ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 06: Reggie Jackson and Fernando Valenzuela pregame before game of Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels, April 6, 1986 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now that the Dodgers are done with the Arizona portion of spring training, they are back home in Southern California for another decades-long tradition — the Freeway Series against the Angels.
The Freeway Series began in 1962 with a single game in Palm Springs before settling into the mostly annual routine of games in Los Angeles and Anaheim ever since. The two teams meeting was a novelty for a long time, as National League and American League teams did not meet except for the World Series for most of baseball history.
But the Dodgers and Angels have played each other in the regular season every year since 1997, which removes a lot of the shine the exhibition Freeway Series. Given the few breaks in the spring training matchups — no Freeway Series from 1965-68, 1972, 1980, and 2000-02 — there have been more years the Dodgers and Angels have played in the regular season (29) than years when the exhibition Freeway Series was their only matchup (27).
Knowing the Dodgers and Angels will meet six times during the regular season — May 15-17 in Anaheim, and June 5-7 in Los Angeles — means folks won’t really be bursting at the seams for these three exhibition games. But in case you were wondering, here are the stats for the history of the Freeway Series.
The Dodgers are 60-79-6 all-time in the exhibition Freeway Series, with the last tie coming in 2017.
The Angels won that first game in Palm Springs, 6-5. The Dodgers are 33-37-3 at Dodger Stadium in these games, and 27-41-3 in Anaheim. Here are the splits by decade:
Decade
Record
Runs scored
Runs allowed
1960s
1-6
18
28
1970s
14-11-1
128
96
1980s
13-14
109
103
1990s
12-14
92
88
2000s
4-9-3
67
85
2010s
9-17-2
97
132
2020s
7-8
66
65
Totals
60-79-6
577
597
Sunday night’s game is at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, with Monday and Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 2: Nathaniel Lowe #37 of the Boston Red Sox speaks to the media before Game Three of the American League Wild Card series against the New York Yankees on October 2, 2025 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds made official on Saturday what we’d anticipated regarding their roster, officially informing non-roster invitee Nathaniel Lowe that he would make the Opening Day roster. Cincinnati also opted to include Sam Moll, who is out of options, while using the existing minor league options on spring standouts JJ Bleday, Rece Hinds, and Zach Maxwell to stash that trio in AAA for additional depth.
On Sunday, they’ll play one final time at their home in Goodyear, Arizona before heading to Milwaukee for a pair of exhibition games against the Brewers. Then, on Thursday, the real work begins with Opening Day at home against Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox.
Lowe will get a start at 1B batting cleanup on Sunday vs. the Cleveland Guardians in the Cactus League finale as the Reds roll out a strong, albeit far from peak lineup. Nick Lodolo will toe the rubber for the start, with first pitch slated for 3:05 PM ET.
This game will be watchable via Reds.TV, Guardians.TV, and therefore MLB.tv for subscribers of the lot, so you can use your own eyes to see whether the 14-14 Reds can finish the 2026 Cactus League slate with a winning record, or not.
Here’s the travel roster for the day courtesy of Redleg Nation’s Doug Gray.
It’s officially Opening Week, which isn’t technically a ‘thing,’ but you certainly know of what I speak. Welcome back, baseball!
Mar 12, 2026; Lakeland, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Will Warren (98) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The Yankees are back in action today on the last sabbath before baseball stats start to matter again. The Bombers take on the Phillies in the final spring training game of the year at GMS Field in Tampa, and dare we label this one a potential pitching duel?
Will Warren gets the ball for New York, and he has quietly become one of the most intriguing storylines in camp. This spring, Warren owns a 1.77 ERA with 16 strikeouts, continuing to build momentum as he pushes to solidify his role. The raw stuff has never really been in question, but what has stood out is how consistent it has looked from start to start.
Fans are buying the early results from Warren. Whether it is the mechanical tweaks or the shift of position on the rubber, there is a growing belief that Warren may be taking that next step.
Because that is what separates arms at this level. Consistency and the ability to competitively eat innings is what turns a depth arm into a major league rotation piece.
