PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Toumani Camara had career highs of nine three-pointers and 35 points to help Portland beat the Brooklyn Nets 134-99 on Monday night, the Trail Blazers’ largest margin of victory this season.
The Nets have lost eight straight and 18 of the last 20. Brooklyn (17-55) is a game behind Indiana (16-56) and a half-game behind Washington (16-55) for the best draft lottery odds.
Camara made 10 of 12 shots from the field. Deni Avdija scored 18 points and Scoot Henderson had 13 points, five assists and four steals for the Trail Blazers. Donovan Clingan finished with 15 rebounds, seven points and seven blocks.
Camara, who was featured on commemorative glassware as part of a Trail Blazers’ giveaway, banked in his first three-pointer off the glass and hit his first eight three-point shots, going 9 for 11 from distance.
Tyson Etienne led the Nets with 18 points, Ziaire Williams added 16 and Josh Minott 15.
Murray converted a three-point play with 4:48 left in the first quarter that gave the Trail Blazers the lead for good and sparked a 13-2 run that made it 28-18. Ben Saraf converted two free throws that made it a three-point game with 4.7 seconds left, but Jrue Holiday answered with a layup three seconds later and Portland scored 11 of the first 12 points in the second quarter. The Nets trailed by at least nine points the rest of the way.
Robert Williams III (knee-injury management) did not play and Jerami Grant (foot soreness) missed his second consecutive game for the Trail Blazers.
Danny Wolf (ankle), Drake Powell (knee-injury management), Terance Mann (rest), and Noah Clowney (right wrist sprain) did not play for the Nets. Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) missed his seventh straight game.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 21: Bez Mbeng #21 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 21, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
According to the Utah Jazz, they’ve signed Bez Mbang to a second 10-day contract.
We have signed guard Bez Mbeng to a second 10-day contract.
Mbeng has been a fun story for the Jazz as he’s provided nice defense and great energy while he’s been on the floor. We’ll see if he continues to get 10-day contracts but it wouldn’t be surprising, he’s fit in well with what the Jazz are doing and brings a defense-first mindset the team needs.
This does make you think that Utah wants him in their system. I wouldn’t be surprised if this means Utah has him on the upcoming summer league team and maybe at training camp. If Mbeng can improve his game enough, he might be able to earn a potential two-way contract next season. Whatever happens, you can tell that Mbeng is playing his heart out and is realizing a dram of playing in the NBA. What would be even more cool is that he plays his way into a contract. We’ll see if that eventually happens but this is a good first step towards that.
INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 23: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dribbles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 23, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Down Giannis, Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Cam Thomas (who was waived), the Milwaukee Bucks got their asses handed to them by the LA Clippers in a 129-96 blowout. Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks with 20 points on 6/10 from deep, while Kawhi Leonard dominated for the Clippers with 28 points.
Both teams got off to a rocky start from a shooting standpoint, but it was Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard who threw the first punch, combining for the Clippers’ first nine points, grabbing a four-point edge over the Bucks after about four minutes. Then LA went cold for a stretch, allowing the Bucks to stay close via Ryan Rollins’ driving and Myles Turner’s shooting. Bobby Portis checked in and provided his usual spark, but it was the Clippers’ bench crew of Kris Dunn, Jordan Miller, Kobe Sanders, and Isaiah Jackson who sparked the home team to a 28-24 edge after one.
LA punched Milwaukee in the mouth to open the second, going on an 8-4 run as Doc called for a timeout just 1:31 into the period. Kobe Sanders benefited multiple times from the Bucks failing to match up in transition, bombing away for his third three of the night to put LA up 39-30. The Bucks kept the Clippers from extending their lead by more than about 10 for a good amount of time, but the talent of Garland and Leonard proved too much to handle, and the home team ballooned its advantage to 16 halfway through the period. For one, the Bucks couldn’t score, but also, they were back to their high-turnover ways, giving it away nine times in the second quarter alone. Like a boa constrictor, LA continued to squeeze the life out of Milwaukee to end the quarter, increasing their lead to 24 off the back of more Leonard dominance. Clips up 71-47 at half.
