Apr 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers have had a rough week. After wrapping up their third consecutive series win last weekend in Kansas City, Milwaukee moved to 8-2 with a series-opening win in Boston on Monday. Since then, however, they’ve lost four straight. In those four losses — two to the Red Sox and two to the Nationals — the Brewers have mostly fallen short offensively, scoring just six runs.
They’ll look to snap that skid — and prevent a sweep at the hands of the Nationals — on Sunday afternoon at American Family Field. Brandon Woodruff gets the ball for Milwaukee, coming off a rough start in the Crew’s last win on Monday. In that one, he went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, a pair of walks, and a notable hit-by-pitch of Willson Contreras. He also struck out four.
Opposite Woodruff will be a familiar foe in Zack Littell. Littell spent last season with the Rays and Reds, making three starts against Milwaukee (two with the Reds, one with the Rays), allowing four runs and striking out 11 over 16 2/3 innings. In two appearances this season, he’s totaled 10 innings with four runs allowed and seven strikeouts.
The Brewer lineup features Brice Turang atop the order, followed by William Contreras and Christian Yelich at DH. Garrett Mitchell bats cleanup, followed by Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick. Brandon Lockridge rounds out the outfield, batting seventh, with David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz batting eighth and ninth, respectively.
First pitch in this one is set for 1:10 p.m. CT, available as usual on Brewers.TV, along with WTMJ 620 and the Brewers Radio Network.
The Denver Nuggets control their own fate on Sunday. Win against San Antonio and Denver will be the No. 3 seed, then face Minnesota in the first round, and it would be in line to face this same Spurs team in the second round. Lose, and if the Lakers beat the Jazz as expected, the Nuggets fall to fourth in the West and will face the Rockets in the first round and be lined up to face the defending champion Thunder in the second round (assuming both teams win and advance).
Faced with that choice, Denver is sitting nearly all its key rotation players on Sunday: Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson are all out Sunday (Watson has missed the last four games with a hamstring issue).
Injury Report ahead of tomorrow's game against the Spurs:
QUESTIONABLE: Nikola Jokić (Right Wrist Injury Management)
OUT: Tim Hardaway Jr. (Left Knee Soreness) Jamal Murray (Right Shoulder Impingement) Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Injury Management) Cam Johnson (Right Ankle… pic.twitter.com/LgDkeatNH3
Denver MVP candidate Nikola Jokic is questionable, but if he does not play he will not reach the NBA's 65-game threshold and will not be eligible for any postseason awards and honors. He likely plays at least the minimum of 15 minutes needed to become eligible.
Denver sat a lot of the same players on Friday night against Oklahoma City, a team that also sat all its key rotation players as it had the No. 1 seed secured (the Nuggets won that game). Asked about the decision to sit all those stars on Friday, coach David Adelman said this, via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post.
"What's on the injury report is what they're out with. They're dealing with a lot more than that physically, not to mention some of the soft tissue stuff. Scary kinds of injuries."
Denver is choosing health going into the postseason, and likely a matchup it likes better against Houston in the first round, over concerns about the second round and beyond.
The Spurs would likely rather face the winner of the Lakers/Timberwolves series in the second round than the Nuggets, so it may push to win (assuming San Antonio beats a play-in team in the first round).
All of which may take all the drama out of one of the NBA's hoped-for dramatic final days of games.
It’s the last game of the NBA regular season, but it might look more like an NFL preseason game on Sunday night when the Phoenix Suns visit the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Both teams are locked into their postseason spots and have nothing to play for. That means a lot of little-known bench players and G League call-ups will get most of the time.
Fully functional OKC would be heavy favorites, but bench against bench is a coin flip. That’s why my Suns vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks take the Suns with a very generous moneyline price.
Suns vs Thunder prediction
Suns vs Thunder best bet: Suns moneyline (+195)
The Oklahoma City Thunder ruled 10 players out for Friday’s game, and the same 10 will be sitting tonight. That includes full-time starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Hartenstein, as well as most of the rotation players on the bench.
