England coach Brendon McCullum will keep his job despite the team’s Ashes debacle, with cricket chief Richard Gould insisting he can “adapt and evolve”.
Penguins Made Great Move Signing Breakout D-Man
The Pittsburgh Penguins brought in several new players during the 2025 NHL offseason. Among them was defenseman Parker Wotherspoon, as the Penguins signed him to a two-year, $2 million contract.
This signing did not get a ton of attention when it was announced, as Wotherspoon was primarily a depth defenseman during his time with the Boston Bruins. However, since joining the Penguins, the left-shot blueliner has taken his game to a new level in a major way.
Wotherspoon has been fantastic for the Penguins this season, and the truth is in his stats. In 70 games this season with Pittsburgh, he has set new career highs with three goals, 23 assists, 26 points, 103 blocks, and 147 hits. He also has a plus-12 rating.
Wotherspoon is not slowing down as the season carries on, either. In his last five games alone, the 28-year-old defenseman has recorded six assists. With this, Wotherspoon has been playing some strong hockey for the Penguins down the stretch.
Wotherspoon's excellent play this season has also helped him find a home on the Penguins' top pairing and penalty kill. With this, he has certainly become a big part of the Penguins' blueline, and it is clear that they made the right decision signing him.
Has LeBron James played his way back into the Lakers’ future plans?
If you’re wondering, “Didn’t we just have a conversation about LeBron’s future last week?” then the answer is yes.
But this ongoing discussion isn’t going away anytime soon. This won’t be the last time we wonder what the future holds for LeBron and the reasons the conversation is worth having again is that the dynamics are rapidly changing with the Lakers.
Not even a month ago, the narrative around the Lakers was that they were better without LeBron, both in the present and future. On Monday, Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote about how, as recently as six weeks ago, the assumption around the league was LeBron was playing his final games in Los Angeles.
As recently as late January, not long after an ESPN report detailed so much of the dysfunction in James’ relationship with the Lakers organization, the widely-held consensus around the league was that there’s no way he’d be back in a Lakers jersey. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors were, and are, often mentioned by league executives as his most likely destinations.
Upon his return, he’s adopted a much different role that has allowed both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves to be on the ball more while still allowing him to contribute in meaningful ways.
It’s not a coincidence that the Lakers have stopped losing during that stretch either. LeBron is most certainly not the main reason for that as Luka playing some of the best basketball of his life has been the driving force. But LeBron has one of the most consistent pieces of their current win streak.
Now, the conversation feels a bit different about LeBron and the Lakers moving forward. Granted, the necessary caveat to mention is that the Lakers can’t overreact to a couple of weeks of good play. Is this sustainable for LeBron and the Lakers alike? Is he even open to this role long-term, serving as the third fiddle behind the team’s star backcourt?
If he’s willing to take a backseat role on the court, is it easier to see him getting his swan song in purple and gold?
The reality is that no situation makes clear sense for LeBron next season. While the Warriors and Cavs are mentioned, both have equal or greater reasons as to why it may not work out.
Golden State’s main selling point is a chance to team with an aging Steph Curry — and Warriors team in general — for one last ride. But does LeBron want to end his career on a team that was his main rival for years in a city he has no connection to?
He definitely has connections to the Cavs and Cleveland, but there are plenty of hurdles there, too. Cleveland would need to still do a fair amount of cap gymnastics just to open up room to offer him a contract. They’re also a team with title aspirations. Do they want to have LeBron’s retirement tour running in parallel with that? To say nothing of the team needing to adapt to him and vice versa on his send off?
That former point stands for the Lakers, too. With Luka firmly in his prime, they, too, will have title aspirations. But they don’t have to integrate LeBron into a system. They know how to play around and with him already. And they’re doing it at a high level right now.
It’s not the Lakers’ problem that LeBron doesn’t have a clear landing spot for next season and it’s not their responsibility to offer one. But President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka said the team wanted LeBron to retire as a Laker. And the team is playing well right now because of him. This wouldn’t some charity offering.
Actions speak louder than words. Pelinka said the thing that cooled temperatures most in that moment earlier this year. Do the Lakers really feel that way? Can they really move into the Luka era with LeBron on the team?
At one point this season, very recently, it felt like a foregone conclusion that LeBron was leaving. But as they barrel toward the postseason playing their best basketball of the season, have they found a solution for the present and the future?
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
JJ Wetherholt, José Fermín, Thomas Saggese and Nathan Church Make Cardinals Opening Day Roster
This is not something that I would categorize as a surprise, but at least we have confirmation of what the St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day roster will look like in its final form. MLB Trade Rumors has confirmed that JJ Wetherholt, José Fermín, Thomas Saggese and Nathan Church will all head to St. Louis with the Cardinals while Nelson Velázquez will be sent to Triple A Memphis.
This is the video that the St. Louis Cardinals just dropped on social media as a tease of the JJ Wetherholt promotion.
Randy Vasquez’s surprising spring signals potential 2026 breakout season
Going into the 2026 campaign, the San Diego Padres are seeking to stabilize their starting rotation. Joe Musgrove and Griffin Canning will open the season on the injured list, while Yu Darvish’s elbow surgery will cause him to miss the entire 2026 campaign.
In the meantime, the Padres will start Nick Pivetta on Opening Day and patiently wait for Michael King to return to form. If so, he will become the staff’s No. 1 starter. A young pitcher has the opportunity to prove his place in the rotation until Musgrove is ready to come back.
Vasquez could save Padres from starting pitching woes
Randy Vasquez has positioned himself to exceed everyone’s 2026 expectations with an outstanding Spring Training. It was enough to impress Friars first-year manager Craig Stammen to move Vasquez up in the rotation order. And if he continues to dominate opposing lineups, it will be tough to take the young right-hander out of the third starter’s role.
Vasquez has shown several flashes of success during his time in San Diego. Coming off a 3.84 ERA last season, he came into camp throwing with newfound velocity. His four-seam fastball gained nearly three miles per hour after throwing it at 93.5 MPH in 2025.
Often, Vasquez was hitting 96 MPH, as he posted 8.2 innings of shutout baseball in early Cactus League contests. The third-year pitcher allowed only two hits and struck out eight batters. His strikeout rate was above 30%, as the hitter’s chase rate was nearly 40% in Arizona. It was higher than his career rate.
