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Ranking the new offerings at Chase Field

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 25: General view of action as Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 25, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Every spring brings the smell of grass, the sunshine at Salt River Fields, the eternal hope that only Spring Training can provide. It also inevitably brings a litany of new food offerings at Chase Field. Some are basic ballpark fare. A beer cheese hotdog, for example. Some are much needed offerings to appeal to a wider demographic of potential fans, an Impossible Burger, for example. Others… come from a dark place where the conventions of the culinary arts dare not tread. The D-bat dog. The fried chicken funnel cake sandwich. Sandwiches that are nearly two feet long and combine chicken parmesan and meatball subs. They are all equally important to me.

These crazed food items have become integral to the experience of the game itself. Far beyond the Diamondbacks, though I believe them to be pioneers in the field, teams try to one up each other and themselves with their offerings every year. The full list of additions can be found here, but indulge me to share my top five most anticipated items that were announced.

#5: Oreo Explosion Churro Dog

Look, I am a sucker for the Churro Dog. It’s one of the items that started this whole journey off, both for the Diamondbacks as well as myself as the official food critic of AZ Snakepit. They either have declined in quality over the years, I’ve gotten older, or both, but you’ll still find me trying the latest iteration on Opening Day (assuming Levy’s doesn’t run out). This year, it’s simply described as “our classic churro dog with Oreo toppings.” Sure! Sold! I’ll take two. Is it going to be good? Eh. Is the churro going to be stale and cold, and they won’t have plasticware again? Yeah probably, but such is life. Have a churro dog. Churro Dog HQ, 129 and 324

#4: Take Me Out to the Ballgame Milkshake

This is a salted caramel shake with whipped cream, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Kit Kat bars and Cracker Jack. Look at it

This is a monstrosity. How do you eat it? You can’t drink that with a straw. Honestly, I’m not sure a spoon is breaking through those chunks. It’s impossible. And the flavor profile. My god it’s like someone asked for the Diabeetus special. You won’t be able to taste anything specific, it will just be sugar. Can’t wait to have one. One of these days this job is going to kill me. Churro Dog HQ, 129 and 324

#3: Footlong Beer Cheese Hotdog

Look, I’m a simple man. Give me cheese, meat, carbs, and I’ll probably be happy. This new Beer Cheese Hotdog hits all those checkboxes. It’s exactly what it says it is, plus bacon and crispy onions. I’ll eternally be disappointed in the hotdogs they serve at Chase, but this still sounds good, even knowing it’s going to be a subpar hotdog. Grand Canyon Grill, 214. Only accessible with 200 level ticket.

#2: Pork Belly Nachos

I’m intrigued by this one. It’s described as Wonton chips, crispy pork belly, quick kimchee, gochujang cheese sauce, pickled red onions, scallions. Those are some big flavors, and not typically ones you find at an MLB stadium. You can’t go wrong with pork belly, but kimchee and gochujang are both delicious if done correctly, but its very easy to let it get out of hand and overpower the dish. I’m also not sure I’ve ever heard of using wonton chips as the base for nachos either, but again, I’m intrigued. Potentially, this could be an elite shareable at the game, bringing much needed variety to your standard choices. Available at Taste of Chase, Section 130

#1: Big Bella Sandwich

I’m genuinely excited for this one. The sandwich features mortadella, mozzarella, pistachio cream, arugula, chopped pistachio, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt. This will be available at the Jefferson Street Deli stand, where I’ve had good experiences before. The 50/50 stretch last season was surprisingly one of the best things I’ve had a Chase Field before, and I’m hoping they’ll continue the winning streak. I’m most interested in the pistachio cream they’re using as a condiment. It sounds delicious and should pair well with the mortadella. This is what I’ll be having for dinner on Opening Day. Available at the Jefferson Street Deli behind Section 120.

These are just a few of the exciting new food options coming to Chase Field this year. Stay tuned here for the occasional review of them. Also stay tuned for my new, nearly weekly series exploring food options around the stadium for before and after the games!

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Yankees at Giants: 5 things to watch and series predictions | March 25, 27-28

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees open the 2026 season against the Giants in San Francisco on Wednesday...

5 things to watch

Will Max Fried's subpar spring carry over?

Fried's performance in his first year with the Yankees was so good that the loss of Gerrit Cole didn't hurt the team much. Fried was the ace of the staff and anchored arguably the best rotation in the majors. 

Entering year two, Fried will have to shoulder that burden once again, at least in the early going. That's why his mediocre spring is a bit alarming. In three spring starts, Fried allowed seven earned runs across 14.1 innings (4.40 ERA). While his strikeouts are where they usually are, opposing teams got bat to ball for 12 hits. 

In Fried's last start, he walked four batters in his five innings, which was his worst outing this spring. While Fried didn't pay too much mind to his struggles, the Yankees want to start the season on the right foot and a return-to-form for their Opening Day starter would help. 

How will the other starters do?

With Cole and Carlos Rodon on the shelf to start the season, the other starters will need to step up behind Fried. 

Schlittler will get one of the starts in San Francisco and the Yankees will lean on their playoff hero to take the next step in 2026. It's unclear who else will take the mound over the weekend, but it's likely Will Warren and Ryan Weathers. Meanwhile, the Yankees hope Luis Gil can return to the form he had in 2024. 

Can Aaron Judge put the WBC behind him?

The captain was having a nice showing in the WBC before the knockout rounds began. But when the pressure hit, Judge didn't come through in the way many hoped he would.

In the championship game against Venezuela, Judge went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Worse off, his at-bats came in big spots that could have flipped the game in Team USA's favor. 

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning in a Spring Training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning in a Spring Training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

For the tournament, Judge finished 6-for-27 (.222) with two home runs and five RBI. He walked six times and struck out seven. 

It should be made clear that it's still March and hitters usually take a bit to get going -- as evident with Judge's so-so production in spring games -- but this team goes as far as Judge takes them. If he's not producing, this lineup will be hard-pressed to put up enough runs.