The group sitting this weekend combined for 310 of OKC’s 400 starts through the first 80 games.The only starter to play Friday was Luguentz Dort, who played 20 minutes. The other seven players to see the floor combined for 23 starts this season.
The Phoenix Suns were planning to be more generous with playing their starters. Devin Booker and three rotation players sat on Friday, but, with the Suns locked into the Play-In on Tuesday, head coach Jordan Ott didn’t want rust to set in and planned on giving several key players minutes.
Then Grayson Allen went down with a hamstring injury during the game. That changed the plans significantly. Booker and Allen are out, joined by starters Royce O’Neal and Dillon Brooks. Most of the other key players are listed as questionable.
Both skeleton crews got hammered on Friday night — OKC by 20 at Denver, Phoenix by 28 at the Lakers. Sunday’s game will see Dort and a handful of unknowns for OKC against whichever Suns players listed as questionable put in limited time.
I think we can expect at least two or three of Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Jalen Green, Haywood Highsmith, and Mark Williams to log 20+ minutes. That should be an advantage for Phoenix.
Suns vs Thunder same-game parlay
Jared McCain was the only Thunder player to make half his shots in Friday’s loss. The eight Suns who took 5+ shots on Friday shot a combined 19-for-64, .297. The Hall of Fame won’t be asking for a tape of this game to demonstrate the game being played at its highest level, and neither team will be motivated to play up-tempo.
The Suns will be particularly thin in the backcourt, and Jalen Green has battled injuries all season and could use the day off. Jordan Goodwin is more likely to be the shooting guard who plays. He’s made multiple threes in 10 of the last 11 games he’s played and 3+ in back-to-back games.
Suns vs Thunder SGP
Suns moneyline
Under 213
Jordan Goodwin Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: B-Team Bandits
Aaron Wiggins has made multiple threes four of the last five times he’s logged at least 15 minutes of playing time. He played 23 minutes on Friday. More importantly, he put up six threes. He should get the opportunity to shoot tonight.
Kenrich Williams had 12 rebounds in 31 minutes on Friday. He’ll likely be battling little-used Suns rookie Khaman Maluach in the paint on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Brandon Carlson dished out five in Friday’s game and will be the biggest scoring threat on the floor for most of the game. That should give him plenty of opportunities to find the open man. This is an easy addition.
Suns vs Thunder SGP
Jordan Goodwin Over 2.5 threes
Aaron Wiggins Over 1.5 threes
Kenrich Williams Over 9.5 rebounds
Brandon Carlson Over 2.5 assists
Suns vs Thunder odds
Spread: Suns +5.5 | Thunder -5.5
Moneyline: Suns +195 | Thunder -250
Over/Under: Over 213 | Under 213
Suns vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Thunder have gone Under their team total in 16 of their last 23 home games for +8.05 units and a 31% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Thunder.
How to watch Suns vs Thunder
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
Suns+, FDSN Oklahoma
Suns vs Thunder 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.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for what could potentially be a month-long search to find their next head of hockey operations, reports suggest fans should brace for possibly just one hire from MLSE.
"The Maple Leafs are determined to talk to as many people as they can," Friedman said, "and get as many opinions as they can about what they should do."
Several names have already surfaced as potential candidates for the position, like Mike Gillis and Florida Panthers assistant general manager Sunny Mehta. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported this week that Toronto has been granted permission to speak with Mehta.
But as this search goes on, many wonder if Mehta's resume fits the bill to be the head of hockey operations for one of the NHL's most coveted franchises.
I only say that because, according to Friedman, the Maple Leafs are entering this search to hire one person to lead their hockey ops department.
"Now, it doesn't mean that they can't morph into more," Friedman continued, "but they are starting the search with the goal of one person."
Furthermore, Friedman believes Mehta won't be the only person from the Panthers' front office that the Maple Leafs will request to speak with.
