OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 12: Buddy Boeheim #14 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 12, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Since our last update, two more former Orange have made appearances in the NBA. Buddy Boeheim was signed to a two-way deal by the Oklahoma City Thunder in early February and Kadary Richmond joined the Wizards on a 10-day contract.
Buddy has appeared in 3 games with OKC making 2 of his 6 shots (all from 3) for the defending NBA Champions. Minutes will certainly be limited, but sticking with a franchise that is going to need to keep looking for value to fill out their roster isn’t a bad spot. Especially when you get to be on a team that will be a threat to win a title for the upcoming future.
Asked Isaiah Joe about fellow shooter Buddy Boeheim:
“He’s a great guy, a great shooter. We always have our competition every day. You can see whenever he touches the floor with the minutes that he gets that he’s always ready to knock a shot down.” pic.twitter.com/iQliqOWzDY
Richmond has also played 3 games, but on a Wizards team in full-tank mode, he’s gotten a lot more playing time. Kadary is averaging 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists. In his last game against Indiana, he picked up 6 steals in 31 minutes.
The duo joins Jerami Grant as former Orange to see minutes in NBA games this year. Grant is currently averaging 18.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for Portland. The TrailBlazers are looking like they will make the Play-In games so there’s a good chance Grant sees post-season action this spring.
We’ll keep tabs on these players as the NBA season starts to wind down.
MUNICH (AP) — Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown says a long-time dream will come true after his team was confirmed to play in the NFL game in Munch this year.
St. Brown's mother was born in Germany and his career has been closely followed by the NFL's large German fan base.
“It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown said in a league statement on Tuesday.
“I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”
Detroit's opponent will be confirmed later. The Munich game is part of a record schedule of nine international games in 2026 including new host cities in France, Australia and Brazil.
The NFL is heading back to Munich for its third game at a stadium better known as the home of German soccer champion Bayern Munich. The city hosted the NFL's first game in Germany in 2022 and another in 2024. Frankfurt and Berlin have also hosted games.
PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Pakistan won the toss against England and elected to bat first in the Twenty20 World Cup Super Eights game on Tuesday.
“It looks like a good pitch. We want to put up an above-par score and defend that,” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said.
England started the second round with a resounding 51-run win over co-host Sri Lanka at the same venue last Sunday while Pakistan’s opening game against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo.
England has a lot of knowledge about the conditions in Pallekele, where it has won all four T20s over the last few weeks, including a 3-0 series win against Sri Lanka before the tournament.
Pakistan batters have been struggling in the tournament and, except for opener Sahibzada Farhan, the World Cup leading run-scorer with 220, no one else has scored more than 100 runs.
Pakistan left out allrounder Faheem Ashraf and brought back fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi while mystery spinner Usman Tariq was preferred over leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.
England captain Harry Brook hoped the “fresh pitch” would play better for chasing.
England named the same XI for the fifth match in a row in the tournament, staying faithful to struggling opener Jos Buttler.
___
Lineups:
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (captain), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies is seen on a video monitor as he delivers a pitch in the first inning of game 2 in a series between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on September 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, that’s the name they went with. Remember when everyone was excited about Wandavision? Are you more or less excited about this? What about just this name? In any case, read on. Or, just go here, which has all the details that I’ll attempt to summarize: https://www.mlb.com/braves/schedule/watch.
Basically, BravesVision is the new, wholly-Braves-owned media home for the team. Since chances are that you are reading this to understand how you can watch the Braves in 2026, let’s go through the options, based on the information provided in the above link.
Cable or satellite. BravesVision is a direct-to-distributor model, so it will work just like Bally Sports/FanDuel used to in this regard. Your current cable/satellite provider is currently negotiating with the Braves on fees for adding BravesVision to their list of channel offerings. If they successfully negotiate, then you’ll have access to BravesVision (possibly within your tier, or you’ll have to change tiers, I don’t know, I haven’t had cable in decades). If not, you’ll need to use another option. Things like YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV are probably in a similar boat: they can either successfully negotiate to have BravesVision, or not.
Over the air. As mentioned before, some but not all games will be simulcast on Gray Media. There’s a handy map identifying the over-the-air Gray Media station for a given locality at the link above. This won’t cover every game the Braves play, but it is something.
