BALTIMORE — Zach Eflin is looking forward to 2027, less than a week after having Tommy John surgery on his 32nd birthday.
He left his March 31 season debut after striking out seven and allowing one run in 3 2/3 innings against Texas. He had elbow reconstruction surgery Wednesday.
“I’m in a lot better spot than I was a week, a week and a half ago,” Eflin said Sunday. “I knew something happened on the field. Really felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. I was going through so much this offseason to come back on time and I honestly never felt better in my career before.”
Eflin was 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts while making three trips to the injured list last season. Back trouble ended his season after a July 28 start.
Baltimore re-signed Eflin to a $10 million, one-year deal in December that includes a $25 million mutual option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.
Baltimore hoped the 11-year veteran would be a steady rotation presence, and his 7 1/3 scoreless innings in two spring training starts offered promise.
“I had felt amazing for three games, and there in the fourth inning it took one pitch,” Eflin said. “It was an up-and-away heater or cutter and it just felt like a hamstring cramp in my elbow. Literally out of nowhere. I’d never felt anything in elbow before.”
Eflin, 68-67 with a 4.28 ERA in 201 big league appearances with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Baltimore, hopes to spend as much time as possible around the Orioles this summer as he works to recover and make it back to the majors next year.
“I think that’s why I got it done so early,” Eflin said. “I want to be back as quickly as possible. I’ve been through too much in my life to let this affect me and let this be the thing that brings me down. I’m going to absolutely crush rehab and be back better than ever.”
Also Sunday, the Orioles placed outfielder Tyler O’Neill on the seven-day concussion injured list retroactive to Thursday and recalled outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez from Triple-A Norfolk. O’Neill is hitting .241 with a homer and four RBIs in 10 games a year after injuries limited him to 54 games in his first season with Baltimore.
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays put designated hitter George Springer on the 10-day injured list Sunday because of a fractured left big toe and selected Eloy Jiménez from Triple-A Buffalo.
Springer fouled a ball off his foot in the third inning of Saturday’s 7-4 loss to Minnesota. He finished the at-bat, but was replaced by Myles Straw in the sixth.
Springer went 0 for 1 with a walk and scored a run Saturday. He’s batting .185 with two homers and six RBIs in 14 games.
Springer was a big part of Toronto’s run to the 2025 World Series, hitting .309 with 32 homers and 89 RBIs in the regular season. He also hit the decisive homer in Game 7 of the ALCS against Seattle.
The MVP of the 2017 World Series with Houston, Springer is in the final season of a six-year, $150 million deal with the Blue Jays.
A Silver Slugger with the White Sox in 2020, Jiménez joined the Blue Jays organization on a minor league contract last August but has yet to play for Toronto. An outfielder and first baseman, he hit .257 with one homer and five RBIs in 11 games at Buffalo this season.
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 11: Head coach Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche watches as his team plays the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period at Ball Arena on April 11, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Avalanche have suffered a litany of injuries this season, but I didn’t expect that trend to strike the coaching staff. Here we are, though, as the Avalanche made a concerned comeback effort that fell short in a game where a stray puck caught their lead bench boss up-high.
Following the game, the Avalanche informed the public that Bednar was “fully alert and conscious” but was heading for a CT scan. Now we know the loose puck resulted in an orbital abrasion and facial fractures that will not require surgery, but will keep him from traveling with the team on their upcoming two-game road trip.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar will not accompany the team on their upcoming two-game road trip due to facial fractures and a corneal abrasion. He will not require surgery at this time and is expected to make a full recovery.
As far as the rest of the game went, Vegas clinched a playoff birth on the back of a Jack Eichel OT winner in what played out as a back-and-forth slugfest.
The Game
Establishing a lead has been a common goal for the Avalanche this season, and last night’s game started with a goal from none other than Devon Toews.
His tally at the 9:17 mark was the result of a point wrister that was screened beautifully by Gabe Landeskog and went right through the seven-hole. 1-0 good guys.
