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Devils pull away late in 5-1 win over Panthers

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — U.S. Olympic golden goal-scorer Jack Hughes extended his points streak to four games since returning from Milan, and the New Jersey Devils dealt the Florida Panthers’ playoff hopes another blow by beating the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Hughes’ shot that went wide banked right to Dougie Hamilton for his goal. Hughes has four assists — one in each game — since the NHL season resumed.

Hamilton, whose name has been involved in trade buzz for several months, also had an assist. It’s unclear if the Devils will be able to move the defenseman before the deadline Friday, given that Hamilton has two years remaining on his contract beyond this season at a $9 million salary cap hit and is owed a $7.4 million roster bonus on July 1.

If New Jersey, which looks out of the race, sells elsewhere, depth forward Cody Glass may have boosted his value by scoring his 14th goal of the season. Arseny Gritsyuk also scored, looking off Hughes on a 2 on 1 before beating Sergei Bobrovsky, who was excellent early and finished with 28 saves on 31 shots.

Florida is in danger of becoming the first Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season since the Los Angeles Kings in 2014-15. The Panthers have lost three of four games since the Olympics ended, all of those coming in regulation.

Combined with Boston’s victory against Pittsburgh, Florida is 10 points back of the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with just 21 games left to play. Coach Paul Maurice said captain Aleksander Barkov, who’s recovering from tearing the ACL and medial collateral ligament in his right knee during training camp, is not expected back until at least late March.

Up next

Panthers: At Columbus on Thursday night.

Devils: Host Toronto on Wednesday night.

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Gabe Perreault finally starting to live up to Rangers’ expectations

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Gabe Perreault (left) celebrates after scoring a third period goal in the Rangers' overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on March 2, 2026, Image 2 shows Gabe Perreault celebrates with teammates after scoring a third period goal in the Rangers' overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on March 2, 2026

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By now, Gabe Perreault agrees, the game has started to slow down for him.

He has skated in 27 games with the Rangers this season. He has collected 11 points, including a career-best three during their overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on Monday, and flashed the dynamic offensive skill set that defined the former first-round pick’s game with Boston College and AHL Hartford.

That latest sample — which fueled a four-goal comeback in the third period — served as the most recent glimpse of Perreault’s potential in his first extended NHL stint. Head coach Mike Sullivan said he bumped Perreault up to skate with Vincent Trocheck in overtime because of his performance, too.

And all of a sudden, in the middle of a lost season filled with constant shuffling, the Rangers finally have a prospect seemingly positioned to end their development woes.

Gabe Perreault (left) celebrates after scoring a third period goal in the Rangers’ overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on March 2, 2026. Robert Sabo for New York Post

“I wouldn’t say he’s the fastest or the strongest or the biggest, but he’s really quick to pucks and has a great stick and his hockey brain really helps him a lot — and he’s obviously got elite skill,” Rangers forward J.T. Miller, who skated alongside Perreault on the first line recently before landing on injured reserve Tuesday, said postgame Monday.

The lack of production from top Blueshirts draft picks — from Alexis Lafrenière and Brennan Othmann to the since-traded Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil — has spanned coaching staffs.

There have been spurts, with Lafrenière’s 2024 postseason being the most recent example before Perreault, but all, at some point, faded.

Gabe Perreault celebrates with teammates after scoring a third period goal in the Rangers’ overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on March 2, 2026. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

There was always a chance for Perreault to snap the drought. The last two months have only solidified that.

Perreault ripped a shot from the slot Monday to make it 4-2, and then he tied the game later in the third period by skating toward the right side of the net and lifting a shot past Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.

Both instances captured Perreault hanging onto pucks longer or taking shots himself, and he finished with a career-best six shots on goal against Columbus, according to Hockey Reference.

He also became the first Rangers rookie 20 years old or younger to have a three-point period since Alex Kovalev in December 1993, according to the team, and Perreault became the ninth rookie in the NHL this season to have at least two multigoal games.

That, in the short-term, meant the Rangers had a top line capable of producing like one with the addition of Perreault, though shuffling will follow after Miller’s upper-body injury.

And, in the long-term, Perreault has kept delivering reminders that he has as good of a chance as anyone to become the prospect that sticks.

“I feel like I’ve been getting a lot of chances these last couple games,” Perreault said Monday, “and it feels good to get a couple go in.”

The Rangers recalled forwards Jaroslav Chmelar and Juuso Parssinen from Hartford, while forward Brendan Brisson and defenseman Scott Morrow were assigned to the Wolf Pack.

