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Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid: Champions League quarter-final – as it happened

Two majestic free-kicks from Declan Rice, the first of his professional career, inspired a stunning first-leg victory

It’s been a season of incessant frustration for Arsenal. Yet it could end with them winning the European Cup for the first time. Right now, in this exhilarating, occasionally bowel-loosening window just before kick-off, anything is possible. And nights like this don’t come along very often: it’s only Arsenal’s second Champions League quarter-final in the last 15 years.

This is great fun: Sean Ingle’s minute-by-minute report of Arsenal’s win in the Bernabeu 19 years ago.

47 min - GOAL! Real Madrid 0 - 1 Arsenal Brilliant from Thierry Henry! Absolutely brilliant! From just over the half-way line he turns past Ronaldo and ghosts past three Real defenders before coolly sliding it into the far corner from 15 yards. Superb.

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Ivan Demidov Signs His ELC

Ivan Demidov - Photo credit: SKA St. Petersburg Ice Hockey Club X Account

Ivan Demidov has had a busy day. A few hours (if that) after reaching an agreement with his former team, SKA St. Petersburg, to part ways before the end of his contract on May 31, the right winger signed his ELC with the Montreal Canadiens.

Tyler Thorpe Earns a Contract
Suzuki Named Second Star Of The Week In The NHL
Jakub Dobes Got An Interesting Gift Following Ovechkin’s Record

Unlike Tyler Thorpe and Jacob Fowler, the Russian wonder’s ELC starts this season, meaning he’ll burn his first year. However, you won’t see anyone complain about that in town, as the city is already abuzz with the news of his signing, and everyone is eager to find out when he’ll play his first game with the Sainte-Flanelle.

Media members tried to get a press availability with Kent Hughes before the game against the Detroit Red Wings. Still, the Canadiens’ communication department replied that the GM and Jeff Gorton were working on all the details to bring Demidov over.

However, word to the wise: Hughes will be interviewed on TSN during the first intermission, an appearance that has been planned for weeks. Talk about great timing for the network. We are still awaiting confirmation of when the GM will be available for a full press conference.

There’s no word yet about Demidov's timeline for joining the team or indication about when he’ll play his first game, but in an exclusive interview with RG.org, he said he will most likely have time to play in the regular season. Understandably, he also added that his goal was to adapt to this new style of hockey as soon as possible and show what he could do.

The three-year pact has a $941,000 cap hit and a value of 2.82 M. As expected, there is a signing bonus for each year and performance bonuses he can also hit. As I said earlier this week, the future is now Habs fans, so enjoy it!

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

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Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. 

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Kings clinch NBA play-in tournament berth after Warriors' win vs. Suns

Kings clinch NBA play-in tournament berth after Warriors' win vs. Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings are headed back to the NBA play-in tournament.

For the second consecutive season, Sacramento clinched a play-in berth Tuesday night thanks to the Golden State Warriors’ 133-95 win over the Phoenix Suns at PHX Arena.

The Kings are 39-40 after their 127-117 win over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night at Little Caesars Arena, and currently hold the Western Conference’s No. 9 seed. That likely sets up an NBA play-in game between Sacramento and the current No. 10-seeded Mavericks (38-41), unless Phoenix (35-44) can catch up to Dallas in the final three regular-season games.

The Western Conference play-in game between the No. 9 seed and No. 10 seed is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, with the higher seed hosting the elimination contest.

The winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game will play the loser of next Tuesday’s contest between the No. 7 seed and No. 8 seed.

Last season, the Kings also made the play-in tournament as the No. 9 seed and defeated the No. 10-seeded Warriors in their first game, 118-94, at Golden 1 Center. They then fell to the No. 7-seeded New Orleans Pelicans, 105-98, to end their hopes of reaching the NBA playoffs for the second time since 2006.

Sacramento certainly hopes this play-in tournament will be different, now led by a Big Three of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine after acquiring the latter at the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline and dealing former franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Kings have a different coach now, too, following the December dismissal of Mike Brown, who was replaced by Doug Christie on an interim basis.

It has been a roller-coaster campaign for Sacramento, preparing the new-look Kings for whatever — and whoever — awaits them in the play-in.

