Montreal Canadiens’ blueliner Kaiden Guhle has had a tough season from his own account, but he has really upped his game lately, so much so that he hasn’t been on the ice for a goal against in seven games. Over the course of those seven games, he has a plus-nine rating.
Even though he only got on the scoreboard in one of those seven games, he got a goal and two assists against the New York Islanders on March 21; he has had a huge impact on the games.
In that seven-game span, he has landed 21 hits, including eight in the 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on March 24, and has blocked 18 shots. Guhle’s game took a turn for the better when he was put on a pairing with Alexandre Carrier on March 17, in a 3-2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. That combination worked very well for the Canadiens’ last season.
For the last two games, though, since Carrier is dealing with an upper-body injury, Guhle has played alongside Arber Xhekaj, and his game has stayed at the same high level. That’s a testament to how well Xhekaj has done since being put back on the blueline, keeping his game simple and playing the right way.
There’s no denying that since the Canadiens started their seven-game winning streak, they’ve had better goaltending than they’ve had through most of the season, but they’ve also had much better play from Guhle, and that makes a difference as well.
In just 35 games this season, the Albertan has put up 10 points, which projects to 23 points in a full 82-game season. Of course, points production is not Guhle’s forte, but getting secondary scoring is never a bad thing for any team.
It’s impossible to deny that having Guhle in the lineup and performing to the best of his potential is a huge plus for the Canadiens. If he could manage to stay healthy and play a full season, it would definitely stabilize the Habs’ defense corps and make Montreal an even better team.
INDIANAPOLIS – UConn coach Dan Hurley is a really easy guy to dislike.
His sideline antics are an embarrassment, berating refs and acting like a toddler having a tantrum. He’s crossed the line so many times it’s practically worn away, most recently with his bizarre interaction with a referee at the end of UConn’s stunning upset of Duke in the Elite Eight.
Hurley is the personification of everything that’s wrong with sports, his bad behavior enabled by his won-loss record.
And yet …
Take Hurley off the court, and he’s a completely different person. Personable, thoughtful, self-aware, even funny.
The kind of guy you want shaping the hearts and minds of young people because it’s obvious the life lessons he’s imparting matter just as much as the Xs and Os.
“I get much more of a bad reaction from people, I think, on social media than when I meet regular people,” Hurley said Friday, April 3 at the Final Four. “Because anytime I meet regular people, they look at me and they start laughing or they start smiling. Or (say), `You're the guy from the video. You look a little crazy, but I think you're a good egg.’”
Maybe it’s fitting that Hurley’s histrionics are a focal point as he tries to lead UConn to its third title in four years in what was once the backyard of Bob Knight, a coach who was called a lot of things in his Hall of Fame career, but never a good egg.
Whatever life lessons Knight taught were lost amid a hurricane of bad temper and chair tossing and, eventually, the choking of a player. Hurley isn’t that guy. He isn’t actually a jerk. He just plays one on TV.
“I think a lot of people kind of misinterpret who he is as a person,” UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. said. “Behind closed doors, he's one of the best coaches I've ever been around. He's going to feed you with confidence, but he's also not going to go over your head. He’s going to keep you even keeled. He's going to tell you when you do it bad. He's going to praise you when you’re doing good.
“The message is more important than the tone,” Demary added, “because at the end of the day, he's pushing us to be the best.”
That’s the end game, right? In eight years at UConn, Hurley has won almost 73% of his games and led the Huskies to back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024. He’s sent 10 players to the NBA from UConn, four of whom were lottery picks.
But the former high school coach knows that’s only part of his job. The Hurley his players see is approachable, someone they can have heart-to-heart talks with. He cracks jokes. He’s an advocate of therapy. He encourages them to put their phones down and live in the real world.
“Get off Twitter, get off Instagram, stop reading the comments. That's probably why it doesn't bother me when people have things to say,” Hurley said. “I don't live in that world. My world, and the world I think is the best world to live in, is the real world, which is interacting with people, putting your phone down.”
This isn’t meant to excuse Hurley’s outbursts. At 53, he’s old enough to know better. If he really wanted to change his behavior, he could. (Hurley himself noted he's not once gotten a technical during the NCAA Tournament.) Plenty of coaches are intense and passionate about the game without being the human equivalent of a Tasmanian devil.
Hurley also should consider himself lucky, because a coach of color would never be afforded the grace Hurley has been.
But the ultimate measure of a person, be they a college basketball coach, an insurance salesman or the president of the United States, is whether they are leaving the world a better or worse place.
On that call, there is little debate.
USA TODAY Sports' Jordan Mendoza contributed to this report.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
CHENNAI, India (AP) — Opening batters Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh gave Punjab Kings a flying start to a target of 210 as they overhauled Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Friday.
Impact substitute Arya set the tone with 39 runs off 11 balls as he and Singh rumbled to 68-1 in the powerplay. Captain Shreyas Iyer's 26-ball half-century and Cooper Connolly's 36 ensured Punjab reached 210-5 with eight balls to spare and won by five wickets.
Chennai thought it put up a defendable total of 209-5 at home thanks to former India Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre's 73 off 43, Shivam Dube's unbeaten 45 off 27 and Sarfaraz Khan's cameo 32 off 12.
But Chennai's bowling was ordinary. Only five bowlers were used while allrounders Dube and debutant Prashant Veer were not used.
“That was an exceptional start for us,” Iyer said. “I feel the way they (Arya and Singh) have been batting has been phenomenal and it stabilizes the rhythm for us. I am glad everyone is getting to bat. It gives immense confidence to the team.”
Arya smacked fast bowler Matt Henry for three fours and a six in a 20-run second over after the left-hander hit Khaleel Ahmed for a four and a six off the first two legitimate balls in the first over.
Singh raised Punjab’s 50 in only the third over when he took three boundaries off Anshul Kamboj.
Henry rattled Arya's off stump and Singh was run out in a mixup with Connolly when the Australian refused to go for a tight second run. Connolly holed out at long-on then Iyer took charge of the chase.
Iyer smashed three sixes and four boundaries in a 59-run stand with Nehal Wadhera that sealed the result.
Earlier, Iyer continued the template of teams preferring to chase when he won the toss and elected to field. Sanju Samson, returning to his home venue, perished in the second over for just 7.
Mhatre showed plenty of aggression in a stand of 96 with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made a scratchy 28 before falling to IPL leading wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal in the 12th over.
