DETROIT (AP) — Jalen Duren had 21 points and 10 rebounds after being added to the All-Star Game on Sunday night as an Eastern Conference reserve, and the Detroit Pistons routed the Brooklyn Nets 130-77 in the most-lopsided victory in franchise history.
The 53-point margin topped the mark of 52 set in a 118-66 victory at Boston on Jan 31, 2003. The Nets had a 54-point loss — 120-66 — on Jan. 21 against New York.
Cade Cunningham, the Detroit star who was earlier selected an East All-=Star starter, added 18 points, 12 assists and four steals. The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons improved to 36-12 with their second straight victory. They beat Golden State on Friday night to finish 2-1 on a three-game trip.
Cunningham had 13 points, 10 assists and four steals in the first half as the Pistons raced to a 67-44 lead. Ausar Thompson hit a half-court shot at the halftime buzzer.
Detroit outscored Brooklyn 33-18 in the third quarter to push it to 100-62. The Pistons' largest lead was 55 points.
Cam Thomas and Drake Powell each had 12 points for Brooklyn. The Nets are 13-35.
Egor Demin was 0 for 4 from 3-point range, ending his NBA rookie record of at least one 3 in 34 straight games. He broke the record Friday night in Utah.
Nets scoring leader Michael Porter Jr. sat out because of personal reasons.
Up next
Nets: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
The MLB Rookie of the Year odds feel almost settled, but there's enough time for a surprise or two.
JJ Wetherholt is nearing a return from injury, so Sal Stewart's grip on the NL race may not be completely ironclad. Meanwhile, Kevin McGonigle seems to have the AL competition locked down.
Let's explore the markets and MLB odds for AL and NL Rookie of the Year.
Key Takeaways:
McGonigle's steady play
Will Wetherholt's return be too late?
Odds to win 2026 AL Rookie of the Year
Player
Kevin McGonigle
82%
Parker Messick
17%
Odds last updated on 9-9. Odds from Polymarket. Use our Polymarket promo code (COVERS) for a $20 trading bonus when you deposit at least $10 as a new user.
Odds to win 2026 NL Rookie of the Year
Player
Sal Stewart
86%
Nolan McLean
8%
JJ Wetherholt
3%
Carson Benge
1%
Bryce Eldridge
1%
Odds as of 9-9.
MLB Rookie of the Year favorites
Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (82%)
Parker Messick was making inroads in the AL Rookie of the Year race but then stumbled in his most recent outing, allowing three runs on seven hits (two home runs) over six innings against the Tigers. He did rack up a season-high 12 strikeouts in the contest, though, so perhaps his dip is unwarranted.
Ultimately, the extra-steady Kevin McGonigle may win out despite his lower ceiling, simply because his floor has remained fairly high.
Sal Stewart, Reds (86%)
Sal Stewart leads MLB with 107 RBI while slashing .264/.335/.477. He's got 31 home runs and a somewhat surprising 15 stolen bases.
And yet, he's fourth in fWAR among NL rookies. Some of this can be attributed to his less-than-stellar defensive metrics, but that won't necessarily hurt him. Stewart has played in all 145 games this season, showcasing a durability that few others possess.
Player to watch
JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals (3%)
JJ Wetherholt still leads NL rookies with 4.4 fWAR. His defensive prowess is doing most of the heavy lifting there, as he's probably winning a Gold Glove at second base. He's also filled in at shortstop with Masyn Winn sidelined.
The 23-year-old is aiming to return during the St. Louis Cardinals' upcoming homestand (Sept. 11-20), which could give him some runway to re-establish himself as a contender in this race.
It's worth remembering that the award isn't "best offensive rookie." Even if Stewart has the edge, I'm not sure if it should be an 86-3 advantage in percentage points.
MLB Rookie of the Year futures predictions
Pick
Odds
Pick date
Units
JJ Wetherholt
21.28%
May 11
1
Andrew Painter
25%
March 24
0.25
Carson Benge
4.76%
March 11
0.25
Bubba Chandler
6.67%
February 25
0.25
Chase DeLauter
4.76%
February 25
0.25
Previous ROY picks thread
5/11: Wetherholt
My National League bets have all floundered to varying degrees, so I'll cut bait and grab St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt for one unit. I like Nolan McLean as a dark horse to win the NL Cy Young, so he's tempting here as a hedge alongside Wetherholt, but I'm going to single out the infielder. With Sal Stewart scuffling, Wetherholt should have the shortest odds among position players. He's batting leadoff for the Cardinals and is displaying the power-speed combo that had him near the top of draft rankings ahead of 2024 when St. Louis took him seventh overall (an absolute fleecing). His .250 BABIP also tells me that better days are coming for the .235/.350/.405 slash line. He's also the only qualified position-player rookie worth more than 1.0 fWAR on the Senior Circuit, and some of that comes from his elite glovework at the keystone.
3/24: Painter
I can't shake the value of Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter, so I put .25 units on him, bringing my spring futures tally to one full unit for Rookie of the Year markets. So much can go wrong that I play it fairly conservatively before Opening Day. But Painter had similar hype to Paul Skenes before he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023. Now, with a full season in the minors under his belt following the surgery, he's opening the season in the Phillies' rotation. And unless things go unfathomably sideways, I like him to stick around instead of Taijuan Walker when Zack Wheeler is healthy. Regardless, I expected the number to move, and when it didn't, I decided I'd take the plunge.
3/11: Benge
Carson Benge screamed through the minors in 2025, slashing .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 116 games across three levels. Even with a hiccup in Triple-A, I'm not deterred. He struck out just 17.7% of the time compared to a 13.1% walk rate while boasting a 150 wRC+. He basically looks like the next Kyle Tucker.