The Golden Knights would only need four and a half minutes to log an equalizer.
Mark Stone scored on the power play on an odd-bounce play where Mitch Marner threw the puck toward the net. It bounced off two players (including Mark Stone himself), fell to Stone’s feet, and he was able to tuck it past Blackwood, and we were tied at one a side after one period of play.
Pavel Dorofeyev scored his 36th goal of the season by picking the top corner over Blackwood’s right shoulder just two minutes and nine seconds into the second period, and the Knights took the 2-1 lead.
It was Nicolas Roy and Nick Blankenburg combining on a tying goal, Colorado style, as Blankenburg’s shot from the blue line hit the post, went off of Carter Hart, and into the net.
That was Nick Blankenburg’s 7th of the season, and although I’ve been critical of his defensive play in the past, I do see him making strides inside this system. His first goal as an Avalanche should propel that even further.
The third period would come and go all knotted at two a side, and this contest would require OT.
Jack Eichel would prove the OT hero for the Vegas Golden Knights after Martin Necas and Devon Toews nearly combined on a game-winner. The puck fluttered off of Toews’ stick on a grade A chance, which resulted in an odd man rush the other way.
With Mark Stone on his left, Jack Eichel broke in and decided he’d go with the shot rather than the pass and beat Blackwood for the win.
Takeaways
I think it’s safe to say most fans are cool with not seeing the Avalanche in those Nordiques jerseys. They haven’t had much success in them, and now they’ve seen their Head Coach leave the game during a Nords night. It might seem silly, but humans are superstitious, and hockey fans and players take that to a whole other level.
As previously mentioned, it’s nice to see Blankenburg taking steps in the right direction, and moreover, Devon Toews play in the absence of Cale Makar has noticeably improved.
Obviously, not having Makar is less than ideal, but the added pressure has fallen on the remaining defense, and it’s brought out the best in Toewser. Sure, he’d likely want that two-on-one potential game-winner back, but we know about bounces here in Colorado.
Not sure what is happening on home ice for the Avalanche of late, but I’m not going to get too worked up about it. When playoff hockey comes around, having the crowd on your side will go a long way, and if the Avalanche can establish early leads at home, it will prove tough for any opposition to stage a comeback.
One last thing, Erik Johnson is quickly becoming my favorite hockey media personality. Obviously, I have my bias, but putting that aside, he’s been really good at his job and appears more than capable of providing answers we might not get if the questioner were different.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 9: The sneakers worn by Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the New York Knicks on April 9, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was rushed to the hospital after taking a puck to the face on Saturday, which resulted in facial fractures and a corneal abrasion.
Bednar, 54, will now miss the Avs’ upcoming two-game road trip, at the very least, due to the injuries suffered.
The freak accident took place during Colorado’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
Bednar was admitted to a nearby hospital following the incident and was fully conscious, according to a spokesman for the Avalanche, and underwent a CT scan for an advanced evaluation of the injuries.
Avs head coach Jared Bednar took an attempted dump-in from Keegan Kolesar to the side of the head and has left the bench pic.twitter.com/Qh0uQQSXgd
Bednar was standing behind the Colorado bench as a puck bounced off Knights defenseman Keegan Kolesar’s stick, flying over the boards and hitting the Avs head coach in the face as 16:39 remained in the third period.
He was ultimately aided to the locker room by one of the team’s athletic trainers and replaced in the interim by Avs assistant coach Dave Hakstol.
With three games to go, Colorado has and will finish with the top spot in the NHL’s regular season, currently at 115 points on the year.
Head coach Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche watches as his team plays the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period at Ball Arena on April 11, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images
The Avalanche have seven more points than anyone in the league, with the Western Conference foe Dallas Stars sitting behind them at 108.
Colorado is currently the betting favorite to win the 2026 Stanley Cup with a goal differential of +94, which is 34 goals better than the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are second at +60.