Mhatre looked set for a big knock after crashing five sixes and six boundaries and was livid with himself when he was caught at short third while attempting an extravagant shot against Vijakumar Vyshak (2-38).
Khan and Dube propelled Chennai beyond 200 but their bowlers couldn't tie down Punjab.
“We felt ... having two wrist-spinners bowling in tandem will help but off-day for both of them and that is what cost us,” Gaikwad said.
Starting at Manchester City in the FA Cup, Arne Slot must show doubters his plan for a team in transition can succeed
There were more important reasons for Jürgen Klopp’s return to Liverpool last Saturday, but it was apposite his presence reminded Anfield of the unshakable bond and belief they once shared, the joy his football brought. Those pillars of Klopp’s reign are weakening under Arne Slot and April may determine whether they are left standing at all.
Two cup quarter-finals in succession should signal a season on the right track for Liverpool; showpiece occasions such as Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday whetting the appetite for what May could have in store.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 30: Dylan Harper #2, Victor Wembanyama #1 and Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on October 30, 2025 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 2025 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Many expected the Spurs to be good, but no one saw them becoming legitimate title contenders.
That’s exactly where San Antonio finds themself with just a handful of games left in the season. Everything that could have gone right, has gone right, and at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them crowned champs in June.
So, how did we get here? As with everything Spurs-related, it starts with the Alien.
Wemby’s all-time trajectory
In a vacuum, elite offense is more impactful than elite defense. Offenses dictate what’s happening on the court, and the defense can only react accordingly. It’s not a coincidence that a list of the best players in the world generally leans toward potent scorers/playmakers, and for 99.9% of players, it’s inaccurate to say that the two sides of the court hold equal importance.
Like everything in his life, though, Wemby is that lone 0.1%. He might be the only player in NBA history who forces opponents to game plan for his defense, and that side of the court truly represents half the game for him — which might still be underselling it.
With Wemby on the court this season, the Spurs have an astonishing 104.5 defensive rating, which is 2.5 points better than the historically great Thunder. His blocks are actually down to “just” 3.1 this year compared to his rookie (3.6) and sophomore seasons (3.8), but that’s entirely due to opponents finally realizing that it’s futile to try shooting over his xenomorph-sized arms. During his minutes, teams are attempting just 26.7% of their shots within 4 feet of the basket, which would be the second-lowest percentage league-wide, only behind Boston at 24.7%. More importantly, opponents are shooting just 59.8% at the rim with Wemby on the floor, which would be the only sub-60% mark in the league in comparison to team-wide stats.
He’s truly a one-man defense. In the play below, Wemby’s presence spooked two Pacers from shooting before stuffing Siakam.
Wemby will probably go down as the most dominant defensive player ever when his career is over.
What makes Wemby great isn’t just his length. Rather, it’s his combination of length, agility, and motor that truly makes him one of one. Wemby’s ability to move like a wing gives him the greatest margin for error in league history, and his desire to block every shot means that, well, every possible shot will be blocked.
For players not named Wemby, the total potential value provided on offense and defense might lean 60/40 towards offense. However, Wemby breaks that scale and provides a value of 60 on defense alone, when everyone else is maxed at 40. It’s truly akin to a video game where you can exceed the health limits, especially considering that his offense is starting to reach elite levels too.
Compared to his first two seasons, Wemby’s offensive game hasn’t taken a massive leap in any one area: he didn’t come into the year with an unstoppable skyhook or start shooting 45% from deep. Rather, it’s his decision-making, processing speed, and strength that have improved, and he’s combined the friendlier shot diet from his rookie year with the efficiency jump from his sophomore campaign. Wemby’s back to attempting 37% of his shots around the basket and just 29% from deep (near identical with his first year) while converting on 74% and 35% of those attempts (similar to his second year).
Yet, his true shooting is up to 61.6% this year — the first time he’s been above league-average in efficiency among centres. Wemby has prioritized being a play finisher instead of a creator, highlighted by a career-high 2.63 dunks per game and a career-low in three-point rate. As a result, he’s averaging by far the most points per 36 minutes of his young career with 29.8, up from 26.3 last year.
Even so, Wemby’s greatest offensive weapon is the open shots he creates for his teammates. With the Alien on the court, San Antonio has a 121.6 offensive rating — a number only eclipsed by Denver this year. The Spurs’ shot chart in his minutes is an analytics nerd’s dream: they attempt 36.1% of their shots at the rim (87th percentile) and 14% from corner threes (98th). That latter number is a full percentage more than the #1 team in generating corner threes this year and is actually the highest number in NBA history. The Spurs are also converting on 40.7% of those attempts, which is 2% above the league average. I’d usually consider that to be unsustainable since opposing teams usually have little control over opponent three-point percentages, but Wemby creates such open looks that San Antonio’s conversion rate might actually have staying power.
Look at how insane Wemby’s gravity is now
He touched the ball and literally three defenders collapse onto him
But his processing time is so quick now that he catches it with one handed and instantly rifles it out, leaving the defense unbalanced and susceptible to some swings pic.twitter.com/79qlmcjJo3
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) March 26, 2026
Wemby’s gravity extends out to three as well. He’s currently making a sub-par 34.8% from deep, but his ability to get hot and hit a flurry of triples forces opposing big men to guard him on the perimeter, opening up driving lanes for others. That’s a match made in heaven for the Spurs’ three-headed backcourt monster, as Castle, Fox, and Harper are all excellent slashers. For example, Wemby’s gravity forces Bam to guard on the perimeter in the clip below, allowing Harper to attack and finish over a smaller defender.
The Spurs’ +17.1 net rating with Wemby on the court is the highest number amongst all players this season, proving that he’s arguably the best player in the world already. Throughout league history, only a handful of players were considered to be in that realm during their age-22 seasons: LeBron, Kareem, Magic, Shaq, Duncan, Oscar, and Jordan. Wemby is well on his way to joining that pantheon of greats, but he’ll need to go through the crucible of the playoffs to truly establish himself as the top dog. Still, given what we’ve seen so far, no one should be surprised if he’s the undisputed #1 in a few months.
Castle’s stunning leap
I was extremely down on Castle last season. His passing was just meh for a guard, and the less said about his shooting and efficiency, the better. I viewed him as more of a Marcus Smart trick or treat type player rather than one destined for stardom.
Well, Castle’s made me eat crow this year, and I couldn’t be happier.