2/25: Chandler + DeLauter Bubba Chandler wasn't as highly touted as Skenes, but he wasn't super far off, either. He posted a 1.83 ERA over his first 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A in 2024. Those numbers took a bit of a dive last season, but his first taste of MLB hitting went pretty well. The 4.02 ERA wasn't amazing, but he had a low walk rate, didn't surrender home runs, and had a 2.66 FIP that suggests at least some positive regression. With Griffin taking all the headlines at Pittsburgh Pirates camp, it's perhaps easy to forget that Chandler likely has a rotation spot on Opening Day unless things go all the way sideways this spring. His ace upside is enough to take a flier here.
Chase DeLauter is currently projected to open the season in the Cleveland Guardians outfield. Injuries have slowed his progression a bit, but he is a dangerous hitter, which is exactly what Cleveland needs. He doesn't strike out (15.8% K-rate in 42 minor-league games last year) and has major home run potential from the left side.
Although all players have an equal chance of winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award, the honor has been claimed disproportionately by outfielders since its inception in 1949. Outfielders have 24 victories compared to 17 for pitchers and 17 for shortstops. Catchers are bringing up the rear with just two ROY victories over the past 73 years.
Year
Player
2025
Nick Kurtz (1B)
2024
Luis Gil (SP)
2023
Gunnar Henderson (3B/SS)
2022
Julio Rodriguez (OF)
2021
Randy Arozarena (OF)
2020
Kyle Lewis (OF)
2019
Yordan Alvarez (OF)
2018
Shohei Ohtani (P/OF)
2017
Aaron Judge (OF)
2016
Michael Fulmer (SP)
Previous NL RoY winners
No franchise has won more Rookie of the Year awards than the Dodgers. "The Blue Crew" have claimed 18 RoY trophies dating back to the club's early days in Brooklyn.
However, unlike the AL — where the West has been the recent home of the top rookies — the NL East has housed six of the last 13 RoYs, with a mix of outfielders, infielders, starting pitchers, a catcher, and even a reliever.
MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 31: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 31, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies Date: February 2nd, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM CST Location: FedEx Forum Television Coverage: Peacock, FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially done that thing only the Wolves can do: follow a four-game skid that made you question the entire concept of organized basketball… with a four-game winning streak that thrust them right back into the “contender” conversation.
They’ve now stacked wins over the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Memphis Grizzlies in a busy, bruising, last week of January. And the standings in their cold, merciless honesty say the Wolves are still right there: sitting in the five spot, a half-game behind Houston for the four seed, two games behind San Antonio for the three, and 2.5 behind Denver for the two seed. After everything, every late collapse, every “why is this happening to me?” fourth quarter, every soul-snatch loss that had you staring into the distance, Minnesota is still in the mix.
That’s the wild part. The Wolves have played like two different teams all year, and yet the record is still salvageable because when the “good Wolves” show up, the January 1st Wolves, the “we’re defending like it’s personal” Wolves, the “ball is hopping, everyone eats” Wolves, they can beat anyone. Thursday against OKC wasn’t a fluke; it was a reminder. Minnesota isn’t just capable of hanging with elite teams. They’re capable of punking them when the intensity is real and the execution is clean.
Now the calendar flips to February, which in NBA land means the trade deadline comes to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Wolves fans will finally going to get an answer on whether Tim Connelly has a trick up his sleeve to address the point guard situation that’s been a sore spot all season. Then there are the Giannis rumors that would send shockwaves through Minneapolis and the rest of the NBA. But we’ll leave the wheeling and dealing to Tim. That’s his job. Our job is to look at what’s directly in front of this team.
And what’s in front of them is… opportunity.
The February schedule is lighter. The All-Star break chops it up. There aren’t a bunch of heavyweight boss fights stacked on top of each other like we saw in the back half of January. If the Wolves handle business against teams they should beat, if they take care of the LA Clippers, defend their home floor against the Philadelphia 76ers, and do the thing that has apparently been illegal for this franchise since 2004—cross the border and win a game in Toronto against the Raptors—then you can start squinting and seeing the outline of an undefeated February. Not because the Wolves are some unstoppable machine, but because the math works: a clean month would erase that 2.5-game gap with Denver in a hurry and set up a real push heading into the final quarter of the season.
But before we start ordering champagne and carving “2 seed” into stone tablets, let’s remember who we’re dealing with here. This is still the same team that looked like it forgot how to play fourth quarters in Utah. The same team that blew double-digit leads against Chicago at home. The same team that can go from “title contender” to “mildly haunted YMCA run” in the span of 48 hours.
Which is why Monday night matters.
Because Monday night is the second crack at Memphis, right after Minnesota beat them handily on Saturday. Same opponent. Same “we’re clearly more talented” dynamic. And those are the games that used to bite the Wolves all the time, the ones where you think it’s a formality and then you look up and it’s a six-point game with six minutes left.
Saturday has no bearing on Monday. Minnesota doesn’t get to cash that win twice. The Grizzlies are still scrappy, still proud, still annoyed, and they’re going to come in with the exact mindset you’d expect: “We’re not getting embarrassed twice.” The Wolves have to match that, especially because they’ve still got penance to pay for the January slump.
So with the Grizzlies fresh on our mind, here are the keys to the game.
#1: Protect the paint like it’s a bank vault Memphis couldn’t shoot on Saturday. They looked uncomfortable from three, and when they did score, it was mostly the same formula: high-percentage looks near the rim, drives, dump-offs, second chances. Minnesota did a lot of things right, but they also had those little stretches where they acted like a double-digit lead was body armor. That’s when Memphis crept back into striking distance early in the fourth. The Wolves can’t give them that oxygen again. If Minnesota protects the paint with real discipline, staying connected at the point of attack, forcing tougher finishes, and closing possessions with rebounds, Memphis simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up for 48 minutes.