In-market streaming. In addition to the direct-to-distributor offering, the Braves are also offering a direct-to-consumer channel called Braves.TV. Basically, this is essentially the single-team MLB.tv package, but Braves-branded. There are no blackouts when you buy this, but, see the next clause: this is an in-market package only. In other words, if you were blacked out because you lived in the Braves’ “home broadcast area” per the MLB.tv regional map, you can use this to get every non-national broadcast Braves game. Yay for you. You can also upgrade your subscription to include all the out-of-market MLB.tv games, too, if you want all Braves games and basically every other game, too. I don’t know anything about pricing at this time, but it’ll likely be comparable to other single-team MLB.tv packages, a la ~$20 per month. It is unclear exactly how stringent the offering structure is going to be — will you be able to get Braves.tv if you live not that far outside the Braves’ region per the blackout map? I have no idea, stay tuned! Theoretically, the Braves aren’t supposed to sell a direct-to-consumer streaming option to people living outside their local rights footprint, but… it’s a digital transaction with a login. Will they inadvertently or purposefully end up doing so anyway? Anyway, there’s no link to sign up yet, but stay tuned.
Out-of-market streaming. Nothing has changed here. MLB.tv will still carry all Braves games, but will black out any games in your local market. For me, that’s Red Sox games. For you, it might be something else. Actually, I lied: what has changed is the insane rigmarole that ESPN absorbing MLB.tv is now imposing on folks that want to subscribe to MLB.tv for the first time. But, if you already have MLB.tv, then nothing has really changed for you.
Does that cover everything? What questions do you have?
Probably the key thing here for the Braves financially is that BravesVision is apparently owned (and possibly wholly owned?) by the Braves. While we don’t know exactly what this means for the franchise financially at this point, it does open up opportunities that they didn’t previously have in terms of revenue and profit — including earnings based on their in-market TV rights that would not be subject to the league’s revenue sharing requirements.
Anyway, stay tuned, but hopefully the above was helpful. Theoretically, there should be more clarity on deals with distributors as we hurtle towards Opening Day.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets during the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Clover Park on February 21, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.(Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets topped the defending American League Champion Blue Jays 4-3 to earn their second spring win. Newcomer Tobias Myers earned the win in his first outing with the club after pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Vidal Bruján did leave the game with an injury after stealing second base.
Clay Holmes, who started yesterday’s game for the Mets and threw 57 pitches over 3 2/3 innings, talked about being recruited to the join Team USA in the WBC by ex-Yankee Andy Pettitte.
Juan Soto is determined to become the first Mets’ MVP, and even more determined to steal the crown from perpetual winner Shohei Ohtani, saying, “I’ve got to find a way to beat him.”
Darryl Strawberry was ‘shocked’ that Pete Alonso left the Mets, and believes the former Mets’ first baseman will regret the decision to leave New York. Strawberry, who made a similar move in his career and has noted his own regret at leaving New York, said he disagreed with Alonso’s decision.
Speaking of ex-Mets, Brandon Nimmo squashed any claims of their being clubhouse issues with the 2025 squad.
It looks like former Mets beat writer Adam Rubin has lobby for a job with the Pirates as their new Director of Communications.
Around the National League East
Ronald Acuña Jr. has returned to the leadoff spot for the Braves.
Buster Olney compiled a list of the top ten third basemen in baseball, with Bo Bichette coming in at seventh.
Jeff Kent ended up answering a call he believed was a spam call, only for it to be Johnny Bench on the other end of the line.
Bryce Harper dished on MLB’s number one prospect, Pittsburgh’s Konnor Griffin, whom he said will be a ‘stud’.
Brewers assistant GM Will Hudgins discussed the science of measuring players for the ABS system, which is difficult because, “People shrink over the course of a day”. Hudgins is Milwaukee’s point person on ABS.
In the loss to the Mets, Kazuma Okamoto hit his first home run as a member of the Blue Jays.
Colson Montgomery of the White Sox, who was an ex-Indiana baseball recruit, learned a lesson in the Hoosier football’s title run
Michael McGreevy of the Cardinals was convinced the baseballs were different this year, until he learned they were batting practice balls.
Coming off a year in which he earned a World Series ring as a member of the Dodgers, old friend Michael Conforto has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs. Chicago skipper Craig Counsell spoke about his team’s latest signing.