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Penguins/Bruins Recap: Pens frustrated in Beantown, fall 2-1

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 3: Bryan Rust #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against Nikita Zadorov #91 and Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on March 3, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Pregame

Blake Lizotte is out with an injury, Kevin Hayes is back. Rickard Rakell’s stint as a center is over, at least for now, so say hello to first line Ben Kindel. Stuart Skinner starts in net.

They meet the Bruins with this lineup.

First period

Exciting first minute, hope everyone got to their seats on time. Boston starts out with two really good chances, forcing big saves from Skinner. Play goes the other way and Erik Karlsson’s point shot finds the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

The Bruins decide to challenge for Kindel interfering with the goalie, there isn’t much to see so the officials don’t agree, penalty to Boston for delay of the game. All this in the first 42 seconds!

Can’t hope for much better for the Penguins, however at this point the game turns against them in a major way. The aggressive Boston penalty holds the puck for a while, enough to where Anthony Mantha can slip behind the defense and get sprung on a breakaway by Egor Chinakhov. Jeremy Swayman is there to stop it, and it’s all Boston from here on out.

A few minutes after that, the Pens can’t get out of the zone and the bouncing puck gets to Marat Khusnutdinov who has the time and space to unleash a very nice shot to the far side. 1-1 game.

Fifty seconds later, the Bruins strike again. Another play that starts in the right corner ends up with the Penguins overskating and chasing the puck towards Nikita Zadorov once they had overcommitted down to the corner. Zadorov puts a low and hard shot that’s destined to be a rebound and becomes just that. It’s Casey Mittlestadt there to put it away, with no one around him since the pack shifted back to the open ice. 2-1 game at exactly the 6:00 mark.

Dan Muse has seen enough after five of the last six minutes of the game was so sloppy, he utilizes his timeout and shows a lot of emotion yelling to his team to try and shake them out of the funk.

The results are iffy at best, though at least it stopped the momentum. Connor Clifton took a penalty for holding, the Pens’ PK was able to answer.

Pittsburgh gets a power play late in the period but don’t get much out of it. 2-1 BOS after 20, shots are 12-7 in favor of the home team.

Second period

The second looks again like the first with Boston carrying a lot of zone time and hemming the Pens in for long stretches. Pittsburgh gets a few chances here and there, but mostly one and dones like another Karlsson shot hitting the post.

The team trade penalties, Chinakhov is off for a high-stick but then the Bruins get caught with too many men on the ice during their power play.

Anthony Mantha gets rung up for a modest cross-checking penalty but Boston can’t score on the power play and the period ends as Bryan Rust disgustedly smacks the puck away in frustration. It’s been a frustrating go for him and his teammates so far.

Shots-wise, the Pens actually did well with a 15-11 advantage in the second period. Didn’t feel that way for large stretches of the period. Boston up 2-1 with 20 to go.

Third period

Karlsson’s strong night continues when he draws a penalty. No goal comes of it but the Pens look about as they have all night building some pressure and carrying the play more. Tommy Novak glanced a shot off the crossbar, Ben Kindel followed that up a shift later by creating a nice chance.

The Bruins have folded, purposely or not, into a strong defensive shell and focus – only generating a shot or two over the first 10-12 minutes of the period.

The Pens get basic and try to get pucks and bodies to the net to smash one over the line but aren’t able to do so.

Skinner gets pulled for an extra attacker, the game is kept alive when the Bruins hit a post. Time runs out before either team can score and the Bruins skate off with a 2-1 victory.

