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Hornets vs Mavericks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The Charlotte Hornets are creating quite the buzz, riding a four-game winning streak heading into tonight’s matchup against the banged-up Dallas Mavericks.

My Hornets vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks break down why Buzz City still isn’t getting enough respect in this matchup, set to tip off at the American Airlines Center in Dallas at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 29.

Hornets vs Mavericks prediction

Hornets vs Mavericks best bet: Hornets -4.5 (-110)

The Charlotte Hornets have won four in a row and have been playing excellent basketball for the better part of a month, going 7–3 over their last 10 games.

They’re doing it at both ends of the floor, leading the NBA in offensive rating and ranking fourth in defensive rating over that span.

I’m not concerned about Charlotte playing the second half of a back-to-back. The Dallas Mavericks — who rank 27th in offensive rating this season — are in the same spot and are also dealing with a lengthy injury list.

Buzz City wins its fifth straight, covering the spread along the way.

Hornets vs Mavericks same-game parlay

The Hornets are finding success in part because of their balance. All five starters scored double figures in the last game.

On top of that, Brandon Miller is starting to flash his potential. The 23-year-old is averaging 24.8 points per game over his last eight contests, eclipsing 20.5 points seven times during that span.

Another area where the Hornets can exploit the Mavs is on the glass. Dallas is surrendering the fourth-most opponent rebounds per game, so give me Collin Sexton to grab a pair of boards — something he’s done in five of his last seven outings.

Hornets vs Mavericks SGP

  • Hornets -4.5
  • Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
  • Collin Sexton Over 1.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Blue Devil Bromance

Wouldn't it be fun to watch former Duke teammates go back-and-forth tonight?

Hornets vs Mavericks SGP

  • Cooper Flagg Over 18.5 points
  • Cooper Flagg Over 5.5 rebounds
  • Kon Knueppel Over 16.5 points
  • Kon Kneuppel Over 5.5 rebounds

Hornets vs Mavericks odds

  • Spread: Hornets -4.5 (-110) | Mavericks +4.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Hornets -170 | Mavericks +145
  • Over/Under: Over 226.5 (-110) | Under 226.5 (-110)

Hornets vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Hornets have cashed the moneyline in 10 of their last 15 road games (+17.50 Units / 104% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Hornets vs Mavericks

LocationAmerican Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
DateThursday, January 29, 2026
Tip-off8:30 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Southeast Charlotte, MavsTV

Hornets vs Mavericks latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

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Europa League: goals and action from all 18 games in league phase finale – live

⚽ Updates from final round of the stage, 8pm GMT kick-off
⚽ Live scores | Table | Follow us on Bluesky | Email Luke

Martin O’Neill’s involvement in celebrated European moments in Celtic’s history means he is entitled to bridle at the belief that domain is no longer a priority. O’Neill used pre-match media duties for the Europa League visit of Utrecht on Thursday to point towards what has the potential to be an uplifting few days for the Scottish champions.

“We got a result in Feyenoord and fought our guts out in Bologna,” he said. “We don’t now want to just throw it away. We want to try and go for it if we can. We could still lose the game. We might not win the match and we might go out of the competition, but we want to give it a go.”

Continue reading...
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Chicago Blackhawks At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play their first game at PPG Paints Arena since Jan. 17 on Thursday night. 

The Penguins will try to make it five wins in a row when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town. This will be the second of two meetings between the two teams this year, following the Penguins' 7-3 win in Chicago on Dec. 28. 

It was the Penguins' first game after the Christmas break, and it put them on the right track, as they've won 11 of their last 15 games. This hot streak has landed them in second place in the Metropolitan Division, but they still have to keep stacking wins if they want to make the playoffs.

They'll play a Blackhawks team that has lost three in a row and six of its last eight games. Connor Bedard is back after missing the last matchup between these two teams and is having a tremendous season, compiling 20 goals and 49 points in 40 games. 

Frank Nazar will be on the top line with him and has six goals and 21 points in 37 games this year. Tyler Bertuzzi leads the team with goals (25) and has 39 points in 50 games. Andre Burakovsky, Teuvo Teravainen, Ryan Donato, and Ilya Mikheyev have also scored double-digit goals this year.

Arvid Soderblom will start in goal for the Blackhawks. He has a 5-8-2 record with a 3.75 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage this year. 

The Penguins have tweaked their lineup due to Bryan Rust's three-game suspension and Jack St. Ivany's long-term hand injury. Here's a look at the projected lines for Thursday's game: 

Forwards

Rakell-Crosby-Brazeau

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

McGroarty-Kindel-Mantha

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Defensive pairs

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Kulak-Letang

Solovyov-Shea

Arturs Silovs will start in goal after he was Stuart Skinner's backup on Sunday. 

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

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Thunder vs Timberwolves Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had an ugly January, but much of that consternation would be wiped away with an upset of the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

While Minnesota is at a scheduling disadvantage, OKC is a bit shorthanded.

My Thunder vs. Timberwolves predictions see a path for Minnesota’s best player to attack.

Let's break down my NBA picks for Thursday, January 29.

Thunder vs Timberwolves prediction

Thunder vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points (-125)

Even though Anthony Edwards has been managing some foot pain, he has cleared this prop in three of his last five games.

Frankly, this prop is at least a bucket lower than usual for Edwards, a nod to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense. But he has still scored at least 30 points in three of his last six games against OKC and cleared this prop in a fourth.

Edwards often finds things tougher against Alex Caruso, whose disciplined on-ball pressure disrupts drives without sending opponents to the line, a Thunder staple.

But with Caruso ruled out due to a right adductor strain, Edwards should see a few more clear paths to the basket. And a few more clear paths to the basket should get Edwards into a rhythm that should clear 30 points tonight.

Thunder vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

The Minnesota Timberwolves have covered the spread in both meetings against Oklahoma City this season, partly because both those games fell short of their totals.

Thunder vs Timberwolves SGP

  • Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points
  • Timberwolves +6.5
  • Under 224.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: SGA erratic from the perimeter

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 1-of-8 from long range in his last three games, part of falling short of this modest prop in 13 of his last 18 games.

Thunder vs Timberwolves SGP

  • Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points
  • Timberwolves +6.5
  • Under 224.5
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 1.5 three-pointers

Thunder vs Timberwolves odds

  • Spread: Thunder -6.5 | Timberwolves +6.5
  • Moneyline: Thunder -240 | Timberwolves +195
  • Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5

Thunder vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The Timberwolves are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games against the Thunder. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Thunder vs Timberwolves

LocationTarget Center, Minneapolis, MN
DateThursday, January 29, 2026
Tip-off9:30 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video

Thunder vs Timberwolves latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

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Ranking 2026 NBA trade deadline candidates with Giannis, Towns, Davis

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of a breakup after months of intense speculation about his future, and it is the potential move that looms over the entire NBA trade deadline this year. The Bucks are finally listening to offers for the two-time MVP, according to multiple reports, as the team's hopes of being an Eastern Conference contender again dwindle and Antetokounmpo is on the shelf with a calf injury.

Teams are lining up their best assets to try to pry Antetokounmpo away from Milwaukee before the Feb. 4 NBA trade deadline, with front offices willing to part with players and assets not previously mentioned as available with a superstar still in the back-end of his prime on the market. But that could also slow trade talks for other players over the next week, as everybody holds off until Antetokounmpo's situation is resolved. The Bucks also may wait until the offseason to move Antetokounmpo, when draft picks are settled.

It nonetheless adds another layer to this year's NBA trade deadline and the list of notable players who could be on the move keeps growing. What happens in the coming days may shake up the playoff race and, in Antetokounmpo's case, change the trajectory of the only NBA franchise he's called home.

