Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, in the Metropolitan Division)
Pittsburgh; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Penguins -147, Flyers +123; over/under is 6
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Penguins host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers in game one of the Eastern Conference first round. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. The teams tied the regular season series 2-2. In their last regular season meeting on March 7, the Flyers won 4-3 in a shootout.
Pittsburgh has a 41-25-16 record overall and a 13-4-9 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Penguins have a 41-8-9 record when scoring three or more goals.
Philadelphia is 43-27-12 overall with a 12-9-5 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers rank ninth in league play serving 9.6 penalty minutes per game.
TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has scored 29 goals with 45 assists for the Penguins. Erik Karlsson has three goals and six assists over the past 10 games.
Trevor Zegras has 26 goals and 41 assists for the Flyers. Matvei Michkov has four goals and eight assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 5-5-0, averaging 4.6 goals, 7.7 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game.
Flyers: 7-3-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.5 assists, 3.2 penalties and 6.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
INJURIES: Penguins: Filip Hallander: out (leg), Caleb Jones: out for season (shoulder).
Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Los Angeles Kings (35-27-20, in the Pacific Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11, in the Central Division)
Denver; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT
LINE: Avalanche -264, Kings +214; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Avalanche host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings to begin the Western Conference first round. The teams meet Monday for the fourth time this season. The Avalanche went 3-0 against the Kings during the regular season. In their last regular season meeting on March 2, the Avalanche won 4-2.
Colorado is 55-16-11 overall and 26-9-6 in home games. The Avalanche have an 18-2-6 record when scoring a power-play goal.
Los Angeles has a 35-27-20 record overall and a 20-10-11 record on the road. The Kings are 26-4-11 in games they score at least three goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Martin Necas has 38 goals and 61 assists for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon has five goals and five assists over the last 10 games.
Artemi Panarin has 28 goals and 56 assists for the Kings. Adrian Kempe has scored 10 goals with three assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 7-2-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.7 assists, 2.8 penalties and 5.6 penalty minutes while giving up 1.9 goals per game.
Kings: 6-2-2, averaging 3.1 goals, 4.5 assists, 3.1 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.
INJURIES: Avalanche: Nazem Kadri: day to day (finger), Josh Manson: day to day (upper body).
Kings: Kevin Fiala: out for season (leg), Alex Turcotte: day to day (undisclosed), Jeff Malott: day to day (undisclosed), Andrei Kuzmenko: day to day (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah Mammoth (43-33-6, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division)
Paradise, Nevada; Sunday, 10 p.m. EDT
LINE: Golden Knights -153, Mammoth +127; over/under is 6
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Golden Knights host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Utah Mammoth to open the Western Conference first round. The teams meet Thursday for the fourth time this season. The Mammoth went 2-1 against the Golden Knights during the regular season. In their last regular season meeting on March 19, the Mammoth won 4-0.
Vegas has a 39-26-17 record overall and a 20-12-9 record in home games. The Golden Knights have allowed 242 goals while scoring 264 for a +22 scoring differential.
Utah has a 43-33-6 record overall and a 21-17-3 record on the road. The Mammoth are 10th in league play serving 9.5 penalty minutes per game.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Eichel has 27 goals and 63 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has seven goals and four assists over the past 10 games.
Clayton Keller has 26 goals and 62 assists for the Mammoth. Logan Cooley has scored seven goals and added six assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 7-0-3, averaging four goals, 6.4 assists, 3.2 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
Mammoth: 6-4-0, averaging 4.3 goals, 7.5 assists, four penalties and 11.3 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game.
INJURIES: Golden Knights: William Karlsson: out (lower body).
Mammoth: Barrett Hayton: out (upper-body), Sean Durzi: day to day (upper-body), Jack McBain: out (lower-body), Dylan Guenther: day to day (undisclosed).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Boston Bruins (45-27-10, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9, in the Atlantic Division)
Buffalo, New York; Sunday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Sabres -158, Bruins +133; over/under is 6
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Sabres host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres host the Boston Bruins to start the Eastern Conference first round. The teams meet Wednesday for the fifth time this season. The Bruins went 3-1 against the Sabres during the regular season. In their last regular season matchup on March 25, the Bruins won 4-3 in overtime. Mark Kastelic led the Bruins with two goals.
Buffalo has a 16-6-4 record in Atlantic Division games and a 50-23-9 record overall. The Sabres rank fifth in league play with 283 total goals (averaging 3.4 per game).
