The Yankees are looking for a right-handed outfielder and have invited Randal Grichuk to camp.
YES Network's Jack Curry reports that Grichuk will be joining the Yankees in spring training on a minor league deal as a non-roster invite.
Grichuk is a 12-year veteran who played with the Diamondbacks and Royals last season. In 113 games, he slashed .228/.273/.401 with an OPS of .674 to go along with nine home runs and 27 RBI in 2025.
Over his career, Grichuk has 212 home runs with a .251 average and a .298 OBP.
However, Grichuk was a notorious Yankees killer. In 68 games against the Bombers, Grichuk slashed .253/.302/.523 with an OPS of .825. He also hit 18 home runs against the Yankees, his second-most against an opponent (Orioles). Most of that damage was done as a member of the Blue Jays (2018-21), where he had his best years. Across those four seasons, Grichuk hit .243 with 90 home runs and 257 RBI.
With the Yankees so left-handed, especially in the outfield, Grichuk could give the team a boost off the bench. The starting outfielders are projected to be Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger. Jasson Dominguez, the switch-hitting prospect, may not break camp and could be sent to Triple-A to start the season and get more seasoning.
That leaves a spot open for a fourth outfielder, especially if Oswaldo Cabrera -- who has outfield experience -- is not ready for Opening Day as he continues to return from a season-ending leg injury.
The Knicks have struggled with one of coach Mike Brown’s core principles coming out of the All-Star break.
He has spent all season urging the Knicks to play with pace. They remain in the bottom half of the league in that regard, but they have played faster than last year under Tom Thibodeau.
In four games since the break, though, the Knicks are averaging 97.25 possessions per game — down from their season-long mark of 98.57 per game.
Josh Hart the Knicks talks with Jalen Brunson during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on February 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
“One of the things we have to try and do better, especially offensively, is play with pace,” Brown said after the Knicks’ blowout loss in Cleveland on Tuesday night. “Our pace is not good. We have to do a better job of getting to the corners. We have to do a better job of playing with pace in the frontcourt.”
In Tuesday’s loss, the Knicks had just 95 possessions.
“We were running through mud tonight,” Brown said, “no matter what happened.”
Knicks head coach Mike Brown directs his team against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With that loss to the Cavaliers, the Knicks are now tied with Cleveland in the standings. And the Cavaliers are red-hot since acquiring James Harden ahead of the trade deadline — they are 6-1 with Harden.
Harden suffered a fracture in his right thumb in that game, the team announced on Wednesday. The outlook is positive, however — he was listed as questionable for the team’s game against the Bucks on Wednesday night.
Donovan Mitchell also suffered a groin strain in Tuesday’s game and was out Wednesday.
If the Knicks and Cavaliers meet in the playoffs, Cleveland has established its best option to guard Jalen Brunson.
Across the three matchups this year, Dean Wade has primarily guarded Brunson for the Cavaliers. According to NBA.com’s tracking stats, Brunson has just six points and has shot 1-for-16 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point range when Wade was matched up with him.
On Tuesday, Brunson went 1-for-4 from the field and 0-for-2 from deep with Wade on him.
Al Horford alone was apparently an upgrade over Draymond Green and De’Anthony Melton.
After a lineup change, the Warriors pulled a 180 from their performance the previous night to cruise to a 133-112 win over the Grizzlies in the second half of a road back-to-back.
“Just a really good night for everybody who stepped on the floor, missing so many guys,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
Golden State Warriors center Al Horford handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies. AP
Green (back) was listed as questionable and ruled out shortly before tipoff with the same issue that kept him out of Sunday’s win over the Nuggets. Melton (knee) has yet to be cleared to play on consecutive days.
The 39-year-old Horford returned and led a rejuvenated effort from an undermanned Warriors squad, which had only nine players in uniform — including two-way player Malevy Leons — but had no problem dispatching a team that dismantled its roster at the NBA trade deadline.
Eight of them — all but Leons — scored in double figures, led by 21 from rookie Will Richard. Brandin Podziemski celebrated his 23rd birthday by stepping into the starting lineup and followed up his double-double effort Tuesday with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Playing against his younger brother, Pat Spencer was a game-best plus-23 while dishing out a team-high nine assists in 32 minutes off the bench. In some kind of law of brotherly inverse, Cam Spencer was a game-worst minus-29 for the Grizzlies.