Here's a breakdown of the top candidates potentially available at the 2026 NBA trade deadline and how they rank:

GIANNIS LANDING SPOTS: Best trade partners for Bucks

Other players to monitor: Ochai Agbaji, Jose Alvarado, Lonzo Ball, Nic Claxton, DeMar DeRozan, Ayo Dosunmu, Keon Ellis, Daniel Gafford, Jerami Grant, Jrue Holiday, De'Andre Hunter, Tyus Jones, Kyle Kuzma, Zach LaVine, Naji Marshall, Bennedict Mathurin, Khris Middleton, Malik Monk, Jusuf Nurkic, Immanuel Quickley, Chris Paul, Jakob Poeltl, Jordan Poole, Bobby Portis, Kristaps Porzingis, Collin Sexton, Dennis Schroder, Anfernee Simons, Jeremy Sochan, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Guerschon Yabusele

10. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Golden State's situation at the NBA trade deadline changed when Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending knee injury, but Kuminga is still a player who could be traded. He filled in well for Butler in one game before suffering his own knee injury that has him currently sidelined. Now, with Antetokounmpo talks heating up, the Warriors are being mentioned as a prime candidate to land the Bucks' superstar. That potential deal would likely include Kuminga's contract, which has a team option for next season.

9. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are reportedly looking to upgrade their roster after a strong start to the 2025-26 season and their No. 3 overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft could be the piece Toronto is willing to part with to find another player to team with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Jakob Poeltl and Ochai Agbaji have also been mentioned as possible trade chips.

8. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Sabonis has returned from a knee injury just as the Kings appear ready to move on from most of the veterans on their roster, including Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan. Sabonis is more intriguing because he's younger and more accomplished. But he has two more years left on his contract and serious defensive limitations that have muted his effectiveness in the playoffs. Sabonis is just a year removed from consecutive all-NBA nods and could help a playoff contender with a need at center. A trade involving Barrett has been mentioned as a possibility.

7. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are listening to trade offers for Morant, though it's unclear exactly what his trade value is after several years marred by durability issues, off-court concerns and declining production. Morant indicated publicly he wants to remain in Memphis. He's injured again and unlikely to return before the trade deadline, complicating any potential deal. When properly motivated, the 26-year-old point guard can still impact NBA games in a major way.

6. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Herro is having an injury-riddled season, but he was an all-star last season and continues to be an effective offensive threat from multiple levels when he does play. The Heat have long been rumored as a team that would go all-in to get Antetokounmpo if he were made available, and they would certainly part with Herro to get a deal done.

5. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves

Randle has performed well with the Timberwolves since coming over in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade before the 2024-25 season and agreed to a 3-year, $100-million extension with Minnesota less than a year ago. But like Herro, Randle is on this list now because of recent developments surrounding Antetokounmpo. The Timberwolves are among the teams pursuing the Bucks' star and Randle (and perhaps Naz Reid and/or Jaden McDaniels) would likely have to be part of a potential deal to make it work.

4. Michael Porter, Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Porter has turned into a potential trade-deadline asset after taking on a leading role and producing a career year in Brooklyn following an offseason trade from the Nuggets. Porter's combination of size and shooting would help any contender, much like he did as a role player in Denver during its 2023 NBA title run.

3. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Trading Davis is complicated due to his ongoing hand injury, but he could be available for the postseason and remains a dominant two-way player when he's available. His lengthy injury history and contract, with two years and more than $120 million remaining after this season, will limit his options. But he could nonetheless alter the postseason picture if he goes to the right contender.

2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

There have been conflicting reports about Towns' potential availability at the NBA trade deadline over the past week, but Antetokounmpo's status change in Milwaukee means speculation about Towns' future with the Knicks will persist. If New York were to pull off an Antetokounmpo trade ‒ the Knicks reportedly held trade talks with the Bucks this past offseason – Towns would likely be the major salary in the deal. His transition under new Knicks coach Mike Brown hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

There is little doubt at this point that Antetokounmpo is the biggest prize at this trade deadline and reports this week suggest he and the team have reached a breaking point after 13 seasons together. But it still remains to be seen if the Bucks can get the kind of haul they want, like a young star and a plethora of first-round picks. The Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are considered serious suitors, according to ESPN, but the Bucks might be able to extract more by waiting to trade Antetokounmpo.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA trade deadline power rankings 2026: Ranking best players available

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Mets news: Mets announce spring training broadcast schedule

The Mets will broadcast 13 spring training games across SNY and PIX11, beginning with February 21st against the Marlins, and wrapping up on March 21st against the Astros. All of the SNY/PIX11 broadcast games will take place at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.

As per usual, the bulk of the Mets’ spring games are against the fellow east coast Grapefruit League teams of the Cardinals, Astros, Marlins, and Nationals. The Mets will also face off against the crosstown rival Yankees and see the American League champion Blue Jays.

While the spring broadcasts often feature fill-ins due to other obligations and/or last minute vacations, the Mets’ broadcasts will be anchored by some combination of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling ahead of their 21st season together.

All told, the Mets will play 30 games this spring, mostly against other MLB clubs, but also featuring exhibition games against the World Baseball Classic teams for Nicaragua and Israel. Some of these other games will likely be broadcast on MLB Network, ESPN, and elsewhere, though no additional broadcasts have been announced yet.

SNY/PIX11 games:

2/21 1:10 PM SNY vs. Marlins
2/24 1:10 PM SNY vs Astros
2/25 1:10 PM PIX11 vs Cardinals
2/28 1:10 PM SNY vs Nationals
3/1 1:10 PM SNY vs Astros
3/8 1:10 PM PIX11 vs Yankees
3/9 6:10 PM SNY vs Marlins
3/10 1:10 PM SNY vs Cardinals
3/13 6:10 PM PIX11 vs Marlins (Split Squad)
3/15 1:10 PM PIX 11 vs Blue Jays
3/16 6:10 PM SNY vs Nationals
3/20 1:10 PM SNY vs Cardinals
3/21 1:10 PM PIX11 vs Astros (Split Squad)

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Highlights: Victor Wembanyama leads defensive lockdown in second half versus Rockets

Coming off a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Spurs took two days off before traveling to Houston to take on the Rockets. What followed was a tale of two halves. The first half consisted of the Rockets shooting the lights out and the Spurs bricking their shots with a side of turnovers. The Spurs trailed by 10 after the first quarter, and trailed by as much as 16 in the second. However, they made a small run to cut the deficit to eight at halftime. The second half flipped the script. The Spurs started to crawl their way back, and Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper kick-started it. After outscoring the Rockets 30-24 in the third, the Spurs dominated the fourth. They started the quarter on an 11-0 run and shut down Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant. From the 3:41 mark to 40 seconds remaining, the Rockets could not score. The Spurs outscored them 27-13 in the quarter, and ultimately won 111-99.

Victor Wembanyama led the way with a double-double: 28 points (8-15 FG, 12-15 FT) and 16 rebounds to go along with five blocks, three assists, and two steals. Vic battled with multiple defenders all game. The Rockets were rough and physical, so Wemby drew contact almost every time he touched the ball in the paint. As far as his defense, Wemby showed up and showed out. After not blocking a single shot against the Rockets on the 20th, Wemby swatted five- a truly dominant performance in a rivalry game.

TWO-WAY PLAYER! After Wemby comes up with the steal, Stephon Castle lobs it back to him on the fastbreak, and he posterizes Amen Thompson!

Here’s another angle!

ANOTHER POSTER! After Vic secures the rebound, De’Aaron Fox throws a nice bounce pass to a cutting Vic, who spins for a reverse poster over Josh Okogie!

LOCKDOWN DEFENSE! After Castle bodies up Durant, Wemby helps out with a rejection that forces a Rockets shot-clock violation!

De’Aaron Fox dropped 18 points (6-11 FG), eight assists, five rebounds, and a block. After struggling to take care of the ball in the first half, D-Fox’s scoring climbed up as the Spurs inched their way back in the second half. His craftiness allowed him to get into the paint and create easy shots for himself and his teammates. Swipa continues to be the scorer San Antonio needs.

SPLASH! D-Fox fakes out Thompson and then knocks down the open three!

Keldon Johnson dropped 17 points (8-15 FG), seven rebounds, and five assists. If it wasn’t for KJ’s constant pressure getting the basket, the Spurs might not have completed their comeback. He was fearless posting up players like Sengun in the paint. He continues to be the Spurs’ savior off the bench, and his energy sparked the rest of the team as the comeback was completed. It has been said in almost every Spurs game this season: KJ deserves 6MOTY.