Boston is 11-12-3 against the Atlantic Division and 45-27-10 overall. The Bruins serve 11.9 penalty minutes per game to rank second in the league.
TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Doan has scored 26 goals with 26 assists for the Sabres. Alex Tuch has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Morgan Geekie has 39 goals and 29 assists for the Bruins. Pavel Zacha has six goals and five assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Sabres: 6-3-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.6 assists, 4.5 penalties and 11.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.
Bruins: 5-3-2, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.5 assists, 3.1 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
INJURIES: Sabres: Jiri Kulich: out for season (ear), Sam Carrick: out (arm), Alex Lyon: day to day (lower body), Justin Danforth: day to day (lower body), Noah Ostlund: day to day (upper-body).
Bruins: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Manchester City v Arsenal is a rare late-season title decider and comes with a set of surprising plotlines
OK, so it was all building to this, then. The slow‑burn plotlines. The room‑temperature action sequences. The winter afternoons on the sofa watching men wrestle unhappily, staring out of the window as the frigid wind tousles the clouds, wondering about the death of all things, and also why referees not only have to speak now but speak in the same awkward Yorkshire bingo‑caller voice.
All of this. It’s all actually fine. Because it turns out this was just delayed resolution, cinematic build, the sporting equivalent of a really long closeup of a man in a wide-brimmed Mexican hat narrowing his eyes and chewing a cigar. And now we get the payoff. The Etihad on Sunday afternoon. The clink of spurs. The tick of the clocktower. Townsfolk huddled at the saloon-bar shutters. Get ready for an old-school shootout.
The three-time Olympic champion is brilliant, charismatic, relatable, basically the best British athlete of all-time. But he’s also a victim of the decline of minority sports
The Austrian philosopher and novelist Robert Musil once wrote a lengthy meditation on human capacity based around seeing the phrase “a racehorse of genius” in a newspaper sports section. Musil was disturbed by this idea. His basic question was: can a horse really be a genius?
If we are to ascribe the label of genius to a horse, based on its ability to run fast and successfully eat oats, where does this leave the unmapped capacities of the actual human genius? What is consciousness? What is a human? Should the question in fact be: will there ever be a human of sufficient genius they are able to actually perceive the genius of a horse?
"I don't know what's going to happen next but I love you guys to death, and I thank you. I appreciate you."
That was a mic's up Warriors coach Steve Kerr, talking to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green just before the end of the Warriors’ season, at the hands of the Phoenix Suns in the play-in. With the end of the season, Kerr's contract to coach the Warriors has come to an end. The sides did not agree to an extension before the season, and while there is no animosity, there also is no certainty about what is next.
Kerr was asked about his future postgame, and he said he wanted to step back for a while, first.
"The plan is to take a little time, I don't know, take a week or two, and eventually sit down and talk with Joe [Lacob, the co-owner] and Mike [Dunleavy, head of basketball operations]. We've always had a great partnership and collaboration, and just see where they are, and I'll tell them where I am, and we'll talk about what's next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason, and we will come to a collaborative decision on what's next.
"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There's a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it's time for new blood and new ideas and all that. And if that's the case, then I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise front of our fans in the bay, and to coach Steph Curry and coach Dray and the whole group.
"So it might still go on. It may not, I don't know, at this point, but we all need to step away a little bit, and then reconvene."
Kerr was clear about one thing: He's not jumping to another team.
"I'm definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA," Kerr said.
He also said, "I don't want to walk away from Steph." There has been some speculation around the league that he and the Warriors would part ways — or he would be bumped up to a front office role and not be on the bench — but nobody really knows.
And while Friday night kind of felt like the end of an era for Kerr and these Warriors, things may feel different in a week or two when Kerr sits down with Lacbob and Dunleavy. For now, he just wants a little time away.
PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Green was several feet behind the 3-point line as the shot clock wound down and didn’t have many options, so the Phoenix guard simply squared up and let if fly.
In most cases, the third-quarter heave wouldn’t have been a high-percentage shot.
On Friday night, pretty much everyone knew it was going in.
“It felt good all night,” Green said.
The 24-year-old Green scored 36 points to lead Phoenix to a 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA’s play-in tournament. The Suns earned the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and they’ll face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a road game Sunday in Game 1 of the first round.
Green shot 14 of 20 from the field against the Warriors, including 8 of 14 from 3-point range. The eight 3-pointers tied his career high.
