Posts

Posted on

Helenius Going Through Growing Pains In First NHL Stint

The Buffalo Sabres take on the Florida Panthers in the first of three games in four nights, but based on the line combinations at the morning skate in Sunrise, FL on Monday morning, young forward Konsta Helenius will not be in the lineup. The 2024 first round pick made a strong impression after being recalled in mid-January, scoring his first NHL goal and adding a pair of assists in a win against Nashville and another assist in a victory in Montreal. 

It appears that the 19-year-old Finn may have hit the proverbial wall, as he has gone scoreless in his last four games. Helenius played only 9:54 in the 4-2 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday, and was on the ice for Cole Caufield’s third-period game-winning goal. 

Other Sabres Stories

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Rasmus Dahlin - Norris contender?

 "I think this is just part of a young hockey player's journey. I think you can start off well, your emotions are running high and then you get into the grind of the games," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said.  "Sometimes you just see the peaks and valleys. It's all part of how a young guy gets to where he wants to gets to."

Helenius has made impressive progress in his second season in North America, nearly equaling his rookie point total in half the games with AHL Rochester. The youngster is likely to be sent back to the Amerks during the Olympic break to play regularly, and his return to the Sabres this season may be unlikely, as he has only two games left before burning the first year of his entry-level contract. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

THN.com/Free 
THN.com/Free 
Posted on

The Lakers keep waiting for improved shooting that isn’t coming

Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) makes a jump shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Postgame press conferences for head coach JJ Redick have begun to sound like something of a broken record.

While this could apply to multiple aspects of the Lakers as currently constructed, this time, it’s regarding their shooting. On Sunday, the Lakers had their latest stinker from beyond the arc in their loss to the Knicks, finishing 12-42 from the 3-point line with five of those makes coming from Luka Dončić.

After the game, it was a sentiment that Redick has echoed before this season: They got good looks, but couldn’t knock them down.

“I thought we got good looks,” Redick said. “The defense in the first half in our zone, we played 23 possessions of it, held them to 19 points. Did enough throughout the game to play to win at the end. But, yeah, the shooting, their shooting killed us and our shooting didn’t help us.”

One of the benefits of having Luka and even this version of LeBron James is the open looks they can create. For years, the simple formula to building a contender was surrounding LeBron with four shooters, a memo that seemingly never made its way to Rob Pelinka.

Now, though, the Lakers are creating open looks. And yet, since LeBron’s return, the Lakers are shooting 33.4% on open looks, classified by NBA as the closest defender being between 4-6 feet away, which ranks in the middle of the road. On wide open 3-pointers, where the defender is further than six feet away, they are 37.4%, 10th-worst in the league.

Compare that to the Knicks, who shoot 40.8% on wide open threes (fourth in the NBA) and 35.9% on open looks (seventh) and you can see why Sunday’s game played out the way it did.

“Obviously, 3-point shooting, we couldn’t consistently make shots from the perimeter,” LeBron said. “And then extra possession. They kicked out for [threes] and knocked them down. I think that was the game right there.”

You wouldn’t fault LeBron for having that approach and mindset because, in theory, if you create open looks, they should eventually fall. Except the players on the Lakers getting those open shots aren’t shooters stuck in a slump. They’re players who aren’t shooters.

After Luka and Austin Reaves, the player with the most three-point attempts is Marcus Smart at 4.8 per contest, just one tenth of a point below his career average. He’s shooting 32.6% from range, marginally above his 32.4% career mark.

Gabe Vincent, a career 34% 3-point shooter, is shooting 37% this season, though I doubt many are clamoring for him to get more playing time. Any hope of Jarred Vanderbilt magically finding a 3-point shot is gone as his 30.3% mark this year is a tick above his career mark of 29.2%.

Jake LaRavia and Rui Hachimura are the only outliers on opposite sides. Rui has blossomed into a legit laser from range while LaRavia is having the worst season of his career from range.

Outside of that, though, these Lakers are, more or less, shooting exactly as they’d be expected to shoot based on their career. This is not an issue of the Lakers being in a slump. This is an issue of the Lakers being a team of non-shooters.

With that context in mind, many of Redick’s and LeBron’s comments ring hollow. It’s not their fault. They should believe in the team and, in theory, creating open looks is the best chance for winning.

However, this team is not one that will knock down those shots, leaving the Lakers hoping for shooting improvements that will never come.

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

Posted on

Donovan to the M’s, per reports

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Brendan Donovan #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals prepares to bat prior to the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

MLB Trade Rumors: St. Louis infielder Brendan Donovan is heading to the Seattle Mariners in a three way deal that, of course, features the Tampa Bay Rays as the third team, per reports.