SPIN X2! KJ pulls out the double spin move on Thompson and converts a tough bucket!

KJ DAGGER! As the shot clock dwindled, KJ caught the Rockets falling asleep and slammed home the finishing touch on the game!

Stephon Castle dropped 16 points (7-12 FG), six assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Steph was an absolute game-changer on defense. Mitch Johnson had him guard Durant and Sengun, and he managed to hold his own against two near-seven-footers. His strength and balance are excellent for a second-year guard, and he frustrated the Rockets’ top scorers. Steph also managed to fill up the stat sheet on offense, and he continues to impress.

TOO SLOW! Steph catches Jabari Smith Jr. flat-footed and drives right past him for the easy jam!

SPIN AND-ONE! Steph spins off of KD and finishes through contact for the and-one!

Dylan Harper dropped 16 points (8-11 FG), four rebounds, three assists, and a block. Dyl co-led the comeback team in the third with KJ and made quick work of the Rockets’ defenders in the paint. His confidence continues to grow as he slashes his way into the paint without fear. Games like these remind fans that his potential is limitless, and he will continue to shine off the bench for the silver and black.

A familiar sight! Dyl finds Devin Vassell on the sideline, and he drains the contested three!

TOO FAST! Dyl takes it coast to coast, speeds past Reed Sheppard, and finishes over KD!

DEEP IN HIS BAG! Dyl drives on KD and finishes with the reverse layup off the glass! So smooth!

All in all, this was an inspiring comeback win. After it looked like the Spurs were dead in the water during the second quarter, they continued to claw their way back and buckled down defensively. A key moment in the game came when Mitch decided to let Thompson shoot, and it completely derailed the Rockets’ offense. This is when this team is at its best. They put pressure on defense, and it resulted in key buckets. Defeating a playoff team is never easy, but when the Spurs play like this, they can beat anyone.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs travel to Charlotte this Saturday to take on the Hornets at 2:00 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video/KENS.

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2026 Phillies roster projection, 1.0

The snow lingers.

Anyone in the Philadelphia area looks outside today and sees white, frozen nothingness that will permeate our thoughts these next few days as the continued frigidness lingers. It’s things like this that cause our minds to wander to Clearwater, to the impending sound of bats against balls, rawhide being hurled on leather, a color other than white that helps us realize dreams of warmth and sunshine.

Spring training is nearing and what better time to think about the Phillies than to take a guess as to what they are going to look like once the curtain drops on the 2026 season. Here is the first guess.

Catcher – J.T. Realmuto, Rafael Marchan

Another season with this tandem behind the plate should lead to the pitching staff doing backflips. There are some serious questions that need to be answered by both of these catchers though:

  • Can Realmuto improve both behind the plate and at the plate?
  • Can Marchan hit enough to justify Rob Thomson giving him more playing time?
  • Will Thomson actually give Marchan more playing time?

The answers to all three of these questions are probably obvious, but there is hope that the opposite answer can be given.

Infield – Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, Otto Kemp

The starting four, obvious.

The bench, also kind of obvious.

What’s interesting is how much the team is talking up Kemp this winter. We hear platitudes heap upon Kemp by the manager and the POBO, something that is interesting considering his skillset. He’s a good bench piece, but there seems to be a sentiment behind their comments that they see something more.

I’d like to know why.

Outfield – Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford, Adolis Garcia, Johan Rojas

The question with this outfield alignment is: how far is the gap between the worst case scenario and the best case. Where the arrow points more towards this season is going to determine a lot about their direction. If it’s more worst case scenario, not only are they having to trade more prospects for a band aid, they also have an answer to their question about the viability of Crawford as a major league piece, about Marsh and if he can be something closer to a regular, not needing a platoon and about Garcia and whether that one-year deal was a wise choice.

If it leans more towards the best case scenario, then the biggest weakness this team has is suddenly something better, perhaps even – dare I say it – a strength?!?

Personally I’d be happy with splitting the difference.

Designated hitter – Kyle Schwarber

There are about 150 millions reasons why this is a stone cold lock. The more interesting question about Schwarber is the other positions he might play. If we set the over/under at games played at first base and/or left field at 15, which are you taking?

Starting rotation – Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, Andrew Painter

There is a capital A “Ace” here in Sanchez, a solid #2 in Luzardo…

…and a whole lot of question marks.

Getting back Aaron Nola to his pre-2025 form would be a boon for this rotation. Based on his history, betting on something closer to that form would be wise, but building in some buffer would also be wise. If Andrew Painter can take a step forward for this rotation, it would also be a large boost as he might be able to settle into something between a #3 and 4 were that to happen, something more being his ceiling. I’ve never really considered Taijuan Walker as anything more than a LAIM (League Average Innings Muncher), so if he can give the team five innings each start, that’s a win for the team.

It’s just that there are so many question marks for a team that leans into the rotation as its strength. Getting Zack Wheeler back and healthy makes this unit looks so much better, but that’s something can’t really be counted on until we actually see it in practice.

Relief pitching – Jhoan Duran, Jose Alvarado, Brad Keller, Tanner Banks, Orion Kerkering, Zach McCambley, Seth Johnson, Jonathan Bowlan

It’s probably been said before, but on paper, this might be the team’s best complete bullpen in a long, long time. There is depth, there is swing and miss stuff, there is upside, there are projects that can be worked with unlock something a little more. A lot of that is something the Phillies’ bullpen hasn’t had in quite some time.

For me, the biggest question is: where does Kerkering rank among all of these arms? Fifth? Sixth? Seventh?

Injured list – Zack Wheeler

As badly as he might want to be ready for the first series of the season, it’s likely that the team proceeds cautiously with Wheeler. There is little doubt he’ll be working his tail off to get ready, but with the team pumping the brakes a bit, a late April season debut is far more feasible than to be ready by Opening Day.

Though, I wouldn’t count him out just yet…

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2025 Season in Review: Cole Winn

With the 2025 Texas Rangers season having come to an end, we shall be, over the course of the offseason, taking a look at every player who appeared in a major league game for the Texas Rangers in 2025.

Today we are looking at relief pitcher Cole Winn.

So is Cole Winn good now?

Winn, the last man standing (or, at least, still in the organization) from the disastrous 2018 draft, seemed to be destined for perpetual NRI-land not too long ago. A consensus top 100 guy heading into the 2022 season, he got his shit rocked in AAA in both 2022 and 2023, to the tune of a 6.83 ERA in 222 innings for the Express in those two campaigns. A more successful 2024 in AAA, in a relief role, led to opportunities in the majors, and after five scoreless appearances to start his major league career he allowed 15 runs in his final eight major league appearances before missing the final three and a half months of the season with “right shoulder discomfort,” which is never good.

So coming into the 2025 season, the answer to the “is Cole Winn good now?” question would have likely been, no, probably not.

But that was then, this is now, as the Monkees once sang, and as we used to see on the HBO listings constantly in the mid-80s (I guess someone there was a big Emilio Estevez fan). And as of now the answer is…probably different?

Winn was sent to AAA to start the year and put up 12 straight appearances without allowing any earned runs. That’ll get you noticed. It led to him being brought up to the majors in mid-May, and he continued that remarkable streak, putting up 11 straight appearances in the bigs before allowing a run in late June against the Mariners. Two days later he gave up a three run homer to Mitch Garver in the 12th inning, and even though he’d shut down the M’s in the 11th, he was sent back to AAA (though really, that was about fresh arms more than anything).

Continued good work in AAA got Winn back to the majors after the All Star Break, and he kept putting up zeroes, registering 11 more straight scoreless appearances before going K, walk, homer (to Bobby Witt Jr., so I mean, whaddya gonna do?), HBP in a mid-August game, after which he was put on the injured list with nerve irritation in his hand. Winn returned in mid-September, allowed two runs in eight appearances, then spent the final series on the injured list because of shoulder irritation again.