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski drives against the Grizzlies. AP
All nine Warriors also hit at least one 3-pointer as Golden State rebounded from a dismal shooting effort the previous night, knocking down 49 of 91 shots from the field (53.8%) — 19 of 46 (41.3%) from 3.
It was nearly a teamwide 50-40-90 shooting performance — until Leons missed two free throws late in the fourth quarter, which also prevented him from becoming the ninth and final Warrior to reach double figures.
What it means
After their 113-109 loss to the host Pelicans on Tuesday, the Warriors avoided the disaster of being swept on back-to-back nights by teams almost trying to lose.
Turning point
Richard responded to a statline of zeroes in 17 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to score eight of his eventual 21 points in the first quarter as Golden State jumped to a 34-31 edge.
The Warriors widened that advantage to 74-53 by halftime, using a 27-8 run that lasted most of the second quarter to take control until Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo finally called timeout with 4:46 left.
In a rare matchup having a size advantage, the Warriors pounded the paint for 18 points in the opening quarter, which they used to create the looks that resulted in 8-of-16 shooting from beyond the perimeter in their dominant second quarter.
Illustrating it all was none other than Horford.
The veteran backed down a mismatched Javon Small for an easy bucket on the game’s opening possession and then delivered one of the most dynamic sequences of their second-quarter run, draining a 3 from the top of the key and swatting Small on the other end.
Players scramble to get their hands on a loose ball. AP
MVP: Al Horford
The Warriors haven’t won any of their three games without Horford since Jan. 3. During that span, they are 12-8 with him in the lineup after their win in Memphis. Golden State improved to 6-5 without Green this season.
“Al was fantastic,” Kerr said. “(We) went to him early to establish the post, and he created a lot of advantages for us.”
Stat of the game: 33-14 points off turnovers
The Warriors played a cleaner game than Tuesday night, decreasing their turnovers from 21 to 16 (many in garbage time). The Grizzlies also turned it over 16 times.
Golden State was simply much, much better at turning them into points.
Up next
The Warriors head home to host the Lakers at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, when they should be closer to full strength. They should have Melton and Green back, and Kerr said he is optimistic about Kristaps Porzingis returning, too.
Golden State (31-28) is four games behind the Lakers (34-23) for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference — the cutoff to avoid the play-in tournament. The teams have split their season series so far and will square off one more time April 9.
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge hits a single in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Spring Training at Clover Field, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Port St. Lucie.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Panic had not yet set in at Clover Park, but knowing these parts, if Carson Benge had too many more hitless games, there would have been some red flags.
Benge eased any potential early concerns with a three-hit day in Wednesday’s 6-0 loss to the Cardinals, reaching on an infield hit, an opposite-field single and a grounder through the left side of the infield.
Access the Mets beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.
Each hit came with two strikes — a fact Benge seemed as pleased with as the results.
“I hate striking out,” Benge said. “That’s one thing about me. So being able to fight for every pitch, scrap for it, is really big.”
And could be just as big for the Mets, who have made no secret that the 23-year-old Benge is in the mix to win the starting job in right field this spring.
Despite having played just 24 games at the Triple-A level, the Mets think enough of Benge’s skill set that they’re giving him a chance to be in Queens next month. He just has to take it.
Wednesday’s performance at the plate showed why, putting up three tough at-bats and drilling his second hit 101 mph.
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge hits a single in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Spring Training at Clover Field, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Port St. Lucie. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“The ability to stay in the fight, especially when he gets behind in counts,’’ Carlos Mendoza said when asked what stood out about Benge. “Fouling off pitches, using the whole field [and] putting the ball in play. He just finds a way.”
While he’s fighting for a job, Benge said he’s trying to take advantage of every part of the opportunity.
“Just soaking up every bit of information I can from veteran guys around here,’’ Benge said of his experience in major league camp. “I feel like I’m getting adjusted day by day, seeing what it takes [and] seeing how good they are.”
And although it’s hard to count on too many more 3-for-3 afternoons, Benge is confident his bat-to-ball skills will only help his game.
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge is at bat in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“I feel that sprouted from me not liking to strike out,’’ Benge said. “I’d do anything not to strike out. Just put the ball in play.”
So while some in the game disregard the number of whiffs they pile up, as long as the production is there, Benge has a different mindset.
