ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 11, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to push their winning streak to four games as they take on the Orlando Magic on national TV.
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The Chennai Super Kings have signed Australian quick Spencer Johnson as a replacement player for Nathan Ellis, who has been ruled out of this year’s Indian Premier League due to injury.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 01, 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 Jordan Bank/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cleveland Cavaliers head coachKenny Atkinson provided an update for injured center Jarrett Allen, and it was an encouraging one.
“He’s ramped it up in the last few days,” Atkinson said before Tuesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. “Trending positive, watched him yesterday on the court. I think we are in the last stage of getting him ready.”
Allen has now missed nine games in a row, having first felt discomfort on March 3 against the Detroit Pistons. The team has described it as tendonitis, though there has been a bit of ambiguity since it was first thought to be a banged knee. But his impending return would be a boon for the Cavs, who have missed the pick-and-roll dynamism and rim protection. That has not stopped the Cavs from finding ways to win games, however.
Evan Mobley has filled the role of center admirably with more confidence and force of late, though his inability to hit free throws leaves a lot to be desired. But the overarching theme is that his play is translating in a way that should persist even when his front-court mate is back in the starting lineup.
“When he (Mobley) goes back to the four when Allen is back, I anticipate him playing better,” Atkinson continued. “I feel like post-All-Star, Evan has just been a different character.”
Sure enough, Mobley is shooting nearly 10% better from the floor after the All-Star Break compared to prior while maintaining similar rebounds, steals, and blocks. The return of Allen will impede those numbers, surely, but the bigger question for Mobley has been aggressiveness and confidence. If that manages to continue even with Allen’s return, it would be a very positive development for the Cavs as they head toward the postseason.
The patellar tendon attaches the kneecap to the shinbone and is crucial in helping straighten out a leg. This tear is more common among football players (especially linemen), but it has also happened in the NBA to Jeremy Lin, Victor Oladipo, and Dante Exum, among others. Full recovery can take anywhere from nine months to a year, meaning Moody will miss at least some of next season.
The injury occurred in overtime, when Moody stole the ball from Dallas' rookie Cooper Flagg near midcourt and was going in for the exclamation point dunk when his knee gave way.
This is the second knee injury to a Warriors rotation player that will bleed into next season. Jimmy Butler's torn ACL will force him to miss a portion of next season.
Moody had a solid season for the Warriors, averaging 11.9 points per game while shooting 40.2% from 3-point range. This was Moody's first game back after missing 10 games with a sprained wrist.
Moody is in the first year of a three-year, $37.5 million contract signed this past summer. He will make $12.5 million next season and $13.4 million in the 2027-28 season.
Martin Nečas delivered a statement performance with two goals, while Nathan MacKinnon continued his torrid scoring pace with his NHL-leading 46th of the season, as the Colorado Avalanche rolled to a commanding 6–2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
The game turned decisively in the closing minutes of the opening period, when Nečas, Sam Malinski, and Parker Kelly struck in rapid succession—three goals in just 1:55—to blow it open and silence the Pittsburgh crowd. The outburst not only seized momentum but also served as emphatic redemption for Colorado, which was on the wrong end of a lopsided loss to Pittsburgh just a week earlier in Denver. Cale Makar factored into the surge as well, recording an assist on Nečas’ first goal to bring his career point total to 499, putting him on the doorstep of another milestone.
A beauty of a goal from Nathan MacKinnon.
Colorado never looked back from there. MacKinnon’s goal further underlined his MVP-caliber season, while Ross Colton added an empty-net tally late to cap off the dominant effort.
Between the pipes, Scott Wedgewood was steady and composed, turning aside 27 shots to backstop the league-leading Avalanche. The win marks their third straight on a four-game road trip, with the finale set for Thursday in Winnipeg.
For Pittsburgh, Egor Chinakhov and Rickard Rakell provided the lone offensive breakthroughs. Kris Letang added a secondary assist on Chinakhov’s career-high 17th goal, reaching a significant personal milestone in the process—becoming just the 21st defenseman in NHL history to record 800 career points.
Artūrs Šilovs, meanwhile, endured a difficult start and was unable to recover, finishing with 23 saves as Colorado’s early surge proved too much to overcome. The loss is Pittsburgh’s third in its last four games, a setback that further complicates its position in an increasingly tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Penguins were also without veteran center Evgeni Malkin, who remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The 39-year-old had been instrumental in Pittsburgh’s dominant showing against Colorado last week, scoring twice in his return from a five-game suspension, making his absence all the more noticeable in this rematch.
First Period
At 3:57 of the opening frame, Colorado’s defensive coverage briefly unraveled, allowing Tommy Novak to slip undetected into open ice. He found himself in alone with a clean look, but Wedgewood stood tall, squaring up and turning aside the chance with a calm, technically sound stop to keep the game scoreless.
Just over a minute later, the Avalanche capitalized on a costly turnover. MacKinnon anticipated a pass from Parker Wotherspoon, jumped the lane, and exploded up ice on a breakaway. With confidence, he snapped a shot that rang cleanly off the crossbar and down across the goal line, giving Colorado a 1–0 lead with his league-leading 46th goal.