Donovan, 29, finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2022, a year in which he also nabbed the utility player Gold Glove. A seventh round pick of the Cards in 2018 out of South Alabama, Donovan has slashed .282/.361/.411 over the past four seasons while playing all four infielder positions and the corner outfield spots, though he has primarily played second base and left field.

Donovan, who has two years of team control remaining, has been rumored to be available since the middle of the 2025 season, with the Cardinals embarking on a rebuilding program. Donovan isn’t particularly fast and doesn’t hit for much power, but he gets on base and is versatile, and so a number of teams had expressed interest.

Bob Nightengale is reporting that Seattle is parting with third baseman Ben Williamson as part of this deal. Williamson, the team’s second round pick out of William and Mary in 2023, slashed .253/.294/.310 as the Mariners’ primary third baseman until they acquired Eugenio Suarez. Williamson was sent to AAA for the final two months of the season, slashing .314/.392/.462.

UPDATE — Full deal has Seattle giving up Williamson, pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and center field prospect Tai Peete and getting Donovan from St. Louis.

St. Louis gets Cijntje and Peete, along with Colton Ledbetter from Tampa and the Rays’ competitive balance round B pick, which is currently #72 overall, for Donovan.

The Rays get Williamson for Ledbetter and the draft pick.

The 22 year old Cijntje is a switch thrower who was drafted 15th overall in the 2024 draft out of Mississippi State. He split the 2025 season between high-A and AA, and was 7th on the Mariners list on BA.

Peete, 20, was the 30th overall pick in the 2023 out of the state of Georgia. He’s an athletic, toolsy outfielder who was 10th on the BA list.

Ledbetter, 24, was the Rays’ second round pick in 2023, also out of Mississippi State. The Rays took him two spots before the Mariners took Williamson.

Posted on

Deflected free kick steers Udinese to win over Roma in Serie A

UDINE, Italy (AP) — Jürgen Ekkelenkamp’s deflected free kick early in the second half gave Udinese a 1-0 win over Roma in Serie A on Monday.

A right-foot strike from the Dutch midfielder clipped the top of the wall and wrong-footed Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar four minutes after the break.

Roma’s Bryan Cristante had an equalizer chalked off for offside in the dying seconds of a game that lacked many clear-cut chances.

The result lifted Udinese above Bologna and into ninth place in the table, equal on points with Lazio.

It was the first time since September that the Udine club has consecutive home victories in the league.

Roma remained in fifth after what was its first league defeat since Jan. 3.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Posted on

The California Post’s hot-take predictions on who will fill the Dodger’s roster holes for three-peat challenge

Next week, the Dodgers will report to spring training to begin their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series championship.

And coming out of Saturday’s annual Fanfest event, there is more clarity on where the team stands at the dawn of a new year.

As the 2026 season approaches, here is an early look at the state of the club’s roster and how the final 26-man group might look come opening day.

Los Angels Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates during a parade to celebrate the baseball team’s World Series win on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) AP

Starting rotation

Opening day locks: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell*

Battling for a spot: River Ryan, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, Landon Knack

(*could start season on injured list)

The Dodgers are going to be careful with how they handle their starting pitchers this year. But for now, most appear to be on track for opening day.

Despite throwing more than 200 innings between the regular season and playoffs a year ago, Yamamoto is already gearing up for an early start to his season, set to play for Team Japan in next month’s World Baseball Classic. Given his importance to the team’s success last year, he could have the inside track to being the opening day starter, assuming he comes through the WBC feeling good.

Beyond him, several other Dodgers pitchers appear to have handled the quick turnaround this offseason presented. Glasnow (who once again spent significant time on the injured list last year) and Sheehan (who returned midway through last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery) said they’ve felt good during their winter throwing programs. Sasaki (who will not play in the WBC) and Ohtani (who will only hit in the event) also said they are focusing on their ramp-ups for the regular season.

The biggest question at the moment is Snell, who slow-played his winter work because of lingering shoulder problems. While he said the plan is to be ready for opening day, much will depend on how he feels as he goes through the spring. If he isn’t ready for the start of the year, it could create an opening for a younger arm like Ryan, Stone or someone else –– assuming the Dodgers go with a six-man rotation.

FILE – Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith, right, celebrates with teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) after the team defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of baseball’s World Series, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File) AP

Bullpen

Opening day locks: Edwin Díaz, Alex Vesia, Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol 

Battling for a spot: Anthony Banda, Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski, Will Klein, Edgardo Henriquez

The Dodgers’ relief corps will now be anchored by Díaz, their new $69 million closer. They have left-handed options with Vesia and Scott. They are also expecting bounce-back seasons from Treinen (who had a career-worst 5.40 ERA last year) and Graterol (who missed all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery). Brock Stewart is likely to begin the year on the injured list, recovering from his own shoulder surgery late last season.