Some thoughts

  • Mantha scored on a breakaway about a month ago against Chicago on the same little fake shot to backhand move, didn’t work out this time early in the first period. Shame about that, gotta wonder if he converts there to make it 2-0 Pittsburgh about two minutes into the game how that might have changed the course of the game.
  • Then again, if Boston has to be given a lot of credit for this one. They were quicker to plays, and as Colby Armstrong said on the broadcast the Bruins were picking off Penguin breakouts left and right, as if their prescouting gave them all the keys and the execution was very sharp.
  • This was only the fourth regulation loss for the Pens in the last 24 games and only their second regulation loss since falling in a similar 1-0 tough loss in Boston back on January 11th. Sometimes loses happen, on the road, things are just not quite in sync on the evening. The opponent has something to do with that to pin them in, cut off the walls and pick off pucks up the middle, get solid goaltending. If anything it stands out how rarely these kind of games have happened to the Pens in this great stretch of play they’ve had since Christmas.
  • Kris Letang left the game in the second period, which perhaps would have been worse than the loss of the game, but was able to return to the game partway through the third period. That could develop into a big story depending on the severity there, if any. Given all the games in the near future and the upcoming trade deadline on Friday, that blueline position might be standing out more even with a close call.
  • Great game from Karlsson, the early goal had him in a shooting mood all night long. A whopping 15 shot attempts (six on goal), one goal, one post. For a while more often than not it seemed like about the only time a white jersey was shooting the puck it was coming from No. 65.
  • Evgeni Malkin took eight faceoffs, his most in a single game since 12/1. Didn’t go well (only won two of them) though it’s notable that he’s getting more into the groove after taking 0, 1 or 2 faceoffs for 15 straight games recently, he’s now up to 16 draws over the most recent three games. At this rate, and given the Pens’ center situation, Malkin might be working his way back to his natural center position which is a good sign about his health and the stability of the shoulder getting back to normal or at least good enough to be in his typical spot.
  • Overall the faceoff situation was about as dreadful as it’s consistently come to be in the last four Crosby-less games. The team only won 34% of their draws, including lineup addition Kevin Hayes going 0-for-5. Hayes is big, strong and a veteran which usually corresponds to the skills associated with being good at that area, but Hayes isn’t really adept at that skill in general (winning only 37.6% of his 101 faceoffs on the season entering this game). Kinda a bummer there, would have been nice if he at least could provide a little bit of value with that skill but it isn’t an area he excels.
  • Another Crosby effect: Pittsburgh forwards have scored four total 5v5 goals over these last four games (Chinakhov vs NJ; Kindel, Chinakhov and Brazeau against Vegas). In two of the games, including tonight, there were no 5v5 goals from a forward to be found. That’s tough sledding, in some respects carrying a 2-1-1 record without Crosby so far still is fairly impressive to find ways to generate enough production. They just couldn’t find that goal they needed — either with the 0/4 power play or at even strength in this game —which ultimately served as a major reason why they came up short.

It doesn’t get much easier from here, next game coming up against mighty (!) Buffalo on Thursday.

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VJ Edgecombe will not return vs. Spurs

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 3: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 3, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

As if things weren’t going poorly enough, the Sixers will play the second half vs. the Spurs without VJ Edgecombe.

The rookie guard injured his back after being fouled by Carter Bryant in the closing seconds of the first half.

Edgecombe was able to get up and walk under his own power. He took the ensuing free throws, but did not look very comfortable doing so. The team ruled him out for the second half with lower back soreness.

The Sixers were already without Joel Embiid (right oblique strain), Paul George (suspension) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (illness). They couldn’t get much going in the first half vs. Victor Wembanyama and company. San Antonio held the Sixers to 37.3% from the field, taking a 78-53 lead into the locker room.

The Sixers are right back at it Wednesday night as they welcome the tanking Utah Jazz to town.

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Yankees giving Ryan McMahon the chance to seize backup shortstop role

New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon #19 in the field during the 1st inning.
Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon #19, in the field against the Pirates.

TAMPA — Ryan McMahon is entering his 10th season in the majors. He spent five-plus years in the minors.

In that time, he’s played a total of 9,451 innings at third base, nearly 2,182 innings at second base and 1,845 innings at first base.

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And only a few more than you at shortstop.

With Aaron Boone eyeing his third baseman for the backup shortstop role to start the season, McMahon got much-needed reps at the position during the Yankees’ 11-1 exhibition win over Panama, but displayed the need for more while flubbing a relatively straightforward grounder.

With José Caballero set to start the season at shortstop — and Anthony Volpe still recovering from shoulder surgery — McMahon could provide the Yankees with roster flexibility as the backup. But before Tuesday, McMahon had only played three innings at shortstop as a pro, coming in 2020.

“It feels, it looks so much different for me,” said McMahon, who was pulled after five innings. “There’s a lot more space. I think I gained a little bit more respect for what these shortstops have to deal with on a daily basis. But it was fun getting out there. I botched one, but I feel like if I see that one a couple more times that would be no problem.

Yankees’ Ryan McMahon on the field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“I feel pretty comfortable out there. I think of myself as a baseball player. I think if I just take some more reps I’ll be able to handle it. I think I’ll get better at it.”

McMahon, who has received five consecutive Gold Glove nominations at third base, turned an inning-ending double play in the first, but fumbled a chance to end the fourth when he bobbled a grounder toward the middle. He then recovered to handle another opportunity in the fifth.

“It’s just getting reads off the bat,” said McMahon, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run. “The angles are different. You get so used to seeing it from the spot you’ve been at. You just step into a different area and I think that’s something reps can definitely fix. 

“It’s baseball … Just getting it to where it’s second nature. At third base I don’t think about it, I just do it.”

Boone plans to have McMahon, 31, work exclusively at shortstop Wednesday, then put him back there for Thursday’s spring training game against the Twins.

Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon in the field against the Pirates. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“It was good to get him out there,” Boone said. “The error kind of took a bad hop on him, although it’s one he’s probably gotta attack if you read it perfectly or you can give a little more ground, especially with his arm, and put yourself in a better position to handle that hop. But watching him in pregame on the back field, he looks really good there. I definitely think he can handle it. Obviously the arm really plays. He’s just so natural picking up a ground ball.”

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Paolo Banchero matches season high with 37 points as Magic ease past Wizards 126-109

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero equaled a season high with 37 points, Desmond Bane scored 25 and the Orlando Magic eased to a 126-109 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

Banchero went 15 of 21 from the field as Orlando shot 55.3% and dominated with its starters on the floor to end a two-game skid. The Magic are seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Jett Howard scored 12 points and Jalen Suggs, Jevon Carter and Moritz Wagner had 10 apiece for an Orlando team that was missing injured regulars Anthony Black (quad), Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) and Franz Wagner (ankle).

Rookie Will Riley scored 19 points and Jaden Hardy added 18 for the Wizards, who had nine healthy players available and lost their sixth straight.

Angel Reese of the WNBA's Chicago Sky was in attendance to watch her brother, Washington's Juju Reese, make his second career start. The 6-foot-9 rookie out of Maryland had nine points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes.

The Wizards led briefly in the second quarter and kept it within single digits until early in the third, when a layup by Suggs put the Magic ahead 66-56. Orlando led by double digits the rest of the way and pushed its advantage to 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Up next

Wizards: Host Utah on Thursday.

Magic: Host Dallas on Thursday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Xavier Edmonds has double-double in TCU's win at No. 10 Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Xavier Edmonds had 20 points and 12 rebounds as TCU got another big win in its late push to get into the NCAA Tournament, winning 73-65 at No. 10 Texas Tech on Tuesday night.

Edmonds’ putback layup with 31 seconds left pushed the lead to 71-65 for Horned Frogs (20-10, 10-7 Big 12), who have won seven of their last eight games. It was their third win this season against a top-10 team, including a win over then-No. 5 Iowa State during this stretch.

Texas Tech (22-8, 12-5) had won three games in a row since losing standout post J.T. Toppin to a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee. The Red Raiders, who finish 14-2 at home, had moved up six spots in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, matching their season-opening ranking after going to the Elite Eight last season.

Micah Robinson scored 15 points for the Frogs, and Jayden Pierre had 14. David Punch, their leading scorer, was limited to six points while having foul issues, but still had 10 rebounds.

Donovan Atwell led Tech with 19 points and five 3-pointers, extending his single-season school record to 115. Jaylen Petty scored 17, while Christian Anderson had 11 points and nine assists.

NO. 13 VIRGINIA 75, WAKE FOREST 70

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points and Virginia outlasted Wake Forest to secure the No. 2 seed and a double-bye in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

Jacari White added 14 points and Johann Grunloh had 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks as the Cavaliers (26-4, 14-3) beat the Demon Deacons for the 14th time in the last 16 meetings.

Coming off a humbling loss at No. 1 Duke in which they missed 28 of 35 3-point attempts, the Cavaliers struggled again from long range. Virginia missed its first eight 3-point attempts and went 3 for 17 from beyond the arc in the opening half.

The Cavaliers were better after halftime and finished 10 of 32 from deep, including a 3 by Malik Thomas that made it 71-62 with 1:23 left. Thomas finished with 11 points.

Mekhi Mason scored 26 points and Juke Harris had 21 for the Demon Deacons (15-15, 6-11), who kept the outcome in doubt until the final seconds. Wake Forest got within 73-70 with 6.1 seconds to play, but Virginia’s Dallin Hall made two free throws with 5.2 seconds left to seal it.

GEORGIA 98 NO. 16 ALABAMA 88

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Kanon Catchings scored a career-high 32 points and Georgia ended Alabama’s eight-game winning streak with a victory.

Catchings ignited the Bulldogs (21-9, 9-8 Southeastern Conference) with 20 points before halftime, leading their fourth win in five games. He was 7 of 13 from 3-point range and delivered a signature highlight with a behind-the-back pass to Somto Cyril for a thunderous slam.

Heading into its final home game of the season, Georgia had likely done enough to clinch its second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. But tacking a sixth Quad 1 win onto the resume surely sealed a berth in the 68-team field.

The Bulldogs also reached the most regular-season victories since the 2001-02 team went 21-8 under Jim Harrick.

The Crimson Tide (22-8, 12-5) wasted a chance to bolster its seeding for the tournament, despite a spirited back-and-forth down the stretch as the teams traded 3 after 3. Labaron Philon Jr. led Alabama with 26 points.