Pittsburgh responded 3:12 later in a sequence layered with irony. Samuel Girard—facing his former club after a deadline deal—helped initiate the play that led to Chinakhov’s equalizer. The winger stepped into a one-timer from distance and beat Wedgewood clean to knot the game at 1–1.
The tie didn’t last. With 4:36 remaining, Malinski restored the Avalanche lead with a determined individual effort. After being denied earlier in the shift by a sharp blocker save, he stayed engaged in the play, found a shooting lane through traffic, and snapped a shot past Šilovs for his first goal in 27 games.
Moments later, discipline issues proved costly for Pittsburgh. After Noel Acciari was sent off for tripping Josh Manson, Colorado’s power play struck with ruthless efficiency—needing just five seconds. Makar won the draw sequence and quickly fed Nečas, who hammered a one-timer past the goaltender for his 33rd of the season, extending his road goal streak to eight games.
Before the Penguins could regroup, the Avalanche struck again. Just 35 seconds later, Kelly capped off a relentless offensive surge, finishing a crisp one-timer off a feed from Logan O’Connor. The goal—his career-high 16th—pushed the lead to 4–1 and underscored Colorado’s overwhelming pace. For O’Connor, the assist marked a meaningful return, recording a point in his first game back after nearly a year sidelined by a second offseason hip surgery.
By the end of the period, the Avalanche had seized complete control, pouring in four goals and outshooting Pittsburgh 15–12 in a dominant, momentum-shifting frame.
Second Period
At the 7:05 mark, Wedgewood delivered arguably the save of the night, sprawling across the crease to rob Ben Kindel with a spectacular diving glove stop. Kindel—fresh off his heroics in the earlier NHL 26 simulation—could only look skyward in disbelief.
Moments later, Justin Brazeau appeared to cut into the deficit, jamming home a loose puck while down on his knees. However, after a brief review, officials overturned the goal, ruling his left skate had entered the crease before contact from Devon Toews disrupted the play and knocked the goaltender off balance. The decision drew visible frustration from the Penguins bench and head coach Dan Muse.
Colorado faced a test midway through the period when Nazem Kadri was assessed a double-minor for a high stick on Novak. Despite the extended penalty, the Avalanche penalty kill held firm, limiting quality looks and preserving the three-goal cushion.
Nečas struck again late in the period, capitalizing on a rebound opportunity with 2:31 remaining. After a point shot from Toews created chaos in front, he pounced on the loose puck and buried it to extend the lead to 5–1.
The final period took on a chippy, penalty-filled tone. Manson and Brent Burns were sent off, giving Pittsburgh a 5-on-3 advantage. Colorado managed to kill off one of the penalties, and shortly after, O’Connor and Anthony Mantha exchanged roughing minors as tensions escalated.
Pittsburgh’s discipline continued to falter, with Letang toecalled for tripping Gabe Landeskog and Bryan Rust for hooking Brock Nelson, handing Colorado a brief 5-on-3 of its own. This time, however, the Avalanche power play came up empty.
Rakell eventually broke through for Pittsburgh, making it 5–2 after an unusual bounce sent the puck over the back of the net. Sidney Crosby reacted instantly, one-touching a pass to Rakell, who finished before Wedgewood could reset—an opportunistic play the goaltender had little chance to stop.
With under four minutes remaining, Pittsburgh pulled Šilovs in a last-ditch effort, but Colton sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal, putting the finishing touches on a decisive 6–2 Avalanche victory.
Avs Extend Central Division Lead
The Avalanche not only picked up two points with the win, but also got help in the standings as their Central Division rivals both lost. The Dallas Stars fell 6-4 at home to the New Jersey Devils, while the Minnesota Wild dropped a 6-3 decision on the road to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Colorado now holds a 104-97 point advantage over Dallas, with Minnesota sitting in third place at 92 points.
Next Game
The Avalanche (47-13-10) square off against the Winnipeg Jets (30-29-12) at Canada Life Centre on Thursday. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. local time in Denver.
Fans enter Angels Stadium before a baseball game between the Angels and the Houston Astros in April 2022. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
Two decades after owner Arte Moreno decided the Angels should play under the Los Angeles name, elected officials representing Anaheim are pursuing two paths toward getting their hometown back into the team name.
Assemblyman Avelino Valencia, whose district includes Angel Stadium, has introduced state legislation that could require any sale or new lease of the stadium property be conditioned upon the team reverting to the Anaheim Angels name.
Meanwhile, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken has asked the city attorney to explore whether the Angels have violated their current lease by dropping the Anaheim name from legal documents.
Valencia’s bill — dubbed the “Home Run for Anaheim Act” — aims to mandate what the city of Anaheim could not negotiate in its ill-fated deal with Moreno in 2019: If a team owner wants to develop the parking lots around the city stadium, the team should carry the city’s name.
“The Angels have been supported by the city and its residents for 60 years,” Valencia said. “I think it’s rightfully owed to the residents that, if the team wants to play in Anaheim and be in partnership with Anaheim when it comes to future developments of that stadium and surrounding property, then the name should also resemble that.”
