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Brooklyn Nets get key loss back, lose to Indiana Pacers 123-94

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 9: Ben Saraf #77 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on April 9, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

I arrived at the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush a bit earlier than usual this afternoon. With 15 minutes to spare before doors opened up, I sat down outside Fini Pizza and inhaled a pepperoni slice. I felt a clam breeze as the sun shined down on me through the oculus. I heard birds chirping even as The Strokes hummed through my ear buds.

And for a brief moment, I forgot all about “tanking” despite being a mere 10 feet from its epicenter this week.

Like we did on Sunday and Tuesday, we’ll call tonight’s game what it was. Jordi Fernández is right each time he insists that all minutes at the NBA level matter, but the only concrete, tangible thing to be gained tonight were better odds to land a top pick in the upcoming draft lottery. The Nets came into tonight with only a half game cushion between them and the threshold for top odds at the number one overall pick this summer. The visiting Indiana Pacers sat two games ahead.

Both teams knew what was at stake, despite whatever rhetoric they’ve used to describe their rotations over the past few weeks.

This time, Brooklyn sat Nolan Traoré (rest), Josh Minott (left ankle soreness), Terance Mann (right patella tendinosis), Noah Clowney (left ankle injury management), Ziaire Williams (left foot tenosynovitis/bursitis), and Nic Claxton. They joined the expected crew of Danny Wolf (ankle), Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring), Day’Ron Sharpe (thumb), and Dëmin (foot), leaving Brooklyn with eight inactives.

The Pacers sat Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith , Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Ivica Zubac, Johnny Furphy, Kobe Brown, Ben Sheppard, and of course, Tyrese Haliburton.

Yeah, they even sat their head coach, in a sense. Rick Carlisle missed tonight’s game and will miss the next to attend a school event for his daughter.

But tonight was also the home finale, and Fan Appreciation Night. For as much flack as this Brooklyn crowd gets for the hospitality it extends to visiting teams, seated fans for teams like this, at this point, in this kind of a season, are difficult to come by. Even if they were tourists simply looking to experience our city’s game at a discount, casuals hoping to score a Steph Curry or Luka Doncic autograph, or true team supporters, they were here, and deserve a nod for that.

“Yeah, I mean the loyalty and the support has been amazing, especially going into a season that we didn’t win a lot of games, but all our guys worked and played hard, got better, and to feel the support for what we’re trying to do and the plan we have is pretty special,” Fernández said pregame. “So, I appreciate them showing up, and the way we play is because we feel that support.”

Indeed, you’d like to see Brooklyn give them a show even with the understudies taking center stage.

If only it were that simple.

The Nets dipped deeper into their organizational rotation tonight than they have all season. Even though Jalen Wilson and Drake Powell have been part of the regular rotation at times this year, they came off the bench. Ben Saraf started alongside Tyson Etienne, Malachi Smith, E.J. Liddell, and Tre Scott. The Pacers took a similar approach, bringing Obi Toppin and Jay Huff off the bench.

Brooklyn lost the first quarter 31-14, shooting just 5-21 from the field. The Nets once more played without a true center tonight, and it showed. Brooklyn lost on the glass 21-12 in the opening frame, where Indiana also outscored them in the paint 20-6. Another quarter of play only ballooned those ratios. The Pacers went into the break up 65-37, up 46-20 in the paint, and 38-19 on the boards.

At that point, Obi Toppin was our only scorer with double digit points, putting up 14 on 5-7 shooting. Neither Chaney Johnson nor Ochai Agbaji, the only guys who might’ve had a chance to stop the bleeding inside, played any minutes this evening.

Nevertheless. Brooklyn opened up the third with 12-0 start in paint scoring. Rather than getting some taller reinforcements, the Nets simply started driving more often on an Indiana defense that either stopped caring in the second half or Brooklyn simply didn’t challenge enough in the first.

“He does a great job of getting into the paint with the ball, and that’s very important, because he draws a lot of attention” Fernández said of Saraf. “Now, he’s getting comfortable with making better decisions, whether it’s to score or to find shooters. He ended up with six assists and two turnovers, which is elite, and that’s a night that we didn’t make any shots. Just imagine if we make a couple.”

Also, Toppin and Huff weren’t in the game for that stretch, which saw the Nets slightly cut into the lead with an extended 18-11 run. Tank commanders might’ve started sweating had Toppin and Huff not come back in, but they did around halfway through the third, and once again started BBQ-chickening Brooklyn inside. The Pacers still ended up winning the period and put their lead back at 26 entering the fourth. After Brooklyn’s 12-0 start to the third in paint scoring, Indiana only lost the period there by 24-20 margin.

The Nets couldn’t conjure up another fake comeback after that. There are few things more disheartening for a team to go through than a possession where you drive, force a collapse, put the defense in a blender, kick for an open three, and then clank it off the side iron, and the Nets had about four of those in the final period’s first five minutes. They ended up posting .385/.211 splits for the game, which won’t get it done, even against a fellow basement dweller.

“I thought the effort and the purpose was there,” Fernández said. “We took the right shots. They just didn’t go in.”

So, both teams quietly strolled to the finish line down the stretch of the fourth. Amidst it all, E.J. Liddell waltzed into a career night where he led the Nets with 26 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 10-16 from the field. Ben Saraf followed with a 19/6/5 game. Tyson Etienne added 14 points, four assists, and four rebounds while shooting 3-7 from deep in the loss.