The Lakers are converting Nick Smith Jr. from a two-way contract to a standard NBA contract before the regular season ends.
The signing, which was first reported on Sunday by ESPN, will make Smith eligible for the Lakers’ playoff roster.
Smith, who signed a two-way contract, will have a team option for 2026-27, and his salary for next season is non-guaranteed, a source told The California Post.
The Lakers signed Nick Smith Jr. to a standard NBA contract Sunday, making him eligible for the postseason roster. Getty Images
With star guards Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) sidelined, the Lakers opted for more shooting and backcourt depth going into the postseason.
The Buffalo Sabres positioning for the upcoming playoffs improved slightly after Saturday’s results, as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens used up their games in hand and now have two games left before the end of their regular season on Wednesday. The Sabres chances of finishing first or second in the Atlantic Division and securing home-ice advantage per Moneypuck.com are at 96.4%. The Lightning won 2-1 over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden and moved to within two points of the Sabres for top spot in the Atlantic, while Montreal remained two points back of Buffalo after a 5-2 loss to Columbus at the Bell Centre.
The Canadiens received some bad news in the contest, as the club revealed on Sunday that defenseman Noah Dobson suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday and will be re–evaluated in two weeks, which likely excludes the veteran blueliner from seeing action until late in the first round. Montreal recalled defenseman David Reinbacher from AHL Laval, where the former top-five pick has played 57 games this season.
The Habs play the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Sunday, and if they lose in regulation, the Sabres will clinch at least second place in the Atlantic and home ice in the opening round of the playoffs. Buffalo can also clinch if they win in Chicago against the Blackhawks on Monday. Tampa finishes off its regular season schedule with home games against Detroit on Monday and the NY Rangers on Wednesday, while the Sabres finish off their regular season with Fan Appreciation Night against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday.
If the Sabres win the Atlantic, they are guaranteed to face an Atlantic Division foe in the opening round. The Ottawa Senators clinched a wildcard spot with a 3-0 win over the Islanders on Saturday afternoon, and moved into a tie with the Bruins. The Senators occupy the first wildcard spot due to a tiebreaker, and that spot would face the Atlantic Division winner, while Carolina has clinched home-ice through the Eastern Conference Final and will play the second wildcard club.
Both the Bruins and Senators play on the road on Sunday, with Boston facing the much tougher matchup in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. The Senators take on the Devils in Newark. The Bruins finish off their season at home against New Jersey on Tuesday, while the Senators play in Kanata on Wednesday against Toronto.
The Sabres practiced at KeyBank Center on Sunday morning before departing for Chicago to face the last-place Hawks on Monday night. With Alex Lyon out for at least a week, it is expected that Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff will give Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and rookie Colten Ellis each a start. Luukkonen was in the starter’s net on Sunday, which is a preliminary indicator that the veteran will get the start at the United Center.
The Charlotte Hornets will look to clinch a home Play-In game as they visit the New York Knicks tonight.
New York is resting virtually everyone you’ve heard of on its roster, which has me backing Charlotte to cover in my Hornets vs. Knicks predictions below.
Let’s take a closer look at this matchup as I reveal my free NBA picks for Sunday, April 12.
Hornets vs Knicks prediction
Hornets vs Knicks best bet: Hornets -14 (-110)
The New York Knicks are locked into the No. 3 seed heading into Sunday’s game, which means a significantly diminished lineup for this contest.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson have all been ruled out for the regular-season finale, part of seven players listed on the injury report.
The Charlotte Hornets don’t have that luxury. Charlotte’s second half has put it in a playoff position, and it now has the chance to host its first-round Play-In matchup. Given how the Hornets have played down the stretch, that would make them formidable against anyone, let alone a team that isn’t really trying to win.
Charlotte has gone 10-5 over its last 15 games. That includes beating a Knicks team that was actually trying back in March, when Kon Knueppel went for 26 points in a 114-103 victory.