Well, if the wheels hadn’t fallen off already for Milwaukee, they did in the third, losing the quarter 37-20. The first eight minutes were dominated by old friend Brook Lopez, who nailed four triples (each followed by his signature celebration) along with a fadeaway jumper. Kawhi continued to cook, getting up to 28 points before he was done for the night. For reference, the Bucks began the quarter shooting 1/11 from the floor; they also shot their first free throw at the 3:59 mark (on a technical foul, no less) since the first quarter. Before long, we had Andre Jackson Jr. minutes, which meant garbage time had started early. LA up 108-67 after three.
TyTy Washington Jr., another old friend, was a beneficiary of garbage-time minutes as the Clippers increased their lead to 45 in short order to open the final frame. There were some nice finishes from Ousmane Dieng, some nice passes by AJax, and some nice threes by Gary Trent Jr. to finish the game. However, nothing else to write home about other than that. Before long, Thanasis checked in for his customary run around, and that was it. A good old-fashioned butt-whooping in a year to forget.
Stat That Stood Out
Milwaukee’s turnover-itis returned, giving the ball away 22 times.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Toumani Camara had career highs of nine 3-pointers and 35 points to help Portland beat the Brooklyn Nets 134-99 on Monday night, the Trail Blazers' largest margin of victory this season.
The Nets have lost eight straight and 18 of the last 20. Brooklyn (17-55) is a game behind Indiana (16-56) and a half-game behind Washington (16-55) for the best draft lottery odds.
Camara made 10 of 12 shots from the field. Deni Avdija scored 18 points and Scoot Henderson had 13 points, five assists and four steals for the Trail Blazers. Donovan Clingan finished with 15 rebounds, seven points and seven blocks.
Camara, who was featured on commemorative glassware as part of a Trail Blazers' giveaway, banked in his first 3-pointer off the glass and hit his first eight 3-point shots, going 9 for 11 from distance.
Tyson Etienne led the Nets with 18 points, Ziaire Williams added 16 and Josh Minott 15.
Murray converted a three-point play with 4:48 left in the first quarter that gave the Trail Blazers the lead for good and sparked a 13-2 run that made it 28-18. Ben Saraf converted two free throws that made it a three-point game with 4.7 seconds left, but Jrue Holiday answered with a layup three seconds later and Portland scored 11 of the first 12 points in the second quarter. The Nets trailed by at least nine points the rest of the way.
Robert Williams III (knee-injury management) did not play and Jerami Grant (foot soreness) missed his second consecutive game for the Trail Blazers.
Danny Wolf (ankle), Drake Powell (knee-injury management), Terance Mann (rest), and Noah Clowney (right wrist sprain) did not play for the Nets. Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) missed his seventh straight game.
MESA, AZ — The Chicago Cubs officially made center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong the face of their team Monday night by finalizing a contract extension that will make the soon-to-be 24-year-old their longest-tenured player, two persons with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports.
The persons spoke on the condition of anonymity since the Cubs have not announced the contract.
Crow-Armstrong, who was scheduled to earn $894,000 this season, will now earn in excess of $100 million with his new deal, a person with direct knowledge of the contract said.
Crow-Armstrong, who turns 24 on Wednesday with one year and 170 days of major-league service, was not eligible for free agency until after the 2030 season.
The contract length is not yet known, but it will be at least six years and perhaps as long as nine years, tying him up to the franchise longer than any active Cubs player. San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill’s nine-year, $135 million extension last spring is the highest contract for a player with between one and two years of major-league service.
The Cubs' projected payroll has jumped to about $221 million.
The Cubs tried to lock up Crow-Armstrong a year ago with a $66 million offer, now is more than doubling that with his new deal. He will now be with the Cubs at least until 2031, eclipsing Alex Bregman, who signed a five-year, $175 million free agent contract this winter.
Crow-Armstrong, who earned an All-Star berth last summer, has emerged as one of the game’s brightest young stars, and perhaps the finest NL center fielder. He was on an MVP pace in the first half last season, hitting .265 with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases, but tailed off during the second half, hitting just .216 with six homers and eight steals. He still wound up hitting 31 homers with 35 stolen bases, the first Cubs player to achieve the feat.
The Cubs believe he’s a superstar-in-waiting, which certainly deepens the pain for the New York Mets, who drafted him with their first pick in 2020, and then traded him a year later to the Cubs for shortstop Javier Baez and pitcher Trevor Williams. It will go down as one of the worst trades in Mets franchise history.