Once more, even if the on-court Nets weren’t after that, it’s what they should’ve been, with respect to the franchise’s long term outlook.

And in terms of leaving a better, final impression on the fans? It’s not like we don’t all have TVs and there aren’t two more games left.

Bottom line: The Nets remain in third place in the race to the bottom, a game behind of the Pacers, a game ahead of the Jazz. Meanwhile, the Wizards lost to the Bulls and clinched the worst record this season.

Final: Indiana Pacers 123, Brooklyn Nets 94

Sean Marks Speaks

As part of YES Network’s season-ending interviews with players, coaches and staff, Sean Marks sat down for a brief interview on the upcoming Draft Lottery, which is a month from Friday. The Nets GM laid out the importance of the lottery pick…

Marks made an interesting comment when talking about this year’s team and its youth. He noted that not only was the 2025-26 roster the youngest in the NBA this year. They were also the youngest NBA team in 20 years. He noted that next year’s squad will also be young, but not as young at this one.

Milestone Watch

  • E.J. Liddell had his first career double-double tonight against Indiana with 26 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. He has scored 15+ points in three straight games from 4/5-9 after his previous career best was 10 points on 3/14/26 at PHI.
  • Liddell also became the first Net with 25+ PTS and 10+ REB in an NBA game after playing in the G League that season. It was his third straight game with a career high in points after logging 15 vs WAS (4/5) and 21 vs MIL (4/7).

Injury Update

Nic Claxton gave his exit interview for the season pregame tonight. He came out with his right pinky finger in splint. He mentioned that he doesn’t expect (or want) to have surgery on it.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said when asked if he’d go under the knife. “Give it some time to rest. I think it’ll heal up. Not trying to have any procedures.”

Claxton also said that he recently had an MRI on the finger and intends to take “proper precautions.” We’ll have more on his exit interview later on.

Next Up

The Nets will complete their final back-to-back of the season, flying to Milwaukee for a penultimate game vs the Bucks. Like on Tuesday, expect the household names to sit this one out. It’ll tipoff at 8:00 p.m.

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Islanders keep playoff hopes alive after 5-3 win over Maple Leafs

NEW YORK (AP) — Matthew Schaefer tied the NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman, and the Islanders defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 on Thursday night in Peter DeBoer’s first game as New York’s coach.

Cal Ritchie had a goal and an assist, and Ilya Sorokin finished with 13 saves as the Islanders snapped a four-game skid. Brayden Schenn, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Emil Heineman also scored, and Tony DeAngelo added two assists.

DeBoer was hired Sunday after the Islanders fired Patrick Roy amid a late-season slide that saw the team lose seven of 10 games. New York remains in contention for a wild-card playoff spot, trailing Ottawa by three points with three games left.

Steven Lorentz, Easton Cowan and Morgan Rielly scored for Toronto. Artur Akhtyamov made 39 saves for the Maple Leafs, who lost their fifth straight.

Schaefer’s goal midway through the second period was his 23rd of the season to match Hall of Famer Brian Leetch’s record for a rookie defender, set in 1988-89 for the New York Rangers. His shot through Akhtyamov’s legs put the Islanders ahead 3-2.

Heineman scored late in the second for a two-goal advantage, and Ritchie added a power-play goal midway through the third period to put the game out of reach.

New York scored twice in the first five minutes to open the DeBoer era.

Schenn opened the scoring at 2:08 of the first period, finishing a feed from Ritchie on a delayed penalty. Pageau added a goal later in the period, depositing his own rebound to extend the Islanders’ lead to 2-0.

Up next

Maple Leafs: Host Florida on Saturday.

Islanders: Host Ottawa on Saturday.
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Pacers get double-digit scoring from 7 players in a 123-94 win over the Nets

NEW YORK (AP) — Obi Toppin had 26 points and nine rebounds and seven Indiana players scored in double figures as the Pacers snapped a three-game skid with a 123-94 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.

The Pacers (19-61) won for the fifth time in 27 games. Indiana was without head coach Rick Carlisle, who missed the first of two games to attend his daughter’s spring formal. Lloyd Pierce handled the coaching duties.

Micah Potter had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Ethan Thompson added 15 points and Jarace Walker and Jay Huff each added 14. Jalen Slawson and Quenton Jackson finished with 12 points apiece.

E.J. Liddell led the Nets (20-59) with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Saraf scored 19 point and Tyson Etienne added 14 for Brooklyn, which shot 37 for 96 (37%) from the field and had its two-game winning streak halted.

The Pacers raced to a 31-14 lead in the first quarter, led 63-37 at half and carried a 26-point (98-72) advantage into the fourth quarter.

Up next

Pacers: At the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Nets: At the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Mets’ bats remain quiet, bullpen struggles as McLean’s start goes to waste

Marcus Semien in a home Mets uniform
Marcus Semien | (Photo: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)

It seemed like a solo home run might be enough. With Nolan McLean already having put up six zeroes, the Mets had a 1-0 lead as the seventh inning began thanks to a solo home run by Luis Robert Jr. in the bottom of the first.

McLean was dealing at the time, but he appeared to tire a bit in the top of the seventh. He issued a leadoff walk, got his eighth and final strikeout of the night, and gave up a single to put runners on first and second. Carlos Mendoza turned to Luke Weaver, who immediately gave up a game-tying double to right field. If the Mets had an experienced right fielder at the position, there’s a chance the ball would’ve been caught. But Baty didn’t come close.

