The New York Rangers have recalled Adam Sýkora from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
Sýkora was selected by the Rangers in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, and he’s spent the past three seasons playing in the AHL.
The 21-year-old forward has recorded 12 goals, 17 assists, and 29 points in 62 games with the Wolf Pack this season.
To this point, Sýkora is still waiting to make his NHL debut.
“I know I’m a different player from those the New York Rangers have drafted,” Sýkora said in September. “So, that’s kind of my path — forecheck, backcheck, all the skating, hard work, that’s kind of my job that gets me here. And I want to put it all together to get to the next level. Defensive things, penalty kill, blocking shots and a team player, helping and supporting each other. Be alive on the bench and support the other guys here.”
It’s unclear if he will slot into the Rangers’ lineup on Wednesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In a corresponding move, the Rangers sent Connor Mackey back down to the AHL, opening the door for Drew Fortescue to make his NHL debut in Toronto.
History matters less than ever before in college sports.
Consider the case of Indiana. Once a basketball power, the Hoosiers rarely make the NCAA Tournament anymore, while Indiana rules college football. That's an Indiana football program that was forever-a-doormat until two years ago.
Oh, and get a load of this: Nebraska basketball is in the Sweet 16. Nebraska football gives contract extensions for 7-6 seasons.
Coaching a blue-blood means subjecting yourself to the highest degree of pressure and expectations, with fewer advantages than those programs were once accustomed to enjoying.
Indiana missed the tournament, for the eighth time in the past 10 years. UCLA lost in Round 2, and Mick Cronin complained he needs more NIL money. NIL money isn’t the issue at Kentucky, but its expensive roster went bust, and the Wildcats got trounced in the second round. North Carolina lost in the first round for the second straight season, and Hubert Davis’ rump sits on a hot seat.
No. 1 Duke carries the torch for the blue-bloods. A more newly minted blue-blood, UConn, also remains in the tournament. Overall, though, these are not glory days for blue-bloods.
No coach wants to work for a program that resides in the poorhouse and can’t finance a roster, but you could make a compelling argument that a coach is better off at a nouveau riche program than a blue-blood. What do all those banners in the rafters really get you, nowadays?
And, still, coaching a blue-blood offers an intoxicating ego-stroke in an industry full of egomaniacs.
If North Carolina fires Davis — a decision on his fate has yet to be announced — the Tar Heels need only one A-list candidate to say yes to the pressure in exchange for being at a school where basketball reigns supreme.
On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate the appeal of coaching a blue-blood and whether two of the SEC’s star coaches, Florida’s Todd Golden and Alabama’s Nate Oats, might consider leaving a stable job for a premier opportunity like North Carolina, where the pressure is high but so is the ceiling.
Oats and Golden are proven coaches in their prime. Oats’ Crimson Tide reached the Sweet 16 for a fourth straight year. They made the Final Four in 2024, beating UNC along the way.
Although Golden’s Gators suffered a surprising second-round loss to Iowa, his stock remains red-hot after last year’s national championship made him the youngest coach to win a title since Jim Valvano.
Would Todd Golden or Nate Oats consider leaving for UNC basketball?
Adams: A coach as successful as Golden or Oats doesn't think he'd fail at UNC. They probably think they’d crush it there and be the king of Chapel Hill — and, maybe, they would crush it there. They’re winners, and although UNC comes with a mountain of pressure, it also comes with a lot of resources. Talent is the name of the game, and UNC attracts top talent, even in an era where the newly rich programs can buy talent, too.
My only hesitation with leaving a good situation at Florida or Alabama in favor of UNC? Well, there's this: If you wait another year, perhaps you could have the Kentucky job. How's that for a blue-blood?
UNC must face Duke two or three or even four times a season. Why subject yourself to being compared to Duke, if you could instead be at Kentucky? The Wildcats have rivals, but nothing as intense as the intra-conference battle between Duke and UNC. Kentucky has shown it’ll spare no expense on its roster. It just needs a better coach. Come 2027, it might find itself in hot pursuit of one.