Warren entered camp needing to prove he could be trusted in meaningful innings, and so far, he has done exactly that. If this version holds, he should be able to help stabilize the rotation early as the Yankees wait for reinforcements to arrive.
On the other side, Aaron Nola presents a very different kind of storyline. The Phillies’ right-hander returns from the international stage after pitching for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Nola was excellent in the tournament, highlighted by five scoreless innings against Mexico as Italy advanced through pool play.
That outing was more than just a spring highlight. It came with improved velocity and sharp command, signs that Nola may be trending back toward the form that made him one of the most reliable starters in the game. That impressive performance was followed up with four innings of one-run ball against the eventual tournament champion Venezuela in the semifinals.
The momentum has carried into camp, where Nola looks like the steady veteran the Phillies have leaned on for years. For a pitcher like him, this part of the spring is usually about fine-tuning, but the added workload from the WBC suggests he may already be a step ahead.
The Yankees lineup today is the starters minus Austin Wells, so very much a lineup and order we should expect to see a few times over the next few months. Rolling Jazz Chisholm Jr. and José Caballero in the six-seven spots in the lineup should make the bottom of the order quite the headache for Nola and the rest of the Phillies staff if they are able to find their way onto the basepaths.
So the questions for today: Will Will Warren keep his momentum rolling in his final spring tune-up? And how will the Yankees’ bats look against a veteran arm ready for the real thing?
Real baseball is almost back!
How to Watch
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL First pitch: 1:05 ET
Feb 10, 2026; North Port, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (30) works out during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
There’s only three spring training games left and the Opening Day roster is starting to take shape (hello, Didier Fuentes). At this point, it’s all about remaining healthy during the final portions of camp and rounding things out on a high note.
The lineup today is an interesting one — the Braves are on the road and Reynaldo López is starting. He’s joined by Drake Baldwin and Mike Yastrzemski in the lineup, along with Dominic Smith and Kyle Farmer — two players who appear to have earned roster spots as well.
This is a pretty close look at what the Twins may be putting out there for Opening Day, so this’ll certainly be a solid final test for Reynaldo López before the regular season gets on underway.
Gray TV will be televising this one in Atlanta’s market, so check your local listings if you want to watch this one on TV. The radio feed will be on good ol’ fashioned 680 The Fan/93.7 FM in the Atlanta area, so tune in if you want to hear some friendly voices for this contest. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. ET. Come join us!
They traded away several depth players but have won four of their last six games and moved into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference on Saturday, March 21.
Nashville has a chance to build on its one-point lead when it plays at Chicago on Sunday, March 22. But if the Predators lose to the Blackhawks in regulation and Los Angeles beats Utah, the Kings will move back into the second wild-card spot.
Also Sunday, the Dallas Stars can become the second NHL team to clinch a 2026 Stanley Cup playoff berth, joining the Colorado Avalanche.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, tiebreaker procedures and playoff field for the 2025-26 season:
Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: None
Western Conference: Colorado
Who can clinch today?
The Dallas Stars will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL games today (Sunday, March 22)
All games ET
Winnipeg at N.Y. Rangers, noon
Colorado at Washington, 12:30
Carolina at Pittsburgh, 3
Nashville at Chicago, 3
Columbus at N.Y. Islanders, 7
Vegas at Dallas, 7
Tampa Bay at Calgary, 8
Buffalo at Anaheim, 8
Los Angeles at Utah, 9
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes (94)
Pittsburgh Penguins (86)
Columbus Blue Jackets (85)
Atlantic Division
Buffalo Sabres (94)
Tampa Bay Lightning (90)
Montreal Canadiens (86)
Wild card
Boston Bruins (86)
Detroit Red Wings (84)
Sitting out of playoff position: New York Islanders (83), Ottawa Senators (81), Philadelphia Flyers (80), Washington Capitals (78), New Jersey Devils (72), Florida Panthers (71), Toronto Maple Leafs (71), New York Rangers (64)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
Central Division
x-Colorado Avalanche (100)
Dallas Stars (97)
Minnesota Wild (92)
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks (80)
Edmonton Oilers (77)
Vegas Golden Knights (76)
Wild card
Utah Mammoth (78)
Nashville Predators (73)
Sitting out of playoff position: Los Angeles Kings (72) Seattle Kraken (71), San Jose Sharks (70), Winnipeg Jets (68), St. Louis Blues (67), Chicago Blackhawks (64), Calgary Flames (63), Vancouver Canucks (50)
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
Carolina (M1) vs Detroit (WC2)
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Columbus (M3)
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
Colorado (C1) vs. Nashville (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
Anaheim (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.