He’s now up to 57.4% true shooting (from 52.2), right around the league average for guards. Castle’s 13 drives per game rank 20th league-wide, and he’s scoring on a robust 48% on those attempts. The sophomore is among the very best at pressuring the rim, with 44% of his shots coming within 4 feet of the basket (93rd percentile among guards). He still shoots an average percentage from there (63%) and most areas of the court, but that’s still a huge improvement from last year, and Castle’s percentages have been aided by the fact that he attempts so many shots in the most efficient area of the court.
More importantly, the way Castle scores has changed. His jump in efficiency is mostly attributed to a plethora of moves he’s refined, and Castle is much better at utilizing his functional athleticism now. He’s one of the very best in the league at using explosiveness, strength, and power to get to the rim and finish through contact if needed. Castle’s exceptional body control allows him to change speeds and directions in an instant, with most defenders unable to react and recover quickly enough to keep up.
Even with his scoring improvements, the biggest leap Castle’s made this year has been his playmaking. He went from a 23% assist percentage last year (74th percentile) to 33.9% now (99th), resulting in him averaging 7.3 assists per game — a top 10 mark league-wide. Castle has learned how to read defenses and patiently wait for opponents to commit before finding an opening, and he utilizes his rim pressure to kick out to open shooters.
Castle is one of the league’s most efficient passers as well. He’s top 10 in points created from assists (19.3) and top 15 in potential assists, but outside the top 30 in passes made per game. In other words, the numbers imply that Castle might be capable of becoming more of a heliocentric guard if given the opportunity, but the one area that holds him back is his turnover rate: he has a 2.25 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and is also turning the ball over on 15.9% of all individual possessions (7th percentile).
On top of that, Castle is still a questionable shooter at best. He’s making 32.3% of his triples this year (up from 28.5% last year), and while he made over 40% of them in March, the overall body of work suggests that he’s still a below-average shooter — especially for a guard. Still, his combination of scoring, passing, and All-defense level of two-way ability makes Castle a top-40, borderline All-Star now, and I already consider him the second-best player on the Spurs with the potential to make an All-NBA team in the near future. Whether or not Castle reaches those heights and proves himself capable as a lead ballhandler remains to be seen, but it might be a moot point considering that San Antonio has an even better guard prospect lying in wait.
The X-Factor: A rookie?
The basketball gods have a chosen son, and it’s the Spurs. To luck into Wemby after a tanking season is one thing, but getting the second pick with the 8th-best odds in a loaded draft is a whole new level of favoritism.
Harper has come as advertised. He was one of the league’s craftiest drivers and finishers from day one, and has only improved since. Many of his underlying numbers are comparable, if not better, than Castle’s this season, with both being drive-first guards with questionable shooting.
Harper is attempting 50% of his shots at the rim (98th percentile for a guard) and making 63% of those attempts (50th), while being lethal in all other areas inside the arc. The rookie is converting on a mind-blowing 56.5% of his twos, which ranks in the 86th percentile for his position. Harper’s 8.4 drives per game is already above average league-wide, and that number would easily be in the top 20 if he played starter minutes. More impressively, his 55.3% conversion rate on such possessions is 12th league-wide among all players with 500 or more drives this year.
Looking at the tape, it’s easy to see why. Harper has some of the best footwork in the league, and he’s able to get past defenders even after picking up his dribble — very Manu and Hakeem-esque.
Another skill that separates Harper is his decision-making and ball-handling. The rookie’s 10.5% turnover rate is in the 77th percentile for all guards, and he has a robust 2.8 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio that’s well ahead of players such as Cade, Harden, and Shai in their first few years in the league.
Like Castle, though, Harper’s biggest weakness is his inconsistent long-range shooting. He’s made just 32.1% of his triples this year, and while that number was 53.7% in March, Harper’s history suggests that his recent form is an unsustainable hot stretch. Even if his jumper never becomes a weapon, I would still bet on Harper becoming an All-NBA player through his combination of elite two-point efficiency, reliable playmaking, and solid defense. He’s already good enough to play a crucial role in a potential Spurs run, and Harper could be the team’s second-best player as soon as next season. If the jumper does develop, he seems like a virtual lock to be a top-15 player in the league for years to come.
Fox and the role players
Fox: Fox is the more mature version of Castle and Harper in many ways. He’s also top-30 in drives per game (12) and is tied with Harper in field goal percentage on drives (55.3%), and they’re ranked first and second, respectively, in drive FG% since January 1st. The Spurs’ depth has allowed Fox to scale back, as his 27.1% usage is the second-lowest rate of his career. Inversely, that has helped him record the second-highest true shooting percentage of his career (58.1%), although his 3-point shooting remains hit or miss (33.7%). Still, Fox is a vital part of this team even with the emergence of Harper and Castle, as he brings a stable presence and is the Spurs’ go-to perimeter option in crunch time. He could be moved in the next few years to make room for Harper, but for now, Fox remains a crucial piece who’s still playing at an All-Star level.
The wing shooters: Vassell, Champagnie, Barnes, and Johnson are the support pieces that elevate San Antonio’s ceiling. The four of them have all bought into their roles, and the spacing they provide makes life easy for Wemby and the guards on drives. They’re making a combined 38.5% from deep on 20.9 attempts a game, helping mitigate some of the shooting concerns of the guards. All four wings are also adequate defenders with some off-the-dribble game, which means that the Spurs don’t have a single liability on either end of the court.
Kornet: One of the more underappreciated players this season, Kornet has been vital in keeping the Spurs competitive in the non-Wemby minutes. Remember, the Alien is averaging 29 minutes per game and has logged just 1784 total minutes — less than 50% of the team’s total minutes this year. With Kornet on and Wemby off, the Spurs still have a solid 114.4 defensive rating (64th percentile) and a +3.6 net rating with a 118.0 offense. He’s the main reason why San Antonio can afford to save Wemby for the playoffs, and will continue to play a vital role moving forward.
Conclusion
The Spurs are a bonafide title contender, full stop. Wemby is an all-time defense unto himself, and the offense has been elite, too. The fit between the three guards has also been more seamless than expected due to the combination of their rim pressure with the spacing provided by Wemby in the middle and the wings in the corners.
Still, San Antonio’s lack of playoff experience is a reasonable concern, along with the absence of an elite #2 option. Recent champions all had a second All-NBA-calibre player on the roster, and while Castle and Fox (and perhaps Harper) can reach those heights on any given night, none of them have consistently played at that level this year.