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Jonathan Quick Adds To His List Of Accolades With Rod Gilbert Mr. Ranger Award

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

There was one positive aspect to come out of the New York Rangers’ 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night. 

Before the start of the game, Jonathan Quick was named the winner of the Rod Gilbert Mr. Ranger Award. 

The award recognizes the Rangers player “who best honors Rod’s legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”

Quick now joins Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, and Adam Fox as players to win this award.

“It’s an honor. I know a lot of guys who’ve won it over the years and what they’ve meant to this organization and obviously what he’s meant to this organization and the legacy he’s left behind,” Quick said.

Since coming to the Rangers in 2023, Quick has been forced to adapt to an entirely new role as the backup goalie behind Igor Shesterkin which he’s taken in stride. 

Not only has he taken it in stride, but the 39-year-old goalie is now one of the team’s most important and impactful leaders. 

The Rangers management clearly valued Quick and rewarded him with a one-year, $1.55 million contract extension a few weeks ago. 

Off of the ice through his time with the Rangers, Quick has gotten involved with the Garden of Dreams Foundation and helped spread awareness about the importance of mental health in athletes. 

“Through your experiences and what you’re able to go through, you look forward to the opportunity to give back, so that definitely means a lot,” Quick said.

Even approaching 40-years-old, Quick’s presence and value are still priceless.

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What we learned as Giants waste Roupp's strong start in loss to Reds

What we learned as Giants waste Roupp's strong start in loss to Reds originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants’ original City Connects weren’t at all popular when they were first released, but over time, Tuesday nights at Oracle Park came to be associated with winning. The creamsicles were 30-16 before getting retired last September. 

The new version took the field for the first time on Tuesday, but it was another quiet night for the lineup and another loss to the Cincinnati Reds. After getting blanked 2-0 in the opener, the Giants fell 1-0 on Tuesday. The series loss is their first of the year, and they’ll try to avoid the sweep on Wednesday behind Justin Verlander. 

A night after getting overwhelmed by Hunter Greene, the Giants had just three hits in six innings against lefty Nick Lodolo. Trailing by a run, they got a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth, but the runner was quickly erased when Heliot Ramos bounced into a double play. Willy Adames followed with his third strikeout of the night and 15th of the season.

The Reds got a leadoff double from Gavin Lux in the top of the ninth, but Hayden Birdsong got out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts that stranded Lux on third. In his third career relief appearance, Birdsong allowed just one hit over three innings, but it didn’t lead to a comeback.

Here are three observations from the Giants’ second consecutive shutout loss:

Much More Like It

Landen Roupp fought his command the first time out, but on Tuesday he looked just like the pitcher who spent all spring winning a rotation job. Roupp needed just 81 pitches to cruise through a career-high six innings. He scattered seven hits, struck out four and walked none.

Roupp got two strikeouts on his sinker and two on his curve, which is the norm for him, but his cutter was also a standout. It’s a pitch Roupp added in the offseason as a way to give lefties a different look and he threw 10 of them, eight of which were strikes. 

First Of All

Casey Schmitt had a costly misplay in Houston, but it made sense. He was starting at first base for the first time in six years and had just a couple of days to prepare before games. Given an extra week, and a lot of extra coaching on this homestand, Schmitt looked much more comfortable Tuesday. 

The biggest moment came in the fourth, when the Reds put two on with one out. Jose Trevino tried to put a squeeze down, but Schmitt charged it and made a perfect exchange and throw to the plate, preventing a run. The Giants always knew Schmitt had the hands and athleticism to handle first, but they were concerned that it might take some time for the natural third baseman to figure out where to be on every play. That wasn’t an issue Tuesday. 

Schmitt also picked up his first two hits of the year, a double down the left field line and a single to right that was the first hit off Lodolo’s changeup this season. 

On The Board

Schmitt wasn’t the only one who put a batting average on the scoreboard. Sam Huff was hitless in his first 10 plate appearances of the year, but he lined a single through the right side of the infield in the third inning and then singled again to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Huff also made a strong throw down to second in the fourth inning to keep Christian Encarnacion-Strand from swiping a bag. 

The Giants need their backup catcher to keep it up, because they’re having a hard time finding breaks for Patrick Bailey. The starting catcher has appeared in all 11 games this season, never getting a full day off. He has entered all four of Huff’s starts in the late innings, and he did so Tuesday. 

