Injury-riddled Lakers lose to Dallas; Luka Doncic to have medical treatment in Europe

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Dallas.
Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket during a 134-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. James finished one rebound short of a triple-double. (LM Otero / Associated Press)

The Lakers are as shorthanded as they can be, their dynamic starting backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries at a pivotal time of the season.

They're the offensive engines for a Lakers team battling for the No. 3 playoff seeding in a competitive Western Conference.

The 41-year-old LeBron James is now driving the Lakers, and despite falling just a rebound shy of a triple-double, he couldn't save the Lakers from a 134-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday at American Airlines Center.

Read more:Lakers' Austin Reaves out for rest of regular season with oblique strain

James had 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. Luke Kennard delivered his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.

Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, coming off a 51-point performance against Orlando on Friday, finished with 45 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. He scored 19 points in the first quarter.

“Obviously, Cooper is in a zone over the last couple of games,” James said. “But [he] also has been playing consistent basketball all year so it’s great to see him from early in the season to where he is today.”

For the Lakers, finding ways to win without two of their best players will be their challenge over the final week of the season.

“We've got to have the commitment to do it on both ends and that's the reason that we've put ourselves in the position to be in the playoffs," Redick said, "because we became a really good offensive team and a really good defensive team."

Doncic was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and will be out the remainder of the regular season — maybe even longer.

Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy of WME Sports, confirmed to The Times that his client will seek specialized treatment for his injury in Europe with the hopes of speeding up his recovery.

Reaves was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury and will be out for the rest of the regular season, and likely into the playoffs. The time frame for Reaves' return is more like four-to-six weeks, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak on the matter.

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, left, drives against Lakers guard Bronny James.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, left, drives against Lakers guard Bronny James during the second half Sunday. (LM Otero / Associated Press)

“I took my nap after practice and I woke up with that news and it was like another shot to the [head],” James said about Reaves' diagnosis. “It was a shot to the heart, obviously, and to the chest and to the mainframe with Luka, understanding that."

Even Marcus Smart, known for his competitiveness and defensive tenacity, missed his seventh straight game with right ankle soreness.

With Doncic and Reaves out, the Lakers lose a combined 56.8 points per game and 13.8 assists per game. Doncic is fourth in the NBA in assists, with 8.3 per game, and he’s second on the Lakers in rebounding, at 7.7 per game.

“We knew that Austin was likely going to be out for a little bit of time," Redick said. “Obviously, disappointed and devastated for him to have his regular season finish this way. ... Both those guys are going to try to come back and it's our job to extend the season so that they can come back.”

The Lakers have four regular-season games left, starting with Oklahoma City on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. They play at Golden State on Thursday before facing the Phoenix Suns in L.A. on Friday.

The Lakers are tied with the Denver Nuggets for third in the West at 50-28, although the Lakers own the tiebreaker. The NBA playoffs starts the weekend of April 18.

With that in mind, Redick was asked if he had an optimistic view of Doncic being back for the playoffs.

“I just know that he's gonna do everything he can to try to be back,” Redick said. “I talked to him Friday. I talked to him again yesterday. I talked to him again this morning. He's going to go through all the necessary things to be back at some point, and it's our job again to extend the season so both those guys can get back.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Cardinals 5, Tigers 3: So much for the sweep

Apr 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) dives safely back to first base on a pick off throw by Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero (not pictured) in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

A day after the Tigers secured the series victory — but lost Justin Verlander to the Injured List with a hip problem — they went for the series sweep on a chilly, breezy Sunday night. A costly throwing error by a Tigers pitcher against the Cardinals (déja-vu, anyone?) undid an early lead and sent Detroit to a 5-3 loss.

Verlander was originally slated to start, on somewhat-national television (I think it was streaming on the BlorgNet app or something); the Tigers even had a special ticket promotion going, including a t-shirt commemorating his true homecoming. Well, instead, they got everyone’s favourite sixth starter, Keider Montero, who’s in his third season… I hesitate to say “with the Tigers,” because he’s spent half of the past two seasons in Toledo. He made a dozen starts and eight relief appearances for the Tigers last year, and he was part of the WBC-winning Venezuela team earlier this spring.

Facing the Tigers tonight was Kyle Leahy, who spent the previous two years in the Cardinals’ bullpen, transitioning to a starting role this year. He had a decent 2025 in a relief role, with an ERA just above 3, a WHIP of 1.227, and while he doesn’t usually strike everybody out, he only gave up five home runs in 88 innings. He’d been a starter from the time he was drafted in 2018 through the 2022 season in the minors; he saw some action in AAA before the Cardinals made the decision to convert him to a reliever.