“I thought he was incredibly efficient offensively,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “It’s really hard to stay in front of him.”
It was a big moment for Green, who endured plenty of frustration during an injury-filled year that limited him to just 32 games in the regular season. Green and Dillon Brooks came to the Suns from the Rockets as part of the package that sent 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to Houston.
Jalen Green, who scored a game-high 36 points, celebrates after slamming home a dunk during the first half of the Suns’ 111-96 win over the Warriors on April 17, 2026 in an NBA play-in game in Phoenix. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Green missed the first half of the season with a hamstring injury and then finally returned, sometimes struggling to adjust to his new role playing with Booker and Brooks. He averaged just 17.8 points, the lowest total since his rookie season.
But the trio appears to be jelling at the right time. Booker had the assist on four of Green’s 3-pointers on Friday.
“I’m very comfortable playing with Book,” Green said. “You kind of how to pick your poison, how you’re going to guard it.”
Stephen Curry, who was held to 17 points, reacts during the Warriors’ loss to the Suns in an NBA play-in game on April 18, 2026. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The game was a little vindication for Green after he struggled against the Warriors in last year’s playoffs when he was with the Rockets. He averaged just 13.3 points in the seven-game series, shooting 37% from the field.
Green was so good on Friday that Booker — a five-time All-Star — was more of a facilitator, finishing with 20 points and eight assists.
“He stepped up to the test,” Booker said. “The last playoffs might have stuck with him a little bit, so he’s prepared himself for these moments and capitalized on them.”
Ott said Green’s elite athleticism will be invaluable against Oklahoma City because of his ability to generate shots when it doesn’t look like there is one. Green’s 36 points came three nights after he scored 35 against the Trail Blazers in the first play-in game, which ended in a 114-110 loss.
“Both of these nights, he had it going offensively,” Ott said. “Those guys in playoff games, where the physicality ups, the court shrinks, the ability to give the ball to one guy and him create a shot is super helpful. We’re finding those pockets.”
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is seen after his NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., Friday, April 17, 2026. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. (Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Well, the season is over. After teasing us with a throwback performance for the ages on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors completely and utterly ran out of fuel on Friday, losing to the Phoenix Suns 111-96 in a game that was a constant uphill battle.
And with that, the offseason begins. But not before we get to one final bit of in-season content: the last player grades of the year.
As always, grades are based on my expectations of each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player. If my grades seem overly lenient, well … that’s probably because they are. Grading the elimination game in a season feels a bit like handing out a grade for a boring requirement course to a senior that’s graduating in three days. Grading harshly is kind of missing the point. So we’ll be a little nice to everyone, because why dwell on the parts that need improvement when there’s no season left to improve?
Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. League-average TS this season was 58.1%.
Santos looked pretty overmatched in this game. There were a lot of poor decisions, and times where he was either doing too much or doing too little. I said this in Wednesday’s grades, but it’s easy to forget just how inexperienced he still is. This is all part of the learning process, and the mental fortitude he has to maintain his energy levels even when making mistakes is admirable. This was a great season for him, it just ended on a low note.
Green provided the biggest highlight of the game for the Warriors. Unfortunately, it’s a sign of how the game went, that the highlight came during a dead ball situation, with outcome already decided.
After Green left the game in the final minutes as Steve Kerr waived the white flag, he started jawing with Devin Booker from the bench. Somewhere, Klay Thompson was surely smiling. After the teams started tussling a little bit, Scott Foster — the butt of many an NBA joke — tried to calm the waters by ejecting both Green and Booker. Ever the entertainer, Green mocked Foster by doing an over-the-top reenactment of Foster’s ejection, before walking off the court smiling, egging the crowd on.
Porziņģis was listed as questionable up until the game started, and it was immediately clear that if it were a regular season game, he wouldn’t have been playing. He simply was not healthy, but he toughed it out to give the team some minutes.
It was a gutsy performance, and it featured a few highlight plays on offense. But he just didn’t have it, and all you can do is tip your cap that he left it on the floor.
Grade: A for toughness Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team.
It was fitting that Podziemski, who finished the season having played all 84 games, ended the year by leading the team in minutes in the elimination game. It was just that season for him.
Podz started slow, but ended the game as one of the only bright spots on the floor for the Warriors. No one else could get anything going on offense, yet he continued to get buckets. He fought all night, and led both teams in rebounding. Tough until the very end. The Warriors needed some people to step up, and Podziemski did (he also should have had 25 points and only three turnovers, but got called for an erroneous traveling violation on a layup).