"I also believe, we talked about one specific member of Florida's front office (Sunny Mehta). I don't think that's the only request that's going to be made of the Panthers. I think the Maple Leafs could ask for multiple permissions to talk to people with Florida."
In LeBrun's report, which said Toronto had been granted permission to speak with Mehta, he also wondered if the Maple Leafs would request to speak with another Panthers assistant GM, Brett Peterson.
After his playing career, Peterson was vice president of THE TEAM (formerly Wasserman Media Group) before joining the Panthers' front office in 2020. He had also been a certified NHL player agent with THE TEAM since 2009.
MLSE CEO Keith Pelley said the goal was to have someone hired for the position "in the middle of May, but the end of May, prior to the combine, would be good. But if not, very early June because you need to prep for the draft."
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 10: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns scores on a dunk during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on March 10, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (44-37) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (64-17)
When: 5:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns are looking to win their final game of the season, taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the team locked into the seventh seed, there is not much to play for, but the fans should expect the young guys to get some burn. Heading into this one, the Suns and Thunder look to play for the fifth time this season, with OKC leading the season series 3-1.
The Thunder have the first place locked up and do not need to injure any players, so they are taking the night off as well. This is sadly what comes at the end of a long season, but what could you do? This matchup though, could not be the last we see this year, as the Suns still have the Play-In to go.
If they were to lose their 7 vs. 8 seed matchup on Tuesday, they would be slated to face OKC in the first round of the playoffs. Now that is something no one is wishing for, but very well could be the outcome the Suns draw.
Mark Williams (left foot injury management) — QUESTIONABLE
Grayson Allen (left hamstring soreness) — OUT
Devin Booker (right ankle injury management) — OUT
Dillon Brooks (left 2nd metacarpal injury management) — OUT
Royce O’Neale (left knee injury management) — OUT
Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (oblique injury management) — OUT
Chet Holmgren (back spasms) — OUT
Jalen Williams (hamstring injury management) — OUT
Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus injury management) — OUT
Cason Wallace (toe soreness) — OUT
Ajay Mitchell (ankle injury management) — OUT
Alex Caruso (rest) — OUT
Isaiah Joe (knee soreness) — OUT
Jaylin Williams (Achilles tendinitis) — OUT
Thomas Sorber (torn ACL) — OUT
What to Watch For
The young guys and how they look are the main takeaways from this one. With the Suns set in stone as the seventh seed, there is no need for them to try to force a win for no reason. It would be nice to win against OKC, but that isn’t the goal here. It is to set the tone and get ready for the play-in on Tuesday.
Therefore, let the leash loose on guys like Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming to thrive in a game that matters nothing. See what these guys can do in a game where they are the primary options and get the hype surrounding them for the future. Buy these fans into the players they expect to see for the future.
Key to a Suns Win
The way for the Suns to take this one is to continue shooting great from three-point land. It has been evident all season long that if the Suns’ three-point shot does not show up, it is an uphill battle for them offensively. To make sure they can get off to the right start, they need guys like Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin to deliver from behind the arc. Especially Goodwin, who had a career-high in threes when the Suns beat the Thunder for the only time this season.
With the Thunder having ten players out as well, the depth of this team needs to show that they are worthy of staying in Phoenix beyond this season. A player like Jamaree Bpuyea should take this advantage to shine in a game where the ball is mainly in his hands. The two-way players, such as C.J. Huntley and Koby Brea, should get some run, allowing Brea to let loose from three, which could help the Suns match OKC.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: Nick Smith Jr. #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass past the defense of Koby Brea #14 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The final roster spot for the Lakers will be used for one of their own and no big last-minute splash signing.
On Sunday morning, Shams Charania of ESPN reported Nick Smith Jr. and the Lakers had agreed to a two-year deal. Smith has spent the season on a two-way contract in LA.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. on a new two-year contract, Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports tells ESPN. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, the Lakers add guard depth for the playoffs. Smith has averaged 6 points and 40% from 3 this season. pic.twitter.com/DTY3TtnsIn
The Lakers opened up a roster spot earlier in the weekend by waiving Kobe Bufkin, who they signed to a standard contract in the opening months of the campaign.
