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SEE IT: Juan Soto smashes first home run with Mets

That didn't take long.

In the second at-bat of his second game with the Mets, Juan Soto lined an absolute shot off the facade of the second deck in right field for his first home run with his new club.

With two outs and nobody on in the top of the third, Soto was down in the count 1-2. But unlike his first time up against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown, he got a cutter at the top of the zone and didn't miss the 96 mph offering.

The slugger clobbered a line-drive home run 390 feet to right (107.3 mph off the bat). And while the ball took no time to leave the park, Soto took his time to admire the home run before taking his trot around the bases.

“That was pretty impressive, I’m not gonna lie,” manager Carlos Mendoza said during an in-game interview on the TV broadcast. “When he’s got the ability to turn on the pitch when it’s 96, above the strike zone, up and in. That’s pretty incredible.”

Soto's homer put the Mets up 3-0 on Houston after Mark Vientos and Jesse Winker had RBI hits in the second.

In his first at-bat against Brown, Soto was caught looking as he was badly fooled by a 1-2 sinker at the bottom of the zone. How fooled was the man with the best eye in baseball? He had words with home plate umpire Rob Drake about the call, which was clearly a correct one.

Needless to say, Soto's second crack at Brown went better for the Mets' slugger.

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Team LeBron or Team Stephen A? Charles Barkley and others weigh in on the heated feud

A side-by-side image of Lakers' LeBron James on the left and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on the right.
The feud between Lakers forward LeBron James and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith heated up this week. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Time and Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images)

The LeBron James-Stephen A. Smith feud escalated in big way this week.

Soooo ... whose side are you on? Before you answer, here's a quick recap:

In January, Smith used his platform as an ESPN host to issue an on-air appeal to the Lakers superstar about his son and Lakers teammate Bronny James: “I am pleading with LeBron James as a father: Stop this,. ... We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad.”

This month James angrily confronted Smith, who was sitting courtside at a Lakers game. Smith didn't appear to respond but days later said on the "Gil's Arena" podcast that he thought James' confrontational move was "weak" and "some bulls—."

Read more:Stephen A. Smith would’ve ‘swung on’ LeBron James had he touched him. Lakers star trolls him

This week James responded by taking jabs at Smith on ESPN's “The Pat McAfee Show” ... then Smith said on his own podcast that he would have "swung on" James had the 6-foot-9 superstar made contact during their courtside interaction ... then James posted a video on Instagram meant to mock the analyst's fighting skills ... and then Smith went on a 15-minute rant about James on "First Take."

So, yeah, it was a pretty crazy week.

Still can't pick a side? Here's how some NBA experts feel about the matter.

Charles Barkley: There are only losers in this scenario

During an appearance Friday on "The Dan Patrick Show," Barkley was asked who had a better week, Smith or James? The Hall of Fame player and TNT analyst said he likes both men but "they both had an awful week."

"I’ve always liked LeBron but him being a bully, it turned me off, Dan," Barkley said. "But I will say this: Stephen A., the way he reacted was so lame and weak. And Stephen A. is a good dude, man. LeBron, like I say, I blame him for starting the bullying, going on Pat’s show just bullying people. ‘Cause you know LeBron, he’s a control freak. He knows everything he’s doing. He knew when he walked up to Stephen A. what he was doing.

Read more:Charles Barkley rips 'idiots' at ESPN, future home of 'Inside the NBA,' for saying 'Lakers saved the NBA'

"But the way Stephen A. reacted — going on Gilbert’s podcast, talking tough. Come on, man, you’re better than that. So there’s only losers, Dan, in this scenario. You got the biggest star in the game, you probably got the biggest star on television and they both look bad in my opinion. And what bothers me the most — they're both good dudes."

Matt Barnes: Stephen A. crossed the line

The co-host of the "All the Smoke" podcast posted a video Thursday on Instagram in which he stated that he's taking James' side.