The game started off with both starting pitchers well in command, but the Tigers got a mini-threat going in the bottom of the second: Parker Meadows hit a sharp single and Spencer Torkelson walked, but Javier Báez hit a sharp grounder to third to end the inning. Meanwhile, Montero was only giving up soft contact, with a bloop single in the second being the sum total of the traffic on the basepaths for the Cardinals, and getting strikeouts on his sinker.

Kerry Carpenter opened the scoring with his second home run in two days; Colt Keith led off the bottom of the third with a single, went to second on a groundout, and with two outs Carpenter launched a mighty blast to straightaway centre for a 2-0 lead.

Montero, who was on a pitch count and so wouldn’t go too deep in this one, allowed a single and walked a guy to start the fifth; a groundout to second got the out at second. A single to left scored a run and ended Montero’s day, with Enmanuel De Jesus taking over. A comebacker bunt saw De Jesus fielding it and throwing it away, getting a run home to tie the game and putting runners on second and third. A single to right scored those two runs to put St. Louis up 4-2, and well, that was all pretty lousy.

But in the sixth Dillon Dingler — the master of the ABS system, apparently — walked to lead off, and he scooted over to third with a Parker Meadows single. Meadows then stole second to put a pair in scoring position, then Torkelson walked to load the bases. Báez hit a liner to left which was deep enough to score Dingler and narrow the lead to 4-3. Pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones hit a grounder to second which got Báez out at second, leaving runners on the corners with two outs. Kevin McGonigle drew a walk to re-load the bases, but Gleyber Torres grounded out to shortstop to end the inning. That felt like a squander to me, and was probably the thing that ultimately did the Tigers in tonight.

De Jesus righted the ship in the seventh with a 1-2-3 inning, and after giving up a leadoff single in the eighth, Connor Seabold took over. After a walk, a flyout and another walk, the Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out and Seabold was clearly having trouble finding the strike zone. A sacrifice fly pushed the Cardinals’ lead back to two runs, and after a strikeout the inning was mercifully over.

With one out in the eighth Torkelson walked again, but Báez flailed at an outside slider and Jones foul-tipped a high fastball into the catcher’s mitt. So much for that.

Riley O’Brien — tell me he shouldn’t have an auto-parts store named after him, I dare you — came on for the ninth and got three quick outs and everyone went home for hot cocoa.

Final score: Cardinals 5, Tigers 3

That got outta here in a hurry

Anything travelling that far oughtta have a darn stewardess on it.

(Catch the slightly-cleaned-up movie reference there?)

Notes and Observances

  • Look, you can make all the age-related quips you want about Justin Verlander injuring his hip. Goodness knows I already have, amongst my BYB colleagues. Did this joke involve a reference to a Werther’s Original? I won’t tell.
  • All joking aside, I’m older than Verlander, and I once had my back seize-up by getting out of my car in the parking lot at work. So for those of you younger than Verlander — a spry 43, merely a spring chicken — age is going to come for you, too, pal.
  • Did you see that Jo Adell of the Angels, playing right field, went over the fence to rob the Mariners of three home runs? And that the game ended up a 1-0 Angels victory? Holy mackerel! Do yourself a favour and go find that video clip. Hold on, here it is, and you are very, very welcome.
  • You really should be following the Artemis II mission around the Moon, and not just because one of the astronauts is from small-town southwestern Ontario like me.
  • On this day in 1974, Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie, was published for the first time. I think he’s done pretty well for himself in the ensuing years.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Solo Ball left off NCAA Tournament championship injury report

It's a full go for Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg and Connecticut's Solo Ball in the Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game on Monday night.

Both Lendeborg and Ball were left off their team's respective NCAA initial player availability reports that were released at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, per the NCAA's guidelines. There will be an additional player availability report released two hours before tomorrow night's tip-off inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Wolverines and the Huskies are set for an 8:50 p.m. ET tip-off on Monday. It's the first meeting between both since the 2015-16 season, when they met in the Bahamas for a multi-team event tournament in November.

Lendeborg sustained an injury with just under nine minutes left in the first half of the semifinal game when he appeared to twist his ankle after stepping on the foot of Wildcats forward Motiejus Krivas while going to the basket for a layup. It'd later be known that Lendeborg suffered a sprained MCL of his left knee and an injured ankle.

Ball told reporters on Sunday in Indianapolis that he sustained what UConn coach Dan Hurley described as a "some type of foot sprain," his injury in the first half when he got tangled up with Tarris Reed Jr. on a ball screen. He was seen in a walking boot on Sunday.

"I'm doing everything I can to prepare for tomorrow," Ball said on Sunday to reporters.

Michigan is looking for its first men's basketball national title since 1989 on Monday, while UConn is looking to add to its blue blood status with a third national title in the last four seasons.