I don’t think anyone expects the Hornets to blow this opportunity, so the only question becomes whether they can cover a large spread on the road.
Charlotte’s last eight wins have all come by double digits, with seven of those being 14+ point victories. This isn’t a team that takes its foot off the gas when it has the chance to put opponents away.
If the Knicks were playing literally anyone relevant, I might question the size of this spread, but this is a game Charlotte can run away with. I’m taking the Hornets to cover.
Hornets vs Knicks same-game parlay
With the Hornets playing for home-court advantage and the Knicks resting so much of their talent, LaMelo Ball can put up big numbers in a game where Charlotte will be playing its starters until it's sure the game is well in hand. Ball has scored Over 21.5 points in each of his last three games and dished out at least eight assists in five of six, and I’m happy to back him to hit both of those totals tonight.
Hornets vs Knicks SGP
Hornets -14
LaMelo Ball Over 21.5 points
LaMelo Ball Over 7.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Big Three
There’s a bit of added drama with my lottery SGP, as Knueppel and Ball are locked in a tight race to see who will lead the league – and set the Hornets record – for most 3-pointers this season.
I like both players to do their best to pad their totals against a weakened Knicks lineup. While we’re at it, let’s also throw in a 3-pointers prop on Grant Williams, who has hit at least two shots from beyond the arc in five of his last six games.
Hornets vs Knicks SGP
Hornets -14
LaMelo Ball Over 5.5 made threes
Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 made threes
Grant Williams Over 1.5 made threes
Hornets vs Knicks odds
Spread: Hornets -14 (-110) | Knicks +14 (-110)
Moneyline: Hornets -850 | Knicks +575
Over/Under: Over 217.5 (-110) | Under 217.5 (-110)
Hornets vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Hornets were outstanding against the spread this season, posting a 50-31 ATS record. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Knicks.
How to watch Hornets vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tip-off
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Southeast Charlotte, MSG Sportsnet
Hornets vs Knicks latest injuries
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Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in the Milwaukee Bucks' season finale on Sunday. The team has ruled him out due to a knee hyperextension and bone bruise that has sidelined him for nearly a month. Antetokounmpo had hoped to play a game this season with his two brothers.
That ends what may have been Bucks fans' final chance to see Antetokounmpo in a Milwaukee uniform because a split appears all but inevitable this offseason. Current Bucks coach Doc Rivers talked about that on the Dan Patrick Show last week (hat tip Hoopshype).
"What does Giannis want?. Oh, boy. Um, I don't know. Uh, and we talk probably more than anyone. Um, you know, Dan, it's a tough one because he has done such a great job here in Milwaukee, right? And yet he still wants to win a title. And clearly we have to do a better job here with our roster to make that even look like a possibility. And if we can't do that, then he's going to look outward. And so I think that's a two-fold answer. I think one, if we had all the pieces here, I have no doubt he'd want to stay here. But we don't. And so that puts him in a tough spot."
Marques Johnson, the legendary Bucks player and color analyst for the team's local broadcast, was more direct speaking with Essentially Sports at the Wooden Awards (Johnson was the award's first winner).
"It is as toxic as it appears. It's just a bad situation. Doc Rivers talked about it. I'm not speaking out of turn. He talked about going public about the fact that Giannis was healthy enough to play and the team was holding him back. I didn't like that part about it...
It's too messy right now. So right now, he wants to play on the same court with his two other brothers. I say, 'Let him do it.' He's done enough. He deserves that moment...
"You just go down this rabbit hole of resentment, retribution and revenge. From a business standpoint, if you're trying to attract a free agent and they look at how they treated Giannis, they might think they did him dirty. We don't want that."
This offseason — and very likely before the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24 — the Bucks and Antetokounmpo will sit and discuss their future together. The expectation in league circles is that Antetokounmpo will tell them he will not sign an extension with the team, and the sides should part ways, and with that, the Antetokounmpo trade talk will heat up again. What teams throw their hats into the ring remains to be seen — and the playoffs will have something to say about that — but expect a lot of bidders. And a lot of drama.