For now, I’d consider the Spurs to be beneath OKC in the contender tiers, but they’re the clear #2 and the biggest threat to the defending champs. San Antonio reminds me more of the 2024 one-seed Thunder that lost in the second round than the 2025 champs, but with Wemby on their side, there is no ceiling high enough for this team.
The Spurs are fated to win a title in the near future. The only question that remains is when.
This week, please check out Mateo’s article on Harper’s rookie season! He does a great job of diving even deeper into the numbers and shows just why we’re all so high on Harper’s potential.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles past the defense of Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026 in Inglewood, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was well known that the Golden State Warriors were looking to make a big splash at the NBA trade deadline this past February.
At the time, a potential move felt like a necessity more than a luxury. Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL tear left a massive void, stripping the roster of a reliable secondary star. Meanwhile, the Jonathan Kuminga situation lingered in the background, with a growing sense that a change of scenery could be best for both sides.
All of it pointed toward a major move. As it turns out, the Warriors didn’t just explore the market — they came close to landing one of the biggest names possible.
It’s the opposite: Lacob and Dunleavy have signaled for months that they have every intention of charging after at least one more star this offseason.
To that point, multiple league sources indicated this week that the Warriors were reasonably close to trading for Kawhi Leonard last February — apparently with much of the deal terms generally agreed to — before the Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the talks.
Leonard wasn’t the only target either. The Warriors also had well-known interest in a potential move for the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, reinforcing just how aggressive the front office was in its pursuit of another superstar.
However, none of those plans came to fruition. Instead, Golden State pivoted to Kristaps Porzingis — a move that didn’t carry the same headline-grabbing weight but has worked out well in the meantime, providing size and scoring to a depleted Warriors roster.
Still, the intent was clear. As Golden State heads into the offseason, expect them to pursue another superstar to support Steph Curry and chase another championship.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, April 3rd:
Early talks surrounding Porzingis’s projected contract point in the direction of a deal somewhere in the $18 million to $24 million per year range on a 1+1 type of contract involving a player option. As for Green, his $27.7 million player option holds the key to the Warriors’ offseason.
If he is willing to opt out and take a pay cut to help the team, possibly signing for something in the $16 million to $18 million per year range, Draymond would allow the Warriors to have their full $15 million mid-level exception and operate well below the luxury tax entering the offseason.
What’s also exciting for Porziņģis is the comfort level he has found with Rick Celebrini, the vice president of player health and performance. Porziņģis recently drew attention for saying that Celebrini was the “GOAT” in his field, an opinion he doubled down on.
While Porziņģis remains unsure where he will land this summer, he admits his strong connection with Celebrini will factor into his decision.
“That’s definitely (something) I have to take into account,” he said. “I believe I’m in incredible hands here. And that means something. When you have a really strong staff with somebody like me, maybe that’s had some injuries throughout their career … to be in the best hands, it makes a difference for me to stay out there healthy.”
Just a brutal night for the Lakers in OKC, losing 139-96 to the Thunder on Thursday and possibly losing Luka Doncic for a period of time because of a left hamstring injury he suffered in the third quarter.
The Warriors were left with nine players: three two-way contracts, one player who began the year on a two-way contract, one player who began the year playing in Greece, one second-round rookie, and the veteran trio of Draymond Green, Seth Curry, and Brandin Podziemski.
It was a staggering juxtaposition, especially with MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama, in all his glory, standing on the other side. It was a 7’4 superstar against two unknowns in a trench coat, who still probably weren’t 7’4 combined.
Tommy Lloyd went into Leonardo DiCaprio mode on Friday and said the words every Arizona basketball fan must love to hear: He’s not leaving.
“I'm happy to announce I'm staying at Arizona,” Lloyd said, ahead of his Wildcats facing Michigan in the Final Four in a battle of 1-seeds.
Lloyd called North Carolina a “one of one” job and said it’s an “honor to even be considered for that job,” but he’s agreed to a contract extension at Arizona that runs through the 2031 season.
Unlike Lloyd, May hasn’t said the magic words — or announced the magic contract agreement — to extinguish North Carolina speculation. “I think it's well-documented how happy I am at Michigan,” May said.
Could he be even happier at UNC? He’d be the home-run choice, if so.
This really isn’t about job ceiling, because May, 49, already has proven he can thrive at Michigan and perform at the highest level.
The most logical move for May would seem to be to keep crushing it at Michigan, until such time that the NBA comes calling, if that’s a move that would interest him.
Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
Does Donovan want to return to college basketball? That’s the key question. If he does, now would be a good time to go, with a blue-blood job available, and his Bulls tenure stalling out.
At one time, Donovan was the best in the college basketball business. A lot’s changed within college sports since then. How would he fare in the pay-for-play and perpetual free agency era that college basketball finds itself in now?
That’s not to say Donovan, 60, wouldn’t be a great hire if he can negotiate a breakup with the Bulls. We just don’t know for sure how it would look, as compared to May, who's a proven commodity in this ecosystem.
Hiring Donovan would come with a hint of risk, given his 11 years away from college basketball, but the potential reward is obvious, too. He’s a high-level coach with national title rings.
Mark Byington, Vanderbilt
Once you get past the flashier names on this list, you realize Byington, 49, would be a really compelling choice.
Consider this:
∎ He’s from Virginia, and he played at UNC-Wilmington, so he knows the terrain.
∎ He’s been an assistant inside the ACC, so he knows the conference.
∎ He was a smashing success at James Madison, and he rectified Vanderbilt’s program.
∎ His career keeps trending up.
Sure, he’s never made a Sweet 16, but he’s never been at a program like North Carolina, either.
Todd Golden and Nate Oats had never been to a Sweet 16 before coaching at Florida and Alabama, respectively. Now, they’re two of the best coaches in the sport.
No telling how Byington would handle the scrutiny and expectations of UNC, but here’s a chance to catch someone on his way up.
Ben McCollum, Iowa
Speaking of an elevator that’s on the way up, McCollum, 44, keeps climbing.
Just two years ago, he was at Division II Northwest Missouri State, where he won four national championships. In one year at Drake, his Bulldogs reached the NCAA’s second round. Then, he took Iowa to the Elite Eight in Year 1.