Angels spokeswoman Marie Garvey said the team had no comment.
The Angels’ current stadium lease extends through 2032, with the team holding options to extend the lease through 2038.
The city and team had agreed on a deal in which the Angels would remain in Anaheim through 2050, with the team buying the 150-acre stadium property for $150 million, renovating or replacing the stadium, and building a ballpark village atop the parking lots.
The state objected, however. The Surplus Land Act requires public property up for sale must first be made available for affordable housing, and the city negotiated only with the Angels. The city agreed to a $96-million settlement.
The Anaheim City Council ultimately killed the deal three years later, after an FBI investigation uncovered — and former mayor Harry Sidhu acknowledged in a plea agreement — that Sidhu provided confidential information to a team consultant “so that the Angels could buy Angel Stadium on terms beneficial to the Angels” and that he “expected a $1,000,000 campaign contribution from the Angels.” The government has not alleged any wrongdoing by the Angels.
Valencia’s bill was developed in consultation with city leaders and publicly endorsed by Aitken and former Mayors Tom Daly and Tom Tait.
Under the bill, if the city can obtain an exemption from the Surplus Land Act, the team could not buy or lease Angel Stadium unless “materials refer to that team as the Anaheim Angels.”
The bill would only apply to Anaheim, and its provisions would not take effect “if the city of Anaheim is able to come to an agreement with the Major League Baseball team known as the Los Angeles Angels about their affiliation.”
Valencia said the city could make a case for an exemption because he believed the Surplus Land Act was designed for smaller properties like school sites and municipal office buildings. He said the community should have the primary say in how such land should be used, even if that might mean less housing on the Angel Stadium site.
“We definitely need more housing because it’s so dang expensive to live, but the amount of housing [in Anaheim] that has gone up in the last 10, 15 years, I think, mitigates some of that,” Valencia said.
“I think folks in Anaheim think that Anaheim is doing their fair share of developing housing. I don’t want to muddy the concept by saying Anaheim is saying, ‘We don’t need any more housing. We have been so proactive in that space. But I think people are going to be thrilled that we want to make the Angels have Anaheim back in the name.”
In 2005, after city officials declined Moreno’s request to change the team name from Anaheim Angels to Los Angeles Angels, the owner adopted the “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim” name. The city sued and lost, with a jury finding that the Angels had not violated a stadium lease requirement that the team name “include the name Anaheim therein.”
When the city sued the Angels and asked for an injunction to stop the name change pending trial, Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Polos denied the request. He did, however, warn the Angels he would grant the injunction if the team dropped the “of Anaheim” and simply called themselves the Los Angeles Angels.
“When it comes to official designations, and to how they’re registered, I want us to look into how Anaheim is being used by the team in any official filings,” Aitken said, “and what their requirements are to do so.”
When Aitken asked City Atty. Robert Fabela to investigate, Fabela said the matter would be discussed in closed session as a “potential litigation item.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: New Houston Astros player Tatsuya Imai poses for a photo with Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, General Manager Dana Brown, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane and agent Scott Boras after signing his contract at Daikin Park on January 05, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the Houston Astros prepare for another season with championship expectations, two of the most important figures in the organization find themselves in uncertain territory. General manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada are both entering the final years of their contracts, and owner Jim Crane has offered little clarity about their futures.
In an organization where the standard is not just contention but championships, that uncertainty carries weight. Performance this season may ultimately determine whether either, or both, remain part of the Astros’ long-term vision.
High Expectations, Limited Security
Both Brown and Espada have publicly expressed a desire to remain in Houston long term. But as is often the case in professional sports, the decision isn’t theirs to make. Crane has consistently maintained that the Astros’ championship window is “always open,” a philosophy that places constant pressure on leadership to deliver results.
That pressure is magnified by the reality that neither Brown nor Espada had previously held roles of this magnitude before stepping into their current positions. With that comes an expectation of growth and inevitably, some growing pains and mistakes along the way.
Espada’s Steady Leadership
Espada’s leadership style has never been loud or overbearing, but it has been effective. Known more for his calm demeanor than fiery speeches, he has earned the respect of his clubhouse.
Last season may have been his most impressive work to date. Despite a roster plagued by injuries and constant lineup challenges, Espada kept the Astros competitive deep into the season, with the team remaining in the playoff hunt down to the final stretch.
There’s a strong case to be made that Espada is the right manager to guide this team forward. Still, in a results-driven environment like Houston, belief alone isn’t enough, he will ultimately be judged on what happens next.
Dana Brown’s Balancing Act
Brown’s situation is more complex.
While both he and Espada face scrutiny, evaluating Brown comes with an added layer of uncertainty. The internal dynamics of decision-making, particularly the level of control exerted by ownership, remain largely unknown. That makes it difficult to fully assess what roster decisions are truly his.
Publicly, Brown has often said what fans want to hear, especially when it comes to retaining star players. But the organization’s track record tells a different story. Time and again, key names have departed, and the Astros have shown a reluctance to commit to long-term, high-dollar contracts in free agency.
That disconnect has not gone unnoticed.