Grade: A Post-game bonus: Led the team in points and rebounds.
Curry went over his minutes restriction on Wednesday, and carried the team. And he paid for it on Friday.
Credit the Suns for a great defensive plan and strong defensive execution. But this one was first and foremost about Curry running out of gas, as the Warriors ran out of gas. It was so clear that Steph wasn’t healthy in this game. He wasn’t moving as quickly or confidently as usual, and he abandoned so much of the off-ball movement that makes him so dangerous. He even was limping on a few possessions.
Again: credit to the Suns. Not trying to take anything away from them. But that wasn’t the Curry we know and love. That was a Curry who played through being 50% to give his team a chance to win.
Payton had some tremendous passes in this game, and helped right the ship on a few occasions. He also had a lot of fouls. It was nothing special, but a pretty solid game for him.
As was the case so many times over the past few months, Curry wasn’t healthy and the Warriors needed a lot from Melton to make up for it. And he provided it. Melton kept the Warriors afloat with a monster game off the bench, scoring all over the court, directing the offense, and fighting like hell on defense and the glass. He gave everything he had to give, and the Warriors sure will miss him if he’s playing elsewhere next season.
Horford couldn’t quite find the magic that he harnessed on Wednesday. But his, too, was a gutsy performance, as he played 26 minutes due to Porziņģis’ ailment. If Horford were being honest, I’m guessing he’d say that he’s not fully healthy, either. It was just that season. But he gave it everything he had, despite the circumstances. If he’s one-and-done with the Warriors, then we’ll always have Wednesday. But don’t be surprised if he’s back next year.
A great season comes to a close with just a glimpse of garbage time for Spencer. He proved he’s an NBA player this year, and that’s exciting.
Post-game bonus: Tied for the best plus/minus on the team.
Charles Bassey/Will Richard/Seth Curry
1 minute, 0 points, +2
Just a touch of garbage time with no stats for this trio.
Post-game bonus: Tied for the best plus/minus on the team.
The trio
It was a touching moment, late in the game, when Green, Curry, and Kerr huddled in plain sight. With all their arms around each other, Kerr spoke words to each, then brought them in for a three-way hug, before exiting and letting the two Hall of Famers embrace.
Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr share a moment after their 14th season together ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ivu63E5VL2
The following days, weeks, and perhaps even months will result in a lot of speculation, rumors, reports, and opinions, as we have no idea what the future holds. Kerr said after the game that he’ll take “a week or two” to think about his future, but stressed that he still loves coaching. Green said he wants to continue his career with the Warriors. Curry stressed that he has a few more seasons left in him.
Hopefully we get a 13th year with this trio. But if not, it’s been an unforgettable journey.
Grade: A+
Friday’s inactives: Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody, Quinten Post
Philadelphia 76ers (45-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (56-26, second in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
LINE: Celtics -12.5; over/under is 213.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Celtics host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers to start the Eastern Conference first round. Boston and Philadelphia tied the regular season series 2-2. The Celtics won the last regular season matchup 114-98 on Monday, March 2 led by 27 points from Jaylen Brown, while Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points for the 76ers.
The Celtics are 10-6 against the rest of their division. Boston leads the Eastern Conference in rebounding, averaging 46.4 boards. Nikola Vucevic leads the Celtics with 8.4 rebounds.
The 76ers are 9-7 against the rest of their division. Philadelphia ranks ninth in the NBA scoring 16.9 fast break points per game. VJ Edgecombe leads the 76ers averaging 8.0.
The Celtics average 114.9 points per game, 1.2 fewer points than the 116.1 the 76ers allow. The 76ers are shooting 46.2% from the field, 2.0% higher than the 44.2% the Celtics' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brown is scoring 28.7 points per game with 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard is averaging 18.3 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 53.1% over the last 10 games.
Quentin Grimes is shooting 45.0% and averaging 13.4 points for the 76ers. Paul George is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 119.6 points, 45.6 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 6.3 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points per game.
76ers: 6-4, averaging 118.0 points, 45.3 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 8.6 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.8 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Nikola Vucevic: day to day (finger), Sam Hauser: day to day (back), Hugo Gonzalez: day to day (foot), Payton Pritchard: day to day (foot), Jayson Tatum: day to day (injury management), Derrick White: day to day (knee), Neemias Queta: day to day (toe), Jaylen Brown: day to day (achilles).