#2: Keep the ball moving The Wolves shot 49% from three on Saturday, which is one of those numbers that makes you check if it’s a typo. But it didn’t feel fluky because the process was clean: crisp ball movement, quick decisions, and shots that came from advantage rather than desperation. Naz Reid got clean looks. Jaden McDaniels punished rotations. The Grizzlies were late, and Minnesota made them pay. Now, Memphis is going to adjust. They’re going to close out harder. They’re going to try to take away the easy kick-out threes. Fine. That’s where Minnesota has to trust the thing that actually works: move the ball again anyway. The ball rotates faster than any defender, especially a defense that’s short-handed and trying to survive. If the Wolves keep generating advantage, the shots will show up. If they start playing “my turn, your turn,” that’s when the offense gets sticky and Memphis gets a chance.
#3: If Memphis sells out to the arc, punish them inside This is the see-saw game plan chess match. If the Grizzlies decide their entire identity on Monday is “no threes, no rhythm, everything contested,” then Minnesota has to respond like a mature team: go right through them. Rudy Gobert should be a nightly rim pressure event all by himself. Julius Randle needs to leverage his strength without turning into an iso black hole. The Wolves have a size and physicality edge; they need to use it like they mean it.
#4: Treat the ball like it’s valuable—because sloppy possessions are how underdogs hang around. We’ve seen this movie: Wolves get comfortable, the passes get cute, somebody tries a highlight feed that belongs on a mixtape instead of a closeout game, and suddenly there are two turnovers, a couple transition buckets, and the arena vibe shifts from “easy win” to “here we go again.” Saturday had a little whiff of that with a few careless moments, like the Naz Reid behind-the-back turnover that hinted at the Wolves’ bad habit of playing loose when they feel in control. Memphis doesn’t need you to gift them much. They just need you to gift them enough to make it a game. Take care of the ball. Value possessions. Make them earn everything.
#5: Ant and Julius have to set the temperature—because everyone else follows their mood. This is the heart of it. When the Wolves are sharp, it starts with the stars playing like leaders instead of freelancers. When Anthony Edwards is locked in, defending, attacking, making the simple reads, the rest of the team plays with edge. When Randle is engaged, physical, decisive, moving the ball, the offense has flow and purpose. And when either of them drifts into frustration or casual possessions, Minnesota becomes the team that invents new ways to lose winnable games. This is how you extend a streak: you don’t just rely on talent, you bring the same intensity again, even when the opponent isn’t glamorous and the last game felt comfortable. Memphis is going to come in scrapping. Ant and Julius have to meet that scrap with seriousness, and the rest will follow.
That’s the opportunity here: make February feel like a runway instead of a minefield.
The Wolves did the hard part by climbing out of that mid-January mess and stacking four straight wins. Now the challenge is the part that contenders don’t screw up: you don’t give it back. You don’t beat OKC and then drift. You don’t rediscover yourself and then start playing like it was an accident. You take the rematch, you handle your business, you make it five straight, and you start February with the kind of professional, no-drama win that good teams bank without needing a hero moment.
Because if Minnesota keeps treating every game like an opportunity, rather than a mood, then that gap in the standings starts shrinking fast.
Every win matters.
Monday is about making sure they don’t stop at four.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 1: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was created using a halo filter) Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons listens to the national anthem before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 1, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Yeah, this one wasn’t ever close.
Detroit led by nine after the first quarter, 23 at halftime, 38 after the third, and by 53 at the end of the game. That’s the new franchise record for largest margin of victory, set by the 2025-2026 Detroit Pistons.
It looked like the varsity squad taking on the freshman team. The Pistons would end up beating the Nets 130-77 led by the play of recently announced first-time All-Star Jalen Duren.
It was the Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren show early and often. JD had 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Cade added 18 points, four rebounds, 12 assists, four steals, and three blocks (only two turnovers!). The organization has been pushing for Jalen Duren to be an All-Star and tonight’s performance showed why both deserve their recognition as two of the best in the league.
Both players were subbed out at the four-minute mark in the third quarter and never returned as JB Bickerstaff was able to empty the bench early. Daniss Jenkins added 12 points and Tobias Harris had 11.
The Pistons play again on Tuesday night when the Denver Nuggets come to Detroit.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 03: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket past Anthony Black #0 of the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Kia Center on December 03, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
After a weather-related travel nightmare in Charlotte, the Spurs return home tonight to face the Orlando Magic. They’re coming off of a loss to a supernova hot Hornets team where a low energy effort cost the visitors as the Hornets won their sixth game in a row, delighting the Saturday brunch-time home crowd. The Spurs had a chance near the end to tie the game to tie things up, but Wembanyama missed the shot. Even though he had been cold all game long, it was the same kind of shot he has made several times in the past, and it just didn’t work out this time. The bigger problem was the lack of rebounding that gave the Hornets too many second and third chance points for the Spurs to overcome in a game where their best player had an off night.
January was a rough month for the Spurs, as it was for most of the contenders in the Western Conference. They finished 8-7 for the month, which was still good enough to keep them in the top three in the conference, which would guarantee them at least one home playoff series if they can keep it up to the end of the season. They have six more games before the All Star break, and all of them except tonight’s game against the Magic are against Western Conference foes, which means that this stretch of games will be a key indicator if the Spurs are a real contender this year, or a rebuilding team that’s learning how to get back into the playoffs after a long absence. It could be both, but the Spurs are definitely evolving as we speak. With the trade deadline coming up, perhaps the Spurs will do something to help shore up the rebounding and add size in the paint, but it could be that the Silver and Black will stand pat for the rest of the season.