After Huff’s second hit, Christian Koss took over as a pinch-runner. Bailey was behind the plate for the top of the ninth. 

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Francisco Lindor is the best at getting better at the plate throughout the game — he explains why

Francisco Lindoris thinking about a game against the Miami Marlins about a week ago. In the first at-bat against Sandy Alcántara — the Cy Young award-winner who returned to the mound this season after missing a year — Lindor got ahead 2-1 before Alcántara induced a weak ground out. 

“Then, the next at bat, there’s a guy on third base and I had a better game plan against him and [knew] how the ball was moving,” Lindor said, “ended up getting a base hit.” 

Pregame, he’d prepared to face Alcántara, of course. Watched tape, maybe even took some swings against a robotic replication of the ace’s arsenal using the Trajekt Arc machine. But there are some things you can’t learn until you actually step into the batter's box against a pitcher on a particular day. 

“The way the ball moves,” Lindor said. “How the weather is, and how does that affect his outing. Whether he can locate certain pitches or is his fastball not the same way. Also, you learn the umpire. You understand the catcher a little bit more. Then you see how the infield is playing you. There’s a lot. Yeah, you could study film, but until you’re in the moment, doesn’t really mean that it’s going to go how you studied.”

The single scored a run, though the Mets went on to lose, 4-2. If he had gotten a chance to face Alcántara a third time in that game, the numbers show Lindor could have done even more damage

Hitters, as a monolith, do better facing pitchers a third time in the game. Historically, that phenomenon has been framed as a pitcher problem — the “times through the order penalty.” In fact, rarely do starters get the chance to face an order the third time through because of how entrenched that understanding has become in the modern game. Alcántara, for instance, has allowed a .603 OPS to opposing hitters the first time he faces them in a game and .718 if he’s left in to face them a third time. 

There’s far less research done on the “times through the order” boost that batters enjoy. But a recent article in Baseball Prospectus looked at just that — and specifically whether improving as the game goes on is a skill that certain hitters excel at. What the researchers found was that there is “stickiness” to that ability — which is to say, the guys who are good at it, stay good at it year over year — and that, last year, no one was better at it than Lindor. His expected wOBA improved .027 points from the first time facing a pitcher in a game to the third time. 

“It makes sense, it makes sense,” Lindor said when he was told this superlative on Monday. He does feel more comfortable as the game goes along. Still, he was a little surprised. “I know I’m good at getting better. I know I'm good at gathering the information and then making it better. But I never think of like, I'm the best, I'm the best, I'm the best. My confidence doesn’t work like that.” 

Apr 5, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a game winning sacrifice fly in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field
Apr 5, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a game winning sacrifice fly in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

His president of baseball operations, David Stearns, however, was not surprised. 

“It doesn't surprise me that he would do well on that list,” Stearns said Monday. He hadn’t seen the research but was intrigued by the concept. “[Lindor] is such an intelligent player, and I think he understands very quickly what many pitchers are trying to do to him on that given day. And so just the incremental data gain that he gets from (an) at-bat or from pitch to pitch, it does not surprise me that maybe it benefits him a little bit more than it would benefit another player.” 

Lindor said he always watches back his at-bats on the dugout iPads as soon as he can. “But I’m not watching to see sequences because I remember sequences. I'm watching to see if I made the right decisions [on swings],” he said. “Because I can hit anybody. But if I’m not making the right decision, most likely won’t be successful.”

Brandon Nimmo was 10th last year in wOBA improvement from the first to third time facing a pitcher in a single game. And Juan Soto — then on the Yankees but, of course, now sharing a clubhouse, lineup, and any intel gathered mid-at-bat with the rest of the Mets — was third. 

“On Soto,” Stearns said, “I would imagine you could look at almost analytic offensively over the last couple years, and he would rate pretty well.” 

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'Rest Is Important': Maple Leafs Taking Advantage Of Off Days Amid Busy Schedule Before NHL Playoffs

The Maple Leafs have four games in the next six nights, against the Panthers, Lightning, Canadiens, and Hurricanes.