NO. 17 NORTH CAROLINA 67, CLEMSON 63

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Luka Bogavac hit six 3-pointers and scored a career-best 20 points as North Carolina beat Clemson and set a program record by going 18-0 at home.

Henri Veesaar scored 13 points before fouling out in the final minute and Jarin Stevenson had nine points and 10 rebounds as the Tar Heels (24-6, 12-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) won their fourth straight game heading into a weekend rematch with No. 1 Duke.

North Carolina’s unbeaten run at home was its first in nine years.

RJ Godfrey scored a career-high 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting for Clemson (21-9, 11-6). Godfrey’s only point in the final 8½ minutes came on a free throw with 1:25 remaining that cut the deficit to 61-59. Carter Welling added 13 points.

NO. 18 ST. JOHN"S 72, GEORGETOWN 69

NEW YORK (AP) — Zuby Ejiofor scored 23 points, Joson Sanon added 15 off the bench — all after halftime — and St. John’s rallied from 12 down in the second half to beat skidding Georgetown.

With a gritty comeback on Senior Night at Madison Square Garden, the Red Storm (24-6, 17-2 Big East) tied No. 4 UConn atop the conference standings with one regular-season game remaining. A victory Friday night at Hudson River rival Seton Hall would give the Johnnies at least a share of their second consecutive Big East regular-season championship following a 32-year drought.

The only time they’ve won back-to-back league crowns was 1985 and ’86.

Dylan Darling had 12 points for St. John’s, which has won 15 of 16 overall and 11 straight meetings with Georgetown — the longest streak for either school in a series that dates to 1909.

NO. 19 MIAMI (OHIO) 74, TOLEDO 72

OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Pete Suder scored 19 points, Antowne Woolfolk added 14 and Miami (Ohio) closed within a victory of a perfect regular season with a win over Toledo that extended the RedHawks’ season-opening winning streak to 30 games.

The RedHawks (17-0 Mid-American Conference) remain the only undefeated team in Division I men’s basketball. Miami extended the best start in program history and added to its school record for wins in a season. Miami also boasts the best start and longest win streak in MAC annals.

Brant Byers added 13 points and Luke Skaljac chipped in 12 for the RedHawks, who extended their home winning streak to 31- games in front of a sellout crowd of 10,640 at Millett Hall. That home mark matches Duke for the longest in the nation.

Leroy Blyden Jr. led Toledo (16-4, 10-7) with 21 points and Sonny Wilson added 13.

NO. 23 TENNESSEE 78, SOUTH CAROLINA 59

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — J.P. Estrella scored 22 points, Felix Okpara added 20 and Tennessee rolled past South Carolina to stop a two-game skid.

The Volunteers (21-9, 11-6 Southeastern Conference) were a force inside, even without injured starter and second-leading scorer Nate Ament, a 6-foot-10 freshman.

Tennessee shook off Ament’s absence with post players Estrella and Okpara dismantling South Carolina’s defense with dunks and layups.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie, the Vols’ leading scorer at 18.7 points per game, was held to eight points on 3-of-9 shooting. But he had a career-high 12 assists as he regularly found Estrella and Okpara close to the basket.

The Vols held a 56-18 scoring edge in the paint as Estrella and Okpara combined to make 20 of 27 shots.

Meechie Johnson, who was honored on senior night, scored 20 points to lead the Gamecocks (12-18, 3-14), who’ve lost 10 of 11.

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Cavs sneak past conference-leading Pistons 113-109

Mar 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) looks to the basket beside Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) and center Jarrett Allen (31) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to enact revenge for their loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday. It once again wasn’t the prettiest game, but having James Harden down the stretch ensured that the Cavs weren’t going to cough this one up as they cruised to a 113-109 victory.

Not a lot went right for the Cavs on Tuesday. Jarrett Allen left the game early with a knee injury, James Harden had an off-night as he went 4-16 from the field, and they were without Donovan Mitchell (groin). Still, they were able to do enough to beat the conference-leading Pistons. That’s encouraging, even if how it happened wasn’t exactly pretty.

The Cavaliers started strong, pushing their lead to 10 midway through the second quarter. The Pistons started the third quarter well, making it a two-point game midway through the third before Allen left the game with a knee injury.

The Cavs’ bench lineups with Thomas Bryant at center responded well and got their lead back up to double digits, but the starters had a difficult time keeping the momentum going without the services of Allen.

The Pistons cut the deficit to as little as two in the fourth quarter, but they weren’t able to get any closer than that thanks to some timely baskets from Sam Merrill, Dennis Schroder, and Harden late.

