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Armour: My apologies, Big Ten. I was wrong to doubt you

CHICAGO – I owe you an apology, Big Ten.

I said after the Big Ten tournament the conference still didn’t have a team capable of winning the NCAA men’s title. That Michigan wasn’t all it was hyped to be. That Yaxel Lendeborg wasn’t the factor a Player of the Year candidate should be.

Don’t I look stupid now. That’s a rhetorical question. Of course I do. I was wrong about all of it.

More: Elliot Cadeau is a 'savant' for Michigan, his hearing and vision be damned

A story of unbreakable resolve: Inside Ben McCollum's 'insane' Iowa ride to Elite Eight

The Big Ten will have half the teams in the Elite Eight, with Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Purdue still alive. Iowa, a ninth seed, is playing as well as anyone left. And Michigan? They’re not as good as initially advertised.

They’re better.

As for Lendeborg, all he did was suck the life out of Alabama with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in the first 7:51 of the second half. He’d finish with 23 points, 12 boards, seven assists and two steals in top-seeded Michigan’s 90-77 win on Friday, March 27.

“I think we're the best conference in the country,” Lendeborg said. “It was pretty much a dog fight almost every night. And it definitely helped us out.”

Big Ten's title drought

A Big Ten team hasn’t won the national men’s title since Michigan State’s Flintstones back in 2000. It’s not that the conference hasn’t had its chances. It has. Plenty of them. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin have all played in the title game, with the Wolverines doing it twice.

But all of them seemed to be built more to survive the Hunger Games that is the Big Ten season than hang with the best from the ACC, SEC and Big East.  

Not this year. Rather than cannibalizing each other, it’s sharpened them.

“College basketball has been cyclical forever. Hopefully this is a long cycle for us in the conference,” Michigan coach Dusty May said.

The money that’s pouring into college athletics now is a factor. The Big Ten schools making a run this March haven’t flinched when it comes to finding the cash necessary to support top-tier programs.

But the addition of the West Coast teams — UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington — has also helped, May said.

“We're developing a different type of basketball identity,” he said. “I do think some of the newer coaches have brought a different flavor. I think at times it seems the Big Ten is kind of cut and paste. You know, you turn on one game and it looks pretty much like the other three that are going on at the exact same time. Just wearing different color jerseys.”

The Big Ten is still rough and tumble. If you don’t have a couple of bruises after a conference game, you haven’t left the bench. But the days of first-team-to-40-wins are over.

Not the Big Ten of old

The Big Ten teams can play with pace. Any pace. You want to run and gun? They’ll grab their track shoes. You want to slow it down? They can work the shot clock.

They can hit 3s and they can score in the paint. And, of course, they can play defense.

Take Michigan. As tenacious as it is defensively — the Wolverines held the highest-scoring team in the country to 28 points in the second half — it’s got plenty of flash. It shot nearly 50% from 3-point range, and Lendeborg made a defender look silly with his step-back 3 to start the second half.

And when Big Ten teams are playing anybody else, it’s like the training wheels have been taken off.

“Today I felt like the game was a lot more free-flowing. Not many times did I get chucked while I was trying to cut,” Lendeborg said. “It definitely helps me out. It definitely makes me slow the game down a lot more. I can find more reads than I would in the Big Ten.”  

It's the same for the rest of the Big Ten teams. Purdue, Iowa, Illinois — they still have old-school sensibilities but without the stodginess. At this point, any one of them can win it all.

Only a fool would think otherwise.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten proving me wrong in March Madness. I owe it an apology

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First Game, First Win, First Goal: A Victory Of Firsts For The Rangers' Youth

Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

First game, first win, first goal.

The New York Rangers’ 6-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night was headlined by a number of NHL firsts for a few of the Blueshirts’ young players. 

The main storyline going into Friday night’s game was the highly anticipated debut of Drew Fortescue, who signed his entry-level contract with the Rangers last week after completing his junior season at Boston College.

Fortescue played a total of 17:23 minutes and recorded his first NHL point, assisting Jonny Brodzinski’s goal in the third period. 

“I thought he was solid,” Mike Sullivan said of Fortescue. “For the most part, he played the game with composure. He didn't just throw pucks away. He made some outlet passes. He had good poise. I thought he had a high-panic threshold. He didn't throw pucks away when he was under pressure, he protected it. He defended well. I think he's got a good stick, decent mobility. There's a lot to like about Drew's game. For such a young kid in his first NHL game, I thought he played really well.”

In his second NHL game, Adam Sýkora recorded his first NHL goal, on a two-on-one chance with Will Cuylle. 

The excitement from Sýkora was evident, as he celebrated with passion, and his teammates were ecstatic for the young rookie, who could be seen embracing him on the bench.  

“I couldn't describe the feeling,” Sýkora said about his first NHL goal. “You play the first game (Wednesday), then you have a goal. I just appreciate every moment here to be around these guys and... help them to win games. And just enjoy every second I got an opportunity to play here.”

Sýkora has spent multiple years playing with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, creating a reputation for himself as a player who plays with ferocious energy and a personality that is infectious. 

That same energy, both on and off the ice, has been felt since the Rangers called him up earlier this week.

“He’s a dog on the bone on the puck,” Sullivan said of Sýkora. “Doesn’t matter what the score is, he’s going to give you 110%… His personality is infectious. You could see the reaction of his teammates when he scored the goal. I think that speaks volumes of what they think of him as a person.”

Dylan Garand was able to notch his first NHL victory in a moment he says that he’ll never forget. 

The 23-year-old goalie made 27 saves on 28 shots, and in his two starts since taking over the backup goaltending job for the injured Jonathan Quick, Garand has caught the eye of Sullivan. 

Drew Fortescue Slated To Make NHL Debut For Rangers Against BlackhawksDrew Fortescue Slated To Make NHL Debut For Rangers Against BlackhawksIt’s been about a year since Drew Fortescue, along with some of his Boston College teammates, were watching Gabe Perreault make his NHL debut for the New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/">Rangers</a>.

“I thought he looked really solid in there, and that's the second game in a row I felt that way so. It's two really good starts for him and I'm happy for him because I know how hard he's worked to get to this point,” Sullivan said of Garand. “It's great for our team, it's great for our organization... The feeling I've gotten behind the bench in the two starts that he's had is that he's completely in control and he has good composure in there.”