The looming contract situations of Hunter Brown and Jeremy Peña only add to the pressure. Brown has voiced a desire to keep both players in Houston, but fans remain skeptical, especially after similar assurances were made about Kyle Tucker before he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs.
A Roster Out of Sync
Beyond contracts, there are clear questions about the roster itself.
As the Astros approach Opening Day, the imbalance is hard to ignore. The infield appears crowded with talent, while the outfield lacks proven, high-level experience. That discrepancy leaves Brown with a critical decision: address the issue through trades or acquisitions, or trust that the current roster can compensate offensively for its shortcomings.
It’s a gamble either way and one that could directly impact how his tenure is judged. There are holes to be filled and problems to be addressed and to date, nothing has been done or attempted to resolve any of the current issues.
The Crane Factor
Hovering over everything is Crane.
The Astros owner has built a winning organization, but his level of involvement in baseball decisions remains a point of speculation. How much autonomy Brown truly has is unclear, and that ambiguity complicates any evaluation of the front office.
It also raises a larger question: does Crane prefer leadership that aligns with his vision, or is he willing to bring in more established voices who might challenge it?
Former manager Dusty Baker offered a different dynamic, an experienced, confident presence capable of pushing back when necessary. Brown and Espada, while more aligned with modern baseball philosophies, don’t yet carry that same weight of experience. It may never be known how much control either man has ever had or has at this point and time. We have heard all the stories, seen the brutal signings of Montero and Abreu and have had hunches about the limitations both men have had to deal with, but we may never know for sure just what they had to deal with.
A Season That Will Define the Future
Ultimately, this season feels like a turning point.
For Espada, it’s an opportunity to prove he can lead a team with championship expectations through adversity and into October. For Brown, it’s a chance to solidify his vision for the roster and show that he can align words with action.
And for Crane, it’s a decision point: stay the course with two leaders who fit his organizational style, or pursue bigger, more established names who might offer a different path forward.
The stakes are clear. The expectations are higher than ever.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 29: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 29, 2025 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The New York Knicks (47*-25) host the New Orleans Pelicans (25-47) tonight at Madison Square Garden. This matchup gives the Knicks a chance to pad their Eastern Conference standing against a weak Western team that doesn’t always play like it. Zion broke 30 points when they played last, and Dejounte Murray has given the birds a little lift since returning 10 games ago. Underestimate them at your peril, Knickerbockers.
Tonight’s tip off is 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG and NBA TV. This is your game thread. This is The Bird Writes. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be shining stars of humanity. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but NBA Cups have false bottoms.
Only one team has dethroned the Dodgers in the NL West over the past dozen seasons. The Giants, however, have moved on to their third manager since claiming the 2021 division title. Outside of that 107-win season, they’ve racked up four straight finishes within two games of .500.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The fiery former national champion at the University of Tennessee will become the first college coach ever to go straight into a major-league manager’s chair.
The question on everybody’s minds as Vitello’s first Opening Day approaches: Can it work?
Most important hitter: Rafael Devers
The Giants swung the biggest blockbuster of last season six weeks before the trade deadline, but they skidded to a 40-50 finish after acquiring Rafael Devers from the Red Sox and missed the postseason for the eighth time in nine years. Now acclimated to San Francisco — and with his first-ever Cactus League spring training out of the way — Devers will be counted on to anchor what’s shaping up to be the Giants’ most stable lineup in years. It just might carry them back to October.
San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers strikes out against the Cincinnati Reds during the third inning of a spring training baseball game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. AP
Most important pitcher: Landen Roupp
Posey opted for duct tape over plastic surgery for a starting rotation that ended last season with three reliable arms, signing veteran journeymen Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser to short-term deals. The duo looks capable enough of holding down the third and fourth rotation spots behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. So the fate for the fifth spot falls on the Giants’ group of young arms. Landen Roupp, 26, looks to be the most promising candidate.
Will have a bigger year than expected: Patrick Bailey
Maybe not at the plate, but behind the dish, where Patrick Bailey will increase his value even more through the introduction of the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) challenge system. The Giants’ catcher already rated as the best defender in the game for his pitch framing. There was some concern a fully automated zone could negate that skillset, but the challenge system has had quite the opposite effect. Bailey’s understanding of the strike zone made him one of the best in Cactus League play at challenging balls and strikes.
Patrick Bailey of the San Francisco Giants hits a two-run double against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning of the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. Getty Images
Most likely to disappoint: Luis Arraez
With Jung Hoo Lee, the Giants already possess one contact-orientated table setter ahead of Devers, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman in the heart of their order. Signing Luis Arraez, the three-time batting champ, fit squarely in that vision. Asking him to play second base is where it goes awry, particularly with a pitching staff aced by one of the majors’ top sinkerballers. Arraez was a poor second baseman when he last played the position regularly in 2023, and the Padres mostly stashed him away at first base the past two years.