Here's a full look at both UConn and Michigan's initial injury report for Monday's national championship game:

Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game player availability report

Michigan

  • LJ Carson (OUT)
  • Winter Grady (OUT)

UConn

  • No one mentioned

Michigan-UConn national championship time, TV channel

  • Date: Monday, April 6
  • Time: 8:50 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: TBS | TNT | truTV
  • Streaming options: March Madness Live app | Sling TV

Michigan and UConn will tip off at 8:50 p.m. ET on Monday, April 6 inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. TBS will broadcast Monday's national championship game. There will be simulcast broadcasts on TNT and truTV as well. Streaming options for the game include the March Madness Live app (with a TV login) and Sling TV.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yaxel Lendeborg, Solo Ball off Michigan-UConn injury report

Devils rebound to blank Canadiens, 3-0, in second half of back-to-back

MONTREAL (AP) — Jacob Markstrom made 18 saves for his first shutout of the season and the New Jersey Devils beat Montreal 3-0 on Sunday night, ending the Canadiens’ eight-game winning streak hours after they clinched a second straight playoff spot.

The Canadiens got the playoff spot when Detroit lost 5-4 to Minnesota. They are the first Canadian team to secure a playoff berth this season.

Cody Glass, Timo Meier and Connor Brown scored for New Jersey as it fights to keep its slim postseason chances alive. Jack Hughes had two assists.

The Devils won their 11th consecutive game in Montreal, the longest active run in the NHL against a single opponent. The Canadiens haven’t beaten New Jersey at the Bell Centre since a 2-1 overtime victory on Dec. 14, 2017.

Jacob Fowler made 17 saves for Montreal. The Canadiens capped an undefeated five-game trip with a 4-3 shootout win over the Devils in New Jersey on Saturday.

Montreal’s Cole Caufield remained a goal short of 50 for the second straight game after scoring his 48th and 49th on Thursday night against the New York Rangers.

Meier scored on a tap-in midway through the first period after a shot from Hughes went through Fowler’s legs and hit the post. Glass burst through the neutral zone and beat Fowler late in the second.

Brown added an empty-netter.

Up next

Devils: Host Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Canadiens: Host Florida on Tuesday night.

3 notes after the Mavericks’ 134-128 win over the Los Angeles Lakers

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 5: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

No Luka Dončić, no Austin Reaves, no problem. Cooper Flagg took center stage on Sunday in a nationally televised game as the Dallas Mavericks (25-53) outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers (50-28) at American Airlines Center, 134-128. The Mavericks had lost 14 straight home games entering the contest but finally broke through the night they faced a Lakers team whose top two scorers were on the bench injured.

Flagg killed the Lakers for 45 points and this time added nine rebounds and eight assists to lead Dallas past the hobbled Lakers. LeBron James scored 30 points and dished 15 assists for LA in the loss and came up one rebound shy of another triple-double in the loss.

Flagg started the game right where he left off after Friday’s 51-point outburst, hitting three of his first four shot attempts, including his first two over Jake LaRavia. His First 3-pointer was a make from the left corner just 3:19 into the game to give the rookie seven points as the Mavericks jumped out to an early 14-7 lead. That 6-for-9 night from distance on Friday wasn’t just an aberration, apparently.

Flagg was fouled by Luke Kennard on his second 3-point attempt of the game and hit all three free throws. When he’s not hesitant, he’s beginning to see that good things happen for the Mavs. He scored 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the first quarter, the most he’s scored in an opener this year on the most shot attempts he’s hoisted in an opener this year.

Klay Thompson nailed a 3-pointer near the top of the key with .7 seconds left in the first to give Dallas a 41-30 lead at the end of one. Dallas built a lead as large as 22 points early in the second quarter, going up 58-46 on Flagg’s fourth assist of the half for a Khris Middleton 3-pointer, but the Lakers outscored the Mavs 25-9 over the last eight-plus minutes of the second quarter to close it to 67-61 at halftime.

Dallas responded in the third quarter, behind 10 more points from Flagg and a late surge from Brandon Williams off the bench, and carried a 107-97 lead into the fourth. Los Angeles promptly cut that lead to five points, down 112-107 on LaRavia’s running dunk in transition on James’ 11th assist of the game with 8:45 left in the game.

Flagg is pissed

Flagg obviously did not appreciate the results of Friday’s ESPN straw poll among likely postseason award voters that saw Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel firmly in the lead in the Rookie of the Year race. He became the youngest player to eclipse the 50-point mark in an NBA game in a 138-127 loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday and followed that up with 45 against the Lakers.

His aim with six games left in the regular season was clearly to take all choice out of the voters’ hands. We’re watching this Pokemon morph into something inevitable before our very eyes.

Flagg scored 19 points in the first quarter, giving him a combined 43 points in his last two quarters following his 24-point explosion in the fourth quarter on Friday against Orlando. After making just 2-of-6 from the field in the second, Flagg scored 10 points in the third to give him 36 points in the game.