While the Rangers may be eliminated from playoff contention with less than 10 games remaining in the 2025-26 season, this is an opportunity for the young players to make their mark with the organization and prove their worth moving forward.

“I think we're all hungry,” Garand said. “This is kind of, for some of us, our opportunity. Guys like me and [Adam Sýkora], we've been playing in Hartford for a long time and we finally get to play games. We're hungry and we're excited to try and help this team win in any way we can. It's a lot of fun right now.”

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Nate Oats says Charles Bediako would have helped Alabama in Sweet 16 loss to Michigan

In the moments after his Alabama men’s basketball team’s dreams of a Final Four were dashed, coach Nate Oats shifted his attention to the subject that, for better or worse, defined the Crimson Tide’s 2025-26 season.

After falling to No. 1 seed Michigan 90-77 in the Sweet 16 on Friday, March 27 in Chicago, Oats addressed Alabama’s lack of rebounding against Michigan by mentioning a player who didn’t — and couldn't — suit up for the Tide.

Former G-League player Charles Bediako’s painfully prolonged fight for additional eligibility captured the attention of much of the college basketball world for nearly a month as the former Alabama center tried to return to the program he left in 2023 when he declared for the NBA Draft.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan vs Alabama highlights: Wolverines take down Crimson Tide, advance to Elite 8

Thanks to a temporary restraining order granted to him by an Alabama judge, Bediako was able to play five games for the Tide, averaging 10 points and 4.6 rebounds during a stretch in which his team went 3-2.

It was a short-lived reunion, though, with the temporary restraining order expiring and another Tuscaloosa, Alabama circuit court judge denying Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, effectively ending his season and his college career.

Though the Bediako drama was resolved more than a month ago, Oats couldn’t help but think of the impact the seven-foot center would have had for a team that had an underwhelming frontcourt for much of the season.

“We know we've got to get bigger,” Oats said. “Some of it was injuries and stuff that happened. When we saw the opportunity to bring some size on after all the adversity we went through and after (James) Nnaji was declared eligible and most people, including ourselves, thought if they were going to declare Nnaji eligible that Bediako would be eligible. We had one judge who thought so. He would've definitely helped the situation with the rebounding...We would not have gotten out-rebounded by 13 tonight had we been able to continue to play him.”

“It wasn’t meant to be," Oats added later. "God had something different in store for us.”

Though he never played in an NBA game, Bediako was in the G-League for three seasons and played a game for the Motor City Cruise only a few days before he was granted the temporary restraining order to return to Alabama.

In the loss to Michigan, the Tide were outrebounded 46-32 and gave up 13 offensive boards.

The Sweet 16 appearance was Alabama’s fifth in the past six years. Prior to that run, the Tide hadn’t made it to the second week of the tournament since 2004.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nate Oats says Charles Bediako would have helped Alabama in Sweet 16 loss to Michigan

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Tiernan scores the game-winner in 2-1 Angel City victory over the Houston Dash

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Riley Tiernan scored the go-ahead goal and Angel City defeated the Houston Dash 2-1 on Friday night in the National Women's Soccer League.

Sveindís Jónsdóttir also scored for Angel City, which has won each of its first three matches for the best start in team history.

Maggie Graham scored for the Dash, who lost for the first time this season.

Graham's header in the 10th minute gave the Dash (2-1-0) the early lead. It was her first goal of the season.

Jónsdóttir got her third goal of the season in the 47th minute. The shot from distance sailed into the upper corner of the net out of Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell's reach. It was the first goal that Houston had allowed this season.

Two minutes later, Tiernan scored in a scramble in front of the Dash goal. Tiernan has four career winning goals.

Angel City (3-0-0) was coming off a 3-1 win at Bay FC last weekend. Jónsdóttir had two goals in that match and was named the NWSL Player of the Week.

Houston was coming off a 3-0 victory over the expansion Boston Legacy.

Angel City won both of its matches against the Dash last season.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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Blue Jays Start Season Dramatically, Walk Off the A’s

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 27: Andrés Giménez #0 of the Toronto Blue Jays has a Gatorade bucket thrown on him after hitting a walk off RBI single in the ninth inning by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 during the game between the Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Thomas Skrlj/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

That was fun. The pitching was mostly excellent, and interesting where not. The offence struggled but battled and got just enough done. That’s not how the Jays will hopefully do a lot of their winning this year, but it’s nice to be able to come through in multiple ways.

Kevin Gausman was phenomenal. He began his season by striking out the side, and didn’t allow a base-runner until Shea Langeliers opened the scoring with a one-out home run in the fourth. That would be his only blemish on the night. He got through six in just 83 pitches, but I think John Schneider reasonably concluded that that was enough for his first outing of the year no matter how easy he was making it look. His last pitch of the night was a 96mph fastball, which hopefully augurs well for his form for the rest of the season.

Luis Severino looked pretty strong himself early on. A Vladimir Guerrero jr. walk in the first was the only Jays runner through three. They threatened to tie it in the fourth, with Nathan Lukes working a lead off walk and Vlad recording the Jays’ first hit with a ground ball single, but an Addison Barger double play ball and another ground out prevented them from capitalizing. They finally took the lead in the fifth. Kazuma Okamoto walked and Ernie Clement lined a double to set the table. Tyler Soderstrom badly misplayed a soft Andres Gimenez liner, calling off centre fielder Denzel Clarke and then letting the ball get past him. It was ruled a triple, but really it was a three base mental error that put Toronto in front 2-1.

That score would hold for a while. Severino got out of the inning, and Scott Barlow retired the Jays in order in the bottom of the sixth. Louis Varland allowed a walk and a single to open the seventh, but escaped on a double play and a strikeout. Barlow got two more outs in the bottom half around a line single by Okamoto. Hogan Harris took over and walked Gimenez but then got Springer to ground out. Tyler Rogers and Harris traded scoreless eighths.

Jeff Hoffman had an eventful ninth. He got some help from a smart ball challenge by Alejandro Kirk to strike out Nick Kurtz leading off, but then Langeliers’ second bomb of the night tied it at two. Hoffman rallied to strike out Soderstrom swinging, but the third strike was on a slider that bounced in the batter’s box and got past Kirk. It was ruled a strikeout and wild pitch. He rallied, striking out Brent Rooker and Jacob Wilson to end the inning. Hoffman becomes the third Blue Jay to record four strikeouts in an inning, following Mike Bolsinger in 2017 and Steve Delabar in 2012.