With runners on second and third, Alek Thomas hit a sharp ground ball to first base with the infield in. Mark Vientos fielded it nicely, but he absolutely butchered his throw home as the go-ahead run scored. If not for a great pick by Luis Torrens on the throw, another run might have scored on the play.

But a sac fly plated the Diamondbacks’ third run of the inning, and a Jorge Barrosa triple scored Arizona’s fourth run of the frame. Two of those runs were charged to McLean, while Weaver got full credit for the other two.

The Mets’ bats remained silent from there, but Mets reliever Luis Garía dampened spirits further by serving up three runs in the top of the eighth. Richard Lovelady threw a scoreless ninth and wound up being the only Mets pitcher who appeared in the game but wasn’t charged with a run.

With that, the Mets are 7-6 to start the season, and they’re set to host the don’t-call-us-Sacramento A’s for a three-game series this weekend.

SB Nation GameThreads

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Win Probability Added

FanGraphs WPA graph for Mets-Diamondbacks on 4/9/26

Big Mets winner: Nolan McLean, +28% WPA
Big Mets loser: Luke Weaver, -51% WPA
Mets pitchers: -28% WPA
Mets hitters:-22% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Luis Robert Jr. hits a solo home run in the first, +11% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Gabriel Moreno hits a game-tying double in the seventh, -28% WPA

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Mets' bullpen, defense spoil Nolan McLean's terrific start in 7-1 loss to Diamondbacks

Nolan McLeandelivered a brilliant start, but after exiting with two runners on base in the seventh, the bullpen couldn't hold a one-run lead as the Mets fell 7-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Citi Field.

The young right-hander was tremendous through six scoreless frames protecting a 1-0 lead, but was charged with two runs as part of a four-run seventh inning as Luke Weaver had his first bad outing of the season and spoiled what had been a dominant showing. McLean's final line: 6.1 innings, two runs on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts on 100 pitches (64 strikes).

McLean lost the rematch of the WBC final in what had been a real pitchers' duel as the D-backs’ Eduardo Rodriguez took the win, allowing one run over 6.0 innings on five hits and two walks, thanks to three strikeouts and holding the Mets to 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. And on a cold night, the Mets’ bats were colder, with just one hit (a single) over the final four innings.

New York fell to 7-6 on the year as Arizona improved to that same mark by taking the last two games of the series in Queens.

Here are the takeaways... 

- The final numbers really don't tell just how good McLean was to start the game. He got three-straight groundballs to the right side of the infield in a 12-pitch first that saw him throw 10 sinkers to good effect against the left-handed bats at the top of Arizona’s lineup. Jose Fernandez, the first righty McLean faced, got jammed on a 3-1 sinker that was off the inside corner but muscled it for a one-out double in the second. McLean stranded him, getting ex-Met James McCann fishing on a curveball and Alek Thomas to bounce out.

McLean made it five straight retired, adding a strikeout looking as he froze Jorge Barrosa on a sinker that saw the visitors lose an ABS challenge. A leadoff walk in the fourth ended that run, but was erased on a 1-6-3 double-play before McLean froze lefty Adrian Del Castillo with a sinker that moved over a foot right onto the inside corner. 

The 24-year-old added two more strikeouts in the fifth on six-straight pitches, first bambooziling McCann on a sweeper away and freezing Thomas on a sinker on the inside corner. A bloop single off the end of the bat opened the sixth and McLean dug deep as he battled and won. A flyout to center, a strikeout looking as the curveball at the knees wiped out Arizona’s last challenge, and then another nasty sinker in and at the knees got a roar from the right-hander as he bounded off the mound with his seventh strikeout on his 85th pitch of the game.

McLean’s night came to an end in the seventh as he walked the leadoff man and gave up a one-out single up the middle, a liner off the end of Fernandez’s bat. And that proved costly.

Through three starts of the season, McLean has allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits, six walks, and one hit batter with 20 strikeouts (16.2 innings).

- Weaver fell behind pinch-hitter Gabriel Moreno, before a low-and-away changeup was driven off the wall in right field over Brett Baty's head for an RBI double. The ball was hit hard and carried on Baty might have been caught by a more experienced outfielder. The baserunners seemed surprised it got over Baty's head as both were ready to tag up on the play.

Arizona had the lead when Mark Vientos spiked his throw home after fielding a sharp grounder to first. After a sac fly, Barrosa turned on an inside fastball and yanked it into the right-field corner for an RBI triple to make it a four-run seventh.

- Luis Robert Jr. gave the Mets an early 1-0 lead, turning a 2-0 cutter on the inside corner for a towering 412-foot bomb to right field. Robert came into the game with six hits in his last 14 at-bats (all singles) before just smoking the Rodriguez offering 109.8 mph off the bat. 

After walking his second time up, his 11th free pass of the year, Robert got caught looking at a sinker at the knees with runners on the corners and one out in the fifth, losing the Mets’ first ABS challenge in the process. He finished 1-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts.

- Francisco Lindor entered the night in a funk, 7-for-47 with three extra-base hits, zero RBI, and a 77 wRC+ through 12 games. He went hitless in three at-bats against Rodriguez before muscling a ball off his hands into right for a two-out single off reliever Taylor Clarke.

- Bo Bichette, entered the game 5-for-13 against Rodriguez with a .923 OPS, lofted a two-out single into center with two down in the third. He added a walk and finished 1-for-3.

- Marcus Semien, after striking out his first time up, lined a leadoff single into left to start the home half of the fourth, but was left out there. He finished 1-for-4.