Spring Training does not answer all the questions
However, Vasquez did struggle in the later stages of Spring Training. Granted, pitchers are refining and simplifying their pitching repertoire. Vasquez was working to improve the effectiveness of his sweeper and curveball, the latter of which ranked in the 98th percentile for spin rate last season.
However, it might be time for Vasquez to phase out the cutter, as the pitch was continually getting pounded by hitters. You cannot ignore that his ERA rose to 4.86 at the tail end of the spring schedule.
Nevertheless, Vasquez was a standout performer, as he had an impressive 1.04 WHIP and a 15-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 18.1 innings pitched.
To have a breakout season, Vasquez must continue to pitch with the confidence he found in Peoria, Ariz. It is time to translate potential into wins this season.
Can the Washington Nationals offense get going as the regular season begins?
If you have been watching the Nationals at all this spring, you would know that the offense has struggled. When you look at the box scores, most of the players OPS numbers begin with a 4, 5 or 6. The Nats hit just .194 with a .592 OPS this spring. As the team heads into the season, how concerned should we be?
Personally, I am moderately concerned, but not totally panicked yet. It is a bit alarming to see the struggles of guys like Dylan Crews and James Wood, but again, it is still Spring Training. The new regime is teaching these players a lot of new things, and clearly, it has been easier for the pitchers to translate those teachings into the game.
The pitching staff is the reason the Nats still finished this spring with a record above .500. The Nats were 29th in scoring this spring, averaging 3.5 runs per game. However, they only allowed 3.7 per game, which was 4th. The slate is clean when the regular season begins, but I would not be surprised if the pitchers were ahead of the hitters early on.
It is a lot easier for a pitcher to add a pitch or tweak their mechanics than it is for a hitter to change things up. Pitching has become so scientific, while hitting is still more of an art. Some changes that sound good on paper could have adverse effects. Even if they do, it could sometimes be worth it to stick with those tweaks for a while to see if things click. Clearly, the transition to a new style of hitting has not been smooth so far.
For years, the Nats have been at or near the top of the league in ground ball rate, and that is something the new regime wants to change. However, trying to lift the ball comes with some tradeoffs like more pop ups and a bit more whiff. Finding a balance will be important for this team. This new regime also seems willing to experiment until they find the right combination.
One thing that Blake Butera said that I found interesting was that he thinks the offense will improve as they see guys more. He talked about how it can be tough to “fly blind” when you keep seeing different pitchers in Spring Training. Hopefully the Nats will be able to make those sorts of adjustments.
This struggling Nats offense will be challenged right off the bat with series against the Cubs, Phillies and Dodgers. The Phillies and Dodgers in particular have very strong staffs that will happily feast on a lineup trying to find an identity. Now that Spring Training is over, it is time to lock in. Maybe some hitters should go back to what works best for them, at least in the short term. The two exhibitions against the O’s were not pretty offensively. The Nats better be ready because they will be challenged by some high end arms to start the season.
A couple weeks ago I talked about the Nats offensive concerns. I attributed a lot of the struggles to guys just getting going, but as we enter the regular season, I am a little worried. The Nats offense last year was not great by any means, but they showed some promise, especially in the first half. It has been really ugly so far this spring.
I would not be surprised if the trend of the pitching being better than the hitting continues into the season. Obviously the gap will not be as extreme, but I believe the pitchers will be ahead of the hitters. They seem to have responded to the new coaching better.
Hopefully this is all Spring Training noise and the offense can start the year hot. However, I do not think the bad offense is totally fluky. There are some real growing pains here. I hope things start to click as Matt Borgschutle gets more time with the guys because it has not been pretty so far.
BREAKING: Nick Pivetta to pitch Opening Day
It’s official. Nick Pivetta will start for the San Diego Padres this Thursday. They’ll put up their best fight on Opening Day against fearsome lefty Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers as they seek to return to the postseason for the third year in a row.
Pivetta will be the fourth starting pitcher in as many years to take the mound for San Diego’s Opening Day.
The unicorn year
Pivetta will pitch on March 26 for the Friars after having the best season of his career last year. Pivetta and Padres fans were waiting for manager Craig Stammen to announce the Opening Day starter. If Pivetta can retain anything from last year, the starting rotation will be a lot closer to elite than it is now.
There’s obviously upside, tremendously so, but it’s shaky. Pivetta has never had an ERA below 4.00 until last year’s 2.87 mark. Michael King and Joe Musgrove are coming back from injury, and the back end of the rotation looks a little messy.
Pivetta was a workhorse last year. He pitched 181 ⅔ innings and almost topped 200 strikeouts across 31 starts.
The Padres desperately needed him then and they may need him even more now.
Concerning news out of camp
A few weeks ago, Pivetta missed a start in Spring Training due to arm fatigue. Immediately questions of depth sprang up and San Diego fans everywhere lost their collective minds.
But then he started against the Cleveland Guardians with his fastball sitting around 94-96 mph and all was well again.
The hope is that even if Pivetta isn’t as much of a surprise ace pitcher as he turned out to be last season, he’ll still be serviceable and eat innings this season. There’s plenty of underlying metrics to suggest the turnaround he had will continue to be the case, but nothing will be sure until it’s proved on the mound this season.
However Pivetta’s season shakes out, the Friar Faithful can be excited to watch him duel it out against one of the best pitchers on the planet this Thursday. He has the stuff to dominate this Tigers lineup. And this Padres lineup has the ability to take Skubal out.
With Opening Day finally here, one thing’s certain: we’ll all be cheering for a San Diego win Thursday.
Arizona State basketball hires Randy Bennett, longtime Saint Mary's coach
A significant college basketball coaching shift is happening on the West Coast.
Randy Bennett will be the new Arizona State coach, leaving Saint Mary's after spending 25 seasons turning the Gaels into a respectable mid-major program. His final game was a 63-50 loss to No. 10 seed Texas A&M in the first round of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.
The Saint Mary's job was Bennett's first head coaching role when he took it in 2001, taking over a program that had had little success. After just three NCAA Tournaments prior to his arrival, Bennett took the Gaels to the Big Dance 12 times during his tenure, including each of the past five seasons with at least 26 wins in each campaign during the run. The most successful run of Bennett's tenure was the trip to the Sweet 16 in 2010 as a 10th seed.
During his time, Saint Mary's elevated itself as one of the most successful mid-majors, competing with fellow West Coast Conference member Gonzaga and often taking down the powerful Bulldogs. By putting out quality teams for most of his tenure, the conference was able to send two teams to March Madness consistently, a rarity for mid-majors.