Still, there’s much to be decided during camp. Banda and Dreyer both present options for further lefty depth. Klein and Henriquez will be trying to cement permanent MLB jobs after contributing in the playoffs last year. And Casprius and Wrobleski can serve in multi-inning swingman roles, or be potential starting candidates if there is an opening in the rotation.

Edwin Díaz speaks during his introduction as a new member of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) AP

Infield

Opening day locks: Will Smith (catcher), Freddie Freeman (first base), Tommy Edman* (second base), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Max Muncy (third base), Miguel Rojas (bench), Andy Ibáñez (bench), Dalton Rushing (backup catcher)

Battling for a spot: Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland

If not for Edman’s offseason ankle surgery, this group would largely be set. However, the possibility of him starting the season on the injured list could create opportunities for others.

If Edman isn’t ready for the start of the year, it’s likely second base could be a platoon with Rojas and either Kim or Freeland –– two young players who showed flashes of production last year, but will be battling to display more consistent offense this spring. Ibáñez, an offseason signing who is likely a roster lock since he has no minor-league options left, could also factor in at second base, while occasionally spelling Muncy at third.

TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 01: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after tagging out Alejandro Kirk #30 of the Toronto Blue Jays at first to win Game Seven of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) MLB Photos via Getty Images

Outfield

Opening day locks: Kyle Tucker (right field), Teoscar Hernández (left field), Andy Pages (center field), Alex Call (bench)

Battling for a spot: Ryan Ward

Tucker’s $240 million signing eliminated most of the questions here. Now, the Dodgers have three clear outfield starters, plus Call as an option off the bench.

Ward, a longtime minor-league standout who was finally placed on the 40-man roster this offseason, saw his chances of making the team plummet upon Tucker’s arrival. However, his productive left-handed bat is still an intriguing tool, making him a potential alternative in the event of any unforeseen spring training injuries.

Outfielder Kyle Tucker speaks during a news conference after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) AP

Designated hitter

Opening day locks: Ohtani

No analysis needed here.

Posted on

Tom Izzo, Dusty May complain about dirty play in Michigan win vs Michigan State

In fewer than two full seasons, Dusty May has transformed Michigan men's basketball from a languishing afterthought into a national title favorite, with the No. 2 Wolverines sitting at 20-1 only about 22 months after May inherited an 8-24 team.

In the process of doing that, he’s made at least one notable foe.

May and longtime Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo got into a back-and-forth on Monday, Feb. 2, with each coach accusing the other’s team of dirty play in Michigan’s 83-71 road win against the No. 10 Spartans three days earlier.

REQUIRED READING: Men's college basketball rankings after Week 13: Updated Coaches Poll, AP Top 25

While speaking with reporters on Feb. 2, May was asked about a play in which Michigan State standout Jeremy Fears Jr. appeared to trip Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg, something May said “wasn't an illusion.”

"I think there were several plays that are very dangerous and I am incredibly proud of our guys for the responses they had to some of those situations,” May said. “Incredibly proud of their self-control, their restraint and their impulse control. I'll leave it at that. But they're not isolated incidents."

May added that he had not reached out to Izzo or the Michigan State staff about his concerns.

“The film’s there, 40 minutes of it,” he said. “It’s not hard to find.”

When asked later in the day about May’s comments, Izzo fired back: He took issue with what he saw as some nefarious tactics from the Wolverines, like Michigan's Will Tschetter throwing his shoulder into Michigan State's Jordan Scott on a 3-point attempt, something he described as “a complete joke.”

Izzo, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, said at least some of the heightened on-court tensions during the game came from an intense matchup between Fears and Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau. He added that “there were some things Jeremy did,” but that he addressed it.

"Him and their point guard were going at it pretty good,” Izzo said. “That's what happens in games like this, so if anybody did anything dirty, tell them to call me and I would be more than happy to address it. If it was physical play, that's the way that game is always going to be."

May and Izzo shared a noticeably brief handshake after the game, something Izzo downplayed when asked about it.

“Some guys I talk to," Izzo said. "I have no interest in talking to my rival.”

It’s the second time in as many seasons that the Wolverines and Spartans have gone at it in a game at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Last March, Michigan guard Phat Phat Brooks shoved Michigan State guard Tre Holloman at the midcourt logo, which Spartans seniors traditionally kiss on their way off the court of their final home game. Brooks and teammate L.J. Cason had been standing on the logo as a teammate shot free throws with 37 seconds remaining and as Holloman was about to check out of the contest. May said after the game that he wasn’t aware of the ritual.

Before Friday’s game, May leaned (literally) into the rivalry, going onto the court during pregame warmups and sitting back in a chair as Michigan State students standing closely behind him shouted at him.