The football programs act as a heat shield for coaches at Alabama and Florida. If Oats’ team loses in the Sweet 16, he’ll get a satisfied thumbs up from Alabama fans, before they turn their attention to A-Day and demand a football national title from Kalen DeBoer.
Bottom line: So long as you can build a competitive roster, it’s not such a bad thing to be a successful basketball coach at a football school. Ask Rick Barnes.
Plus, the SEC is enjoying a basketball uprising. It led all conferences with 10 bids to the NCAA Tournament this season, after 14 bids last year and a national title from Golden’s Gators. Win 20 games as an SEC team, and you’re dancing.
Programs like UNC and Kentucky need coaches like Golden and Oats a lot more than those ace coaches need a blue-blood.
Which SEC school will be left standing in the Sweet 16?
The SEC advanced four teams into the Sweet 16, second only to the Big Ten’s six Sweet 16 teams. But, with the Gators eliminated, will any SEC teams be left standing in the Elite Eight?
Adams: Tennessee has the best chance to reach the Elite Eight, especially if Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson (ankle injury) doesn’t play in this Sweet 16 game. Arkansas is the hottest SEC team, but better to face Iowa State than No. 1 Arizona, which will play the Razorbacks.
Toppmeyer: Take Tennessee as the last SEC team standing in the Elite Eight. This looks like a winnable matchup for the Vols. Tennessee and Iowa State are blue-collar teams built on defense. Barnes has two straight Elite Eight appearances. Make it three in a row.
Since being shipped to Canada's capital city, Foegele has been on fire.
Foegele, 29, has made nine appearances for the Senators and is already contributing on a regular basis offensively. The Markham, Ont., native has five goals and six points for his new club.
He scored a goal in his debut for Ottawa against the Seattle Kraken on March 7. Not long after, in his fifth game for the Sens, he recorded his first multi-point game of the season, scoring a goal and an assist against the San Jose Sharks.
Now, Foegele is on a three-game point streak, registering a goal in each of his last three appearances. He's been a key contributor to the Senators' push to make the playoffs, as they are two points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Since he joined, Ottawa has gone on a 7-2-0 run, and it looks like the deal panned out well for the Senators and GM Steve Staios.
What makes his contributions even more impressive is that Foegele is averaging just 11:31 of ice time with the Senators, which is the lowest ice time he's ever averaged in his nine-year NHL career.
With the Kings, Foegele played 47 games, scoring seven goals and nine points. He's almost reached that total already for Ottawa.
Fabian Zetterlund and Warren Foegele (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)
It was a bit of a head-scratcher to see Foegele's production drop substantially, considering the personal bests he set last season. In 2024-25, the left winger recorded 24 goals, 22 assists, 46 points, and a team-high plus-36 rating.
He has dealt with some injuries this season and was forced into multiple stretches of absence throughout the year. Foegele also had his fair share of healthy scratches, and it became difficult for him to get into a rhythm with the Kings.
At some point, even Holland admitted that he needed to work the phones and find Foegele a new home because the team had too many forwards at the time. With the current absence of Kevin Fiala and Andrei Kuzmenko, it feels like Foegele's services could be useful once again.
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Montreal Canadiens netminder Jakub Dobes is playing some of his best hockey of the season down the stretch.
My Hurricanes vs. Canadiens predictions expect Dobes to be front-and-center against a Carolina team known for peppering opposing goaltenders with shots.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Tuesday, March 24.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens prediction
Hurricanes vs Canadiens best bet: Jakub Dobes Over 26.5 saves (-130)
The Carolina Hurricanes are a high volume shot-generation team, averaging 32.3 shots per game (second most). They don’t finish with great efficiency, sitting tied for 18th in shooting percentage.
That leads to a lot of high save counts for opposing goaltenders. Jakub Dobes should be up to the task on Tuesday night.
He has performed well at home all season long, recording a 2.33 GAA and .901 SV%. Those marks are much better than his road outputs.