“The one thing with Pete that I always focus on,’’ Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations, told reporters at the end of last season, “is when he’s not hitting or struggling offensively, he’s a great player. And when he’s hitting, he’s a superstar.”
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — RJ Barrett scored 27 points, Sandro Mamukelashvili added 23 and the Toronto Raptors defeated the Utah Jazz 143-127 on Monday night.
Ja’Kobe Walter had 21 points and Scottie Barnes finished with 20 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Raptors (40-31) stopped a two-game skid. They remained a half-game ahead of Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference — the top six teams are assured a playoff berth without needing to qualify via the play-in tournament.
Utah rookie Ace Bailey had 37 points and Brice Sensabaugh scored 24 off the bench for the Jazz (21-51), who have lost six of seven and are eliminated from playoff contention.
Toronto outscored Utah 49-30 in the third quarter to open a 29-point cushion. Led by Walter and Barrett, the Raptors shot 54% from 3-point range (20 of 37) and 61% from the field overall.
Walter went 6 for 8 on 3-pointers and 7 of 10 from the floor. Barrett was 10 for 15 from the field, including 4 of 5 on 3s. He added six assists without committing a turnover in 25 minutes.
Jamal Shead had 15 assists for the Raptors to go with his seven points. Jamison Battle scored 17 off the bench, and Gradey Dick had 13.
Markelle Fultz, the top pick in the 2017 draft, played 16 minutes off the bench for Toronto in his first NBA game this season. He had two points on 1-of-5 shooting with five assists and three turnovers.
The 27-year-old Fultz signed a 10-day contract with the Raptors, the team announced earlier in the day. He had been playing for their G League affiliate.
Up next
Raptors: Wrap up a five-game trip Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jazz: Finish a four-game homestand Wednesday night versus the Washington Wizards.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 23: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Dodger Stadium on March 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers were down early against the Angels on Monday, having to fight their way back from the first inning. A pair of home runs cut a six-run deficit in half, and the Dodgers tied the game late in the eighth inning, but the contest ultimately ended in a 7-7 tie .
Roki Sasaki was given the start as the Dodgers looked to see him improve in his final tuneup. Instead, Sasaki was erratic immediately, plunking Zach Neto on a 3-0 pitch to begin the game. Sasaki got a ground ball from Mike Trout, but an errant throw to second base from Miguel Rojas allowed him to reach. Sasaki then walked three consecutive hitters, with both Neto and Trout scoring, and the right-hander was pulled after throwing 30 pitches without recording a single out.
Ronan Kopp was called on for clean-up duty, managing to complete the first inning but not before allowing a two-run single from Josh Lowe to put the Angels up by four. All four runs were charged to Sasaki.
Sasaki went back out for the second inning, this time plunking Neto for the second time after being ahead 0-2 in the count. Sasaki subsequently allowed his fourth walk of the game to Mike Trout, but finally recorded an out with Nolan Schanuel reaching on a fielder’s choice. Jorge Soler grounded into a double play to give Sasaki a full inning of work.
Sasaki was able to settle in on the mound during the top of the third, as after walking his fifth batter, he struck out two consecutive hitters and faced just four men. The Dodgers were a swing away from tying the game in the bottom half, but Angels lefty Reid Detmers struck out Will Smith and got Freddie Freeman to ground out to end a bases-loaded threat.
Sasaki’s command couldn’t improve as he allowed a lead-off walk to begin the top of the fourth, after which Dave Roberts had seen enough. Over 2+ innings of work, Sasaki tossed 66 pitches (32 for strikes) and although he didn’t allow a hit, he was charged for five earned runs, while walking six and striking out two. Out of the 66 pitches he threw, his fastball and splitter counted for 56 of them, with his cutter and slider failing to land a single time in the plate. His fastball started at 99 miles per hour to start but dropped down to 95 during his final full inning, while his splitter was his most accurate pitch with a 63 percent (17 out of 27) strike percentage.
Sasaki now ends spring with a 15.58 ERA across 8 2/3 innings of work, having been charged for 15 earned runs on just nine hits, striking out 12 but walking 15. With opening day just three days away, the latest concern now for Sasaki is whether or not he’ll begin the regular season in the rotation. He is slated to start the first game against the Cleveland Guardians on Mar. 30.