Goal differential
Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are expected to begin on Saturday, April 18.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: RJ Petit #58 of the Colorado Rockies plays catch during a spring training workout at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 12, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
Thomas Harding announced this morning that Rockies right-hander RJ Petit (No. 23 PuRP) has undergone Tommy John surgery after suffering the initial injury on March 4 against Team USA.
Dr. Keith Meister performed a Tommy John surgery with an internal brace on the right elbow of #Rockies RHP RJ Petit on Friday in Dallas. Petit, a Rule 5 Draft pick from the #Tigers, will miss the season.
Petit was selected by the Rockies in the first round of the Rule 5 Draft back in December from the Detroit Tigers. The 6’8” righty was drafted by the Tigers originally in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft and made it up to Triple-A Toledo before being selected by the Rockies.
In three games this spring (not including the Team USA game), Petit pitched three innings and allowed four hits with three runs (all on a three-run homer by Cleveland Guardians’ infielder Milan Tolentino on March 1). He also walked two and recorded one strikeout.
Petit will miss the 2026 season, but the Rule 5 rules will apply to the 2027 season once Petit is reinstated from the 60-day IL. In the meantime, this move will open another spot on the Rockies roster as they begin planning for Opening Day.
This is a developing story and Purple Row will provide more information as it becomes available.
The guard has eclipsed his points line in four straight, and he'll likely opt to shoot the rock over looking to set up his teammates vs. the powerhouse Boston Celtics.
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Donte DiVincenzo Under 13.5 points (-120)
Projection: 11.7 points
Donte DiVincenzo can catch fire on any given night, but he's found himself in a scoring drought. He's eclipsed this point total in just two of his last five, and only four times in 11 March outings.
With no Ant, the C's can hone in on DiVincenzo more and put pressure on his shots from outside.
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Naz Reid Over 12.5 points (-105)
Projection: 14.1 points
Naz Reid has missed back-to-back games with an ankle injury, but all signs are pointing to him suiting up tonight. Reid is a stud off the bench, and he's never shied away from getting shots up.
With no Edwards, the volume will be there for Reid to eclipse this modest total.
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Celtics computer picks
Sam Hauser Over 6.5 points (-115)
Projection: 8.5 points
Sam Hauser can shoot threes with the best of them, and he can pass this total on deep balls alone. With the spread at -10.5, chances are Hauser will get more run tonight. His 38% shooting from deep will help hit this Over.
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Jaylen Brown Over 1.5 threes (+105)
Projection: 2.0 threes
Jaylen Brown has hit two long balls in two of his last three outings, and he's taken at least four in four straight. If his volume remains, he should have no issues drilling two treys.
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Neemias Queta Over 9.5 points (-115)
Projection: 10.9 points
Neemias Queta has developed into a rock-solid big for the C's, shooting 64% from the field. He just recorded 12 points against Memphis, and he'll be leaned on down low against Minny.
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How to watch Timberwolves vs Celtics tonight
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Dylan Garand is set to make his NHL debut for the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon against the Winnipeg Jets.
On Friday, the Rangers recalled Garand from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, and Mike Sullivan confirmed on Saturday that he anticipates Garand making his NHL debut at some point this week.
This call-up comes as Jonathan Quick is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
“There’s a lot of things that have gone into the decision to bring Dylan up,” Sullivan said. “The biggest point is that he’s played extremely well in Hartford. He’s given those guys a chance to win night in and night out, and he’s deserving.”
The 23-year-old goaltender was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, and he’s spent the past four seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Given Garand's breadth of experience at the AHL level, he feels prepared for his first NHL start.