The intra-state rivals are set for a rematch on March 8 at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, a game that will likely have serious NCAA tournament seeding and Big Ten Championship implications.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tom Izzo, Dusty May complain about dirty play in Michigan-MSU game

Posted on

Sabres Notes: Rosen Recalled, Jones Demoted, Injury Updates

The Buffalo Sabres begin a stretch of three games in four nights to finish off the pre-Olympic schedule against the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Panthers have not been the same club this season, based on the loss of team captain Aleksander Barkov and winger Matthew Tkachuk, but Tkachuk has returned in advance of the games in Milano Cortina. 

The contest is critical for both clubs, but more so for the Panthers, who trail Buffalo by eight points for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot. Former Panther Alex Lyon will make his third straight start, and backup Colten Ellis with be in goal for the second of back-to-back games in Tampa on Tuesday. 

Other Sabres Stories

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Rasmus Dahlin - Norris candidate?

The Sabres made a roster move on Sunday, demoting defenseman Zac Jones and recalling winger Isak Rosen. Blueliner Jacob Bryson skated over the weekend and has been activated from injured reserve. Rosen, who has an impressive 20 goals in 28 games with AHL Rochester, has contributed at the NHL level playing higher in the lineup, with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 13 games. 

Head coach Lindy Ruff provided updates on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and center Josh Norris, and indicated both players are making progress. Luukkonen suffered a leg injury in Toronto last Tuesday and is slated to be the third goalie for Finland in Italy later this month, unless his injury prevents him. Norris suffered a rib injury against Philadelphia last month and indicated that he is close to being 100%, but with only three games this week, opting to be cautious may be the better course of action. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

THN.com/Free
THN.com/Free
Posted on

Report: St. Louis Cardinals Trading Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners

Sep 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

It looks like one of the most anticipated trades of the offseason is about to be complete. Multiple reports say that the St. Louis Cardinals are close to trading Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners. The St. Louis Cardinals are receiving pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete, a 2023 first-round pick and Colton Ledbetter plus a competitive balance round B pick (#68 overall) from the Mariners and a competitive balance round B pick (#72 overall) from the Rays. Ben Williamson is going from the Mariners to the Tampa Bay Rays.

I first saw this on MLB Trade Rumors. It pointed to a report by Katie Woo and Chad Jennings of The Athletic saying that the Cardinals and Mariners were close to completing a Brendan Donovan trade, but Jeff Passan has added a twist to this saying the Tampa Bay Rays were also involved.

This is not a shocker after a report earlier today on MLB Trade Rumors that Seattle President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said the Mariners were “working on another addition”. We now know that Brendan Donovan was the addition he was speaking of. Now, the St. Louis Cardinals look like they’ll be acquiring one of the most interesting pitching prospects in baseball.

Tai Peete is a prospect with power and speed potential with a swing that can do damage to all fields. He also has versatility as a shortstop, second baseman, and outfielder.

Don’t sleep on Double A outfield prospect Colton Ledbetter. He has moments showing promising power.

While we’re still waiting for the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays to make this deal official, I can’t help but think that Chaim Bloom walks away from this pleased with a 5-player haul. We all know what a great player (and person) Brendan Donovan is, but I can’t imagine the team getting more value for him than they appear to have pulled off today.

Posted on

Australia to face debutants Hong Kong in opening match of 2027 Rugby World Cup

  • Hosts’ big clash with All Blacks on second weekend

  • England will begin against Tonga in Brisbane

The 2027 World Cup will get off to a low-key start with Australia kicking off against Hong Kong after the organisers opted against beginning the tournament with the Wallabies’ blockbuster pool fixture against New Zealand. When Australia were drawn in the same pool as their arch-rivals in December it was widely expected that such a mouth-watering fixture would raise the curtain on the tournament.

But with the first match taking place on Australia’s west coast in Perth on 1 October, organisers have opted to pit Hong Kong – competing at their first World Cup – against the Wallabies in what is sure to be a one-sided affair. The opening weekend of the tournament features just one fixture involving two tier one nations – South Africa against Italy.

Continue reading...
Posted on

NBA power rankings 2025-26: Thunder remain on top, Pistons second as focus turns to trade deadline

This week's NBA Power Rankings will lean heavily into talk about the NBA trade deadline on Thursday (Feb. 5, 3 PM ET), but there's more going on than just rumors.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

(39-11, last week No. 1)
The team that could put together the best offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo — or anyone else — likely will be quiet at the trade deadline. They may look to add a little depth along the front line, but think small moves, not big. OKC's dominant win over Denver on Sunday on NBC and Peacock was a stark reminder of why they don't need to do anything at the trade deadline — 29 other teams are chasing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.