Tonight the Spurs face the Magic who are coming off of a pair of solid wins over Eastern Conference contenders, 133-124 over the Heat, and 130-120 over the Raptors on Friday. They will have a hell of a rest advantage over the home team, who were stuck in Charlotte last night and had to travel back to the Alamo City sometime this morning. If there were ever a time for Boris Diaw’s expresso machine in the locker room, today would be the day. The Spurs previously beat the Magic 114-112 on December 3 without Victor Wembanyama on the court behind a 31 point scoring effort from De’Aaron Fox. Let’s hope the Spurs can overcome the fatigue and start February off on the right foot tonight. After the Magic Spurs will face Thunder on Wednesday night to wrap up the season series, but they don’t want to look past tonight’s game. Let’s GOOO Spurs!
Game Prediction:
Mitch Johnson coaches the game wearing pajamas because he didn’t have time to go home and get a change of clothes after the travel fiasco caused by the snowstorm delaying the Spurs exit from Charlotte.
San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets February 1, 2026 | 8:00 PM CT (rescheduled again due to travel issues) Streaming: NBA League Pass TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
On Sunday, Feb. 1, during an NBC pregame show leading up to the premier of “Sunday Night Basketball,” the NBA revealed the 14 reserves (seven per conference) to round out the rosters for the Eastern and Western Conferences.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will take place Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Here are the winners and losers from the selection of 2026 NBA All-Star Game reserves:
WINNERS
LeBron James
It’s clear, now at the age of 41 and in his 23rd season, that LeBron James’ skills have diminished somewhat. He’s a step slower. He doesn’t jump as high as he used to. And his shot isn’t as pure. But it’s remarkable that James is extending his record to 22 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, even though his streak of 21 straight starts is being snapped.
James remains a consistent threat and a key piece for the Lakers. Through 30 games, James is averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists. He’s this generation’s greatest player and many of his records, including his ones in All-Star Games, might not be touched for decades.
Was this a commemorative nod? Probably. Were there players, based on this season’s performance alone, more deserving? Unquestionably.
First-time All-Stars
Congratulations to Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers), Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Norman Powell (Heat) and Jalen Duren (Pistons) for making their first-ever NBA All-Star teams.
The recognition is especially sweet for Powell, who is the oldest player of the first-timers at 32, and who has played for four different teams in 10 and a half seasons in the NBA, many of those spent as a sixth man. Either way, there’s nothing quite like the recognition, especially when it’s coaches within the conference who are selecting the reserves.
Adam Silver
The NBA commissioner won’t have to intervene and add All-Stars to ensure that there are at least eight internationally born players to meet the minimum required to field a team under the game’s new structure. There are actually at least 10 All-Star players with international ties so someone like Karl-Anthony Towns, who was born in New Jersey but has represented the Dominican Republic in international play, might have to play on one of the two U.S. teams.
LOSERS
Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers
The Intuit Dome, the arena that is hosting the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, will not see a single Clippers player appear in the exhibition. In particular, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have a case to be upset. Although Los Angeles stumbled out of the gate this season, the Clippers have course corrected and have won 16 of their last 20 games. Leonard and Harden have been the catalysts.
Leonard is averaging 27.7 points (which is ninth in the NBA), 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while Harden is putting up 25.4 points, 8.1 assists and 4.8 boards per contest. Either presented an excellent case for an All-Star nod. At least one should have made it.
For my money, Leonard is by far the biggest snub.
Brandon Ingram
This is a case where Ingram was probably snubbed for a couple of reasons. For one, his teammate Scottie Barnes made the cut. Barnes is more versatile and impacts the game as an excellent defender. But even though Toronto is 29-21 (No. 4 in the East) has been one of the surprises of the NBA season, the Raptors remain a team that unfairly flies under the radar.
Either way, Ingram (21.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game) has been a steady scoring presence and clutch performer for Toronto.
Michael Porter Jr.
Though they’ve been slightly more competitive in recent spurts, the Brooklyn Nets have been inconsistent. But Porter Jr. has shown he can be a scoring threat and a No. 1 option. He’s averaging a career best 25.6 points per game, which is well higher than his production from last season (18.2). He’s remaining active on the glass and had a strong case to make the cut.
The biggest pain point on this for Porter is that it would’ve represented his first-ever All-Star selection.
Lauri Markkanen
Similarly, Markkanen plays for the Utah Jazz, a team that has been irrelevant for a few seasons. Yet, Markkanen entered Sunday ranked 11th in the NBA in scoring, putting up 27.4 points per game, also a career high. He has a silky jumper and can also score in the post, and he also provides some value on the glass, with his 7.0 rebounds per game.
Dillon Brooks, Alperen Şengün
The problem, simply, is that the Western Conference is loaded with talent. So while Dillon Brooks is having a career year for the Phoenix Suns, one in which he has expanded his offensive portfolio, and while Alperen Şengün is thriving on both ends for the Rockets, it’s hard to find spots for them.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jaloni Cambridge had 30 points and six assists, Chance Gray made 5 of 10 from 3-point range and finished with 21 points, and No. 11 Ohio State beat Nebraska 90-71 on Sunday night.
Cambridge and her older sister Kennedy Cambridge made back-to-back 3-pointers early in the second quarter that made it 25-20 and Ohio State (20-3, 9-2 Big Ten) led the rest of the way.