Bennett's overall record is 589-228 and he won more than 75% of his conference games. The Gaels won seven West Coast Conference regular season titles and four tournament titles. He also developed future NBA championship players in Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.
While it is a shock to see Bennett leave a role where he spent a quarter of a century, the 63-year-old coach is from Mesa, Arizona, just east of the Arizona State campus in the Phoenix metro area.
“It was going to take a special situation for us to leave Saint Mary’s, and I am energized, driven, and focused on taking over Sun Devil Basketball, a program I am very familiar with and grew up watching," Bennett said in a statement.
He will be tasked with trying to revive the Sun Devils, who were unable to sustain success in the 11 seasons under Bobby Hurley. During Hurley's time, Arizona State made the NCAA Tournament just three times — all as a No. 11 seed — and won two First Four games, with the program's last major achievement being a Sweet 16 run in 1995.
The task will only be more challenging with Arizona State in a crowded and loaded Big 12, with a losing conference record in its two seasons in the league.
"We are in the best basketball conference in the nation and I look forward to the opportunity and am excited to meet everyone who wants to help this program reach our goals in the new landscape. My staff and I will be ready for the challenge," Bennett said.
Bennett's departure also comes as Saint Mary's enters a new era of the West Coast Conference, which will be greatly affected by Gonzaga leaving for the Pac-12 next season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Randy Bennett hired as Arizona State basketball coach, leaves Saint Mary's
Boston Celtics Daily Links 3/23/26
HeraldJayson Tatum fighting through ‘frustrating’ shooting slump: ‘It’s been a long time’
Celtics crater late in home loss to shorthanded Timberwolves
Celtics notebook: Big man’s breakout ‘awesome’ to former head coach
GlobeBracket Championship: What is the best soundbite in Boston sports history?
Tracy McGrady questions whether Celtics are ‘still on same the page’ following Jayson Tatum’s return
Jaylen Brown sheds light on 1-on-1 meeting with Jayson Tatum ahead of playoffs
Bones Hyland, short-handed Timberwolves beat ice-cold Celtics: 6 takeaways
Jayson Tatum, frustrated by shooting slump, is showing both rust and flashes
Jayson Tatum frustrated with his progress after Celtics go cold in loss to Timberwolves
Celtics GreenComments from the Other Side – Timberwolves 3/22/26
CelticsBlog10 takeaways from a lackadaisical Celtics loss
Jayson Tatum deserves all the grace as he returns from the worst injury in basketball
Jaylen Brown admits Celtics didn’t ‘meet the challenge’ in loss to Timberwolves
Timberwolves’ hot fourth quarter sinks Celtics, 102-92
CLNS MediaJayson Tatum Deserves Grace | You Got Boston w/ Noa Dalzell
Will Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum Finish Their Careers in Boston | Bob Ryan & Jeff Goodman Podcast
Celtics .comKeys to the Game: Timberwolves 102, Celtics 92
NBC Sports BostonNBA playoff picture: Celtics, Knicks in a tight race for No. 2 seed
Celtics-Wolves recap: Rough fourth quarter dooms C’s in loss
NESNNBA Legend Urges Celtics’ Jayson Tatum to Change Offensive Approach
Celtics Have Golden Opportunity To Change Frustrating Narrative This Week
Are Celtics Suddenly In Jeopardy Of Losing Key Spot In Standings?
NBA Writer Specifies New Goal For Celtics Heading Into Stretch Run
Bleacher Report Identifies ‘Dream Target’ For Celtics In Free Agency
Timberwolves’ Bones Hyland Reveals Mindset Behind 23-Point Outburst Vs. Celtics
NBA Hall Of Famer Drops Truth Bomb On Celtics In Wake Of Jayson Tatum’s Return
Jaylen Brown Praises Communication With Fellow Celtics Superstar
Celtics Legend Explains Surprising Lack Of Communication With Jayson Tatum
Celtics Go Cold From Three, Fall To Anthony Edwards-Less Timberwolves At Home
Mass Live Celtics rookie makes franchise history after scoring 1st NBA points
Hall of Fame guard makes eye-opening claim about Celtics after Wolves loss
Celtics star makes candid admission on return after Wolves loss
Celtics playoff picture: Where Boston stands with 3 weeks left in season
Jaylen Brown talks important Jayson Tatum meeting ahead of playoffs
Jaylen Brown is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Sunday’s loss to Timberwolves
4 takeaways as Celtics lose to Wolves to end improbable streak
Celtics WireFor Robert Parish, defense is the through line from his Celtics to today
Naz Reid has high praise for former Timberwolves teammate Luka Garza
Should we be worried about Jayson Tatum being in a shooting slump with Boston Celtics?
Jaylen Brown on what went wrong for Boston Celtics vs. Timberwolves in 2nd, 4th quarters
Celtics history: Cowens drafted; Hollins signed; Hayward, Forte, Judkins born
Jaylen Brown admits Timberwolves outworked Celtics down the stretch
Celtics fall apart in fourth quarter of 102-92 loss to Timberwolves
Former Celtic Evan Turner knows the game of basketball missed Jayson Tatum
The Athletic NBA Power Rankings: Lakers, Cavs, Nuggets inch closer to contenders tier
As playoff races heat up, we’re still thinking about that 65-game rule
Tables turned on Celtics in costly home loss to the Timberwolves
Boston Sports JournalSimone’s Six: Defensive chess, offensive checkers, and a Jayson Tatum update in Celtics-Wolves
Hardwood Houdini Tracy McGrady’s divisive Jayson Tatum take is only half right
Celtics’ rookie’s improbable achievement nearly went unnoticed in rough loss
Jayson Tatum opens up about giving himself grace as he pushes for pre-injury form
Timberwolves showed how teams are going to attack the Celtics come playoff time
Problem that may be unfixable undoing was on display for Celtics in rough loss
Celtics got a taste of their own medicine in awful loss vs. Timberwolves
Jaylen Brown keeps it real about Jayson Tatum and championship blueprint
Celtics fail to capitalize on advantageous situation in disappointing loss
CLNS Media/YouTube Robert Parish Tells Bill Walton ‘86 Celtics Practice Story
Luka Garza Had MIXED FEELINGS After Nikola Vucevic Trade | Exclusive Interview
Jayson Tatum CANDID Interview About his Struggles | Celtics vs Timberwolves Postgame
Jaylen Brown: We Will LEARN From Timberwolves Loss | Celtics vs Timberwolves Postgame
Joe Mazzulla EXPLAINS What Went Wrong Against Timberwolves | Celtics vs Timberwolves Postgame Show
Chris Finch: Jayson Tatum is Still DOING HIS THING | Celtics vs Wolves Pregame
Joe Mazzulla on Tatum’s UNDERRATED Screening Ability | Celtics vs Timberwolves Pregame
SI .com Deep Dive Into Jayson Tatum’s Stats Shows a Quirk and How Far He Still Has to Go
3 Eye-Popping Numbers From the Timberwolves’ Win Over the Celtics
Timberwolves Have a Lot of Love for Former Teammate Thriving with Boston Celtics
Newsweek Celtics Legend Endorses Jaylen Brown For NBA MVP Award
Bleacher ReportPaul Pierce Praises Jaylen Brown, Says It’s ‘Unfortunate’ Celtics Star Isn’t in NBA MVP Conversation
‘I’m Not Superman,’ Jayson Tatum Reflects on Celtics Return from Achilles Injury in Trending Video
Pistons RoundtableDetroit Pistons Vs. The East: Which Teams Pose The Greatest Threat?