Mar 27, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs players celebrate a game-tying goal by right wing William Nylander (88) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to get as much rest as possible before the playoffs begin.

After having the day off on Sunday, the team opted for an optional practice on Monday. Several players got onto the ice and worked with Toronto's development staff, including injured players David Kampf and Jake McCabe.

The two won't be available for the pair of games in Florida. Kampf and McCabe's status beyond the back-to-back games is undetermined.

Having an optional skate allowed players to either step on the ice and feel the puck for a bit or remain off the ice and get some rest. It was a chance for the team to get a reset before entering the final stretch of their schedule.

"We got two sets of back-to-backs coming up here, starting tonight, and one on the weekend, so it’s a lot of hockey," Maple Leafs head coach Berube said. "Rest is important, and that’s one way we could do it."

One player, however, who is usually on the ice for long stretches after practices but wasn't skating on Monday, was John Tavares.

He took advantage of the day off to work on areas of his game away from the ice.

"I think you look at the big picture and the small picture, and you try to balance both," Tavares said on Tuesday, ahead of their game against the Florida Panthers.

"No doubt with the travel coming here, the back-to-back games we have in front of us, and then what’s coming on the weekend, and too, the last week next week, I felt personally it was just a good time to take the extra day, do some things off the ice."

‘I Want To Keep Everything Internal’: Why Maple Leafs' Steven Lorentz Didn’t Visit His Former Panthers Teammates In Return To Florida‘I Want To Keep Everything Internal’: Why Maple Leafs' Steven Lorentz Didn’t Visit His Former Panthers Teammates In Return To FloridaToronto Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorentz is drawing the line in the sand ahead of the club’s clash with the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. 

Toronto has six games remaining in the regular season. Four matchups are on the first or second half of a back-to-back, and five of the six teams are divisional opponents. The playoffs begin on April 19, and their first-round opponent is still in the balance.

These final games are crucial for deciding who they get in the opening round and whether they secure home-ice advantage.

If the post-season began today, Toronto would play the Ottawa Senators in the first round. However, they're two points back from the Panthers for third in the Atlantic division. As of now, whoever finishes in the first wild-card spot faces the Maple Leafs.

"I think we've been playing meaningful games for quite some time now," Berube added. "Going into tonight, it's another meaningful game, and the next day. Those are important, in my opinion, going into the playoffs."

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Mariners’ Victor Robles will miss at least 12 weeks with a dislocated left shoulder

SEATTLE— Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles will miss at least 12 weeks after dislocating his left shoulder while catching a foul ball, general manager Justin Hollander said.

Robles, who was batting .273 with three doubles as the Mariners’ leadoff man, was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Imaging revealed the dislocation caused a small fracture in a bone in the shoulder, and Hollander said it appeared the injury would heal without surgery. If no surgery is required, the fracture should heal in about six weeks, and then another six weeks of rehabilitation would be necessary.

The Mariners were playing at San Francisco when Robles made a long dash to chase down a fly ball. The right fielder went over the low railing in foul territory to make the catch, fell over the wall and crashed into the netting in the process. Robles appeared to be in immediate pain, flipping the ball away with his right hand and grabbing at his left arm.

The 27-year-old Robles has played in 87 games with the Mariners since he signed as a free agent in June after the Washington Nationals released him. Since then, he’s batting .319 with 44 runs, 23 doubles, four homers, 29 RBIs and 16 walks and is 33 for 34 on stolen-base attempts.

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2025 NFL Draft: Despite Najee Harris addition, Chargers taking Omarion Hampton would be a fantasy football win

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

The Yahoo Fantasy Forecast recently delved into some exciting possibilities for the NFL Draft, and one intriguing prospect that caught Matt Harmon's and Frank Schwab's attention was North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton potentially landing with the Los Angeles Chargers. Here's why Hampton to L.A. could be a big-time fantasy football win.

Schwab noted that Hampton would be a great fit for the Chargers' offensive system. The Chargers employ a power-gap scheme that's tailor-made for a running back like Hampton who can thrive behind defined running lanes. The way the Chargers configure their offense with pulling linemen and gap schemes would give Hampton the perfect setup to explode through holes, making him a tantalizing fantasy option.

