LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts in the dugout against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers will look to get their second sweep at home as they wrap things up against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Roki Sasaki makes his third start of the season against Jacob deGrom.
Both Alex Call and Dalton Rushing start Sunday, while Andy Pages gets bumped up to third in the lineup.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 11: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting a walk off single during the ninth inning to beat the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park on April 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners have a chance for their first series victory tonight.
I was going to say “sweep” but then I remembered the Mariners and Astros actually wrap up this four-game set tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. Still, this would be as good a time as any to take their first series of 2026.
They have the right personnel to do so. Logan Gilbert is on the mound, looking to build off a solid outing in Texas earlier in the week where he went six innings with five strikeouts and no walks. It was a good sign for Gilbert, who’s shown elite stuff for well over a year now but has often struggled with efficiency, unable to make it through six innings.
Brendan Donovan is back in the lineup. Donovan has been out the last few days with an illness, but he was feeling well enough to draw a crucial walk in the ninth inning last night, keeping the ball rolling just long enough for J.P. Crawford to end the game. Speaking of which, Donovan slots right back into the leadoff spot, after Crawford took over Batter 1 duties in his absence. Rather than hitting ninth, however, Crawford is hitting seventh.
The rest of the Mariners’ lineup is as expected. They will face former Mariners’ reliever Cody Bolton, who has a 3.39 FIP in two appearances this year — one as a starter, the other as a reliever. The Mariners have Astros’ pitchers on the ropes, working into the depths of their bullpen in the first two games of the series with 17 walks and 16 hits. The Astros have hung in there with 25 hits and eight walks of their own. But if the Mariners can get to the Astros bullpen early, they may be forced to punt.
Lineups
Game Info
First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. PDT TV: Mariners TV Radio: Old Reliable
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 07: Atlanta Braves outfielder Mauricio Dubon (14) reacts to striking out during the MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels on April 7, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With Michael Harris Jr. on the paternity list and Eli White day-to-day with plantar fasciitis, Mauricio Dubon will make his second straight start in center field for Sunday night’s finale of the Braves-Guardians series in Atlanta.
Dubon will hit eighth in the lineup followed by Jorge Mateo, who will make his second straight start at shortstop. Mike Yastrzemski is also back in the lineup, hitting fifth against a righty starter following Ronald Acuña Jr, Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Austin Riley in the top four spots.
This will be Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee’s second career start against the Braves. He tossed seven shutout, no-hit innings, striking out nine and walking none but not factoring into the decision of Cleveland’s 4-2 11-inning victory in Atlanta on April 27, 2024.
The only Braves hitters who have faced Bibee more than three times are newcomers Jonah Heim (0-for-9 but not in the lineup after he caught Saturday’s game) and Dubon (0-for-4). The current Atlanta roster is a combined 1-for-29 (.034) against Bibee. Ozzie Albies has the only hit, a double.
Cleveland is giving starting center fielder Steven Kwan the night off even though he has had success against Braves starter Chris Sale in a small sample size (2-for-6 with a homer and a double).
Kyle Manzardo is back in Sunday’s lineup, DHing and hitting sixth, after he hit his first homer of the season Friday and did not play in Saturday’s game.
Sale, whose career began with seven seasons in thee AL Central with the Chicago White Sox, has faced the Guardians 33 times (22 starts), third-most of any major league team. He has a 7-8 record and 4.44 ERA against Cleveland, his worst ERA against any team he has faced more than five times.
Current members of the Guardians’ roster, though, don’t have a ton of experience against Sale. Of the team’s 52 at-bats against Sale, longtime Cleveland infielder Jose Ramirez has 30 of them with eight hits (.267), one double, one RBI and more walks (four) than strikeouts (three).
Kwan has the only homer by a current Cleveland player off Sale. Overall, the Guardians’ roster is 13-for-52 (.250) with two RBIs, 11 strikeouts and four walks against the Atlanta ace.
Baseball lifer Phil Garner, who won a World Series as a player with the Pirates and took the Astros to a World Series as a manager, died Saturday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was 76.