“I think for me, especially over the last year or so, I’ve really gotten to know myself, and thinking about the future and stuff like that, I don’t tend to play my best,” Garand said. “So just trying to stay in the present moment, and if I get an opportunity, then great. It’s just another game. I’ve played, including playoffs, over 160 American League games, so it’s just another game.”
With the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL this season, Garand has posted a 16-15-2 record, .896 save percentage, and 2.83 goals against average.
Aug 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Teammates high fives Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) after he scored on a two-run home run hit by designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (not pictured) in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Friends, we have a roster.
Phillies have a roster:
Realmuto, Marchán, Harper, Stott, Turner, Bohm, Sosa, Moore
The 26th man was a debate for a few days, though maybe it never should have been. A few token appearances by Garrett Stubbs appears to have not swayed the team’s thinking as to who would ultimately make the team.
The Garrett Stubbs era with the #Phillies is over, as he did not make the opening day roster
There will be more bullpen shuffling once the members of the injured list make their return, but for now, this is who will have their name announced on Thursday at home against the Rangers.
Brock Nelson delivered in overtime, finishing off a brilliant setup from Martin Nečas to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in an afternoon clash at Capital One Arena.
Colorado flipped the game on its head early in the third period, striking on its first two shots to seize control. Just 1:05 into the frame, Nečas intercepted a misplayed puck by goaltender Logan Thompson behind the Washington net and quickly fed Gabriel Landeskog, who was playing in his first game after missing the previous seven with a lower-body injury. Landeskog buried the puck into a wide-open net from the right circle for his 10th of the season.
A recent media scrum with Brock Nelson.
Moments later, Nicolas Roy extended the lead after forcing a turnover by rookie defenseman Cole Hutson in front. Roy pounced on the loose puck and snapped it past Thompson at 6:03, giving Colorado a 2-1 advantage. The goal was his third in nine games since being acquired ahead of the trade deadline, adding to the five he recorded in 59 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this season.
But the Capitals had an answer—and it came from a familiar source. With Landeskog in the penalty box, Alexander Ovechkin unleashed a trademark one-timer from the left circle just 20 seconds into the power play, tying the game 2-2 with 5:43 remaining.
The goal was historic. It marked his 923rd career regular-season tally and his 1,000th combined goal across the regular season and playoffs, as “The Great 8” joined Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history to reach the 1,000-goal milestone.
In net, Mackenzie Blackwood made 20 saves in his second consecutive start for Colorado, while Thompson stopped 21 of 24 shots for Washington.
But ultimately, it was Nelson who had the final say, sealing the win in overtime and capping a dramatic comeback for the Avalanche.
First Period
In the early stages, Washington forward Ryan Leonard was tied up by Landeskog and, taking exception, responded by slashing him on the right leg, but no penalty was called.
At the 3:14 mark of the period, Hutson was penalized for holding Nathan MacKinnon, giving the Avalanche a power play, though they were unable to convert.
Later, Roy—who had been moved down to the fourth-line center spot for this game—was sent to the box for high-sticking Trevor van Riemsdyk, but like Colorado, Washington could not capitalize on the man advantage.
A scary moment followed when Devon Toews tripped Capitals forward Ethan Frank as he closed in on Blackwood. The contact sent Frank crashing into the post, arm first. After writhing in pain in the crease, he managed to get up on his own but was holding his injured arm and immediately headed down the tunnel.
Toews was not penalized on the play, and Washington capitalized shortly after. Rookie Justin Sourdif slipped behind the defense and ripped a wrist shot past Blackwood at 11:53 to make it 1-0.
Colorado went on its second penalty kill of the period with 5:50 remaining when Parker Kelly was called for slashing.
Second Period
Ovechkin was penalized for hooking Cale Makar at the 4:29 mark of the second period, but Colorado failed to convert on the power play. Washington even generated a prime shorthanded chance late in the advantage.
Not much else developed in a quiet period, though Kelly had a late breakaway opportunity. Thompson made the stop just before Kelly absorbed a hard hit while trying to regain control of the puck.
After two periods, Washington held a 1-0 lead, with both teams recording 14 shots on goal.