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Evan Mobley once again had a strong game against Detroit. He was the best defensive player on the court and saved the offense on more than a few occasions. Mobley finished the game with 18 points on 5-9 shooting with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Jaylon Tyson led the Cavs with 22 points, with most of his damage coming from deep. He went 5-12 from three while providing four assists and two blocks.

Harden struggled to find his shot, but he did enough to help get the Cavs across the finish line late. He provided 18 points and seven helpers in the win.

Dennis Schroder added 15 points on 6-10 shooting with five assists off the bench.

The Pistons were led by 24 points and 14 rebounds from Jalen Duran. MVP candidate Cade Cunningham was held to 10 points on 4-16 shooting with 14 assists.

With the win, the Cavs are now 8-1 in games Harden plays. This includes two wins over teams ahead of them in the standings, the New York Knicks and now the Pistons.

Cleveland will have four days off before hosting the Boston Celtics for a matinee game on Sunday. Tip-off is at 1 PM.

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TCU's Xavier Edmonds has double-double in NCAA bid-boosting 73-65 win at No. 10 Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Xavier Edmonds had 20 points and 12 rebounds as TCU got another big win in its late push to get into the NCAA Tournament, winning 73-65 at No. 10 Texas Tech on Tuesday night.

Edmonds' putback layup with 31 seconds left pushed the lead to 71-65 for Horned Frogs (20-10, 10-7 Big 12), who have won seven of their last eight games. It was their third win this season against a top-10 team, including a win over then-No. 5 Iowa State during this stretch.

Texas Tech (22-8, 12-5) had won three games in a row since losing standout post J.T. Toppin to a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee. The Red Raiders, who finish 14-2 at home, had moved up six spots in this week's AP Top 25 poll, matching their season-opening ranking after going to the Elite Eight last season.

Micah Robinson scored 15 points for the Frogs, and Jayden Pierre had 14. David Punch, their leading scorer, was limited to six points while having foul issues, but still had 10 rebounds.

Donovan Atwell led Tech with 19 points and five 3-pointers, extending his single-season school record to 115. Jaylen Petty scored 17, while Christian Anderson had 11 points and nine assists.

Two free throws by Edmonds with 9:13 left snapped a 50-all tie and put TCU ahead to stay. A 3-pointer by Liutauras Lelevicius with 2:06 remaining stretched the lead to nine points, though Atwell had a steal that led to a layup for Petty before he made his last 3 for Tech's final points with 46 seconds left.

Up next

TCU: Hosts Cincinnati on Saturday.

Texas Texas: Closes its regular season at BYU on Saturday.

___

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3 notes from the Mavericks’ 117-90 loss at the Charlotte Hornets

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 3: Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket as Grant Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets plays defense during the gameon March 3, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (21-40) had nothing for the Charlotte Hornets (31-31) on Tuesday at the Spectrum Center, leaving town with a big 117-90 “L” bulging out of their pocket. The Hornets have now won 15 of their last 18 games, while the Mavericks (sigh) have lost 14 of their last 16.

Brandon Miller scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the first quarter, and seven more Hornets joined him in double figures in the win. Brandon Williams led the Mavericks with 18 in the loss.

The Mavericks fell behind by 11 late in the first quarter, battled back in the second, then fell behind again by 14 in the third, forcing Dallas to play catch-up for most of the night. As we’ve seen time and time again this year, this just isn’t a team built to play catch-up. The Charlotte lead swelled to as large as 22 again late in the third, and the Mavs limped back to the team plane with another lackluster finish in the fourth.

The Poulakidas Era starts now

John Poulakidas, who signed a two-way contract with the Mavericks on Sunday, made his Mavericks debut on Tuesday, checking in early in the second quarter. The 22-year-old out of Yale, picked up a steal right away (after committing an unsightly turnover), grabbed an offensive board and kicked out to a wide open P.J. Washington at the top of the key with 8:42 left in the second for a 3-pointer that tied the game, 33-33, after the Mavs fell behind by 11 in the first quarter.

The Mavericks needed a warm body, and Poulakidas’ heart was at least pumping blood on Tuesday. He grabbed four rebounds and dished a couple of assists in six first-half minutes against the Hornets.

Poulakidas got eight more minutes in the fourth quarter, missing his first shot attempt with 4:40 left in the game.

Josh Green/Grant Williams revenge game

Former Maverick Josh Green was a thorn in Dallas’ side from 3-point range in the first half, shooting 3-of-4 from distance on his way to nine early points off the Charlotte bench. He got a kick out after an offensive board on a missed free throw with 3:59 left before halftime for his third of the game, which put the Hornets up 49-37. It came as part of a rare five-point play, after Miles Bridges was fouled shooting a 3-pointer, made the first two free throws, missed the third and Grant Williams, another former Maverick, pulled down the offensive board before finding Green on the play.