Dobes also enters play in fine form, posting an impressive .917 SV% over his last five starts.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens same-game parlay
The Montreal Canadiens have scored goals consistently, even against strong defenses. They've averaged 3.78 goals per game vs. teams ranking Top-10 in shot suppression, including a seven-goal outburst the last time they played Carolina.
Cole Caufield has averaged 1.3 points per game following two days of rest, while Lane Hutson has hit the scoresheet in 11 of 14 games after a couple of days off.
Expect both to be productive against a Hurricanes team that sits 27th in team SV%.
Hurricanes vs Canadiens SGP
Jakub Dobes Over 26.5 saves
Cole Caufield Over 0.5 points
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 points
Hurricanes vs Canadiens odds
Moneyline: Carolina -135 | Montreal +115
Puck line: Carolina -1.5 (+170) | Montreal +1.5 (-210)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)
Hurricanes vs Canadiens trend
Cole Caufield has 14 points over his last 10 home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Hurricanes vs Canadiens
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN South, TSN2
Hurricanes vs Canadiens latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 23: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at American Airlines Center on March 23, 2026 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. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors picked up a much-needed win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, but it came at a devastating cost.
Moses Moody, who had just returned after missing 10 games due to a wrist injury, went down late in the game with a left knee injury on a non-contact play. He was eventually stretchered off the floor as players, coaches, and everyone in attendance looked on in silence.
Draymond hugged Moses Moody as he was stretchered off the court after his injury 🫂😕
Despite the Warriors’ 137-131 overtime win, all anyone could think about was Moody’s status after the game.
“We don’t know what it is, but it sure looked bad,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “Just hoping for the best.”
Moody was arguably the Warriors’ best player on the night before the injury, leading the team with 23 points in 34 minutes in what should have been a celebratory end to a rough six-game road trip. But that all changed after what appeared to be a routine fast break dunk instantly shifted the tone of the night.
“[Moses Moody] is such a great human being, great teammate, and a wonderful guy to coach,” Kerr said. “He just puts in the work every day and was brilliant, by the way. He played so well defensively changing the game for us with his ball pressure and knocking down big shots. It was so great to finally have him back after missing [10 games] and then for that to happen, we’re just praying it’s not too serious, but it sure looked serious.”
That sentiment carried throughout the locker room, especially for a Warriors team already hammered by season-altering injuries. It’s yet another tough blow, and for now, all eyes are on Moody as the team awaits further evaluation.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, March 24th:
“It’s brutal, you know we’ve been waiting to get back healthy,” Green told NBA on ESPN Radio after the game. “Moses is a guy who does everything right … and he changed the game for us tonight.
“Everything started going bad, he picked up his defensive intensity, knocked shots down, he changed the game for us. To see him go out like that [was] bad.”
"It was one of the saddest scenes I've seen covering the league. It was awful because immediately everybody knew. Moses knew when he went down,"@NickFriedell recounts Moses Moodys injury in last nights Warriors win (@MorningRoast957) pic.twitter.com/WF2evXrcF5
“My first one would be that defense is 50 percent of the game and that is undervalued, so far, in the MVP race,” Wembanyama said. “I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be that we almost swept OKC in the season and we dominated them three times with their real team and four times with the, you know, more rotation players. My third argument would be that offense impact is not just points.”
However, it turns out that Curry did not scrimmage in Atlanta. Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance, did not clear Curry for a scrimmage. Instead, he and Curry did more court/rehab work. According to the Warriors, this doesn’t necessarily signal a setback; rather, that Curry just wasn’t ready to progress to the next stage of recovery.
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 23: Kevin McGonigle #85 of the Detroit Tigers warms up before a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 23, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers vs. Colorado Rockies
Time/Place: 3:10 p.m., Salt River Fields – Scottsdale, AZ SB Nation Site:Purple Row Media: TBD
The Mets used a tremendous amount of pitchers in 2025; if you count position players, 46 pitchers tossed off the mount last year for the Mets. 29 pitchers pitched in relief for the Mets last season, and of all that pitched in at least five games, only seven are still in the organization and/or aren’t out for the entirety of 2026 with injuries: Huascar Brazobán, A.J. Minter, Brandon Waddell, Justin Hagenman, Richard Lovelady, Kevin Herget, and Brooks Raley.