- Baty, the lone lefty in the Mets’ lineup, hustled out an infield hit to first with two down in the second and then stole second base, but was left stranded. He was 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

- Vientos, who made a nice play at first to end the first, looked to have a two-out hit with two men on in the third, but second baseman Ketel Marte was perfectly placed to snag the liner. He stranded runners at the corners to end the fifth, with a groundout to third. He went hitless in four at-bats with a strikeout.

- Tyrone Taylor, after getting the benefit of the doubt on a close 2-2 pitch, ripped a double that one-hopped the wall in left to start the fifth. He went 1-for-2 before being lifted for pinch-hitter Jared Young in the seventh. (Young grounded out.)

- Francisco Alvarez, who was DHing, caught looking at a good Rodriguez changeup that just caught the corner low and away and flied out to the edge of the track in right on a well-struck ball in the fourth. He went 0-for-4.

- Luis Torrens went 0-for-4, including a hard-hit liner right at the left fielder.

- Luis Garcia got touched up in the eighth with a double into the right field corner and an RBI double that one-hopped the wall in left, sandwiched around a walk. After a run-scoring groundout, Moreno hammed a Garcia sweeper into the gap in left-center for his second RBI double in as many at-bats.

Richard Lovelady closed things out by getting all five batters he faced. 

Highlights

What's next

The Mets open a three-game set againstJeff McNeil and the Athletics. 

Clay Holmes (1.42 ERA over 12.2 innings) gets the ball against right-hander J.T. Ginn (5.14 ERA in 7.0 innings) for Friday's 7:10 p.m. first pitch.

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Wizards vs. Bulls final score: Washington out-tanks Chicago, 119-108

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Head coach Brian Keefe of the Washington Wizards reacts to a play against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards did not take any chances with their lottery odds heading into their back-to-back games against the Chicago Bulls. The D.C. crew lost again on Thursday in a 119-108 contest at Capital One Arena.

The game started out like Tuesday’s blowout affair against the same Bulls. The visitors went ahead by 19-6 in the opening four minutes and looked like they were ready to run away with the contest. But the Wizards battled back, with Bub Carrington hitting a pair of threes to keep Washington within 32-24 after the opening period.

The Wizards used a balanced scoring attack in the second quarter to get back into the contest. Sharife Cooper went on a personal 7-0 run to give Washington its first taste of the lead, 44-43, with 4:04 left in the half.

Washington trailed 52-51 at the break. Carrington and Leaky Black led the way, each scoring 9 points.

The Wizards stayed in striking distance for most of the third quarter. However, the game’s complexion changed when Juju Reese got called for a flagrant foul after inadvertently elbowing 5-foot-7 Yuki Kawamura. The flagrant penalty plus a pair of live-ball turnovers resulted in an 8-0 Bulls run to close the third.

Washington trailed 87-74 entering the fourth quarter. The Wiz never chopped the lead smaller than 9 points, dropping their 8th straight contest.

Will Riley was the team’s leading scorer with 23 points to go along with seven assists, three steals, and three blocks. But the Illinois alum struggled with his shot for most of the game, tidying up his field goal shooting a bit with garbage time buckets. He went 1-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Juju Reese had another monster double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds, feasting on the glass against a Bulls team that lost its only viable big man, Guerschon Yabusele, to a shoulder injury during the game.

With a Washington loss and an Indiana Pacers win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the Wizards have a two-game cushion for the No. 1 spot in the tank rankings.

The Wizards next take on the Miami Heat on Friday in the team’s penultimate game of the season.

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Islanders snag big win over Maple Leafs to boost playoff hopes in Pete DeBoer’s debut

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Matthew Schaefer reacts after scoring a goal in the second period of the Islanders' 5-3 win over the Maple Leafs on April 9, 2026 at UBS Arena, Image 2 shows Cal Ritchie celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the third period of the Islanders' win over the Maple Leafs
Islanders win

This is what desperation looks like.

It took being pushed to the brink, it took a coaching change and it didn’t hurt at all that they played a Maple Leafs roster that resembled an AHL side. Whatever caveats you want to throw at this, though, the Islanders finally played like a team with their backs against the wall, which is just what they are.

That brought them a 5-3 win over Toronto in Pete DeBoer’s debut behind the bench Thursday night at UBS Arena, the first of four games to end the season in which four wins are an absolute necessity.

“There’s nothing that sells a coach’s message,” DeBoer said, “more than winning.”

At the close of business Thursday, the Islanders’ playoff odds had suddenly ticked up with losses by the Blue Jackets and Flyers. That left the Islanders one point behind Philadelphia for third place in the Metropolitan Division, with both teams still needing to play three games and the Isles having clinched the regulation wins tiebreaker.

Matthew Schaefer reacts after scoring a goal in the second period of the Islanders’ 5-3 win over the Maple Leafs on April 9, 2026 at UBS Arena. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Ottawa took care of business against the Panthers, leaving the Islanders still three points behind the second wild-card spot, but a win over the Senators on Saturday can pull the Isles within one point there as well.

One piece of the equation that hasn’t changed and won’t: Anything less than winning out, and it is hard to see how things can break the Islanders’ way.

If the Islanders can carry their effort from Thursday into the weekend, one has to like their chances.