Key call up: Bryce Eldridge
It’s possible that Bryce Eldridge breaks camp with the big-league club, but the Giants would be smart to give the 20-year-old first baseman some more seasoning at Triple-A. The 6-foot-7 slugger has shown he can hit the ball harder than just about anybody. He needs to prove that he can do it consistently at the highest level. Eldridge has only played 84 games above Double-A. He spent the final two weeks of last season with the big-league club. It’s only a matter of time before he’s back for good. Then, the conversation turns to where he plays.
Luis Arraez of the San Francisco Giants throws to first to complete a double play during the third inning of the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Getty Images
Biggest managerial decision
Everything Tony Vitello does will be scrutinized under a microscope. That’s the reality of trying to go straight from NCAA baseball to the big leagues. Vitello’s players have been feeling out how he will manage the clubhouse throughout spring training, but even they admit, they don’t know what to expect in terms of in-game strategy until the games actually count. Even the Bay Area’s relatively friendly media will have a field day the first time he pulls the wrong lever or, worse, looks like he doesn’t belong.
Don’t be surprised if…
The Giants have not only one hitter with more than 30 home runs but multiple. Infamously, the organization went two decades without one player reaching the threshold until Willy Adames slugged his 30th on the final day of last season. The last Giant with 30 was Barry Bonds, in 2004. That almost sounds silly considering this year’s projected lineup features Devers, Adames, Chapman and Heliot Ramos, any of whom is capable of leaving the yard 30 times.
Landen Roupp of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch in the fourth inning during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on March 18, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. Getty Images
Sure to make fans grumble
There’s no appetite left for any of the poor fundamentals that seemed to snowball as the Giants faded from contention last season. Among National League clubs, only the Rockies committed more errors in the field. On the base paths, they generated less value than any other club besides Colorado by running into outs and missing opportunities to pick up an extra base. Any mistake will only be more magnified with a first-year manager in the dugout.
How their season will end: 88-74
Either in a heap of pitching problems or their first playoff berth since 2021. If their pitching depth holds up — and their rookie manager deploys it correctly — the Giants won’t catch the Dodgers, but they are well-positioned to take advantage of down years from the Padres and Diamondbacks. Logan Webb and Robbie Ray provide a powerful one-two punch in a hypothetical wild-card series, but the Giants probably lack the pitching to make a deep postseason run.
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New York Islanders forward Victor Eklund (73) runs a drill during Development Camp at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, N.Y. on Monday, June 30, 2025.
After his season in the Swedish Hockey League with Djurgardens ended Saturday with a playoff loss to Malmo, first-round pick Victor Eklund will travel to North America this week and join the AHL Bridgeport Islanders, The Post has learned.
It’s not yet clear whether Eklund will make his debut over the weekend, with Bridgeport facing Laval on Saturday and playing in Providence on Sunday.
That will likely depend on how he feels after making the trip.
Eklund was quoted in a Swedish outlet, HockeyNews.se, after Djurgardens’ season ended, saying that he’d like to make the trip over and had spoken recently with Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche.
Coincidentally, his Djurgardens teammate and close friend, Anton Frondell, made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in their 4-3 win over the Islanders on Tuesday night and had an assist.
Islanders forward Victor Eklund runs a drill during Development Camp at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, N.Y. on June 30, 2025. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
Frondell was the third overall pick in last summer’s draft; Eklund went 16th.
Eklund finished the season with six goals and 18 assists over 43 games in the SHL, his first year in Sweden’s top division.
After taking some time to adjust to the higher level, Eklund’s game took an upward turn after World Juniors, where he played a leading role in helping Sweden to a gold medal.
Victor Eklund is set to join the Islanders’ AHL squad. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
“Vic, we’ve been playing together the whole year, we got to play with each other,” Frondell said. “Like always, he’s a hardworking guy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work as hard as him or like to compete as much.
“He’s not that big, he’s not that heavy, but he runs over guys in the SHL. Especially in the playoffs, the last games against Malmo. Just running over guys, creating a lot of energy. That’s something, playing with him, I feel like he’s creating so much energy.”
The Islanders inked goaltender Josh Kotai, an undrafted free agent out of Augustana University, to a two-year entry-level deal, the team announced. Per PuckPedia, it is a two-way deal carrying a $965,000 AAV at the NHL level and an $85,000 salary in the minors.
Kotai, 23, had a .938 save percentage and 1.99 GAA with Augustana this season. He measures 6-foot-1, 165 pounds.
Matthew Schaefer’s 31:59 of ice set an NHL record for a teenage defenseman and marked a career-high.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros warms up prior to a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jeremy Pena will lead off tonight and play shortstop as the Houston Astros play their final exhibition game of the spring, hosting the Sugar Land Space Cowboys tonight at Daikin Park.
RHP Lance McCullers Jr., who was named the Astros fifth starter yesterday, will get the start for the Astros tonight opposite prospect RHP Miguel Ullola and the Space Cowboys.
ABOUT MCCULLERS: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is set to make his fourth official start of the Spring season. He last pitched a week ago on March 17 at PIT, when he allowed one run on three hits and three walks in 4.0 innings.
He made his return to the mound in 2025 after missing the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons due to a right flexor tendon injury that required surgery. He worked around four IL stints in 2025 to go 2-5 with a 6.51 ERA (40ER/55.1IP) and 9.92 SO/9IP in 16 games (13 starts).