Nebraska (16-6, 5-6 Big Ten), which opened the season with a 12-game win streak, has lost four in a row and six of its last eight. The Cornhuskers are 0-5 against Top-25 opponents this season.
Gray, a 5-foot-9 senior guard who scored 791 points in two seasons at Oregon before she transferred to Ohio State prior to last season, has 1,509 career points.
Kennedy Cambridge had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven steals. The redshirt junior has 94 steals this season, the most by an Ohio State player since Averrill Roberts had 98 and Audrey Burcey had 95 in the 1992-93 season. Yvette Angel had a program-record 115 steals in '84-85.
Amiah Hargrove led the Cornhuskers with 24 points, Britt Prince added 12 on 4-of-13 shooting and Logan Nissley scored 11.
Prince made 2 of 2 from the free-throw line and has made 47 straight from the foul line, where she is perfect in 45 attempts in conference play this season.
Kylee Kitts missed her fourth game in a row for Ohio State. The 6-foot-3 freshman, who redshirted at Florida last season, is averaging 9.3 points and a team-leading 7.1 rebounds.
Nebraska's Jessica Petrie (illness), a 6-foot-2 junior who averages 11.9 points and a team-high 1.1 blocks this season, missed her second consecutive game.
Juan Soto will represent the Dominican Republic in the tournament, the Mets announced Sunday — hardly a surprise given the All-Star outfielder’s visibility within his native country.
Soto also played for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 WBC.
Rosters for this year’s event will be finalized this week.
The Mets will send Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes to represent the United States in the WBC.
Mark Vientos has committed to representing Nicaragua.
Juan Soto hits a single during the Mets’ Sept. 16 game. Charles Wenzelberg
Jose Altuve was also among those denied insurance coverage, removing him from the tournament.
Lindor and the Mets are all too familiar with the insurance ramifications after Edwin Díaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during an on-field celebration with Team Puerto Rico during the 2023 WBC.
The All-Star closer underwent season-ending surgery, but received his full salary through insurance.
Soto appeared in four games for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 WBC and finished 6-for-15 (.400) with two homers and a 1.500 OPS.
He will be joined on this year’s Dominican squad by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Rodríguez, Ketel Marte and Manny Machado, among others.
The Mets have been well represented in the tournament since its inception, most notably by David Wright, who earned the “Captain America” moniker for his WBC heroics.
The team sent Lindor, Díaz, Pete Alonso, Eduardo Escobar and Brooks Raley to the 2023 WBC.
McLean will be a Mets focal point for Team USA in this year’s event after the rookie dominated in eight starts following his call-up late last season.
Holmes will also be a first-time participant.
“It’s an opportunity that you never really know if you’re going to get again,” Holmes said in December. “For me, just looking at the whole workload stuff and kind of where I was at in spring training last year, I feel like I was going to do the same workload this year, the same buildup and it really put me on track to do not much different this year, even with the WBC.”
Eugenio Suárez and the Cincinnati Reds have agreed on a $15 million, one-year contract, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday night.
The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced.
Suárez was the top slugger left on the free agent market and the two-time All-Star returns to Cincinnati, where he played seven seasons. He hit 189 home runs for the Reds from 2015 through 2021, including 49 in 2019.
The move gives the Reds the proven power hitter they had been seeking throughout the offseason. A third baseman for most of his 12-year major league career, the 34-year-old Suárez is expected to be Cincinnati’s primary designated hitter and perhaps play some games at third base or first.
The team has Gold Glove winner Ke’Bryan Hayes at third, and touted prospect Sal Stewart is likely to play first.
The Reds were one of many teams interested in Suárez at the trade deadline last year, but they didn’t want to part with key prospects. He was traded from Arizona to Seattle on July 31 and finished fifth in the majors with 49 home runs and fourth with 118 RBIs. He batted .228 overall with an .824 OPS.
The Mariners fell one win shy of reaching their first World Series, losing to Toronto in the American League Championship Series. Suárez had two home runs in Game 5, including a grand slam in the eighth inning.
Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati has averaged 2.67 home runs per game since it opened in 2003. That is the second-highest homer rate in the majors among ballparks to host at least 1,200 games.
Suárez was traded by the Reds to Seattle during spring training in 2022. He spent two seasons with the Mariners before getting traded to the Diamondbacks.
Suárez broke into the majors with Detroit in 2014. He is a .246 career hitter with 325 homers, 949 RBIs and a .792 OPS.
The Cy Young odds finally took a hit this week when Cam Schlittler capitalized on Cease's first rough outing in some time, giving the Toronto Blue Jays ace a steep hill to climb with only a few weeks left to play.
Let's look at the latest MLB odds in both Cy Young races as the season begins to wind down.
Key Takeaways:
Cease stumbles, Schlittler capitalizes
Sanchez deserves better
Odds to win AL Cy Young award 2026
Player
Cam Schlittler
92%
Dylan Cease
8%
Odds last updated on 9-9. Odds from Polymarket. Use our Polymarket promo code (COVERS) for a $20 trading bonus when you deposit at least $10 as a new user.
Odds to win NL Cy Young award 2026
Player
Jacob Misiorowski
87%
Chris Sale
6%
Cristopher Sanchez
4%
Odds as of 9-9.
MLB Cy Young favorites
Cam Schlittler, Yankees (92%)
There you have it, folks.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease allowed five runs (four earned) in five innings while dealing with diminished fastball velocity against the A's in his most recent start. It was the first time he's surrendered more than three earned runs in an outing since late June and only the fourth time all year.
While pitching in Sacramento is no pitcher's preference, he had simply no margin for error, especially as he was already the slight underdog in the AL Cy Young race.