Simon Holmstrom takes a shot during the first period of the Islanders’ win over the Maple Leafs. Heather Khalifa for New York Post

They threw pucks on net early and often, holding a Carolina-esque 24-3 edge in shots on net after just 20 minutes. They broke out quickly and decisively. They played with speed and purpose and, yes, an urgency that had been lacking for far too long.

“I think just being on our toes,” said Cal Ritchie, who contributed a goal and assist as part of a splendid effort. “Not standing by, not being stationary. I think at times, we haven’t been as much on our toes so tonight was one of those nights, we were on our toes, ready to pressure.”

Brayden Schenn and Jean-Gabriel Pageau both scored within five minutes. When the Leafs fought back to tie, the Islanders had no panic at all. They stuck to their game, kept tilting the ice and by the second intermission held a two-goal lead again.

Matthew Schaefer’s goal that made it 3-2 at 9:39 of the second marked his 23rd of the season, tying Brian Leetch’s rookie record for defensemen, and was also Schaefer’s first goal in seven games.

Cal Ritchie celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the third period of the Islanders’ win over the Maple Leafs. Getty Images

This was not a night in which Schaefer, Ilya Sorokin or anyone else put the Islanders on their backs, though.

Just like Saturday’s match in Carolina was on all 20 skaters, so too was the dominance with which the Islanders operated Thursday. Ondrej Palat had his best game in the uniform despite a brief third-period absence after blocking a shot from Troy Stecher. Max Shabanov was consistently noticeable on a relentless third line with Pageau and Emil Heineman. Mathew Barzal’s move back to center was seamless; Simon Holmstrom looked like he’d played the whole season on the top line.

“I thought they played fast,” DeBoer said. “It looked like a seamless transition to some of the things we were trying to do.”

Tony DeAngelo returned after missing six games with a lower-body injury, and some of the ease with which the Islanders got the puck up the ice has to be attributed to the 30-year-old defenseman.

Matthew Schaefer, who scored a goal, skates away from Easton Cowan during the second period of the Islanders’ win over the Maple Leafs. Heather Khalifa for New York Post

The power play, a problem spot all year, scored twice. The first came on a Barzal-to-Heineman pass to the slot, then Ritchie at five-on-three off a heady play by Bo Horvat that kept the puck in the zone. Ritchie’s second goal made it 5-2 halfway through the third, extinguishing any hope of a Toronto comeback.

The shot-first mentality, something the Islanders have so often failed to come with against inexperienced goaltenders over the years, proved too much for Artur Akhtyamov to handle in his first career start. Given the terrible play of the Leafs in front of him, the rookie was passable, but, plainly, overwhelmed.

The only Islander below par was the one who has so often kept his team in the fight this year. Sorokin needed Schaefer — who was just as good defensively Thursday as he was offensively — to clear a puck off the line early in the match when Easton Cowan’s shot went through him, and stopped just 13 of 16 shots in total.

For once, the Islanders did not need him to cover up their mistakes.

Three more like that and the season just may have life past Tuesday.

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Dink Pate commits to Providence over Kentucky

Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Team ELY guard Dink Pate (1) of the G League Ignite shoots the ball against Team BallIsLife during the G-League Next Up game at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Kentucky Basketball will not land Dink Pate, who made his commitment to Providence on Thursday after spending the last three seasons in the NBA G League.

Pate, who recently turned 20 years old, will leave the professional ranks to play college basketball. The 6-foot-7 point guard first made headlines in 2023 when he joined the NBA G League Ignite, becoming the youngest professional basketball player in United States history.

During the 2023–24 season with Ignite, Pate played under former Kentucky assistant coach Jason Hart, who is now at SMU. Once that move happened, many thought that could be it for the Wildcats’ chances with Pate. While Mark Pope did recently hold a Zoom call with Pate, Providence was able to win out in the end.

This season, Pate has played for the Westchester Knicks in the G League, where he has averaged over 15 points per game while shooting 41.3% from the field and 37.7% from 3-point range. The versatile guard also averaged over five rebounds and nearly four assists per contest, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.

Before joining Westchester, Pate spent time with both the G League Ignite and the Mexico City Capitanes, giving him professional experience against older and more seasoned competition.

Despite playing professionally, Pate is expected to be eligible to play in college because he has never signed an NBA contract or appeared in an NBA game. With NCAA athletes now allowed to earn money through NIL opportunities, the league is treating G League similarly to overseas professional experience, which should make his path to eligibility much smoother.

With his size, experience, and playmaking ability, Pate could have given Kentucky a dynamic and experienced guard heading into the upcoming season.

Alas, Pope and Co. are left to look elsewhere for Kentucky’s rebuilding backcourt.

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Shorthanded Panthers Struggle Against Playoff-Hungry Senators, Lose 5-1 In Ottawa

The Florida Panthers put up a good fight against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, but the playoff-hungry Sens were just too much for the Cats to handle.

What ended up as a 5-1 defeat was frustrating for Florida everywhere but in the standings, where the Panthers continue to trend toward finishing in a spot that will give them a top-10 draft pick.

Ottawa got the scoring started early in the first thanks to Gus Forsling tripping penalty.

A long shot by Jake Sanderson was heading wide of the net, but the puck deflected off the legs of Drake Batherson and past Sergei Bobrovsky at the 6:49 mark.

Later in the period, Lars Eller found Fabian Zetterlund alone in the slot and he made a quick move to his forehand before sending a wrist shot past Bobrovsky’s glove.

Florida played a much better middle frame, outshooting Ottawa 8-5, but the score remained 2-0 after 40 minutes.