ABOUT ULLOLA: RHP Miguel Ullola (pronounced oo-YOH-lah) enters the 2026 season as one Houston’s top pitching prospects. I
In 2025, he spent his first full season in the Triple A rotation and went 7-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 28 appearances (23 starts). Among PCL starters with 100+ innings pitched, he ranked first in ERA (3.88), first in BAA (.183), first in strikeout percentage (26.6%), first in strikeout-per-nine (10.37), second in strikeouts (131) and fourth in WHIP.
PENA BACK: Jeremy Peña is scheduled for six innings and three at-bats tonight. The Astros have an optional workout tomorrow and can get Peña live at-bats there as well, Joe Espada said. (from Matt Kawahara/Houston Chronicle)
ABOUT THE SPACE COWBOYS: The Space Cowboys, who play in the Pacific Coast League, are entering their fifth year as the Astros Triple A affiliate. The Astros officially acquired the franchise (then known as the Sugar Land Skeeters) in April of 2021, and sold the franchise this offseason. After the 2021 season, the franchise rebranded and the Space Cowboys were born.
YESTERDAY’S ROSTER MOVE: Prior to yesterday’s game, the Astros optioned RHP Spencer Arrighetti to Triple A Sugar Land. Arrighetti will remain with the Astros through tonight’s game before beginning the season in Sugar Land. Arrighetti is slated to be the Astros’ sixth starter when they expand the rotation approximately April 10.
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal underlined its credentials for back-to-back Women’s Champions League titles by beating English rival Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Also, Wolfsburg took a 1-0 lead over record eight-time champion Lyonnes in a meeting of two of the competition’s most storied names.
Stina Blackstenius — with her first Champions League goal since the winner in the final against Barcelona last season — and Chloe Kelly gave Arsenal a 2-0 halftime lead at Emirates Stadium.
Lauren James curled a brilliant long-range shot into the top corner to reduce the deficit for Chelsea but Arsenal regained its two-goal cushion when Alessia Russo drove home from the edge of the area.
Chelsea finished higher in the league stage — third place, compared to Arsenal in fifth — but has work to do in next week’s return leg across London to reach the semifinals for the fourth straight season.
Lineth Beerensteyn scored the only goal for Wolfsburg with a deflected 14th-minute shot against Lyon in the 12th Champions League meeting between the teams, which makes it tied for the most-played fixture in the competition’s history.
Four of those matches have been in finals, highlighting their status.
Kadidiatou Diani hit the post late in the game for Lyon, whose most recent of its eight titles came in 2022.
Remaining quarterfinals
The other two first-leg matches in the quarterfinals are on Wednesday, when Real Madrid hosts Barcelona in a big Spanish rivalry and Manchester United makes its debut at this stage against Bayern Munich.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Spencer Bivens #76 of the San Francisco Giants on the mound during the spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Opening Day is tomorrow, and the San Francisco Giants still have a handful of players they need to trim from the roster before announcing the 26-player roster. But on Tuesday, a few hours before their final exhibition game of the preseason, the Giants took a step closer to finalizing things, by optioning a quartet of right-handed pitchers to AAA Sacramento: Spencer Bivens, Trevor McDonald, Tristan Beck, and Carson Seymour. In addition to those four, outfielders Drew Gilbert and Will Brennan were also optioned.
Bivens is the most surprising name on the list, and a reminder that different coaching staffs value different players. He broke camp with the team in 2025, and spent the entirety of the season on the active roster, leading many to believe that he was a lock for this year’s bullpen. It turns out that wasn’t the case.
It would seem that his role will likely go to JT Brubaker. Last year, Bivens was more good than great (4.00 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 6.8 strikeouts per nine innings, 2.8 walks per nine innings), but amassed a lot of value due to his ability to enter in any situation and eat a lot of innings. He made 54 appearances out of the bullpen, and pitched 81 innings — a mark that ranked fourth among pitchers in the Major Leagues who didn’t make any starts.
Similarly, his Spring Training was also more good than great, and seemed to reinforce his roll as a valuable piece of bullpen depth, but not a weapon. With Tony Vitello replacing Bob Melvin, it seems the valuation of Bivens has shifted a bit, though he’ll surely still play a role this year.
As for McDonald, he had a breakout camp early on, and was certainly trending towards making the roster, especially after Hayden Birdsong went down with an injury. But after three scoreless outings to start the spring — during which time he gave up just two hits in six innings — McDonald hit a wall. In his next/final three games, he gave up 10 hits — including four home runs — and nine earned runs in just 5.2 innings, culminating in a Spring Training finale in which he was unable to complete an inning. So back to the Minors he goes, where he’ll prepare to rejoin the squad, perhaps in a relief role, or perhaps as a the next man up in the rotation.
For Seymour, his optioning was a little less surprising. The power righty showed some really nice things this spring, en route to a 2.92 ERA and a 3.74 FIP, but he never felt in very strong consideration for a bullpen job, and his fate was likely sealed during Monday’s exhibition win, in which he gave up four hits and two runs in an inning of work. But like Bivens and McDonald, we can expect to see Seymour in the Majors plenty this year.