Of all of those pitchers, Raley is the one that is probably easiest to project going into 2026. He’s been a very good left-handed reliever for some time now, coming back from Korea in the 2020 season, but really coming into his own in 2022 as a member of the Rays. After a trade to the Mets before the 2023 season, Raley has established himself as the Mets’ preeminent lefty when healthy. In ‘23, he appeared in 66 games with a 2.80 ERA. He got hurt in 2024 and missed most of the season, but started the year with seven scoreless innings before getting hurt.
After re-signing with the Mets while hurt, Raley returned to the big league mound in July of 2025 and was quite good: 25.2 innings of work, just seven earned runs, 25 strikeouts to six walks, no home runs, and a 2.45 ERA. The Mets very wisely picked up his option for 2026, and he returns to the Mets as their most veteran member of the relief corps.
Raley works with mainly four pitches: a sweeper, a sinker, a cutter, and a change-up. He relies mostly on the sweeper, throwing it just over 40% of the time. He makes up for a lack of velocity by getting a nice amount of spin on his balls; in his last season of regular work, Raley had elite fastball spin, which led to low exit velocity, and very few hard-hit or barreled balls.
Raley is enetering his age 38 season, so he’s no young gun, but with Minter starting the year on the IL and a proven track record of success, Raley will be the Mets’ primary lefty out of the bullpen as the season starts. Whether he can maintain that role once Minter returns remains to be seen, but the combination of his consistency and stuff will ensure that he’ll get lots of usage out of the bullpen this year.
One final note on Raley: he was one of five Tampa Bay Rays to opt out of wearing Rays LGBTQIA+ Pride-themed gear for their 2022 Pride Night. Raley did not comment on his decision.
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/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 Lakers’ winning streak has come to an end, with a loss against the Pistons, but they’ve maintained distance from the teams they are bunched up with in the West.
Currently, they remain the third seed and with multiple teams in the standings playing each other this week, they will be gaining ground on a couple of these rivals.
Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference: 3. Lakers — 46-26, 11 GB 4. Nuggets — 44-28, 13 GB 5. Wolves — 44-28, 13 GB 6. Rockets — 43-28, 13.5 GB 7. Suns — 40-32, 17 GB
While the Lakers have gone 9-1 in their last 10 games, the rest of their competition has meandered in mediocrity. The Wolves, Rockets and Suns have gone 5-5, and the Nuggets have only been slightly better at 6-10.
With just 10 or so games left on the season, another strong week for LA could all but secure homecourt for the opening round of the playoffs.
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.
Tuesday
Nuggets at Suns — At this point, it seems Phoenix is destined for the play-in. So, Lakers fans should be rooting for the Suns to beat the Nuggets.
Denver’s potential as a title contender is obvious, but they’ve been up and down recently, beating top teams like the Spurs, but then losing to tankers like the Grizzlies.
If the Suns come out aggressive early, they can absolutely win this game.
Dealing with a busted bracket?
The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.
Wednesday
Mavs at Nuggets — Dallas has no incentive to win, so fans have no incentive to watch.
Rockets at Wolves — This is a tough one to figure out what is best for the Lakers. They have the tiebreaker over each team, but who do they want to play? If Houston is the desired opponent, then them losing is what’s best. If the playoffs started now, they’d be playing the Lakers in the first round.
However, if a rematch with the Wolves is desired, an opposite outcome would help set it up.
Regardless, this should be a very entertaining game to watch.
The Denver Nuggets need every win they can get right now, and they’re finally nearing full health at the perfect time. The Phoenix Suns, meanwhile, have a bit more breathing room as the postseason approaches.
Yet this line sits at just two possessions.
My Nuggets vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks expect Phoenix to key in on Nikola Jokic — and that defensive attention should open the door for a monster night on the glass, with Jokic clearing his rebound prop on March 24.