Justin Sterner came on to try to preserve the tie, and it looked like he was going to do it after he got ground outs from the first two Jays batters. Luckily, it wasn’t to be. Okamoto started the rally with a ground ball single, his second hit and third time on of the night. Clement chopped one softly up the line into left field for his second double, and Gimenez finished it off with a sharp ground ball single to secure the win.

Jays of the Day: Andres Gimenez (0.58!!), Ernie Clement (0.15), Kevin Gausman (0.21), Tyler Rogers (0.12), and Kazuma Okamoto has to get a nod for reaching base three times in his North American debut.

Send em’ back to Dunedin: Addison Barger (-0.18), George Springer (-0.13), Alejandro Kirk (-0.14), Jeff Hoffman (-0.21).

We’ll be back tomorrow afternoon at 3:07pm ET. Jeffrey Springs will take on new Blue Jay Dylan Cease. See you all there.

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Blackhawks Routed By Rangers 6-1 At Madison Square Garden On Friday

The Chicago Blackhawks took on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Friday night. This was the third game out of four on their East Coast road trip. 

The first game of the trip on Tuesday night was an impressive win over the New York Islanders, while they were blown out by the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. This game, the second half of a back-to-back, was a chance for the Blackhawks to bounce back. 

Earlier in the week, Anton Frondell made his NHL debut, while Sacha Boisvert did one game later. The excitement of their first games is in the past, and now it's about getting them to become contributors on the team. 

After losing to Philadelphia 5-1 on Thursday, they were beaten by the Rangers 6-1 one night later. It’s a young team, and it showed by being outscored 11-2 over two nights. 

Nick Lardis scored Chicago’s lone goal on Friday by getting himself into a good position so he could take advantage of a pretty passing play by every skater on the ice. That’s three goals in the last four games for Lardis, who continues to find the back of the net no matter what level he’s at.

From there, the Rangers scored six unanswered to skate home with a 6-1 victory. Although New York and Chicago are at the same level in the standings,  the former has veterans who can bring their A-game on any given night, which is usually enough to take down a young team like the Blackhawks. 

The excitement of two prospects joining the lineup has gone away, but they were both noticeable in the loss to the Rangers.

For Frondell, who led all Blackhawks forwards in ice-time, he had one play where he stripped US Olympian JT Miller of the puck and found Connor Bedard all alone in front of the net. The shot was saved, but more often than not, that effort will result in goals. It was one of many noticeable plays that Frondell had over the course of the match.  

As for Sacha Boisvert, he participated in his first career NHL fight. He mentioned that as a desire of his right when he signed, and now he has that checked off his list. 

The Blackhawks didn't go after JT Miller right away when he hit Artom Levshunov, but they handled it later on, and that eventually led to Boisvert's fight against Will Borgen. 

Making a name for himself in any way that he can is a key to earning a roster spot in 2026-27, and he’s done that through two games in limited ice time. As his role grows, so will his level of play. 

The Blackhawks poor results can mostly be attributed to bad puck possession and defensive decision-making. Shots aren’t the end-all, be-all, but giving up 39 or more in four of the last five games is not ideal.

The Rangers had just 10 against the Ottawa Senators a couple of nights ago, and they had 39 against the Blackhawks. There is a sincere difference in competitive level between the Blackhawks and other NHL teams right now. 

This is a tough stretch for the Blackhawks. No matter who is on the other side, a young team like them is going to struggle at times with all of their inexperience in the lineup. The core of the team must grind through and take that next step in their development, and it will only happen with reps like these. 

Wins over the Islanders are a glimpse into how good things can be, and defeats like these two late-week losses show how far away they are. 

Watch Every Chicago Goal

What’s Next For The Blackhawks?

The Chicago Blackhawks will be back in action again on Saturday night when they cross the Hudson River to take on the New Jersey Devils. 

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Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Heat – Jarrett Allen triumphant in return

Mar 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) drives to the basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers ran the Miami Heat off the floor. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.

WINNER – Jarrett Allen

In case you couldn’t tell, the Cavs missed Jarrett Allen. That was clear the moment he returned to the floor for his first game since March 3rd.

During that time without Allen, the Cavs ‘ defense had fallen off a cliff. They ranked 20th in defensive rating over the last two weeks. And, while their offense had been surging, it still felt like they were missing an important contributor.

Allen provided the goods as soon as he hit the hardwood.

In the opening minutes, Allen sealed Bam Adebayo in the paint for an easy post hook, pounded the glass for a few rebounds, and ran like the wind to finish an alley-oop jam. This trend repeated until he had 18 points and 10 rebounds midway through the third quarter.

“He’s been the best rim protector in the league post All-Star,” said Kenny Atkinson. “And then his rim presence offensively, I think sometimes without him, we become too perimeter oriented.”

Allen, in years past, has been the unsung hero of this team. I’m not so sure he’s being unsung anymore. Everyone in Rocket Arena seemed to appreciate the performance he just had. I know I did.

WINNER – Max Strus

Well, if the Cavs missed Jarrett Allen, you can say the same thing about Max Strus.

Strus already gave us an electric reintroduction when he hit Boston with a barrage of three-pointers in his first game of the season earlier this month. But after a few games of not having much success, Strus once again jolted back to life by erupting from downtown against his former team.

“Everything is game speed,” said Kenny Atkinson after the game. “He’s first in the gym, in the performance room, lifting, rehab, recovery, he does a phenomenal job taking care of his body — so I knew he had a little rest here, he didn’t play the last game, and so I kinda felt like he was going to come out and have a big game.”

It doesn’t take much to get Strus going. A semi-open jumper kicked it off. From there, any sliver of daylight meant Strus was launching it. The gravity that comes from having a player on a heater like this opened the floor for everyone else to attack. Miami wouldn’t dare to leave him.

Was it a revenge game? Or just Mad Max doing his thing? I don’t really care; it was awesome either way.

WINNER – Everyone Else

It was just one of those nights.

Who else can I shout out? James Harden, who put the Heat’s defense into a torture chamber and didn’t let them out until he had 17 points and 14 assists.

How about Evan Mobley, who padded his stats a bit in the fourth quarter, but punished Kel’el Ware in isolation after being embarrassed the game before. Mobley might have taken advantage of garbage time for 12 fourth-quarter points — but he owed them a little something extra.