Alex Vesia felt the love from fans in an emotional return to the mound.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Chris McShane previewed Nate Lavender’s 2026 campaign, while Linus Lawrence did the same for catcher Ben Rortvedt.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1966, Tom Seaver signed a $40,000 deal with the Braves, a contract that was later nullified by Commissioner William Eckert, who said Seaver was ineligible to sign because he played two exhibition games earlier in the year with his collegiate baseball team. One year later, he was a Met, and the rest is history.
The Washington Wizards head to State Farm Arena tonight to face the Atlanta Hawks, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Jalen Johnson is doing it all, and I’m eyeing him facilitate at a high level in my Wizards vs. Hawks predictions.
Read more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, February 24.
Wizards vs Hawks prediction
Wizards vs Hawks best bet: Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 assists (-145)
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson was deservedly an All-Star earlier this month as he continues to thrive in a career year. He's developed into a tremendous playmaker, ranking fifth in the Association in assists, averaging 8.1 per game.
While he’s only hit the Over once in three games since the break, Johnson is up against the horrendous Washington Wizards tonight, who are allowing the second-most assists per game in the NBA.
He’s also averaged 9.5 dimes against Washington this season across two meetings. He’ll pick them apart.
Wizards vs Hawks same-game parlay
CJ McCollum is averaging 18.8 points across 19 games with the Hawks. He has cashed the Over in two of his last three, and there’s always motivation when you play against your former team.
Johnson isn’t the only Hawk having a big year, as Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging a career-high 19.9 points, and he’s also shooting the triple at a 37.2% clip.
Alexander-Walker is averaging 3.0 makes on 8.2 attempts per night, and he’s hit the Over in treys in back-to-back contests.
Wizards vs Hawks SGP
Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 assists
CJ McCollum Over 18.5 points
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 made threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Breaking the spell
Onyeka Okongwu has cashed the Over in rebounds in two of his last three appearances.
Wizards vs Hawks SGP
Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 assists
CJ McCollum Over 18.5 points
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 made threes
Onyeka Okongwu Over 7.5 rebounds
Wizards vs Hawks odds
Spread: Wizards +13.5 (-115) | Hawks -13.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Wizards +575 | Hawks -850
Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)
Wizards vs Hawks betting trend to know
The Atlanta Hawks have hit the 3Q Game Total Over in 21 of their last 30 games at home (+10.70 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Hawks.
How to watch Wizards vs Hawks
Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
MNMT, FDSN SE-ATL
Wizards vs Hawks latest injuries
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England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Tom Banton, 5 Harry Brook (capt), 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Jamie Overton, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Adil Rashid.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 19: A detail of the Atlanta Braves A logo on a hat during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Monday, the it was reported that the Braves could be joining with a few other pro teams in the Southeast on a new RSN for the games in 2026 and perhaps beyond. Well moments ago, the Braves officially announced the new home for their games this season, BravesVision:
Obviously, there will be more to come on this exciting new venture for the Braves and the future of their TV Broadcasts. Make sure to stick with Battery Power for the latest.
Braves News
Mark Bowman looks at some early Spring observations for the Braves, including the current setup for the top of the lineup and the starting rotation.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against Ben Sheppard #26 of the Indiana Pacers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pacers 113-104. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a desperately needed win over a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves team. Now they head to Indiana for the final stop on this three-game road trip, where they’ll face the Pacers with a chance to finish 2–1.
For the Sixers, the win couldn’t have come at a better time. Losses had started to pile up, and with the Orlando Magic and other play-in teams closing in on the sixth and final playoff spot, the pressure was building. Still, there were plenty of positives to take from that performance.
Tyrese Maxey was instrumental in the blowout victory, delivering his best outing in weeks. He scored 39 points on an efficient 16-of-28 shooting, added eight assists and came up with two steals. Maxey went toe-to-toe with Anthony Edwards and consistently answered when Minnesota threatened to make a run.
The Timberwolves boast far more perimeter defensive talent than the Pacers, which makes Maxey’s performance even more encouraging. With Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined, Maxey has drawn heavy defensive attention, so it was especially promising to see him put together such an efficient game in a comfortable win. He’ll look to carry that momentum into a matchup against a Pacers team that doesn’t offer the same level of defensive resistance on the perimeter.