Ben Casparius recorded a pair of outs in relief of Sasaki, both being sacrifice flies, and Tanner Scott got out of the jam.
Teoscar Hernández and Miguel Rojas each connected for home runs against Ryan Zeferjahn in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Dodgers on the board and trim the deficit in half. For Hernández, he regained the team home run lead with his fifth of the spring while knocking home his 21st RBI.
The Dodgers cut the deficit to two runs after a bases-loaded walk from Dalton Rushing in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Angels got that run back on a Josh Lowe single against Will Klein, giving him his third RBI of the game and bringing the lead back to three. Rushing once again provided some late-game offense, drilling a two-run double against Jordan Romano in the bottom of the eighth inning. Alex Call made it a brand new ballgame by bringing home Rushing with an RBI double of his own, tying the game at seven.
The Dodgers put the leadoff man on in the bottom of the ninth, but could not cash in and settled for a draw.
UP NEXT
Tuesday marks the final spring game of 2026 for the Dodgers, as they host the Angels for the finale of their exhibition series (5:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Shohei Ohtani makes his final spring tune-up, while the Angels have yet to announce their starter.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 23: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk off the court after their loss to the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 23, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Given some of the great escapes they’ve had over the last 10 days, the Lakers were certainly due for the defeat that came on Monday against the Pistons.
That’s not to say Monday didn’t bring some positives with it and signs of the growth this team has had in recent weeks and months. Think back to the last meeting against the Pistons, which came at a time when the Lakers were at potentially their lowest point of the season.
Detroit came into Crypto.com Arena and, frankly, punked the Lakers. On Monday, that same physicality certainly impacted the game, but it didn’t knock the Lakers off the tracks as it did three months ago.
To a similar point, this was also a team that, at many points early in the year, would let go of the rope. As things started to slip away in the second period, a Lakers team from December or January would have let things spiral and the starters would be on the bench in a blowout in the fourth.
Now, this is a team that keeps fighting. They not only got themselves back into the game on Monday but had chances to tie or win the game in the final seconds.
By definition, moral victories come with a bittersweet taste. But the Lakers should be able to take some away from Monday’s streak-snapping defeat.
So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
The Lakers didn’t have many options to put in the starting lineup with both Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura out, so I get turning to LaRavia, someone who has started earlier this season. However, it was a rough outing for him, particularly defensively.
While LeBron is not one to really have a go at the officials — even if he’s not afraid for an initial complaint — I think he’s well within his rights to pick up a technical. There were a half-dozen plays on Monday where he had a legitimate claim for a foul that went by without a whistle.
The bulk of Reaves’ scoring came in the third period. His only bucket in the fourth was a clutch one inside the final minute. Still, it’s hard to fault him for going 5-7 from the field for 16 points in a half.
Specific to this type of article, Luka can have some really funky games. In the first quarter, he had 17 points on 5-11 shooting. Over the next three quarters, he had 15 points on 6-18 shooting. On top of that, he had one field in the fourth and missed two shots in the last 30 seconds.
As good as he was to start, it tailed off pretty badly in the end. If anything, it looks like he’s tired, an understandable excuse at this point on the road trip.
Kennard’s only make came in the first quarter, but he did draw a big shooting foul in the fourth. He also had a nice drive and dish that led to Ayton getting fouled and going to the line in the final minute.
Like Ayton, Hayes had a strong game, particularly defensively with six stocks. He was so good on that end that I can excuse a couple of miscues offensively.
Grade: A-
Adou Thiero, Maxi Kleber
Thiero got a brief run in the first half that was a bit chaotic, as you’d expect. I would have liked to see a second stint, but I get why he didn’t in a tight second half.
Maxi made a cameo he did in Phoenix earlier this year by coming in for the final play and setting a hell of a screen. If LeBron’s inbound pass wasn’t tipped, it would have been an open look.
JJ Redick
There’s probably a conversation to be had about the minutes the Lakers’ stars are playing. Austin has logged at least 38 minutes in the last nine games. Luka has played 37 minutes in eight of the last nine. LeBron’s minutes are a bit lower, but still safely north of 34 minutes on a nightly basis.
These next three games would be a really good time to cut down on those minutes before the run to the postseason.
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 23: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 23, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks lost again at home in overtime, this time to the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, 137-131. Moses Moody led the Warriors with 23 points. Cooper Flagg scored a game high 32 points but also turned the ball over seven times.