“He’s been getting scrutinized the whole time [he's been in the NBA] and he finally came out and was just unfiltered," said Barnes, a former ESPN analyst who had two stints with the Clippers and one with the Lakers during his 14-year NBA career. "An unfiltered, no-holds-barred with Pat Mac, which was dope. Like, I played against Bron for a long time and I don’t know that side of him. So as a fan, as someone who played against him, I want to know the funny side, the talk s— side of Bron. After 22 years of someone who’s always just [taken] the high road, he was tired of it and let off a clip.

Read more:Matt Barnes dropped as Sacramento Kings analyst weeks after incident at Crespi High game

"Obviously Stephen A. is the person who caught it, but it was really at all of the media. ... Like, I think you guys forget sometimes that this man is human."

Barnes added, addressing Smith: "You my dog, but I think you crossed the line."

And to James, Barnes said: "Keep talking your s—. We didn’t get to see this side of Kobe [Bryant] until later. People want to know what it’s really like, and you gave them a glimpse today, man."

Adam Silver: I particularly feel protective of our players

The NBA commissioner was asked about the situation while speaking to reporters following a two-day Board of Governors meeting in New York. Silver didn't mention James or Smith by name and didn't take sides but did acknowledge "I particularly feel protective of our players."

“There's seemingly as much social media interest in this league at times than all the other leagues combined," Silver said. "So it's a two-edged sword. Sometimes, it's measured in column inches, and it's wonderful to see so much interest in our sport. At the other time, I cringe at a lot of the coverage.

Read more:Adam Silver finalizing contract extension to remain NBA commissioner

“I would just say in terms of [the] back-and-forth, again I haven't had an opportunity to watch or read precisely what went on today, but, of course, would like the focus to be on the play on the floor. And I particularly feel protective of our players, of course, but I recognize that there's a cottage industry out there of media that we are often the beneficiary of that talk about our sport around the clock. But I sure wish it would never become personal.”

Paul George: Both parties aren't wrong

The 15-year NBA veteran and current member of the Philadelphia 76ers told USA Today he thinks neither side is necessarily wrong but they both could have handled the situation better.

“I think obviously LeBron, stepping in as a father —you know, as a parent, you got a sensitive side to that, him standing up for his son and coming to his defense. But I think at the same time where Stephen A.’s coming from, and I’ve heard his side of the story of not actually attacking Bronny, but more so attacking the words and what Bron has said — you know, the hype that he’s put on his son — I think more so attacking that. And, say what you want, sports is very much involved with being critiqued and it’s the field that you put yourself into. No one is above it. You step into the ring, you gotta take what comes with it.

Read more:Paul George 'never wanted to leave' Clippers, but says initial offer was disrespectful

"So I think both parties aren’t wrong. As two Black men, I think they could’ve handled that better. But, you know, I’m all for both sides getting off what they need to get off their minds.”

Gilbert Arenas: LeBron has a point, but ...

Weeks after Smith appeared on the "Gil's Arena" podcast to discuss the courtside incident, Arenas and his co-hosts talked about the continuing drama on Thursday's episode. Arenas, who played 11 years in the NBA, said he understands James' point of view but thinks a conversation between the two men is overdue.

“You gotta figure the man’s got his son involved. Everybody’s passionate about their family. They gonna stand up for their family," Arenas said. "But if I’m looking at Bron, bro, I would’ve just went and hollered at him, you know what I’m saying, on the political side. ‘Cause look how he did it. Bron went on the [Pat] McAfee show, bro. If you want to make this about it being in the media, go and have a debate with him. Let’s talk about this. Let’s sit down and talk about this, man.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt agrees to five-year, $45 million deal with Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX — Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt agreed to a five-year, $45 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday as the team continues its push to secure its young standouts on long-term contracts.

Pfaadt’s deal begins in 2026 and includes a club option for 2031 and a mutual option in 2032.

The 26-year-old Pfaadt was one of the team’s most consistent pitchers last season, finishing with an 11-10 record and a 4.71 ERA while setting career highs in wins, starts (32), innings pitched (181 2/3) and strikeouts (185).