Beck’s optioning was also not surprising. He struggled a bit last year, with a 4.75 ERA and a 6.11 FIP, and didn’t look sharp during Cactus League. He was strong in an inning of work on Monday night, though, and is valuable depth who could be called upon during the season.
Seymour and Bivens both have two option years remaining, while McDonald and Beck have only one.
As for the outfielders, there’s nothing surprising there. Gilbert seemed like a favorite to land the fourth outfielder role when Spring Training began, but he was hampered by a shoulder injury, and never found his rhythm when he returned, hitting just .265/.324/.324. Brennan impressed, but it became apparent over the last week than NRI Jared Oliva had surpassed him on the depth chart. Both players will be everyday outfielders in Sacramento, and will surely provide depth at the Major League level at some point in the season. Brennan has two option years remaining, while the ever-exuberant Gilbert still has all three.
Notably, with Gilbert, Brennan, and Grant McCray optioned, the Giants have committed to not having a left-handed player off the bench. The only outfielders left in camp (save for the starters) are righties Oliva, Luis Matos, and Jerar Encarnación. It would appear that those three are fighting for two spots, which would finalize the bench. That’s assuming that both infielders left in camp — Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss — make the roster, and that Daniel Susac beats out Eric Haase for the backup catcher role.
With these six cuts, the Giants are now down to 33 players in camp, though that number is functionally 31, as Reiver Sanmartin and Sam Hentges will be added to the Injured List soon. Five other players will need to be optioned, reassigned, placed on the IL, or waived between now and Wednesday morning.
Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey made history this offseason, hiring an incredible college baseball personality with zero big league experience as San Francisco’s new manager.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred joined KNBR’s “Murph & Markus” on Tuesday morning to give his opinion on the Tony Vitello hire.
“I think the hiring of a college coach to be a big league manager is part of a larger evolution in the relationship between college baseball and MLB,” Manfred claimed.
Vitello, on Wednesday, will become the league’s first manager without any prior professional experience, but his preparation isn’t in question.
The Giants went 19-9 in spring training, even without some key pieces due to the World Baseball Classic. It’s challenging to gauge talent from spring training for several reasons, but the culture shift since Vitello’s arrival is hard to miss.
“The college programs … many of them are high quality,” Manfred continued. “They produce players that we draft in increasing numbers every year.”
There are many ties between Vitello and players within the Giants organization, including Drew Gilbert, who played under Vitello for three seasons at the University of Tennessee.
“I don’t think that there’s anything unusual about the development of someone who’s been tremendously successful at the college level getting a major league job,” Manfred concluded.
San Francisco is set to take on the New York Yankees on Wednesday night at Oracle Park to begin the 2026 MLB season. This entire year will be full of firsts for Vitello, but those around him are confident he has what it takes to get this team out of mediocrity and back into the playoffs.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Austin Reaves #15 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers speak during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are few things Austin Reaves is more willing to do than appear on a fellow Lakers’ podcast.
Reaves was a frequent guest on D’Angelo Russell’s podcast, appeared on JJ Redick’s podcast prior to him becoming head coach and, on Tuesday, completed a trifecta by joining LeBron James and Steve Nash for the latest episode of “Mind the Game.”
It was an episode full of fun tidbits and anecdotes with lots of discussion about basketball as well, which comes with any episode of “Mind the Game.”
For those who may have missed the interview or are looking for a recap, we have you covered with all the best moments.
Turning down a “dream” to join Lakers
Off the rip, the episode immediately dives into Austin turning down the opportunity to be drafted and join the Lakers on a two-way deal instead. Most of it was not new information as it’s been reported he turned down being drafted by the Pistons to go undrafted and join the Lakers.
He’s also discussed making a list of teams that were the best fit with the Lakers topping the list and the Bucks being second. When asked about it by Nash, Reaves dove a little deeper into everything.
“My agents, they set up a plan. The plan was we knew LA had a two-way open on draft night and knew it was a situation to where I could possibly step in and get a contract because I don’t know how many guys were actually under contract at that time. There were a lot of free agents, a lot of signings to be done. We knew that going in.
[Detroit] called at [pick No.] 42 and they came up to me and it’s every kid’s dream to hear their name called on draft night and I’m no different. But it came down to sticking to a plan and that’s what we did. It sucked to not hear my name called but, obviously, putting ourselves in a good position was much more important.”
The little tidbit about the Lakers having lots of free agents and, as a result, a clearer opportunity for him to make the roster was some great insight by his agency. And he wasn’t wrong. In free agency in the summer of 2021, the Lakers signed Carmelo Anthony, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Kendrick Nunn, Rajon Rondo and Deandre Jordan.
So, only a couple of players.
Reaves talked a little bit more about the list his agency made and why they felt it would work in Los Angeles.
“They have a bunch of analytics guys that were grading teams…I think it was Lakers, Bucks, maybe one other team that was Tier 1, like best possible fit…So, kind of dove into that and listened to that. On another level, like we talked about, there was maybe like four or five guys under contract at the time because they ended up having to sign like seven guys.