Unless....

Offense elsewhere

The Yankees are putting a lot of stock in the development of Ben Rice and Austin Wells this season. They believe there's plenty of offensive production still there to be mined, especially with Rice.

The young first baseman will see the bulk of the time at that position, giving the Yanks a dynamic bat. Depending on how manager Aaron Boone draws up his lineup, Rice could be batting behind Judge. He'll need to prove that he can be that protection Judge needs to see hittable pitches.

As for Wells, his defense is major league ready, but he regressed offensively last season. Wells did have a very good WBC playing for the Dominican Republic, and perhaps that can carry over and lengthen this lineup. 

And then we have Trent Grisham. The Yankees' de facto leadoff man from a year ago, Grisham may not provide the same gaudy offensive numbers he gave them last season, but giving the team anything close to that will also help give Judge and this lineup opportunities to drive in runs.

New-look bullpen

The bullpen will have some returning faces, but there will be a lot of new ones as well.

Gone are Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, but David Bednar and Camilo Doval -- acquired last trade deadline -- are still here, and Fernando Cruz and Tim Hill have become mainstays. But what about the rest? This weekend should give us a clue as to how Boone will deploy his relievers, especially the new ones -- and who he trusts in which situations.

This will be especially crucial in Schlittler's start, as his oblique tightness earlier in camp set his progression back a bit. He won't be built up as much as the others, so we can expect Ryan Yarbrough or Paul Blackburn to help bridge the game for Schlittler. 

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Aaron Judge

Back in his home region, Judge will get off to a hot start in San Francisco.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Max Fried

The Giants deploy a lot of left-handers, and Fried should be able to neutralize them.

Which Giants player will be a thorn in the Yankees' side?

Rafael Devers

The Yankees' old nemesis from when he was with the Red Sox. The slugger will see his first Opening Day as a Giant, but should be much more comfortable with the organization this year after being acquired midseason in 2025.

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Bucks vs. Clippers Player Grades: No longer Intuit?

INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 23: Pete Nance #35 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for the rebound during the game against the LA Clippers on March 23, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. 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 Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Down a fair few key guys, the Milwaukee Bucks got an almighty butt-whooping in their second visit to LA this season, falling 129-96 to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Bucks tried hanging in there, but their lack of offensive juice became too much against the Kawhi-led Clippers. Funnily enough, this was the first game between these two sides this season; they meet on Sunday in Milwaukee for the second. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.

View Link

Player Grades

Ryan Rollins

27 minutes, 13 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 6/16 FG, 1/5 3P, -37

Started well, going 5/8 in the first half (which included him taking Kawhi one-on-one and winning), but tailed off in the second half. Looked pretty fatigued, which is reflected in his turnovers. Also had nothing to slow down Darius Garland.

Grade: C+

Myles Turner

20 minutes, 7 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 2/7 FG, 1/5 3P, -22

I liked the looks he took from three, but they just didn’t go in. He seems to play worse without KPJ being there to get him open looks. That said, his defensive awareness was poor, losing his man a few times. Moreover, it’s not good enough to get no boards when the team gave up 11 offensive rebounds for the game. Brook Lopez dominated this matchup, ironically.

Grade: D+

AJ Green

20 minutes, 15 points, 2 assists, 4/5 FG, 4/5 3P, +4

All of his three-point attempts came in the second half, and he made the best of them. AJ has been building as of late.

Grade: B

Bobby Portis

19 minutes, 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5/12 FG, 0/2 3P, -24

Scored multiple times from his trusty wing post-ups, but looked a step slow against some of their athletes, getting burned at the rim by the likes of Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders. He did well when he was guarded by Isaiah Jackson, though.

Grade: C-

Ousmane Dieng

26 minutes, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 turnovers, 3/8 FG, 1/4 3P, -37

Way more of a mixed bag for Ous than the last game. Unlike the case with Booker, he had nothing for Kawhi (then again, it’s freaking Kawhi). Also, he was bothered by physicality, giving the ball away way more than he should have.

Grade: C+

Pete Nance

31 minutes, 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 5/12 FG, 1/4 3P, -14

Like Rollins, Nance started well but tailed off in the second half. Had a nice back-cut for the dunk, as well as a slam in transition (dude sneakily has bounce). And although his second half wasn’t great (3/8 shooting), it should be taken in context as to who he was out there with for most of that half.

Grade: C

Jericho Sims

19 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 2/2 FG, -22

His first bad game in a minute. Jericho seemed bothered by the amount of physicality they were using, and simply wasn’t as effective as a switch defender as he had been, getting roasted by Garland in one instance. Had butter fingers catching the ball on a few occasions.

Grade: D+

Taurean Prince

19 minutes, 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2/7 FG, 1/5 3P, -22

Missed most of his shots and had some poor possessions guarding Kawhi. On one occasion, guarding him in the corner, he didn’t really even try to move his feet, instead reaching for the ball and allowing the blow-by.

Grade: D+

Gary Trent Jr.

31 minutes, 20 points, 7/13 FG, 6/10 3P, -12

A real breakout game for Gary. Granted, many of his makes came in garbage time, but still, he took each shot with the confidence of someone who’s been a regular in the rotation.

Grade: A

Andre Jackson Jr.

16 minutes, 3 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1/1 FG, +11

Credit where it’s due, AJax came into the game and made a positive imprint, primarily through his passing. He even had a few hockey assists (when they pass to the guy who gets the assist), which he won’t get credit for. On one occasion, he made a really nice lefty hook pass off the roll-replace action to AJ Green. Even took (and made) a three with confidence, as his defender went under the screen.

Grade: A-

Doc Rivers

Eh. With what Doc had at his disposal, I can’t poke too many holes in his game; the team looked worn down, both physically and emotionally. Continuing to give Trent more minutes has been a good move. I get the decision, but starting Prince over Green isn’t the move to make if you’re looking at this from a future-focused POV. Again, not saying it’s necessarily the “wrong” decision, though.