Maine Celtics Celtics bounce back in Long Island 114-104
HeavyCeltics’ Jaylen Brown Drops Blunt Take After Timberwolves Loss
Boston Celtics Make Roster Moves After Timberwolves Game
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Breaks Silence on Jayson Tatum Ahead of Playoffs
BasketNews Jaylen Brown explains what went wrong in Celtics loss to Timberwolves
The Sports Hub Celtics win streak snapped in home loss to Timberwolves
Max Shulga makes history for Celtics
NBA .com Power Rankings, Week 23: Pistons, Knicks and Celtics jostle in Top 5
Larry Brown SportsJayson Tatum makes honest admission about his return to action
For the WinJayson Tatum was so candid about his struggles during Achilles comeback
Our Sports CentralMax Shulga Had Himself a Day!
TalkBasket Joe Mazzulla explains Celtics’ offensive struggles after Timberwolves snap 18-game drought in Boston
Athlon Sports Jayson Tatum Had Words on His Shooting Slump Since Making Celtics Return After 298-Day Absence
Hoops Rumors Jayson Tatum Admits Frustrations Since Return From Achilles Injury
Fadeaway WorldTimberwolves Grind Out Physical Win Over Celtics Behind Bench And Defense: 5 Key Takeaways
Jaylen Brown Explains What Went Wrong For Celtics In First Loss To Wolves At Home Since 2005
NBA/YouTube TIMBERWOLVES at CELTICS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | March 22, 2026
Total Pro SportsJoe Mazzulla Highlights Hidden Impact of Jayson Tatum That Doesn’t Show Up in the Box Score
Fansided 5 NBA Draft sleepers the Celtics should be watching closely in March Madness
Barstool SportsIf The Celtics Keep F***ing Around And Dropping Winnable Games, They Won’t Like What They Find Out
WEEI/YouTubeJayson Tatum admits to struggling as ramp-up continues. Should fans be concerned? | Afternoons
Audacy ‘He always had game:’ How daily workouts in Minnesota set the stage for Luka Garza’s success
Orange & Black wisdom
In the latest SB Nation Reacts poll, we learn that San Francisco Giants fans have a pretty sober view of the roster:
This question was asked before the Giants optioned Bryce Eldridge to Triple-A Sacramento; and, as you can see here, the majority saw which way the wind was blowing, given the performance of the top prospect. Maybe it didn’t take the powers of a fortune teller to foresee what was going to happen with a guy who needs some experience, but it speaks to some degree of integrity for voters that they didn’t vote what they wanted to happen.
Then again, maybe Giants fans don’t want a struggling prospect to struggle at the major league level right now. Maybe they want to see what the more experienced guys can do. That’s a perfectly reasonable perspective, and it’s plausibly what 63% of the voting body believes. Indeed, if you scan through the comments thread here on McCovey Chronicles after the SB Nation Reacts poll went live, you’ll see this sentiment:
PGBreaker
I’m leaning against Eldridge breaking camp with the big squad. Half a season or more of AAA at-bats, then bring him up (if ready). I’m guessing Matos hasn’t done enough in Spring Training to make the 26-man. Ce la vie…11
I said before Spring Training that he might start the season in AAA and I don’t think he’s done enough to make the roster. He has to cut down the K’s.roberto96
I wish I could say I am sold on Eldridge, but I am not. When he’s not striking out he’s making loud outs. Great. Not at the expense of Matos or Encarnacion who are out of options not making the team. And with his speed and defense don’t wanna see McCray going down either.RU_Sirius
No. He’s not ready. He shouldn’t have been on the team last season. Felt like they brought him up just to get some fan interest because the Giants had slipped out of contention. I still believe he could be a really good player. Let him start at AAA – it makes other roster decisions easier, too.
With the regular season about 51 hours away, fans who called this Eldridge move and others throughout the Spring might be feeling confident enough to see if they can try their luck. It’s one thing to wager on an untested and very young prospect whose position(s) is (are) easily duplicated with literally Rafael Devers and a hodgepodge of experienced hitters, it’s quite another to see if there’s money to be made gambling on the rest of the team. How will the Giants do this season? Is there another Ryan Boruckiesque move coming up just before they finalize the Opening Night roster? This is the test of every fan every season. Is your gut on to something?
However you feel, at least the Giants are on the same page as the fandom in some respects. It would be quite something if the team was committed to making Bryce Eldridge stick at the major league level despite strong evidence at the moment to the contrary.
The latest national poll questions were about the World Baseball Classic, which saw such a viewership increase that it might’ve been a contributor to the stark decline in ratings for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony (which had popular films up for major awards). But enough about ratings. Here were voters’ thoughts:
Who knew that baseball fans liked to see competitive baseball during what’s normally quasi-competitive Spring Training?
Rocker named 5th starter, McCutchen on the team
The Texas Rangers’ fifth start to start the season will be Kumar Rocker, the team announced today. Jacob Latz, who was competing with Rocker for the fifth starter spot, will open the season in the bullpen.
In addition, the team announced that Andrew McCutchen, Sam Haggerty and Ezequiel Duran have made the club, and Mark Canha, barring an injury, will not.