With only one season of Power Four experience, there’d be risk baked into this choice. Plus, McCollum is an Iowa native who’s never coached east of the Mississippi River. Makes you wonder about fit, but winning fits anywhere, and McCollum wins. Google it. He profiles as a good fallback plan if higher profile targets say no.
Two other names to consider: Grant McCasland (Texas Tech), Nate Oats (Alabama). Both are established winners who enjoy great situations right where they are, but UNC is a powerful ego stroke.
For those building their cards, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, April 3.
Celtics vs Bucks computer picks for April 3
Celtics
Bucks
Tatum o22.5 points -112
Turner u10.5 points -105
Queta o8.5 rebounds -130
Kuzma u1.5 3-pointers -120
White o4.5 assists -105
Rollins o5.5 assists -145
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Celtics computer picks
Jayson Tatum Over 22.5 points (-112)
Projection: 23.5 points
Jayson Tatum has cleared the 22.5-point line in five of his last 10 games, and this sets up as another strong scoring night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee has been more vulnerable defensively on the wing, especially against versatile scorers who can operate at all three levels.
Tatum’s ability to create off the dribble, attack mismatches, and stretch the floor puts constant pressure on a Bucks defense that has shown cracks, particularly in transition and perimeter coverage.
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Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds (-130)
Projection: 9.9 rebounds
The Boston Celtics rank sixth in the league in offensive rebounding on the road this season, and Neemias Queta has capitalized, clearing the 8.5 rebounds line in six of his last 10 games.
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Derrick White Over 4.5 assists (-105)
Projection: 5.2 assists
Derrick White has surpassed 4.5 assists in five of his last 10 games, and the matchup against the Bucks sets up well for another strong showing.
White is a key facilitator for Boston, consistently running pick-and-rolls and creating open looks for teammates. Against a Bucks defense that has struggled to contain perimeter ball handlers, he should find ample opportunities to distribute the ball effectively.
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Bucks computer picks
Myles Turner Under 10.5 points (-105)
Projection: 10.4 points
Tonight’s matchup against the Celtics presents a tough challenge for Myles Turner. Boston has allowed the second-fewest points per game to opposing starting power forwards this season (14.5), making it difficult for Turner to hit the Over on his points prop.
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Kyle Kuzma Under 1.5 3-pointers (-120)
Projection: 1.2 3-pointers
The Celtics have operated at the slowest pace in the league this season, which will likely limit possessions for the Bucks and reduce opportunities for Kyle Kuzma, who has hit the Under in six of his last 10 games on a 1.5 made threes line.
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Ryan Rollins Over 5.5 assists (-145)
Projection: 5.8 assists
Ryan Rollins has gone Over 5.5 assists in six of his last 10 games, and tonight’s matchup against the Celtics provides an opportunity for him to continue that trend.
Rollins thrives when he can push the pace in transition or exploit mismatches in half-court sets. With his teammates hitting shots around him, every made basket increases the chance for secondary assists, boosting his potential to surpass 5.5 assists once again.
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How to watch Celtics vs Bucks tonight
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Friday, April 3, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSB, FDSN-WI
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.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the Western Conference a tight-knit race yet again this season, this series will look at the standings and games to watch across the league as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.
The Nuggets are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. They’ve won seven straight and are now just a game behind the Lakers for the third seed in the West. The Rockets are also playing some good basketball, having won four straight games, keeping this race to the playoffs as tight as ever.
Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference: 3. Lakers — 50-27, 11 GB 4. Nuggets — 49-28, 12 GB 5. Rockets — 47-29, 13.5 GB 6. Wolves — 46-30, 14.5 GB
Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who Lakers fans should be rooting for.
Friday
Jazz at Rockets — The Jazz have lost seven straight, and their focus is on making it eight after playing the Rockets. No need for Lakers fans to even check the score of this game.
Wolves at Sixers — With Philadelphia also fighting for a playoff position, they are incentivized to win. So, expect the Sixers to test the Wolves in this one.
Saturday
Spurs at Nuggets — This game could really impact the Lakers standings-wise. Denver has been on a roll, but the Spurs have been even better, winning 11 straight games. If San Antonio can take down the Nuggets, it would give LA some breathing room in the standings with just a handful of games left.
Even if the Spurs lose to the Nuggets and the Lakers drop their next game, LA would remain in the three spot due to the tiebreaker.
However, with a few games left, and Denver caught up, things would begin to look very dicey entering the final week.
Sunday
Rockets at Warriors — With Steph Curry set to return against the Rockets, the Warriors have a good chance of beating Houston. So, while it might not be the Lakers fans’ favorite team, rooting for Golden State is in their best interest on Sunday.
Hornets at Wolves — The Hornets have been one of the funnest surprises of the season. They have rookie phenom Kon Knueppel, and LaMelo Ball remains one of the NBA’s most dynamic players. Minnesota might be favored in this game, but make no mistake: Charlotte can win this one.
Monday
Blazers at Nuggets — Portland is trying to remain the eight seed in the West, so expect them to bring the appropriate level of competitiveness against Denver.
However, given how good the Nuggets have been as of late, it’s hard to imagine it making much of a difference.
The Ducks kick off a five-game homestand with a matchup against the St. Louis Blues. The Ducks are coming off one of their worst losses of the season in which they conceded two goals in the final two minutes of the third period, falling 4-3 to the San Jose Sharks. The Blues are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
“It hurt,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said of the late collapse. “I thought we were doing a lot of good things in that game. I thought we checked well. I thought we played with the lead with a purpose and then all of a sudden, you give up a late, late goal, and then they do it again before the buzzer ends. So that hurt, leaving a point or two on the board. But we've been fortunate to be on the other side of that equation almost all year, so it's a good lesson.”
“A couple of breakdowns at the end of the game,” Alex Killorn said. “Other than that, it was a pretty good game. But those breakdowns obviously hurt us. Today’s a new day.”
2022 first-round pick Nathan Gaucher made his NHL debut in that game, totaling 7:08 in ice time. He centered the fourth line, flanked by Mason McTavish and Frank Vatrano.
“He gives us some size,” Quenneville said. “A (right-handed) shot, jumping in on the faceoff now and again. Had a couple opportunities to maybe put the puck in the net as well. First game, I thought he did a good job.”
“(The game) goes fast,” Gaucher said. “Everyone’s on task. The structure of both teams are always on points. You can't really make mistakes out there because it's going to go in the back of your net.”
With almost 200 AHL games under his belt, Gaucher is grateful for the opportunity he’s been given. His latest stretch prior to being called up saw him score 14 points in 18 games.
