in the CFL. His brother, Kevin, played in the NBA.
After attending Nevada for college, Burleson was a third-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed an 11-year NFL career with the Vikings, Seahawks and Lions, finishing his career with 457 receptions for 5,360 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Burleson began his broadcasting career soon after his playing career ended in 2014, as an analyst for NFL Network. In 2021, the responsibilities for the two-time Sports Emmy Award winner grew as he expanded his work with CBS. He served as the first color commentator for Nickelodeon's NFL Wild Card game and as a host of CBS' reality show "The Challenge: All Stars."
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 24: Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves controls the ball against Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game at the Moda Center on February 24, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. The Minnesota Timberwolves won 124-121. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers Date: March 20th, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CDT Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Timberwolves spent so much of this season making the simple feel complicated that when they finally take care of business the way they’re supposed to, it almost catches you off guard.
No Anthony Edwards. No Naz Reid. Second night of a back-to-back. A team that has spent months occasionally tripping over its own shoelaces in games it should control. And yet on Wednesday night, Minnesota handled the Utah Jazz like a mature, serious basketball team that understood the assignment, respected the opponent enough to not mess around, and went out and got the win.
The Wolves had already done the hard part Tuesday night by surviving the Phoenix Suns without Edwards and creating some desperately needed breathing room between themselves and the play-in line. But that win only meant something if they could follow it up 24 hours later against a tanking Utah team that, by all appearances, is more interested in ping pong balls than victories. We’ve seen too many versions of this season to assume Minnesota would automatically connect those dots. We’ve seen the Wolves beat a good team, feel great about themselves, and then immediately face-plant into a game they had no business losing. So the fact that Wednesday never really felt in doubt was meaningful.
The Jazz were missing multiple starters, but even against an opponent that compromised, Minnesota still had to show up and execute, especially without its best player and without Reid’s usual offensive spark off the bench. To the Wolves’ credit, they did. They played like a team that has finally realized there are only so many games left to mess around with before the standings lock in and the consequences get real.
Ayo Dosunmu stepped into the lead guard role and looked comfortable doing it. Julius Randle continued the strong stretch that has quietly started to build over the last few games. And Rudy Gobert, facing his former team, was an absolute menace. He defended the rim, vacuumed up rebounds, got involved offensively, and took advantage of Utah’s lesser frontcourt.
Now comes the next test, and this one won’t be quite as forgiving.
Portland rolls into Target Center next. The Blazers are young, scrappy, and still jockeying for position in the Western Conference play-in picture. Portland has already proven twice this season that it can make life uncomfortable for the Wolves. Opening night required Anthony Edwards heroics just to avoid a miserable start to the season. The most recent meeting at the end of February was a clutch-time three-point affair that required 34 points from Edwards. Clearly Portland won’t be intimidated by the Wolves, especially now that Ant is out.
With the schedule about to turn ugly again, this is one they absolutely have to bank. Starting Sunday, the Wolves walk into a three-game stretch against the Celtics, Rockets, and Pistons. That is not the time to be looking back at a missed opportunity against Portland and wondering why you made life harder than it needed to be. It’s still unclear whether Edwards will be available for any of those games, and that makes Friday night all the more important. Against a team Minnesota is more talented than, on its home floor, with a chance to extend the streak to three and stack more cushion before the fire gets hot again, there really isn’t room for excuses.
So with that, here are the keys to the game.
#1 – Continue keeping the ball moving.
One of the more interesting developments during Edwards’ absence is how much more democratic the offense has looked. When Ant is on the floor, there are naturally going to be stretches where the game tilts toward letting the superstar cook. That’s part of having an All-NBA-caliber player. But without Ant, the Wolves have been forced to find offense the old-fashioned way through ball movement, spacing, cuts, extra passes, and trust. The results have actually been encouraging. The lanes open up. The role players stay engaged. The defense has to chase instead of load up. Against a young Portland team with active legs and plenty of energy, Minnesota can’t let the offense sink into isolation sludge. They need to keep sharing it, keep whipping it side to side, and make the Blazers defend for the full possession instead of standing around and waiting for one guy to go one-on-one.
#2 – Gobert needs to keep feasting.
Utah showed again how valuable it is to get Rudy involved early and often, not just because of the points, but because of the emotional effect it has on his whole game. When Gobert feels like he’s part of the offense and is getting touches around the rim, it seems to light up everything else. He rebounds harder. He rotates quicker. He defends with more edge. Minnesota should absolutely continue leaning into that. While Donovan Clingan can certainly be a nuisance, this still ought to be another game where Gobert can dominate the paint, create second-chance points, and turn the basket area into a no-fly zone. If the Wolves are getting high-efficiency offense from Rudy while also getting vintage paint protection, they’re a much more dangerous team, even without Edwards.
#3 – Ayo and Bones need to push pace and fill the backcourt void.
This is where Edwards’ absence, while obviously not ideal, may actually be giving Minnesota something useful. Dosunmu is getting a chance to settle in, get real on-ball reps, and figure out where he fits in the ecosystem. Bones Highland is getting the kind of meaningful minutes that can either sharpen him or expose him, and lately it’s been more of the former. Both guys have the ability to get downhill, push tempo, and provide enough scoring punch to keep the offense from collapsing into one-dimensional sludge. The Wolves don’t need either player to become Anthony Edwards, but they do need both of them to keep taking advantage of this runway so that when Ant does come back, Minnesota has a clearer, deeper, more useful rotation heading into the playoffs.
#4 – Jaden McDaniels has to stay aggressive offensively.
Jaden’s touch count and assertiveness always seem to swing the overall feel of the team. When Jaden is just hanging out, taking the occasional catch-and-shoot three, and treating offense like a side quest, the Wolves become much easier to guard. But when he’s cutting hard, getting downhill, and using his length to get into the paint for high-efficiency looks, the offense starts to breathe differently. Without Edwards, those extra opportunities are there for him. McDaniels needs to look at those openings and attack them.
#5 – Julius Randle needs to keep being the leader.
The Phoenix game felt like the loud reminder that Big Julius can still carry an offense. The Utah game felt like the quieter confirmation that he doesn’t always need to score 30 to control things. He was active defensively, jumping passing lanes and creating transition opportunities, and he played with the kind of composed force this team needs from him. Portland is not Utah. This game will require more from him. The Blazers won’t just fold because Minnesota put on their jerseys. If the Wolves want to finish off the four-game season sweep of Portland and head into next week’s schedule gauntlet with momentum, they will need an A-game from Julius again.
That’s the story of tonight. It’s not glamorous. It’s not some giant statement game. It’s not a nationally televised heavyweight fight where the whole league is watching. But it’s the kind of game real teams bank instead of letting it slip away. For a Wolves team trying to hold its place in the standings while waiting for its superstar to heal, that matters every bit as much as the flashy ones.
The encouraging thing is that, over the last two games, Minnesota has looked a little steadier and more mature. That doesn’t mean all the problems are gone or that the identity crisis is over, but it does mean the Wolves have a chance to make something useful out of Edwards’ absence. It’s an opportunity to integrate Ayo more fully, to give Bones real rhythm, to remind Gobert and Randle how dominant they can be, and to build the kind of collective momentum that can matter in April.
Now they just need to not step on their shoelaces again.
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