As the 2025-26 NHL regular season and the Eastern Conference playoff push winds down, there are teams that have seized the moment and strung wins together like the Penguins, Flyers and Senators, and there are teams that have spiraled out of previously promising positions to leave an empty feeling like the Red Wings and Islanders.
The Red Wings were officially eliminated last night, coughing up multiple leads against the Devils in front of a quiet home crowd that turned into a minutes-long chorus of boos as Detroit officially reached a decade without a playoff appearance. Will the Islanders earn such a reaction? It probably depends on their effort over the next two games, but they’ve done themselves no favors.
Columbus (92 pts.) is still in the picture, interrupting their tailspin with a win over the Canadiens last night. The Flyers (94 pts.) put pressure on everyone by convincingly destroying the Jets in Winnipeg. The Islanders (91 pts.) and Capitals (91 pts.) still have outside chances, but only if everything goes right for them and everything wrong for Philadelphia and Columbus.
The Isles’ foe tonight is the Canadiens, who were beaten by the Blue Jackets at home last night but still have a chance to secure home ice advantage or even a division-winning seed.
How are things looking? Not good! [Newsday | Post]
Takeaways: Special teams, of course, which DeBoer noted. Also: “It doesn’t feel great right now, but we’re still alive. We have to win our last two games.” [Isles]
The Islanders created a special night for Cole, the younger brother of Connor Kasin, the varsity hockey player who lost his life during a charity game in 2024. [Post]
Denver University won its 11th NCAA championship, topping Wisconsin and Isles prospect Quinn Finley. [NHL]
Elsewhere
The Habs will be without Noah Dobson, who left yesterday’s game with a thumb injury “caused by blocking his NHL-leading 188th shot.” Re-evaluated in two weeks, so that is brutal timing for them. [Sportsnet]
Jared Bednar took a puck to the face and had to go the hospital. [TSN]
That NCAA UFA and Hobey Baker finalist TJ Hughes who was “linked” to the Isles? He is now inked with the Avs. [TSN]
Before a bell similarly tolls for the Islanders, here’s some Red Wings Collapse Porn:
Todd McLellan: “It’s just a microcosm of the year, really, and where we are as an organization. We have to get better top to bottom.” [NHL]
“If something can be unacceptable and predictable at the same time, this was it. It happened again, in the same ridiculous manner with the same ridiculous mistakes.” [Detroit News]
Todd McLellan: “I don’t even know if they want a Stanley Cup Championship anymore. They just want a team that’s going to come in and give them something to cheer about.” [Athletic]
“When it mattered most, they looked lackadaisical. It is one thing to lose on skill, but what excuse is there for being outworked, again and again?“ [Detroit Free Press]
With a better showing over the final two games, the Islanders can avoid some of those condemnations — and they’re in year 1 of a new regime, with a new coach, so it’s not the same as what’s happening in Detroit. But still, the position they were in, the additions that were made to theoretically reinforce the effort, it’s all going to bring up some core questions if/when they fall short.
Apr 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) in the dugout after being pulled from the game during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The first two games the Yankees played at Tropicana Field since the park’s reopening have proceeded quite…troppily, if you will. New York’s anemic offense was at least able to find a pair of go-ahead hits from José Caballero in yesterday’s 10-inning defeat, though the bullpen wasted little time coughing up the meager advantage to the Rays both times. Altogether, these games have lacked any sort of satisfying narrative flow—if you cynically expected the Yankees to trip over their own feet you were generally proven right within a couple of plate appearances.
So, with their lead over the AL East whittled down to just one game, Cam Schlittler and the Bombers will attempt to salvage the final game of this weekend set in St. Petersburg and snap a four-game skid which has halted the good vibes of their 8-2 start. Schlittler will get his first taste of action in this ersatz stadium. We’ll see how he does!