The bench was all around much more impactful than last time. After only combining for 14 points in their first meeting, Cleveland’s bench had 50 points going into the fourth quarter against Miami this time around. Even if you subtract the points added by Strus, this was still a much better showing from them.

All in all, the Cavs were a well-oiled machine tonight. They played their hearts out defensively and couldn’t miss a shot on the other end. That’s how you build a 30+ point lead and get yourself back on track.

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Is Erik Karlsson The Best Player In Hockey Right Now? He Just Might Be.

If someone would have said prior to the start of the 2025-26 season that the Pittsburgh Penguins would be playing a large chunk of their second half without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, many would have drawn the conclusion that the season was going even worse than expected for them. And outside expectations certainly weren't very high to begin with.

In fact, even with Crosby and Malkin, most didn't expect the Penguins to be talking about potential first-round playoff matchups in late-March, let alone without their star forwards. But, here they are at second in the Metropolitan Division, and they've almost managed to make it through the toughest month of their entire schedule - and the toughest strength of schedule in the NHL - largely without at least one of them in the lineup.

And there have been many players who have stepped up in the absence of 87 and 71. Rickard Rakell has taken on first-line center duties and has seven goals and 15 points in the 16 games since the Olympic break - including six goals and 14 points in his last 11. Bryan Rust has seven goals and 19 points in those 16 games. Anthony Mantha has six goals and 11 points. Egor Chinakhov has six goals and 14 points. 

Even goaltenders Arturs Silovs and Stuart Skinner - despite some inconsistencies from both since the break - have done enough in a general sense to help keep the Penguins afloat and have come up with some big saves in big moments. 

But there is one player who has carried this team on his back, and he's separated himself as this team's MVP in not only this stretch, but arguably, for the entire season.

And that would be Erik Karlsson.

Karlsson, 35, was acquired by the Penguins in the summer of 2023 - GM and POHO Kyle Dubas's first summer with the organization - and his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, even if they weren't bad ones, were a bit underwhelming. And this is, especially, considering the fact that he was coming off an historic 29-goal, 101-point Norris Trophy campaign with the San Jose Sharks, which was the third of his hall-of-fame career. 

Takeaways: Several Penguins Step Up, Seize Two Points Against Ottawa Senators Despite Crosby InjuryTakeaways: Several Penguins Step Up, Seize Two Points Against Ottawa Senators Despite Crosby InjuryEven with captain Sidney Crosby exiting early in the second period, the Pittsburgh Penguins found a way to outlast the Ottawa Senators through a shootout, beating them 4-3 and securing a massive two points.

This season, however, the best version of Karlsson has re-emerged. And not only is he leading the charge to get this Penguins' team to the playoffs for the first time in four years - and the first time during his tenure in Pittsburgh - he's also, arguably, the best player in hockey during this playoff stretch run.

Karlsson is tied for second in the NHL in points (21) since Mar. 1, and he is tied for second in the NHL in goals since Mar. 16 (six). And the crazy thing is that the only NHL defensemen within spitting distance are Buffalo Sabres' blueliner Rasmus Dahlin and Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers, who each have 15 points since Mar. 1 and are 27th and 28th in the league since then.

These are elite forward numbers that Karlsson - a defenseman - is putting up. For the past month, his name has been up there with the likes of Nikita Kucherov, Martin Necas, Jack Hughes, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid. And it's not as if he's sacrificing defense to create offense, either, as Karlsson is playing one of the very best defensive seasons of his NHL career.

There is little debate that Karlsson is the very best player in the league right now. He is not just putting up elite, forward-level production game-in and game-out, and he is not just a product of what's happening around him. He has been, far and away, the best Penguins' player in the last month, and even if the players mentioned above are contributing to the cause, guys like Kucherov and Necas - the only guys who have more points than he does in March - have the benefit of other players like Jake Guentzel and MacKinnon, respectively, helping them lead their teams to comfortable playoff berths.

The Penguins are anything but comfortable. Although they completely control their own destiny, two points separate them and the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They are fighting for their playoff lives and continuously fending off teams below them in the standings, and they are doing it without Crosby and Malkin.

And that push, that fight, has been led by Karlsson. He is the x-factor. He is the difference-maker. He is the best player on the ice in nearly every single game at this point, carrying his team on his back and leading by example and by proxy. 

Simply put, the Penguins would not be in a playoff spot right now if not for Karlsson. He is playing some of the best hockey of his entire 17-year NHL career, and his unparalleled contributions have not gone unnoticed by his teammates.

Report: Penguins' GM Dubas Has No Plans To Trade Karlsson This OffseasonReport: Penguins' GM Dubas Has No Plans To Trade Karlsson This OffseasonMuch of the conjecture around the <a href="http://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> has changed over the course of the 2025-26 season, as the team's playoff-hopeful performance has shifted them from sure sellers trying to collect every possible asset to a team that is, perhaps, beginning to come out of the lowest point of their rebuild.

“He’s doing so much for us," Rakell said. "And it’s not just scoring goals. It’s the way he breaks out pucks and keeping a close cap on their entries and just dictating the game. Then, obviously, everybody knows his game. When he’s confident, he’s one of the best defensemen in our league still. He shows that he can do it all.”

If the Penguins make the playoffs - and, especially, if they play a good chunk of these next 10 games without 87 and 71 and still manage to make it - Karlsson deserves an enormous amount of credit for that. He also deserves to talk a potential contract extension with Dubas and the gang this summer.

And when the calendar month of March concludes, Karlsson should certainly be recognized as the NHL's first star since there has been no one better in hockey on both an individual basis and in terms of dragging his hobbled team to the postseason. 

BREAKING: Sidney Crosby Exits Game Against Ottawa Senators With Lower-Body InjuryBREAKING: Sidney Crosby Exits Game Against Ottawa Senators With Lower-Body InjurySidney Crosby was injured and did not return in a standings-critical matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!     

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Payton Pritchard scores 36 as the Celtics beat the Hawks 109-102

BOSTON (AP) — Payton Pritchard scored 36 points, Jayson Tatum had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 109-102 on Friday night.

Jalen Johnson scored 29 points and CJ McCollum had 21 for the Hawks, who came in 15-2 since the All-Star break, best in the Eastern Conference. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20 points but Atlanta’s shooting touch faded as the game progressed after a strong start.

Boston played without All-Star guard Jaylen Brown, who was ruled out with Achilles tendinitis.