The Senators kept the pressure on once the third period arrived.

Similarly to their first goal, this one also came on a shot by Sanderson that missed the net.

This time, the puck bounced off the back boards and came right back out in front, allowing defenseman Artem Zub to come down from the point and blast a one-timer by the blocker of Bobrovsky.

Zub’s fifth goal of the season gave Ottawa a 3-0 lead at the 3:03 mark of the third period.

Florida finally got on the scoreboard late in the third, ending Linus Ullmark’s shutout bid.

An excellent backhand pass by A.J. Greer found Jesper Boqvist in the slot, and a hard wrist shot tricked through Ullmark with 5:43 to go.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice pulled Bobrovsky with 4:05 on the clock to attempt a late comeback attempt.

A giveaway in the neutral zone by Mackie Samoskevich to Claude Giroux led to the latter scoring from his side of the red line, and then 17 seconds later with Bobrovsky back in the net, Zetterlund scored his second of the game to make it 5-1 Senators.

On to Toronto for the last road game of the season.

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Photo caption: Apr 9, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) scores against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. (Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images)

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Devils unable to hold down Penguins in 5-2 loss

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored as part of his two-point game, Sidney Crosby set up two goals and Kris Letang had an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff spot by defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Thursday night.

The Penguins are playoff-bound for the first time since 2022, ending a three-year drought that followed a streak of qualifying 16 seasons in a row. Crosby, Malkin and Letang have been around for all of it, including Stanley Cup runs in 2009, ‘16 and ’17.

Bryan Rust, who was part of the back-to-back championships, scored his 29th goal of the season on Pittsburgh’s first shot of the game.

Newcomers helped make the latest bid possible, including winger Egor Chinakov, who had a goal and two assists, and netminder Stuart Skinner, who made 19 saves and was serenated by “STUUUU” chants from visiting fans in attendance. Each player was acquired by trade in December.

Skinner stopped all seven shots he faced and got a fortunate break with a puck off the post before Rust gave the Penguins the lead. He turned aside former Edmonton teammate Connor Brown later in the first, before allowing a pair of goals in the second.

Tommy Novak also had a goal for the Penguins, and Erik Karlsson sealed it with an empty-netter.

U.S. Olympic hero Jack Hughes scored, and Jake Allen made 26 saves in net for the Devils. The team announced earlier Thursday the decision to shut down young defenseman Luke Hughes for the remainder of the season so he could undergo a procedure to address a lingering undisclosed injury and be ready for training camp in September.

Up next

Devils: Visit Detroit on Saturday in another crucial game for the Red Wings in their playoff chase.

Penguins: Host the Capitals on Saturday in the first half of a home-and-home series that could be the final two games between Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.

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Predators' Josi scratched after pregame warmups due to upper-body injury

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi was a late scratch before Thursday night's game at Utah due to an upper-body injury.

Josi participated in warmups but was unable to go. The Predators' captain has one goal and five assists in his last four games.

The team said that Josi's status is day-to-day. He is fourth on the team in scoring with 54 points (13 goals, 41 assists).

The Predators went into the game one point ahead of Los Angeles for the second and final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Jordan Oesterle took Josi's place in the lineup.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Penguins/Devils Recap: Pens clinch playoffs in 5-2 victory over New Jersey

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 09: Egor Chinakhov #59 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his goal during the second period of the game against the New Jersey Devils on April 9, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame

The Penguins are without the services of Connor Dewar (undisclosed lower body injury, day-to-day) so Avery Hayes slots back into the lineup. The Penguins do get Stuart Skinner back from his eye injury and he starts.

Their opponents, the Devils, are working with these players and lines for the night, sans Luke Hughes who was shut down for the rest of this season to get ready for next year.

First period

Pittsburgh strikes first 4:53 into the game, it’s Bryan Rust with his 29th goal of the season. Egor Chinakhov freezes everyone from the middle of the ice looking for his big shot but he dishes off to Rust.

The Devils get the first power play of the game when Anthony Mantha clears the puck over the glass.

The teams skate back and forth for rest of the period, New Jersey catches Pittsburgh pinching a couple of times for odd man rushes the other way, nothing Skinner can’t handle.

The Pens get a flurry of chances near the net at the end of the period but Sidney Crosby can’t quite get the puck in.

Good start, shots are 15-10 PIT after one period and they’re out in front.

Second period

Game ambles on, Pittsburgh has a 5-1 shot advantage in the first 10 minutes of the period and then New Jersey scores on their second shot of the period. Paul Cotter hangs behind the Pens’ defense, an elevated pass springs him on a breakaway. Cotter makes some moves, dekes to the backhand and tucks it past Skinner.

Pittsburgh answers back within two minutes to re-take the lead. It’s their turn for an odd-man rush up the ice, Erik Karlsson makes a pass to Evgeni Malkin who quickly dishes over for Tommy Novak. Novak makes no mistake quickly whipping a puck to the top shelf. 2-1 game.

Eight seconds after that goal, the Pens strike again. Ryan Shea does basically what NJ did to score their goal when he lifts a puck way up in the air and lets Chinakhov skate into it. Chinakhov catches up to it and quickly hacks the rolling puck past Jake Allen. 3-1 game, out of nowhere.

Jack Hughes gets in on the goal-scoring action, winding up around the zone and snapping a shot that deflects off Parker Wotherspoon in front and dips into the net. 3-2

Game opened up a bit in the second, the Penguins are able to leave it the same way they entered: up by a goal.