“All the hard work you put in is for that reason, you want to play in the NHL,” he said. “You want to play with the best of the best, so I was just so grateful, so excited. I worked hard for that. I was excited to get started with this team.”
After losing their last three games, the Ducks are now tied with the Edmonton Oilers for first in the Pacific Division, with the Ducks currently having a game in hand. Third-place Vegas is just three points back as well.
“It's the most exciting time of the season,” Killorn said. “As you get older, you want to make the most of these moments. These playoffs are so important. It's great for these young guys to get a taste of playoffs, but I think with the way our team's been going, there's a lot that can be done in the playoffs as well. So it's an exciting time for everyone and it's an exciting time for the fans, too. They’ve been waiting for this for a while.”
Ducks forward Alex Killorn speaks to the media after their morning skate at Honda Center.
Ducks Projected Lines
Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry Alex Killorn - Tim Washe - Mikael Granlund Jeff Viel - Ryan Poehling - Beckett Sennecke Mason McTavish - Nathan Gaucher - Frank Vatrano
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba Ian Moore - John Carlson Olen Zellweger - Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Blues Projected Lines
Dylan Holloway - Robert Thomas - Jimmy Snuggerud Jake Neighbours - Pavel Buchnevich - Jordan Kyrou Otto Stenberg - Dalibor Dvorský - Jonatan Berggren Alexey Toropchenko - Jack Finley - Pius Suter
Philip Broberg - Logan Mailloux Theo Lindstein - Colton Parayko Cam Fowler - Justin Holl
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 22: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against Dominick Barlow #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Target Center on February 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers Date: April 3rd, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM CDT Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
A week ago, the Timberwolves were coming off the kind of delirious, season-saving, are-you-kidding-me comeback against Houston that makes you start doing the dangerous thing again: believing.
And then Detroit happened.
It was yet another one of those Sunday matinee corpse performances where the Wolves look like they just met in the layup line and are personally offended to be asked to play basketball. After getting their doors blown off at home to the tune of a 22-point defeat, one would hope that the Wolves would show up motivated and return the favor. To their credit, Minnesota put up a much better fight. For long stretches last night in Detroit, they were right there. They traded blows. They competed. They matched physicality. They hung in the fight against the best team in the Eastern Conference despite getting an unexpected curveball when Anthony Edwards, after returning for just one game from his knee issue, was ruled out with an illness.
To be fair, Detroit was missing its own star in Cade Cunningham, so this wasn’t exactly Wolves JV versus the 1996 Bulls. This was a supporting-cast showdown, and Minnesota simply came up short. The game eventuall swung on one of those brutally familiar stretches that define entire seasons in the NBA. The Wolves had a four-point lead in the fourth quarter, and then in what felt like about 90 seconds, Detroit ripped off an 11-0 run, flipping that lead into a seven-point deficit. That was the game. Minnesota fought after that. The motor was there. The effort to close the gap was real. But once they gave away control, they never truly got it back.
And that is what makes this one sting.
Losing in Detroit, on its own, is not shameful. The Pistons are legitimately good. They are tough. They rebound. They defend. But the standings do not care about context, and the standings definitely do not care about Minnesota’s moral almosts. The Wolves are now firmly back in the sixth seed, a full game behind Houston, with the Denver chase for the four seed and home court advantage starting to feel a little like that scene in every action movie where the hero sees the helicopter lifting off just as he reaches the roof.
It is still there. Technically. But not if the Wolves keep dropping games. Realistically, the Wolves need a 6-0 table run the rest of the way for home court to even be a realistic possibility.
Which is why Friday night in Philadelphia is not just “the second night of a back-to-back.” It is not just another road game before the post-season. It is one of those quietly enormous games that become even larger because of the one before it. If Minnesota had held serve in Detroit, this would have felt like an opportunity. Now it feels closer to a requirement. Drop this one too, and suddenly you are not talking about climbing anymore. You are talking about the sixth seed hardening around you.
That is where the Wolves are now. There is no mystery to the situation. The runway is short. The Western Conference is still a knife fight. The Rockets are catchable, yes, and the Wolves do still have that second-to-last-game showdown with Houston that could flip everything. But only if they do not keep bleeding ground in the games along the way. That is the key now. Do not lose the ground you still have. Stay close enough for the final push to matter.
And that starts in Philadelphia.
This is the part of the season where you find out whether a team has another gear or whether it has just been revving in neutral and making a lot of noise. The Wolves are going to have to find that gear now, because if they want to finish any higher than sixth, if they want to improve on last year’s standing, if they want home court to be something more than a distant daydream, then this is one of those games they absolutely have to gut out.
And with that, here are the keys to the game.
1. Find the Shot Again
Last night, Minnesota shot 31 percent from three, and even that number was wearing makeup. Mike Conley rolled back the clock and knocked down four threes. Otherwise, the Wolves’ perimeter attack was a horror show. Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu, and Bones Highland went a combined 3-for-20 from deep. That is not a slump. That is a coordinated system failure.
Maybe it is unfair to ask for great shooting on the second night of a back-to-back after a high-energy game in Detroit. Too bad. The Wolves need it anyway. This team is not wired to survive offensively when its best floor-spacers are launching bricks into low orbit. They do not need to shoot 45 percent from three like they did against Dallas, but they absolutely have to get back into a healthy rhythm from deep. Mid-30s should be the goal.
When the Wolves are missing those clean catch-and-shoot looks, everything else tightens. The offense gets sticky. The spacing shrinks. The decision-making gets slower. Suddenly every drive feels like rush hour traffic. They cannot afford that again.
2. Reclaim the Paint
Detroit did not just beat the Wolves. It physically imposed itself on them, especially around the basket. Jalen Duren, for the second time in three games, gave Minnesota’s front line all kinds of problems. He rebounded. He finished. He made Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid work in ways that kept the Wolves from ever feeling comfortable. The Pistons out-rebounded Minnesota and repeatedly turned the paint into Detroit property.
Now the Wolves go into Philadelphia, where Joel Embiid is back and waiting. That should terrify Minnesota just enough to bring out its best.
