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Golden Knights Shea Theodore Activated From Injured Reserve; In Line To Return

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore has been activated from the long-term injured reserve and is in line to make his return to the lineup against the Minnesota Wild. 

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) prepares for a face off against the Dallas Stars during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

HC Bruce Cassidy announced that Theodore would be a game-time decision tonight, and whether he plays or not is completely up to him. He's participated in multiple practices with contact and took line rushes alongside his usual partner, Brayden McNabb. 

Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Raphael Lavoie had been removed from the Golden Knights roster, indicating he was sent down to the Henderson Silver Knights. 

Doing so opens a roster spot for Theodore and paves the way for him to slide back into the lineup. 

The 29-year-old hasn't played an NHL game since Feb. 8 and hasn't played since Feb. 12, when he sustained the injury at the 4 Nations Face-Off. 

His return means Kaedan Korczak will likely exit the lineup. The 24-year-old had done a serviceable job in Theodore's absence, playing in 13 games. Korczak is averaging 14:41 of ice time this season, recording eight assists in 31 games. 

The expectation is for Theodore to return to his spot on the Golden Knights' No.1 power play unit and take advantage of offensive situations. 

Tonight's fixture is a potential first-round matchup, and it should allow Theodore to get back into the mental state of preparing for the playoffs. 

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Lakers' Bronny James scores career-high 39 points in G League game: 'I belong out there'

Bronny James smiles and pumps his fists during a game with the South Bay Lakers
Bronny James reacts Monday during his career-best 39-point performance for the South Bay Lakers against the Santa Cruz Warriors in El Segundo. (Adam Pantozzi / NBAE via Getty Images)

Four days after playing the best NBA game of his young career, Bronny James did the same in the G League.

Starting for the Lakers' South Bay affiliate Monday night, the rookie scored a career-high 39 points in a 122-118 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo.

James made 14 of 21 shots, including four of eight from three-point range, and added four assists, four steals and one block in 38 minutes. He also committed seven turnovers, which tied for his most.

After the game, LeBron James posted a clip of his oldest son clearly enjoying himself on his big night.

"SMILE THROUGH IT ALL YOUNG [prince]!!!" James tweeted.

On Thursday, Bronny played a season-high 30 minutes for the Lakers in the absence of several of top players ā€” including his father and Luka Doncic ā€” and finished with a career-best 17 points and five assists during a 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Read more:Stephen A. Smith: 'I might have been wrong' about Bronny James' NBA readiness

That performance prompted ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith to say he "might have been wrong" when he stated that Bronny belongs in the G League.

Bronny returned to his more limited role with the Lakers on Saturday night, scoring two points on 0-for-4 shooting in seven minutes during a 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls. After he returned to South Bay on Monday, the NBA squad continued to struggle with a 118-106 loss to the Orlando Magic.

With the Lakers losing three straight games, it will be interesting to see if they call up Bronny and give him more minutes. He has averaged 2.3 points and 5.9 minutes in 23 games with the Lakers.

Bronny's previous high for South Bay was 31 points during a 122-110 win over the Rip City Remix on Jan. 24. He has averaged 22.4 points in 10 games in the G League.

Read more:Bronny James credits focus on his game for career-best 17 points during loss to Bucks

After his performance against Santa Cruz, James was asked on Spectrum SportsNet what he had been trying to prove on the court.

ā€œJust that I belong out there," James said. "Thatā€™s all Iā€™m trying to prove. A lot of people say I donā€™t, but I just come out, work every day, try to get better every day and prove myself every day.ā€

He added: "All the criticism thatā€™s thrown my way, itā€™s just amazing to shut all that down and keep going.ā€

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Same old Cal: Arkansas’ Calipari not backing off relying on freshmen in NIL, transfer portal era

John Calipari embraced the one-and-done era like few college basketball coaches, becoming one of the best annually at bringing in talented freshmen and routinely getting them to Final Fours before shipping them off to the NBA. The formula served him well during his 15-year run at Kentucky that ended after last season, as NIL money and the transfer portal skewed rosters older and created more parity. ā€œIā€™m kind of back to the roots of being the underdog,ā€ Calipari said before the Razorbacksā€™ NCAA Tournament first-round win over Kansas last week.