Third period

New Jersey gets a good chance and Skinner makes a big save. That proves to be huge because Pittsburgh finds the next goal soon after, while in the midst of a line change. Chinakhov makes a great pass over for Crosby, he can’t score on the backhand but throws it back to try and bank it off the goalie. Then Malkin roars off the bench and crashes the net to swoop in and take care of it. Big swing to extend the lead to 4-2.

Elmer Soderblom gets tripped to the point where the refs can’t ignore it and they make their first penalty call of the game besides the automatic call on Mantha from the first. No dice on the power play.

The Devils pull Allen with 3:45 to go for an extra attacker. Crosby and Malkin miss the empty net, Erik Karlsson does not. That’s the dagger to set the final score at 5-2 .

Some thoughts

  • This game wasn’t quite preseason/exhibition pace but there wasn’t a ton of players finishing their checks or going excessively hard physically at one another. Hits were officially just 11-7 in favor of NJD, that 11 looks mighty generous too. There were hardly any post-whistle scrums (aside from Noel Acciari and Nico Hischier getting cross with each other at the end of the second period). The Devils are one foot into the offseason and the Penguins were just fine at not making the game any harder than it needed to be. Pittsburgh only blocked nine shots as a team, partially because of how the game unfolded and partially because it wasn’t needed. There only one penalty called all game (considering the Mantha infraction was an automatically enforced rule violation).
  • That makes it tough to have a lot of thoughts or observations, it’s not like both teams were completely phoning it in or going through the motions but the intensity naturally wasn’t raging either. Lots of forwards cheating on defense and hanging back for home run passes on both sides, almost like the most skilled beer league game you’ve ever seen. Just kinda a game that needed to happen because it was already on the schedule.
  • It was good to see Skinner show no ill effects from his eye injury. Definitely had to see the puck and plays getting tested early with some very good chances. He got beat on a breakaway but stopped his fair share of odd-man rushes and also made a big save up 3-2 in the third period, just before his team scored and really put the game out of reach. Situtationally the team just needs that steady play and making that one key save, Skinner did his part of that tonight.
  • Tommy Novak came into the game on a 12-game goal drought as practically the only Penguin forward who isn’t red hot right now, he made that a thing of the past. Always nice to see that end, Novak tends to get his goals and points in bunches so who knows, maybe he’ll be the next one to get on a hot streak.
  • Getting hot hasn’t been a problem for Chinakhov who put three more points in the bank with a goal and two assists. With his wheels and shot, he can do it all.
  • The off days look like they treated Malkin well. He had a lot of burst and energy out there, resulting in a multi-point game (1G+1A). Fittingly enough, Crosby (2A) and Karlsson (1G+1A) also ended up with multiple points on the playoff clinching night for all the big boys to double dip and bring the production.
  • There wasn’t a huge celebration for the team on the ice, a fairly business-like acknowledgement of the goalie and each other and then right off the ice. Doesn’t look like a team that’s content simply to be qualified for the dance, as it should be really. They’ve had a great year and have earned the right to be happy but today isn’t any sort of finish line for them.
  • As of press time, the Flyers are losing 5-2 in the third period to Detroit. Should Philadelphia go onto lose that game, Pittsburgh will secure the second spot in the division and be able to totally treat these final three games of the regular season as a tune up for what comes next.

And what comes next, for the first time since 2022, will be postseason hockey in Western Pennsylvania. The Pens punched their ticket in typical fashion by scoring a ton tonight and riding that offense to a victory.

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Maatta Set to Hit 800-Game Milestone as Flames Face Avalanche

Calgary Flames defenceman Olli Maatta is set to reach a major career milestone on Thursday night, skating in his 800th National Hockey League game as the Flames take on the Colorado Avalanche.

The veteran blueliner enters the contest with 208 points (44 goals and 164 assists) over 799 career games, a testament to both his durability and steady presence on the back end.

© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Originally selected 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2012 NHL Draft, Maatta quickly established himself as a reliable defender at the NHL level. He played a key role in Pittsburgh’s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, adding championship pedigree to his resume early in his career.

Internationally, the Jyväskylä, Finland native has also won two Olympic bronze medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

© Scott Rovak-Imagn Images
© Scott Rovak-Imagn Images

Maatta was traded to Calgary at the 2026 trade deadline in a deal that sent defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth. Since joining the Flames, he has made an immediate impact, recording 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 16 games while providing stability and experience along the blue line.

Over the course of his NHL career, Maatta has suited up for the Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, the Utah Mammoth, and now the Flames.

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Red Sox rookie Tyler Samaniego strikes out side in emotional MLB debut: ‘Was thinking about my dad’

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tyler Samaniego delivering a pitch.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Tyler Samaniego delivers during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway Park, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Boston.

Red Sox rookie Tyler Samaniego had one thing on his mind during his stellar MLB debut.

Samaniego, who struck out the side in the eighth inning of Boston’s 5-0 win over the Brewers on Wednesday at Fenway Park, said he was thinking about his late father during his first big-league outing.

“I was thinking about my dad,” Samaniego told MLB.com after the game. “I lost him [at 65 years old] at the end of the ‘22 season, and he’s the one that introduced me to this game.”

Tyler Samaniego throws a pitch during the eighth inning of the Red Sox’s win over the Brewers at Fenway Park, on April 8, 2026, in Boston. AP

While on the mound, Samaniego was seen sporting a glove with “Rip, Pops” stitched on its side.