Harmon and Schwab both highlighted the value Hampton could bring as a rookie starter. Schwab even speculated that, despite the presence of Najee Harris on the team, if the Chargers used their 22nd pick to draft Hampton, he'd quickly become a starter. His ability to elevate the team's inconsistent ground game — they ranked 27th in rushing success rate last year — cannot be understated, and fantasy managers should take note of this potential workload.

“All of us fantasy bros would be geeked out,” Schwab exclaimed at the thought of Hampton joining the Chargers. If the Chargers indeed snagged Hampton, his ADP would shoot up. Schwab anticipated that Hampton, currently considered a fourth-round pick in early best ball drafts, would move to the early third round, reflecting the fantasy community's excitement around his potential in Los Angeles.

Justin Herbert + Hampton = The high-octane offense L.A. has been looking for

Integrating a talent like Hampton into an offense led by Justin Herbert could create a dynamic duo. Defenses already have to account for Herbert's arm and pass-catchers like Ladd McConkey, so adding a dynamic, fresh-legged running back like Hampton into the mix would make the Chargers' offense even more formidable, thus elevating Hampton's potential fantasy production.

The discussion emphasized how the Chargers have been searching for consistency and explosiveness from their backfield to complement their air attack. With Hampton, the Chargers would have a home-run threat on every down, which could translate into significant fantasy points, especially in leagues that reward long runs and touchdowns.

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GAME PREVIEW: Avalanche Host the Vegas Golden Knights to Begin Last Homestand of the Season

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) passes the puck for an assist of a goal in the first period against the Calgary Flames at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Denver, Colo. - The Colorado Avalanche have four games remaining in their regular season. They begin this stretch by returning home for the first of two times left before playoffs start to play the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Most of this year's playoff attendees have already been determined, and the point of the season where teams will begin clinching home ice has begun. In tonight's game, for example, the Golden Knights can secure home ice in the first round if they earn at least a point against the Avalanche. 

Seeing as the Dallas Stars also have a chance to secure home ice for themselves, this is a game the Avalanche want to come out on top of in regulation if they want any chance of catching up to their rivals and want better odds down the playoff stretch.

While Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said a few weeks ago that he doesn't pay much attention to the standings, Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy said this morning that it is something he likes to look at, especially at this point in the season.

We definitely keep an eye on it. I think coaches are our guys that look at the standings a lot. I don't talk to our players much about the standings all year. Now, you have to address it, because there is something on the line and at this time of year, I think players are looking toward the finish line. I think it's human nature after six long months. So, we have to keep focused in the day-to-day and remind them what's at stake. Now is probably when we discuss it a little more.
- VGK head coach Bruce Cassidy on paying attention to the standings.

Morning Skate Updates for the Avalanche

Coach Bednar confirmed following today's optional morning skate that Scott Wedgewood will start tonight against the Golden Knights. Since joining the Avalanche, Wedgewood is 11-4-1. In his last 10 starts, the netminder is 7-2-1.

During his morning presser, Bednar also mentioned that none of the injured guys who he considers day-to-day (Martin Necas, Jonathan Drouin, Josh Manson, Sam Girard) will play in tonight's game, but he still expects them to make a lineup appearance at some point this week. The team has another home game on Thursday, and then they head to Los Angeles for a game on Saturday.

Players to Keep an Eye On:

Nathan MacKinnon, 115 points, is currently tied with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov for first in the league in points. He's recorded at least one point in his last 25 games at home, earning a total of 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 total points. He currently holds a seven-game point streak, tied for the second-longest active streak in the league.

Cale Makar currently rides a four-game point streak with 3 goals and 4 assists. In Colorado's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, Makar became the first defenseman since Mike Green in the 2008-09 season to hit 30 goals in a single season. On the season, Makar is currently at 91 total points on the season, with 61 assists complementing his 30 goals.

Brock Nelson is one goal away from 300 career goals. In 15 games with the Avalanche since being traded from the New York Islanders, the forward has 4 goals and 7 assists. He's been a prominent presence on the power play and has slotted into the center spot on the second line since arriving in Colorado.

Where/How to Watch the Game

Puck Drop: 7:45 pm Mountain Time

T.V. Broadcast: ESPN (national)

Radio Broadcast: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 (Colorado), Vegas Golden Knights Radio Network 98.9 (Vegas)

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Where does Michael Malone firing rank among most shocking 2025 NBA moments?