Grade: C

Garbage Time: Thanasis Antetokounmpo,

Inactive: Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., Cam Thomas, Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gary Harris, Cormac Ryan

Bonus Bucks Bits

  • Doc referenced the team losing in Utah and then bouncing back in Phoenix as a sign that one bad night doesn’t mean they are a bad team.
  • As I wrote in the rapid recap, the Bucks began the third quarter shooting 1/11 from the floor; they also shot their first free throw at the 3:59 mark (on a technical foul) since the first quarter. Yikes.
  • Per Eric Nehm, This is the Bucks’ 10th loss by 25 or more points.
  • The Bucks had 22 turnovers, 14 of which came in the first half.
  • Darius Garland looked so much better than he did when he first came back.
  • Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders have been godsends for the Clippers.
  • Bogdan Bogdanovic, who obviously has an interesting history as it relates to the Bucks, has fallen out of Ty Lue’s rotation for most of this season.

Up Next

The Bucks finish out the road trip tomorrow night in the PNW against the Blazers. Catch the game at 9:00. p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.

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Campbell comes to town for Tuesday showdown

GREENVILLE, NC - JUNE 02: Campbell Camels Matthew Barefoot (28) is congratulated by the team after scoring during a game between the Quinnipiac Bobcats and the Campbell Camels on June 2, 2109 at Clark-LeClair Stadium in Greenville, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Campbell @ NC State | Tues, Mar 24 @ 6:00pm | ACCNX | Live Stats

A red-hot Campbell squad that has won 10 of their last 12 games, including back-to-back midweek victories over Duke and Coastal Carolina last week, comes to Raleigh on Tuesday evening for a 6:00pm matchup with NC State.

The Camels (14-9, 8-1 CAA, RPI #119) struggled out of the gate with a 4-7 mark, which included a pair of at-the-time nice looking victories over East Carolina and Troy, but those wins have diminished since as both the Pirates and Trojans have scuttled compared to preseason expectations. Following a series loss to Wright State and former Wolfpack pitcher Alex Sogard, Campbell has put it together and is playing excellent baseball of late.

Collectively, the lineup is hitting .283/.397/.486, 46 2B, 30 HR, 12.1 BB%, 20.2 K%, 69-76 SB, presenting a much more aggressive approach on the bases (3.0 SB/gm) than the program has displayed in recent memory. The adjusted approach has resulted in an offensive boon of late, with the Camels posting double-digit runs in six of their last eight games. It’s a deep lineup with up to ten productive bats, led by rSR 3B Jonah Oster (.341/.386/.659, 7 2B, 6 HR, 5.9 BB%, 12.7 K%, 1-2 SB), JR SS Logan Chapman (.364/.411/.591, 4 2B, 3 HR, 4.0 BB%, 12.0 K%, 5-5 SB), rSR LF Joe Simpson (.306/.444/.361, 4 2B, 0 HR, 17.4 BB%, 23.9 K%, 23-24 SB), FR RF Carlos Lugo (.325/.386/.425, 5 2B, 1 HR, 6.8 BB%, 5.7 K%, 6-7 SB), and JR CF Mike Murphy (.315/.422/.574, 2 2B, 2 HR, 10.9 BB%, 23.4 K%, 8-9 SB).

Redshirt-sophomore RHP Cooper Clark (2-3, 5.20 ERA, 27.2 IP, 4.3 BB%, 23.1 K%) and David Rossow (4-1, 3.42 ERA, 26.1 IP, 8.5 BB%, 26.5 K%) have been relative mainstays of the weekend rotation, but settling on that Sunday arm will be key to continuing to sit atop the CAA standings. NC State transfer JR RHP Camden Wimbish (0-1, 4.26 ERA, 25.1 IP, 5.7 BB%, 25.5 K%) appears to have the current grip on the job. The staff as a whole has a 5.14 ERA with a 9.1 BB% and 24.4 K%. The ERA is higher than ideal, but this is a group that has some talented arms and can get it done. SO RHP/OF Jett Music (0-1, 3 SV, 4.35 ERA, 10.1 IP, 8.9 BB%, 33.3 K%) and rJR RHP Mason Smith (1-0, 1 SV, 5.09 ERA, 23.0 IP, 8.9 BB%, 28.7 K%) lead the bullpen.

The team has a .967 collective fielding percentage, but 14 of their 27 errors have come from two players (Oster and 2B Elijah Clayton), but Clayton has been error-free for seven straight games (Oster, not so much), so if things get better there this team is going to be hell for a CAA that is already looking up at them. Granted, the meat of the conference slate for the Camels is still to come, and while they avoid perennial CAA heavyweight Northeastern, they do have a pair of conference series each with UNCW and Charleston.

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2026 Texas Rangers Opening Day Roster set

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 18: Josh Smith #8 of the Texas Rangers waits for a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on March 18, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 Texas Rangers Opening Day roster appears to be set after the announcements made by the club last night. The 26 players who will start the season on the active roster are as follows:

Rotation

Nathan Eovaldi

Jacob deGrom

MacKenzie Gore

Jack Leiter

Kumar Rocker

Bullpen

Chris Martin

Robert Garcia

Jakob Junis

Jalen Beeks

Cole Winn

Tyler Alexander

Jacob Latz

Carter Baumler

Catcher

Danny Jansen

Kyle Higashioka

Infielders

Jake Burger

Josh Smith

Corey Seager

Josh Jung

Ezequiel Duran

Outfielder

Wyatt Langford

Evan Carter

Brandon Nimmo

Sam Haggerty

DH

Joc Pederson

Andrew McCutchen

This was more or less what we would have expected two weeks ago, with the only real questions being whether Kumar Rocker or Jacob Latz would be the team’s fifth starter, and who would get the final two spots in the bullpen.

The team announced prior to last night’s game that Rocker would be the fifth starter, Latz would be in the bullpen, and McCutchen and Duran would round out the position player group.