He drove past Jaxson Hayes on the Mavs’ first possession of the fourth for a bucket at the rim and a three-point play to put him at 39 points and give the Mavs a 112-100 advantage. He hit a turnaround jumper over Kennard with about four minutes to play to eclipse the 40-point mark for the second straight game — except on Sunday he added eight rebounds and nine assists to the stat line.

Gafford leaves with late injury

Gafford left the game and went straight to the locker room early in the fourth quarter after skying for a rebound over Rui Hachimura. He grabbed at his right shoulder as the Mavs played 4-on-5 basketball on the offensive end for one possession and was taken out of the game with 9:30 left to play.

The shoulder has bothered Gafford for the last couple of games. This season has been a rough one for Gafford, and it might be time to shelf him for the final four games of the season.

Williams and Washington show up late

Brandon Williams took off in the second half, helping the Mavs respond every time the Lakers made a run at the lead. He scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half with the Mavericks searching for offense down the stretch.

Still, the Lakers crept back within six points, down 121-115 with just over four minutes to play. Flagg was inserted back into the game and drew the defense to him, kicked it out to Washington waiting along the sideline and watched as Washington sank his third 3-pointer of the game to give the Mavs some much-needed breathing room late in the proceedings. It was Flagg’s ninth assist.

Washington finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, and Williams chipped in 13 with five assists off the bench in the win.

Rangers look like different with dominant win over Capitals

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Conor Sheary (R) scores past Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren in the first period at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, Sunday, April 05, 2026, Image 2 shows Mika Zibanejad and Jakob Chychrun skate for the puck during an NHL game, Image 3 shows New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (L) makes a save on a tipped shot by Washington Capitals left wing Aliaksei Protas (C) in the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, Sunday, April 05, 2026.

The saying should go: If you can’t join ’em, beat ’em.

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tRY IT NOW

That’s how the Rangers went about their business in a back-to-back slate this weekend against two teams in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild-card race. After defeating the Red Wings on Saturday afternoon, the Blueshirts clobbered the Capitals 8-1 on Sunday night in what was an extremely consequential game for Washington.

The Blueshirts were officially eliminated from playoff contention over a week and a half ago, but they’ve been playing better hockey and winning more than they have all season long.

“There’s no easy games, but obviously teams that have that sense of desperation and really something to play for, I think, shows that we haven’t really gave up on the year and packed it in,” said Adam Fox, who, along with Will Cuylle and Mika Zibanejad, led the Rangers with three points. “Like we said, we’re still trying to build on something and gain momentum and establish something here that we can take positively into the summer and build on that.”

It’s great to see.”

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (L) makes a save on a tipped shot by Washington Capitals left wing Aliaksei Protas (C) in the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, Sunday, April 05, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

I think the group’s done a great job since the break of just being focused, trying to come out and compete and just play hard and try and build on that.”

Sunday’s win was their fifth in the past six games. It marked their largest win of the season.

The Rangers are playing like a team that’s on the same page.



The young players have made a world of difference in the lineup and in the locker room. They’re fighting — literally and figuratively — for the Rangers crest and for each other.

Conor Sheary (R) scores past Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren in the first period at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, Sunday, April 05, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Cuylle posted his first career hat trick and finished the game one assist shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick. The 24-year-old wing scored two of the Rangers’ five goals in the second period before he dropped the gloves with Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

In addition to Cuylle, Tye Kartye and Noah Laba also dropped their gloves during the contentious matchup.

“It’s great to have it in a game like today where we had a full 60-minute effort from everyone, everyone contributing,” Cuylle said. “I’m just happy with the result.”

Conor Sheary may have had the slowest start of any Ranger, but he’s finishing strong.

Mika Zibanejad and Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun skate for the puck in the first period at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, Sunday, April 05, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Notching his sixth goal since March 10, the 33-year-old cleaned up a loose puck in front to open the scoring 23 seconds into the game. It was Sheary’s third goal in the past five games and 17th point through 58 games.

The Rangers simply owned the second period.

More than doubling Washington’s shots on goal in the middle frame, 16-7, the

The home team exploded for five goals in the second period. Two scores on the power play bookended the surge, with J.T. Miller registering his 17th goal of the season before Fox capped the lopsided period.

“I think our guys have something to play for, and that’s how they’re approaching it,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’re playing some pretty good teams that have a lot at stake. I think we beat some pretty good teams lately. I think that’s just a testament to how hard our players are competing out there. I think we’re trying to build a team game and we’re trying to stack some wins on top of each other where we can continue to define, refine what Rangers hockey looks like.”

"Really Disappointing": Red Wings' Season On The Brink After 5-4 Loss To Wild

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The 5-4 loss suffered by the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild may prove to be the one that hurts the most in what has been a string of disappointing setbacks. 

The Red Wings, who trailed entering the third period 4-1, mounted a furious comeback rally attempt to knot the score at 4-4. But a careless penalty from veteran Patrick Kane, who had tied the game just minutes earlier, proved disastrous. 