Knowing that there was going to be a possibility to snag that 13th, 14th roster spot and then on top of that, like [LeBron], IQ level, I feel like I have a pretty good IQ for the game and felt like that was one way I could get my foot in the door was to lean on that and lean on just knowing the game of basketball and that’s what he does.”
Making it on the Lakers
Reaves’ origin story with the Lakers has been well-documented. At the team’s player mini-camp, Reaves was so impressive that he earned a standard deal before training camp even began. He spoke about that mini-camp and the role both LeBron and Anthony Davis played in his ascension.
“We get in the gym and I think we got to playing 3-on-3 or something. I got a couple buckets then drove downhill. I thought I had a layup then AD came out of nowhere and I was like, ‘Oh, f—’ and last second, kind of behind-the-back pass to [LeBron]. He come down the lane and dunked. It was just, from then on out, they were like, ‘You’re good. Just be yourself.’ Him and AD, I’ll give them all the credit I can give them, from day one of being like, ‘Be you. On the court, off the court, whatever it is, be you.’”
Prior to even taking the court with him, LeBron had watched film of Austin in college and had an…interesting takeaway.
Getting a co-sign from @KingJames is the ultimate badge of honor.
Something Reaves talked about on the show that he had not previously mentioned was his upbringing. Both of his parents played basketball at Arkansas State, which is where they met. His brother, Spencer, played at a Division II school, Central Missouri.
As for Reaves? Well, he almost didn’t pursue basketball at all and wouldn’t have if his family had it’s preference. As a kid, Reaves played both basketball and baseball. But, entering the seventh grade, Reaves’ father told him he needed to pick one so that he could focus on that sport and, ultimately, get his college education paid for.
Following a summer of basketball with his older brother, Reaves made his choice, but it wasn’t the choice his father would have made.
“We had a summer basketball camp and I moved up two grades to play with my brother and we were beating teams by 30 and I was like, ‘Oh, this is much faster. Baseball is kind of slow.’ So I went back to my dad and I was like, ‘I want to play basketball’ and he was like, ‘You’re f—— stupid’ and I was like, ‘Damn.’
But he was like, ‘Obviously, you got my support.’…He thought I was a better baseball player. I was small. I didn’t grow until my junior year of high school. At the time, I understand why [he thought I should play baseball]. My best friend’s dad, which was our baseball coach, we were driving home, he was taking me home and I told him I was quitting baseball and he told me that basketball wasn’t going to work out and I was like ‘Well, we’ll see.’”
I think basketball worked out for Reaves.
Despite his parents playing basketball, it was Austin’s brother who played the biggest role in his early basketball career. Austin described his older brother as a gym rat who was driving to get shots up at 12 or 13 years old — which Reaves then quickly acknowledged was “probably illegal” — and brought his younger sibling with him.
“I remember there was nights that he would be going to the gym at seven, eight o’clock at night and he’d be like, ‘Hey, you want to go?’ And I was like, ‘Eh, not really’ and he’d be like, ‘You’re coming anyway.’ Like, I had no choice. He’d drag me out of the house. We’d go shoot for a couple hours and then he’d just beat me really bad 1-on-1…He’s probably the biggest basketball influence in my life. He instilled work ethic.”
That led to him landing at Wichita State and, eventually, Oklahoma. It was with the Sooners that Reaves realized he could make it in the NBA after legendary head coach Lon Kruger told him he could be a first round pick. Reaves, in fact, was not a first round pick, but if you ask LeBron James, there’s a clear and obvious reason why.
“You know why. You know why. You know how that s— is. Because they look at him. The judge the book by it’s cover situation. I saw the talent. That guy that I’m seeing [in college film] is not an undrafted [player]. There’s not way that guy goes undrafted. But, it’s – come on man.”
Dealing with a busted bracket?
The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.
Coming up in the clutch
The last notable discussion to come out of the pod was a segment on playing in clutch moments. Reaves has thrived in them throughout his career — this episode was even filmed before his heroics against the Nuggets — and has not shied away from those moments.
Perhaps the biggest play in the clutch he’s made this season was the game-winner in Minnesota, which he discussed.
“Ah, we’ll win” 🤣
Austin Reaves explains what was going through his head before the game winning shot against Minnesota. Tap into the full conversation, link in bio. pic.twitter.com/pt3dD0Rgf7
Very interestingly, that led to LeBron talking about how hard he would be on himself during clutch moments when he didn’t come through early in his career and how he came to accept the pressure of those moments.
“Early on in my career, I always hated the feeling of letting my teammates down. If I missed or whatever, if I turned the ball over, if I didn’t make the right play either shot or pass or whatever, I was like, ‘F—, I let these guys down. They trusted me to make it happen and I didn’t make it happen.’
Early on in my career, that really got to me. Then I just got to a point where it was like they’re putting you in this position because they trust you for a reason.”
The Lakers have continued to trust in Reaves throughout his career and he has rewarded them time and time again.
The trio finished the episode looking at some clips and breaking down Austin’s game before going back to an old classic between LeBron and Reaves.