“Phil Garner passed away peacefully last night, April 11, surrounded by family and love after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer,” his family said in a statement. “Phil never lost his signature spark of life, he was so well known for, or his love for baseball, which was with him until the end. Special thanks to the Houston Medical Center, MD Anderson, Baylor St. Lukes and all the Doctors and Nurses for their excellent care and support.”
Phil Garner waves to the crowd during a ceremony honoring the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Championship before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on July 20, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
Garner played from the Majors from 1973-88, spending notable stints with the Oakland A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros, most notably.
Garner, who starred with the Pirates from 1977-81, won a World Series with the team in 1979.
Two of his three All-Star appearances also came while representing the Pirates in 1980 and ’81, respectively.
His first All-Star appearance came in 1976, his last with the A’s.
Garner was also a longtime MLB manager after his playing career.
Former Astro Phil Garner throws out the ceremonial first pitch for game one of the American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images
Garner led the dugout of the Milwaukee Brewers from 1992-99, the Detroit Tigers from 2000-02, and the Houston Astros from 2004-07.
“He was competitive. He was honest. He told you the truth. He made you accountable — all the great things that leaders do,” said Jeff Bagwell, who played for Garner while with the Astros. “I think Gar just did a tremendous job of that. You could see how much he cared about his players, cared about winning and our organization. It was just a pleasure to play for him and be his friend.”
As a manager, Garner’s best work came with the Astros, whom he led to a World Series appearance in 2005, losing to the Chicago White Sox led by Ozzie Guillen.
Phil Garner of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses before an MLB game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Garner played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1977-81. Getty Images
He retired with a 277-252 record as a manager, with a 13-13 display in the playoffs.
As a player, he put up a career .260 average with 1,594 hits, 299 doubles, 225 stolen bases, 109 homeruns and 738 RBIs.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 10: Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros at bat during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (6-9) look to stop a 6-game slide as they play their 3rd of 4 games in Seattle against the Mariners (6-9) at T-Mobile Park.
RHP Cody Bolton (0-0, 3.68 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros opposite RHP Logan Gilbert (0-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Mariners.
ABOUT BOLTON: RHP Cody Bolton will make his second career start today against the Mariners.
In his first career start on Tuesday, April 6 at COL, he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
AGAINST THE MARINERS: The Astros and Mariners face each other today for the third of 13 scheduled matchups in 2026.
The Astros went 5-8 against the Mariners in 2025, including 2-4 record at T-Mobile Park.
Houston owns a 132-99 all-time regular season record against Seattle.
The Mariners will travel to Daikin Park for the first of two road trips to Houston from May 11-14 for a four-game series.
PEÑA INJURY: Astros SS Jeremy Peña left last night’s game due to right knee posterior tightness. He will get further evaluation today.
ULLOLA INJURY: RHP Miguel Ullola left last night’s game for Triple A Sugar Land due to a left ankle sprain.
ON THE MEND: LHP Bennett Sousa (left oblique strain) began a rehab assignment with Triple A Sugar Land last night…in his outing, he walked one and struck out two in one scoreless inning.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Astros number two overall prospect IF Xavier Neyens went 2×4 with a solo home run, walk and a stolen base. It marked his first career home run as a professional.
AIRCRAFT CARRIER: RF Cam Smith went 4×5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored last night at SEA. It marked his second career four-hit game, also June 17, 2025 at ATH.
TOMORROW’S PITCHER: RHP Mike Burrows will draw the start in tomorrow’s series finale vs Seattle.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2019 – The Astros outslug the Mariners in Seattle by a score of 10-6.
Houston smacks three home runs, including grand slams from 2B Jose Altuve (2×5) and 3B Yuli Gurriel (3×5). It marks just the third time in club history for the Astros to hit two grand slams in the same game.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, April 12, 3:10 p.m. CST
Location: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Apr 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets players stand during the national anthem prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images
What do the Lakers want? That’s not a question I like asking, but as the final day of the NBA 2025-26 regular season gets underway, it’s a question we must ask.