2. Detroit Pistons

(36-12, last week No. 3)
Detroit is heading into the trade deadline with the same attitude Oklahoma City had a couple of years ago: We know we may need to add to our roster to contend for a title, but we want to see what this group can do on its own, first. Expect a quiet deadline, but depending on how the playoffs go, this could be an interesting summer in the Motor City. Congratulations to J.B. Bickerstaff, who will be coaching his first All-Star Game this year, and two of his players — Cade Cunningham and deserving reserve Jalen Duren — will join him in Los Angeles.

3. San Antonio Spurs

(33-16, last week No. 5)
Much like Detroit, San Antonio is happy to take this core into the playoffs and see what their young stars can do. That said, the Spurs are looking for more shooting, and if the right deal pops up, they could act — this team is not lacking for picks or young players to make a deal. Coach Mitch Johnson will be in Los Angeles coaching his first All-Star Game. It will be interesting to see whether he is handed the World team featuring his star, Victor Wembanyama.

4. Houston Rockets

(30-17, last week No. 2)
Houston will be without Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams for the rest of the season, and with that could be looking to add a floor general point guard or some more size on the front line at the trade deadline. Of the teams in the top five of this ranking, the Rockets could be the most aggressive, but with Kevin Durant in the fold, they are as "win now" a team as it gets. Durant will be in Los Angeles for his 16th All-Star Game, but for my money, Alperen Sengun was the biggest snub out there. He deserved a spot more than LeBron, going just on play the past year.

5. New York Knicks

(31-18, last week No. 9)
Winners of five in a row and it's all about the Knicks' defense — this team has given up less than a point per possession over its last five games. Coach Mike Brown said after the win Sunday over the Lakers that they had simplified some of their defensive rotations, and that seems to have really worked for this squad. The Knicks are in a million trade deadline rumors, but if Giannis Antetokounmpo is staying put for now (as it increasingly appears he is) then New York may ride with this core to the playoffs — and defending like this the Finals are within reach.

6. Boston Celtics

(31-18, last week No. 4)
The fact that this is in now way a "gap year" for the Celtics — whether Jayson Tatum returns or not (and if he has any questions or doubts, he should not) — has the team on the hunt for a center who can help out Neemias Queta and Luka Garza in the playoffs. The centers the Celtics want (hello, Ivica Zubac) are not available, but there are plenty of bigs on the market who can provide some front-line depth. Daniel Gafford would be the best fit if they can pry him out of Dallas, but Day'Ron Sharpe from Brooklyn could also be in play.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

(31-19, last week No. 12)
Minnesota has found itself in the middle of the Antetokounmpo trade rumors — reportedly, he likes the idea of playing next to Anthony Edwards (who wouldn't) — but that seems a long shot at the deadline. The more likely trade is for a point guard who can help them at a position of need, and the Bulls' Coby White would be the best fit on the board. It has been a roller coaster January for the Timberwolves: They won 6-of-7, then lost five straight, and now have won four straight, including a big win over the Thunder last week. The best test this week comes on Sunday against a hot Clippers team.

8. Phoenix Suns

(30-20, last week No. 8)
Phoenix is no one-man show: It went 3-2 the past couple of weeks without Devin Booker, and that included wins over Detroit and Cleveland. Phoenix is 4-5 without Booker this season, which is a far cry from last season when it won just one game without him. Booker was rightfully voted an All-Star by the coaches. While the Suns were at the heart of trade rumors the past few deadlines, they seem to be sitting this one out.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers

(30-21, last week No. 7)
The Cavaliers are 13-5 in their last 18 and are doing it without Darius Garland and now Evan Mobley — but now help is on the way in the form of Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. This trade was a huge win for the Cavaliers: They got rid of De'Andre Hunter's contract and saved money (more than $45 million in salary and taxes) while adding better perimeter defense and shooting in Ellis, and some point guard depth (and defense) with Schroder. Count the Cavaliers out in the East at your own risk.

10. Denver Nuggets

(33-17, last week No. 6)
Nikola Jokic is back — and back to putting up MVP-level numbers every time he steps on the court. However, a loss Sunday to the Thunder is a reminder that the margin for error for this team is slim if the goal is to get back to the Finals, and Denver remains without three starters: Anthony Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson. Don't expect any big trade deadline moves, at most, there is something on the fringes to add depth. Things don't get easier this week on the road against Detroit and New York.

11. Los Angeles Lakers

(29-19, last week No. 13)
It's the worst kept secret in the league that the Lakers are looking for wing defenders and depth at the trade deadline and Sunday's loss to the Knicks was a perfect illustration of why: Marcus Smart, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia are the Lakers' best perimeter defenders, JJ Redick needs them on the court, yet they combined to shoot 2-of-13 (15.4%) from 3-point range. Keon Ellis is off the market, but the Lakers are still looking for help at the trade deadline (Sacramento flipping De'Andre Hunter is not out of the question).