Star forward Kirill Kaprizov completed his sixth career hat trick on the ensuing power-play with 1:51 left in regulation, breaking the 4-4 stalemate with what proved to be the game-winner. 

For the sixth time in their last eight games, the Red Wings walked away with zero points in the standings. That setback, combined with the victory by the Ottawa Senators over the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes later in the day, put a serious dent in Detroit's fading playoff chances. 

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Even more disappointing was that the Red Wings managed just eight shots on goal through the first 40 minutes of play, while their undisciplined puck play led to prime chances for the Wild, which they converted. 

"My thoughts, I guess to put it gently, is it's really disappointing," explained head coach Todd McLellan afterward. "Fifteen seconds in (after the start of the second period), we win a draw, and we're getting scored on because we, what word do I use, lollygag around and don't advance the puck." 

"So now it's in our net, and our team right now, as soon as it doesn't go our way, we crumble for a while, and then we pick ourselves up off the mat, but it's too late, and we did it again today. Pattern." 

While Detroit struck first shortly after the opening puck drop, it was their only shot on goal for the first 14 minutes of the opening frame. When the Wild led 4-1 late in the period, it marked the fifth time in their last seven games that they had trailed by at least three goals. 

Despite the valiant comeback effort, it proved for naught after Kane's needless penalty, in which he tripped Quinn Hughes well away from the play, that ultimately proved to be the difference. 

“It hurts, it hurts," McLellan said about that play. "We get the comeback, and we take a penalty 150 feet from our net, not even in the play. It hurts."

Time is quickly running out for the Red Wings, who will own the NHL’s longest playoff drought if they fall short this season, now that the Buffalo Sabres have ended theirs.  

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Lakers undone by Cooper Flagg, Mavs in Dallas

Apr 5, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

After a whirlwind weekend, the shorthanded Lakers gave it a go in Dallas but a huge start from the Mavs paved the way for them to pick up a 134-128 win.

Behind Cooper Flagg, who finished with 45 points, the Mavericks raced out to a lead as large as 22 points at 58-36 in the first 15 minutes of the game. While the Lakers got back into the game and got with a possession multiple times, they could never get over the hump.

With both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves out for the foreseeable future, the Lakers had a lot of figuring out to do and struggled at times throughout the day. Points off turnovers also crushed the Lakers as Dallas turned 12 LA turnovers into 21 points.

It was a very slow start offensively for the Lakers with possessions alternating between awkward misses and turnovers. The lone points through the opening nearly four minutes was a Rui Hachimura corner 3-pointer as LA trailed 10-3.

Back-to-back LeBron drives and finishes ignited the Lakers’ offense a bit, but Dallas immediately scored on each successive possession, forcing an early timeout from head coach JJ Redick with LA down 14-7.

LeBron and Rui were all the Lakers had offensively, carrying the Lakers back into the game at 22-21. Dallas responded with a Cooper Flagg-led run as he scored 19 first-quarter points. A Klay Thompson three at the first quarter buzzer gave Dallas a 41-30 lead heading into the second period.

Empty possessions from the Lakers to open the period allowed the Mavericks to continue punishing the Lakers, extending their lead to 48-30 before Redick called another timeout.

Flagg’s stepback 3-pointer out of the break extended Dallas’ run to 13-0 as the deficit reached 21 points. Even when LA scored, which they did on a pair of Hayes free throws, a LeBron turnaround and a Hayes layup, they were not getting any stops defensively to allow them to cut into the deficit.

Eventually, LA got a couple of those stops, leading to consecutive dunks from LeBron to cut the deficit to 14 and force the Mavs into a timeout. LeBron continued doing all he could, knocking down a three, extending a stretch in which he scored or assisted on the Lakers’ last 17 points.

That run only ended because he checked out of the game, but Rui picked up the scoring burden with a baseline jumper. Redick was playing an extended rotation with Nick Smith Jr. coming in late in the second as the 11th player to see time for LA. The only active players who did not play in the first half were Adou Thiero and Dalton Knecht.

Late in the half, Luke Kennard knocked down a corner 3-pointer before LeBron converted on an and-one in transition, trimming the lead all the way down to six points heading into the half.

A run featuring baskets from Kennard, Deandre Ayton, LaRavia and LeBron to open the third made it a two-point game. Flagg was not slowing down on the other end as he reached 30 points for the 10th time this season, keeping Dallas up by five.

PJ Washington, Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford combined for Dallas’ next run to force another Lakers timeout.

Kennard secured his first career triple-double with a lob to Ayton, but it was the only basket amidst a Mavs’ run that extended the lead to double digits again. A LaRavia step-back 3-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer cut it to six again, but Flagg had an and-one on the other end in response.