Finally, Evan Carter will be the primary center fielder, with Wyatt Langford shifting to center field when Carter gets a day off. Carter, per team president Chris Young, will sit against some lefties, but will not be platooned to start the year.
It appears that 25 of the 26 spots in the roster are now set, with the only question remaining being who will get the final spot in the bullpen. Carter Baumler, Josh Sborz and Luis Curvelo are considered the leading candidates. Baumler, as a Rule 5 selection, would have to be put on waivers and, if he clears, offered back to the Baltimore Orioles, from whom he was selected, if he’s not on the major league roster or the major league injured list.
I don’t think there are any real surprises with these announcements. From the time he was signed, it appeared that a roster spot was McCutchen’s to lose, and he has performed well in exhibition games since signing. Rocker’s strong finish to the spring, along with Latz seeing a velocity dip in his last start and his overall value as a reliever, seemed to give Rocker the edge for the fifth starter spot.
NBA power rankings 2025-26: Thunder, Spurs, Pistons make up the top three
Only one of the top eight teams in NBC's NBA Power Rankings from last week lost a game: Boston on Sunday to Minnesota. With that, not much movement at the top.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
(56-15, last week No. 1)
Only two franchises in NBA history — at the peak of their powers — have won 65 games in consecutive seasons. The Jordan-era Bulls did it between 1995-97 (winning the championship both years), and the peak Curry-era Warriors did it three consecutive years (two with Kevin Durant) between 2014-17, winning two rings (hat tip to the Slam & Jam podcast for the stat). The Thunder are on pace to be the third. They won 68 games last season and have 56 wins this season, on pace for 65 exactly — and they are about to get their second-best player back. Jalen Williams is set to return from his second hamstring injury on Monday against Philadelphia, plus Lu Dort is cleared to play in that game as well. It would be the first game this season when the OKC core would all be healthy… except that Ajay Mitchell is suspended for that game after escalating a fight against the Wizards.
2. San Antonio Spurs
(53-18, last week No. 2)
San Antonio has reached 50 wins for the first time since the 2016-17 season (the Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol era). "That's real," coach Mitch Johnson said of hitting the mark. "It's one of those things we've done this year where we're not going to avoid that or try to act like that (is nothing) — 50 wins this league is tough." It has happened because Victor Wembanyama made a larger leap than anyone but himself expected: In March, he averaged 26.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 38.1% from 3-point range. Starting Monday in Miami, San Antonio has six of seven on the road.
3. Detroit Pistons
(51-19, last week No. 4)
Cade Cunningham is out with a collapsed lung, possibly for the remainder of the regular season. That sucks for him because he was on the way to being top-5 in MVP voting and first-team All-NBA, and now he's unlikely to reach the 65-game threshold (he's at 60 qualified games). Note: This is example 1,437 why the 65-game rule sucks. His exit also had people questioning if the Pistons could hold on to the No. 1 seed in the East, but this team has a 7-2 record in games Cunningham has missed this season — including 2-0 in this stretch — with a +3.9 net rating when he is off the floor. It's going to be tough for the Celtics to make up that ground.
4. Boston Celtics
(47-24, last week No. 3)
Boston is 6-2 in the games Tatum has played since his return. He's not consistent yet (6-of-16 Sunday in a loss to Minnesota), but he is finding a groove, having scored 20+ points in five games played and has a couple of double-doubles. He talked about the frustrating process of finding his way back and having off days after Sunday's loss: "It's tough in the moment, right? You try not to think about it. You just want to be Jason Tatum and feel like yourself again. I'm not Superman, so, obviously, it's going to take some time. I think the next day I can give myself a little more grace over certain things, but in the moment, I mean, it's frustrating."
5. Los Angeles Lakers
(46-25, last week No. 5)
The Lakers are the hottest team in the NBA — and they kept that streak alive this week with a couple of dramatic clutch wins. The Lakers are not just a league-best 22-6 in clutch games (within five points in the final five minutes), their +27.8 net rating in those minutes is top-10 all-time in the clutch. At the heart of that success is the Lakers have three players who can thrive in isolation — Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James — and the Lakers average 1.03 points per isolation possession, second best in the league (behind OKC, with SGA). The Lakers are 4-0 on their road trip, which continues with stops in Detroit and Indiana.
LUKE KENNARD HITS THE GO-AHEAD 3 TO WIN IT FOR THE LAKERS
— NBA (@NBA) March 22, 2026
LOS ANGELES HAS WON 9 GAMES IN A ROW! pic.twitter.com/1kZR6dsqQk
6. New York Knicks
(47-25, last week No. 6)
The best teams don't let the easy wins slip away and beat the soft teams on their schedule — and that has been the Knicks the past couple of weeks. New York has won six in a row, but the best team they faced in that stretch was the Curry-less Warriors. That winning streak has New York just half a game back of Boston for the No. 2 seed in the East, and the Knicks have an easier schedule the rest of the way. This hot streak also moved the Knicks into the top five in the league in offensive and defensive rating — a sign of a true contender. That soft schedule is about to change with the Pelicans, Hornets and Thunder on the schedule this week.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
(44-27, last week No. 7)
The glass-half-full spin: Cleveland has won three in a row. The glass-half-empty spin: That came against two tanking teams and the Pelicans, and none of those wins was by more than seven points. James Harden has helped spark those wins, and since coming over to the Cavaliers, he's averaging 20.9 points per game while shooting 45% from 3-point range, plus dishing out 7.8 assists per game. Better tests for just how good Cleveland is this week with Orlando and two against Miami.
8. Denver Nuggets
(44-28, last week No. 8)
Since returning from his 16-game absence due to a knee hyperextension, Nikola Jokic has been very good, but not quite at the same MVP-level he was before. He's averaging 3.4 fewer points and one fewer assist per game, is shooting 52.5% from the floor (down from 60.5% before the injury) and 31.7% from 3-point range (down from 43.5% before, all stats from before Sunday's game). Jokic is still on pace to become only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for multiple seasons (Russell Westbrook is the other), but he might slide below Victor Wembanyama in the MVP race as the Spurs thrive. Good news in Denver is that Peyton Watson is back, and the team is mostly healthy. Key game for Denver this week on Tuesday against the Suns (the No. 7 seed) — a game you can watch on Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
(44-28, last week No. 11)
Anthony Edwards is out with right knee inflammation, but the Timberwolves have gone a respectable 3-1 in his absence so far, including a critical win over the Phoenix Suns (a team chasing them for the No. 6 seed in the West and avoiding the play-in) plus beating the Celtics in Boston on Basketball Night in America Sunday. Edwards has to play in at least eight more games this season to get to 65 and qualify for postseason awards — if he does, he is a lock for his third All-NBA nod (and has a case for First Team). Ayo Dosunmu – acquired from the Bulls at the trade deadline – has started in Edwards' place and, over his first three games, averaged 19.7 points per game.