Fans in the American Airlines Center were treated to a display of high-caliber offense from both teams in the opening period. Dallas came out attacking early, while Golden State looked dead on arrival. Following a quick timeout, the Warriors rattled off a run that put them past the Mavericks, only for Cooper Flagg to lead the Mavericks to another run to take the lead. Both teams had flames coming off them from three-point range, with Dallas hitting eight of 10 in the frame and the Warriors hitting eight of 13 . That slight shooting advantage carried Golden State to a 34-31 lead after 12 minutes of action.
Dallas took firm control in the second quarter, despite both teams still shooting lights out from everywhere. Turnovers bit the Warriors. Their complicated offense might result in good looks, but it also results in lots of turnovers and Dallas took full advantage, building up a 15-point lead late in the period. Golden State chipped the lead down to six points only to embarass themselves in the final minute, allowing Dallas to chip in two more buckets and carry a 73-63 lead into the half.
A reversal of fortune occred for the Mavericks in the third quarter. After managing to keep the Warriors at bay for most of the period, the Warriors tranferred their turnover bug to Dallas midway through the third. After being up 89-78 with 5:30 to go in the period, Dallas gave up a 20-9 run to Golden State and the game was tied 98 all heading into the final quarter.
Cooper Flagg started the final frame in disasterous fashion: three turnovers in a row. Dallas gave up 11 points in quick succession and the Mavericks looked on the ropes with nearly 11 minutes of game to go. The two teams would exchange buckets throughout the frame. After Kristaps Porzingis scored a basket to make it 122-114 with four minutes left, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd called a timeout (perhaps to admonish Flagg for bypassing an open three). The next possession Flagg buried a three, the Warriors turned it over bringing it up the court, and Max Christie scored a lay up making it a three point game. A pair of Flagg free throws with 1:43 left would bring Dallas within two. Max Christie would tie it at 126 with an awesome three following Porzingis splitting a trip to the line. Neither team could capitalize so the game went to overtime.
The Warriors jumped out to a quick seven point lead in overtime and just like the overtime against the Clippers, Dallas seemed out of gas. The Mavericks, being the Mavericks we all know, of course didn’t die outright, and cut the lead enough to make the game exciting. Sadly, Moses Moody went down very late after a clean steal and looked to suffer a major knee injury.
Cooper’s got to shoot these open threes
This is a minor quibble, but it has to be said: Cooper’s got to take what the defense gives him a few more times per game. I get that Flagg probably didn’t regularly shoot threes in games until last season at Duke. If you followed his games, he didn’t shoot the ball well, then after the new year during his freshman season, all of a sudden he was outstanding from distance. The transition to NBA threes hasn’t been easy, but his shot looks good.
Defense are sagging off and he has to make them pay. He shot 2 of 4 tonight and passed up a few open looks by either moving the ball, dribbling into long twos, or driving when there wasn’t space.
It probably feels bizarre, being urged to take a shot at volume that hasn’t been part of your diet for your entire life. But he has to start. He will make them. I believe that.
Neither team could hold on to the ball or protect their own basket after turnovers
These two teams combined for 47 turnovers and 59 points conceded off of turnovers. It was exciting to watch but pretty sloppy and embarassing if you like cleaner basketball.
Hope Moses Moody is okay
I don’t remember seeing an injury that gruesome in open court before. The camera lingered on his knee for too long and I don’t suggest seeking that out. Here’s to hoping he’s okay.
Golden State's Moses Moody was carted off late in overtime against Dallas with what appeared to be a serious knee injury after his left leg buckled when he went up for a shot with nobody around him.
Moody, who missed the previous 10 games with a sprained right wrist, had just stolen the ball from Mavericks rookie standout Cooper Flagg and was dribbling all alone, planted his left leg to go up for the shot and instead lost the ball as he crumpled to the court with 58 seconds remaining in the extra period.
Play continued at the Dallas end until the ball went out of bounds. After the whistle, Warriors coach Steve Kerr put his hands to his face as the Mavericks' home arena went silent.
The Warriors led 136-131 when Moody was injured, and only one more point was scored in a victory that extended Dallas' home losing streak to 12 games.