We wondered at the time why there was no announcement as to who the final spot in the bullpen was going to. Rule 5 pick Carter Baumler had an excellent spring, and seemed to have earned a job, but there was no announcement as to whether he would be making the squad, or if it would be someone else.

As it turns out, that’s because the team was doing something special with Baumler, who came into last night’s exhibition game to start the fifth inning. After recording the first two outs of the inning, manager Skip Schumaker came out to the mound, along with catcher Danny Jansen and the infielders. Schumaker told Baumler then that he had made the team:

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A pretty neat moment for Baumler, a 2020 5th round pick of the Baltimore Orioles who due to injuries had pitched just 88 innings over 49 appearances, with just six games above A ball, prior to the Rangers acquiring him as a Rule 5 selection this winter. Baumler understandably got a little emotional talking about it during the broadcast.

Procedurally, the Rangers will need to place Cody Freeman and Cody Bradford on the injured list before Thursday’s season opener in Philadelphia, and will need to create a 40 man roster spot for Andrew McCutchen. Its possible Bradford will go on the 60 day injured list, but he is expected to start a rehab assignment soon after Round Rock’s season starts on March 27, but given the organization has said they hope to have Bradford back in May, it seems more likely that Bradford would be placed on the 15 day injured list. Dairon Blanco and Michel Otanez would appear to be the guys on the 40 man bubble.

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Golden Knights vs Jets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg has been a blocked-shot machine, recording at least two in eight of his past 10 games.

Tasked with slowing down a Vegas Golden Knights forward group loaded with firepower, my Golden Knights vs. Jets predictions expect him to step in the way of plenty of rubber.

Let’s break down my NHL picks for Tuesday, March 24.

Golden Knights vs Jets prediction

Golden Knights vs Jets best bet: Dylan Samberg Over 1.5 blocked shots (-125)

Dylan Samberg does a lot of the heavy lifting for the Winnipeg Jets' defense. He has spent a team-leading 41.2% of his minutes facing elite competition, per PuckIQ.

That usage leads to more time in the defensive zone, filling shooting lanes against high-end offensive players.

Samberg has gotten in the way of at least two pucks in 68% of his games against Top-12 shot-generation teams, such as the Vegas Golden Knights.

His hit rate jumps to 75% on home ice, where Scott Arniel has last change and is better able to get the matchups he wants.

Golden Knights vs Jets same-game parlay

Mark Scheifele has gone three consecutive games without a point, his longest drought of the season. The Golden Knights rank 28th in team save percentage, so this is a spot where positive regression can kick in.

Gabriel Vilardi has picked up at least a point in 60% of his games against Top-16 teams at limiting goals against, and he correlates with Scheifele on the power play. That’s an important factor as the Golden Knights have averaged more than five minutes of short-handed time over their past 10 games.

Golden Knights vs Jets SGP

  • Dylan Samberg Over 1.5 blocked shots
  • Mark Scheifele Over 0.5 points
  • Gabriel Vilardi Over 0.5 points

Golden Knights vs Jets odds

  • Moneyline: Golden Knights -130 | Jets +110
  • Puck Line: Golden Knights -1.5 (+190) | Jets +1.5 (-230)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)

Golden Knights vs Jets trend

Dylan Samberg has blocked multiple shots in six of his last seven home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Jets.

How to watch Golden Knights vs Jets

LocationCanada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
DateTuesday, March 24, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVSCRIPPS, TSN3

Golden Knights vs Jets latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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What James Hagens starting in Providence means for top prospect and Bruins

What James Hagens starting in Providence means for top prospect and Bruins originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

James Hagens is starting his pro career with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Boston Bruins fans won’t see him play in the NHL at some point this season.

The Bruins signed their top prospect to an AHL amateur tryout contract (ATO) late Monday night.

“We’re very excited to have James join the Bruins organization and take this next step,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in a press release.

“James is an important part of our future, and this is a great opportunity for him to get immediate experience at the professional level in Providence and continue his development, while keeping all options open.”

Hagens was selected by the Bruins with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He is their best prospect in at least a decade and is coming off a stellar sophomore year at Boston College during which he tallied a career-high 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 34 games.

Some fans might be disappointed that Hagens hasn’t yet signed his entry-level contract to join the Bruins. And that’s understandable. The hype around Hagens is immense. But there’s no harm in getting him some AHL experience, and the B’s still have the option to sign him to his ELC and elevate him to the NHL before the end of the season if they want.

What does it all mean, and how could Hagens find himself in the NHL this season? Let’s break it down.

What happens now?

Hagens practiced with Providence on Tuesday and likely will make his AHL debut Wednesday when the P-Bruins play Springfield. Providence also has games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Hagens is essentially in tryout mode. If he plays well in Providence, the chances of him reaching the NHL this season improve (more on that shortly).

What are the Bruins’ options?

Hagens signing an AHL ATO gives both the Bruins and Hagens more options than if he just signed his ELC right off the bat.

New NHL contracts signed after the trade deadline prevent players from playing in the AHL that season. Therefore, by going to Providence first, Hagens is eligible to play for the Providence Bruins and in the AHL playoffs.

The P-Bruins are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference standings and expected to make a deep run in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The intensity of the AHL playoffs is a step up in competition from NCAA hockey, so those reps would be beneficial for Hagens.

The Bruins can also sign Hagens to his ELC if they want him on the NHL roster this season. Signing his AHL ATO doesn’t prevent him from going to the NHL at some point this year.

Keeping Hagens in the AHL through the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign would ensure that his ELC does not begin until next season. If he signed his ELC this season, he’d burn one of its three years. In that scenario, his ELC would end after the 2027-28 season, instead of after the 2028-29 campaign.

How Hagens could make it to NHL this season

James HagensMatthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
James Hagens won Beanpot MVP this season with BC.