Pfaadt also gave the team an unexpected boost during its postseason run to the World Series in 2023, going 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA over five starts.

He’ll make $799,400 this year before the new contract kicks in next season.

Pfaadt’s deal is the latest example of the D-backs signing young players to long-term extensions, joining shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (four years, $45 million) and reliever Justin Martinez (five years, $18 million).

Pfaadt was a fifth-round pick out of Bellarmine in 2020.

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Kings Defeated by Colorado Avalanche in Humbling 4-0 Loss

© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Denver, Colorado — The Los Angeles Kings (40-22-9) were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche (45-25-3) in a lopsided 4-0 affair at Ball Arena on Thursday, March 27. 

Despite the loss, the Kings still remained in firm contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a second place standing in the Pacific Division with the help of the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-1 defeat against the Seattle Kraken on the same day. 

Going into the game, the Kings were facing a redhot Avalanche team that — similarly to Los Angeles — have a very strong record at home, not dropping a game in Denver since January 22nd. 

Notably, LA Kings defenseman Drew Doughty was also heading to Ball Arena to play his 1200th career regular season game, joining four other active defensemen Ryan Suter (1,517 games played), Brent Burns (1,486 gp), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (1,313 gp), and Jack Johnson (1,225 gp).

In the first period, the Kings faced off with the Avalanche, matching them in the faceoffs and maintaining their defensive fronts throughout the first twenty minutes. Los Angeles took one penalty — center Phillip Danault holding another player — while Colorado took two different penalties — interference and cross-checking,  granting the Kings two power play opportunities to jumpstart their offense. Both did not pan out.

As the second period rolled around, the Avalanche began the scoring when right wing Logan O’Connor fired a snap shot into the LA net to give the Avalanche their first lead of the night, 1-0. Not long after, Avalanche center Martin Necas added to the lead with a backhand shot that got behind Kings’ goaltender Darcy Kuemper to make it, 2-0. Los Angeles left wing Warren Foegele took an interference penalty which gave Colorado another power play, and Necas scored again for the Avalanche with a slap shot to blow open the lead, 3-0.

As the Kings tried to play catch up during the remainder of the second period, they ultimately could not come up with an answer for their offense, despite earning another  power play. 

The third period saw Los Angeles desperately try to spark their offense, yet they took another penalty — tripping by defenseman Mikey Anderson — which granted Colorado another power play. This time, Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin converted on a one-timer from the left side of the Kings net to balloon the lead, 4-0. While the Kings were even with the Avalanche on faceoffs, the defense by Colorado shined brightest during this match with 15 blocked shots, compared to the Kings’ eight shots blocked. 

While the road loss against one of the top Stanley Cup contenders was humbling, Los Angeles heads back to home ice with an opportunity to bounce back against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, March 29th.

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Elite 8 preview: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 1 Duke

Most times there’s a “first time in program history” stat with Duke’s men’s basketball program, it’s notable. Like this one: For the first time, the Blue Devils have shot at least 60% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 80% at the free-throw line in back-to-back games. “I know we've had teams that have been in great rhythm,” coach Jon Scheyer said on Friday.

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MiLaysia Fulwiley helps defending champion South Carolina outlast Maryland 71-67 in March Madness

South Carolina did just enough to keep its national title defense alive, thanks in large part to MiLaysia Fulwiley. The sophomore guard scored 23 points, including a go-ahead layup with 2:22 left, and Chloe Kitts added 15 points and 11 rebounds to help the No. 1 seed Gamecocks beat fourth-seeded Maryland 71-67 on Friday in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament. Staley added that playing in the tough Southeastern Conference gave her team “confidence to be able to be in a tightknit game and find a way to win because that’s what it’s about at this stage of the game."

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Steph assesses tailbone injury severity after return in Warriors' win

Steph assesses tailbone injury severity after return in Warriors' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry returned from his tailbone injury to lead the Warriors to a 111-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Following a hard fall in a March 20 contest against the Toronto Raptors, the star guard missed Golden State’s next two games — both of which ended in losses.