Williams drained his second 3-ball with 2:39 left in the second from the right wing, giving the two former Mavs all five of the Charlotte bench unit’s makes from 3-point range in the first half. While Green and Williams combined to shoot 5-for-8 from beyond the arc in the first half, Dallas managed just 2-of-13 from deep. It was… disconcerting to watch as a Mavericks fan.

Williams canned two more 3-balls in the third quarter as the Hornets’ lead swelled to 19 points, up 89-70 after Williams’ fourth and Kon Kneuppel’s floating drive through the lane with 1:09 left in the third. Williams finished the game with 12 points, and Green added 11 more in the win.

Never a chance

The Mavs came into Tuesday’s game second in the league in points generated from two-point field goals. The Hornets came in second in points generated from 3-point field goals. That math predictably went Charlotte’s way. Dallas just doesn’t give itself a chance in games like this. While the Mavs shot just 2-of-13 from 3-point territory in the first half, the Hornets made 10-of-25 from distance, outscoring Dallas by 24 points from beyond the arc as they took a 57-48 lead at the break.

The Mavericks shot 40 free throws (29-of-40, 72.5%) in the loss, giving the game a slow, disjointed feel at times. Dallas was in the bonus for the final seven minutes of the game, already down by 20 points, turning a run-of-the-mill beatdown into an agonizingly slow bloodletting.

Charlotte ended the game with 20 makes from 3-point land, outscoring the Mavericks 60-9 from 3-point range in the win.

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Jones scores 13, 3 others score 12 as Oklahoma defeats Mizzou 80-64

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Jadon Jones led with 13 points and eight rebounds, three other players tallied 12 points, and Oklahoma defeated Missouri, 80-64 on Tuesday night.

Xzayvier Brown, Tae Davis, and Derrion Reid scored 12 points each for the Sooners (16-14, 6-11 Southeastern Conference), who won their third straight contest and fifth of their last seven.

Mohamed Wague added 11 points and seven rebounds for Oklahoma. Jones was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from deep as the Sooners shot 62% and 55% as a team, respectively.

The Sooners led for all but 1:59 of game time, taking the lead for good on Jones' first 3-pointer with 12:29 remaining in the first half. They extended their lead to as many as 12 points in the first half, and took a 35-26 advantage into halftime.

A strong second half held the lead in double-figures for a comfortable win.

Mark Mitchell led Mizzou (20-10, 10-7) with 17 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Anthony Robinson II added 14 points before fouling out.

Up next

Missouri: hosts No. 20 Arkansas on Saturday.

Oklahoma: visits Texas on Saturday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Miami (Ohio) basketball improves to 30-0 with nail-biter over Toledo

For at least a few more days, there’s still one undefeated Division I men’s college basketball team remaining.

In its penultimate regular-season game, Miami (Ohio) got a team-high 19 points, four assists and three steals from Peter Suder to hang on to beat Toledo 74-72 on Tuesday, March 3 to improve its record to 30-0.

With the victory, the RedHawks became just the fifth Division I men’s basketball team to start a season 30-0 since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams during the 1984-85 season.

REQUIRED READING: Miami Ohio AD fires back at Bruce Pearl over March Madness bid: 'Flat out wrong'

A win at Ohio on Friday would cap off an undefeated regular season heading into the MAC tournament.

Their 30th win was one of their closest this season. Leading by two with five seconds remaining, Miami forward Brant Byers missed the front end of a one-and-one. Toledo collected the rebound and had a chance to tie or win the game, but a Leroy Blyden Jr. turnover ended the game.

It’s the RedHawks’ seventh victory this season by three points or fewer, five of which have come in their past 12 games.

Miami never trailed and led by as many as 13 points.

Suder made seven of his 10 shots, including four of his seven 3-pointers. Antwone Woolfolk had 14 points while Byers added 13.

The RedHawks’ latest win came after a contentious few days in which their potential NCAA tournament at-large resume was fiercely debated publicly, most notably by former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, who said Miami is “not one of the best teams in the country” as an at-large. Pearl’s comments came as his son, Steven, is overseeing an Auburn team that’s on the NCAA tournament bubble, with a 15-14 record heading into the week in his first season since taking over for his father.

On Monday, Miami athletic director David Sayler shot back at Pearl on social media.