12. Golden State Warriors

(27-23, last week No. 11)
No team is pushing harder to make the Antetokounmpo trade happen before the deadline than the Warriors — their potential offer of four first-round picks, Jonathan Kuminga and matching salary might be the best deal on the table. That said, if it happens, the deal likely sends Draymond Green out of town, not the injured Jimmy Butler. If the Antetokounmpo deal does not happen, Golden State will be looking for a smaller trade (possibly including Kuminga) to acquire a player who can create shots and help make up some of what they lose without Butler.

13. Philadelphia 76ers

(27-21, last week No. 14)
The Paul George 25-game suspension doesn't change much in Philadelphia, really. They will miss him (they are 6.9 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court), but he'll be back March 25 and rested for the playoffs. This roster without George will be put to the test on a five-game road trip through the West, starting Monday against Paul George's old team, the Clippers. The biggest highlight of last week for the 76ers? Easily Tyrese Maxey game-winner against Kings (give Nick Nurse some love for a high-level play call).

14. Toronto Raptors

(30-21, last week No. 10)
Toronto has the mix of contracts and picks to make any deal, which is why they constantly get mentioned as a team lined up to take a big swing at Antetokounmpo, or Anthony Davis (who very likely isn't getting traded in the coming days), or any other potential star. Will they? Probably not, although don't be shocked if they take a flier on a young player with potential that another team is ready to walk away from. Scottie Barnes is headed to Los Angeles as an All-Star and it's well deserved — Brandon Ingram has a legitimate case as a snub.

15. Miami Heat

(27-24, last week No. 15)
Miami gets mentioned as a place on Giannis Antetokounmpo's list of places he wants to go (as much as we really know anything about that "list"), but good luck putting together a trade at the deadline that makes any sense for the Bucks. Milwaukee wants picks, Miami does not have enough of them. The Heat face some big decisions about where the franchise is headed, but they don't have to face those at the deadline. Congratulations to Norman Powell, a deserving All-Star reserve who has proven over the past couple of seasons that he can play at this level.

16. Charlotte Hornets

(22-28, last week No. 20)
There is no hotter team in the NBA — winners of six in a row, the Hornets are 1.5 games behind the Hawks for the final play-in spot in the East (and just two games back of the No. 9 seed Bulls). Charlotte has been on the fringes of trade talks — they are willing to be a third team to help facilitate a deal, and some teams have checked on the availability of wing Miles Bridges — but most likely, this is a quiet deadline in Charlotte.

17. Los Angeles Clippers

(23-25, last week No. 16)
No Clippers made the All-Star team for a game about to be played in their building in less than two weeks — and Kawhi Leonard is the biggest snub on the board. James Harden had a case, too, but Leonard has been playing at an All-NBA level this season (27.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with elite defense) and deserved to be in the game. As for the trade deadline, the Clippers do not want to take on long-term money in any deal, but if they can find some affordable guard help, they might jump at it.

18. Orlando Magic

(25-23, last week No. 19)
Orlando needs to add shooting. Desperately. They may not want to make a big move at the trade deadline, but maybe they can find a shooter another team is ready to move on from and take a flyer on someone like Dalton Knecht? Franz Wagner would have been an All-Star the way he was playing, but he is sidelined with another injury. The good news is Jalen Suggs is back in the rotation. Orlando has a chance to get its season rolling in the right direction starting Thursday, when it begins a winnable four-game homestand (the Jazz, Nets, and two against the Bucks).

19. Chicago Bulls

(24-26, last week No. 17)
The Bulls have already done a smart bit of business at the trade deadline, acquiring Dario Šarić and getting a couple of second-round picks for their trouble (while waiving Jevon Carter). Chicago could be a seller at the trade deadline with a lot of teams interested in guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu (who made his case with a very strong game against Miami last week, scoring 29 points).

20. Atlanta Hawks

(24-27, last week No. 23)
Atlanta made its big deadline trade and pivot a while ago, sending out Trae Young. It also traded away wing Vit Krejčí — who they didn't need anymore since getting Corey Kispert in the Young deal — and acquired the injured but promising Duop Reath from Portland. We'll see if they have another deadline move. While, in theory, the Hawks could make one of the best Giannis Antetokounmpo offers, it would have to involve All-Star Jalen Johnson, and Atlanta wants to build something organic with the guys they have, not make a splashy all-in move.

21. Portland Trail Blazers

(23-27, last week No. 18)
The Trail Blazers trading for Vit Krejčí was clearly only the first domino — other trades are coming. The question is what. Portland is a popular third team in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade constructions because it controls future Milwaukee picks, but most of those trades shortchange Portland. Expect the Blazers to do something before Thursday afternoon. Also, congratulations to Deni Avdija on his first All-Star selection, it is well deserved.