After scoring 23 points on 7of 21 from the field and 5 of 16 from 3-point range, Curry illustrated the severity of his injury, which he described as a “deep, serious contusion.”

“It just reminded me of 2021 when I fell into the stairs in Houston,” Curry told reporters, referring to a similar fall that resulted in a hairline tailbone fracture. “Thankfully, I didn’t break anything or have any bone damage. … I’ll feel it for a while, but I can play, and I can’t make it worse as long as I don’t land on it again.”

Curry added that the injury didn’t bother or worry him in his return to game action — he said he’s just “aware of it” — though he isn’t sure how long the injury will linger.

“A week off is great in one aspect because you’re rested,” Curry continued. “But the timing, the endurance of getting through your regular minutes, that was a little bit of a challenge. Down the stretch, just trying to manage the game and not do anything crazy.”

While that break might have helped the 37-year-old regain some physical strength for the remainder of the season, Curry also disclosed the mental effects of the absence.

“I was away from the team for three days, which was kind of weird, but I could fill the cup up a little bit,” he explained. “I thought I was going to play in Miami and kind of went through the routine but wasn’t able to go for the game. So, it was another two days to get my mind right.”

Coach Steve Kerr shared a similar sentiment on his veteran leader’s needed return — but valuable break as well.

“I thought [Curry] looked great,” Kerr said in his postgame presser. “He was moving really well, took care of the ball. I thought Steph played an excellent game. He probably missed his last five or six 3s, so the numbers don’t look great, but he looked like himself and I think the week off did him a lot of good.”

With nine games left in the NBA regular season, Golden State needs Curry to have as much mental and physical energy as possible going forward.

After Friday night, the Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota all remain within half a game in the Western Conference standings seeking the No. 6 seed and an evasion from the play-in tournament.

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Steph assesses tailbone injury severity after return in Warriors' win

Steph assesses tailbone injury severity after return in Warriors' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry returned from his tailbone injury to lead the Warriors to a 111-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Following a hard fall in a March 20 contest against the Toronto Raptors, the star guard missed Golden State’s next two games — both of which ended in losses.

After scoring 23 points on 7 of 21 from the field and 5 of 16 from 3-point range, Curry illustrated the severity of his injury, which he described as a “deep, serious contusion.”

“It just reminded me of 2021 when I fell into the stairs in Houston,” Curry told reporters, referring to a similar fall that resulted in a hairline tailbone fracture. “Thankfully, I didn’t break anything or have any bone damage. … I’ll feel it for a while, but I can play, and I can’t make it worse as long as I don’t land on it again.”

Curry added that the injury didn’t bother or worry him in his return to game action — he said he’s just “aware of it” — though he isn’t sure how long the injury will linger.

“A week off is great in one aspect because you’re rested,” Curry continued. “But the timing, the endurance of getting through your regular minutes, that was a little bit of a challenge. Down the stretch, just trying to manage the game and not do anything crazy.”

While that break might have helped the 37-year-old regain some physical strength for the remainder of the season, Curry also disclosed the mental effects of the absence.

“I was away from the team for three days, which was kind of weird, but I could fill the cup up a little bit,” he explained. “I thought I was going to play in Miami and kind of went through the routine but wasn’t able to go for the game. So, it was another two days to get my mind right.”

Coach Steve Kerr shared a similar sentiment on his veteran leader’s needed return — but valuable break as well.

“I thought [Curry] looked great,” Kerr said in his postgame presser. “He was moving really well, took care of the ball. I thought Steph played an excellent game. He probably missed his last five or six 3s, so the numbers don’t look great, but he looked like himself and I think the week off did him a lot of good.”

With nine games left in the NBA regular season, Golden State needs Curry to have as much mental and physical energy as possible going forward. After Friday night, the Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota all remained within half a game in the Western Conference standings seeking the No. 6 seed and an evasion from the play-in tournament.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Springs' strong debut sparks Athletics' first win of 2025 season

Springs' strong debut sparks Athletics' first win of 2025 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jeffrey Springs pitched a scoreless six-inning gem in his Athletics debut on Friday night and sparked the Green and Gold’s first win of the 2025 MLB season, a 7-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

The right-handed starter, who was acquired this offseason via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, needed 83 pitches to collect nine strikeouts and allowed just four baserunners on three hits and one walk.