Beyond Maxey, there was more backcourt success for the Sixers. Rookie VJ Edgecombe was phenomenal, matching up against one of his favorite active players in Edwards. He shot a blistering 6-for-7 from three and once again showed off his midrange game, which helped open everything up for him offensively.
Quentin Grimes also delivered his best performance in quite some time, finishing with an efficient 19 points and, perhaps even more importantly, seven assists. With Embiid’s status still up in the air, it will be another crucial outing for the Sixers’ trio of guards.
The Pacers’ season has had its share of highs, but far more lows, and that’s understandable given the circumstances. Franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton is still working his way back from an Achilles injury, in addition to dealing with shingles. As it stands, Indiana sits 15th in the Eastern Conference and appears focused on the draft lottery. They’re just one game “ahead” of Brooklyn for the second-best odds, clearly hoping to land a true difference-maker in what has largely become a gap year.
That said, this isn’t a team devoid of talent. Pascal Siakam remains a steady presence, though he’s coming off a brief absence for personal reasons. Andrew Nembhard has taken advantage of expanded opportunities, averaging an impressive 17.2 points and 7.5 assists in nearly 32 minutes per game. Indiana has also added pieces like Ivica Zubac to bolster the rotation, though he won’t suit up tonight.
We’ve seen what this group is capable of, especially coming off a Finals run, and they’ll be a team to watch once Haliburton returns next season. For now, though, the Sixers can’t afford to overlook them. Philadelphia has won the first two meetings by a combined 19 points, but both games were tighter than the final scores indicated. Even with the absences, Indiana has enough firepower and strong coaching to protect its home floor if the Sixers aren’t locked in.
The main storyline heading into tonight centers on Embiid. He’s officially listed as questionable with right shin soreness and knee management, which is the most encouraging designation he’s received since this latest setback. It’s at least a sign that things may be trending in the right direction. Elsewhere for the Sixers, George remains out due to suspension, and rookie Johni Broome is sidelined after tearing his meniscus.
Indiana has a lengthy injury report as well. Zubac, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Tyrese Haliburton and Johnny Furphy have already been ruled out. T.J. McConnell (hamstring soreness), Nembhard (back injury management), and Kam Jones (back soreness) are all listed as questionable. Siakam is doubtful with a wrist sprain, while Micah Potter is probable.
The Sixers could use all the breathing room they can get. They’ve already burned through much of the cushion they built up earlier in the season, and there isn’t much margin for error left. A win here would secure a 2-1 finish on the road trip, which, given the circumstances, would be a solid outcome.
The bigger question is whether they can build on their last performance. Was it the start of something, or just a night where everything finally broke their way? This matchup should give us a better sense of whether the Sixers are truly getting back on track.
Game Details
When: Sunday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, ID Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Pitcher Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning of a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 23, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Alex Vesia pitched a scoreless inning on Monday against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch, which in itself wasn’t all that irregular. After all, the left-hander has been a staple in the Dodgers bullpen for four years, including 142 scoreless appearances lasting at least one inning last season during that time, most on the Dodgers.
But this was his first game action since last season, and the first since he and his wife Kayla lost their newborn baby in October. That was not lost on Vesia, nor was it lost on the fans in Arizona, who gave him a nice ovation after finishing the 17-pitch inning.
“It’s been hard, actually. Hard in a good way. Because I want to interact with the fans and all that, but I know I have a job to do,” Vesia said. “Even on the back fields the first day, we walk out the doors, and (there were) cheers and lots of love.
“It means a lot to myself, and Kay too.”
News & notes
Outfielder Alex Call has yet to play in any of the three Dodgers Cactus League games this spring. He’s being slow-played with “a minor foot issue,” per Jack Harris of The California Post.
Gavin Stone gets the ball for the Dodgers on Tuesday, in his first game action in 542 days. Roki Sasaki starts Wednesday on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks and, per Plunkett, Tyler Glasnow will start Thursday against the Chicago White Sox.
Old friend Brent Honeywell Jr., who did not pitch in 2025 after pitching whenever needed the year before, signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, per Justice delos Santos of the San Jose Mercury News.
The Cleveland Cavaliers return home to Rocket Arena to host the New York Knicks in a battle between two Eastern Conference powerhouses.