Not so slight now.
Cam Schlittler allowed one run on three hits with 10 strikeouts over seven innings against the Rockies on Tuesday. He issued zero walks for the second straight game after giving away five free passes in an outing against Boston in late August.
He is now 13-6 with a 2.01 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 178 2/3 innings. He's a true ace, and he'll probably win the AL Cy Young Award in his first full MLB season.
Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (87%)
Jacob Misiorowski rebounded against the Cubs in his most recent start, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out nine in 6 1/3 innings. That came six days after getting chased by Chicago after just four innings.
Overall, Misiorowski is 14-5 with a 1.95 ERA in 161 1/3 innings across 27 starts and has a commanding lead in the odds.
While Misiorowski has perhaps been more impressive on a per-inning basis, Sanchez vastly clears him in volume. The southpaw has thrown 181 1/3 innings over 29 starts and will be going again tonight. The kid gloves are off, and he's arguably the most reliable hurler on the Senior Circuit when you factor in workload.
Will it be enough to eclipse "The Miz"? Probably not, but there is a viable argument for why he may be as or more deserving.
MLB Cy Young futures predictions
Pick
Odds
Pick date
Units
Paul Skenes
33.33%
May 11
2.5
Nolan McLean
3.85%
May 11
0.5
Kevin Gausman
2.44%
April 20
0.25
Eury Perez
2.78%
March 25
0.25
Dylan Cease
3.23%
March 25
0.25
Hunter Greene
6.67%
February 24
0.25
Cole Ragans
7.14%
February 24
0.25
Previous Cy Young picks thread
5/11: Skenes/McLean
Since allowing five earned runs in 2/3 of an inning in his season debut, Paul Skenes has arguably been the best starting pitcher in the National League. He's 5-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. He has the lowest walk rate of any qualified starter since April 1 and has consistently shown a durability uncommon in today's game. The best time to bet on him would have been after that first start. But now, it's fine to be aggressive. Waiting for another stumble in his game may be a fool's errand. However, if you're looking to balance him out with a longer shot, I like New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean. His 32% strikeout rate is second among qualified NL starters since April 1, behind just Jacob Misiorowski. I prefer McLean because of the longer odds and the stable poise he brings to the table. The Mets may be a joke, but McLean is a legitimate ace who hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a single start this season.
4/20: Gausman
I'm adding a sprinkle on Kevin Gausman, who is barely shorter than Ragans while drawing the same odds as Garrett Crochet. Gausman may be a bit older, but he's kicked off his season pitching better than he arguably ever has. He's got a 2.54 ERA (2.42 xERA) with 35 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings. The price is just way off. He's historically durable, having thrown at least 174 innings in five straight seasons, and doesn't hurt himself with walks or the gopher ball.
3/25: Cease/Perez
The Toronto Blue Jays jumped early in the offseason to sign Dylan Cease to a long-term contract, and while he has his share of detractors, this is a fantastic situation for the right-hander. The Blue Jays represent the best defense he's ever played in front of, and that should greatly affect his BABIP and help mitigate his ERA shortcomings. His peripherals have always been great, and despite a 4.55 ERA last year, his 3.56 FIP is encouraging. So is the fact that he's pitched at least 165 innings in five straight seasons. He's durable. And no pitcher has recorded more strikeouts in that time. No one. Toronto and pitching coach Pete Walker have done this before, too. Robbie Ray was always a talented pitcher who couldn't quite piece it all together (though he had some bright seasons with Arizona), and then he put together a Cy Young-winning season with the Blue Jays and parlayed it into a big contract with Seattle. Health will be the key, but Perez is an electric arm, and he gets to pitch his home games at pitcher-friendly LoanDepot Park. His fastball is among the best in baseball, averaging close to 98 mph in 2025, and if he takes the expected leap forward in his age-23 season.
2/24: Greene/Ragans
Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans was limited to 61 2/3 innings in 2025, but he was electric when able to take the mound. The 4.67 ERA is unseemly, but that came with a 2.67 expected ERA and a 2.50 FIP. It's reasonable to assume he was a bit unlucky, especially with improvements to his strikeout rate and walk rate. His 30.4% K-BB rate was the best among MLB starters with at least 60 innings pitched last season, and he has a clean bill of health entering spring training. As for Cincinnati Reds righty Hunter Greene, he threw just 107 2/3 innings but was arguably the best version of himself. His 2.76 ERA was just a tick off his 2024 mark, and he posted the best strikeout and walk rates of his career, at 31.4% and 6.2%, respectively. If Greene can roll those improvements into a larger workload, he has the stuff to be there in the home stretch.
Here are the last 10 winners of the AL and NL Cy Young Award, with Detroit, Cleveland, Houston, Washington, and the New York Mets each leading the way with two. Overall, the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers have the most Cy Youngs all time (12), followed by the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves with eight and the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Mets with seven apiece.
Previous AL Cy Young winners
Year
American League Winner
2025
Tarik Skubal
2024
Tarik Skubal
2023
Gerrit Cole
2022
Justin Verlander
2021
Robbie Ray
2020
Shane Bieber
2019
Justin Verlander
2018
Blake Snell
2017
Corey Kluber
2016
Rick Porcello
Previous NL Cy Young winners
Year
National League Winner
2025
Paul Skenes
2024
Chris Sale
2023
Blake Snell
2022
Sandy Alcantara
2021
Corbin Burnes
2020
Trevor Bauer
2019
Jacob deGrom
2018
Jacob deGrom
2017
Max Scherzer
2016
Max Scherzer
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
A few months later, with the market more defined and the offseason nearly complete, Brian Cashman believes they got a deal.