Cam’s lengthy scoreless streak was finally snapped by the Athletics in his last go-round when they tagged him for three runs in the third inning of a five-inning start. The tall righty collected himself after that point, and Amed Rosario’s heroics would deliver them the win. The Yankees haven’t won since then. Grabbing the initiative early hasn’t seemed to do the trick; they started with a lead in three of these four straight defeats. It’ll be up to Schlittler to keep down a typically pesky Rays offense and give New York some runway to finally get their bats clicking on full cylinders.
Of course, Schlittler’s opponent is yet another pitcher who has enjoyed great success against men in pinstripes. Drew Rasmussen, who was reinstated from the family medical emergency list today, has a 1.19 ERA across seven appearances (six of them starts). He’s picked up 44 strikeouts over 37.2 innings, with a mere five total runs allowed across those games. As if the Yanks didn’t have their hands full enough already! The silver lining is that the 30-year-old right-hander doesn’t tend to pitch very deep into games. He was five-and-dive in his first two starts, allowing one run to a pair of NL Central teams in St. Louis and Milwaukee.
Seeking a spark, the Yankees have shuffled their lineup around a bit. There are six lefties in today—though Rasmussen is as platoon-neutral as it gets. Ben Rice has moved up to the second spot in the order ahead of Aaron Judge, who will DH. Randal Grichuk, who is still hunting his first Yankee hit, will fill in at right field. Ryan McMahon gets another start at the hot corner and J.C. Escarra will catch the day game after a night game.
TORONTO, ON - October 20 The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 at the Rogers Centre to win the ALCS in game 7 in MLB baseball actionPDOctober 20 2025 Richard Lautens/Toronto Star (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
First Chuck: 12:37 PM CDT (click here each week for a new anthem!)
With the Minnesota Twins battling the 2025 AL Champion Toronto Blue Jays this weekend, it got me thinking how our boys have historically fared against the previous year’s American League pennant-winning squad. A little Baseball-Reference.com research and some simple math later, and the result is: not good—at all.
Going back to 2001, the Twins are 90-142 against the reigning Junior Circuit champion. That’s a .388 winning percentage (or a 63-99 regular season pace) if you are Bert Blyleven-ing the math at home.
The worst offenders…
2002: 0-6 against the New York Yankees (gee, what a shock)
2016: 4-15 against the Kansas City Royals
2022: 0-6 against the Houston Astros
In fact, only three times have the Twins even been over .500 against the league champs…
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 06: Adrian Houser #12 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park on April 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s series finale time! The San Francisco Giants are facing the Baltimore Orioles one more time, and then they’re off to Cincinnati, albeit with a well-deserved day off first.
For the Giants, it will be righty Adrian Houser on the mound, as he makes his third start of the year for the team. The 33-year old is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA, a 2.71 FIP, and seven strikeouts against three walks in 11.1 innings. In his last game, Houser gave up four runs in six innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
He’s up against lefty Cade Povich, who celebrates his 26th birthday today. Povich, who is in his third year, has pitched just once this year, giving up two runs in 5.2 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Sacramento Kings are reportedly expected to keep head coach Doug Christie, according to the Athletic’s Sam Amick. Christie took over for Mike Brown as the Kings’ interim head coach last season before signing a three-year deal last summer.
The Kings are 22-59 and 14th in the Western Conference this season. Last year, Christie went 27-24 and was the ninth seed in the play-in before the Dallas Mavericks eliminated them.
After a slow start this season, the Kings have shown late progress under Christie. After starting the year 12-46 and setting a franchise record in February with a 16-game losing streak, the Kings have gone 10-13.
Most of the Kings’ wins down the stretch have come without the team’s star players, including Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Russell Westbrook and DeAndre Hunter, whom the team acquired in a trade for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder.