Cleveland acquired James Harden for games like this, and my Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions expect a strong offensive showing.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, February 24.
Knicks vs Cavaliers prediction
Knicks vs Cavaliers best bet: James Harden Over 18.5 points (-115)
James Harden is averaging 18.7 points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, shooting an efficient 50% from inside the arc and 47% from downtown, and he has a terrific matchup tonight.
The New York Knicks don’t consistently trap high, and if they choose to guard him straight up, they’ll see a healthy diet of mid-range jumpers, pull-up threes, and layups.
Games like tonight are why the Cavs traded for Harden. They’ve lost two straight to the Knicks, but Harden is a wily and creative scorer, and I’m betting on a vintage scoring night from the veteran guard.
Knicks vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Karl-Anthony Towns leads the NBA in double-doubles and only needs a typical 22-10-3 line to clear his PRA combo prop.
Landry Shamet is averaging 13.7 points in 27 minutes since February 1, making 10 points a very reachable number.
Knicks vs Cavaliers SGP
James Harden Over 18.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists
Landry Shamet Over 9.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Cleveland rocks the house
Cleveland is deeper, healthier, and playing its best basketball at home. They are 8-2 straight up over their last 10 games and have more offensive firepower with Harden in the lineup.
Knicks vs Cavaliers SGP
James Harden Over 18.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists
Landry Shamet Over 9.5 points
Cavaliers moneyline
Knicks vs Cavaliers odds
Spread: Knicks +4 (-105) | Cavaliers -4 (-115)
Moneyline: Knicks +150 | Cavaliers -180
Over/Under: Over 231.5 (-110) | Under 231.5 (-110)
Knicks vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 17 games (+10.35 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Knicks vs Cavaliers
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Knicks vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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Dec 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; A detailed view of the Christmas snowflake patch and back of the jersey worn by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) while reacting during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a big challenge in front of them tonight. They’ll be hosting the New York Knicks in what could be a potential NBA Playoffs preview between two Eastern Conference contenders.
This is the second challenge Cleveland has faced this week. On Sunday, they lost to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
New York isn’t on the same tier as OKC. Nor do they play the same style. The Thunder win games on the defensive end, generating turnovers and slowing opponents down. New York leans the other way, posting the league’s third-best offense and 12th-best defense.
Cleveland is somewhere in between. This Cavalier squad hasn’t really formed an identity throughout the season. At times, they lean on their defensive frontcourt. Other times, they feel like they are at their best when the offense is leading the charge. It’s unclear which side of the ball they are truly at their best.
Either way, the Cavs have a chance to make a statement tonight with a win over a quality opponent. Let’s see how they approach this matchup.
The Mavericks were 1-3 over the past two weeks and remain firmly in 12th place in the West. They lost to Phoenix (120-111), the Lakers (124-104), and Minnesota (122-111), and beat Indiana (134-130). Naji Marshall led the team in scoring with 20.5 points per game. Cooper Flagg has missed the last three games with a foot contusion, while Kyrie Irving (knee) was ruled out for the year. Khris Middleton made his Mavericks debut against Phoenix.
Grade: B-
The Mavericks three losses in the last two weeks were by a combined 40 points. In those games, they were dead even with their opponents in the second through the fourth quarter. This leaves a 40-point discrepancy in those first quarters, which our very own Kirk Henderson described as a “masterclass in tanking”:
And it is. Throwing the first quarters of games, intentionally or not, actually makes it so that Dallas can have their cake and eat it too. We get three competitive quarters of basketball and a loss that moves them closer to the top five in the draft. A true win-win!
Jason Kidd still has the team playing hard every night. There will be wins in the next month and a half against superior opponents that come simply from them overlooking this team. It is hard to get up for games without Cooper Flagg, but a lot of the guys playing will be here next season. And knowing they will not lie down inspires hope that next season will not be another rebuild year, but one where the Mavericks try to get back to the playoffs. Dallas has Brooklyn, Sacramento, Memphis, and Oklahoma City on the slate this upcoming week. I would not be surprised if the Mavericks won two of those games.