“I try to go out there and fight every at-bat and not give anything away with a dumb swing,’’ Benge said.
Francisco Lindor continues to progress in his recovery from the hand surgery he underwent Feb. 11, with the stitches removed Tuesday and “impact” drills expected to begin within the next few days, according to Mendoza.
“So far, it’s been good,’’ the manager said.
If all goes well, the shortstop could also start hitting in two weeks as he recovers from the stress reaction in his left hamate bone, seemingly putting him in position to be ready for Opening Day.
Brett Baty, slowed by hamstring discomfort, is scheduled to play first base by this weekend, according to Mendoza. … Vidal Bruján, who left Monday’s game after getting spiked in his left thumb while stealing second, returned to the lineup Wednesday.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: A general view of the stadium during the spring training game between the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies have completed six spring training games and are 4-2 in those games. They’ve also outscored their opponents 44-34.
Spring training games don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but in a year such as this for the Rockies, a lot of storylines have emerged and will be watched under a close eye ahead of Opening Day on March 27.
So my question is this to you tonight: what’s your biggest takeaway from this first week of spring training games? What are you excited about? What are you concerned about? Who do you need to see more of?
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 25: Dennis Schröder #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball against A.J. Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 25, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers came up short on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks. Let’s see who won and lost the night.
WINNER – Dennis Schroder and the Bench
We’re lumping all of the winners into one category tonight.
It’s pretty difficult to lose three starters and still compete on the road. The Cavs were without Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley tonight. But those losses are easier to overcome when you have a roster full of guys ready to step up and seize the moment.
We can talk about some of the individual performances soon. But the intensity that this second unit can bring to the floor is worth commemorating on its own. This isn’t a B-Squad that hangs its head or feels discouraged whenever they lose minutes. This is a group that’s hungry and foaming at the mouth to take the floor.
Schroder earned his first start as a Cavalier, putting up 26 points and 5 assists. His constant attacks both as a ball-handler and point-of-attack deterrent eventually helped break the dam and put the Cavs in front. Even after rolling his ankle, Schroder continued to lay it all on the line and get into Milwaukee’s defense to convert the game-tying floater with under 40 seconds to play.
Before that, Keon Ellis and Craig Porter Jr. joined Schroder to create a beautifully chaotic trio.
Porter’s downhill drives got Cleveland back into a groove during the third quarter. They had previously struggled to break Milwaukee’s shell. But Porter attacked open space and dished the rock to Jarrett Allen to re-establish their presence in the paint.
As for Ellis, he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite. It’s one thing to go after every loose ball and come up with steals while diving to the floor. But to combine that frenetic defensive energy with a 4-of-8 three-point shooting night is going to win you a ton of good favor in Cleveland.
And then there’s Thomas Bryant, who has given the Cavs a reliable option in their frontcourt whenever they’ve needed him.
It’s rare for a roster to have one of these plug-and-play guys. Let alone a whole rotation full of them. The Cavs ultimately weren’t able to get over the hump tonight, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. This was as hard fought of a loss as you can have.
LOSER – Three-Point Defense
Milwaukee clearly had one plan for this game. Launch three-pointers and pray for the best.
Jokes aside, the Bucks were deliberately hunting for three-point shots. Or, at the start, settling for them. But once the Cavs showed they werene’t going to rotate and recover with proficiency — those shots stop feeling like last resorts. Milwaukee quickly found a rhythm and took off with a lead as the Cavs couldn’t keep up.
It started with poor defense at the point of attack. Turning past one defender put the rest of Cleveland’s defense in a bind. The Bucks were then able to drive and kick far too easily. Sure, they went bombs away from downtown, but that’s in large part because the Cavs couldn’t stop them.
AJ Green shot 5-10 from deep. Kyle Kuzma, who is shooting 32.5% from downtown this season, also converted on 5-10 of his attempts tonight. Each one felt like a haymaker.
This game shouldn’t have been a shootout. A shorthanded squad like Cleveland’s needed to make sure of that. The fact that Milwaukee was able to nail 19 of 45 (42.2%) three-point attempts should have been a dealbreaker.
Somehow, the Cavs still did enough to nearly steal this one. But a better defensive showing would have guaranteed them the win.
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 25: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 25, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a dramatic victory in the final seconds over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin Porter Jr. once again led the Bucks’ offense with 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Jarrett Allen finished with a 27-point and 11-rebound double-double for Cleveland, while Dennis Schröder had 26 points and five assists.