Where does Michael Malone firing rank among most shocking 2025 NBA moments? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

What could possibly happen next?

The 2024-2025 NBA season has had its fair share of shocking moments on and off the court. There have been stunning superstar trades, disappointing All-Star laden teams, oddly timed coach firings, and much more.

The latest bombshell came Tuesday when the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone with three games remaining in the regular season. The Nuggets, who in 2023 under Malone won their first championship in franchise history, currently hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record.

Malone’s success, and the timing of his dismissal with the playoffs set to begin, was a shocker. But it wasn’t the most shocking moment of the season, trailing only a stunning midseason trade.

Here’s a look back at some other shocking moments from the season.

The Luka Doncic trade

Everyone assumed Shams Charania was hacked. ESPN’s NBA Insider made a social media post saying the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The deal was executed without any rumors of either Doncic and Davis even being available on the market, creating what was arguably the most shocking trade in NBA history.     

Grizzlies fire Taylor Jenkins

Before Michael Malone was fired, the most stunning termination of the season had been when Taylor Jenkins was let go by the Memphis Grizzlies on March 29 with nine games left in the regular season. The Grizzlies at the time held the No. 5 seed in the West at 44-29 under Jenkins, the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching victories. 

Suns disappoint

Playoff teams are firing coaches, while Mike Budenholzer is still roaming the sidelines in the desert. Budenholzer’s Phoenix Suns — with its All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal — are unlikely to make the play-in tournament. The team entered Tuesday at 35-43 under Budenholzer, a two-time Coach of the Year who is in the first year of a five-year deal with the Suns. 

Cavs surprise

The NBA season was more than a month old before the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first game. The Cavs won their first 15 games, matching the second-best start in league history behind the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors who started 24-0. The Cavs’ first loss came on Nov. 19 against the Boston Celtics.

Celtics sell for $6 billion

Buying the defending champions isn’t cheap. The Celtics, just months after winning their 18th title, were sold to a group led by William Chisholm, a private equity executive, for $6.1 billion in March. It was the largest total paid for a sports team in the United States.

All-Star Game debacle

The NBA All-Star Game needs fixing, but this was not the solution. The new format included a four-team, single-elimination tournament with a target score of 40 points for each round. It did not go over well with many players and fans. The league quickly announced it will not be keeping the tournament format.

Tracy Morgan gets sick at Knicks game

A courtside cleanup was needed after comedian and New York Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan got ill during the third quarter of the team’s game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. The game was delayed for more than 10 minutes. Morgan made a social media post the following day saying it was due to food poisoning.

The Jimmy Butler saga

It was a messy ending to the Jimmy Butler era in Miami. Seeking a contract extension, Butler was suspended by the Heat three times during the season, twice for conduct detrimental to the team and one for missing a team flight. The six-time All-Star, who led the Heat to the Finals twice, was traded to the Warriors in February for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a protected 2025 first-round pick.

Games postponed due to California wildfires

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers each postponed games in January following the devastation caused by the Southern California wildfires. The Lakers, whose head coach J.J. Redick lost his house in the fires, rescheduled home games against the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers’ home game against the Hornets was also postponed.

Atlanta Hawks game postponed due to winter storm

A winter storm postponement might be expected in certain parts of the country, but Atlanta? The Hawks’ game against the Houston Rockets that was scheduled for Jan. 11 was postponed after snow and ice in the area led to dangerous conditions and power outages.

LeBron James vs. Stephen A. Smith

LeBron James confronted ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith courtside during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks in March. Smith had been critical of James’ son and teammate Bronny James earlier this season, saying in late January that he belonged in the developmental G-League and not the NBA. James, appearing on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” after the confrontation, criticized Smith for making personal attacks as opposed to discussing on-court play when talking about the NBA.

The rise of the Pistons

The most shocking team of the season? The Detroit Pistons. After finishing the 2023-2024 season with the league’s worst record at 14-68, the Pistons became the first NBA team to triple their win total from their previous 82-game season when they captured their 42nd victory.

Half-court game winner

In what was one of the most shocking finishes to an NBA game, the Chicago Bulls won on a…

Just watch…

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Where does Michael Malone firing rank among most shocking 2025 NBA moments?