While other names like Chris Paul or Lonzo Ball were the flashier names mentioned as possible signings, it always felt likeliest that the open roster spot and contract would go to one of the team’s two-way signings in Smith Jr. and Drew Timme. Two-way players are not eligible for the playoffs, so if Redick wanted to continue using those players in his rotation, they would have to be signed to a deal.
Details of the deal are not known nor have they been reported, but in similar situations in previous years, the “two-year” aspect of the deal means the remaining one game and postseason of the 2025-26 season and likely a non-guaranteed second year.
On the season, Smith Jr. is averaging six points on 43.3% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from range. Most memorably, he won a game for the Lakers in Portland very early in the season when a host of players were out injured.
Even during the months when Bufkin was on a standard contract, Smith Jr. seemed to be ahead of him in the rotation and had the trust of head coach JJ Redick and the staff. With injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the path to minutes for Smith Jr. is not all that crowded.
While he won’t be called upon if the remaining players are healthy, an injury or foul trouble in one of the playoff games could lead to him seeing minutes.
The Diamondbacks will go with veteran righthander Zac Gallen. Gallen has had success against the Phillies over the years with a 2.52 ERA in seven career starts.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 19: Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo performs at The Grove summer concert series at The Grove on July 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A.J. Russell made his second pro appearance for the Crawdads, using 34 pitches in one inning of work, striking out two, walking two, allowing two hits and giving up two runs. Louis Marinaro struck out four in 1.2 shutout innings.
Yolfran Castillo had a hit, two walks and a stolen base. Paulino Santana had a hit, a walk and a stolen base. Esteban Mejia had a hit and a walk. josh Spring had a hit and two walks. Dewar Tovar had a double and a walk. Marcos Torres had a hit and a walk.
Dylan MacLean started for Frisco and gave up five runs in 3.2 IP, striking out two and walking two. Eric Loomis struck out two and allowed a Zombie Runner to score in an inning of work.
Ian Moller homered. Dylan Dreiling was 3 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base.
For Round Rock, Dane Acker threw 2.2 shutout innings, striking out one and walking one. Robbie Ahlstrom gave up two runs in an inning, striking out one. Ryan Brasier allowed three runs in 0.2 IP. Josh Sborz struck out three and walked two in 1.1 IP. Michel Otanez gave up a walkoff two out, three run home run.
Justin Foscue was 2 for 6 with a double. Aaron Zavala had a single, a double and a walk.
Things continue to trend in the right direction for Mets starter Clay Holmes.
After exiting Friday’s game against the Athletics with hamstring tightness, it sounds like, barring anything unexpected, Holmes will be able to make his next scheduled start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.
“Talked to him earlier, he feels good,” manager Carlos Mendoza said on Sunday. “The plan is for him to go out there and do his normal throwing routine [today]. Scheduled to throw his bullpen tomorrow, and the goal is for him to make his next start in LA.”
"Feel like I’ll be able to make my next start," Holmes said at the time. "But until I wake up tomorrow, we don’t really know. Can’t rule anything out, but feel pretty good about it right now. I can still keep throwing. I didn’t feel it tighten up on a throw….I think we’ll be good, but we’ll have to see."
Holmes is scheduled to pitch on Wednesday, with David Peterson and Nolan McLean set for the first two games against the Dodgers.
The Edmonton Oilers are going back to the playoffs. For the seventh straight season, Oilers fans can experience playoff hockey in Edmonton. Somewhere, someone in the organization is probably popping champagne.
If so, they might want to wait until they've actually earned it.