Behind Pritchard’s spark off the bench and a dramatic swing beyond the arc, the Celtics caught the Hawks after trailing 25-9 in the first quarter. Boston made seven straight 3-pointers during the second quarter, but Johnson and Atlanta went into halftime up 60-55.

Fresh off an overtime victory over Eastern Conference leader Detroit, Atlanta entered the final quarter within striking distance of Boston, which has the East’s second-best record. Tatum had a tough night from the field, missing 16 of 24 shots, yet his spinning drive to the rim gave Boston a 97-86 lead with 7:29 remaining.

After getting fouled on a 3-point attempt with time winding down on the shot clock, Tatum sealed it with three free throws that gave Boston a 107-99 lead with a minute left.

The surging Hawks entered Friday with 14 wins in their last 15 games. They had their three-game winning streak snapped after shooting 39% from the field.

CLIPPERS 114, PACERS 113

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kawhi Leonard made a jumper with 0.4 seconds remaining, and Los Angeles rallied from a 24-point deficit to beat Indiana.

Leonard finished with 28 points, reaching 20 for the 50th straight game. Darius Garland led the Clippers with 30.

Los Angeles was run off the floor early by the team with the NBA’s worst record. The Pacers were a sizzling 8 for 11 from 3-point range in the first quarter, opening a 42-21 lead.

It grew to 45-21 early in the second before the Clippers stormed back for their fourth straight victory, giving coach Tyronn Lue the 400th of his career.

Indiana had gone back ahead 113-108 on Obi Toppin’s jumper with a minute to play. Leonard answered with a jumper, Garland made two free throws and the Clippers got the ball back after Pascal Siakam missed a jumper. They inbounded along the left side to Leonard, who dribbled into the middle and pulled up for the winner.

Leonard become the 14th NBA player to score at least 20 in 50 straight games, a streak that began Nov. 28.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 17 points against his former team, going 12 for 15 on free throws.

CAVALIERS 149, HEAT 128

CLEVELAND (AP) — Max Strus scored 29 points, Evan Mobley had 23 and Jarrett Allen came back from injury to add 18, leading Cleveland to a win over Miami in the second matchup between the teams in three days.

Strus made six of his eight 3-pointers in a 22-point first half as the Cavs bolted to a 35-point lead. He made one just ahead of the halftime horn to put Cleveland ahead 81-46 and cap the team’s highest scoring half this season.

The Cavs bounced back from a 120-103 loss to the Heat on Wednesday with a strong performance and matched the team record for points in a regulation game.

Allen’s return provided a major spark. He missed 10 games with tendinitis in his knee. The 27-year-old’s absence especially hurt on defense and deprived him time to build chemistry with star guard James Harden, whose acquisition at the trade deadline has raised title hopes.

Harden finished with 17 points and 14 assists, his most with Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell scored just six on 1 of 10 shooting.

THUNDER 131, BULLS 113

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points, and Oklahoma City used a 22-0 second-half run to power a win over Chicago.

The usually efficient Gilgeous-Alexander made just 8 of 24 shots. His teammates picked up the slack and helped the Thunder shoot 46.5% from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander still scored at least 20 points for a record 134th consecutive game.

Cason Wallace added 21 points for the Thunder, who were coming off a loss at Boston that followed a 12-game win streak. Oklahoma City got back on track, despite All-Star forward Chet Holmgren sitting out with a bruised right hip.

It was an important win for Oklahoma City, which is trying to hold off San Antonio for home-court advantage in the playoffs. The Thunder opened the night two games ahead of the idle Spurs with nine games to play and San Antonio holding the tiebreaker.

It was Thunder forward Jalen Williams’ first home game since Jan. 13. He had missed most of the past two months with a bruised right hip. The 2025 All-Star had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Collin Sexton scored 22 points, Tre Jones scored 21 and Isaac Okoro added 20 for the Bulls, who have lost four of five.

ROCKETS 119, GRIZZLIES 109

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 25 points and led a fourth-quarter rally as Houston pulled away from Memphis for a victory.

Jabari Smith Jr. added 21 points and 16 rebounds and Amen Thompson had 18 points as Houston ended a two-game slide. Durant also had 10 assists.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper led the Grizzlies with a career-high 31 points and had seven rebounds. GG Jackson and Javon Small each added 14 points as Memphis lost its fifth straight and 13th in its last 14.

The Grizzlies were trailing 96-93 near the 7-minute mark of the fourth when Durant returned and made a 3-pointer. That kickstarted a 14-3 run through the middle stages of the frame that grew the Rockets’ lead to 110-96.

The Rockets, who are in sixth place in the Western Conference, are closer to Minnesota in the fifth spot than they are in danger of falling into a play-in game. With the win, Houston pulled within a game of the idle Timberwolves and four games games ahead of Phoenix for seventh.

Memphis, which has dealt with several injuries, is limping to the end of the regular season, hoping to enhance its position in the draft lottery. Ten Grizzlies were on the injured list against Houston.

RAPTORS 119, PELICANS 106

TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes had 23 points and 12 assists, Jakob Poeltl had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Toronto beat New Orleans.

RJ Barrett, Sandro Mamukelashvili and J’Kobe Walter also scored 18 points apiece for the Raptors, and Brandon Ingram added 13.

Zion Williamson scored 22 points for New Orleans on 9-for-13 shooting from the field and 4 for 4 from the foul line. Saddiq Bey added 19 points.

The Raptors won for the second time in three outings to remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, a full game ahead of the idle Philadelphia 76ers. The top six teams automatically make the playoffs in each conference.

The Pelicans lost their fourth in a row overall and fifth straight on the road. They were without top scorers Trey Murphy III (ankle) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles). Immanuel Quickley (Achilles) was absent from the Toronto lineup.

NUGGETS 135, JAZZ 129

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 33 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists, Cam Johnson and Jamal Murray combined for four 3-pointers in the final 2:20, and Denver rallied from 13 down in the fourth quarter to beat Utah.

Murray finished with 31 points two nights after scoring a season-high 53. Jokic had his fourth straight triple-double and 31st of the season to help Denver avoid a costly loss in the tight Western Conference playoff race.

The Nuggets are in fourth place, a game ahead of Minnesota and a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kyle Filipowski led Utah with 25 points but was scoreless in the fourth quarter when Denver rallied from a 120-107 deficit. Jokic started the comeback with a layup, Tim Hardaway Jr., who finished with 21 points, hit a 3-pointer and two free throws that made it 124-121.