Here are the playoff scenarios, and what might happen.
First:
The Rockets have two possible opponents: Lakers, Nuggets
The Rockets can’t change anything about their seeding. They’re 5th. The loss to Minnesota’s B Team guaranteed it.
The Nuggets have a record of 53-28. The Lakers have a record of 52-29. Today the Nuggets play the Spurs, who will apparently rest everyone of note. The Lakers will play the Jazz, who are 22-59. I’m not sure if a loss changes much about their draft odds, as they can’t “catch” Washington, Indiana, or Brooklyn in the loss column. They’re going to finish with the 4th or 5th worst record in the NBA no matter what happens today. The Kings can “pass” the Jazz in the loss column if they win and the Jazz lose. The two teams both have 22 wins. Being 5th greatly increases the odds of getting a pick that falls down as far as seventh in the draft. You have to expect both teams want to lose.
The Lakers own the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, meaning if their records end up identical, that is, Laker win, Denver loss, the Lakers will move up to 3rd in the Western Conference and play the Timberwolves.
If Denver wins, everything stays the same, Rockets play Lakers. Denver holds on to 3rd place in the West due to a superior record. It won’t matter whether LA wins or loses, as the Lakers can’t catch Denver in the wins column if the Nuggets get a win over the Spurs.
Denver can’t really control anything, though, if the Lakers lose. They’ll still be ahead of LA in the win column, win or lose.
Then there’s the Spurs. Do the Spurs want to keep Denver where they are, on OKC’s side of the playoff bracket in future rounds? If San Antonio thinks Denver is a tougher opponent for OKC than a Laker team missing its two best players, then they definitely want to keep the Nuggets at 3rd. They can do that by losing to Denver.
So this is simply a brilliant situation in which every team playing with seeding at stake in the West has a good reason to lose.
Denver can’t get out of their 3rd seed, if they’d rather play the Rockets, unless LA wins and they lose. But the Spurs may well want to lose, too.
Do the Lakers want to play the Rockets or the Nuggets? Give that the Lakers beat down the Rockets twice in a row, albeit with their roster largely intact, they very well might. They might have reason to believe that if they can steal a win or two early in the series, on some sort of 41 year old Lebron James magic, then Luka and Reaves might be able to return to finish the series against the Rockets. Sure, that leaves them facing OKC, almost certainly, but it also means they advanced a round.
Going to 3rd place gets LA the Timberwolves, but they might think the same thing, steal a game early, hope for medical miracles, and avoid OKC in the second round.
But then the Jazz likely want to lose as well.
Who wants it less? This should be a night of puzzling player choices, baffling substitutions, dubious coaching decisions. So, just another Rockets game for the Rockets. But for the Lakers, Timberwolves, Spurs and Jazz, a night of something else. We’ll see what Denver and LA want, and who they play. Denver played no one in their previous game, and won anyway.
We’ll know by the end of the day. In any case it’s out of the Rockets hands. After losing last night, and LA winning, it doesn’t matter, in playoff terms, what they do. They’ll be in 5th, even if they tie the Lakers, due to those two losses to LA in the baseball series.
Sacramento went into this season with dreams of the playoffs and a return to how the team played in 2023. Instead, the 22-win, injury-riddled Kings are 15 games out of even the No. 10 seed and again looking to the NBA Draft Lottery for luck.
Coach Doug Christie is not going to pay the price for that. Multiple reports say Christie will be retained as the Kings' head coach, with Sam Amick of The Athletic being first.
There are a couple of reasons for this. One is that the Kings' struggles are far more about the roster construction than the coaching — more than one person around the league has told NBC Sports, "I don't know how good a coach Christie is" because of the talent he had to work with. Christie took over midseason in 2025, after Mike Brown was fired just after Christmas. Not long after he took over, a huge roster shift began after De'Aaron Fox demanded a trade. This season, the Kings dealt with injuries to key players and also looked to start trading veterans and rebuild.
The Kings also reportedly liked how young players such as Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford developed under Christie.