The AHL-to-NHL path is pretty common, even for prospects of Hagens’ caliber. The transition to minor league hockey is obviously easier than the NHL, especially in the Bruins’ current situation where they are fighting for a playoff spot.

The B’s, with 12 regular season games remaining and a slim two-point lead in the wild card race, are not in a position to develop young prospects and allow them to make mistakes. The stakes are too high in Boston right now. Every point in the standings is critically important.

That said, Hagens could still find himself wearing the spoked-B if one or more of a few different scenarios unfold, including…

1. Injuries test the Bruins’ depth

Similar to Hagens, Charlie McAvoy began his pro career with an AHL amateur tryout agreement and reported to Providence after his Boston University season ended in 2017.

McAvoy could have remained in the AHL the rest of that season, but the Bruins’ blue line was so decimated by injuries entering their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators that they pretty much had to call up McAvoy. He didn’t look out of place, either. McAvoy played very well in the six games versus the Senators.

If the Bruins were to be hit by injuries at center or on the wing between now and the playoffs, the best player in Providence to call up would be Hagens given his impressive offensive skill set.

2. Hagens forces Bruins’ hand by dominating in AHL

If Hagens is lighting up the stat sheet and making a huge impact offensively for Providence, it’s possible the Bruins just call him up and hope he can carry that success to the NHL level.

The Bruins need to play with more speed, and there is a lack of high-end playmaking and goal-scoring talent throughout their roster. Hagens has the skill set to address all three of those concerns in the near future.

Expectations for Hagens if he reaches NHL this spring

Hagens has enormous talent and potential, and many experts (including yours truly) project him to be a top-six forward for a long time.

However, there are several recent examples of forwards who were a first-round pick and joined their NHL team soon after leaving college and did not produce at a high level that season. It doesn’t mean they won’t be great NHL players; it just shows how hard it is to make the transition to the NHL immediately after ending your college career.

  • Cole Caufield, Wisconsin (No. 15 overall, 2019 draft, MTL): 4 goals, 1 assist in 10 games played
  • Kent Johnson, Michigan (No. 5, 2021, CBJ): 0 goals, 3 assists in 9 GP
  • Matty Beniers, Michigan (No. 2, 2022, SEA): 3 goals, 6 assists in 10 GP
  • Ryan Leonard, Boston College (No. 8, 2023, WSH): 1 goal, 0 assists in 9 GP
  • Matthew Wood, Minnesota (No. 15, 2023, NSH): 0 goals, 1 assist in 6 GP
  • Gabriel Perreault, Boston College (No. 23, 2023, NYR): 0 goals, 0 assists in 5 GP

Two of those examples are Hagens’ former linemates at BC, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault.

Leonard joined the Washington Capitals late last season after BC’s campaign ended. Leonard, like Hagens, was a top-10 pick and played two years for the Eagles before turning pro.

Leonard scored one goal with zero assists in nine regular season games for the Capitals, then tallied one assist in eight 2025 playoff games with Washington. He wasn’t productive offensively, but the experience did help him make a jump this season. Leonard has 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 64 games so far.

Perreault also made the transition to the NHL late last season and went scoreless with five shots in five games for the New York Rangers.

What would be fair expectations for Hagens if he does join the Bruins this season? Don’t get exposed defensively, create scoring chances and push the pace in transition. He would also need to prove he can win 50-50 puck battles and not be overmatched physically.

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Mets Morning News: Welcome to the show, Carson Benge

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 09: Carson Benge (93) of the New York Mets looks on while waiting to bat during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins on March 09, 2026 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Meet the Mets

The Mets finally announced that Carson Benge will be on the team’s Opening Day roster, which felt like an inevitability after his incredible spring training performance.

Anthony DiComo offered some predictions for the team heading into the season.

Writing for SNY, John Harper made his predictions for the Mets’ season.

Tim Britton talked about the Mets’ easy early season schedule, which he says the team should not waste.

Craig Kimbrel will remain with the Mets after missing out on the Opening Day roster, saying, “I am going to stay down here in Florida and stay ready.”

Around the National League East

Todd Zolecki made his predictions for the Phillies’ season.

Spencer Strider will begin the season on the IL with an oblique injury.

Spencer Nusbaum took us inside the Nationals’ vision for fans and the future.

Around Major League Baseball

The MLB.com staff highlighted the most important thing we learned from each team’s camp this spring.

Will Leitch shared the Power Rankings heading into Opening Day.

Experts predicted the stats leaders across MLB this season.

Theo DeRosa explored who might be the top award winners in MLB in 2026.

Sarah Langs identified some players how are on the precipice of reaching career milestones during the upcoming MLB season.

A jersey Shohei Ohtani worn during the WBC sold for a boat load of money.

The Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong have agreed to a contract extension.

The Blue Jays and GM Ross Adkins have also agreed on a five-year extension.

Ben Rice has landed an endorsement deal with…Ben’s Rice, the endorsement deal he was born to have.

Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt made the Opening Day roster.

Andrew McCutchen made the Opening Day roster for the Rangers as he prepares for his 18th season.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker let reliever Carter Baumler know he had made the major league roster during a mound visit.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Grace Carbone explained why 2026 is of the utmost importance for David Peterson in her season preview.

Thomas Henderson previewed Bo Bichette’s 2026 campaign, which could see the Mets and Bichette turning a marriage of convenience into something special.

Chris McShane looked at how Sean Manaea may be able to bounce back during the 2026 season as he previewed what is hopefully a comeback season for the left-hander.

Linus Lawrence brought us Mets Madness: Elite Eight.

This Date in Mets History

You can trace the birth of Shea Stadium back to this date in 1961, when the New York State Senate approved $55 million in funding to build what would become the new home of the Mets in Queens, New York.