Where does Michael Malone firing rank among most shocking 2025 NBA moments? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

What could possibly happen next?

The 2024-2025 NBA season has had its fair share of shocking moments on and off the court. There have been stunning superstar trades, disappointing All-Star laden teams, oddly timed coach firings, and much more.

The latest bombshell came Tuesday when the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone with three games remaining in the regular season. The Nuggets, who in 2023 under Malone won their first championship in franchise history, currently hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record.

Malone’s success, and the timing of his dismissal with the playoffs set to begin, was a shocker. But it wasn’t the most shocking moment of the season, trailing only a stunning midseason trade.

Here’s a look back at some other shocking moments from the season.

The Luka Doncic trade

Everyone assumed Shams Charania was hacked. ESPN’s NBA Insider made a social media post saying the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The deal was executed without any rumors of either Doncic and Davis even being available on the market, creating what was arguably the most shocking trade in NBA history.     

Grizzlies fire Taylor Jenkins

Before Michael Malone was fired, the most stunning termination of the season had been when Taylor Jenkins was let go by the Memphis Grizzlies on March 29 with nine games left in the regular season. The Grizzlies at the time held the No. 5 seed in the West at 44-29 under Jenkins, the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching victories. 

Suns disappoint

Playoff teams are firing coaches, while Mike Budenholzer is still roaming the sidelines in the desert. Budenholzer’s Phoenix Suns — with its All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal — are unlikely to make the play-in tournament. The team entered Tuesday at 35-43 under Budenholzer, a two-time Coach of the Year who is in the first year of a five-year deal with the Suns. 

Cavs surprise

The NBA season was more than a month old before the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first game. The Cavs won their first 15 games, matching the second-best start in league history behind the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors who started 24-0. The Cavs’ first loss came on Nov. 19 against the Boston Celtics.

Celtics sell for $6 billion

Buying the defending champions isn’t cheap. The Celtics, just months after winning their 18th title, were sold to a group led by William Chisholm, a private equity executive, for $6.1 billion in March. It was the largest total paid for a sports team in the United States.

All-Star Game debacle

The NBA All-Star Game needs fixing, but this was not the solution. The new format included a four-team, single-elimination tournament with a target score of 40 points for each round. It did not go over well with many players and fans. The league quickly announced it will not be keeping the tournament format.

Tracy Morgan gets sick at Knicks game

A courtside cleanup was needed after comedian and New York Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan got ill during the third quarter of the team’s game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. The game was delayed for more than 10 minutes. Morgan made a social media post the following day saying it was due to food poisoning.

The Jimmy Butler saga

It was a messy ending to the Jimmy Butler era in Miami. Seeking a contract extension, Butler was suspended by the Heat three times during the season, twice for conduct detrimental to the team and one for missing a team flight. The six-time All-Star, who led the Heat to the Finals twice, was traded to the Warriors in February for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a protected 2025 first-round pick.

Games postponed due to California wildfires

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers each postponed games in January following the devastation caused by the Southern California wildfires. The Lakers, whose head coach J.J. Redick lost his house in the fires, rescheduled home games against the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers’ home game against the Hornets was also postponed.

Atlanta Hawks game postponed due to winter storm

A winter storm postponement might be expected in certain parts of the country, but Atlanta? The Hawks’ game against the Houston Rockets that was scheduled for Jan. 11 was postponed after snow and ice in the area led to dangerous conditions and power outages.

LeBron James vs. Stephen A. Smith

LeBron James confronted ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith courtside during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks in March. Smith had been critical of James’ son and teammate Bronny James earlier this season, saying in late January that he belonged in the developmental G-League and not the NBA. James, appearing on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” after the confrontation, criticized Smith for making personal attacks as opposed to discussing on-court play when talking about the NBA.

The rise of the Pistons

The most shocking team of the season? The Detroit Pistons. After finishing the 2023-2024 season with the league’s worst record at 14-68, the Pistons became the first NBA team to triple their win total from their previous 82-game season when they captured their 42nd victory.

Half-court game winner

In what was one of the most shocking finishes to an NBA game, the Chicago Bulls won on a…

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