Third Period
After a sluggish second, the Avalanche came alive in the third. Thompson misplayed the puck behind his own net, allowing Nečas to recover it and find Landeskog wide open in the slot. He buried the equalizer into an empty net to make it 1-1.
Nearly four minutes later, Roy forced a turnover in front and quickly snapped a wrist shot past Thompson. In just 240 seconds, Colorado turned a deficit into a 2-1 lead.
Josh Manson was later penalized for tripping Aliaksei Protas, but the penalty kill stood firm, improving to a perfect 4-for-4 on the day.
Landeskog was sent off for holding with 6:03 remaining, giving Washington its fifth power play. This time, it proved costly. The puck worked its way to the left circle, where Ovechkin blasted it past Blackwood to tie the game.
Alex Ovechkin scores his 1,000th combined regular-season and playoff goal from his office! He is 16 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky #ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/uKdPoi9JId
The goal also marked his 1,000th career tally across regular season and postseason play, further cementing his place alongside Gretzky in NHL history.
Overtime
For the second time in three games, Colorado needed overtime—but this time, it didn’t take long. Nečas set up Nelson on a backdoor tap-in from the left post, sealing the win.
After going 11 straight games without a goal, Nelson now has goals in back-to-back contests, delivering when it mattered most.
What’s Next
With the win, the Avalanche (46-13-10) extended their lead in the Central Division to five points over the Dallas Stars (43-15-11), 102-97. However, the Stars are set to face the Vegas Golden Knights tonight and will look to trim that margin.
The Avalanche return to action Tuesday when they visit Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, with coverage set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. Colorado will be seeking redemption after a 7-2 loss in the previous meeting.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 10: David Peterson #23 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets at Clover Park on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Phebe Grosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Bo Bichette – 3B
Jorge Polanco – 1B
Luis Robert Jr. – CF
Brett Baty – DH
Marcus Semien – 2B
Carson Benge – RF
Ben Rortvedt – C
SP: David Peterson (LHP)
Marlins lineup
Javier Sanoja – SS
Liam Hicks – 1B
Agustín Ramírez – C
Owen Caissie – RF
Heriberto Hernández – LF
Graham Pauley – 3B
Kemp Alderman – DH
Jesús Bastidas – 2B
Andrew Pintar – CF
SP: Sandy Alcantara (RHP)
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:10 PM EDT TV: Marlins.TV Radio: WAQI 710
SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 21: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts with Keldon Johnson #3 after scoring against the Indiana Pacers in the second half at Frost Bank Center on March 21, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you follow NBA Draft conversations, you’ve likely heard some familiar narratives about Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs. Some argue the Spurs should have taken Kon Knueppel, as he fits into the team’s current needs as a knock-down shooter who can play on or off the ball. Others argue that Harper is held back by his role on a team that is contending for a championship.
In the Spurs’ 134-119 win over the Indiana Pacers, Harper’s role was changed from that of the first guard off the bench to a starter alongside De’Aaron Fox. The result was tying his career high with 24 points, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists with no turnovers. We got a glimpse of a future when Harper plays a secondary role in the offense with Victor Wembanyama. That future is bright.
Anyone who has watched the Spurs this season understands that Harper is already elite at getting to and finishing at the rim. What struck me about his performance against Indiana was all of the other stuff he did offensively. He hit floaters in the lane, turnaround mid-range jumpers, and knocked down a spot-up three. The game was a sign of the big leaps he’s made over the course of the season.
Since the All-Star break, Harper is averaging 12.7 points and 4.2 assists while shooting 56.2% from the field and 43.9% from three. He’s evolved from an intriguing rookie to a legitimate offensive weapon who is up there with some of the most effective bench scorers in the NBA.
After the game, Harper talked about what it has been like to accept a bench role this season:
There is a load of maturity in that response. Harper has sacrificed the accolades and glory that other rookies, like Knueppel and Cooper Flagg, have received this season, for making a tangible impact on a winning team. Saturday night showed what Harper can do with an increased role. Harper can be a go-to scorer in the future. For now, he’ll keep helping the Spurs win as they approach the playoffs.