Winn ended the year with a 1.51 ERA in 41.2 innings over 33 appearances for the Rangers, and his 1.1 bWAR was second highest among relievers, behind Shawn Armstrong’s 1.5 bWAR, unless you consider Jacob Latz a reliever despite his eight starts, in which case Winn was third on the team. Either way, pretty good.

Ah, but now, as Paul Harvey says, you’re going to hear the rest of the story.

Winn didn’t miss a ton of bats in 2025. His K rate of 21.6% was a shade below league average. That’s fine, except he also walked 10.5% of batters he faced. That’s not good. That’s comfortably below average. In addition, his hard hit rate of 48.1% was way below average.

So not surprisingly, the non-ERA stats show reasons for concern. Winn had a 3.90 FIP, a 4.37 xFIP, and a 4.12 xERA. He did allow just 3 home runs, in large part because he generated lots of ground balls. But he also allowed just a .194 BABIP, with over 90% of the runners he allowed being stranded. Neither of those are encouraging from a sustainable-future-performance standpoint.

Winn, unusually for a middle reliever, threw five pitches regularly, six pitches in all (he threw his curve just six times, so we can ignore that). He threw three varieties of fastball — a four seamer, a sinker, and a cutter. None of them featured a lot in the way of movement. All three had a xwOBA over .300, and his sinker, which he threw 21% of the time, was especially lit up, as he allowed a .400 wOBA and .389 xwOBA off of it.

On the other hand, his slider and split-finger were both much better. The slider showed a ton of horizontal movement, and his split finger had a bunch of drop. The slider resulted in a .154 wOBA against (though a .276 xwOBA) with the splitter resulting in .206/.255. His splitter was his least used pitch, though he still threw it 12.1% of the time.

Simplistically speaking, we could say Winn should use the slider and splitter more and junk the sinker, though of course reality is much more complicated and we are talking about a rather small sample size of pitches.

So is Cole Winn good now? I don’t know. He’s obviously quite reliant on his defense as a groundball guy who doesn’t strike out a ton of guys. The 3.90 FIP and 4.12 xERA make him someone who is fine, I guess, in a low-leverage role in the pen, though obviously, if you think his true talent is more like the 1.51 ERA he put up (oh, and the 0.59 AAA ERA last year), then you can slide him much higher up in terms of the leverage role he fills.

Winn is out of options, so barring injury (and after two i.l. stints with shoulder issues and an i.l. stint with a nerve issue in the past two seasons, I’m starting to worry about whether there’s a TOS issue looming), he’ll be in the Ranger pen to start the season. There’s not a lot of blue chip, skins on the wall relievers in the mix, so he will get the opportunity to show what he can do.

It would be nice if he turned out to be a solid relief pitcher. I think the Rangers could use one of them.

Previously:

Gerson Garabito

Tyler Mahle

Kyle Higashioka

Adolis Garcia

Luis Curvelo

Alejandro Osuna

Blaine Crim

Jake Burger

Jacob Webb

Nick Ahmed

Jon Gray

Carl Edwards Jr.

Josh Jung

Leody Taveras

Dustin Harris

Marc Church

Luke Jackson

Danny Coulombe

Wyatt Langford

Dylan Moore

Michael Helman

Evan Carter

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Takeaways: Travis Konecny Nets Hat Trick, But Flyers Still Stumble in Columbus

The Philadelphia Flyers arrived in Columbus hoping to reset the tone after a flat loss to the Islanders. Instead, they left with another reminder of how narrow their margin for error has become, and how dependent they are right now on individual brilliance to keep games from slipping away entirely.

A 5–3 loss to the Blue Jackets followed an unfortunately familiar script: moments of real push driven by Travis Konecny and Dan Vladar, followed by late unraveling when execution and collective detail fell apart.

1. Travis Konecny Put the Offense on His Back.

There are nights when a single player tilts the ice, and this was one of them.

Travis Konecny scored his third career hat trick, giving the Flyers all three of their goals and, at one point, erasing deficits entirely to pull the game level at 3–3. He now has 20 goals on the season, leads the team with 48 points, and continues to operate at a level that feels increasingly detached from the rest of the lineup. Since Jan. 17, only Montreal Canadiens star Cole Caufield has scored more goals league-wide.

But the significance of Konecny’s night wasn’t just the goals themselves. It was the contrast. Each time Columbus grabbed momentum, it was Konecny who manufactured an answer. He was attacking directly, capitalizing on defensive lapses, and forcing the Flyers back into a game that was drifting away from them. Without him, this contest never becomes competitive.

The problem, though, is what happened after he did his job. The rest of the Flyers' offense didn’t build off his goals. They didn’t push Columbus onto its heels for sustained stretches. Konecny kept pulling them back from the edge, but no one else grabbed the rope with him. When the game turned late in the third period, there was no second wave.

That imbalance—one elite driver, too little reinforcement—is becoming a defining issue.

2. Dan Vladar’s Return Deserved a Better Team Effort.

Dan Vladar hadn’t played in two weeks, returning from injured reserve into a difficult situation against a fast, opportunistic Blue Jackets team. He gave the Flyers exactly what they needed to stay alive. Vladar made some truly mind-blowing stops, weathered early pressure, and allowed the Flyers the chance to claw back into the game despite extended stretches where Columbus controlled play.

Like Konecny, Vladar was doing damage control. He wasn’t perfect, but he gave Philadelphia a chance to win. That’s all you can ask of a goaltender coming off injury and stepping back into the crease.

To be fair, the Flyers were cut down to five defensemen after Rasmus Ristolainen, who had only recently returned from IR himself, left the game early with a lower-body injury. From a sheer numbers perspective, that limits how evenly defensive responsibilities can be distributed, and removes a physical, defensive-defenseman aspect from the Flyers' backline. 

And what followed late was not a goalie failure. Defensive gaps widened, puck management deteriorated, and the Flyers lost track of layers in front of their own net. When Columbus struck twice late in the third to break the tie (including an empty-net goal), it felt like in a movie gun duel, where the last two bullets are emptied into an already keeled-over opponent just to make sure they're dead.

3. The Flyers’ Offense Beyond Konecny Leaves Something to Be Desired.

On paper, the Flyers produced enough secondary contributions to suggest balance. Christian Dvorak registered two assists, while Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, Travis Sanheim, and Noah Juulsen all chipped in helpers as well, continuing a trend of defensemen moving pucks efficiently and generating offense from the back end.

However, much of that production came in moments tied directly to Konecny’s scoring plays. The broader issue was how little sustained pressure the Flyers generated at five-on-five when he wasn’t on the ice. Too often, offensive-zone time ended with low-percentage shots or turnovers. Too few forwards were consistently winning inside space or forcing Columbus’ defense into extended sequences.

The Flyers are not lacking ideas. They are lacking execution and pace. That gap has been especially noticeable since the midpoint of the season, as fatigue accumulates. When Konecny leaves the ice, the offense frequently loses its edge and urgency, becoming easier to defend and easier to reset against.

4. Late-Game Structure Continues to Be a Problem.

The Flyers did the hardest part of the night: they erased deficits and tied the game in the third period. What followed was the part that continues to elude them—closing games with composure.

After Konecny’s third goal made it 3–3, the Flyers didn’t settle into a defensive posture designed to force overtime. Instead, their decision-making sped up in the wrong ways, and coverage assignments broke down. Columbus capitalized not with brilliance, but with execution.

This has become a real thorn in the Flyers' side. Whether chasing games or protecting ties, the Flyers have struggled to manage the final minutes with consistency. Discipline, structure, and puck support erode just enough to swing outcomes. It’s not a collapse every night, but it’s enough to cost them precious points.

5. Competitive Efforts Aren't Enough Anymore.

There was no shortage of effort from Konecny. Vladar battled. Several defensemen moved the puck well and logged responsible minutes. But effort alone doesn’t offset disconnection. Too many Flyers looked passive, reacting to momentum instead of shaping it.

The space they’re stuck in right now is competitive, but fragile. Dangerous, but dependent. Until more players consistently assert themselves—especially late—the Flyers will continue to live on narrow edges, where even heroic performances can’t prevent familiar endings.