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Yankees 2026 Season Preview: Randal Grichuk

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 15, 2026: Randal Grichuk #34 of the New York Yankees bats during the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 15, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. The Tigers beat the Yankees, 12-1. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Heading into the spring, Jasson Domínguez was the consensus pick for the Yankees’ fourth outfielder spot, as the former top prospect, now headed into his sophomore season, would be the team’s number one option in the event one of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Giancarlo Stanton, or — baseball gods forbid — Aaron Judge had to miss significant time. As the roster currently stands, the Martian, despite being optioned to Triple-A Scranton, remains in that role, and in truth, it would be very surprising if he did not receive a call to the Show at for some extended run at some point this year; injuries are just a fact of life in baseball, after all.

But, as our very own Estevão wrote earlier this month, “Organizational depth and a quality bench…don’t necessarily mean the same thing.” Ever since the Yankees signed Randal Grichuk to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training late last month, it immediately became the expectation that he would be given the fourth outfielder job out of spring training, and that the Martian would return to Scranton to start the season — an expectation that became reality this week.

2025 Stats (Arizona, Kansas City): 113 games, 293 plate appearances, .228/.273/.401, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 18 doubles, 82 wRC+, 20.8 K%, 5.8 BB%, -2 Defensive Runs Saved, -2 Outs Above Average, -0.4 fWAR, -0.8 rWAR

2026 Projections: 32 games, 140 plate appearances, .242/.295/.419, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 98 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

Just a few short weeks ago, Estevão broke down the decision to sign Grichuk, and in the process of that piece he discussed reasons to both be optimistic about the veteran this season (such as his 92.4 mph exit velo last season) and to be, well, not so optimistic about him (such as his “predictable unpredictability”). Rather than treading over that same ground again, I’d instead like to talk about what the thought process behind the decision is, what the exact role Grichuk is expected to fill, and what are the possible ways his time in pinstripes may go.

The decision to option Domínguez and roster Grichuk has been met with skepticism around the Yankees online community, and for good reason. The organization has, in recent years, oscillated between playing the kids too much (see: Volpe, Anthony) and running out clearly washed veterans in lieu of letting the kids play (see: Verdugo, Alex and Kiner-Falefa, Isiah). Viewed from that vantage point, this move seems to be just the latest in a long line of overcorrections by the front office.

In this instance, though, there’s one variable that separates Grichuk from Verdugo and IKF: Grichuk is not in line to start, and is a platoon bat at best. Unlike Oswald Peraza and Volpe in 2022 and Domínguez himself in 2024, the young kid is not being blocked; there isn’t a starting job available. A much better comparandum would be 2012, when the Yankees optioned Francisco Cervelli to the minors and had Chris Stewart serve as their backup catcher, in order to have the young catcher receive regular reps. Had starting catcher Russell Martin been injured for an extended period of time, however, it would have been Cervelli filling in as the starter, not the career backup in Stewart. When/if an outfield or DH spot opens up due to injury, Domínguez is certainly slotting into that spot in the lineup.

So why is Grichuk here, rather than having the #NextManUp on the active roster to begin with? Because Grichuk, at least in theory, brings something that Domínguez has not yet shown in practice: the ability to hit left-handed pitching. As of today, the FanGraphs Depth Chart lists Trent Grisham as the Yankees’ starting center fielder, putting him in a platoon with Grichuk. According to their projection, against left-handed pitching, Grisham will sit, Bellinger will slide over to center, and Grichuk will man left. This tracks with the Yankees’ stated intention to factor in platoon matchups more this season — and it is something that, the way this roster is currently constructed, does not benefit Domínguez, as his platoon splits to date are comparable with Grisham’s. Grichuk, at least in theory, brings something different to the Yankees’ bench and gives Aaron Boone some flexibility.

Of course, what if it doesn’t work out? At this stage, it’s hard to say for certain, as despite having a reputation for holding onto aging vets for too long (e.g., DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks), the Yankees have in recent years been willing to pull the plug on an experiment that clearly wasn’t working (e.g., Jay Bruce, Opening Day first baseman, and Enyel De Los Santos, trade deadline bullpen acquisition). The Yankees only have $2.5 million invested in Grichuk, and no sentimental attachments (in fact, given his performance against the Yankees over his career, they might have negative sentimentality). If Father Time has indeed caught up to the 34-year-old, it shouldn’t be too painful for the Bombers to move on.

Hopefully, though, it won’t come to that, and Grichuk quiets those disappointed in his arrival.

See more of the Yankees Previews series here.

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Box Grades: Rare Statistical Combinations Produced in Another Blowout Spurs Win

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 23: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 23, 2026 at Kaseya Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

San Antonio is on a heater! They have now won six in a row and 22 of 24, making them the best team in the NBA over the last couple of months by a notable margin. Furthermore, many of these wins have been against good-to-excellent teams, and had last night’s game occurred a couple of weeks ago I would have counted Miami in that set.

However, the Heat’s outlook has dimmed considerably since their win over Milwaukee on March 12th, and – even though they have plenty of incentive to fight for wins over the next couple of weeks – Miami was clearly overwhelmed last night, allowing the Spurs to take firm control by halftime. Even so, the game produced a number of box score highlights, including several rare occurrences:

  • San Antonio followed up its dominant rebounding performance against Indiana with an even better showing against the Heat, including a +24 edge in total rebounds and +10 margin on the offensive glass. One result of this was that the Spurs had notable advantages in offensive opportunity, including seven more field goal attempts and eight more free throws.
  • Speaking of free throws, San Antonio was also excellent from the line, going 25-of-28. Even so, Miami generated a FT% margin of +5.71 percentage points by missing just one free throw in 20 attempts. Unfortunately for the Heat, their only award for this achievement is joining an ignominious club: In the 16,743 regular season games since the start of 2012-2013, this is just the 16th contest in which a team has lost by 25+ points while having a FT% of at least 95% on 20+ attempts.
  • The margin of victory also seems remarkable when one considers that Miami made 16 threes, one more than the Spurs. In the same set of 16,743 regular season games this is just the 17th case in which a team lost by 25+ points while having a positive 3PM differential and making 16+ shots from distance. Of course, the reason this combination is so rare is that teams that make this many threes tend to be shooting well, which was absolutely not the case for Miami last night.
  • As I already mentioned, offensive volume was a big part of the Spurs’ easy victory last night; for example, San Antonio still outscored the Heat by six at the free throw line despite Miami’s edge in FT%. Volume and efficiency were also important from the field, where the Spurs’ extra shots and +7.52 percentage-point FG% margin helped them earn a +10 FGM differential.
  • Including this game, only 153 winners have had FGM and FTM differentials of at least +10 and +6 (respectively) in the 16,743 regular season contests since the start of 2012-2013. The average margin of victory in this set is just over 36 points, and only 14 other members of the group have won by 25 or less. As such, San Antonio’s win last night can be seen as an underachievement, though I won’t be losing any sleep over it.