Despite both teams coming off a SEGABABA, the Cavs looked fresher early. Cleveland built a seven-point lead after old friend Sam Merrill drilled a three, prompting a timeout from Doc Rivers. Milwaukee steadied the ship after that pause, as they battled back to move ahead after Bobby Portis converted from beyond the arc with 3:47 left. Cam Thomas turned it on, putting up seven straight points for Milwaukee to keep them ahead in a tight game. Cleveland countered with Craig Porter Jr., who completed a three-point play with four seconds left to tie it up after one, 33-33.
Merrill continued to punish the Bucks in the opening minutes of the frame, as he scored six of the first nine for the Cavs. Down six, the Bucks responded to pull even with a dunk fest, as Jericho Sims, KPJ, and Myles Turner each threw one down. Fresh off an impressive 32-point performance last night for Milwaukee, Porter started to cook. He went on a personal 6-0 run and, with his second dunk of the quarter, put the Bucks back in front. Bucks irritant Dennis Schröder found his groove late, scoring five in a row to shift the advantage back to the Cavaliers by three. Milwaukee had a chance to take the lead at the buzzer after a Ryan Rollins layup, but Kuzma’s three ball missed, so the Bucks entered halftime down 63-62.
Milwaukee began the second half on a heater, going on an 11-0 run. Kuzma, who came into the game shooting 32.5% from three-point range, drilled back-to-back from the corner. KPJ continued to add to his highlight reel with a poster dunk over Jarrett Allen. A Rollins three-pointer put the Bucks up by 12, but the Cavs responded right away with a 10-0 run with 3:19 on the clock. Milwaukee clung onto the advantage for as long as possible, but a Schröder layup with 4.7 left put Cleveland in the driver’s seat entering the fourth, 94-93.
The Bucks’ offense remained in neutral, as they failed to score a field goal from the 2:21 mark of the third to the 8:31 mark in the fourth, when KPJ scored a layup. Thankfully for Milwaukee’s sake, Cleveland had a hard time finding the bottom of the basket, as they were only able to go ahead by two. After BP knotted things back up, Green put the Bucks back in front with a three, which was followed by an alley-oop dunk from Sims. Schorder tied it with a pair of free throws with 2:40 left. Rollins came up clutch with two straight layups, giving Milwaukee a four-point lead with 1:45 to go. The Bucks couldn’t find that next basket to go up by three possessions, as Jaylon Tyson converted two from the charity stripe and Schröder drew the game even once again. KPJ once again played hero late, as he buried a mid-range jumper with 20 seconds left. The Cavs thought Allen tied the game after putting a Schröder miss back up, but after review, the basket was waived off, and the Bucks escaped.
Stat That Stood Out
The Cavaliers shot 20/27 from the free-throw line and missed three in the fourth quarter. In a game decided by two points, Cleveland would love to have some of those shots at the charity stripe back.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Luka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers react to a play during the third quarter of an NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers (34-23) are back on the road for the next two games, starting on Thursday when they play against the Phoenix Suns (33-26). This is the final match between the two teams this season, as the purple and gold look to tie the season series.
Just when you think the Lakers would bounce back after an embarrassing loss to the Celtics, they took it a step further. They lost to an Orlando Magic team without arguably it’s best player in Franz Wagner and their top perimeter defender in Jalen Suggs. Yes, the same Magic team that — with all due respect — doesn’t even rank top five in the mediocre Eastern Conference.
Given how competitive and tight the Western Conference standings are right now, especially in the middle of the pack, that was a horrible loss for the Lakers.
Now they’re sitting in sixth place and just three games above the play-in category, specifically where their next opponent, the Suns, are currently slotted.
That’s why Thursday’s match becomes significantly more important for the Lakers.
Not only do they need to tie the season series against their fellow Pacific Division opponent, but they also need to create some distance from them to stay afloat in the standings. It will help that the Suns’ best players, namely Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks — who, yes, have given the Lakers some trouble and a lot of annoyance this season, are ruled out for this one.
The Suns will most likely run their offense through Jalen Green, Collin Gillespie, Grayson Allen and Mark Williams. As long as the Lakers don’t allow them to play extraordinarily well, then LA should be able to handle them.