Straight A’s: Naji Marshall
Marshall has earned A’s all year. He once again averaged over 20 points for a four-game stretch and shot over 50 percent from the field (57.1). He is efficient in a 2007 type of way, and while the Mavericks have no identity, he provides a steady hand and enjoyable basketball to watch. He is shooting a mind-boggling 68.9 percent at the rim this season, and makes floaters in the paint with an ease that I have never seen. He has quickly become one of my favorite Mavericks in recent memory.
Currently Failing: Tyus Jones
As of right now, the Mavericks starting point guard spot next year is still wide open. I am sure Dallas targeted Jones at the trade deadline to vet him and see if there was anything there going forward. Unfortunately for Jones, he has not had a great audition thus far, shooting just 18.2 percent from three in 18 minutes a game. At 6’0”, he has a lot of the same issues that Ryan Nembhard has, except it seems like defenses pick on him even more than Nembhard. Jones has always been a steady hand on offense, averaging less than one (0.8) turnover per game in his career. But if he is not shooting the ball well, it’s hard to see how he fits next to Cooper Flagg going forward.
Extra Credit: Khris Middleton
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 22: Khris Middleton #20 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Jarace Walker #5 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mavericks are going to be doing a lot of losing until the end of the season. Whether that is through the injury report or the rotations, Dallas’ goal is to jockey for a better draft pick. Something that often gets overlooked in a so-called “tank” is the balance between losing and accidentally establishing a losing culture. It truly is a tightrope, and one that a lot of organizations cannot walk without falling. Khris Middleton, like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, has won a championship. He has played winning basketball nearly his entire career and is another guy who can level the ship if the water seeps through the cracks. Dallas had lost 10 in a row entering Sunday’s contest in Indiana. And, like someone messaged one of my group chats, “I don’t think it’s good for anyone to lose 11 straight games”. Middleton’s 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists made sure they didn’t. His presence will benefit the Mavericks down the stretch more than it will hurt, even if he wins them a few more games than the organization would like. Ultimately, the draft will work out the way it was meant to, and establishing a winning culture now, before they start winning games, will be key to the quick turnaround they hope to have around Cooper Flagg.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras hits in the batting cage during spring training workouts Monday, February 16, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Today, let’s put our optimist hats on. It’s spring training, after all — the possibilities seem endless! I’m going to go player-by-player through the position players likely to be on the major league team this season (with a few bonuses at the end) and think about what a season looks like for them if everything goes right. In some cases, it’s a result, and in some cases, it’s going to be a “goal,” but these are all related to that central question: what if things go well?
There’s a hypothetical companion piece to this article about worst-case scenarios, but let’s just say that everyone’s entry is “gets injured” and not worry about it.
William Contreras: Top three MVP?
I originally wanted to ask if Contreras could be a top-five MVP candidate, but he’s already done that — he finished fifth in 2024. So let’s turn it a little bit higher. With Shohei Ohtani back to his fully-operational self, it’s going to be difficult for non-Ohtani players to get into the top National League spot, but what about second or third?
One of my bold predictions last year was that Contreras was going to get into that conversation, and I thought my reasoning was sound: the Brewers were likely to be good, I thought they would win the NL Central, and their best player should get some love in the MVP race.
Well, Contreras started poorly last year, which pretty much killed any chance of that happening… but there was definitely some room at the top of the NL — Kyle Schwarber finished second in MVP voting and didn’t even crack five WAR.
I’m going to stick to my reasoning, here: even if I don’t think Contreras has much of a chance to actually win the MVP, if he has his best season (at age 28, typically the start of the baseball “prime”) and the Brewers again compete for “best team in the league” status, it’s not hard to envision a scenario where he finishes as high as second.
Gary Sánchez: Have an ISO of at least .200
From 2016-2021, Sánchez never had an isolated power (slugging minus batting average) number lower than .218. (For reference, Christian Yelich, who led the Brewers in homers in 2025, had a .188 ISO last season.) Since then, Sánchez’s isolated power has dipped: numbers of .172, .171, and .187 surrounded a good 2023 season in which he had 19 homers in 75 games (and a .275 ISO).
As the backup to one of the best catchers in the league on a team that has a more-or-less full-time DH, Sánchez is not likely to get very many opportunities this season, but if he can hit some tanks — which he’s certainly still capable of — in his limited playing time, it will be a successful season for him.
Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers: Show us that last season wasn’t a fluke
Andrew Vaughn’s journey has been spoken about at length. He was an immensely talented prospect who reached the White Sox early and held his own… but whose progress stalled, and then went in reverse. He was sent to the minors in 2025, and his career looked to have reached a dead end. Then the Brewers traded for hi,m and he returned to the big leagues and performed as the player that everyone thought Andrew Vaughn would be in 2025 when he was drafted in 2019.
Bauers doesn’t have the same pedigree as Vaughn, but he was a top 100 prospect back in 2017 and 2018 who never really clicked in the majors. But last year, shortly before turning 30, Bauers seemed to figure something out. After an IL stint in July and August, Bauers hit .360/.458/.560 in 59 plate appearances from September first until the end of the season and, crucially, looked dangerous in the postseason. It’s a tiny sample, but it somehow felt sustainable.
The two sides of Milwaukee’s 2026 first base platoon have a lot to prove. The samples of big production are small for both. A rational person would expect both to return closer to the production levels of earlier in their careers. But if these gains in production are real, and the Brewers can get a full season out of the sluggers they had at the end of last year, it would help answer the question of where Milwaukee’s power will come from in 2026.
Brice Turang: Combine the last two seasons into one monster
In 2024, Brice Turang played Platinum-Glove-level defense and was one of the best baserunners in the league with 50 stolen bases in 56 attempts. In 2025, he leveled up at the plate and improved his power to a place that we didn’t really think was possible, with 28 doubles, 18 homers, and a 124 wRC+… but his defense and baserunning both took a step back.
What happens if you combine the offense of 2025 with the defense and baserunning of 2024?
In 2024, Ortiz had a 105 wRC+. In 2025, it was 67. Given the quality of his glove, Ortiz does not have to offer much offensively in order to be a valuable player, but he needs to offer more than he did. A 90 wRC+ would still be quite a bit below 2024, but it would get him back into the realm of respectability; Ozzie Smith became a first-ballot Hall of Famer because of the quality of his glove. His career wRC+? 90. (For Ortiz, Monday’s game was a good start!)
Perkins is in very much the same boat. His ideal role is as a fourth outfielder, where he can hit from either side of the plate and be a defensive ace when he comes into the game. With Garrett Mitchell hurt last season, Perkins was a bit overexposed offensively, and the postseason made it clear that he was overmatched. But if he can figure out a way to hit a little bit, whether that’s by hitting a few more homers (could he hit 10 in 400 plate appearances?) or trying to become a more effective slap hitter, he’ll give himself more of a shot at getting important playing time.
Luis Rengifo: Hit at least 15 homers
Rengifo hit 17 homers in 2022 and 16 in 2023, but he’s managed just 15 in 225 games since then. Getting that power back up (he needs to elevate the ball) will go a long way toward re-establishing Rengifo as an offensive weapon; if he can’t do that, he’s unlikely to play good enough defense to justify his place on the team.
David Hamilton: Do the little things, and hit righties a little
I’m not expecting a whole lot from Hamilton at the plate. Like Ortiz, he was pretty good there in 2024 and dreadful in 2025. I don’t see a ton of upside for Hamilton, though using him strictly against right-handed pitching is a good place to start; his career OPS is 177 points higher versus righties. But he can do the veteran utility player thing and make himself a big part of the team by playing good defense, taking walks, and running the bases well.
Christian Yelich: Keep the back healthy and hit 30 homers
It’s easy to forget that even though he struggled with his back down the stretch (concerning!) and looked helpless in the postseason, Yelich managed to play in 150 games in 2025 and hit 29 homers, the third-highest total of his career. At 34, it’s easy to imagine negative scenarios where Yelich’s health and declining athleticism prevent him from producing reliably ever again. But if he can keep his back healthy, he’s got a real shot at hitting 30 homers for the first time since his second-place MVP finish in 2019, and it would be huge for this power-starved team.
Jackson Chourio: Make The Leap
While it may have felt like 2025 was a mild disappointment for Chourio, whose overall production level was very much in line with his 2024 season, it is important to remember that he will still be one of the league’s youngest players when he enters his age-22 season in 2026. His production to this point — 6.0 WAR via Baseball Reference and 6.9 via FanGraphs — is in extremely rare air for a player his age.