Gobert, Randle, and Reid cannot afford another game where they get pushed around or outworked in the interior. It is not just about stopping Embiid from getting his numbers. It is about not letting the Sixers own the glass, not giving them second and third chances, and not allowing the Wolves’ biggest structural advantage to become a neutral factor. Gobert has to be massive here. He needs to vacuum up rebounds, contest everything, and create easy offense with putbacks and lobs. The Wolves’ frontcourt has to set the tone in this game, because if they lose the paint battle and the rebounding battle, then they are asking their guards to win a game from the outside on tired legs, and that is not a winning formula.
3. Bring the Perimeter Defense
The last time these teams met, Tyrese Maxey more or less treated Minnesota’s perimeter defense like it was a series of optional suggestions. He got downhill. He got comfortable. He got whatever he wanted. The Wolves’ guards offered about as much resistance as a loose shower curtain, and the whole thing quickly turned into one of those patented Wolves matinee nightmares where the opponent looks faster, sharper, and much more aware that there is a basketball game going on.
That cannot happen again.
This is one of those matchups where the point-of-attack defense matters almost more than anything else. Maxey cannot be allowed to just pick a lane and go. The Wolves have to be deliberate here. Strong on-ball pressure. Better contain. Smarter help. Crisp closeouts. If Maxey is getting loose and putting Gobert in constant scramble mode, then Minnesota is in trouble.
The perimeter defenders have to act like they take this personally. Otherwise, it is going to be one of those nights where the Sixers’ guards are in the paint every trip, the rotations are late, and the score starts sliding in the wrong direction before the Wolves even realize what happened.
4. Maintain the Physicality and Intensity
One encouraging thing from Detroit was that Minnesota did not get punked emotionally. They matched the Pistons’ physicality. They played with edge. They fought. That matters, because now the Wolves have to carry that same tone into a road game, on no rest, with the standings tightening around their throat.
This is one of those nights where the game can get away from you not because the other team is that much better, but because you are just half a step slower, just a little more tired, just a little less sharp. That is where the physicality matters. That is where the intensity matters. That is where all the little effort plays like boxing out, chasing loose balls, sprinting back, setting hard screens, and cutting with force start to decide things.
The Wolves are going to need real hunger here, because if this becomes a mental game of exhaustion then Philadelphia will bury them. They need to play like a team that understands the stakes and refuses to let fatigue become an excuse.
5. Anthony Edwards Needs to Put the Cape Back On
If Anthony Edwards plays, this has to be his game.
Simple as that.
The last time Minnesota went into Philadelphia, Edwards had one of those classic Ant moments where the game was hanging there, wobbling, looking for someone to claim it, and he just slammed the door with a dagger three. He had the Dallas game to work himself back into rhythm after the knee issue. Then he lost Thursday to illness, which means if he is available, he will also be the freshest major piece on Minnesota’s roster. That matters on the second night of a back-to-back.
Randle has stepped up admirably while Edwards has been out. He has absorbed the primary scoring burden, created offense, and done a lot of the heavy lifting. But against a Philly team that has been playing better, against Maxey and Embiid, on the road, in a game this important, it feels like the Wolves need an apex-player night. Not just a 28-point night. A full, commanding, gravity-bending, “I am the best player in this building” kind of night.
If Ant is out there, Minnesota needs him to put the cape back on.
This Is the Part Where You Either Climb or Get Comfortable
Heading into this back-to-back, we knew the Wolves could not afford to lose both games. That was true before Detroit. It is even more true now. There are too few games left and too much at stake to keep burning opportunities. Yes, Houston is only a game ahead. Yes, the Wolves still have that huge second-to-last-game meeting with the Rockets that could flip the tiebreaker and the standings in one shot. But if Minnesota keeps dropping games like this one along the way, then that Houston battle becomes less of a showdown and more of an afterthought.
That is why this one matters so much.
It is not just the second night of a back-to-back. It is not just a road game in Philly. It is a gut-check. It is a pressure test. It is one of those nights where you find out if the Wolves actually want more than the sixth seed or if they are going to keep hovering there like a team waiting for the season to happen to them instead of taking hold of it themselves.
No one said this was going to be easy. That ship sailed months ago, probably sometime during one of those weird winter losses where they let a bad team hang around and then spent the postgame talking about energy and execution. This is the position they put themselves in. No room. No cushion. No clean escape route.
So now it is time to dig.
If they want the four seed, if they want to catch Houston, if they want to avoid finishing at the bottom rung and muttering about what could have been, then this is one of those nights they simply have to find a way.
And if Anthony Edwards is out there, under the lights, in a game where the standings are quietly screaming in the background, then the Wolves need him to be exactly what he has so often been in these spots.
The closer. The tone-setter. The guy who makes all the “if only” talk disappear for one night.
Because the runway is short now, and the Wolves have officially reached the point of the season where every game is either a step up the ladder or a door slammed shut.
With the 2026 NBA Draft Combine just more than a month away — and the NBA Draft itself 82 days away — it's getting down to crunch time for the Dallas Mavericks to have a new, fully empowered head of basketball operations. Someone to replace the fired Nico Harrison.
Internal candidates Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley — Dallas' co-interim general managers since Nico Harrison's firing in November — are under consideration to get the job. But the Mavericks, league sources said, also have ambitions of going big-game hunting.
At the top of the target list is Bob Myers, the architect of the Stephen Curry era Warriors dynasty, reports Clark. While money talks, it's going to be tough to lure Myers out of his current job as president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which is run by Josh Harris and has majority ownership of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and Premier League's Crystal Palace F.C, as well as connections to the NFL's Washington Commanders. When Myers stepped down from the Warriors, he said he was looking for a new challenge, something that went beyond basketball, and now he has it. Also, Myers is a California guy — born in the Bay Area and went to college at UCLA — and getting him to pack up and move to Texas makes this even a longer shot.
Among the names on Dumont's wish list, per league sources: Oklahoma City executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti, Minnesota president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and Boston president Brad Stevens. Cleveland top exec Koby Altman's name is also in the mix, a source said.
Presti is highly unlikely to leave Oklahoma City, and the same holds for Stevens in Boston. Connelly did leave Denver for more money and a larger role in Minnesota, but would he do it again to go to Dallas? Both reports say there is no plan to move Jason Kidd up from coaching the team to the front office.
The smart money is on one of Riccardi or Finley getting the job, but at least Dallas is taking a couple of home run swings first.
Entering the final week of the NBA regular season, the playoff picture is largely set.
In the Western Conference, five teams have already clinched postseason berths, with the Timberwolves on the verge of securing the final automatic spot. The Suns, Trail Blazers, Clippers and Warriors are positioned for the play-in tournament.