The Flyers are now seven points out of a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division, and if they want any fighting chance of actually securing a postseason, they're going to have to majorly and consistently step up to the plate and start connecting.

It's not an impossible ask given what we've seen this team be capable of, but right now, an appropriate metaphor for the Flyers is that they're stuck in quicksand. If they want to get out, they can't thrash around in a frenzied panic, but instead must still themselves, shed the heavy items weighing them down, and distribute their weight evenly to create a supportive surface. From there, they have to grasp a firmer surface and make small, deliberate movements to get out of it. 

Stay calm. Make an effort to drop the bad habits that have allowed games to slip away. Distribute responsibilities more evenly. Hold on to the things they're doing right, and prioritize the small details that make the difference in games. 

The quicksand itself doesn't kill you—it's the succumbing to exhaustion and exposure that will do you in if you don't pull yourself out in time.

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Better Know Your Blue Jays 40-Man: Lázaro Estrada

Lázaro Estrada is a 26-year-old (27 in April), right-handed pitcher, from Cuba.

He made it to the majors for the first time last year, pitching in two games, 7.1 innings. He was hit pretty hard, 10 hits in 7.1 innings, but he also had 10 strikeouts.

Lázaro was #36 on our Top 40 Prospect list in 2024 (in 2025, he turned 25, and we don’t consider players 25 and over ‘prospects’). Tom_M wrote:

There are three pitches in Estrada’s arsenal. The fastball is a four seamer that’s not hard, sitting 91-94, but has nice vertical ride and horizontal run. His changeup is rarely used and doesn’t have impressive shape, but it does sit 10mph off his fastball and can get some chases. In the past, his breaking ball has been the star of his arsenal. Before 2023, it was a curveball that he could occasionally snap off with spin rates up to an elite 3,400 RPM. This year the curve was replaced with a slow slider. He still spins it at around 2,700 RPM, which would be in about the 90th percentile in MLB, but in a couple of looks this year the movement wasn’t as impressive as that would suggest. Estrada’s command is solid and seems likely to end up average.

Estrada profiles mostly as a reliever, with only one pitch that looks like it has the potential to be a difference maker in MLB and a spotty track record of durability, but he’s performed so far and the breaking ball bears watching. At 25 and rule 5 eligible, he’ll need to move this year to have a hope of reaching Toronto.

He pitched most of the 2025 season in Buffalo. He had a 5.73 ERA in 26 games, 25 starts, with a 5.73 ERA. In 97.1 innings, he had 99 strikeouts and 32 walks.

Estrada has two option years left, but I’m thinking this is a pretty important year for him, if he’s going to have a major league career.

Steamer thinks Estrada is going to pitch in 23 games, 23 innings, with a 4.19 ERA with 21 strike outs.

The team has added a bunch of relievers this off-season and there are younger arms coming up quickly behind Lázaro. But he gets a lot of movement on his pitches, as you can see in this gif from Sportsnet. He would be better off on a team that could let him pitch and find his way in the majors. But, unless he’s DFAed, I think he’s going to end up in Buffalo, hoping to be next in line when we need a pitcher in case of an injury.

I don’t think there is enough prospect shine left on him to be a trade piece, but who knows. I think he could be a good major league pitcher. I’m not sure he’ll get the chance.

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NBA Minutes Report: Fallout from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant sidelined again

Welcome to the Fantasy Basketball Minutes Report. Every week, I will review each team's updated minutes per game to see which players are seeing the court more or less than in previous weeks. With this information in hand, I'll try to discuss any relevant fantasy risers or fallers; players who we should be adding off waivers or removing from our teams.

The charts below are also great for exploring on your own. You can track the minutes over the last three, five, and ten games, and for the entire season, to see which trends stand out to you.

All of this data was made accessible by Kyle Bland, who is incredibly talented and also extremely generous. Be sure to follow him to check out all of his baseball data as well.

NBA: Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Top 200 Rankings: Giannis, Ja Morant injuries free up opportunities
With Butler’s season-ending injury, fantasy managers are forced to pivot after the loss of a top-25 player.

Atlanta Hawks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Dyson Daniels35.834.533.9
Jalen Johnson35.537.235.7
Nickeil Alexander-Walker32.834.132.9
Onyeka Okongwu32.131.632.9
CJ McCollum28.927.427.1
Luke Kennard23.521.121.6
Corey Kispert17.417.217.9
Vít Krejčí5.99.815.9

The Hawks have been without Kristaps Porziņģis and Zaccharie Risacher since January 7th. Of course, the team is 6-4 in that stretch and has won its last four games. Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues to be one of the best signings of the offseason and is a top 35 player in fantasy over the last two weeks. CJ McCollom has stepped into a bigger role with those two out and has also produced top 75 value over that stretch. Corey Kispert has seemingly taken Vít Krejčí's role as shooter off the bench, but this is a solid squad.

Boston Celtics

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Derrick White34.633.534.7
Jaylen Brown34.236.436
Payton Pritchard30.733.232.2
Sam Hauser26.329.129.5
Anfernee Simons24.326.526.5
Neemias Queta23.225.825.6
Luka Garza18.718.418.9
Hugo González17.316.315.4
Amari Williams17.11212

The big news for the Celtics is that Jayson Tatum is now talking about not returning until next season. It's understandable, given the nature of his injury, but a big blow to a team that is having a surprisingly great season. This may remain a three-headed monster for the remainder of the year. Jaylen Brown is also having a tremendous season, and I broke it down in a video recently.

Brooklyn Nets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Noah Clowney42.831.330.4
Nolan Traore36.825.824
Michael Porter Jr.33.532.532.5
Nic Claxton30.430.428.6
Ziaire Williams2724.824.8
Egor Dëmin2725.425
Terance Mann24.721.622.6
Cam Thomas2219.922.2
Jalen Wilson19.714.415.9
Day'Ron Sharpe19.620.720.4
Danny Wolf19.316.718.7

The Nets play so many people consistently. Only Nic Claxton and Michael Porter Jr. are even inside the top 160 in fantasy basketball over the last two weeks. Noah Clowney and Egor Dëmin are both battling minor injuries, but this team is just not very interesting apart from discussing where they'll trade Porter Jr.

Charlotte Hornets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Brandon Miller30.130.330
Moussa Diabaté28.426.127.2
Kon Knueppel2627.427.9
Miles Bridges25.426.527.5
LaMelo Ball25.125.225
Sion James19.119.721
Ryan Kalkbrenner18.919.919.8
Grant Williams18.620.317.4
Josh Green17.617.716.8
Collin Sexton17.117.818.3

The Hornets have been really good in January. I know they are only a few games over .500 in the month, but they have the best net rating in the sport and have six road wins by 15 or more points this month, which ties the 2001-02 Lakers and the 2011-12 Heat for the most in a month in NBA history. Both of those teams won the NBA championship. I'm not saying the Hornets will do that, but this team is playing at a high level, and Brandon Miller has been electric, which I covered in a video this week.

Chicago Bulls

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Nikola Vučević33.432.732.1
Coby White31.731.130.8
Jalen Smith30.628.527.8
Matas Buzelis28.828.828.4
Josh Giddey26.726.626.6
Isaac Okoro25.923.826.5
Ayo Dosunmu25.425.325.3
Kevin Huerter1918.720.5

Josh Giddey returned last week and has immediately returned to a top 60 player in fantasy basketball. We should see his production continue to tick up. Tre Jone has still been sidelined for the last three games with a hamstring injury, but with Coby White also back and producing top-60 value over the last two weeks, the Bulls don't miss Jones as much.

Cleveland Cavaliers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Evan Mobley34.83534.1
Donovan Mitchell33.834.634.6
Jaylon Tyson32.232.631.1
Jarrett Allen27.430.129.8
Nae'Qwan Tomlin25.722.621.4
Dean Wade24.225.624.1
Sam Merrill23.923.921.7
De'Andre Hunter2117.821.2
Lonzo Ball16.816.813.6

The Cavaliers were just entering a strong stretch of play, and Donovan Mitchell has been a top 10 player in the sport, which I discussed in a video. However, now they will be without Evan Mobley for 1-3 weeks with a calf strain. I covered that and the injury fallout in a video this week.