There’s really no excuse for the Lakers to lose. They’re not playing their best basketball right now, but they have to at least attempt to be better. The good news is that they play well on the road, so hopefully we see a better performance from them in the next two games.
Without Booker and Brooks at the perimeter, the Lakers should be able to feast.
It would be ideal to see a bounce back game from top to bottom. Can we get another good game from Deandre Ayton against his former team? Can Austin Reaves be more impactful? And most importantly, can the team as a whole just show more pride and play with more determination to win games?
With 25 games left, the worst-case scenario for them is to fall into the play-in range after playing well enough for most of the season to be out of it.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Rui Hachimura is listed as questionable due to illness.
Jaxson Hayes (right ankle sprain) has been upgraded to probable, while Adou Thiero (G-League) and Bronny James Jr., (G-League) are with the South Bay Lakers.
As for the Suns, Cole Anthony (not with the team), Devin Booker (right hip strain), Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture), Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain) and Haywood Highsmith (right knee injury) are out.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Olivia Olson scored a career-high 31 points, including a driving jumper with 3.2 seconds remaining in overtime, to give No. 8 Michigan an 88-86 victory over 13th-ranked Ohio State on Wednesday night.
Ohio State's Chance Gray hit a 30-footer on the ensuing trip down the floor, but the senior did not get her shot off until after the buzzer.
Olson also had nine rebounds and four assists for Michigan (23-5, 14-3 Big Ten), which set a program record for conference wins.
The Wolverines scored the final 10 points after trailing 86-78 with 1:40 remaining. Michigan had three starters foul out but Macy Brown, who came in averaging 2.1 points, scored eight straight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, to tie it at 86.
Syla Swords scored 22, including four 3-pointers.
Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge scored 22 points, including three free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining to send it into overtime,
Michigan had a 74-71 advantage with 2.2 seconds left when Brooke Quarles Daniels tried to inbound the ball. Ohio State’s Elsa Lemmila deflected the pass. Cambridge got the loose ball and was fouled by Daniels as she attempted a 3-pointer from the right corner.
Gray had 19 points and Lemmila scored 11 with 15 rebounds. The Buckeyes (23-6, 12-5) have dropped three of their last four.
Ohio State hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter as it ran out to a 28-14 lead. The Wolverines rallied back with an 18-4 run to tie it at 32 with 4:13 remaining in the first half.
Michigan trailed 40-39 at halftime, but opened the second half with an 11-3 run. A 3-pointer by Swords gave the Wolverines a 67-58 advantage early in the fourth quarter.
Feb 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) and forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) block out San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
There are certain players who draw a crowd wherever they go. LeBron James, of course. Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, SGA all come to mind. Victor Wembenyama, though, warmed up ahead of the Spurs’ sole game in Toronto this season to a level of fanfare most of those aforementioned guys rarely see. People were going wild for him, the security in Toronto was hauling people off the sidelines, and kids were screaming for his attention. That’s just the kind of attention the 7-foot-3 French superstar gets on a nightly basis.
It’s only the second time Wemby has played in Toronto, given he was out last year by the time San Antonio made their East Coast road trip. Especially for these West Coast guys who only come here once per season, the fans show up.
Toronto, luckily, had its roster intact to try to deal with the size and strength Wemby brings. Scottie Barnes was cleared to play after tweaking his quad last night, and Jakob Poeltl was available after missing last night due to injury management.
One of the most intriguing decisions, though, was matching Wemby with their rookie, Collin Murray-Boyles. It makes sense, but the trust in their rookie is really fun to see. We know CMB is a beast — his strength for his level of experience is wild, and it makes sense they used him against someone like Wemby. He did really well, despite the obvious height mismatch. He also tweaked his thumb again, causing an early exit from the game in the fourth quarter. Overall though, solid performance from CMB on a juggernaut like Wemby.
Jakob Poeltl also played excellently for Toronto, and looked better than he has in a long time. He was active under the rim, doing his best to defend when he was on that low matchup, Wemby or no Wemby. He was moving well, running back on offence, and making a huge difference. His activity on the glass kept Toronto in a lot of possessions.
Things were looking good for Toronto heading into the fourth quarter; they were up by double-digits against a top team in the league, and were playing well. Despite all of that, the Raptors lost 110-107 to the Spurs.