Takeaways:
It was another ho-hum near 5×5 game for Wembanyama with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks, and a steal. The Pacers had no chance of scoring inside when he was in the game. San Antonio outscored Indiana 76-48 in the paint. There isn’t another player in the NBA who makes a bigger defensive impact than Wemby.
What was even more impressive about Wembanyama’s performance was his playmaking. Is Vic the best seven-foot-four lob thrower of all time? It’s possible. There is nothing more fun than watching Wembanyama handle the ball and toss an alley-oop to Carter Bryant or Luke Kornet.
Julian Champagnie went 0-5 from three on Saturday but still managed to make an offensive impact by attacking closeouts and getting to the basket. It was one of the most drive-heavy games I’ve ever seen Champagnie play. Adding that wrinkle to the Spurs offense would be huge. Champagnie has proven that he can finish at the rim with athletic dunks when he has a runway. It’s not often you get a shooting specialist who can also put the defense on a poster. Come playoff time, Champagnie will have to make the defense respect his ability to put it on the deck if they close out too hard.
I’ve really enjoyed Jordan McLaughlin’s minutes this season. He plays hard defense, moves the ball well, and knocks down open shots when they come his way. Having a competent fourth guard is an underrated aspect of the Spurs roster, and allows them to rest guys like Stephon Castle to get them fully healthy for the playoffs.
It just feels like Keldon Johnson is going to have a game-winning performance in a playoff game this season. When he is getting to the rim and knocking down spot-up threes, it boosts the Spurs to another level. He had 24 points on 10-12 shooting on Saturday, giving the Pacers no chance of getting back into the game when the starters got a rest. That kind of bench production is going to swing a playoff series in a month or two.
Harper’s performance got me thinking: How soon will we see legitimate minutes from the three-guard lineup, including him, Fox, and Castle? It could be a dangerous lineup come playoff time, especially if Harper and Castle continue to knock down catch-and-shoot threes. We haven’t seen much of it this season, but with all three’s ability to get into the paint and create for others, you’d think it would make sense for Mitch Johnson to go to it more. I’d like to see more of those three playing together next year at the very least.
Non-Spurs note here. I love Kobe Brown. He hit three triples for Indiana. He’s not a main rotational player, but is shooting 44% from three this season. He’s a big-bodied forward who can hit outside jumpers and showed a lot of offensive creativity when he was an upperclassman at Missouri. If the Spurs are trying to build out their wing room for cheap in the near future, Brown could be an effective buy-low depth piece.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 19: A general view of the field as members of the Tampa Bay Rays warm up prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets at Clover Park on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
First pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays is at 1:05 at TD Park and the Rays will be providing tv and radio coverage.
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Mar 14, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) goes to the basket against Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso (33) during the men's ACC Conference Tournament Championship at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Though the NBA season is rolling on, a good chunk of the basketball world puts it on the back burner every March to pay attention to the NCAA Tournament. And there are plenty of bets to be made for both leagues if that’s your thing.
This week at Mavs Moneyball, I kept the survey simple. First, I wanted to know how many of you planned to watch the tournament.
Nearly 8 in 1o of yall indicated you would be watching at least some of the games. If that’s the case, I hope you saw all of our coverage the last several weeks on potential Dallas draft picks.
The second question asked if you were watching if there was a specific position type you would focus on.
It seems everyone watching wants the Mavericks to find a guard for next season. I happen to agree but would take literally any player.
The next graphic and answer comes from the national poll. It’s about MVP.
I am starting to think that Spurs fans dominate the national poll. Y’all need to sign up and participate more. Luka not being a voting option really tells you how people feel about him this year.
The next question was Rookie of the Year centric.
Knueppel with a commanding lead in this vote and I think that’s how it comes down when NBA voters get their chance. The Hornets are a feel-good story and the Mavericks are very bad, no matter how good Cooper Flagg is. That’s something Kon will get to take advantage of.
This last one is about Coach of the Year.
Bickerstaff makes sense, the Pistons have outperformed. If Detroit can hold on with Cade Cunningham likely missing a few weeks with his collapsed lung, then he absolutely locks up the award. Charles Lee needs to get more love here though, as does Mazzula, as each coach has done a very good job this season.
Timberwolves
Celtics