76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee), Joel Embiid: out (abdomen).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
DENVER –– After seven years of waiting for his shot, Ryan Ward is on the verge of his first big-league opportunity.
The Dodgers are bringing Ward to Denver on Saturday and are expected to officially activate him later in this weekend’s series against the Colorado Rockies, sources confirmed, marking what will be a first career call-up to the majors for the 28-year-old outfielder.
While it wasn’t immediately clear what the corresponding roster move will be, the choreographed nature of Ward’s promotion –– he will be on the taxi squad Saturday, a source said –– could suggest a non-injury-related maneuver, such as another player going on the paternity list.
Dodgers outfielder Ryan Ward, who is getting his first MLB call-up at age 28, hits an RBI double during a spring training game against the A’s on March 8, 2025. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Ward was originally an eighth-round draft pick in 2019 who has slowly climbed up the Dodgers’ farm system. Last year, he was the Pacific Coast League MVP with triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .290 with 36 home runs and 122 RBIs.
This season, he was batting .324 in his first 18 triple-A games, adding four more home runs and 14 RBIs to a distinguished minor-league resume.
Despite those gaudy numbers, Ward has had to wait –– and wait, and wait –– for a chance at the MLB level.
He was added to the club’s 40-man roster at the end of last season, but did not make the big-league team after a poor spring training performance.
Still, over seven career seasons in the minors, the left-handed hitter has a .266 average, 154 home runs, 139 doubles and 520 RBIs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts Getty Images
The Massachusetts native and Bryant University product has received rave reviews from Dodgers personnel about his growth in recent seasons, specifically with the way he has improved his plate discipline.
Since the start of last year, he has 95 walks against 141 strikeouts.
He is a corner outfielder by trade, but can also contribute at first base.
“The thing I like about Ryan is he’s performed,” manager Dave Roberts said this spring. “We’ve asked him to do certain things, whether it’s positional versatility or cutting back on the strikeouts, hit for a little more power. He’s done all that.”
Roberts said then he expected Ward to get an opportunity in the majors at some point this year.
“For him to not get a shot (yet), I’m sure he’s frustrated and understandably so,” Roberts said. “But the message for him is to keep putting up numbers and knock the door down and hopefully the opportunity comes for him.”
That’s exactly what Ward has done, ranking seventh in the PCL so far this season in OPS. And now, his long wait is almost up, with a promotion to the majors having finally arrived.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 17: Josh Naylor #12 of the Seattle Mariners is tagged out at home plate by Danny Jansen #9 of the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park on April 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I have to get this off my chest: the Mariners “fanny pack hat” promotional giveaway item tonight makes absolutely no sense. I get that they’re leaning into the 70s this weekend as part of their 50th anniversary season celebration, with future weekends leaning on the 80s, 90s, and so forth. But, look, the fanny pack is so called because it is worn on your fanny. When you remove the placement, it ceases to be a fanny pack. What the Mariners have created here instead is simply a hat with a bag on it. A hat sack.
The only way this thing is a fanny pack is if you loop your belt through the snapback and wear it around your waist. But of course, at that point, it has ceased to be a hat, except as a hat for your fanny. You know, an asshat.
Speaking of asshats, the Mariners played nine innings of what can loosely be described as baseball tonight. It didn’t have to be so bad. With one out in the first, the Mariners loaded the bases on a four-pitch walk to Cal Raleigh, a scorched double from Julio Rodríguez, and a ten-pitch walk—the only thing better than a four-pitch walk—to Josh Naylor. But those runners would be left on those bases, a fact that would haunt the Mariners throughout the rest of the game.
The Mariners chased Rangers’ starter Jacob deGrom after just four innings, but then they had to face Gavin Collyer, who looks like he’s going to be a giant problem for the next half-decade, slinging 100-mph heaters out of a funky arm slot. Josh Naylor did manage to get a hit off of him (one of two hits to go with two walks). But he was later thrown out at the plate on the worst send since the Zimmermann Telegram. Wyatt Langford had the ball in shallow left field before Naylor had even touched third base. For getting hung out to dry despite finally having a good night at the plate, Naylor wins a second-consecutive Sun Hat Award. Cole Young might have won it for getting two four-pitch walks in the same game, but he gave it back with a miscommunication with Julio in the triangle that resulted in Julio ripping a divot in the field and scraping his hand.