Nuggets vs Suns prediction
Nuggets vs Suns best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds (-110)
The obvious handicap is that Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has cleared this prop in four of his last six games. There should still be some worry tonight, though.
The Phoenix Suns are slowing things down these days to hide their disadvantages as injuries expose their roster, but those injuries will play a big part in Joker eclipsing this number.
Oso Ighodaro and Jordan Goodwin will mount only so much resistance to Jokic, and he'll dominate this frontcourt.
Nuggets vs Suns same-game parlay
Jokic should dominate his every matchup against the Suns, which should also reduce his need to pass the ball. Then, if Phoenix does indeed slow down the game, that should further lessen Jokic’s chances to move the ball to his teammates.
Not to mention, bet365 is offering a 30% boost on this same-game parlay, raising it to +780 if applied.
Nuggets vs Suns SGP
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Nikola Jokic Over 28.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 10.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Let Jokic eat
Phoenix knows it is thin these days, yet the Suns rank No. 13 in offensive rating in March and No. 12 in defensive rating. They're hanging on in intentional ways. Tonight’s intention will be to let Jokic feast, but no other Nugget beats them.
Clearly, the Under on Jokic’s assists is correlated to the Under on Jamal Murray’s points. And both thoughts tie to the Suns setting tonight’s terms.
Nuggets vs Suns SGP
Suns +5.5
Under 232.5
Jamal Murray Under 23.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 10.5 assists
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Nuggets vs Suns odds
Spread: Nuggets -5.5 | Suns +5.5
Moneyline: Nuggets -240 | Suns +195
Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5
Nuggets vs Suns betting trend to know
Phoenix has cashed four straight Unders, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.5 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Suns.
How to watch Nuggets vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Tip-off
11:00 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Nuggets vs Suns latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 14: Mike Yastrzemski #18 of the Atlanta Braves swings the bat during the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves on March 14, 2026 at CoolToday Park in North Port, FL. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
For Atlanta’s last Spring Training game of 2026, the Braves had Grant Holmes on the mound and a potential Opening Day lineup preview on the hitting side.
Holmes looked pretty good to start the game, even as some bad BABIP luck and a walk caused his second inning to be cut short and brought a Tampa run home. Grant demonstrated plenty of swing and miss stuff, though did allow some loud contact on the ground. As he settled into the game, the strikeouts waned, while the walks and hard contact continued. Despite that, the Rays were held to 2 runs, both inherited and allowed by relievers, as most of that hard contact stayed on the ground, and Grant exited the game with 5.1 innings of 2 run ball with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks. Dylan Lee got a strikeout after allowing a single to finish the sixth inning. Tyler Kinley worked a clean seventh, with a strikeout and two softly-hit outs. Robert Suarez got the eighth and struck one batter out, but allowed some hard contact and suffered from some poor fielding, so only managed two outs. Raisel Iglesias got the ninth and closed out Atlanta’s 2026 Spring Training with a 1-2-3 frame, including 1 strikeout.
On the offensive side, back-to-back doubles from Acuna and Baldwin brought in Atlanta’s first run in the third, before Austin Riley just missed a home run, instead resulting in an inning-ending flyout. Mike Yastrzemski continued his massive spring with another homer in the fourth, a solo homer that gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead.
Baldwin hit another double in the fifth, this one at over 110 MPH off the bat, as he continues to just crush the ball this spring. Jorge Mateo brought home Baldwin on another well-hit double, giving Atlanta it’s third run, as the regulars were replaced after two plate appearances, Baldwin as the notable exception. Mateo managed another well-hit single in the seventh.
That’s a wrap for Spring Training for the Braves, as we will be back on Friday for Atlanta’s Opening Night game against Kansas City.
There’s very “last day of school” vibes around today, with the final spring exhibition before Opening Day tomorrow, wrapping up this two-game set with the Cubs from Arizona. After a one-inning, 10-pitch spring debut last week, Gerrit Cole will get the ball ahead of a likely rehab assignment to try and tune up for a May or June return. His outing last week against the Red Sox saw his fastball riding upper 90s with a slider at 91 mph, but I wonder if today will be more of a focus on control and command. We know that his arm can tolerate the velo, and that’s important, but Cole’s always been a tremendous mix of velocity and command, the latter of which is usually harder to build up after a procedure like Tommy John.