After Ace Bailey made a baseline jumper, Jokic hit a turnaround and Johnson tied it with a 3-pointer. The teams traded threes before Johnson, who had 12 points, put the Nuggets ahead for good with another from deep with 46 seconds left.

After a turnover, Murray sealed with another from behind the arc with 17 seconds left.

Utah, which has lost 26 of its last 29, played without several key players, including Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen.

WARRIORS 131, WIZARDS 126

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis had 28 points and eight assists, Gui Santos made a pair of free throws with 11.4 seconds remaining, and Golden State held off Washington for the win.

Brandin Podziemski added 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to help the Warriors win a third straight game for the first time in nearly two months. Santos scored 27 points, Gary Payton II had 15 and Pat Spencer scored 13.

Rookie Will Riley had 22 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Wizards, who were trying to win back-to-back games after ending a franchise record-tying 16-game losing streak by beating the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

Bilal Coulibaly added 21 points while Bub Carrington had 16 points and five assists.

Playing their 24th consecutive game without star Stephen Curry, the Warriors led the majority of the game until the Wizards made a late surge in the fourth quarter.

MAVERICKS 100, TRAIL BLAZERS 93

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Marvin Bagley III scored 26 points off the bench and Cooper Flagg had 24 to lead Dallas past Portland, snapping a five-game skid.

Naji Marshall had 19 points and five steals for the Mavericks, who had dropped seven of their previous nine games on the road and bounced back from a 142-135 loss at Denver on Wednesday night. Bagley had nine rebounds and Flagg four steals for Dallas.

Jrue Holiday scored 23 points and Deni Avdija had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who had their two-game winning streak stopped and fell below .500 at 37-38. Portland, which has clinched a playoff spot and is currently in ninth place in the Western Conference, had won five of its previous six to get back to .500 for the first time in over two months.

Donovan Clingan had 17 rebounds and six points for the Trail Blazers.

LAKERS 116, NETS 99

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 41 points and eight rebounds while also picking up his suspension-triggering 16th technical foul during the Los Angeles Lakers ′ victory over Brooklyn.

Austin Reaves scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter while the Lakers finally pulled away from the young Nets to secure their 11th victory in 12 games. LeBron James added 14 points and eight assists for the Lakers in their return from a 5-1 road trip that has put them in third in the Western Conference standings.

Josh Minott had 18 points and six rebounds in Brooklyn’s 10th consecutive loss. Nic Claxton and Ziaire Williams scored 16 points apiece while leading the Nets’ lively effort, but both starters were kept on the bench for the entire fourth quarter along with Noah Clowney.

The young Nets still hung with the road-weary Lakers until the final minutes, erasing an early double-digit deficit and leading in the fourth quarter of their 20th loss in 22 games overall.

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Player Grades: Cavs vs Heat – Max Strus goes for 29 points

Mar 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) celebrates after hitting a three point basket during the second half against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers obliterated the Miami Heat in a bounce-back performance from their previous meeting.

All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.

Donovan Mitchell

6 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals

Mitchell played the role of facilitator in this one. He used his gravity as a weapon, drawing multiple defenders and generating open looks for his teammates. Mitchell threw dimes to the bigs and sprayed it out for shooters like Sam Merrill to get rolling.

I know it’s weird to give Mitchell such a positive grade when he shot 1-10 from the floor. But trust me, he was better than the box score suggests.

Grade: B

James Harden

17 points, 14 assists, 5 rebounds

The Heat didn’t have any answers for Harden. He was a menace in isolation, making Norman Powell and Tyler Herro look like rookies. Whether he was scoring or passing, Harden was in full control tonight.

“I think James had 20 potential assists, he just finds the right solution in every situation,” said Kenny Atkinson after the game.

Grade: A+

Evan Mobley

23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal

Mobley scored just 8 points in his previous game against the Heat. He had more than that in the fourth quarter tonight (12 points). It wasn’t an explosive game from Mobley, but he was one part of a symphony that wreaked havoc on Miami all game long.

Grade: A

Jarrett Allen

18 points, 10 rebounds

“The guys kept asking me, when is he [JA] gonna be back? They know how important he is,” said Kenny Atkinson after the game.

Well, welcome back, JA.

Allen returned to the floor for the first time since March 3rd to rousing success. He immediately made his impact felt, running the court for alley-oop dunks and impacting Miami’s attempts at the rim. Allen brought new life to a Cavs team that looked half asleep the last time they played.

Grade: A+

Max Strus

29 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist

Cavs fans are familiar with Strus catching fire. But that doesn’t mean it will ever get old. Strus hit his first four three-point attempts on his way to a 22-point first half. There was an audible excitement in Rocket Arena whenever he caught the ball today. That type of energy is infectious.

Extra credit for his aura in the post-game interview. Happy Birthday, Max.

Grade: A+++

Sam Merrill

10 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds

Merrill’s enjoying the best season of his career. He’s always been a steady shooter; now he’s added a mid-range and interior game. Merrill drove by Herro for a tough finish at the rim in the first half, showcasing his growth as an all-around player.

Grade: B+

Keon Ellis

10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Ellis wasn’t bothered by Miami’s defense in either of their matchups this week. He scored 17 points in the previous game and started a perfect 3-3 from the floor tonight. His defensive activity feels much more impactful when sharing the floor with Mobley and Allen.

Grade: B+

Dennis Schroder

8 points, 5 assists, 2 steals

Schroder hasn’t totally fit in with the Cavs over the last few weeks. Tonight, he was a welcoming presence as he kept the offense churning through his playmaking in the second unit. Similar to Ellis, Schroder is able to be more impactful as a pest defensively when he has two bigs behind him to cover up any mistakes.

Grade: B

Thomas Bryant

11 points, 4 rebounds

Bryant is back to being the third big in the rotation. That’s good for everyone. He can provide helpful minutes off the bench when needed — and now, we aren’t as worried about diminishing returns.

Grade: B

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Trout, Lowe and Neto homer in Angels 6-2 win over Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — Mike Trout, Josh Lowe and Zach Neto hit home runs and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Friday night.

In his second game with the Angels, Lowe broke a 1-1 tie in the second when he sent a first pitch fastball from Mike Burrows into the Crawford Boxes for a three-run homer. Lowe was acquired by the Angels in a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays on Jan. 16.