I’d like to look at Logan Gilbert’s line of 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K, and say at least Gilbert had another good performance. But it really wasn’t great. He was all over the place in his first three innings: fastball velocity up and down, over-relying on his worst pitches while the splitter and slider sat on the shelf. A fastball right down Broadway to Brandon Nimmo resulted in a leadoff home run and set the tone. In Logan’s defense, just like Ryon Healy in the booth, he did get better once he started being himself in the fourth inning. But the damage had been done—to his pitch count if not the score. After a 2024-esque start on Monday, tonight he looked a lot more like his 2025 self, with a bunch of strikeouts hiding his inefficiency and ineffectiveness. Although he left the game with a surmountable two-run deficit, the bats and bullpen only made it worse.
That marks 22 innings since the Mariners last scored against the Rangers. But don’t worry. They face Nathan Eovaldi tomorrow. I’m sure it’ll be fine.
After finishing the regular season with a 37-45 overall record and getting bounced in the postseason's qualifying round, the Warriors enter the offseason with a number of questions that need to be answered.
With franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry in the twilight of his career, the Warriors should look to improve their team to maintain a competitive nature in the latter part of his NBA tenure.
Here's what they need to consider this summer now that their offseason has commenced:
Questions about contracts
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had an embrace with Curry and Draymond Green as the elimination play-in game against the Suns started to wind down. It was an emotional moment because it could be the final embrace those three have as coach and players as Kerr's contract expires this summer.
According to audio captured by Prime Video, Kerr told Green and Curry, "I don't know what's going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you. I appreciate you."
Kerr was named Warriors head coach in 2014 and has coached the franchise to four championships. As questions loom about his future, Kerr is forever stamped in the Bay Area as the coach of a dynasty. But he told reporters that he doesn't know what his future holds, and understands that when dynasties come to an end changes are made, especially regarding who is at the helm.
"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date," Kerr said.
Steve Kerr on his future with the Warriors:
"My plan is to take a week or two, sit down with Joe [Lacob] and Mike [Dunleavy Jr.] ... We will come to a collaborative decision on what's next.
"I don't know what's going to happen. I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs… pic.twitter.com/qVtME8tWtj
Curry said he wants his longtime coach to "be happy."
"I want him to be excited about the job. I want him to believe he's the right guy for the job. I want him to have an opportunity to, again, enjoy what he does. Whatever that means for him," Curry said. "Everybody's plan is their own.
"I'm not going to try and tell anybody what to do. He knows how I feel about him. Shouldn't even need to be said. However it goes, you're thankful for what we've been able to accomplish over this run. Thankful for an opportunity to hopefully put it together, do something again next year.
"I just want coach to be able to look at the situation as a whole and feel like he's the right guy."
The team also has to decide whether to exercise a team option on Brandin Podziemski, while Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton have more leverage with player options.
Kristaps Porzingis, who was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has made indications that he wants to be back in the Bay, and reports have said the Warriors are interested, as well.
Other expiring contracts include Gary Payton II, Quinten Post, Seth Curry and Pat Spencer.
An area to watch for are players signed through 2027. Current contracts on the Warriors expected to expire after next season include Curry, Green (he holds a player option) and Butler.
Curry said he wants to play several more years and would be interested in an extension but hasn't had those conversations with the Warriors.
"(Will) be a busy summer for the Warriors," Curry said.
Which free agents do the Warriors sign, seek out?
With the understanding that next season could be the final hurrah as Curry and Green have expiring contracts, the Warriors' brass of Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy Jr. will have to put something together to make themselves a contender again, especially in the twilight of Curry's career.
Golden State pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo during the regular season near the trade deadline, so maybe the Warriors renew conversations with Milwaukee.
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has had his name swirl around the rumor mill following their loss to Golden State, being eliminated from the NBA Play-In Tournament. With the Aspiration still looming in the background, maybe Golden State pounces on the opportunity to swindle the Clips.
Per ESPN's Anthony Slater, the Warriors currently have the 11th spot in the lottery with a 9.4% chance of getting a top-four pick.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Head coach Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry #30 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors hug during the final moments of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors’ tumultuous season — plagued by season-ending injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody and a 27-game absence from their franchise superstar due to a persistent runner’s knee issue — has come to an ultimate end tonight against the Phoenix Suns.