While there have been signs of progress, there has been much left to be desired under Christie. The 55-year-old coach was recently cleared by the NBA of intentionally trying to lose in Tuesday’s 110-105 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Christie motioned to Doug McDermott to intentionally foul Seth Curry, who did not have the ball, with 3:15 left in the fourth quarter. The Kings were leading by one point at the time of the foul. Curry is shooting 90% from the free-throw line this season and has shot 86.4% from the stripe for his career year. Curry went 1-of-2 from the line after the Kings’ foul.
Christie reportedly attempted to use the strategy to foul and call a timeout but did not realize the Kings were in the penalty.
Christie is early in his coaching career, having spent just three seasons as a Kings assistant before becoming interim coach last season. Previously, he was the Kings' color commentator for one season. He played for the Lakers, Knicks, Raptors, Kings, Magic, Mavericks and Clippers during his 15-year NBA career.
The Western Conference playoff race is beginning to heat up. With the Oilers and Golden Knights clinching a playoff spot on Saturday, Los Angeles is now four points behind Vegas for the first seed, three points behind Edmonton for the second seed, and two points behind Anaheim for the third seed.
It's still not clear as to how the seedings will look in the division; no team has locked in a spot yet, making the last few games an incredible watch to end the season. It's a log-jam featuring the Kings, Ducks, Golden Knights, and Oilers, all battling for the third, second, and first seed.
Here's a look at the current playoff standings at the top of the division:
1. Vegas Golden Knights - 37-26-17, 91 points
2. Edmonton Oilers - 40-30-10, 90 points
3. Anaheim Ducks - 42-32-5, 89 points
4. Los Angeles Kings - 34-26-19, 87 points
All four teams have their flaws, making it possible for the seedings to change at the end of the regular season. The Pacific Division, especially, has been one of the worst divisions we've seen in a very long time, so it wouldn't surprise anyone if Los Angeles moves up to second or third to end the season.
If the Kings win out their remaining regular-season games and Edmonton loses one of its two remaining games, it's very possible LA can finish at best as the third seed.
To finish higher than that, they'll need Anaheim to lose two of their last three games or lose all of them. Vegas at this point looks like it will finish at the top of the division, now holding a four-point lead over Los Angeles, and since firing its head coach, they are 5-0-1.
That would be remarkable if Los Angeles could somehow secure home ice in the first round of the playoffs, something that was out of the question just a week ago.
The most important thing is for the Kings to draw a favorable matchup in the postseason. A team like Edmonton, which is missing Leon Draisaitl for probably most of the first round of the playoffs, can be a favorable matchup, or against the Ducks, who are a young team and have had trouble playing consistent team defense.
One way or another, we will just have to wait until next week to find out who the Kings will be playing or if they will be out of the playoffs.
Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who Kings fans should be rooting for.
Sunday
Canucks at Ducks -
Unless Vancouver can pull off this upset like they did when they defeated the Colorado Avalanche last week or keep this game close, it's unlikely they can win this game on the road against Anaheim, which desperately needs this win to stay afloat in the playoff race.
Monday
Avalanche at Oilers -
The Avs already have the No. 1 seed locked up in the Central Division, while the Oilers are battling Anaheim and LA for the No. 2 seed. But, Edmonton didn't look good against LA today, so it's very possible Colorado can win this game. But if Edmonton wants to win this game, they can, recognizing the urgency and the potential for home ice on the line.
Sharks at Predators -
San Jose is pretty much out of playoff contention at this point, while Nashville is still fighting with the Kings to secure the final wild-card spot. At home, it's very likely the Predators come out and do everything they can to win this game.
Jets at Golden Knights -
Vegas has looked very good under John Tortorella, going 5-0-1 under him and defeating the Avalanche in a thrilling overtime game on Saturday. Winnipeg, meanwhile, is also fighting LA and Nashville for the final playoff spot, essentially needing to win all its remaining games, so it should be very motivated to pull off this upset.
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