What happened? Well, first, the Raptors started the fourth quarter without Ingram or Barnes on the court. That resulted in a 9-0 run by San Antonio, evaporating the Raptors’ lead. Despite holding Wembenyama to 12 points in the game, both Fox and Vassell scored 20+, and Dylan Harper scored 15 points off the bench. In the end, the Raptors couldn’t capitalize on some clutch opportunities to tie or win the game in the end.
Darko Rajakovic explained after the game that the Raptors’ Ingram never starts the fourth quarter, since he plays the entire third quarter. Barnes was playing on a sore quad and communicated with the coaching staff that he wanted to play fewer minutes if possible, leading to him being on the bench to start the fourth quarter. It was also the second night of a back-to-back, but if it hadn’t been, I’d probably want Ingram in there for Scottie regardless of whether he played the entire third or not. C’est la vie.
That’s the Raptors’ second loss in a row. They only have one game in the next seven days, against the Washington Wizards on Saturday, before they play the New York Knicks on Wednesday back at home.
If the San Jose Sharks elect to be buyers at the 2026 NHL trade deadline, one of their top goals should be to add to their blueline. Bringing in a steady right-shot defenseman should be one of their objectives, and the Chicago Blackhawks have an interesting option to consider in defenseman Connor Murphy.
If the Sharks landed Murphy, he could slot nicely in their top four. Furthermore, due to his solid defensive play, he would also be a clear fit for the Sharks' penalty kill.
Another appealing factor about Murphy is his experience. The veteran defenseman could be a very good mentor for the Sharks' young players to have around as they look to stay in the playoff race.
Murphy is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) on a Blackhawks team out of the playoff picture, so there is an expectation that he will be moved. With this and the Sharks needing help on defense, they should be afraid to kick tires on Murphy leading up to the deadline.
In 57 games this season with the Blackhawks, Murphy has recorded four goals, eight assists, and 12 points.
Feb 25, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers nearly stole one from the Milwaukee Bucks. This one ended on a Jarrett Allen hook that nearly sent the game into overtime if he had just released it 0.2 seconds earlier.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Allen continues the best stretch of his career. This time, elevating the Cavaliers’ B-Team with his interior presence. Allen dominated the glass and put the ball in the hoop anytime his teammates passed to him. He nearly saved this game and sent it into overtime with a putback opportunity that came just a tad too late. Otherwise, it was a stellar game from JA.
Grade: A+
Jaylon Tyson
14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
This was a brutal shooting game from Tyson. He finished 5-16 from the floor and ended as a team worst minus-19. His efforts on the glass are commendable, but the Cavs simply needed a more efficient shooting performance and better defensive integrity from Tyson tonight.
Grade: C-
Dennis Schroder
26 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Schroder’s a competitor. His feisty playstyle helped turn the tide of this game in the third quarter. When the Bucks rattled off an 11-0 run, Schroder helped lead a 10-0 response for the Cavs. His dashes into the lane caused Milwaukee’s defense to scramble, and Schroder either made the correct pass or put two points on the board himself.
His final stretch in the fourth quarter was the definition of grit-and-grind. Even on a rolled ankle, Schroder kept the Cavs in stride and almost carried them to a win.
Grade: A+
Sam Merrill
14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers
Something tells me Sam is going to feel this one in the morning. He hit the floor every other possession as the Cavs leaned on him to create more than usual. Merrill impressed me with some of his mid-range shot-making, and it’s always nice to see him turn the corner on an unsuspecting defender and finish at the rim.
That said, Merrill airballed a three-pointer and sailed a lob pass out of bounds moments later in the fourth quarter. I have to knock him for that. This was a hard-fought game that wasn’t particularly pretty.
This was the best game Ellis has played in a Cavalier uniform (so far). We’ve seen him make an impact with his defense. Tonight, he poured in four three-pointers in addition to his elite defensive instincts. Some of the steals and deflections he comes up with are absurd. And when he has it rolling from behind the line as he did tonight, it’s a special sight to see.
This is everything you want in a role player.
Grade: A+
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers
The recent Qwan minutes haven’t been great. He threw some truly bad turnovers tonight and didn’t play in the second half.
Grade: F
Craig Porter Jr.
8 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds
Porter finally returned to the rotation tonight as injuries cleared the way for him. He made the most of it, aiding Schroder in the Cavaliers’ huge third-quarter run. Porter’s downhill drives helped pull the offense out of the mud — and he threw some of the best passes to Allen all game.