It's also worth noting that Christie, a former Kings player, is reportedly a favorite of team owner Vivek Ranadive and parts of the Sacramento front office. Christie also is popular with the fan base. Christie signed a three-year contract with the Kings last summer and next season is guaranteed, so if he were let go the Kings would be paying him anyway.
Whatever the Kings' roster looks like heading into next season, Christie will be coaching it.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Díaz (3)sits in the dugout after blowing a save giving up three runs to the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — With a three-run lead in the ninth inning on Saturday night, the Dodgers opted not to use closer Edwin Díaz, whom they signed to a record-setting contract in December. His velocity is down, but Díaz says he’s not hurt, and the Dodgers say they don’t think it’s a mechanical issue. Díaz may or may not be available on Sunday.
“Just talking to the pitching guys, looking at the velocity and some of the things he’s dealt with in the past, it’s a day-to-day thing,” manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. “I’m going to see how he feels in catch play and talk to the trainers and pitching guys, see where we go and make a decision from there.
“I’m confident right now, because everything I hear is he feels fine. For me, you hear it, you want to completely trust it, but you’re also looking at the [radar] gun and making sure. We’re treading lightly, and giving him the benefit of the doubt, and still watching.”
On Saturday night, manager Roberts said Díaz was unavailable due to the previous night’s workload, which completely tracks with the team’s bullpen deployment in the first three weeks of the season. Thus far, there have been only eight instances of a pitcher throwing on back-to-back days, including Díaz on March 27-28. Only one of those outings on no days rest came the day after throwing more than 17 pitches — Edgardo Henríquez threw 25 pitches on April 3 in Washington D.C., then was used the next day in a very low-leverage situation, up by six runs to get the final three outs in the ninth inning.
Ten times this season a Dodgers reliever has thrown at least 20 pitches in an outing. Other than the Henriquez outing, all those pitchers have been given at least one day off before pitching next, and in most cases got two or more days off.
During that outing on Friday, Díaz averaged 95.5 mph on his nine four-seam fastballs, and on the season he’s averaged 95.8 mph. He’s averaged at least 97 mph on that pitch in every other season of his career, including 97.2 mph in 2025.
Starting slow has been the norm recently for Díaz, for whom April has seen his lowest velocity of the season dating back to 2022. He did not pitch at all in 2023 after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his knee.
Year
April
Season
2022
98.1 mph
99.1 mph
2024
96.9 mph
97.5 mph
2025
96.3 mph
97.2 mph
Díaz has pitched only six games, and struck out 10 of his 29 batters faced while allowing four runs in six innings. But his current 95.8 mph would be the lowest velocity month of his career.
“We’re still trying to dig in a little bit,” Roberts said, calling the 2-mph drop from Díaz’s usual average “significant.”
“A couple days ago there were a lot of throws in there, too. Like we’ve done many times is to play the long view with our guys,” Roberts added. “We’re still going to do what’s best for him and the organization. This is a day-to-day thing, it really is. It’s not an IL thing we’re talking about, it’s more day-to-day.”
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Degrom (48) comes off the field after he pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
DENVER, CO - APRIL 07: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
While it’s disappointing to once again be facing a sweep at the end of a series, one must remember the Colorado Rockies are who we thought they were. They are a team at the ground floor of a rebuild and by their own admission are “here for the climb.”
By that metric, the Rockies have one major takeaway from the series so far: They’re keeping the San Diego Padres on their toes. Through the first three games, they have kept things close and competitive. The Padres had to walk-off the Rockies in the first two games, and the Rockies had the tying run at the plate last night in the top of the ninth inning.
This is not a post-season team. This is a team where progress is all that matters.
That being said, it sure would be nice to avoid getting swept out of San Diego to end this series. The man leading the Rockies into battle for that cause will be left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland.
Freeland—despite a truncated spring training—is off to a strong start. Over his first three starts of the season he has a 2.30 ERA over 15.2 innings with 13 strikeouts and four walks. His last time out against the Houston Astros he pitched a 6.1 inning Quality Start, giving up just one earned run on three hits and one walk while striking out five batters.