Saturday's clinching moment arrived not in the visitors' dressing room at Crypto.com Arena, where the Oilers had just been shut out 1-0 by the Los Angeles Kings, but a few hours later, in a box score from Philadelphia. The Flyers beat the Winnipeg Jets 7-1, and just like that, Edmonton's playoff fate was sealed by a team they weren't playing, in a city they weren't in, on a night they couldn't even score a goal themselves.
That's not exactly how you draw it up.
The Oilers had their chance to do this themselves. A single point against the Kings would have clinched it outright. Instead, Artemi Panarin stole the puck from Evan Bouchard at the blue line, scored on a breakaway in the first period, and that was the game.
Anton Forsberg finished with a 27-save shutout. It was Edmonton's fourth shutout loss of the season.
"We just couldn't find a way to get one," center Adam Henrique said. "I thought we pushed hard throughout the entire game, had a lot of opportunities, but couldn't find a way to get that first one."
So they sat and waited. And the Flyers obliged.
Look, this six-year playoff streak, now seven, didn't come easy. There were stretches this season where it looked like this might be the year it all fell apart.
Leon Draisaitl went down with a lower-body injury on March 15. He'll miss the rest of the regular season after piling up 97 points in 65 games. Draisaitl had been directly involved in 41 percent of their goals. Zach Hyman went down not long after.
And then suddenly Edmonton's depth was being tested in ways it hadn't anticipated. They went 8-4-1 without their second-best player, who would be the player on almost any other team.
The Oilers have long been vocal about their singular goal—get in, and worry about everything else once you're in. Kris Knoblauch has said it, and McDavid and everybody have implied it.
The thinking is rooted in recent history: this is a team that has played deep into June on the road, in hostile buildings, and found ways to advance. Home ice isn't what it is for other franchises. They've played plenty of playoff hockey without it.
That's fair. And practically speaking, the division race is still alive. Edmonton fell one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights for first in the Pacific on Saturday, though they hold the regulation-wins tiebreaker. Two games remain. Seeding still matters.
But there's a difference between being indifferent to home ice and being indifferent to the performance that earns it. Getting bounced from your own clinching opportunity by a team that was trying to avenge a blowout that happened in February—the Kings referenced an 8-1 home loss from February 26 afterward—and needing a 7-1 win from the Flyers to push you across the finish line isn't a great look heading into the postseason.
The Oilers are a team that always seems to go farther than anyone else expected. McDavid is chasing his first Cup. Draisaitl might return sometime in the first round.
But two straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final, two straight losses, and now a clinch that came courtesy of Philadelphia's generosity—at some point, the bar has to be higher than just getting in.
Sunday Night Baseball greets us with an intriguing pitching matchup as the Atlanta Braves close a series with the Cleveland Guardians, featuring a duel between Chris Sale and Tanner Bibee.
Both of these pitchers have decent pedigrees, but neither has gotten off to a good start in 2026.
My Guardians vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks break down why the Over and underdog have some value on Sunday, April 12.
Who will win Guardians vs Braves today: Guardians +1.5 (-130)
Those waiting for Chris Sale to decline with age haven’t seen what they expected. He’s coming off back-to-back sub-3.00 ERA seasons for the first time since 2018, which is a real statement about where his stuff still is. But a big story of that? Early season struggles. He allowed four or more runs in half of his first five starts.
I’m still viewing him through the lens of the early-season struggle here. His last appearance against the Angels showcased that when he allowed six earned runs in four innings. That’s notable because that’s a lineup that doesn’t exactly have the best plate appearances.
In contrast, this matchup is different. The Cleveland Guardians are disciplined, with A bottom-10 chase and whiff rates. Sale still relies on the chase and will struggle to get it. They’ll make him work and force competitive pitches to be thrown. That profile makes him work, raises his pitch count, and creates value on this spread.
COVERS INTEL: Chris Sale is 7-8 with a 4.44 ERA in 23 career starts against Cleveland, his worst record against any AL Central opponent.