Edward Cabrera meanwhile is the shiny new toy for the Cubs, acquired from the Marlins in exchange for a prospect package led by Owen Caissie over the winter. The Yankees reportedly had no interest in the toolsy right-hander, who posted a 3.53 ERA in 137.2 innings in 2025. He features one of the best curveballs and changeups in baseball, but one of the very worst fastballs around. Unlocking that fastball is the difference between Cabrera being a five-win pitcher and a three-win pitcher, and the biggest challenge for Chicago in getting the most bang for their trade buck.
There’s more Opening Day starters in the lineup than I figured with just over 28 hours before the season starts, with Ben Rice leading us off, Jazz Chisholm Jr. batting and playing second, while Ryan McMahon and José Caballero man the left side of the infield. This game is audio-only, so tune in to WFAN for the call.
The Charlotte Hornets just keep winning games, and are going to be a team that no one wants to face in the playoffs.
The offense is buzzing, and they’re massive favorites for tonight’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings. That has my Kings vs. Hornets predictions locked in on a team total.
That and more NBA picks for this game set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center on Tuesday, March 24.
Kings vs Hornets prediction
Kings vs Hornets best bet: Hornets team total Over 124.5 (-115)
The Charlotte Hornets are 11-3 in their last 14 games overall and have the second-highest net rating in the NBA over that span.
The last three games have been particularly good, with Buzz City averaging 130 points while shooting 52.9% from the floor, and there’s no reason to think they’re going to slow down in this matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings are just playing out the season at this point, with their recent wins coming against the likes of the Nets and Jazz. Sacramento has the third-worst defensive rating and ranks next-to-last in opponent eFG%.
Kings vs Hornets same-game parlay
The Hornets are so dangerous because they have so many great shooters, with LaMelo Ball being just one of them. And Ball is on fire right now.
The Buzz City point guard is putting up 25.2 points while shooting 42.1% from 3-point range over his last five games, scoring 29 or more three times.
Another reason why buzz is so big around the Hornets has been the development of Brandon Miller.
He’s shooting nearly 50% from three-point range on 7.8 attempts per game over his last 15 games. He has drained four or more threes in three straight games, and eight times over this 15-game stretch.
Kings vs Hornets SGP
Hornets team total Over 123.5
LaMelo Ball Over 20.5 points
Brandon Miller Over 3.5 threes made
Our "from downtown" SGP: Buzz 3-ball
Buzz City lets it fly against a Kings team that surrenders the second-worst opponent 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA.
Kings vs Hornets SGP
Brandon Miller Over 3.5 threes made
LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes made
Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 threes made
Coby White Over 2.5 threes made
Kings vs Hornets odds
Spread: Kings +17.5 | Hornets -17.5
Moneyline: Kings +1000 | Hornets -2000
Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5
Kings vs Hornets betting trend to know
The Hornets have covered the spread in 34 of their last 50 games for +17.50 Units and a 32% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Hornets.
How to watch Kings vs Hornets
Location
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Date
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSCA, FDSN SE-CHA
Kings vs Hornets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 20: Jordan Clarkson #00 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 20, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks are back on the schedule to face Zion’s Pelicans on Tuesday evening.
New York is just half a game behind the Celtics for the No. 2 seed in the East. Would you believe it!?
Here’s the latest.
Knicks say Landry Shamet OUT 2nd straight game Tuesday vs Pelicans – “tibial plateau contusion” right knee
“He’s shown time after time that he’s a high-level player. And he’s done it. I’ve been around many players who have gone through their ups and downs throughout the course of the season. And he works at it very hard. And he cares at a high level. Usually when you have that combination from a veteran guy that’s produced the way he’s produced in the NBA, it tends to lead to good results, eventually.”