What are Team Graded Box Scores?

Very briefly, these box scores grade winner-loser differentials for basic box score statistics, with the grade being based on the winning team’s differential relative to other NBA winners during a defined reference period. Think of it like a report card for understanding how a given winner performed relative to other winners. The reference period used runs from the start of the 2012-2013 season to the latest date of play, including only games in the same season category (i.e., regular season and playoff games are not compared to each other).

Data Source: The underlying data used to create these box scores was collected from Basketball Reference. In all cases, the data are collected the morning after the game is played. Although rare, postgame statistical revisions after data collection do occur and may affect the results after the fact.

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Atlanta Braves News: Spencer Strider Injury, Matt Olson Stays Hot, More

NORTH PORT, FL - MARCH 11: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Cole Carter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Once again, the Braves were dealt some bad news Monday. Spencer Strider will be out to the start the season with an oblique injury. While the Braves hope he misses just a few weeks, oblique injuries could take a month or more to come back from plus rehab time. Jose Suarez and Martin Perez could he options to internally fill Strider’s role. Didier Fuentes and JR Ritchie are other obvious candidates.

The unfortunate is now injuries have clearly impacted the start of the Braves season. “Weathering the Storm” successfully is certainly an option if the offense starts off strong. But the quality of the rotation has significantly decreased before the season has even begun.

Braves News

The Braves bested the Pirates, as Matt Olson hit home runs 5 and 6 on the Spring, showing that he is locked in to start the season. Fuentes also delivered another strong outing on the mound.

Mark Bowman looked closer at what Strider’s injury means for the Braves.

MLB News

The Cubs and Pete Crow Armstrong agreed to a long-term contract.

MLB.com looks at Spring Training stats that have some meaning, including some positive takes on Drake Baldwin.

JJ Weatherholt will make the Cardinals Opening Day roster.

Carson Benge will make the Mets Opening Day roster.

Seiya Suzuki will start the season on the IL for the Cubs.

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Playoff Push Continues: Islanders Need Same Urgency vs. Blackhawks

Sunday's game between the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets felt like a playoff game.

The Islanders were in desperate need of a win after dropping their previous two games to fall out of a playoff spot. Riding a 12-game point streak (7-5-0), the Blue Jackets had leapfrogged many teams to sit third in the Metropolitan Division.

It was a tight hockey game, filled with physicality and post-whistle shenanigans, a game in which the Islanders came away victorious, 1-0, to jump back into a playoff spot. 

New York Islanders Back In Playoff Position After Shutout Of Columbus Blue JacketsNew York Islanders Back In Playoff Position After Shutout Of Columbus Blue JacketsA crucial shutout propels the Islanders back into a playoff spot. Now, they're fighting tooth and nail to secure their postseason berth with just 11 games remaining.

As one of The Elmonters' followers, David Roberts put it: "There was consistent intensity, which was necessary because Columbus had the same." 

That brings us to Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

While there could be a spark in this one with 2025 No. 3 overall pick Anton Frondell potentially making his NHL debut, the Blackhawks aren't playing for anything other than pride. 

Jeff Blashill's squad sits 30th in the NHL, moving a handful of pieces at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. 

The Islanders have a history of playing down to "weaker" opponents. It's the NHL, where even the worst team in the league can beat the best, but during a playoff race, losing to a bottom-feeder could be catastrophic. 

This season, the Islanders have lost games to the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Los Angeles Kings (twice). 

The Islanders must bring that playoff intensity to Tuesday night's showdown, regardless of whether the Blackhawks match it.  Chicago is 1-2-2 over their last five games. 

On Dec. 30, the Islanders did beat the Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout, a Bo Horvat winner.  

With the Ottawa Senators beating the New York Rangers 2-1 on Monday night, they moved within two points of the Islanders for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with what will be two games in hand after Tuesday. 

Losing to the Blackhawks is really not an option for Long Island. 

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Kings vs Flames Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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With missing the playoffs long since conceded, the Calgary Flames are making it tough for teams still vying for a postseason berth.

They get a chance to make it four straight wins tonight when they host the struggling Los Angeles Kings, who are hanging on in the wild-card picture.

My Kings vs. Flames predictions and NHL picks have Calgary maintaining its recent streak of stifling offenses, keeping this one Under the total on Tuesday, March 24.

Kings vs Flames prediction

Kings vs Flames best bet: Under 5.5 (+100)

The  Calgary Flames picked up a 4-3 OT win over Tampa last time out, setting them up for a chance at a season-best fourth straight win.

Defense has been key, as they’ve allowed five total goals across this streak.

It’s also been part of their success against the Los Angeles Kings, a team they’ve beaten in four of the last five meetings, holding them to six total goals.

The Kings have just one win in their last five, and are a Bottom-5 scoring team in hockey.

The Under has hit in five of the last six meetings.

Kings vs Flames same-game parlay

Morgan Frost has taken over the goal-scoring lead for the team, tallying three times in his last four games. He’s also scored once against L.A. this season.

Mikael Backlund has topped 2.5 shots on goal three times in the last six games, but he’s gotten more rubber against the Kings, putting up at least three shots in six of his last nine vs. L.A.