On the bump for the Swingin’ Friars is right-handed veteran Nick Pivetta. Pivetta has his strikeout stuff working well to start the season with a 13.8 K/9 through 13 innings. However, he’s also had opposing batters get to him. Over his first three starts he has an ERA of 5.54 on 12 hits and six walks, but he’s also yet to allow a home run.
Historically Pivetta hasn’t had the best of luck against the Rockies. He holds a 9.64 career ERA against the boys in Purple over eight appearances—seven of which were starts—with seven home runs allowed over 32.2 innings of work. This season Pivetta is working primarily with four pitches: a four-seam fastball averaging 94.1 MPH, a curveball, a sweeper, and a cutter. He can also throw a sinker and slider if needed.
San Diego, California - April 11: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres attempts to tag out Edouard Julien #6 of the Colorado Rockies at second base during the first inning at Petco Park on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Colorado Rockies (6-9) at San Diego Padres (9-6), April 12, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
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The Mets designated Luis Garcia for assignment on Sunday.
One part of the Mets’ bullpen makeover is already gone, with Luis García designated for assignment prior to Sunday’s series-finale against the A’s.
After the 39-year-old right-hander was forced into Saturday’s loss, in part because of Luke Weaver’s ineffectiveness, Carlos Mendoza said the bullpen needed to be replenished for Sunday’s game at Citi Field.
So the Mets opted to recall right-hander Joey Gerber from Triple-A Syracuse and are set to lose García, who was signed to a one-year, $1.75 million deal in January.
The Mets designated Luis Garcia for assignment on Sunday. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“We needed an arm, especially with the way we used the bullpen the past couple of nights,’’ Mendoza said. “We feel like we needed some protection there in case something bad happens again.”
Of the decision to DFA Garcia , Mendoza said it was “not an easy one. Luis had to pitch [Saturday] on a day we were staying away from him. [Weaver] got in trouble and we needed a fresh arm here.”
Gerber last played in the majors with the Rays last year, making two appearances, while spending most of the season with Triple-A Durham.
His contract was purchased by the Mets in November and he struggled in four outings in the minors this season.
It appears that the Abbotsford Canucks are dealing with yet another injury. As reported by Rick Dhaliwal of "Donnie and Dhali", forward Nils Åman, "broke his toe over the weekend, his season is over." Abbotsford has two games remaining this year, with both on the road.
Åman has spent the last four seasons with the Canucks organization. This year, he played two games in the NHL, while suiting up for 55 in the AHL. Åman leads Abbotsford with 41 points, while his 35 assists are tied for 22nd in the league.
This season was the second of a two-year deal Åman signed in 2023. He will enter the off-season as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. In 132 career NHL games, Åman has scored eight goals while recording 29 points.
As for his time with Abbotsford, Åman has recorded 95 points in 123 games. He ranks in the top 10 for points and top five for assists. Åman was originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2020 and signed with the Canucks in 2022 as a free agent.
Feb 22, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Nils Aman (88) skates against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 23: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on November 23, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Orlando Magic (45-36) at Boston Celtics (55-26) Sunday, April 12, 2026 6:00 PM ET Regular Season Game #82 Home Game #41 TV: ESPN, NBCSB, FDSNFL Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub , WYGM 96.9, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics host the Orlando Magic for the 4th, and final, meeting between these teams this season. They played twice in a row in Orlando with the Magic winning the first game 123-110 and the Celtics winning the second game 111-107. The Celtics won the 3rd game 138-129 in Boston. The Celtics won the series 2-1 last season. The Celtics are 78-58 overall all time against the Magic. They are 51-18 all time in games played in Boston.
This could be a preview of the Celtics most likely first round matchup. Orlando can move up to 6th if they beat the Celtics and Toronto loses to the Nets. If Toronto beats the Nets, Orlando will have to play Philadelphia in the play in to decide the 7th seed. The Celtics are 12-10 against the Magic in the playoffs, including a 4-1 win in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 2 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 4 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 9 games ahead of 5th place Atlanta and 10 games ahead of 6th place Toronto and 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 35-16 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 29-11 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The Magic are 7th in the East, 6 games behind 4th place Cleveland, 2 game behind 5th place Atlanta and tied with 6th place Toronto. They are 1 game ahead of 8th place Philadelphia, 2 games ahead of 9th place Charlotte and 3 games ahead of 10th place Miami. They are 26-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 19-19 on the road and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 5 games.