On Tyler Kolek playing two games in one day:
“That’s an amazing feat. To play in a G-League game in the afternoon and come play in an NBA game, it’s gotta be a weird feeling. But these guys are pro athletes, they do a great job taking care of their bodies and our performance group does a good job with them in that area too. For them to be able to do that, to me, is an amazing thing. And then the group came out and I thought they played well. It was fun to see Tyler hit some shots and hear the crowd cheering his name.”
On Jordan Clarkson setting an example:
“One hundred percent. Not just for guys who are in a funk, but guys who are not playing. You might only play 20 minutes tonight — or may only get five shots. You may sit down here. But you’re talking about the former Sixth Man of the Year — that should tell anybody and everybody that if he can handle that as professional as he is, then anybody on this team should be able to handle it. From minutes to shots to whatever it may be. That should definitely send a message to everybody loud and clear.”
"I want [Kiyan] to play at a Shai pace, a Haliburton pace … you can be slim, but you also gotta know how to utilize the strength that you have."
Melo gets real about what Kiyan Anthony will be in the lab working on for next season 💯 pic.twitter.com/OdPlNRqN6e
“He’s been doing what’s been asked of him. And I’ve said it before — when you’re a guy who, for a year and a half with the Brooklyn Nets when you’re the No. 1 guy and he’s getting those plays called for him. Last year, he didn’t have many plays called for him. This year, he probably has even less plays called for him. So obviously there’s a mental hurdle he needs to get through and that’s something where some of us can help him. I think he gets some of that unfair flak just because he’s doing what’s asked of him. And if we were to sit there and say, go shoot 15 shots a game, he would be efficient and he could do it. But that’s not what’s been asked of him.”
On trying to help Bridges find his rhythm:
“Try to make sure to get him involved a little bit more, get him the ball when he’s running in transition, get him in position to be successful. He’s been doing what’s been asked of him.”
On Zion Williamson’s talent level:
“Extremely talented. When he’s locked in and he’s focused, he’s one of probably 15 or 20 top players in the league, if not better.”
On Williamson posing a challenge to the Knicks:
“He’s a freak of nature. I say that with all due respect. He’s obviously extremely explosive, the way he’s able to maneuver and contort his body, and he has a great touch around the rim. That’s going to be a challenge for us. We got to make sure we’re just solid. Don’t swipe down. Don’t smack down. And try to make him finish.”
On Williamson’s skill set and natural abilities:
“I think what’s really impressive is that first burst but also his second jump. When I first saw him, the way he shoots the ball around the rim, you’d think he has no touch. But he has an amazing touch. And the ones where he doesn’t, he has a quick enough second jump where he’s able to get the rebound and sometimes before guys even get off the ground.”
FROM WESTCHESTER TO MSG IN THE SAME DAY 👏
Earlier today, Tyler Kolek erupted for 42 PTS and 11 AST for the Westchester Knicks in an NBA G League game…
“It’s tough. He was able to play well down there and then came here and continued it. That’s just him being professional, that’s him being himself. We have a lot of guys on this team that are very high character, very good work ethic and he’s one of them. That’s just who he is.”
On Jordan Clarkson’s perseverance:
“It can be example for anybody. It doesn’t matter where you are in your career. Things may not be going your way and continue to work, continue to persevere. And you never know when things are going to fall into place.”
“When he’s doing that he’s playing with that fire and that passion he has, there’s not many players in the NBA coming off the bench you feel better about.”
On ignoring the standings:
“Honestly, I’m not even looking at the standings. I didn’t even know that. I’m just focused on this locker room and this team. We can’t control Boston losing, Detroit losing.”
The Chicago Blackhawks begin a four-game swing on the East Coast on Tuesday, starting with a visit to the New York Islanders. This will be the second and final meeting between the two this season. New York won the first meeting at the United Center 3-2 in a shootout on December 30th.
Each team is NHL .500 in their last 10 games. The Islanders are 5-5-0 and the Blackhawks are 3-3-4. For the Islanders, they are in a battle for playoff positioning. One of the Wild Cards or one of the top two spots in the Metropolitan Division is available to them, but they must earn it over the final month.