“Overall, definitely I’ll take it for the first one,” Springs told reporters after Friday’s win. “Being able to go six, be efficient, that was kind of the goal. Just be efficient, get the pitch count down — that was a big issue in spring training — and just try to go right at hitters and fill it up as much as possible.

“Pretty pleased with how the first one went.”

Springs used 41 four-seam fastballs, peaking at 91.8 miles per hour on the night, and generated six whiffs with the heater. He also went to his changeup 22 times – finishing six of nine strikeouts with the breaking ball – and sprinkled in 13 sliders, six cutters and one sweeper.

It was the 32-year-old’s first start since Sep. 3, as he was shut down by the Rays after making seven starts in 2024 due to elbow fatigue directly related to the Tommy John Surgery he underwent in 2023.

Springs’ only trouble against Seattle was a two-on, one-out jam in the fifth, but a clutch throw-turned-out at home from JJ Bleday followed by the centerfielder’s inning-ending sliding catch kept the Athletics unscathed.

This offseason, fourth-year manager Mark Kotsay discussed Spring’s experience as a seven-year MLB veteran as an attractive aspect of his arrival, considering the franchise’s heavy reliance on youth over the past few seasons. Kotsay, who already enjoyed prized free-agent signing Luis Severino’s six scoreless frames on Opening Day, can get used to Friday’s version of Springer.

“Jeffrey really controlled the game. [He] changed speeds really well tonight, had a great game plan against them, and used it effectively,” Kotsay told reporters postgame. “Nine punch-outs in six innings says a lot about his performance and his stuff.”

Athletics relievers – in order: righty Justin Sterner, lefty T.J. McFarland and righty Mitch Spence – collectively finished the job with a scoreless three endings to set the table for the penultimate series game on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. PT.

The Green and Gold’s first offensive burst of the season made the Pacific Northwest evening that much more leisurely, a complete flip from its three-hit season-opener.

The scoring started in the fifth, as right-fielder Lawrence Butler registered his first hit of the year with a double off Mariners starter Luis Castillo and was brought home by Brent Rooker’s two-run home run, which was the designated hitter’s first knock of 2025.

A pair of singles from Bleday and catcher Shea Langeliers with a ground-rule double from first baseman Tyler Soderstrom – all with two outs against left-handed Seattle reliever Tayler Saucedo – gave the Green and Gold three more runs in the seventh.

“Tonight was a great night for [Rooker], tonight was a great night for a lot of guys in the lineup,” Kotsay said. “The top four guys (Butler, Rooker, Bleday and Langeliers), who I talked to last night, only reached base once (on Thursday). They were a driving force tonight. … That’s production [and] that’s where it needs to come.”

Athletics rookie second baseman Max Muncy put the icing on the cake in the eighth when recording his first career hit with a 430-foot home run to center off right-handed Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas.

“It was definitely exciting,” Muncy said on NBC Sports California’s “A’s Postgame Live” with Jenny Cavnar and Dallas Braden. “He got me down 0-2 early, and I just kind of stuck with my plan, and he ended up leaving his changeup over the plate, and I was able to get it out of here.”

And to really send the Seattle faithful home bitter, Luis Urías hit a 396-foot homer to left-center against Vargas and his former club, in a pinch-hit bid for third baseman Gio Urshela.

It was a top-to-bottom victory for the Athletics and one the franchise aims to build on. Last year, they started 0-3 and later 1-7. The Green and Gold are on a better trajectory in 2025.

Right-hander Osvaldo Bido is expected to take the mound for the Athletics on Saturday against righty Bryce Miller. The Athletics haven’t started 2-1 since the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season, also the last campaign the Green and Gold reached the postseason.