The Celtics have an extensive injury report for this game. Jaylen Brown (Achilles), Neemias Queta (toe), Jayson Tatum (injury management), and Derrick White (knee) are all listed as out. Sam Hauser (back), Payton Pritchard (plantar fasciitis), and Nikola Vucevic (finger) are all doubtful. Hugo Gonzalez was a late addition to the injury list as questionable with foot pain. I have just made a wild guess as to the Celtics starters for this game. For the Magic, Jett Howard (ankle) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are both listed as questionable.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Max Shulga vs Jalen Suggs
Hugo Gonzalez | NBAE via Getty ImagesFranz Wagner | NBAE via Getty Images
PF: Jordan Walsh vs Paolo Banchero
Jordan Walsh | Getty ImagesPaolo Banchero | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Luka Garza vs Wendell Carter, Jr
Luka Garza | Getty ImagesWendell Carter, Jr | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Amare Williams Ron Harper, Jr Delano Banton John Tonje
2-Way Players None Injuries/Out Derrick White (knee) out Neemias Queta (toe) out Sam Hauser (back) doubtful Jaylen Brown (Achilles) out Jayson Tatum (injury management) out Payton Pritchard (plantar fasciitis) doubtful Nikola Vucevic (finger) doubtful Hugo Gonzalez (foot) questionable
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Magic Reserves Goga Bitadze Anthony Black Jamal Cain Jevon Carter Tristan daSilva Noah Penda Jase Richardon Moritz Wagner
2-Way Players Colin Castleton Alex Morales Injuries/Out Jett Howard (ankle) questionable Jonathan Isaac (knee) questionable
Head Coach Jamahl Mosley
Key Matchups Jordan Walsh vs Paolo Banchero Banchero is averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He is shooting 46.2% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc. In 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 21.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field and 12.5% from beyond the arc.
Hugo Gonzalez vs Franz Wagner Wagner is averaging 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He is shooting 48.5% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc. In 3 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 20.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 42.2% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc. Since Hugo is now questionable, if he can’t play I would guess that Ron Harper, Jr starts here. Honorable Mention Baylor Scheierman vs Desmond Bane Bane is averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 48.5% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc. In 3 games against the Celtics this season he averaged 16.3 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always the key to winning games. The Celtics are now 4th in the league with a defensive rating of 111.8. The Magic are 14th with a defensive rating of 113.7 In their last loss, the Celtics allowed the Knicks to shoot 53.8% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. They were lax on defense and that cost them the game. The Celtics are going to have to work harder on defense than the Magic and lock down the Magic’s shooters.
Rebound – Rebounding is also a big key to winning The Magic are 19th with 43.3 rebounds per game while the Celtics are 3rd with 46.4 rebounds per game. They simply have to fight harder to grab rebounds than the Magic. Every Celtic has got to crash the boards and fight for every rebound. The Celtics can’t score without the ball and a good way to get the ball is to crash the boards.
Effort and Energy for 48 Minutesc- The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. The Celtics are missing a lot of firepower on the injury list and so the best way to make up for that is to play harder than the Magic. The Celtics need to make playing with more effort and energy their identity for the upcoming playoffs and it needs to start with this game.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics play best when they share the ball and keep it moving. They can’t try to do too much individually or the offense gets bogged down. They need to move the ball to find the best shots instead of taking quick shots or over dribbling. They have to move the ball carefully, however, and not turn the ball over. The Magic score 18.6 points off turnovers per game. If the Celtics get sloppy again, the Magic will make them pay.