A lack of stops defensively made it a struggle for the Lakers once more, one that was exasperated by LeBron heading to the bench late in the period as the lead reached 11 again. LA survived as long as it could before bringing LeBron back, but LA could never mount a run as Dallas led 107-97 going into the fourth.

Hayes tipped in a basket to open the fourth, but back-to-back baskets from Dallas had the lead at 13 points. LA got to the line on consecutive trips to make it a seven-point game again and a no-look fastbreak dish from LeBron to LaRavia forced a Mavs timeout at 112-107.

Turnovers continued to be a killer for the Lakers as Dallas had turned them in 21 points, the last two coming off an errant Hayes pass that led to a Washington layup and a Lakers timeout with LA down nine points again.

A back-breaking sequence saw the Mavs get multiple second-chances before a Washington layup put them up 10. A pair of freebies from LaRavia and an and-one dunk from Hayes pulled LA back within five with just over four minutes remaining.

LA’s run was short-lived as Washington hit a corner 3-pointer and Flagg returned to the game for a turnaround jumper over Kennard to give him 41 points and put Dallas up 10 with 3:26 left, effectively icing the game. The Lakers’ offense struggled to find consistent baskets and fouls at the end of the game just delayed the inevitable as the Mavs picked up the win.

Key Player Stats

LeBron did all he could on the night, finishing with 30 points on 12-22 shooting with nine rebounds and 12 assists. Kennard notched his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.

Rui’s hot start saw him finish with 21 points. Hayes had 23 points off the bench and Deandre Ayton tallied 13 points. LaRavia finished with 14 points.

The Lakers will host the Thunder on Tuesday with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Rangers pour it on in 8-1 win over Capitals

NEW YORK (AP) — Charlie Lindgren allowed eight goals on 32 shots as the defense melted down in front of him, and the Washington Capitals blew a major opportunity to keep pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race by losing to the already-eliminated New York Rangers 8-1 on Sunday night.

They now face a daunting task to get in: three points back with four games left to play. The Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers are ahead of them in the chase for third in the Metropolitan Division, with those teams plus the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators also in the way for the East’s second and final wild card spot.

That precarious position made this close to a must-win game for Washington, and it got off to a rough start. Former Capitals winger Conor Sheary scored 23 seconds in against Lindgren, who was making his first start since March 12 after Logan Thompson played the previous 10 games.

After going into the first intermission tied, following a breakaway goal from Connor McMichael, the bottom fell out in the second period.

A second consecutive delay of game penalty for putting the puck over the glass 7 seconds after the first expired paved the way for a Rangers power-play goal when Mika Zibanejad’s shot banked in off J.T. Miller’s left skate. Will Cuylle scored twice over the ensuing six minutes, and goals by Adam Sykora and Adam Fox put the deficit out of reach.

Cuylle completed his first NHL hat trick with 31.5 seconds left, Vincent Trocheck scored earlier in the third and Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves for the Rangers, who won for the fifth time in six home games. They had just nine victories at Madison Square Garden in their first 34 before this homestand began.

Up next

Capitals: Visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.

Rangers: Host the playoff-bound Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday in their home finale.

Devils beat Montreal 3-0, ending the playoffs-bound Canadiens' 8-game winning streak

MONTREAL (AP) — Jacob Markstrom made 18 saves for his first shutout of the season and the New Jersey Devils beat Montreal 3-0 on Sunday night, ending the Canadiens' eight-game winning streak hours after they clinched a second straight playoff spot.

The Canadiens got the playoff spot when Detroit lost 5-4 to Minnesota. They are the first Canadian team to secure a playoff berth this season.

Cody Glass, Timo Meier and Connor Brown scored for New Jersey as it fights to keep its slim postseason chances alive. Jack Hughes had two assists.

The Devils won their 11th consecutive game in Montreal, the longest active run in the NHL against a single opponent. The Canadiens haven’t beaten New Jersey at the Bell Centre since a 2-1 overtime victory on Dec. 14, 2017.

Jacob Fowler made 17 saves for Montreal. The Canadiens capped an undefeated five-game trip with a 4-3 shootout win over the Devils in New Jersey on Saturday.

Montreal's Cole Caufield remained a goal short of 50 for the second straight game after scoring his 48th and 49th on Thursday night against the New York Rangers.

Meier scored on a tap-in midway through the first period after a shot from Hughes went through Fowler’s legs and hit the post. Glass burst through the neutral zone and beat Fowler late in the second.

Brown added an empty-netter.

Up next

Devils: Host Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Canadiens: Host Florida on Tuesday night.

___

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

Purple Row After Dark: Who is the Rockies best offseason acquisition (so far)

Apr 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Colorado Rockies are now through 12 games of the 2026 season. While we are clearly still working with small sample sizes in terms of performance data, which offseason MLB acquisition do you think has been the most successful so far?