Dallas Mavericks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Naji Marshall34.333.132.1
Max Christie34.232.832.1
Cooper Flagg32.330.829.7
P.J. Washington27.127.128.1
Dwight Powell25.826.423.5
Caleb Martin25.324.221.6
Brandon Williams24.622.421.3
Jaden Hardy24.314.618.8
Klay Thompson18.719.622.3
Daniel Gafford18.618.621

Cooper Flagg is still managing his ankle injury, which has caused him to miss a few games in the last week, and trade rumors continue to swirl around Anthony Davis. There are also trade rumors around Naji Marshall, who has been tremendous over the last month, averaging 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, which is a top 70 player. He and Flagg are the only two players that can be relied on for consistent production; although, Max Christie has enjoyed a nice five-game stretch recently.

Denver Nuggets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Peyton Watson38.535.935.8
Jamal Murray37.33435.8
Spencer Jones3333.530.6
Jalen Pickett27.728.629.2
Jonas Valančiūnas26.426.426.4
Tim Hardaway Jr.25.824.328.7
Aaron Gordon24.827.128.6
Bruce Brown22.421.422.8
Zeke Nnaji21.421.121

Denver has played surprisingly well with Nikola Jokic out, with Peyton Watson emerging as a legitimate threat. Jonas Valančiūnas has also filled in admirably as a top 100 player, and this team looks as deep and talented as the Thunder. The big question surrounds Aaron Gordon, who continues to deal with a hamstring injury, which I discussed in a video this week.

Detroit Pistons

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Cade Cunningham34.936.233.4
Tobias Harris27.129.327.6
Jalen Duren26.628.127.4
Duncan Robinson24.426.825.5
Isaiah Stewart23.423.124.5
Ronald Holland II23.22022.2
Ausar Thompson21.223.923.7
Daniss Jenkins20.321.919.8
Javonte Green17.114.519.6
Jaden Ivey16.116.718.4

The Pistons are pretty healthy right now, so their rotation has gotten incredibly deep. That said, the production really revolved around Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Ausar Thompson has played well over the last two weeks, but his value really remains on the defensive end. This is still a team that feels like it needs to make a consoliation trade.

Golden State Warriors

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Stephen Curry27.828.729.2
Moses Moody26.624.224.5
Brandin Podziemski26.126.625.6
Will Richard2421.821.2
Al Horford23.324.321
Draymond Green232324.6
Gui Santos22.719.917.7
De'Anthony Melton222221.7
Buddy Hield20.919.316.7
Quinten Post20.31716.9

We've now seen a week without Jimmy Butler, so we have a little better sense of how the Warriors are going to handle their rotation. Brandin Podziemski has seen a bump in minutes and usage and has been a top 65 player over the last four games. De'Anthony Melton and Moses Moody have also been fringe top 100 players, as they get a bit more usage. I think Melton could produce even more if he were given a bit more run.

Houston Rockets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Amen Thompson3939.639.7
Kevin Durant3839.538.8
Jabari Smith Jr.35.936.236.1
Alperen Sengun33.334.234
Tari Eason25.724.824.8
Josh Okogie24.922.720.8
Reed Sheppard22.223.621.1
Dorian Finney-Smith17.716.316.2
Steven Adams23.6

The Rockets announced that Steven Adams is going to miss the rest of the season with his ankle injury. That's a pretty big loss for a team that has a really narrow rotation. Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela will step into bigger roles, but this still figures to be a team that's all about Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, all of whom have been top 25 players over the last two weeks.

Indiana Pacers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Pascal Siakam36.235.234
Andrew Nembhard33.433.933
Aaron Nesmith33.13231.5
Jarace Walker27.226.525.4
Bennedict Mathurin26.626.626.6
Johnny Furphy24.522.122.6
Micah Potter20.615.916.6
T.J. McConnell17.716.216.6

Not much has changed with the Pacers over the last few weeks. They remain in "wait for next year" mode, so there is little of value in their lineup as currently constructed. Jarace Walker has been playing better of late and should continue to get big minutes as the team focuses on development.

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
Fantasy Basketball Week 2 Injury Report: Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards headline the list of sidelined stars
The Pacers, Lakers and Thunder are among the teams with lengthy injury reports at the halfway point of Week 2.

Los Angeles Clippers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
James Harden33.233.435.6
John Collins27.626.528.3
Kawhi Leonard26.326.328.4
Ivica Zubac25.825.928
Kobe Sanders25.524.824.5
Jordan Miller24.624.828.6
Kris Dunn24.427.727.6
Brook Lopez17.817.417.4
Nicolas Batum17.616.817.6

Man, the Clippers have been playing really strong basketball lately, and Kawhi Leonard looks like a legit MVP candidate. Jordan Miller has also been a fringe top 100 player over the last two weeks, averaging 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 steals. He's become a nice wing option for this team, and they all seem to be gelling right now.

Los Angeles Lakers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Luka Dončić35.736.435.7
LeBron James32.233.432.9
Jake LaRavia30.227.929.1
Marcus Smart29.429.929.1
Rui Hachimura24.726.123
Deandre Ayton21.820.124.8
Jaxson Hayes18.61918.1
Gabe Vincent17.31717.3
Jarred Vanderbilt1516.917.9

Austin Reaves has been out for way longer than many people expected, and the Lakers are 5-7 in their last 12 games. Maybe Deandre Ayton is still bothered by his eye injury, but Luka Dončić and LeBron James have been the only players in the top 170 over the last two weeks. They are just not getting any help.

Memphis Grizzlies

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Jaren Jackson Jr.32.53232
Jock Landale2927.126.5
Cedric Coward28.326.926.7
Cam Spencer27.824.426.6
Santi Aldama27.426.327.3
Jaylen Wells25.624.624.6
GG Jackson24.822.621.4
John Konchar21.720.618
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope20.819.517.8
Vince Williams Jr.20.219.720.5

Ja Morant returned from his calf injury last week and is now out for multiple weeks with an elbow injury. I broke down the consequences of that in a video this week.

Miami Heat

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Bam Adebayo3433.932.4
Jaime Jaquez Jr.30.430.128.4
Pelle Larsson29.428.728.5
Norman Powell28.128.630.4
Andrew Wiggins27.228.530.2
Dru Smith23.222.517.4
Nikola Jović20.419.516.3
Kasparas Jakučionis19.917.517.4
Simone Fontecchio19.520.518.3

The injury-plagued season for Tyler Herro continues. He has missed the last seven games with a rib injury, and Davion Mitchell has also missed the last four with a shoulder injury. That has led to more minutes and usage for Dru Smith, who has been a top 125 player over the four games that Mitchell has missed, and more usage for Andrew Wiggins, who continues to be up a quietly solid season.

Milwaukee Bucks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Ryan Rollins34.331.532.4
Bobby Portis33.128.725.7
Myles Turner32.328.827.3
Giannis Antetokounmpo31.828.830.3
Kyle Kuzma31.729.425.6
AJ Green30.429.430.8
Cole Anthony18.317.215.6
Gary Harris16.917.315.1
Gary Trent Jr.13.413.516.5

Is the season over for the Bucks? Kevin Porter Jr. is sidelined with an oblique injury, and now Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for 4-6 weeks with a calf strain. I discussed the fallout from that in a video this week, and my colleague Kurt Helin wrote about all the Giannis trade possibilities as well.

Minnesota Timberwolves

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Anthony Edwards36.236.637.1
Donte DiVincenzo30.431.933.9
Julius Randle30.431.133.3
Jaden McDaniels29.531.832.7
Rudy Gobert26.628.529.4
Naz Reid26.12726
Mike Conley19.617.718.7
Bones Hyland17.613.815.2

The Timberwolves are pretty healthy right now, and have been for a while, so there's not much to say here.