X-Factors Celtics Pride at Home – The Celtics will have the home crowd behind them and that should give them a boost. The Magic will have all the distractions of playing on the road such as travel, hotel stay, and playing on an unfamiliar court in front of a hostile crowd. The Celtics need to be ready for a team that plays very hard for 48 minutes. The Celtics need to match the Magic’s effort especially on the defensive end. The Celtics have to show pride and play harder than the Magic to protect their home court and get a win against this motivated Magic team.
Next Man Up – The Celtics will be missing at least 4 and possibly as many as 7 players for this game. The stay ready group will get a chance to show that they are ready for playoff minutes and need to take advantage of that opportunity. They need to hit their shots and defend at a high level in order to beat the motivated and healthy Magic.
Officiating – The officiating is always an x-factor. Some referees call the game tight and others let them play. Some favor the home team and others call it evenly. Some refs just seem to have an agenda that doesn’t fit the events on the court. At times they miss important calls that change the momentum of the game. The Celtics need to play well enough not to leave the game in the hands of the officials at the end and they can’t let bad calls take away from their focus.
The NBA regular season concludes on Sunday night with a Nuggets vs. Spurs matchup that offers more betting value in the player prop market than the spread or total.
Our NBA player prop projections break down the expected production on both sides, highlighting where the numbers create betting value.
Alongside our Nuggets vs. Spurs predictions and top NBA picks, here are the best player props to target for April 12.
Nuggets vs Spurs computer picks for April 12
Nuggets
Spurs
Jokic o0.5 threes -150
Fox u6.5 assists -105
Jones u5.5 assists -112
Champagnie u12.5 points -110
Strawther u2.5 threes -135
Fox o1.5 threes -110
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Nuggets computer picks
Nikola Jokic Over 0.5 threes (-150)
Projection: 1.5 threes
Nikola Jokic clearing one three is about as low a bar as it gets, especially in a game Denver actually cares about. With the Nuggets still pushing for seeding, expect full minutes and a normal offensive role.
San Antonio’s defense gives up clean looks to bigs on the perimeter, and Jokic has been more willing to fire.
He's hit at least one 3-pointer in two of his last three games.
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Tyus Jones Under 5.5 assists (-112)
Projection: 4.1 assists
Tyus Jones’ role is the issue here, not his talent. With Denver playing for seeding, the ball is going to live in Nikola Jokic’s hands, not Jones’.
He’s more of a secondary initiator in this offense, and his assist upside is capped unless minutes spike. In a tighter rotation game, that’s unlikely.
Jones has gone Under this total in 14 straight games.
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Julian Strawther Under 2.5 threes (-135)
Projection: 2.0 threes
Julian Strawther’s role is always fragile, and that’s amplified in a high-leverage game for Denver. The Nuggets will tighten the rotation, leaning more on trusted options, which limits Strawther’s volume and minutes.
Even if he gets on the floor, he’s a streaky shooter who needs attempts to get there.
He's gone Under this number in 16 of his last 17 games.
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Spurs computer picks
De'Aaron Fox Under 6.5 assists (-120)
Projection: 5.6 assists
De'Aaron Fox’s role is score-first, and that becomes even more pronounced in a meaningless end-of-season spot.
With the Spurs not playing for anything, offensive structure tends to break down, leading to fewer clean assist opportunities. He’s more likely to hunt his own shot than facilitate, and the projection reflects that.
At 5.6 assists, this line is simply a bit too aggressive for his expected usage and game environment.
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Julian Champagnie Under 12.5 points (-110)
Projection: 10.9 points
Julian Champagnie is a decent role player, but 12.5 is a touch too high for someone whose production can disappear fast if the shot volume is not there.
With a projection of 10.9, there is enough cushion to back the Under, especially if his minutes or usage dip even slightly.
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De'Aaron Fox Over 1.5 threes (-110)
Projection: 1.7 threes
De’Aaron Fox isn’t known as a high-volume 3-point shooter, but he’s quietly cleared this number with more consistency when his usage spikes.
With a 1.7 projection, you’re not getting a massive edge, but you don’t need one at this line.
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How to watch Nuggets vs Spurs tonight
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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Nuggets
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