Scouting New York
The New York Islanders, regardless of how this ends, should look at this season as a win. They were in a low place at the end of last season, until they won the lottery. They drafted Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick, and he has completely transformed the franchise.
He is having the greatest season by a teenage defenseman in NHL history. Entering Tuesday’s action, Schaefer has 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points in 71 games played. Being a responsible defensive defenseman doesn’t suffer in favor of his offense, either. Schaefer is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
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Everything on offense, defense, and special teams starts and ends with Schaefer. With that said, he doesn’t carry the team by himself. For one, Bo Horvat earned himself a spot on Team Canada with his play. His 29 goals lead the team. There is also Mat Barzal, who leads them with 64 points.
Other skaters like Anders Lee, Simon Holmstrom, and the recently acquired Brayden Schenn, amongst others, contribute in secondary scoring roles. There is a nice mix of styles throughout the lineup.
Ilya Sorokin, one of the league’s best goaltenders, will be the backup in this one. The Blackhawks will face David Rittich.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Blackhawks are going to have Anton Frondell in the lineup for the first time as he is set to make his NHL debut. Without much time with the team outside of one morning skate, he is already on the top line and first power play unit.
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Frondell is taking the spot of Andre Burskovsky, who slides down to the third line with Ryan Donato and Ilya Mikheyev. This should be a solid veteran depth line going forward, with the young stars truly taking over the top-six.
Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis will continue in their roles that carry more offensive responsibility. Greene has been there for most of the year, while Lardis is new to a full-time top-six role.
Matt Grzelcyk is injured and will miss the entire road trip, so Ethan Del Mastro is getting more of a look again. Behind the defense will be Arvid Soderblom, who played very well in goal last time out.
Teuvo Teravainen is another veteran to see a demotion, but his place on the fourth line is necessary. That line can defend, play hard, and even create some offense based on the names there. It could get another boost when Sacha Boisvert makes his NHL debut on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Arvid Soderblom will start in goal for the Blackhawks. He played well on Friday night despite the team in front of him being outclassed by the Colorado Avalanche. It would have been much worse if he weren't excellent.
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on CHSN locally. Nationally, it is available to stream on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 6:00 PM CT.
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Tampa, Florida: New York Yankees' starting pitcher Luis Gil leaving the game against the NY Mets in the top of the 3rd inning during Spring Training at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida on February 21, 2026. (Photo by J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images) | Newsday via Getty Images
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Yankees’ final spring training game, Aaron Boone confirmed the team’s plans for their Opening Day roster. Luis Gil will be optioned to the minors, while relievers Jake Bird and Brent Headrick will take the last spots on the team. Peter wrote a little while ago about Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest also making the big club.
New York had already announced that Gil would not open the season in the rotation, leading to speculation that he would ultimately begin the year in the minors. The move makes sense; the Yankees don’t need a fifth starter until April 11th, and starting Gil with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre allows the right-hander to stay stretched out at around 80-90 pitches in the meantime. It also gives Gil a chance to further refine his release point, something he and the team appear to have been tinkering with this spring.
The Yankees will spend the extra roster spot on relief pitching, meaning the Opening Day roster includes nine relievers. The first five spots were all but spoken for: David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and Ryan Yarbrough. Paul Blackburn seemed like a good bet to make the team after returning on a major league deal over the winter, and as Peter wrote up earlier, Cade Winquest made the club, on the strength of an interesting arsenal and his Rule-5 status, if not his spring training performance.
Bird and Headrick now both have a chance to audition for a longer stay with the club prior to Gil’s potential call-up in mid-April. The right-handed Bird was dreadful after coming over from Colorado last summer, but pitched reasonably well in spring and still has the kind of stuff that convinced the team to acquire him in the first place. Headrick gives the Yankees another lefty out of the pen, and a fairly powerful one at that, with his 94 mph fastball playing up due to his 6-foot-6 frame.
With that, the roster is all but officially set. What do you think? Is this how you would have deployed the extra roster spot with Gil sent down?