Trout’s fifth inning solo home run was part of a three-hit game, and it marks the first time in his 16-year major league career that he’s gone deep in his first two games of a season.

Neto added a solo shot leading off the ninth inning for his second extra base hit of the night.

The long balls were in support of an Angels staff led by Yusei Kikuchi, who allowed two runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. The bullpen quartet of Chase Silseth, Ryan Zeferjahn (1-0), Sam Bachman and Jordan Romano combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Burrows (0-1), who was making his Astros debut after he was traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Dec. 19, surrendered five runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six.

Yordan Alvarez hit a home run for the Astros, while Carlos Correa went 2 for 3 with a walk.

Jeremy Peña, who missed Thursday’s season opener, had two hits, a stolen base and scored a run.

The Astros have started 0-2 for the second time in three seasons under manager Joe Espada.

Up next

Astros RHP Cristian Javier faces Angels LHP Reid Detmers when the series continues Saturday.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

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Iowa Cubs Wrap: Jonny Long helps sink Clippers, 5-2

MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 15, 2025: Jonathon Long #17 of the Chicago Cubs bats during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Los Angeles Angels at Sloan Park on March 15, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Welcome to another year of the Minor League Wrap. Although for the first week, we’ll just be the Iowa Cubs wrap as they started the season this evening and the other three affiliates wait until next Friday.

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs boarded and seized the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 5-2.

Javier Assad got the Opening Night start for Iowa and maybe he wasn’t as sharp as he has been, but he definitely was effective. Assad did not allow the Clippers a run over the first three innings. Assad allowed three hits and walked three, so there were a lot of baserunners, but striking out five helped keep any of them from scoring.

Charlie Barnes, who pitched the last four years with KBO’s Lotte Giants, threw the next three innings and was impressive. He got the win after giving up just one hit and no runs. He did walk three but he struck out seven.

The Clippers got two runs off of reliever Ryan Rollison in the seventh inning. But Collin Snider threw the final 1.2 innings, did not allow a baserunner and got the save. He struck out two.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when first baseman Jonathon Long singled, went to second on a ground out and scored after two wild pitches.

The I-Cubs put this game out of reach with a four-run sixth inning. First up was an RBI single for center fielder Brett Bateman. It was Bateman’s first Triple-A hit.

Next up, left fielder Justin Dean tripled home two.

Long came up to bat again and singled home Dean.

Long was 2 for 3 tonight with two walks. The four Iowa pitchers combined to strike out 17.

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Drew Fortescue gets to live his ‘dream’ and show Rangers his potential in NHL debut

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (45) during the first period when the New York Rangers played the Chicago Blackhawks Friday, March 27, 2026 at Madison Square Garden, Image 2 shows New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (45) during warmups, Image 3 shows New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (45) during the first period when the New York Rangers played the Chicago Blackhawks Friday, March 27, 2026 at Madison Square Garden
Drew Fortescue

Just under a year ago, Drew Fortescue was banging on the Madison Square Garden glass alongside his Boston College teammates as Gabe Perreault, a fellow Eagle, took his rookie lap ahead of his NHL debut. 

While watching Perreault skate under the pinwheel ceiling, Fortescue allowed himself to think — just a little bit — about how it could be him soon. 

On Friday, it was Fortescue’s turn. And, of course, some of his BC teammates made the trip to see it. 

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“That’s what you dream about,” he said while recalling those few days last April, before the 20-year-old defenseman recorded his first NHL assist in the Rangers’ 6-1 win over the Blackhawks Friday night. “It was awesome [watching Perreault debut last year]. I mean, Gabe is one of our best buddies, so we were all in a hurry to get down there and support him. Ryan Leonard played the night before up in Boston, so we got to go to his first game [with the Capitals]. Then we made the drive down the next day, and it was just a memory. 

“Being able to be there and support one of your buddies for his first game is pretty special. And I know some of them are coming down for [the game], so I’m excited to see all of them, and it’ll be pretty cool.” 

New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (45) during the first period when the New York Rangers played the Chicago Blackhawks Friday, March 27, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Fortescue skated in his first professional game in front of what he described as “a lot” of friends and family. You could hear them all when he first took the ice for his rookie lap, and again when his name was announced for his secondary assist on Jonny Brodzinski’s second of his two goals. 

Since he signed his entry-level contract last weekend, the Pearl River native has expressed how fortunate he feels to start his career so close to home. 

“Once I got to the bench after and I took a stop and kind of looked around and saw everyone,” he said after the game. “I was able to see some of my cousins and family members and my parents in the crowd, definitely was an unbelievable feeling, and a feeling that I’ll never forget.”

Asked why he felt now was the time to put Fortescue in the lineup, head coach Mike Sullivan said he wanted the Rangers rookie to get on the ice a bit with the team’s limited practice time, have some one-on-one time with defense coach David Quinn and watch some film first. 

New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (45) during the first period when the New York Rangers played the Chicago Blackhawks Friday, March 27, 2026 at Madison Square Garden Robert Sabo for NY Post

Fortescue, who was the sixth rookie to make his NHL debut this season with the Rangers, ultimately skated on the left of Matthew Robertson on the third defensive pairing. 

“I thought he was solid,” Sullivan said of Fortescue. “For the most part, he played the game with composure. He didn’t just throw pucks away. He made some outlet passes. He had good poise. I thought he had a high-panic threshold. He didn’t throw pucks away when he was under pressure, he protected it. He defended well. I think he’s got a good stick, decent mobility. There’s a lot to like about Drew’s game. For such a young kid in his first NHL game, I thought he played really well.”

The Rangers have had six rookies make their NHL debuts this season, including three in the last week alone. 

Fortescue joins Adam Sykora, Dylan Garand, Jaroslav Chmelar, Brendan Brisson and Noah Laba. Robertson is also considered a rookie, but the 25-year-old made his debut in the second-to-last game of last season and has skated in 63 of 73 games thus far in 2025-26. 

New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (45) during warmups Robert Sabo for NY Post

“We’re going to do our best to set them up for success,” Sullivan said of all the youngsters in his lineup. “We’ve got them surrounded with veteran players that we think can help them when they’re on the ice, but these guys are all good players and they bring a lot of energy to the table. A lot of enthusiasm. The mistakes they make will be mistakes of enthusiasm, and we’ll work through those. We’ll work through those. 