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 23: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket as Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks plays defense during the game on March 23, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
An awful and heartbreaking scene unfolded on Monday night, as the Golden State Warriors wrapped up a six-game road trip against the Dallas Mavericks. Late in overtime, Warriors forward Moses Moody leaked out ahead of the defense for an uncontested transition opportunity. As he planted to leap for a dunk, his legs gave out on him. He was blocked by the rim on the way up, and landed on the court in a heap, grasping at his knee.
Play continued until a dead ball on the other end of the court, but Moody was still down under Golden State’s basket. As the cameras panned so fans could see Moody, it immediately became clear that something was horribly wrong with his knee, with a bone protruding at a gruesome and unnatural angle. Recognizing the severity, cameras immediately cut away from Moody, and the national broadcast went to a break.
When the broadcast returned, Moody had his leg in an air brace, and was being taken off the court in a stretcher, while his teammates and opponents embraced him, and the otherwise deadly-silent crowd applauded.
It was a hard scene to watch, and there’s no doubting that it was a serious injury that Moody sustained. The only hope now is that it’s something like a dislocation, where the leg can be stabilized and popped back into place, and that he didn’t suffer structural damage that will cost him a significant amount of time.
Prior to Moody’s injury, the game was stopped multiple times so that wet spots on the court could be wiped up. It’s unclear if that had any impact on his fall and subsequent injury.
Needless to say, it’s always heartbreaking to see a player suffer a serious injury, but doubly so in Moody’s case: this was his first game back after 10 games on the sidelines with a wrist injury. It seems highly unlikely that Moody will play again this year, but that’s both putting the cart in front of the horse, and doesn’t feel very important right now. For now, we all cross our fingers and hold our breaths, and hope for the best for Moses.
Sep 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; A general view of the exterior of Chase Field before the game between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Sometimes you’re the bug, and sometimes you’re the windscreen. After a ten-run victory in the Cactus League finale yesterday, it was not a happy return to Chase Field for the D-backs. They were held to just two hits – both of them off the bat of Pavin Smith – as former Diamondback Slade Cecconi and three Cleveland relievers blanked Arizona. The home team did not have a single at-bat with a runner in scoring position all night, mustering three walks (to Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo and Jordan Lawlar) in addition to Smith’s pair of singles. Cecconi went four scoreless against us, allowing one hit.
Merrill Kelly got hit hard, lasting only two innings and giving up five earned runs. He was charged with four hits, two of which left the park, and two walks, with a single strikeout. Jonathan Loaisiga and Ryan Thompson were also tagged for a run in their inning of work. But there were scoreless frames for Isaiah Campbell, Kevin Ginkel, Paul Sewald, Gerardo Carrillo and Casey Anderson. Though of those five, only Ginkel and Sewald will be part of the Opening Day bullpen. Here’s what Merrill had to say after his outing tonight:
“Body and back and arm feel good, so that’s what matters to me right now.”
The final warm-up is tomorrow afternoon at Chase Field, again versus these Guardians. Michael Soroka gets the start for Arizona, with a 12:40 pm first pitch. After that, it’ll be off to Los Angeles for the Diamondbacks!
Opening Day for the 2026 Major League Baseball season is quickly approaching. As the seasoned stars are gearing up for another season, prospects are finding out whether they made the cut or not.
Rosters were finalized Monday and the Texas Rangers let one of their players know he made the team in the best way possible.
Carter Baumler, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who stands 6-foot-2, was on the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning after throwing his seventh pitch of the game when the rookie got the news that he wasn't coming out of the game but instead that he'd be playing in future games as a member of the team.
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker used a mound visit to inform Baumler that he made the Opening Day roster.
Skip Schumaker told Rule 5 pick Carter Baumler that he made the Rangers Opening Day roster during a mound visit 🥹 pic.twitter.com/19J10vk39Q
"I wasn't expecting it. I was like, 'why is he coming out here?' And he got on the mound and told me I made the team. So, yeah, pretty cool," Baumler said. "I mean, honestly, I thought I was like, getting taken out of the game. I didn't know what was going on. Obviously, whenever the manager comes out, like, you know, you're usually done. So, yeah, he just came up and told me, I made the team, and everybody just, you know, kind of said, congrats. And, I mean, what a special way, like, I caught me totally off guard, so it was pretty cool."