Consider some of the choices:

  • Valente Bellozo
  • Brenan Bernadino
  • Willi Castro
  • Michael Lorenzen
  • Jake McCarthy
  • Troy Johnston
  • Edouard Julien
  • José Quintana
  • T.J. Rumfield
  • Tomoyuki Sugano 菅野 智之
  • Brett Sullivan

This is probably a question we’ll return to as the season unfolds, but let us know in the comments what you think.


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Jazz vs Thunder player grades: Checking in after the hurricane

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 5: Brice Sensabaugh #28 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball while being defended by Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on April 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I was very tempted to tally every Jazzman tonight to a D or lower, but I had to remind myself who we’re dealing with. No one who is sane thought there was possibly a conceivable chance that the Jazz could have the hope of maybe winning this game by a long shot. The Jazz defense crumbled under OKC’s 24 triples on 53.3% efficiency. They withstood a crushing 146-111 defeat in the Thunder’s territory.

It was a one-sided battle that the Jazz knew they needed to give up. No more funny business. It was time for the most brutal psychological battle with the Sacramento Kings. The constant looming threat of falling out of the top-3 puts both teams at a deadlock, to lose out on the rest of the season or pray for what comes after. Or at least, that’s what it is in theory, because no one on this planet has any idea what the Kings are doing.

Despite the lack of excitement for what was displayed on the court Sunday night, I shall do my due diligence to rate these players fairly, who are mentally strong enough to consider playing, despite knowing that all their hopes of victory were pointless.

Brice Sensabaugh – A

I will never stop believing in Brice Sensabaugh, and 34-point nights while attempting to maintain a respectful score against an OKC juggernaut is going to help the case. He locked onto catch-and-shoot threes, attacking the basket when it was open. We shall forgive your defensive sins on Resurrection Sunday.

Kyle Filipowski – B+

There’s no doubt that Flip’s been on a heater, scoring 22.6 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game before tonight. This is no longer the same player who looked invisible out there on the floor. You could say he…flipped expectations. No? I’ll see myself out.

After a slow start, Filipowski stringed together his third double-double in four games. He battled against the 7-foot towers — Chet and Hartenstein — that await him inside the paint. It was some ugly efficiency, netting 8 of 20 shots and shooting 0 of 5 from beyond the arc, but I’m leaving this disaster with something.

Ace Bailey – B+

A quiet night for Ace Bailey, sporting 14 points, 2 assists and 3 stocks in 33 minutes. I am, however, going to bump him up an entire grade for this beautiful chase-down block.

Cody Williams – D

I am now under the expectation that Cody Williams is a 20-point player, and I will not be convinced otherwise. When he doesn’t hit that benchmark, I won’t be so lenient. Only 8 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists on 3-11 shooting for the family member of Jalen Williams today.

When is the next time you’re going to see Cody first-option hoops? These are limited opportunities he has to take advantage of.

Oscar Tshiebwe – C+

There’s tanking. Then there’s the anomaly known as Oscar Tshiebwe. He put up a triple-single 4-4-2 in 20 minutes as a starter. I don’t blame him for what he could produce when matched up against the basketball equivalent of the Galactic Empire, but his time on the Jazz is dwindling.

SVIATOSLAV MYKHAILIUK – B+

Float like a butterfly, sting like a Svi. It was an explosive 11-point first half for him, but the basketball gods were not in Svi’s favor in the latter, shooting 2-7 from the field in the second half. Whether we see him in Utah’s final three games of the season is up in the air. But if this was it, it was an honor, Mr Mykhailuk.

Kennedy Chandler – C-

Chandler got the short end of the stick after his first single-digit performance back on Friday. His second 10-day contract tenure could not be going worse. 5 points and 5 assists in 20 minutes.

John Konchar – A

Konchar plays a simple, straightforward brand of basketball. Thus, I shall grade him based on his elite simplicity: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals. He stuck to his strengths and is proving his worth for a roster spot next season.

Sacramento Kings – A+

None of what you just witnessed tonight would have been possible without the help from Sacramento, who are now tied for the fourth-best odds. Truly, thank you, Kings, for playing a 36-year-old DeMar DeRozan in an April game against the Pelicans.

Red Wings Fans Debate Over Costly Patrick Kane Penalty in 5-4 Loss To Wild

The Detroit Red Wings suffered a crushing 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night, a game that may have lasting implications on their fading playoff hopes and left fans fixated on one pivotal sequence.

Detroit appeared out of contention entering the third period, trailing 4-1, but mounted an impressive comeback with three unanswered goals to tie the game. Veteran forward Patrick Kane delivered the equalizer in dramatic fashion, scoring on a slick backhand shot with under six minutes remaining. The goal ignited hope among fans that the Red Wings could secure at least a point.