10. Houston Rockets
(43-27, last week No. 12)
The two losses to the Lakers last week (both at home) summed up why many around the league do not see the Rockets as a contender: In the clutch, in games where it becomes about half-court offense, the Rockets struggled to generate enough to win. Everything unfairly falls on Kevin Durant, and in those losses to the Lakers, in the clutch he scored a combined 5 points on 2-of-5 shooting, with 3 turnovers to 1 assist, and he was -10. That's not all about Durant (who passed Michael Jordan this week for fifth on the all-time scoring list), it's about defenses loading up on him because the Rockets don't have other options that scare other teams. Would that be different if Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams had remained healthy? That's two key starters out, guys who brought very specific, needed skill sets. Even without those guys, the Rockets are in the thick of the 3-6 battle in the West, currently fourth in that group and with the easiest remaining schedule of any of those teams (according to the Elias Sports Bureau). Important game Wednesday in that group as Houston travels to Minnesota for a game.
11. Atlanta Hawks
(39-32, last week No. 13)
Atlanta has won 12-of-13 (the Rockets snapped the Hawks' 11-game win streak), and that run not-so-coincidentally started when CJ McCollum moved into the starting lineup in place of Zaccharie Risacher. Atlanta's starting lineup now — Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and McCollum — is tearing people up and why Atlanta is now sixth in the East (that and the tiebreaker over Philadelphia).
A career-high 39 points and counting for Nickeil Alexander-Walker!
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) March 17, 2026
Peacock and NBCSN pic.twitter.com/cXpZCwo2Wc
12. Charlotte Hornets
(37-34, last week No. 17)
Charlotte sits as the No. 10 seed but is still one of the hottest teams in the East, having won 5-of-6 — including victories over Miami and Orlando last week — and is 7-3 so far in March. Coby White, in 11 games with the Hornets since coming over from the Bulls at the trade deadline, is averaging 14.9 points and 3.8 assists per game, boosting the bench (along with a healthy Josh Green and Grant Williams). Good tests this week to see just how hot the Hornets are, facing the Knicks and Celtics.
13. Toronto Raptors
(39-31, last week No. 14)
Raptors fans, do you feel this team has lived up to expectations this season? If the season ended today, Toronto would be the No. 5 seed in the East — higher than I expected before the season — and it has done it despite a rash of injuries. On the other hand, this team is 9-11 against teams over .500, and the Raptors are 1-8 against the top three in the East (Pistons, Knicks, Celtics). This is a good team, but not a postseason threat, and the front office has work to do. Toronto is 1-2 on a five-game road trip that still includes Utah and the LA Clippers.
14. Orlando Magic
(38-32, last week No. 9)
Orlando has dropped four straight games, and the culprit is that their inconsistent offense has been on the downswing. That offense should look better when Franz Wagner and Anthony Black get healthy, but until then, inconsistency may be the buzzword. As it has seemed all season. The good news is that, among the teams in the tight 5-10 race in the East over the final three weeks of the season, the only team with an easier schedule in that group is Toronto.
15. Miami Heat
(38-33, last week No. 10)
Miami has dropped four in a row and it all starts with its defense, having given up 120+ in each of those games. The losing streak has dropped the Heat to ninth in the East — only 2.5 games separate fifth and 10th in the East, Miami needs wins and it can quickly move back up the standings. That might be tough to do this week, facing the Spurs, then two games on the road against the Cavaliers.
16. Los Angeles Clippers
(35-36, last week No. 16)
Kawhi Leonard returned from injury this week, and if he can get to 65 games played, he will make an All-NBA team this year (deservedly so) — Leonard has missed 16 games this season, he can only afford to miss one more to stay above the ridiculous NBA-set number. Before Darius Garland went off for 41 and got the Clippers and overtime win in Dallas, the team had dropped four straight and opened the door for Portland to get into the top eight (a much easier path through the play-in to the playoffs than being ninth). Fortunately for the Clippers, there are winnable games on the schedule this week, with the best team they will see being Toronto on Wednesday at the Intuit Dome.
17. Phoenix Suns
(40-32, last week No. 15)
Phoenix's push to make the top six and avoid the play-in likely ended with the team's five-game losing streak (which ended Sunday with a blowout win over Toronto). A few things have led to that streak. One is that this is not a good clutch team, it has a -9.6 net rating in games within five points in the final five minutes, which is 23rd in the league. Also, Jalen Green is still trying to find his way after returning to the team from injury on Feb. 7, and in his last 10 games he's averaging 21 points a game but on an inefficient 40.4% shooting (which is actually up from when he first returned). Devin Booker has been the bright spot, but it hasn't been enough. In his last 10 games, Booker is third in the NBA in scoring at 30.3 points per game, including a season-high 43 against the Pacers and 40 points in a loss to the Celtics. Critical game Tuesday against Denver, if the Suns are going to have any chance to get into the top six they need this one — game you can watch on Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock.
18. Philadelphia 76ers
(39-32, last week No. 18)
Jared McCain makes his return to Philadelphia Monday, as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and this has revenge game written all over it. Even if McCain said Monday at shoot around he isn't really angry about being traded, "When (Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey) first told me, I didn't even really understand what team he sent me to. I heard 'traded' and that was kind of it. But once I understood it was OKC, it was one of those moments where you're almost like, 'OOK they won a championship … why do you want me?'" McCain has looked like his best self in OKC, and with Ajay Mitchell out for Monday's game (suspension), McCain should get plenty of run to remind Philly fans what they are missing.
19. Portland Trail Blazers
(35-37, last week No. 19)
No coasting into the finish line in Portland — they are in a race with the Clippers for the No. 8 seed in the West (being top 8 means needing just one win in two games to make the playoffs, as opposed to being 9-10 and needing to win two games, one on the road). The Trail Blazers have won 4-of-6 and have a slightly easier schedule the rest of the way than the Clippers, thanks to having 7-of-10 at home.