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Blue Jackets Assign Prospect To AHL Monsters

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have assigned OHL prospect Luca Pinelli to the AHL, where he will join the Cleveland Monsters.

Pinelli, 19, has spent the last four seasons in the OHL with the Ottawa 67's. Now that his junior career has come to an end, he will transition to the AHL.

In 246 games with the 67's, he recorded 128 goals and 124 assists for 252 points, along with 209 penalty minutes, 45 power-play goals, 838 shots on goal, and a cumulative +26 plus/minus rating.

Could Jakob Chychrun's Extension Set The Market For Ivan Provorov?Could Jakob Chychrun's Extension Set The Market For Ivan Provorov?The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year extension worth $72 million, carrying an AAV of $9 million per season.

He has the potential to develop into a strong middle-six forward for the Blue Jackets in the future. His NHL debut could come as early as next season if he impresses at training camp and earns a roster spot.

Pinelli is known for his ability to get under his opponents' skin. Once he senses he has struck a nerve, he keeps pushing until he draws a penalty. That agitator style is exactly the kind of presence the Blue Jackets could use in the years ahead.

Blue Jackets Halt Six Game Skid; Roy and His Players Have Strong Words For The Officials Blue Jackets Halt Six Game Skid; Roy and His Players Have Strong Words For The Officials Adam Fantilli(22), Boone Jenner(2-SHG), and Kirill Marchenko(26) scored the goals for Columbus, and Elvis Merzļikins made 30 saves, including all three Islanders shootout attempts, to beat New York on Long Island in comeback fashion. 
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Cozens ā€œI Wanted To Be Part Of The Solutionā€

Former Sabre Dylan Cozens returns to Buffalo to take on his former club on Tuesday. 

The Buffalo Sabres return home after splitting a four-game road swing with a 5-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets to take on some familiar faces, as former Sabres Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and Linus Ullmark and the Ottawa Senators visit Key Bank Center on Tuesday.

Even though his name was frequently mentioned in trade rumors all season, the four-player deal on deadline day that brought center Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Sabres still came as a bit of a surprise to Cozens, who was in his fifth season in Buffalo.

"My name was out there for a while, and I thought a lot of it was just kind of talk, rumors and stuff. I never really thought it would actually happen, so when I found out that it was real, it still did kind of come as a shock," Cozens said on Tuesday morning. ā€œI wanted to be here. I committed to being here. I wanted to be part of the solution. It was sad that it didn't work out."

After a career-high 31 goals in 2023, the 24-year-old center struggled to recapture his offensive chops in Buffalo, dropping to 18 goals last season and 11 goals in 61 games this year, but thus far his scoring touch has bounced back with the Sens, with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in eight games. Gilbert, who played 25 games for his hometown team before being dealt, has played only once since the trade and is not expected to be in the lineup for Ottawa.

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The Sens are in a good position for making the playoffs for the first time since 2017, as they hold the first wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference with 79 points, four points up on Montreal, and five points ahead of the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. Ullmark, who was acquired in a trade from Boston last summer, has bounced back from four straight losses after returning from injury, going 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts.

Head coach Lindy Ruff provided an update on Jordan Greenway, who did not return after being injured in the first period on Sunday. Ruff said it was a day-to-day situation but that it was not as a result of a blocked shot. After a 33-shot victory over the Jets, James Reimer was in the starterā€™s net for the morning skate on Tuesday, but Ruff would not confirm his starting goalie.

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Cody Bellinger homers again as Yankees fall to Marlins in final spring tune-up

The Yankees played one last exhibition game ahead of the 2025 regular season, falling to the Miami Marlins, 4-2, at loanDepot park on Tuesday afternoon.