“At this point, that $22 million looks like a bargain the way the free agent market got away from everyone, on a one-year basis,” Cashman said Sunday morning on MLB Network Radio.
Grisham only made $5.25 million in 2025, his final year of arbitration, but did so while enjoying a breakout season in which the center fielder hit 34 home runs with a .811 OPS and became the regular Yankees leadoff hitter.
Trent Grisham hits a home run during the Yankees’ Aug. 27 game against the Nationals. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
That led the Yankees to extend a qualifying offer to Grisham, who could have explored the free agent market and potentially landed a multiyear deal worth more overall than the $22.025 million.
“What he did last year to unlock and take it to another level was spectacular and all the information that we buy into leads us to believe clearly that by offering him the qualifying offer that [2025] was real, it is sustainable and that he is an offensive and defensive player for us moving forward,” Cashman said.
Brian Cashman talks to reporters Nov. 20. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
“We’re really happy he chose to stay with us at the $22 [million] on a one-year basis and hopefully he can replicate what he did last year for us because it was one of the reasons we had the success we had and made the postseason.”
And so the Yankees are set to bring back the same starting outfield of Bellinger, Grisham and Aaron Judge, with Jasson Domínguez — who was eventually squeezed out of playing time last season because of Grisham’s continued emergence — currently projected to be a fourth outfielder.
While Grisham’s high average annual value is part of the reason why the Yankees’ luxury tax payroll now stands at $335.5 million, according to Cot’s Contracts, his $22.025 million is tied for the seventh-highest AAV of any position player who signed this offseason.
That trails only Tucker ($60 million), Bo Bichette ($42 million), Alex Bregman ($35 million), Bellinger ($32.5 million), Pete Alonso ($31 million) and Kyle Schwarber ($30 million).
Shohei Ohtani likely won't pitch again this season and recently missed four straight games. That may not seem like much, but it could be enough to give Pete Crow-Armstrong the hardware.
MLB odds also still favor Yordan Alvarez in the AL, but the Triple Crown is slipping through his fingers. Will his MVP chances similarly erode?
For more analysis, check out our MLB MVP odds and predictions below.
Key Takeaways:
Witt being overlooked
PCA has NL in the bag
Odds to win 2026 AL MVP
Player
Yordan Alvarez
92%
Junior Caminero
3%
Bobby Witt Jr.
2%
Odds last updated on 9-8. Odds from Polymarket. Use our Polymarket promo code (COVERS) for a $20 trading bonus when you deposit at least $10 as a new user.
Odds to win 2026 NL MVP
Player
Pete Crow-Armstrong
95%
Shohei Ohtani
4%
Odds last updated on 9-8.
MLB MVP odds favorites
Yordan Alvarez (92%)
Yordan Alvarez went deep on Sunday, hitting his first home run since Aug. 29 and just his second in 21 games since Aug. 15. His 38 home runs are tied for the AL lead with Junior Caminero, who is running a distant second in probability to win AL MVP.
A major narrative hook for Alvarez had been his pursuit of the Triple Crown, an honor that would more or less cement him as the runaway winner. While he's still positioned as the overwhelming favorite, Caminero has tied him for the home run lead, and Pete Alonso has surpassed him in the RBI category.
Bobby Witt Jr. should be closer to him in the odds. Witt is an elite defensive shortstop, and though his overall numbers haven't been quite as impressive as when he was runner-up to Aaron Judge in each of the last two seasons, it's insane that he's not garnering more attention.
If Alvarez wins the Triple Crown, fine. If not, give it to Witt, who's the more complete player.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (95%)
Shohei Ohtani missed four consecutive games this past week before returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Monday. It seems unlikely that he will return to the mound in any capacity, either, as his focus going forward will be on hitting.
PCA hit his 40th and 41st home runs over the weekend and added a pair of stolen bases to reach 35, putting him within sniffing distance of a 40-40 season. With Ohtani relegated to DH duties, Crow-Armstrong's elite defense puts him over the top.
The only thing standing in his way now is an injury. And even then, it seems far-fetched that it would even derail his chances by all that much.
MLB MVP futures predictions
Prediction
Odds
Prediction date
Units
Bobby Witt Jr.
2%
Sept. 1
0.25
Pete Crow-Armstrong
22.2%
Aug. 1
1
Mike Trout
4.76%
April 21
0.5
Ben Rice
6.25%
April 21
0.5
Gunnar Henderson
6.25%
March 24
0.5
Wyatt Langford
2.44%
February 25
0.25
Jackson Merrill
1.79%
February 25
0.25
My MVP predictions have gone poorly, but I also haven't chased anything to make up for early mistakes.
However, the value on Witt is simply too good to pass up even if his chances are notably slim. In an age when WAR holds significant weight and voters are looking beyond the slash line, Witt does everything so well that it makes sense to go with him over Alvarez, a wonderful slugger who rarely plays defense and doesn't do it particularly well when he does.
I did snag Crow-Armstrong when he was still plus money, and I'm glad I did. I wish I got him at a better number, but better late than never.
Here are the last 10 winners of the AL and NL MVP Award, with Shohei Ohtani leading the way as a four-time winner, with two in the AL and two in the NL. Only Frank Robinson has also won MVP awards in both leagues.
Barry Bonds holds the record for most MVP awards (seven).
The New York Yankees have won the most MVPs in MLB history with 25, while the St. Louis Cardinals are second, leading all NL teams, with 21. No player for the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, or Tampa Bay Rays has ever won MVP.