New Orleans Pelicans

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Trey Murphy III37.836.736.6
Zion Williamson33.32930.1
Saddiq Bey32.831.330.7
Herbert Jones26.526.526.5
Yves Missi24.325.923.4
Derik Queen23.32425.5
Jeremiah Fears19.317.723.6
Jose Alvarado16.616.616.6
Jordan Poole12.321.819.2

The Pelicans have also been pretty healthy over the last couple of weeks, but Dejounte Murray is still likely a month away from returning. A fully healthy Pelicans team has meant less usage for Derik Queen, who is averaging 9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over the last two weeks. Could the trade deadline mean a departure for Yves Missi and Jose Alvarado, who returned from injury this week? That would open up bigger roles for Jeremiah Fears and Queen.

New York Knicks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Josh Hart34.431.232
Mikal Bridges34.232.133.4
OG Anunoby34.232.833.9
Jalen Brunson34.133.330.7
Miles McBride2825.530.8
Mitchell Robinson26.822.322.1
Karl-Anthony Towns2625.728.8
Landry Shamet20.920.218.8
Tyler Kolek20.110.813.4

The Knicks hit a rough stretch where they lost nine of 11 games and seemed to be in a tailspin. Now, they've won four in a row, and the defense seems to be clicking. It may not be a coincidence that Karl-Anthony Towns has seen his minutes dip in that time. The Knicks have closed many games with him on the bench, turning to Mitchell Robinson for defensive value. The Knicks are no longer forcing offense through Towns, who is also shooting worse than he has ever in his career. It's a situation to monitor.

Oklahoma City Thunder

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander35.234.534.1
Luguentz Dort34.934.229.8
Chet Holmgren31.931.830.5
Aaron Wiggins31.831.427.3
Kenrich Williams2625.319.3
Isaiah Joe25.525.320.2
Jaylin Williams23.219.318.5
Cason Wallace2323.823.5

Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell are both hurt, but Isaiah Hartenstein looks set to return on Thursday. That could help a team that is 3-3 in their last six games and recently lost to Indiana. They need a third option on offense right now behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, who have both been top 35 players since Williams and Mitchell got hurt.

Orlando Magic

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Paolo Banchero38.936.536.3
Anthony Black38.235.934.6
Desmond Bane37.836.434.8
Wendell Carter Jr.30.128.728.9
Jalen Suggs272727
Tyus Jones18.814.215.9
Tristan da Silva16.617.419.2
Noah Penda12.712.920.8

Jalen Suggs is back, but Franz Wagner is now back on the sideline as he has experienced some soreness in his previously injured ankle and has missed the last four games. That has allowed Anthony Black to continue his breakout season and Paolo Banchero to remain the focus of the offense. There remain questions about how Banchero and Wagner fit together, but the Magic's starting five has rarely played together this season due to injuries. Tyus Jones is also giving them nothing recently and could likely be moved at the deadline.

Philadelphia 76ers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Tyrese Maxey33.13737.4
Joel Embiid32.83734
Paul George32.633.931.7
VJ Edgecombe32.134.634.8
Kelly Oubre Jr.28.33231.1
Jared McCain23.523.512.1
Quentin Grimes22.522.823.9
Justin Edwards20.317.610.2
Dominick Barlow18.120.620.4

Quentin Grimes is dealing with an ankle injury, and the 76ers are continuing to monitor minutes for Joel Embiid and Paul George as the two veterans recover from knee injuries, which has led to more minutes for Jared McCain in the last week. It feels unlikely that those minutes remain when this team is healthy, but George wil continue to sit out games here and there as the season goes on, so you never know.

Phoenix Suns

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Dillon Brooks34.833.731.9
Grayson Allen3331.729.2
Collin Gillespie32.930.529.5
Royce O'Neale31.129.129.6
Devin Booker28.431.733.9
Mark Williams2524.524.9
Jordan Goodwin22.82121.4
Oso Ighodaro20.421.921.7
Jordan Goodwin1921.222.4

The Suns got Jalen Green back last week, but he reaggravated his hamstring injury, and Devin Booker also hurt his hamstring.I covered the consequences of both of those injuries in a video this week.

Portland Trail Blazers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Toumani Camara35.435.635
Shaedon Sharpe33.933.933
Deni Avdija30.726.830.8
Donovan Clingan29.130.229.2
Jerami Grant25.624.924.1
Sidy Cissoko24.22525.2
Jrue Holiday23.822.621
Caleb Love23.625.227
Robert Williams III19.719.516.3

Kris Murray and Scoot Henderson remain sidelined for the Trail Blazers, but the rest of the team is pretty healthy. Robert Williams III is still doing some injury management with his left knee, so he is going to sit out games throughout the season, but he's just a backup center anyway with this team healthy. We have seen Caleb Love's minutes and usage decrease with Jrue Holiday back, but Holiday is at the center of trade rumors, so this remains a situation to monitor. Shaedon Sharpe has been a top 60 player over the last month, averaging 21.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

Sacramento Kings

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Domantas Sabonis29.426.324.4
DeMar DeRozan29.331.233.8
Russell Westbrook27.529.632
Malik Monk27.327.525.4
Dennis Schröder26.223.622.3
Nique Clifford25.624.520.5
Dylan Cardwell23.823.521.9
Zach LaVine22.527.429.9
Keon Ellis21.821.813.3
Precious Achiuwa20.520.825.7

The Kings are trying to shake things up at the trade deadline, but it's unclear if any teams are willing to take on the veterans they're trying to trade away. Domantas Sabonis returned, which is a nice boost for the team, and DeMar DeRozan is playing really well, which I covered in a video this week.Dylan Cardwell has also emerged as a high-energy rebounder and defender off the bench, and I interviewed him this week.

San Antonio Spurs

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
De'Aaron Fox34.533.833.2
Stephon Castle33.133.131.7
Victor Wembanyama30.929.728.2
Keldon Johnson28.627.426.4
Julian Champagnie27.929.330.7
Devin Vassell242424
Harrison Barnes23.223.324.4
Luke Kornet19.321.121.3
Dylan Harper17.42020.6

With Devin Vassell (thigh) returning, Julian Champagnie has seen his minutes and usage tick down even before he suffered an eye injury. We've also seen the Spurs continue to increase Victor Wembanyama's playing time, and he has been the dominant force that many expected, producing as a top 5 overall player in the last two weeks.

Toronto Raptors

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Brandon Ingram3535.235.7
Scottie Barnes32.933.936.2
Immanuel Quickley3233.133.2
Sandro Mamukelashvili30.329.826
Collin Murray-Boyles28.328.332.4
Ja'Kobe Walter23.823.817.4
RJ Barrett22.322.322.3
Jamal Shead22.326.129.3
Gradey Dick20.220.619.6

The Raptors are coming up in all times of trade rumors, with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley being the names mentioned the most. Quickley would be a nice get for somebody because he has had a solid season, but perhaps the fit isn't there in Toronto. Sandro Mamukelashvili filled in for Collin Murray-Boyles admirably, but Murray-Boyles is back now and figures to take back over most of the usage and minutes.

Utah Jazz

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Keyonte George34.435.934.5
Lauri Markkanen31.131.132.9
Ace Bailey30.331.329.7
Isaiah Collier28.926.624.8
Cody Williams27.526.726.8
Jusuf Nurkić2729.929.4
Brice Sensabaugh24.723.626.2
Kevin Love24.218.719
Kyle Anderson20.619.820.2

The Jazz got Lauri Markannen back this week, but they continue to find ways to rest their players on an alternating schedule as they try not to win too many games and lose their first-round pick, which is top-8 protected. It's incredibly frustrating, and I covered all of that in a video this week.

Washington Wizards

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Alex Sarr36.633.829
Tre Johnson34.232.830.5
Bub Carrington32.834.934.7
Kyshawn George3232.329.7
Bilal Coulibaly27.627.624.7
Khris Middleton27.427.425.2
Justin Champagnie22.824.124.2
Jamir Watkins19.719.820.9
Will Riley18.417.919.8

Bilal Coulibaly returned this week, but it remains to be seen how long he can stay healthy. That will cut into Tre Johnson's minutes as usage, though, so it's something to be mindful of. Bub Carrington continues to play pretty well and has been a top 100 player over the last month, averaging 11.6 points, 5.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game.