Here are the takeawaysā€¦

-The Yankees rolled out a lineup that will likely be very similar, if not identical, to what theyā€™ll use on Opening Day against Milwaukee. Hereā€™s a look:

Aaron Boone has already announced that Austin Wells will hit leadoff to start the season, and if there is one potential change for Thursday, it could be Ben Rice or J.C. Escarra serving as the DH, with Aaron Judge in center.

-Cody Bellinger was hitting behind Judge in the order, as will likely be the case for most of the season, and Bellinger got the offense started with a solo home run to center field in the first inning.

Bellinger finished his spring with four home runs and a 1.214 OPS.

-Speaking of Judge, the slugger ended what was a spring to forget by going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. Judge hit .121 this spring with a .510 OPS.

-Will Warrenā€™s final start before the regular season didnā€™t exactly go as planned. The young righty, who will start the fourth game of the season against Arizona, allowed four earned runs on five hits over 3.2 innings, striking out six and walking two while giving up a pair of home runs.

Warren, now a key member of the rotation following injuries to Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt, finished his spring with a 5.09 ERA

-Left-handed reliever Ryan Yarbrough, recently signed by the Yanks, pitched a clean inning in his team debut.

Who was the game MVP?

Bellinger, who had two more hits to finish his spring with a .423 batting average.

Highlights

What's next

That's a wrap for spring training.

The Yankees open their regular season at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday at 3:05 p.m.

Carlos Rodon will face Freddy Peralta.

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Josh Pastner will try to restore UNLV basketball glory days as he takes over the program

Josh Pastner was named UNLV coach Tuesday, the latest to try to turn around a college basketball program that has gone from one of the nation's best to one that is largely irrelevant. The Rebels have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2013 and have not advanced to at least the Sweet 16 since 2007. ā€œThis has always been a dream job for me, and I fully recognize the significance of UNLV in the landscape of college basketball,ā€ Pastner said in a statement.

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Christie calls LaVine ā€˜incorrect' for Kings vibes comment

Christie calls LaVine ā€˜incorrect' for Kings vibes comment originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kings interim coach Doug Christie doesnā€™t agree with guard Zach LaVineā€˜s recent comments.Ā 

Following Sacramentoā€™s 113-95 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday night at Golden 1 Center, LaVine, visibly upset while speaking to reporters, referred to the Kingsā€™ vibes as ā€œnot goodā€ after falling under .500 for the first time since Feb. 7.Ā 

Less than 24 hours later, while addressing the media prior to Sacramentoā€™s matchup against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, Christie pointed to why LaVineā€™s comments were inaccurate.Ā 

Or, as Christie said ā€¦

ā€œHe was incorrect,ā€ Christie told reporters (h/t Sactown Sports 1140ā€™s Brenden Nunes).

Sitting at 35-36, the Kings quickly are sinking in a tight West playoff race, winning just three of their last 10 games.Ā 

The teamā€™s struggles are reflected in LaVineā€™s most recent performances, averaging 12.7 points on 15-of-42 shooting (35.7 percent) from the field and 3 of 15 (20 percent) from 3-point range throughout Sacramentoā€™s current three-game losing streak.Ā 

As Christie alluded to, the Kingsā€™ locker room atmosphere, with every excuse to feel down, was optimistic on Monday night.Ā 

ā€œI think when you ask a question like that, after you go through a little bit of a losing streak, itā€™s more about not being happy that you lost,ā€ Christie added.Ā 

ā€œLike, Iā€™m upset that I lost. But when I addressed them upstairs, everybody sat down, and the first thing I said was, ā€˜Iā€™m happy to see that your vibe is right because I was about to say something.ā€™Ā 

ā€œBut their vibe was spectacular. But thatā€™s how itā€™s always been, and I know Zach takes this serious, and they all do, but thereā€™s also understanding that your vibe ainā€™t only right when youā€™re winningā€¦ but Iā€™m not about that, and that locker room ainā€™t going to be about that.