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However, that optimism quickly turned to frustration as on his very next shift, Kane was assessed a tripping penalty against Quinn Hughes, a call that proved decisive. Replays appeared to show Kane extending his stick into Hughes’ skates, sending the Wild to the power play at a critical moment late in the game.

Minnesota capitalized with star winger Kirill Kaprizov blasting a one-timer past goaltender Cam Talbot with under two minutes remaining, sealing the victory and completing a dramatic momentum swing.

The sequence sparked intense reaction among Detroit fans with Ryan Hana of the Winged Wheel Podcast heavily criticizing the penalty, calling it “one of the most needless, stupid penalties” he has ever seen. Others pushed back, arguing the play was routine and unlikely to be called in many situations.

Regardless of perspective, the loss carries significant weight as Detroit has just five games remaining and their path to the postseason is narrowing. The Red Wings now find themselves chasing both the New York Islanders and the Ottawa Senators, sitting two points back of both clubs in a razor thin playoff race.

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Cavs use big fourth quarter to beat the Pacers 117-108

Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after a play during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 38 points and James Harden poured in 28 as the Cleveland Cavaliers let their star-studded backcourt carry the team past the Indiana Pacers 117-108. Obi Toppin and Micah Potter led the way for Indiana with 21 points each.

In what has become a tradition for the Cavs this season, they lallygagged their way through the first three quarters against an inferior opponent and relied on a huge fourth to win the game. The Cavs trailed by three points at the half, allowed the Pacers to put up 33 in the third, and then slammed the brakes in the fourth by allowing just 17 points en route to a nine-point victory.

The Cavs were without Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, instead relying on a front court of Max Strus and Thomas Bryant, who combined for 18 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists. Despite having a sizable portion of their rotation out due to injury, the Cavs were still double-digit favorites heading into the game, in large part because the Pacers are angling for a lottery pick and have no incentive to put their best lineups out there. And yet, despite this, the Cavs still had trouble putting them away.

Mitchell’s 38 points, six rebounds, and six assists qualify as another superstar effort. He played brilliantly, shot very efficiently (16-27 from the floor), and displayed what makes him one of the best overall players in the league.

The issue though is that the Cavs once again should not need Mitchell to drop a near 40-piece to come back against a Pacers lineup that features all bench players. To make matters even scarier, Mitchell landed awkwardly after a three-point attempt in the fourth quarter and was walking a little gingerly after it, although he said he was fine afterward. Given that the Cavs are now just one game away from clinching home court in the first round of the playoffs, it would not be surprising to see Mitchell’s minutes (and the rest of the core four, for that matter) decrease to near zero.

Prior to tonight’s game, head coach Kenny Atkinson said the team is not set on having Max Strus as the team’s starting small forward going forward. And, after the performance he put up, that was probably the right decision. Strus was just 1-10 from the field and a team-low -8 in the +/- department. Atkinson said the team expects Jaylon Tyson back for the playoffs, which begin in 13 days, but it is concerning that he was also described as being “behind” Dean Wade in terms of recovery timeline. Both Tyson and Wade would be candidates to start at small forward.

The bench had an interesting game, with Craig Porter, Larry Nance Jr., and Dennis Schroder getting at least 20 minutes each. They combined to have a +/- of 27, but the counting stats are nothing flashy. Nance’s 22 minutes were the most for him in a single game since November 2nd, when he had 24 against the Atlanta Hawks.

With the Cavs all but locked into the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, setting up for a date with the Atlanta Hawks, the final few games may look different. To make things even more interesting, the Cavs will play those same Hawks twice in the final four games. However, the Cavs lead them by 3.5 games, and the odds favor Cleveland maintaining their positioning.

It is a quick turnaround for Cleveland, who head to Memphis for a game on Monday night against the Grizzlies. Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m EST.

Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Recap and Final Score

The Utah Jazz lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a final score of 111-146 in a game that was never particularly close.

In a matchup of the Williams brothers, the older, more All-Star of the two, won handily. Jalen Williams finished with 15 points and 7 assists in only 26 minutes, whereas the younger Cody Williams finished with 8 points on 3-11 shooting.

The Thunder’s offensive onslaught featured a balanced attack from its scorers. Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Cason Wallace led the bench with 16 points. And the thunder received double-digit scoring from four others, including 11 from former Utah Ute Brandon Carlson.

Utah, down 43 at one point, was led by Brice Sensabaugh’s 34 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Interestingly, Svi Mykhailiuk, who was unshackled from the bench for the second time in nearly 20 games, took the opportunity to put up 16 shots, 14 of which were threes. Unfortunately for Mykhailiuk, only six of those attempts went in. Kyle Filipowski pitched in 20 points and 14 rebounds, albeit on 10-15 shooting from the field.

With this loss, the Jazz remain tied for fourth in the draft rankings. Utah continues their road-trip in New Orleans to take on the Pelicans on Tuesday.