22. Dallas Mavericks

(19-30, last week No. 21)
There will be no big Anthony Davis trade (at least not until the offseason), but don't expect the Mavericks to be quiet at the deadline. There are a lot of teams calling about big man Daniel Gafford and wing Naji Marshall. What the Mavericks want back is simple: players and picks on Cooper Flagg's timeline. He is the future, the Mavericks are and should be building around him.

23. Memphis Grizzlies

(18-29, last week No. 22)
Jaren Jackson Jr. was snubbed by the All-Star voters, but that does not mean that Memphis is going to trade him. While the Grizzlies were working the phones and finding no serious market for Ja Morant — that Morant-to-New Orleans-for-Jordan-Poole-and-Dejounte-Murray rumor was never real — Jackson was the player other teams wanted to talk about. Memphis wants to keep the former Defensive Player of the Year. Look for a quiet trade deadline in Memphis, unless you ask about their owners' business dealings.

24. Milwaukee Bucks

(18-29, last week No. 24)
Every eye in the league is trained on Milwaukee, and a whole lot of other potential trades are hung up because teams are holding onto their players and picks just in case they need them in an Antetokounmpo deal. If — as league sources have consistently told NBC Sports is going to happen — the Antetokounmpo saga drags out into the offseason, it will impact the trade deadline as some teams keep their powder dry to take their chances in the offseason. Expect the Milwaukee front office to try to come up with one more "mortgage the future" trade this summer to bring in a star, keep Giannis happy, and get him to sign that max extension next October, even if getting him to agree to that seems like a long shot.

25. New Orleans Pelicans

(13-38, last week No. 25)
Joe Dumars was not making Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones available unless there was a "Desmond Bane-sized package" coming back to New Orleans. There wasn't. There are no Zion Williamson talks (again, the market for his services is nowhere near what the Pelicans would want in return). That doesn't mean it's going to be a completely quiet trade deadline in New Orleans, there is a lot of chatter about big man Yves Missi being on the move. Still, the real decisions about this franchise's direction were pushed back into the summer.

26. Indiana Pacers

(13-36, last week No. 29)
One of the hot trade rumors of the past week is about the Pacers sending wing Bennedict Mathurin out in a deal, with a number of teams at least testing the waters. Indiana is also looking for help at the center spot, with rumors of them talking to the Nets about Day'Ron Sharpe and the Pelicans about Yves Missi. Congratulations to Pascal Siakam, who was named an All-Star reserve for the East — he deserves it, but there was a lot of speculation that the team's struggles would hold him back. The coaches saw through that and voted for him.

27. Washington Wizards

(13-35, last week No. 30)
The Wizards made their bold move, trading for Trae Young — and they don't plan to sit him for the rest of the season, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins told Mark Medina of EssentiallySports. "It's important because Trae has a decision to make. He's got the power of choice as a free agent. So you want to make sure that he's comfortable playing with the young guys, to have the opportunity to play with Alex (Sarr) and to play with Bilal (Coulibaly) and see when they move and how they fit positionally. We have a lot of questions on our team and how we play moving forward."

28. Utah Jazz

(15-35, last week No. 26)
Lauri Markkanen is not getting traded at the deadline (it looks like a quiet one overall in Utah), and the Finnish star was also one of the big All-Star Game snubs, something he talked about with Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune. "I think I've played at that level. The NBA is really talented and there are a lot of high-level players. Obviously, that is an individual goal of mine. I hope I make it and, like I said, I've played at that level."

29. Brooklyn Nets

(13-35, last week No. 28)
A few weeks ago, Michael Porter Jr. was at the top of the list of players expected to be traded at the deadline, but that has proven to be more smoke than fire, and now it looks like he will be in Brooklyn into the summer. There has been plenty of interest from other teams in big men Day'Ron Sharpe and Nic Claxton (particularly Sharpe), so don't be shocked if a deal gets done.

30. Sacramento Kings

(12-39, last week No. 27)
No team is working harder to be a seller at the trade deadline. The Kings have already traded Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder, but they are still talking to teams about Domantas Sabonis (a lot of interest) and Zach LaVine (some interest). They also could flip just-acquired De'Andre Hunter. However, there is not much of a market for DeMar DeRozan at the deadline.

Posted on

Dillon Brooks named Western Conference Player of the Week

Jan 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Phoenix Suns wing Dillon Brooks was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the week of January 26th-February 1st, the NBA announced today.

This honor marks the first career Player of the Week for Brooks. A much-deserved recognition of his stellar play.

In 4 games on the week, Brooks averaged 28.8 points on 53.5% shooting (54.3 3PFG%), 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals while guiding the Suns to a 3-1 record. This boost in performance from Brooks was much needed with Devin Booker sidelined.

On the night of a “Dillon The Villain” t-shirt giveaway for Suns fans, he scored a career-high 40 points in a 114-96 win over the Pistons. He followed that performance with a game-high 27 points the next night in a 126-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brooks scored 25-plus points in the first three games of the week, setting a new career-long streak with four straight games scoring at least 25 points. In short, he’s on an absolute heater.