20. New Orleans Pelicans
(25-47, last week No. 22)
Everyone's favorite spoiler took two games from the LA Clippers last week and almost did the same against Cleveland, but New Orleans blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead and lost. Part of the reason for the Pelicans' improved play is that Dejonte Murray returned from a torn Achilles and is averaging 18.7 points and 6.2 assists per game, and the Pelicans are 5-5 in the games he has played.
21. Chicago Bulls
(28-42, last week No. 20)
Two players have 100 blocks and 100 3-pointers this season. One is obvious: Victor Wembanyama. The other is Matas Buzelis. The No. 11 pick in 2024 has taken a step forward this season, averaging 16.1 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc. One other note, Josh Giddey has 19 triple-doubles as a member of the Bulls, but more than half of those (10) came after March 1 each season.
22. Golden State Warriors
(33-38, last week No. 21)
Stephen Curry could return to the court as early as Wednesday — and the Warriors need him. The Warriors are 6-15 in this stretch of games without him and have fallen to the No. 10 seed in the West. When he was healthy, Curry looked elite, averaging 27.2 points and 4.8 assists a game, shooting 39.1% from 3-point range. The Warriors are 1.5 games back of Portland for the No. 9 seed and two games back of the No. 8 Clippers — that's ground that can be made up in three weeks, but the Warriors need to start racking up wins. Fast. They have a chance to turn things around this week with three tanking teams on the schedule this week (plus the Nuggets).
23. Milwaukee Bucks
(29-41, last week No. 23)
We wrote about it in last week's Power Rankings before it became a very public thing: The question was never whether it was best for the Bucks to shut Giannis Antetokounmpo down for the season, the question was whether he would let them. This has become a thing. The reality is that it would be best for the Bucks' chances of retaining Antetokounmpo if he sat (they could marginally improve their NBA Draft Lottery odds, and that pick can be traded to get the kind of player Antetokounmpo wants next to him). Antetokounmpo will say that his competitive drive is not a switch that can just be flipped on and off, and he wants to play. Okay, but in this case, it feels a bit performative, given the Bucks are 7.5 games out of the play-in with 12 games left to play.
24. Dallas Mavericks
(23-48, last week No. 24)
If Cooper Flagg is going to win Rookie of the Year over former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, he is going to have to put on a finishing kick — which he is trying to do. Missing eight games due to injury in February and March — while Knueppel was playing in meaningful games for Charlotte — put Flagg a step back in a very tight race. Flagg's recent strong outings against Cleveland (twice) and New Orleans, where he scored 21+ points with efficient shooting, are what he needs. The 6-15 shooting against Atlanta, followed by 6-of-16 against the Clippers, is not ideal.
25. Memphis Grizzlies
(24-46, last week No. 28)
Memphis ended its eight-game losing streak with a spoiler special, upsetting the Denver Nuggets. It was a needed bright spot. Even though it feels like we say every week that the Grizzlies have been riddled by injuries, it hits harder when you see the list of guys who are out: Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr., Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ty Jerome and Brandon Clarke. That's a lot, and why the Grizzlies have leaned into using a hardship exception to bring in players.
26. Utah Jazz
(21-50, last week No. 26)
Jazz fans may not want to win a lot of games the rest of the season, but it was hard not to be excited watching this team beat the shorthanded Bucks by 32 (Utah's largest win of the season). Especially with Ace Bailey going off for 33. It's going to be interesting in the next couple of years to see how he fits alongside Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen.
A career night for Ace Bailey
— NBA (@NBA) March 20, 2026
33 PTS (career-high)
9 REB
4 AST
3 STL
7 3PM pic.twitter.com/kZxlu8ZWg7
27. Sacramento Kings
(19-53, last week No. 25)
When a team is tanking — and the Kings are tanking, even if they beat the Nets Sunday and have now gone 5-3 in their last eight (playing DeMar DeRozan far too many minutes in a couple of those wins) — the goal is to find a couple of guys who can be part of what is being built. Maxime Raynaud is one of those guys. The 7'1" center out of France was a second-round pick last June, but has steadily improved all season and has taken off of late, scoring 30 against Philadelphia, 32 against the Spurs, 23 in a win over the Clippers, and 22 and 10 in a win over Brooklyn on Sunday. Whatever is next in Sacramento, Raynaud should be part of it.
28. Brooklyn Nets
(17-54, last week No. 27)
Losers of seven straight games, and that includes blowing a late fourth-quarter lead against the Knicks. While Brooklyn is in the bottom five in the league in defense, the bigger concern long-term is the offense, which is dead last in the league. When you look at this roster and the teams around them in this ranking, is there a team more desperately in need of lottery luck than Brooklyn?
29. Washington Wizards
(16-55, last week No. 29)
Losers of 16 straight, and for all the optimism about next season (with Trae Young and Anthony Davis) this is hard to watch right now. If you're looking for the silver lining, rookie Will Riley has shown some promise and might become part of the rotation for whatever comes next in the nation's capital.
30. Indiana Pacers
(15-56, last week No. 30)
Interesting speculation out there that if the Pacers luck into the No. 1 pick, they would take Cameron Boozer because he fits their win-now needs along the front line. It's all just speculation at this point, and the Pacers would be very happy with Boozer at any spot in the top four, he would be plug-and-play next to Ivica Zubac starting next season. That said, you get the No. 1 pick, you take the best player regardless of position (don't repeat the "we don't need Michael Jordan, we have Clyde Drexler" mistake). Speaking of Zubac, he is out for the remainder of the season with a fractured rib. After being traded by the Clippers, Zubac averaged 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game with the Pacers, but the team dropped all five of those games. Expect Jay Huff to get more run to end the season for the Pacers.
Football 301's look at top defensive linemen in 2026 NFL Draft: From potential star in Arvell Reese to a 'Thanos'-like prospect from Florida
Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Charles McDonald on the “Football 301” podcast recently dove deep into the 2026 NFL Draft’s defensive line and edge rusher class, unspooling their rankings, comps and assessments of this year’s talent. While the class may not feature a Nick Bosa or Will Anderson Jr. at the very top, it’s rich with intriguing, versatile, and even some polarizing prospects. Here’s an in-depth look at the top defensive linemen and edge rushers as discussed on the show.
While the 2026 defensive line class may lack a generational talent at the top, it’s deeply layered with ready-to-contribute pros and workaround flaws for creative coordinators. Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. and Caleb Banks headline the group with their unique blend of football traits and projectable athleticism. Just as intriguing are the classic “high floor” defenders like T.J. Parker, Zion Young and Kayden McDonald, whose names may not elicit big reactions now, but could anchor NFL defenses for the next decade.