In the Eastern Conference, the top 10 teams are guaranteed, at least, a play-in spot. The Hawks, 76ers, Raptors, Hornets, Magic and Heat remain mathematically alive for a top-six seed and an automatic playoff berth — a race that will be worth monitoring over the final week.
Though seeding matters, more important is how these teams project once the postseason begins.
Stars ultimately determine a team’s ceiling, but playoff outcomes are often decided on the margins. Whether it’s knocking down shots, creating secondary offense or making an impact on the defensive end of the floor, the contributions of role players can change the trajectory of a team’s season. Iconic moments like Ray Allen’s 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals are sometimes the difference between a championship or a premature playoff exit.
Using NBA StatsHub, we can identify the role players whose impact may be undervalued heading into the postseason.
Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry will reportedly return to action Sunday against the Rockets, which is the most important news for Golden State as they prepare for the play-in tournament. However, even if Curry returns – it’s unlikely that he will immediately perform like an MVP candidate, considering the severity of his knee injury and the fact that he hasn’t played since Jan. 30.
Contributions from elsewhere on the roster will be necessary if Golden State hopes to pull off an upset in the play-in tournament. Gary Payton II could be one key ingredient.
During the past month, Payton is averaging 13.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 23.1 minutes for the Warriors. He’s been extremely efficient, shooting 66.7% from the floor. He has a +10.9% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation during that span, indicating that he’s been making a number of tough shots, too.
Factor in that Payton has been an asset on the defensive end of the floor and it’s not difficult to see his value.
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are the obvious big pieces for the Lakers, but players like Rui Hachimura could be the difference between an early exit or a deeper playoff run in Los Angeles.
In the last 30 days, Hachimura has been one of the team’s most efficient scorers, with a 10.9% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation. His ability to finish around the rim and knock down perimeter shots helps with spacing around the team’s primary playmakers.
The Lakers have also been 1.4 points better per 100 possessions defensively with Hachimura on the floor since the All-Star break.
Justin Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are 23-13 SU with Joel Embiid on the floor this year, compared to a 19-21 SU record without him. The team has intentionally monitored Embiid’s workload during the regular season in an effort to have him healthy at the most important time of the year.
One benefit of such an approach is that Philadelphia has been able to see who else is able to be a solid contributor for them in big moments. Justin Edwards’ development could end up being a difference maker this spring for the 76ers.
Since the beginning of April, he’s averaging 12.0 points per game on 54.3% shooting. His 10.3% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation is among the best in the NBA for players averaging fewer than 30 minutes per game. Edwards has also been one of the team’s better defenders since the All-Star break.
Duncan Robinson, Detroit Pistons
Duncan Robinson doesn’t offer the defensive value that other names on this list provide to their teams, but he is an elite asset on the offensive end of the floor. Since the All-Star break, Detroit’s offensive rating is 11.1 points better with him on the court.
In the last month, Robinson is averaging 11.5 points on 51.5% shooting – even more impressive when considering that more than half of his shot attempts come from beyond-the-arc. Robinson has a 10.1% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation during that span.
The Takeaway
Stars get all the credit for postseason success, and their failures are often held against them. However, the difference between advancing and going home often relies on much more than simply how well the best player on the team performs.
Players like Gary Payton II, Rui Hachimura, Justin Edwards and Duncan Robinson don’t win end-of-season accolades, nor are they the focal point of morning talk shows. Nevertheless, their teams appreciate their contributions and their ability to convert difficult shots, provide efficient secondary offense, and contribute in high-leverage moments makes them critical pieces in a playoff setting.
Tools like NBA StatsHub can help us identify the role players who have the ability to outperform expectation when it matters most.
NEW YORK — Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón thinks his tight right hamstring is only a minor setback in his return from elbow surgery last October.
Rodón felt the tightness after throwing 50 pitches of batting practice Sunday at the team’s complex in Tampa, Florida. Rodón got hurt while running and New York called off a planned minor league injury rehabilitation outing at Double-A Somerset.
“Just a little bump in the road,” the 33-year-old left-hander said before the Yankees’ home opener against Miami on Friday.
Rodón hopes to throw about 50 pitches Saturday in a controlled environment, such as batting practice.
“It’s just a matter of when he can run and cover and field his position and things like that,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So he’s able to keep his arm going through this. It’s minor enough that that’s the case.”
Rodón is recovering from surgery on Oct. 15 to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur.
Boone said shortstop Anthony Volpe started taking at-bats off pitching and could start a rehab assignment in mid-April.
A TWO-FER: The Cubs allowed exactly two runs in each of their last three games, all at home against the Angels. Since 1901, they have had 49 two-run streaks that reached three games, but only one that continued through a fourth game. From Aug. 23-26, 2006, the Cubs lost at home to the Phillies, 2-1; beat them, 11-2; then lost at St. Louis, 2-0 and 2-1, the final game on a ninth-inning, two-out walk-off single. The Cubs had a pair of two-run streaks of three games in 2022, winning two of three in both, and two more such streaks in 2023, going 3-0 in both. The 2022 streaks ended in a win by 4-3 and a loss by 8-5; the 2023 streaks, in a win by 10-1 and a loss by 10-1. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
STEALING BAGS: The Cubs are tied for third in MLB with seven steals. No Cub has been thrown out stealing yet this year.
WALKING THE WALK: The Cubs rank tied for fifth (with the Braves) in MLB with 30 walks. Two of the teams ahead of them (Astros, Angels) have played one more game than the Cubs.
THE NICO FILES: Nico Hoerner enters Friday’s action leading the NL with four doubles (tied with Brice Turang and Matt Olson) and leading MLB with four steals.
Cade Horton picked up where he left off in 2025 with his first 2026 start, a solid outing against the Nationals last Saturday.
Last year against the Guardians, July 3, 2025 at Wrigley Field, Horton threw seven shutout innings, allowing five singles with five strikeouts.
Another one just like that, please.
Joey Cantillo was Horton’s opponent in that game last year. He didn’t give the Cubs any runs, but was lifted after 3.1 innings and 68 pitches. That game was Cantillo’s first MLB start.
In his first start this year, last Saturday at Seattle, he allowed two runs in 3.2 innings, throwing 91 pitches. He walked three. Perhaps the Cubs can be patient like that and get him out of the game early.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Celtics
Bucks