“I know he was out there with me,” Samaniego said. “It was just awesome.”

The southpaw joined some rare Red Sox history in his debut, becoming the first pitcher since Don Aase in 1977 to record strikeouts for his first three career outs, ESPN reported.

“I probably can’t say it on the microphone, but he would be fired up,” Samaniego said on how his father might’ve reacted to his outing. “He would have been ready. He would have come out here behind the dugout and would have had a beer.”

Samaniego, 27, was called up from Triple-A Worcester just four hours before the Red Sox’s first pitch, and his family was unable to fly into Boston in time for his debut.

Tyler Samaniego throws a pitch during the eighth inning of the Red Sox win over the Brewers on April 8, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“It started off as a whirlwind,” he said. “I found out about like 9:30 this morning because we had the noon game in Worcester, so packed the locker up and headed straight here. It happened fast, but it’s been awesome.”

Before being called up on Wednesday, Samaniego held a 3.38 ERA for Worcester through 5⅓ innings of work.

Samaniego, who was originally drafted by the Pirates in the 15th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, was dealt to the Red Sox this past offseason in a trade involving right-hander Johan Oviedo being shipped off to Boston in exchange for top outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and pitcher Jesus Travieso.

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Ducks Goaltender Ville Husso Nominated for Masterton Trophy

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Wednesday that the Ducks’ chapter of the PHWA has nominated goaltender Ville Husso for the 2025-26 Bill Masterton Trophy. The Masterton is annually awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

The winner will be selected at the end of the 2025-26 by all 32 chapters of the PHWA.

“It’s a couple of injuries a couple of years ago, and it took me a while to feel good and feel confident in net again,” Husso said on his journey to this nomination. “Ever since I came here, in Anaheim and San Diego, it’s been good stuff, and just trying to enjoy it.

“The hockey goes fast. Seasons go fast. So, just try to enjoy every day, every moment, and just have fun.”

Takeaways from the Ducks 5-0 Loss to the Predators

Takeaways from the Ducks 5-3 Loss to the Flames

Husso (31) was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings ahead of the 2024-25 NHL trade deadline, on Feb. 25, in exchange for future considerations. He had the remainder of the season on his contract and was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2025.

He was brought in as a veteran third-string option for the Ducks who could receive NHL minutes, which was necessary down the stretch last season, given John Gibson’s nagging ailments at the time.

General manager Pat Verbeek and the Ducks’ front office were impressed enough with his performance that they signed Husso to a two-year contract extension with a $2.2 million cap hit.

“It’s very nice to be a part of the Ducks right now, and we’re in a good spot as a team too,” Husso said. “The team is going in the right direction and playing meaningful games this time of year. It’s what you want as a hockey player.”

Husso had a breakout season with the St. Louis Blues in 2021-22, ending the season with a 25-7-6 record, a .919 SV%, and three shutouts. That offseason, his signing rights were traded to the Detroit Red Wings for a third-round pick. He assumed the role as Detroit’s apparent starter of the future, and they signed him to a three-year contract with a $4.75 million AAV.

In his first season with Detroit, he started 56 games, notched a 26-22-7 record, an .896 SV%, and four shutouts. In his next two seasons in Detroit, he dealt with injuries, unfavorable results, and was eventually passed on the Red Wings depth chart by goaltenders like Alex Lyon, James Reimer, and Cam Talbot.

He started the 2024-25 season on waivers, went unclaimed, and was eventually traded to the Ducks’ organization. His Detroit tenure ended with 84 games played, a .892 SV%, and four shutouts.

Husso’s game was reinvigorated after his trade in late Feb. 2025, both with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL and Anaheim Ducks in the NHL. To finish his campaign, Husso played nine games with the Gulls, posting a 7-2-0 record, a .907 SV%, and two shutouts.

He was recalled to Anaheim on two occasions last season, and finished with a 1-1-1 record in four games and a stellar .925 SV%.

He began the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he was excellent again and was recalled to Anaheim for good when it was announced that then-backup Petr Mrazek would be unavailable for the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury.

This year, in one of the NHL’s worst on-ice environments for goaltenders, the Ducks’ tandem of Lukas Dostal and Husso backing him up has been a stabilizing presence and is one of the more significant factors to their rise to playoff contention in 2025-26.

“The guys have been very nice here, and it’s nice to be a part of this group,” Husso continued. “A guy like Dosty, following him every day, makes you even five percent better, too. Very nice to be part of this organization and team.”

With four games remaining on the Ducks’ schedule, Husso, thus far, has started 18 games, made 19 appearances, notched a 9-8-2 record, an .887 SV%, and has saved -.87 goals above expected.

Though the numbers are unspectacular, Husso grabbed hold of an opportunity in Dec, when Dostal was sidelined with an upper-body injury, offering a steadying performance at a time when the Ducks’ season could have been derailed.

When he’s in net, he does all one can ask of a backup goaltender: he makes the saves he has to and gives the team in front of him a chance to win. He’s not the most athletic goalie in the NHL, nor is he the best game manager. However, his knowledge of his angles, puck tracking, and decision-making on when to challenge or make an aggressive effort shines when he’s in net.

Husso has one more year on his contract with Anaheim that carries a $2.2 million cap hit, and will likely remain Dostal’s backup for the 2026-27 season.

Ducks Recall Tyson Hinds to NHL, Assign Lucas Pettersson, Damian Clara to AHL

Takeaways from the Ducks 6-2 Loss to the Blues

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