Grade: A-
Dean Wade
0 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Wade wasn’t great tonight. He shot 0-4 from the floor, and his defense wasn’t as impactful as the Bucks’ spammed three-pointers, putting him into space and away from his size.
Grade: F
Thomas Bryant
11 points, 2 rebounds
Reliable. Bryant has stepped up and provided the Cavs with quality minutes whenever they need him.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored to give him his ninth 30-goal season and added two assists for 701 in his career and the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.
Brayden Point had two goals and an assist, Gage Goncalves had a goal and two assists and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 32 saves for the Lightning, who are 20-1-1 in their past 22 games. Vasilevskiy is 17-0-1 since Dec. 20.
Tampa Bay won in its first game back from the Olympic break without coach Jon Cooper on the bench. Cooper, who led Canada to the silver medal at the Milan Cortina Games, will miss two games after the death of his father, Robert.
Assistant Rob Zettler stepped in for Cooper and the Lightning ended the Maple Leafs' three-game winning streak.
The Russian-born Kucherov got his 700th assist in his 855th NHL game, becoming the second-fastest player born outside of North America to reach the mark and trailing only Peter Stastny (784 games). The milestone assist came on Goncalves' goal at 7:58 of the second period that gave the Lightning a 2-0 lead.
Kucherov's 30th goal came at 2:59 of the third and made it 3-0. His nine 30-goal seasons tie him with Steven Stamkos for the most in team history.
John Tavares and Matthew Knies scored and Anthony Stolarz made 32 saves for the Maple Leafs, whose five-game winning streak against the Lightning was stopped.
With Stolarz pulled to give Toronto an extra skater, Tavares scored with 3:41 remaining to end the shutout bid for Vasilevskiy. It came moments after Jake Guentzel missed an empty-net goal for the Lightning when his shot hit the post.
After Point made it 4-1, Knies capped the scoring with 2:47 left for Toronto. Auston Matthews had an assist on the goal, tying Tim Horton for 10th on the career franchise list with 349.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 25: Jalen Duren #0 Pistons high fives Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Little Caesars Arena on February 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite the Thunder missing majority of their rotation with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Willians, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell all reported as out, they were able to hold with Detroit early as they held a 17-16 lead halfway through the first quarter. Their second and third-stringers showed up ready to play as seven different Thunder players would score in the first as they ended the quarter with a 15-2 run to lead 34-22.
Detroit’s defense was missing, but they found offense through Jalen Duren. Without both of the OKC big men, Jaylin Williams was the lone man left to handle JD. Duren’s size would prove to be a problem early as he led the team in field goal attempts along with eight points and three rebounds.
The Pistons needed a spark in the second and they found it from their 9-to-5 crew.
We saw the typical Ron Holland on defense, but it was his offensive rebounding with Paul Reed that provided extra possessions for Detroit to start clawing back against OKC. There was one sequence where the two of them had three straight boards over the Thunder team and RoHo was able to get the layup to go. It hasn’t looked pretty from three recently for Ron, but you can never doubt his effort.
I thought Ausar had a great second quarter – he came in for Caris LeVert after LeVert picked up his third foul and instantly made an impact on both ends of the floor. He had a sequence of a block pinned against the backboard into a transition alley-oop to Jalen Duren, and it was one of those moments where I was convinced no one else on the team could replicate that.
Most importantly, he did a great job of operating with the ball despite the Thunder not respecting his jumper from deep. They guarded him from the block or the free throw line at times, but he was able to attack and kick to find teammates for an open three. He was able to be patient and get to the right elbow for a jumper, a spot we know he’s much more comfortable shooting from.
Between these two and Jalen Duren continuing to feast inside, Detroit was able to reclaim the lead late in the second. They ended the half on a 10-2 run and took a 58-52 lead. Duren led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds as OKC didn’t have an answer for him down low.
The Pistons were able to extend that lead into the third quarter. They forced an Oklahoma City timeout after Cade did his best Tayshaun Prince impression with a chase-down block followed by a transition bucket from Duncan Robinson gave Detroit a double-digit lead. Newly acquired Kevin Huerter even got some minutes before the end of the quarter.