Previous AL MVP winners
Year
American League Winner
2025
Aaron Judge
2024
Aaron Judge
2023
Shohei Ohtani
2022
Aaron Judge
2021
Shohei Ohtani
2020
Jose Abreu
2019
Mike Trout
2018
Mookie Betts
2017
Jose Altuve
2016
Mike Trout
Previous NL MVP winners
Year
National League Winner
2025
Shohei Ohtani
2024
Shohei Ohtani
2023
Ronald Acuna Jr.
2022
Paul Goldschmidt
2021
Bryce Harper
2020
Freddie Freeman
2019
Cody Bellinger
2018
Christian Yelich
2017
Giancarlo Stanton
2016
Kris Bryant
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The contract includes a mutual option for the 2027 season worth $16 million, ESPN reported.
Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez (28) comes home on his two-run home run during the first inning when the Yankees played the Seattle Mariners. for the NY POST
Suárez was the biggest bat remaining on the open market, and he heads to the Reds after hitting 49 home runs last season, although he struggled during the second half of the campaign.
Suárez spent seven of his 12 years in Major League Baseball with the Reds, playing in Cincinnati from 2015-21.
The infielder split last season between the Diamondbacks and the Mariners.
He clobbered 36 home runs and batted .248 before the trade to Seattle.
Suárez then hit .189/.255/.428 and recorded 13 home runs in 53 games with the Mariners following the move.
Eugenio Suarez #7 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 17, 2017. Getty Images
He did finish the 2025 season with a career-best 118 RBIs, though he finished the year hitting .228/.298/.526.
ESPN reported that Suárez is expected to get a majority of his at-bats in Cincinnati as a designated hitter, with the Reds already having Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base and rookie Sal Stewart believed to be taking over at first base for the upcoming season.
He spent two seasons with the Mariners from 2022-23 before he was traded in November 2023 to the Diamondbacks.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense during the game against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks on March 6, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks (30*-18), riding a five-game win streak, welcome the Lakers (29-18) to Madison Garden Tonight. A national audience will tune in to see Luka Dončić and LeBron James, leaders of a Los Angeles team that scores brilliant and defends much less so. Expect a tight game, which might be LeBron’s last appearance at MSG.
Tip off is 7 p.m. EST on NBA / Peacock. Tip off is 7 p.m. EST on NBC. This is your game thread. This is Silver Screen and Roll. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Practice kindness. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the stupid NBA Cup doesn’t count.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 27: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second half at Madison Square Garden against Sacramento Kings on January 27, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Karl-Anthony Towns is headed to L.A., folks.
No, he didn’t get traded. The Big Bodega has been named to his sixth All-Star team, as revealed by the NBA on NBC pregame show on Sunday night. He will join Jalen Brunson in the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season.
Towns is joined by Donovan Mitchell, Pascal Siakam, and Scottie Barnes, as well as first-timers Jalen Duren, Norman Powell, and Jalen Johnson, as the Eastern Conference’s reserves. There will be an additional one named in the near future due to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury, and potentially one more if the USA/World splits don’t yield enough players.
Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, Chet Holmgren, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deni Avdija, and LeBron James were all named West reserves. Personally, I’m bewildered we didn’t see Kawhi Leonard make it, but that’s a story for another day. Good for Jamal Murray getting the recognition.
Towns is, by all measures, having his worst season in a while. The 30-year-old center is averaging 20.0 points (lowest since 2015-16), 11.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 45 games, shooting a career-low 46.1% from the field and just 36.1% from three. The only season that’s been comparable to this one, offensively, was his rookie season. He’s also leading the league in offensive fouls and has had games where he has absolutely no rhythm offensively.
Still, KAT leads the NBA in rebounding and has found other ways to impact the game. He remains a mediocre defender, but has improved in that aspect ever so slightly. He’s still capable of big games and has recently turned into an Andre Drummond-esque rebounder, grabbing 44 in just 64 combined minutes over the last two games.
Towns has been brought up in trade rumors amidst his increasing discomfort in Mike Brown’s system and the Knicks’ struggles in January, but barring an unforeseen demand by one Greek Freak, it seems he’ll be here for the stretch run.
Assuming that’s the case, this will be the third straight year the Knicks have two in the All-Star Game. While the ‘Bockers have had a pair of all-stars sporadically throughout their history, this is historic for them. It’s the first time since the early 1970s that the Knicks have had multiple all-stars in three consecutive seasons. Back then, there were only 18 teams and the likes of Clyde Frazier and Willis Reed were annual mainstays.
The all-star tandem will not play with each other, however. Despite having two all-stars for the third straight year, the Knicks haven’t had two teammates in the All-Star Game since 2013. Julius Randle was injured in 2024 and Adam Silver’s first attempt at experimenting came last year and separated Brunson and Towns.
The All-Star Game is two weeks from today, on February 15. We’ll see who Towns and Brunson team up with when the teams are formally set.
Kevin McGonigle
Parker Messick
Sal Stewart
Nolan McLean
JJ Wetherholt 
Bryce Eldridge
Andrew Painter
Bubba Chandler
Nick Kurtz (1B)
Luis Gil (SP)
Gunnar Henderson (3B/SS)
Julio Rodriguez (OF)
Randy Arozarena (OF)
Yordan Alvarez (OF)
Shohei Ohtani (P/OF)
Aaron Judge (OF)
Drake Baldwin (C)
Paul Skenes (SP)
Corbin Carroll (OF)
Devin Williams (RP)
Cody Bellinger (1B/OF)
Cam Schlittler 
Dylan Cease
Eury Perez
Cole Ragans
Rick Porcello
Blake Snell
Sandy Alcantara
Max Scherzer
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Mike Trout 
Wyatt Langford
Jose Abreu
Kris Bryant