Arvell Reese: The rare Swiss Army Knife
Both Tice and McDonald had Ohio State’s Arvell Reese ranked No. 2 on their big boards —unusual consensus for such do-it-all prospects.
Reese flashes an “otherworldly talent” that evokes memories of Micah Parsons with rare ability to play traditional linebacker, edge or even an old-school 3-4 Sam.
What makes Reese unique isn’t just his explosiveness, length, or speed, but his motor: “every play is the last play to the Super Bowl,” Tice said.
While Reese’s true NFL role may depend on schematic fit and development, he’s a near lock as a top-three draft pick.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Rueben Bain Jr.: Short arms but short list of complaints
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. has been a lightning rod for discussion — some scouts fixate on his “short arms,” but both Yahoo analysts dismiss arm length concerns after breaking down his tape. As McDonald emphasized, Bain’s film answers most critiques: he’s strong as an ox, explosive, aware and can kick inside on passing downs.
Tice continued the praise, comparing Bain’s career arc to Brandon Graham — maybe never a 15-sack superstar, but a consistent pressure generator who plays every down with maximum effort. He’s as reliable as they come, and will almost certainly hear his name early on draft night.
David Bailey: The raw, relentless flamethrower
Texas Tech’s David Bailey earns accolades for his constant disruption and “flamethrower” style. Bailey isn’t always the most technically sound, but his effort, athleticism and pass rush productivity speak for themselves. He reportedly racked up over 80 pressures this past season.
The main concern from Tice and McDonald centers on his run defense, which can be streaky and exposed by more dynamic competition. Even with those limitations, his ability to get after quarterbacks gives him immense value. In a draft class less flush with surefire stars, Bailey stands out for all the right reasons.
TJ Parker, Zion Young: Edge-setters and tone setters
If your team needs an edge defender who will play sound, technically proficient football, Clemson’s TJ Parker and Mizzou’s Zion Young are the names to highlight. Both Parker (described as the “everyman edge”) and Young (the “rugged guy of the draft”) play with heavy hands, consistently set the edge, and don’t go rogue chasing TFLs.
These aren’t elite bendy speed rushers, but they’re the backbone of any top defense —players who will play 50+ snaps a game, rarely make mistakes, and do the dirty work so the flashier defenders on their team can thrive.
Caleb Banks: Thanos-sized Upside, missing some production
Perhaps no prospect in the class is more physically imposing than Florida’s 6-foot-6, 330-pound monster Caleb Banks. McDonald called him “Thanos” and compared him to NFL stalwarts like Marcus Stroud and even Albert Haynesworth.
Banks moves extremely well for his size and has flashed freakish disruption — but, as noted in the pod, his production is shockingly light, with long stretches of inactivity (and some alarming tackling issues). He might scare away some teams, but the right coaching staff could unlock All-Pro potential.
Keldric Faulk: The ultimate versatile big man
Auburn’s Keldric Faulk spent time as a traditional edge, interior lineman and 3-4 defensive end, offering rare, ready-to-deploy versatility. At nearly 6-foot-6, 276 pounds with 34-inch arms, Faulk has the length, traits and run-defending prowess to plug and play all along a defensive front. Both Tice and McDonald see his floor as a high-end run defender, with hopes that he further develops as a pass rusher.
Other defenders in the mix
Peter Woods (Clemson): Once viewed as a potential top-5 pick because of elite flashes, questions about arm length, conditioning and consistency have dropped his stock. Still, he could provide special plays as a rotational defensive tackle.
Kayden McDonald (Ohio State): A nose tackle with powerful hands and steady production. He’ll rarely get moved off his spot and could start in any two-high safety, run-heavy defense.
Christen Miller (Georgia): A “mauler” with upside, but with enough bad tape to make him more of a Day 2 dice roll.
MMBets: the depleted Warriors meet the spiraling Mavericks
The Mavericks are home for a game against their 2022 Western Conference Finals opponents, the Golden State Warriors. Golden State has been ravaged by injuries this season and find themselves fighting for the eighth spot in the playoffs. Both teams own a three-game losing streak, but both have different incentives behind winning and losing. The Mavericks can only play spoiler from here until the final game, and tonight is a great spot to do just that.
Game intangibles
Dallas Mavericks (23-48) vs Golden State Warriors (33-38)
Tipoff: 8:40p CT at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.
How to watch: The game will be televised nationally on Peacock.
Odds via the Fanduel Sportsbook as of 2:00PM CST
Spread: Dallas +2.5 (-114)
Over/Under: 231.5 (-110/-110)
Moneyline: Dallas +104
Player props
Cooper Flagg to score 25+ points (+176)
Daniel Gafford under 10.5 points (-130)
Flagg has a great matchup. The Warriors have little to no size or shot-blocking and they do not have a perimeter defender who can guard him. Gafford has a poor matchup guarding Quentin Post, who likes to step out to the three-point line, and has been bullied by Draymond Green on offense in the past.
Game sides
Mavericks to win (+104)
Mavericks to win the first quarter (+112)
I expect the Mavericks to get a “locker-room” win. They need one. There has been a lot of losing, and these guys are not used to it. They will come out of the gates hot and not look back after a heartbreaking loss on Saturday.
Nashville Predators Sign Fedor Svechkov To 2-year Contract
The Nashville Predators have locked down one of their key pieces for the future.
Monday, the team announced that center Fedor Svechkov had been signed to a two-year, $2.5 million contract. His entry-level contract was set to expire at the end of this season.
Drafted by the Predators 19th overall in the 2021 draft, the 22-year-old center has played in 110 NHL games, recording 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points.
Svechkov has also played 80 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, scoring 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points.
That's so Svech 🙌
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 23, 2026
We've signed forward Fedor Svechkov to a two-year contract starting in 2026-27.
Full details » https://t.co/HN8KJ1rtcipic.twitter.com/EdoJgKUuxY
He got off to a slow start to this season, tallying just nine points in 49 games before being sent down to the Milwaukee Admirals in late January. He'd return to Nashville after the Olympics, recording four points in nine games.
Svehckov is the fifth player to sign an extension this season, joining Luke Evangelista, Justus Annunen, Jake Lucchini and Zach L'Heureux.
The Nashville Predators face the San Jose Sharks next on Tuesday at 7 p.m. CST at Bridgestone Arena.