With a 94-80 lead heading into the final frame, things were looking good for Detroit in the Battle of the #1 Seeds. OKC was playing a lot of zone defense, though, Cade did a good job of picking it apart. While the Pistons relied on scoring from inside, the Thunder looked to score from deep. They were consistently shooting threes, with 10 attempts coming from Jaylin Williams who finished with a career-high 30 points. The entire team would shoot 18-for-49 from deep – Detroit’s season-high in attempts is 43.
Those OKC threes landed in the fourth quarter and they made it a five-point game with 5:30 left behind a 11-2 Thunder run. Guards Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, and Jarden McCain contributed with at least 20 points each. Every time they made it close, Cade would carve up the Oklahoma City defense to keep the game just out of reach. It wasn’t the performance you’d hope to see after hearing more than half of their rotation was out, but Detroit now owns a 1-0 record over OKC this season after a 124-116 victory tonight.
It was the Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren show for Detroit as they were the focal point of the offense and were able to capitalize with the lack of interior presence for the Thunder. Both players had 29 points while Cade added 13 assists and JD had 15 rebounds. The two combined to shoot 23-for-33 (69.7%) for an incredibly efficient night. Cunningham also added in multiple highlight reel blocks as he continues to show he’s a complete, two-way hooper.
Duncan Robinson had 16 points including three threes and five free throws, three of which came in the clutch after getting fouled on an attempted three-pointer with less than two minutes left. Ausar did Ausar things tonight and finished with a stat line of 11 points, four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks. Thompson had a great bounce back game after being benched in the second half against San Antonio.
The gauntlet of potential playoff previews continues with another primetime matchup, this time on Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Feb 25, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers fought hard, but they ran out of steam in the fourth quarter. Cleveland had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds. Jarrett Allen grabbed a Dennis Schroder miss, but his putback hookshot came just after time expired, leading to the 118-116 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks
This game was defined by who wasn’t playing, as opposed to who was. The Cavs were without Donovan Mitchell (groin), James Harden (thumb), and Evan Mobley (calf). Meanwhile, Milwaukee didn’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo (neck) and Taurean Prince (neck). Having this much firepower in street clothes isn’t ideal, but that’s become an increasingly common reality in the NBA this season.
Unsurprisingly, this led to what was a somewhat disjointed game that had wild swings back and forth, but not necessarily because of great play, but due to having players out of their ideal roles.
Allen wasn’t one of those players. He once again showed why getting him involved should be the priority of any team he’s on, no matter who’s in or out of the lineup.
The Cavs needed a big game from Allen, and he delivered. He outplayed his counterpart, Myles Turner, as he was able to consistently push Turner off his spots. Allen controlled the glass on both ends and was the focal point of the offense, putting up 27 points on 10-15 shooting to go along with 11 boards.
Despite the strong play from Allen, it wasn’t enough to get Cleveland the victory.
The Cavs took the lead early on, and it seemed like they were going to run away with it. But Milwaukee roared back due to their hot three-point shooting. They pushed their advantage to 12 midway through the third quarter, before the Cavs closed the frame on a run to capture a one-point lead heading into the fourth.
The final quarter was a slog. Neither team could create separation.
Milwaukee took a two-point lead late thanks to a midrange jumper from Kevin Porter Jr. with 20 seconds left. The Cavs weren’t able to respond. Dennis Schroder’s game-tying runner bounced out, and Allen couldn’t put it back in before the game clock expired.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Let ‘Em Know shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
Opponent three-point shooting once again had an outsized impact on the outcome of the game. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s hot shooting helped lead them to victory on Sunday, the New York Knicks poor shooting did them yesterday, and the Bucks’ 42.2% shooting from three helped secure them the victory. The Cavs have prioritized taking away lanes to the basket, but they may need to find a better balance as the Bucks were able to generate too many easy outside looks despite not having much on-ball juice.
The Bucks were led by 20 points from Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins contributed 18, and Kyle Kuzma chipped in 17 on 5-10 shooting from deep.
Schroder did a superb job stepping into the starting role. He provided 26 points on 8-14 shooting and made several crucial baskets late despite seemingly turning his ankle in the final minutes. Schroder also had five assists and a steal.
Keon Ellis, Sam Merrill, and Jaylon Tyson each finished with 14 points.
The Cavs have now lost two of their last three, even though it’s difficult to be too upset about this one. Three of their key players didn’t participate, and this was the tail end of a back-to-back and their fifth game in seven nights.
Cleveland will head on the road to take on the conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Friday. Tip-off is at 7 PM.