Steph Curry could not muster enough energy to carry the Warriors anew, with his runner’s knee issue flaring up tonight. That spelled doom for the Warriors, who go into an offseason with uncertainty and questions abound.
One of those questions: What will be the fate of head coach Steve Kerr, who has played out the last year of his contract?
As of this writing, Kerr and the Warriors’ front office hasn’t had an agreement to renew his tenure that has lasted for 12 seasons, producing eight playoff berths, six Finals appearances and four NBA Championships.
When asked about his future, Kerr was noncommittal about providing a definite answer.
Steve Kerr said he will take a week or two to think about his future and discuss it with Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy.
He acknowledged there is an “expiration date” on the job and it’s possible new blood is needed. Said he may return or may not. Doesn’t know yet.
If Kerr does decide to call it a day, it will be a coaching career unmatched by any save for a select and hallowed few. Brought in to instill an offense that did not live up to its potential under Mark Jackson, he helped transform a perennial All-Star in Curry into a bona fide MVP talent and all-time great, empowered a second-round draft pick toward becoming an all-time defender, and maximized the potential of his rosters, all while sticking to what worked defensively under Jackson’s tenure.
Should Kerr decide to return, it wouldn’t be farfetched to assume it would be a one-year deal, which would put him on the same timeline as Curry, who only has one year left on his current deal. Kerr stated that he would not leave the Warriors in order to coach another team that did not have Curry on it.
Steve Kerr: “I don’t want to walk away from Steph. I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. … I would never walk away from Steph.”
PHOENIX (AP) — Golden State coach Steve Kerr is contemplating his future, the four-time NBA champion coach suggesting after the Warriors' season ended Friday night that there is a chance he might not be back with the club next season.
“It might still go on. It may not,” Kerr said after the Warriors lost in Phoenix and were eliminated from the play-in tournament, marking the fourth time in the last seven seasons that Golden State has missed the playoffs.
He shared an embrace with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the team's two constants from the Warriors' title runs with Kerr, in the final moments of Friday night and appeared to mouth the words “thank you.”
Kerr wouldn't reveal what he said in that moment.
“None of your business,” he said, smiling.
Green and Curry both made clear that they want him back. Kerr's future has been the subject of speculation for some time, fueled in part by him coaching this year on the final season of his existing contract.
“I want Coach to be happy. I want him to be excited about the job. I want him to believe you know he’s the right guy for the job,” Curry said. "I want him to have an opportunity to again enjoy what he does. So, whatever that means for him, you know, everybody’s plan is their own. And I’m not going to try to tell anybody what to do. He knows how I feel about him. That shouldn’t even need to be said.”
Added Green, when asked if he could even fathom the Warriors without Kerr on the sideline: "I just don’t deal with change well. I don’t love it. So, I don’t want to think about that. I hope that’s not the case. but we’ll see what happens.”
The 60-year-old Kerr just finished his 12th season with the Warriors. He's 604-353 in that span, led Golden State to the NBA Finals in each of his first five seasons — and once since then as well — plus guided USA Basketball to Olympic gold at the Paris Games in 2024.
He said he'll meet with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy eventually, to chart a path for what's next. He suggested that might come in a week or two.
“We'll talk about what’s next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason,” Kerr said. "And we will come to a collaborative decision on what’s next. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I still love coaching. But I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. there’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that.
“And, if that’s the case, then I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise, in front of our fans in the Bay and to coach Steph Curry, to coach Dray and the whole group.”
The Warriors were 37-45 this season, dealing with injuries the entire way. They rallied Wednesday from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers and move into Friday's play-in finale, but fell short against the Suns.
And now, the Warriors wait to see what's next.
“This was as tough a season as you can have, with the injuries, with all kinds of adversity," Kerr said. "And they battled, and they battled the entire season. They kept going the other night just to, you know, continue the season, to show that kind of fight. And then tonight, we just didn’t have it. But the competitive desire was there. And I’m proud of the group for finishing the season the right way by continuing to fight and trying to win every game.”
Kerr — who won five championships as a player, to go along with his four rings as a coach — has often spoken of his good fortunes within the game. He played for Lute Olsen at Arizona, played with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in Chicago, played with David Robinson and Tim Duncan in San Antonio, played for Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich as a pro.
And coaching Curry — the greatest face of a franchise he's ever seen, he said — is another honor, Kerr has insisted.
“The only thing I’ve learned is that I’m the luckiest guy in the NBA’s history," Kerr said.