Like Christie, guard Keon Ellis echoed a sentiment that dispels any negative tension in Sacramento.Ā 

As the regular season comes down to 11 games ā€“Ā  including a six-game road trip with stops against the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons ā€“ Christie hopes his team walks together, shoulder to shoulder.Ā 

Even when the results arenā€™t going Sacramentoā€™s way.

ā€œItā€™s going to be about trying to figure it out, trying to problem solve, uplifting my brother, supporting my brother, and that goes with however many games you lose,ā€ Christie concluded.

ā€œAnd at the same time, weā€™re elated and happy when we win. But itā€™s a process to what we have to go through. Itā€™s a lot thatā€™s happened here in a really, really short amount of time, and thatā€™s just a reality, no excuse.Ā 

ā€œWe expect to win every game that we go out there and play, because I think that we have the talent to do that, and when it doesnā€™t, it hurts, and itā€™s supposed to hurtā€¦ā€

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What we learned as Butler's Miami return ends in ugly Warriors loss

What we learned as Butler's Miami return ends in ugly Warriors loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

Jimmy Butler IIIā€™s return trip to Miami was less a revenge game than another stain on the Warriorsā€™ suddenly spiraling season.

Golden State trailed from the start, never got close enough to touch the Miami Heat and wound up on the business end of a 112-86 walloping that delivered all manner of ominous signals.

This loss, the Warriorsā€™ second in a row following a 124-115 beating by the Atlanta Hawks, continues their sudden return trip toward mediocrity. Theyā€™ve lost three of their last five games, and this one was a profoundly unsatisfying conclusion to a game that came with tangled emotions.

Four Warriors scored in double figures, led by Jonathan Kumingaā€™s 15 points, but they were routed in every conceivable way.

Here are three observations from a nightmare on South Beach:

Butler vs. Wiggins

Two names were on the marquee at tipoff: Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. They were traded for each other last month, and each was going to be a significant contributor to whatever happened on the court.

There wasnā€™t much of a battle, but Wiggins was superior. And his team won the war decisively.

The former Golden State NBA All-Star finished with 10 points (4 of 13 from the field, 2 of 4 from beyond the arc), five rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals. He played 28 minutes and finished plus-2.

Butler, who claimed this would be ā€œjust another gameā€ on the schedule, coped with a mixture of cheers and boos throughout. He finished with 11 points (5 of 12 from the field, 0 of 2 from deep), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. He was minus-19 over 29 minutes.

Weakened Offense Expected, But Defense Also Putrid

Stephen Curryā€™s absence always compromises Golden Stateā€™s offense ā€“ and surely it did ā€“ but what is the excuse for the defense?

After consecutive games with porous defense, the Warriors realized they needed to upgrade their intensity. They were unable to do it.

The Heat cooked them in the first quarter, fired up a blowtorch in the second quarter and built 57-40 lead off 53.8-percent shooting from the field, including a preposterous 72.7 percent beyond the arc. Starting guards Tyler Herro and Alec Burks combined for 23 points on 8 of 10 shooting, including 5 of 6 from distance.

Miami shot 55.8 percent from the field, including 68 percent from distance.

Golden State in its two previous games allowed the Hawks to shoot 57 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent from deep, and the Toronto Raptors to post 56.4/42.3 percent splits.

Shoddy defense suddenly is becoming the biggest threat to the Warriorsā€™ hopes of staying above the NBA play-in tournament fray.

Bench Came To Play

The only encouraging sign for Golden State came from the play of its bench.

With Buddy Hield, Gui Santos and Kuminga leading the way, the Warriorsā€™ reserves punished those of the Heat, outscoring them 30-2 in the first half and 48-24 for the game. Hield scored 10 points and Santos had 13 on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3 of 6 beyond the arc. Santos and Gary Payton II (four points, 2 of 2 shooting) were the only two Warriors to shoot at least 50 percent.

How bad was the overall bench discrepancy? Golden Stateā€™s bench outscored its starters 30-10 in the first half and 48-38 for the game.

This was, for the starters, one of the lousiest performances of the 2024-25 NBA season.

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