Guardians vs Braves Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (+106)
I made this total 7.7, and getting a plus money price is enough to make me lean over. If we think the Guardians can plate a few runs, then we aren’t asking for much from Atlanta. And Tanner Bibee is an underdog for a reason.
While I think the 28% whiff rate will cause a perennial swing-free Braves team plenty of issues, there’s also a good chance for Atlanta to have a few big swings that do enough to push this over.
Bibee’s hard-contact numbers are among the worst in baseball through three starts, with a bottom 15th percentile barrel rate, bottom 7th percentile hard-hit rate, and one of the highest average exit velocities in the sport.
That’s enough for me to believe the Braves can do the minimum amount of damage required to get this over.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 5-3, +2.19 units
Over/Under bets: 5-4, +0.89 units
Guardians vs Braves odds
Moneyline: Guardians +159 | Braves -194
Run line: Guardians +1.5 (-135) | Braves -1.5 (+115)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Guardians vs Braves trend
The Cleveland Guardians have hit the Moneyline in 19 of their last 30 games (+11.00 Units / 32% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Braves.
How to watch Guardians vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Guardians starting pitcher
Tanner Bibee (0-1, 3.29 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale (2-1, 3.94 ERA)
Guardians vs Braves latest injuries
Guardians vs Braves weather
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.
The Cubs signed left-hander Charlie Barnes to a minor-league deal in January. Barnes did appear in two Spring Training games for the Cubs, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. He was assigned to Triple-A Iowa and has pitched in three games there, posting a 2.38 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 11.1 innings.
Today, the Cubs recalled Barnes from Iowa and placed Hunter Harvey on the 15-day injured list with right triceps inflammation.
Barnes has nine games of MLB experience (eight starts) with the Twins in 2021, where he posted a 5.92 ERA in 38 innings. He spent the last four years pitching for Lotte in KBO. Barnes is 30 and played college ball at Clemson. Interestingly, Barnes and Caleb Thielbar were teammates with the Twins in 2021.
Barnes was also added to the 40-man roster, which had an open spot due to the DFA of Dylan Carlson on Friday.
Sinner adds to his victories after Indian Wells and Miami
Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time on Sunday and reclaim the world No 1 ranking from his Spanish rival.
Sinner downed Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-3 to capture his third ATP 1000 title of the year after completing the “Sunshine Double” last month with victories in Indian Wells and Miami.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2026 in New York City. 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
And here we are, at the end of the road. This season had it’s highs, and then it had its lows …. a lot of them.
A lot of people will probably say that the lows outweighed the good, which is a fair thing to say. What I can say is that this year was a year of growth. We got to see a bunch of young guys figure out a grown man’s league in the NBA. The coach and his staff got better. With something like that, you are going to see a bunch of moments that will make you want to turn your head. But just remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
And of course, the Nets did secure the third seed in the Lottery meaning they will have a 52.1% chance at a top four pick and a 14.0% chance at the overall No. 1.
Before our boys in Brooklyn cross the finish line, they will be taking on the Toronto Raptors in the final regular season game. The Raptors currently stand as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors will need to get used to playing in the city, as it looks like the New York Knicks could be their potential matchup in the first round of the playoffs. What better way to get ready then with a team whose best interest is to lose?
Where to watch
Catch the action at 6:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.
Injury Report
A lot of the players will be sitting out for this one as they will get ready for the summer. Perfect time for the G League guys to get one last game in to play their hearts out.
For the Nets, Nolan Traore (illness) is questionable and another nine are just out: Terance Mann (knee), Josh Minott (ankle), Ziaire Williams (bursitis), Egor Demin (plantar fascia), Noah Clowney (ankle), Nic Claxton (finger), Danny Wolf (ankle), Porter (hamstring) and Sharpe (thumb).
For the Raptors, R.J. Barrett (knee), Collin Murray-Boyles (neck), and Trayce Jackson-Davis (illness) are all listed as questionable for the game.