Now, let’s see the leap. There were glimpses in the postseason last year, when Chourio looked up to the moment even as the rest of the offense floundered around him. It’s not difficult to see that Chourio can do things that not every other player can do; it’s just a matter of those tools maturing into steady production.
Maybe this is the year. Superstar arcs are not linear, something that I’ve explored before, but it sure feels like a Chourio breakout is coming sometime soon.
Garrett Mitchell: Play 130 games
We’re going to start there. Mitchell’s talent is intriguing, and before 2025, he was a popular candidate for “player on the verge of a breakout.” But that somehow feels like an incredibly long time ago: he has not been able to stay healthy for any meaningful length of time thus far in his career, and no matter how intriguing his tools and production have been, it does not matter if he can’t stay on the field.
Let’s do that first. I don’t really even care what the production is. We need to know what the Brewers have with Mitchell, and in order to do that, he needs to stay healthy.
Sal Frelick: Hit .300 with 30 doubles
Frelick showed steady improvement from 2024 to 2025, when he managed to put himself on the fringes of the batting title conversation by hitting .288 (seventh in the NL). Frelick is not going to become a power hitter. But he is already a useful offensive player — he had a 114 wRC+ last season, which is quite good. His walk rate has been steady the past couple of seasons, around 7.5%, which is fine. He hit 12 homers in 2025, which is pretty good for a player like Frelick. Can he bump that up just a little more?
Where I’d really like to see Frelick improve, though, is in doubles. Frelick may not profile as a home run hitter, but he only hit 20 doubles in 2025, and a player with Frelick’s profile — fast, a lot of contact — should do better than that. If Frelick could hit 30-40 doubles, that would really make him an offensive threat, even if he hits only 12-15 homers.
Let’s also get him to the .300 plateau, which only one National League hitter reached in 2025. A .300 hitter with 30 doubles, 15 homers, and a 7.5% walk rate is a dangerous offensive player, and likely an All-Star, given his quality in the field.
Brandon Lockridge: Outhit Perkins
Lockridge isn’t likely to start in the big leagues if everyone is healthy, but he’ll be just a phone call away. Lockridge is sort of like Perkins but without the switch-hitting; he’s not a very good hitter, but he’s fast and plays excellent outfield defense. But if he can do something offensively — he has two home runs through the first three days of spring training, and had back-to-back minor league seasons with double-digit homers in 2021-22 — he could create some difficult questions for the Brewers’ front office.
Meanwhile, some quick goal-oriented questions for some guys who’ll start in the minors:
Jett Williams: Is your defense ready for primetime, no matter where that is?
Jesús Made: Can you stay on the trajectory?
Jeferson Quero: Can you throw?
Cooper Pratt: The defense is ready; can you hit?
Brock Wilken: Can you be the second coming of Gene Tenace?
Luis Peña: Can you keep pace with your more-heralded teammate?
Andrew Fischer: How soon can you make them think about you as a big leaguer?
Do you remember how you felt when you heard that the Orioles signed Pete Alonso to a five-year contract? Shock was my biggest feeling. Alonso is an actual star and not the kind of player the Orioles have gone after in a long time.
Alonso has been an All-Star for the last four seasons. He’s played at least 150 games in each of those seasons and, including 162 in both 2024 and 2025. Last year, he hit 38 home runs and 41 doubles. In the last five seasons, he has slugged 195 home runs, ranging from 34-46 each year. The dude can flat out hit.
There is a question of Alonso’s defense at first base. He has been a below-average fielder his entire career, and last season he posted a Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) of -9. Statcast rates his range and arm both poorly, though at least at first base he won’t be making a lot of tough throws.
Multiple projection systems point to another strong season for Alonso:
ZiPS: 152 games, 38 HR, .274/.348/.536, wRC+ 143
Baseball Reference: 648 PA, 33 HR, .247/.331/.484
Do any of those numbers stack up to your expectations? How many home runs do you think our new home run king will hit? Will his durability continue, or will he finally fall to injury? ZiPs, which is higher on Alonso than BRef, projects an fWAR of 4.1. That would be the second-best of his career. Is that realistic?
Since he signed with the Orioles in December, Pete Alonso has said and done all the right things. But until we see his performance on the field, I will be nervous. That has less to do with Alonso’s history and more to do with my personal insecurity as an Orioles fan.