Kings vs Flames SGP

  • Under 5.5
  • Morgan Frost anytime goal
  • Mikael Backlund Over 2.5 shots on goal

Kings vs Flames odds

  • Moneyline: Kings -140 | Flames +120
  • Puck Line: Kings -1.5 (+170) | Flames +1.5 (-210)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)

Kings vs Flames trend

L.A. has lost 17 extra-time games this season, the most in the NHL. Find more NHL betting trends for Kings vs. Flames.

How to watch Kings vs Flames

LocationScotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
DateTuesday, March 24, 2026
Puck drop9:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN West, Sportsnet West

Kings vs Flames latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Suns Reacts Survey: Who would you want to face in the Play-In?

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 01: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns pressures Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 01, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Clippers defeated the Suns 117-93. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Suns fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Ten games left. That is all that separates the Phoenix Suns from the end of the regular season, and it brings them to a place they have never been before as a franchise, staring down the reality of the Play-In Tournament. 

It is still a relatively new wrinkle in the NBA, introduced in 2021, and Phoenix has managed to avoid it up to this point. The closest they came was in 2024, when they landed in the sixth seed and were promptly swept by Minnesota in the first round. Now it feels inevitable. The numbers back it up, with Basketball Reference giving the Suns a 91.8% chance to finish seventh in the Western Conference, which plants them firmly in Play-In territory.

A lot can shift over ten games. The NBA has a way of bending expectations when you least expect it, but the runway is short and the direction feels set. Phoenix is trending toward hosting a Play-In game, one night with everything on the line, a chance to secure the seventh seed and earn a date with the second seed out West. That reality starts to shape the way you look at the standings, because it is no longer about climbing; it is about positioning and survival. You begin scanning the teams circling that eighth spot, wondering who you would rather see, who presents the cleaner matchup, who carries the kind of chaos you want no part of. 

So let’s take a look at the group fighting for that final Play-In position, and what each potential opponent could mean for the Suns.

Los Angeles Clippers

Odds of 8th seed: 62.4%

The Clippers sit under .500 at 35–36, 4.5 games back of Phoenix for that seventh seed, and with only 11  games remaining, it is a steep climb to make up that kind of ground. It can happen – the league has a way of tightening and twisting late in the year – but the math is not in their favor. Still, they sit squarely in the conversation as a potential Play-In opponent, and they are not a team you casually dismiss.

Since December 20, the Clippers are 29–15, the sixth-best record in the NBA over that stretch, and it speaks to how they have reshaped themselves on the fly. They moved on from a significant portion of their core, sending James Harden to Cleveland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana. And instead of folding, they found a rhythm. There is structure to what they do, there is confidence in how they play, and it shows up night after night.

The Suns split the season series 2–2, although the timing of those games matters. Three of those matchups came in the opening weeks of the season, back when everything still felt fluid and undefined, and only one has come since the calendar flipped to 2026. That game, February 1, was a 117–93 Clippers win that never felt competitive.

In March, the Clippers are 8–5, a notch above the Suns at 6–6 over the same stretch, and it reinforces the idea that this is a team playing with purpose as the season tightens. If this is the matchup that materializes, it would not be comfortable and it would not be forgiving.

Portland Trail Blazers

Odds of 8th seed: 26.2%

The Portland Trail Blazers sit a half-game behind the Clippers, which sets the stage for a tight race between those two teams as the season winds down. Every night carries weight for them, every result nudges the standings, and it feels like that eighth seed could swing back and forth all the way to the finish line. They have already dropped two games to the Clippers this season, and with two more matchups remaining, including that 81st game on April 10, there is a built-in pressure point that could decide who stays afloat and who slips to ninth.

Phoenix holds a 2–1 edge over Portland this year, although the lone loss tells a story of its own. That 92–77 defeat on February 22 came under some strange circumstances. The Suns were without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, and rolled out a starting group of Collin Gillespie, Jalen Green, Ryan Dunn, Royce O’Neale, and Mark Williams. It never found a rhythm. The offense stalled possession after possession, the shots did not fall, and the numbers reflect it. Phoenix shot 36.5% from the field, one of their roughest nights of the season, and finished with their lowest scoring output in nine years.

It is the kind of game you log, you remember, and you try to contextualize when projecting forward. Because while the Suns have had success against Portland, they have also seen how quickly things can get muddy against them, especially when the roster is stretched and the margin for error disappears.

Golden State Warriors

Odds of 8th seed: 7.5%

Golden State feels like a team running on fumes right now. They are 2–9 in March as injuries have chipped away at their rotation, and they are hanging on more than they are building anything sustainable. From a Phoenix perspective, there is a quiet sense of relief in that, because a healthy Warriors team has a way of turning every possession into a problem. The Suns are 1–2 against Golden State this season, with their lone win coming in a tight 99–98 game on December 18.

The Warriors sit at 33–38, two games back of the eighth seed, and the path forward is narrow. It would take a real push over their final 11 games to climb into position, and they are fighting uphill in the tiebreaker scenarios as well. Portland holds the edge after taking three of four in their season series, and the Clippers have won two of three so far, with one more meeting still on the schedule.

That final Clippers game, the last game of the regular season, lingers as a potential swing point. If the standings stay tight, it could carry real weight. For now, Golden State remains in the mix, but it feels fragile, a team searching for stability at the exact moment the season demands it.

Those are the names on the board, the paths that could cross with Phoenix when the Play In lights come on. And with the Suns essentially settled into their spot, the lens shifts a bit. It is no longer about chasing, it is about watching, about tracking the chaos unfolding beneath them and seeing which version of it rises up to meet them.

So the question becomes simple, even if the answer is not. Who do you want?

That is where we are. Ten games left, and instead of scoreboard watching above, it becomes about the teams below, about rooting for outcomes that shape the cleanest path forward. Not an easy path, because nothing about this team has been easy, but the one that gives you the best chance to survive and move on.