In eight spring training games, Baumler has registered a win with 132 pitches thrown in 9.1 innings. He has 10 strikeouts and allowed four hits and a run. According to MLB, 65% of his pitches are strikes.
Baumler was emotional following the news delivered by Schumaker. He was overwhelmed with joy to think about officially being a big leaguer.
"[I] went through a lot of hard times over the last, like, few years. [It's] pretty cool, pretty special," Baumler said. "You know, like a few years ago, I never would have expected this. You know, looking back, it's just I'm glad kept my head down and kept hammering away."
Baumler was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 31, 2002. He attended Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines.
He was originally selected in 2020 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles with 133rd overall pick in the fifth round, which came with a $1.5 million signing bonus.
He didn't see any action until 2022 after having Tommy John surgery in 2020 and 2021.
He bounced around the minor leagues playing for the GCL Orioles, Delmarva Shorebirds, FCL Orioles, Mesa Solar Sox, Aberdeen IronBirds and Chesapeake Baysox.
Baumler was drafted in the Rule 5 Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates in December and later traded to the Rangers for Jaiker Garcia and cash.
MESA, Ariz. — Turns out that Spencer Jones can crush homers in the Cactus League, too.
After a strong spring in the Grapefruit League, Jones made the trip west with the Yankees and put an exclamation point on his big league camp, belting a pair of home runs after coming off the bench in a 15-6 loss to the Cubs.
“Really good to see,” manager Aaron Boone said. “The homers, yes, but just the more consistent quality of the at-bat has been there, and that’s been noticeable all spring.”
Jones, who now has hit six home runs this spring, went deep against two members of the Cubs’ projected bullpen. Facing setup man Phil Maton in the seventh inning, Jones turned on a changeup and drilled it 372 feet to right field. Then he went the other way against Jacob Webb in the ninth inning, which came off the bat at 104.5 mph.
New York Yankees center fielder Spencer Jones #78, at bat in the 2nd inning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The 24-year-old outfielder is set to start the season back at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (alongside Jasson Domínguez), where he played 67 games last year, now trying to keep cutting down on his strikeouts to put himself in a position to impact the big league club when it has a need.
“More competitive at-bats, game after game, whether there’s results or not,” Boone said. “Even in some where, ‘Man, it’s a tough matchup for him,’ he’s put together really good at-bats. He’s grown too.”
The Yankees were still trying Monday to finalize where Luis Gil will begin the season — either in the bullpen or the minor leagues after being the odd man out of their four-man rotation.
The club does not need a fifth starter until April 11, and Gil seems more likely to stay built up in the minors as opposed to piggybacking out of the bullpen, though Boone was not yet ready to commit to that Monday.
Hanging in the balance are the final bullpen spots, which could bump from two to three if Gil starts in the minors, with Cade Winquest, Brent Headrick, Jake Bird and Osvaldo Bido all still in contention.
Winquest, the Rule 5 pick, was the only one of those who pitched Monday, continuing his uneven spring as he gave up two runs on two hits and a walk across 1 ²/₃ innings.
A handful of Yankees veterans and pitchers flew to San Francisco on Monday night ahead of Wednesday’s Opening Day, while the rest of the team stayed back for one more exhibition against the Cubs on Tuesday. … Monday and Tuesday marked the Yankees’ first spring training games in Arizona since 1951, when they swapped spring training sites with the New York Giants. That year, the Yankees worked out in Phoenix while the Giants worked out in St. Petersburg, Fla.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks requested waivers on guard Cam Thomas and converted forward/center Pete Nance, who had been on a two-way deal, to a multi-year standard NBA contract.
Nance, 26, entered Monday night’s game with the Los Angeles Clippers having averaged 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 12.1 minutes in 37 games while playing on a two-way deal.
Thomas scored 34 points in a 116-108 victory at Orlando in his Bucks debut and had 27 points in a 139-118 win at New Orleans nine days later, but his role eventually decreased. He didn’t play at all in back-to-back games with Indiana and Cleveland last week.
This move continues what’s been a difficult season for Thomas, who had scored 22.5 points per game in 2023-24 and 24 points per game in 2024-25 while playing for Brooklyn.
Thomas was averaging 15.6 points in 24 games with Brooklyn this season before the Nets waived him. He averaged 10.7 points and 16.6 minutes in 18 games with Milwaukee.