In 44 games this season, Brooks is averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting a career-best 44.6% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range.

Per Suns PR, he became the 5th player in franchise history with 800-plus points and 40-plus steals through the first 40 games with the Suns (Stephon Marbury, Walter Davis, Tom Chambers, Charles Barkley) and recorded his 1,000th-career three-pointer on Feb. 1 against the Clippers.

He may not have been rewarded with an All-Star appearance, but he took home the honors of an award he hadn’t received in his nine-year NBA career. Well deserved for the Villain.

Posted on

A visit to the Cubs Sloan Park complex

MESA, Arizona — I decided to head over to Sloan Park Monday, as I heard the equipment truck that left Chicago Friday was going to arrive. You can see the truck at the top of this post; here are some more photos of Cubs staffers unloading equipment:

While I was there I headed over toward Field 1, the main practice field at the Sloan Park complex. There was a bit of batting practice going on. Here are Carson Kelly and Dylan Carlson chatting, Kelly sporting a full beard:

Here’s Carlson taking a swing in the cage:

Also near Field 1 is the new building for players and staff that was completed over the winter. This building will host the Pitch Lab and some additional batting cages:

On the buildings on the right field side of Sloan Park itself, the team has put up 10 large photos of players. These were obviously done before Alex Bregman was signed, otherwise they surely would have included him:

Pitcher and catcher official report day is a week from Wednesday, Feb. 11, though as you can see, some players are already working out in Mesa. Baseball isn’t too far away!

Posted on

Arizona Diamondbacks 2026 Non-Roster Invitees, Part 1

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Tommy Henry #47 of the Arizona Diamondbacks poses for a photo during the Arizona Diamondbacks Photo Day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Pitchers and catchers may not have reported yet, but I figured I need to get an early jump on our usual review of the non-roster invitees to spring training. That’s because there are an awful lot of them this season. The team announced the list on Friday, and there are thirty-two non-roster invitees, in addition to a full 40-man roster. I hope the locker room at Salt River Fields is big enough for everyone. As noted there, that compares to the fewer than twenty present last year – and there may still be some further additions to come, if the rumblings out of the front-office are to be believed.

These players may not be on the 40-man roster yet. But they still “matter”. Of those nineteen NRI in camp last year, over half ended up appearing in the big leagues. Five were pitchers (Kyle Backhus, Jeff Brigham, José Castillo, Christian Montes De Oca, Juan Morillo) and another five were position players (Tristin English, Aramis Garcia, Garrett Hampson, Connor Kaiser and Ildemaro Vargas). Garcia and Vargas are back in the same situation this spring. Should Vargas appear for the D-backs in 2026, it will be his seventh season doing so. That would be more than franchise cornerstones like Justin Upton, Steve Finley and Gerardo Parra.

But let’s begin our review – which will likely take much of the month to complete! – with the left-handed pitchers who will be reporting to Salt River Fields next week.

Spencer Giesting (70)

An 11th-round pick in 2022, out of the University of North Carolina, Giesting split time in 2025 between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. His numbers at the former stop were excellent, especially considering its status as the most hitter-friendly park in the minors: a 3.67 ERA, compared to a team figure a hair below five. Spencer did struggle after moving to the (relatively pitcher-friendly!) Aces, with a 6.47 ERA across seventeen starts. But he was more than four years younger than average for that level. Giesting also finished strongly, with a 3.14 ERA over his final five starts, and being named the team’s minor-league pitcher of the month for September.

Tommy Henry (47)

This is obviously a name you should recognize, since at one point Henry (pictured top) looked set to become a regular member of the big-league rotation. He made sixteen starts in 2023, and had a 4.15 ERA when elbow inflammation ended his season in July. Sadly, Tommy hasn’t been the same since. His ERA ballooned to over seven in 2024, and he barely got a cup of coffee last year, making just two appearances before that elbow required Tommy John surgery in June. Henry was designated for assignment in November, but re-signed to a minor-league contract the following month. He obviously won’t be doing much in camp, since he is still recovering from that surgery.

Yu-Min Lin (89)

It kinda feels like we’ve been taking about Lin for a while, but he only signed with the D-backs in 2022. Hopefully, he will arrive on time this year: he was late to spring training in 2025 due to obligatory military service back in his home country of Taiwan. He made 23 starts for Reno, and labored a bit, with an ERA of 6.64. But he only turned 22 in July, so like Giesting, is very young for Triple-A. One three-game stretch, where he allowed 18 ER over 6.1 innings, was definitely a factor; he then rebounded with three ER over 17 innings. Yu-Min should start in Reno again, but I would not be surprised if he were to reach the major leagues this season.