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Sixers, Maxey reportedly on Giannis’ ‘radar,’ but team hasn’t called Bucks

Shockwaves were felt across the NBA on Wednesday when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks were, for the first time, genuinely listening to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. A number of teams have since been linked to the former Finals MVP, with Miami, New York, Minnesota and Golden State emerging as the most frequently mentioned suitors. So far, however, the Sixers have not been connected to the superstar forward.

Jake Fischer and Marc Stein have been closely tracking the developing trade market and recently shed light on Philadelphia’s position. Their reporting suggests the Sixers’ level of interest, or lack thereof, while also offering an intriguing detail about how the situation is unfolding:

“League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half, but The Stein Line has learned that the prospect of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey — who, like Giannis, works with prominent NBA trainer Drew Hanlen — does have the 76ers on Antetokounmpo’s radar.“

Many will focus on the latter detail in the quote, but the more surprising revelation is that the Sixers have not contacted Milwaukee at all. I’m not arguing that they should trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, or that it would even make sense. Still, this is Daryl Morey we’re talking about. He’s a known star hunter, the executive who’s always willing to make a call about your best player. The fact that there hasn’t been even a preliminary inquiry is notable and reinforces the idea that the Sixers are operating on a longer timeline, one that likely centers on Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

That said, it’s still interesting that Maxey was mentioned as a potential running mate for Antetokounmpo. That part isn’t much of a surprise, given how seamless the fit would be. Maxey has arguably been the best guard in the Eastern Conference, and Philadelphia would still have flexibility to build around those two. So far, the only other player reported as a possible partner alongside Antetokounmpo is Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

Despite interest from Antetokounmpo’s side, the path to a Giannis-to-Philadelphia deal is murky at best, which likely explains why the Sixers haven’t shown much interest. For salary-matching purposes alone, Philadelphia would have to include at least one of Paul George or Joel Embiid. Embiid has been playing his best basketball in years, while George, despite some ups and downs, has done a solid job filling gaps on both ends of the floor.

And that’s before factoring in what Milwaukee would almost certainly demand on top of the contracts, likely a significant haul of draft capital and young players. When viewed through that lens, the lack of movement from the Sixers becomes far easier to understand.

Despite the overwhelming odds that nothing ultimately develops between the Sixers and Antetokounmpo, it’s worth noting that he singled out Maxey as one of just two players he’d be interested in playing alongside early in the process. That detail alone makes it difficult to completely dismiss the idea.

Still, unless there’s a significant shift in the Sixers’ stance, this appears more like an interesting footnote than a realistic outcome. For now, Philadelphia seems committed to a longer-term vision, one centered on Maxey and the pieces around him, rather than making a franchise-altering swing for a superstar whose fit, cost and timing don’t quite align.

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Line Combinations: Red Wings vs. Capitals

Last season the Washington Capitals surprised everyone by dominating the league, with multiple players having career breakouts and the team finishing far ahead in the standings. They ended the season with a 51-22-9 record, the second-best in the NHL. This year however, the Capitals have struggled and currently sit outside the playoff picture with a 25-22-7 record.

Meanwhile the Detroit Red Wings have taken the spotlight, performing in ways similar to Washington’s dominant season but with a younger roster that seems better positioned for long-term success. Despite their struggles Washington has still managed impressive wins against teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, and Tampa Bay Lightning, showing they cannot be underestimated.

Detroit could have a historic night with Patrick Kane just one point away from breaking Mike Modano’s record for most points by an American-born player. The Red Wings have been scraping by recently, winning only two regulation games in their last eight outings, while Washington has struggled with a 7-13-4 record over their last 24 games.

Detroit’s offense relies on both their top-six and contributions from the bottom lines, including James van Riemsdyk and other supporting forwards. Washington counters with Alex Ovechkin still scoring at a high level, Dylan Strome showing flashes, and Tom Wilson and rookie Justin Sourdif emerging as key offensive threats. The goaltending matchup will be marquee has John Gibson for Detroit will clash with Logan Thompson expected for Washington, each with solid but differing season performances against their opponent.

Red Hot Red Wings Clash With Ice Cold Capitals in High Stakes ClashRed Hot Red Wings Clash With Ice Cold Capitals in High Stakes ClashA surprising young Detroit squad faces a struggling Washington team. History looms as Patrick Kane chases a scoring record.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Detroit Red Wings’ Expected Line Combinations vs Minnesota (Thursday)

Kasper – Larkin – Raymond

DeBrincat – Copp – Kane

Finnie – Compher – van Riemsdyk

Soderblom – Rasmussen – Appleton

Benard-Docker – Seider

Sandin-Pellikka - Chiarot

Johansson – Hamonic

Gibson

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Posted on

Blackhawks Vs Penguins: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 54

The Chicago Blackhawks are coming off a tough loss to the Minnesota Wild. After leading 3-0, the Hawks allowed the Wild to chip away, tie the game, and win it in a shootout. They didn’t play horribly, but they were unable to lock things down in the end and win. 

Now, their mini-road trip continues with a visit to eastern Pennsylvania to play the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins come in at a pleasantly surprising 26-14-11, while the Blackhawks are 21-23-9.

This will be the second and final meeting between the two clubs this season. The first was a 7-3 win for the Penguins on December 28th at the United Center. 

Scouting Pittsburgh 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are having a great season, when many thought they’d be a lottery team. There is a solid mix of veterans and young players, but some of their veterans aren't like others around the league. 

Rakell-Crosby-Brazeau

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

McGroarty-Kindel-Mantha

Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Kulak-Letang

Solovyov-Shea

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kristopher Letang are all-time great players who will all be first-ballot Hall of Famers. 

In the case of Crosby, he is one of the five best hockey players ever to play the game, and he is still at the height of his powers in his late 30s. When the Olympics come around in a couple of weeks, he will be the captain of Team Canada in their pursuit of Gold. 

Malkin is having an incredible season and is on a point per game pace once again as well. He doesn't move like he once did, but there is no denying his scoring prowess as he's found a way to be successful without the legs that he had in his 20s. Being smart, having a good shot, and knowing where to be at even strength and on the power play are big parts of his game. 

Letang and Karlsson don't play together as defense partners, which spreads the wealth on the back end for them. It isn't as strong a group as it was when they were winning Stanley Cups in the 2010s, but they can move the puck well and shut down their opposition enough to win more than they lose. 

Arturs Silovs will start in goal for the Penguins. They acquired Stuart Skinner from the Edmonton Oilers earlier in the year, but Silovs will be the guy for this match against the Blackhawks. 

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks are on the moms/mentors trip, so they are trying to get everyone involved as much as they can. Colton Dach is going to suit up for Chicago in place of Landon Slaggert, which is the only change to the skater lineup. Sam Lafferty remains a healthy scratch. 

Nazar-Bedard-Teravainen

Greene-Moore-Burakovsky

Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Mikheyev

Donato-Foligno-Dach

Vlasic-Crevier

Kaiser-Levshunov

Grzelcyk-Murphy

Connor Bedard, who grew up idolizing Sidney Crosby, will stick with his new line alongside Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen. They were fantastic against the Wild and are looking to pick up more steam against this Penguins team that may allow some chances. 

In goal will be Arvid Soderblom, which sets up Spencer Knight for the second half of a back-to-back on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center. Last time out, a shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Soderblom was on his game. An opportunity to start against Pittsburgh is another shot to keep the confidence up. 

Patrick Kane Update

Earlier in the week, former Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane tied Mike Modano for the most points by an American-born player in the history of the NHL. 

Blackhawks Legend Patrick Kane Ties Mike Modano For Most Points By An American Blackhawks Legend Patrick Kane Ties Mike Modano For Most Points By An American Chicago Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane is very close to cementing himself as the highest-scoring American-born NHL player of all time.

While the Blackhawks are taking on the Penguins in Pittsburgh, the Detroit Red Wings will be hosting the Washington Capitals. This is Kane's first chance to break the record.

How To Watch

The Blackhawks vs Penguins game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on CHSN locally. Nationally, it can be found on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 6:00 PM CT. 

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Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.