AND THIS JUST IN: Sunday is the last day teams can sign a player and that’s just what the Nets, announcing just before noon that they have signed 10-day player Trevon Scott to a hardship contract, not further described. Scott’s 10-day, would’ve run out Sunday.
Scott appeared in 47 games this season for Long Island, averaging 12 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 27.9 minutes.
Undrafted out of Cincinnati in 2020, Scott has spent the vast majority of his career bouncing around the G League. He spent time with the affiliates of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, and Orlando Magic before joining the Nets. He also played internationally with the Calgary Surge, Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico, and Fos Provence Basket in France.
At 29-years-old, Scott is the second oldest player on Brooklyn’s squad. He is just 38 days younger than the team’s oldest player, Terrance Mann.
The Game
When you think of the term underrated, it is a perfect way to describe who the Raptors are in the Eastern Conference. Of course, the heavy hitters that will be looked at closely in the East will be the Celtics, Pistons, and Knicks (who they have lost to 13 straight times), but the Raptors have a ton of talent on their own that can make them very interesting to see.
Brandon Ingram is a natural 20 point scorer, and this season he has done it very efficiently as he has shot almost 48% from the field this year. Scottie Barnes is a special two-way player than guard positions 1-5. Then you have a guard like Immanuel Quickly who is uber quick (get it) who can knock it down from deep as well.
With this level of talent, the Raptors will look to give a little more effort than usual for this Sunday evening matchup. If Toronto wants to lock in the sixth seed and, more importantly, have a chance to get into the fifth seed slot, they will have to beat Brooklyn and hope for Atlanta and Orlando to lose.
For the Nets sake, another loss is unlikely to matter. They have secured the top three seed in the May 10 Lottery. IF they lose again and the Indiana Pacers beat the Detroit Pistons, they would tie for second. However, the chances of that became limited Saturday night when the Pistons, who’ve already clinched the top seed in the East released their injury status. They’re not prioritizing rest. Most of their top players will be available.
Player to Watch
Scottie Barnes has to be one of the most underrated players in the NBA. The 6’8” 24-year-old can play multiple positions, even point guard. On the season, he’s averaging 18.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists. His only weakness is 3-point shooting, where he’s hitting only 30.4%. But bottom line, he is the leader of the Raptors, as Toronto Sun noted this week in one of its post-season lookaheads. Barnes noted that he hasn’t played in the post-season since 2021 and he is ready to go.
“I’m so excited. It’s been a long time coming,” Barnes told the Sun after Thursday’s win over Miami. “I’m ready to get back out there, but just have to focus on these next two games and then really take that moment, it will be a reality.”
“We’re all pretty excited. We want it,” Barnes told the Sun. “That was our goal. It’s coming through. Coming to the end of the season we’re just trying to accomplish that. Play in it, get that experience, try to win and just try to advance.”
So expect Barnes and the rest to give it all in the finale
Personal Note
I had fun with this team this season. The Flatbush Five definitely showed some promise, MPJ proved that he is definitely worthy to be a number one option, Ziaire Williams played some of the best basketball in his career, and the Long Island guys went OFF. And as all of that took place, you as the Brooklyn Nets fan base stayed strong despite the trials and tribulations. Things will get better, guys.
Our guys here at Netdaily, Bob, Brian, Lucas, Collin, Connor, Anthony, and Scott, did an amazing job as always this year. I’m really glad I am apart of this amazing team.
‘It’s everything to me … I stopped believing a lot of times’
Wout van Aert shattered a decade-old jinx to win Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, outduelling the world champion, Tadej Pogacar, in a brutal classic race across the cobbles.
The 31-year-old suffered a puncture as did Pogacar and their great rival Mathieu van der Poel, who had two mechanicals and could not contest the final sprint, which went in Van Aert’s favour for his second title in one of the five Monument classics after his Milan-Sanremo victory in 2020.
COVERS INTEL: Chris Sale is 7-8 with a 4.44 ERA in 23 career starts against Cleveland, his worst record against any AL Central opponent.