“We’ll help them get better at it through the experience, and they’re going to make mistakes. That’s just the reality of it. I think it’s an opportunity here for us down the stretch to get these guys some real experience. We’re just trying to do it the right way.”

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Warriors ‘running out of games’ for Steph Curry to return, Steve Kerr admits

SAN FRANCISCO — The longer Steph Curry remains sidelined, the louder the ticks on the clock grow inside the Warriors’ building.

Time is running out to get the Golden State superstar the buildup he would need to return for the play-in tournament, Steve Kerr acknowledged before Friday’s game against the Wizards.

“We need to give him a runway if this is gonna work, and we are running out of games. That’s fair to say,” the Warriors coach said, acknowledging that among the staff “it’s actually a conversation now.”

The Warriors’ Steph Curry missed his 24th consecutive game with runner’s knee. Robert Sabo for NY Post

After hosting Washington, the Warriors have eight games left in the regular season. They clinched their spot in the play-in and are on track to visit the Trail Blazers in the 9-10 matchup.

“We’re not bringing him back, like, for the play-in game,” Kerr said. “He needs to play some games.”

Curry, 38, missed his 24th consecutive game with runner’s knee, and while Kerr said the injury has “frustrated” him at times, he added that Curry was “in a good place now” and currently “encouraged.”

The Warriors provided the latest update on Curry’s status before Friday’s game, saying he was making “good progress” and was expected to participate in a 5-on-5 scrimmage “in the coming days.” 

However, Curry was supposed to take part in a scrimmage this past Sunday. That never happened, and Curry is still waiting to receive the go-ahead from Rick Celebrini, the head of their medical staff.

“The whole idea is that if he’s healthy, he’s going to play,” Kerr said. “If he’s not healthy, or if there’s any risk at all, then he won’t play.”

Kerr said Curry was still working with the mindset that he’ll return this season. However, the longer Curry’s absence draws on, the less likely it is that happens.

Warriors injury updates

Golden State has been so beaten up recently that the update on Curry came with status reports on three other injured players, including his younger brother, Seth Curry.

The two brothers have yet to share the floor this season because of their various ailments. The younger Curry has at least returned to live on-court work, according to the team, after missing his eighth straight game with a groin strain.

Al Horford, who also missed his eighth straight game with a calf strain, has started “light on-court workouts,” according to the team. The 39-year-old is set to be reevaluated in a week, ruling him out for at least three more contests

Without Horford or Quinten Post, the Warriors have been lacking size. The Dutch 7-footer is still considered day to day with right foot soreness, which left the Warriors down two big men for the third game in a row.

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Bold and fun predictions for the Athletics' 2026 season

It was Opening Day for the baseball Athletics as they enter their second season playing in West Sacramento, a temporary stay after relocating from Oakland as they await their presumed move to a state of the art ballpark in Las Vegas.

To begin what will be the 126th season for A's, the green and gold bunch opened the season on the road. The Athletics take on the Toronto Blue Jays in a season-opening three-game weekend series at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. They dropped the first game, 3-2, despite two home runs from Shea Langeliers. The Blue Jays won the game on a walk-off single by shortstop Andres Gimenez. The next game is Saturday, March 28 at 3:07 p.m. ET (12:07 p.m. PT).

Last year was kind of weird. It was the first time in 57 years that the Athletics didn't play in the Bay. The last game in Oakland was Sept. 26, 2024.

Athletics owner John Fisher wanted new facilities, fans said "sell the team" and Fisher relocated them to Vegas. Until his fancy new ballpark is ready, they moved eastward to Sacramento.

Their first go around was interesting. On the field, the Athletics weren't exactly terrible, but they weren't good. Improvement in the bullpen and there could be some hope for a team that has hitting strength that compares to some of the best in the majors behind Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Jacob Wilson, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler.

Last season, the Athletics ended their season with a 76-86 record. They played better on the road at 40-41. Through 81 games in Yolo County, they posted a 36-45 record despite the home circumstances they faced at Sutter Health Park, a minor-league venue with a max capacity crowd of a little more than 14,000. However, that number was rarely seen in attendance.

Here are some bold, and fun, predictions for the Athletics with 161 to go:

MORE: Bold predictions for San Francisco Giants' 2026 season

More fans will show up to games, maybe

Athletics fans are in a dilemma. They love baseball. They love their A's. They dislike Fisher.

Some go to games to support the A's, even if it means making the drive from Oakland or their Bay Area home. Some don't. Some just go for baseball to see their favorite opposing team. The average attendance during the 2025 season was 9,487.

That number could go up. Tickets are cheap and Sacramento is a baseball town after all. The city also wants a major league team and sees this as a tryout period. The first year might have been tough to get large crowds consistently, but maybe Sacramento and surrounding neighbors will catch on to the fact they have Major League Baseball right in their vicinity.

A's could surprise some folks

As predictions go, nobody really knows what's going to happen. But it's still fun to guestimate.

Although a lot goes into being successful. Staying injury-free, which probably won't happen. Momentum swings amist the long, drawn out MLB season. Teams will go on runs. Some winning, others losing.

Expect the A's to be fun, exciting. Especially with half their lineup (Brent Rooker, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler) locked in to long-term contracts. USA TODAY experts say pitching, though, might not enable them to take the next step.

Their offensive capabilities last year proved that they can win games. It's Round 2 in Sacramento for the A's young core and veteran mix. Is it crazy to say they win 80 games? Maybe. But that's where this is going. It's still not enough, but it'll bring excitement and just maybe they'll flirt with wild-card talks, but ultimately falling short.

Plus, USA TODAY experts have the Astros and Seattle Mariners atop the AL West.

Nick Kurtz goes from Rookie of the Year to MVP candidate

Nick Kurtz is coming off of a rookie year in which he smacked 36 home runs, had 86 RBIs on a .290 batting average and 1.002 OPS.

It'd be ridiculous to think that the Baseball Writers' Association of America would even consider a MVP on a team that barely scratches the surface of 80 wins. However, if the A's are going to have any kind of success, Kurtz might have a lot to do with that.

Just flirting with a wild-card berth should put him in conversation. Not to win, just mention his name. However, if the A's somehow are a playoff team, and he's has similar success or better than the 2025 campaign, then yeah, Kurtz for MVP. Why not?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Athletics 2026 season predictions: Can they surprise?