"U are flat out wrong about @MiamiOH_BBall when u say we would finish last in the Big East," Sayler said in a post on Twitter. "The disrespect is awful and u should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when u show your true colors! Even slipped in a 'we' when talking about Auburn, nice work!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami (Ohio) basketball improves to 30-0 with narrow win over Toledo

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Tigers owner gives vague answer on Tarik Skubal’s future in rare comments

Chris Ilitch watches Tarik Skubal in an orange jersey.
Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch speaks with Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal during workouts at spring training baseball, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Lakeland.

Tigers owner Chris Ilitch had some rare comments on Tarik Skubal’s impending free agency this week. 

Asked by The Athletic whether the team might look to extend the two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner before he hits the open market this winter, Ilitch didn’t have much to add on the topic. 

“I would say Scott Harris is always looking to make smart baseball decisions,” Ilitch said. “Whether it’s acquiring players or investing in infrastructure. I hope it’s clear I want to support our team to make sure that we are a championship-caliber organization.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch during the live bullpen during spring training at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“So let’s let Scott evaluate and decide what he’d like to do, but I think I’m going to do everything I can to continue to support our team and make sure we’re a championship-type club. So let’s see how it all plays out.”

Skubal, 29, and the team have been far apart on extension talks all offseason, with The Post’s Jon Heyman reporting a jarring $250 million gap between the two sides in November. 

The southpaw is expected to garner a massive, perhaps record-setting, payday if he goes into free agency after the 2026 season. 

Ilitch’s comments come just weeks after Skubal earned a record-breaking $32 million salary for this season after a hard-fought arbitration process with the Tigers — who countered with a $19 million arbitration filing — that went the pitcher’s way. 

Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch speaks with Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal during workouts at spring training baseball, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Lakeland. AP

Skubal will take the mound against Great Britain in his lone start for Team USA on Saturday, although he is only expected to throw 55 pitches as he prepares for the MLB season. 

Over the last two seasons, Skubal has enjoyed historic success, posting a 2.30 ERA with 469 strikeouts in 387 2/3 innings, and has added two new trophies to his award closet. 

He will be joined by fellow left-hander Framber Valdez, who signed a three-year, $115 million free agent contract with the Tigers last month, forming one of the best 1-2 starting rotation punches in baseball.

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A’s topple Team Brazil 14-4

In my game threads post I suggested that a fifteen run route of Team Brazil was one I very much desired. Fourteen runs later, the A’s walk away with a win, one run short of my predicted run total but just as offensively sweet.

Let’s get into it…

Aaron Civale took the bump today, for the first as a member of The Athletics. Last season was a bit of a let down for the righty. Sixty-seven innings with the White Sox left him haggard, his ERA bumping up against six (5.37). He’d be claimed off of waivers by the cross town Cubs where, in the small sample size of five games and thirteen innings – – he kind’ve got dirty with it. Most probably remember his four plus innings of no run baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. Clearly David Forst and the A’s took notice because they threw him a one year contract of major league proportions (I’m assuming his other offers capped out at an invite to camp).

Things didn’t go great for Civale. Yes, it was his first outing but he was playing against a bunch of scrubs. Team Brazil got going early in the first. A pair of singles out of the gate, including one by Lucas Ramirez (son of 2012 A’s Spring Training legend Manny Ramirez), allowed for a Leonardo Reginatto sac fly to put the WBC club up early.

That lead, thankfully, would be short lived. In the bottom half of the first, Jeff McNeil turned on an off-speed pitch, pulling it down the right field line for a two-run home run and scoring shortstop Jacob Wilson in the process. The runs didn’t stop there. A batter later, Austin Wynns connected for a home run of his own. According to Statcast, Wynn’s solo pimp job traveled 433 ft!

A Brett Harris double made it 4-1. Tommy White’s ground out paired with a Ryan Lasko fielders choice brought in two more runs, making it 6-1 A’s, followed by another appearance by Jacob Wilson in the bottom of the first, in which he knocked in Clark Elliott on a sacrifice fly piece.

Wilson collected another RBI in the third inning, scoring outfielder Ryan Lasko who had just knocked in three via a triple.

The last gasp of life for Team Brazil took place in the fifth inning, when a Jack Perkins throwing error put runners in scoring position (second and third) with less than two outs. Lucas Rojo’s sacrifice fly made it 11-2 A’s. Perkins would walk Victor Mascal with two outs, setting up pinch hitter Gabriel Gomes for a bases clearing triple.

That would be it on the scoring end for Team Brazil and I have to say – – they got to Jack Perkins. This surprised me a little bit as the righty was coming off a pretty solid showing against the Rangers. Maybe the five day break in between appearances left him a little rusty? If so, I think that’s a great example of why he should be coming out of the pen. Let’s keep the kid hot and constantly in the loop.

Speaking of the pen, everyone after Perkins did a great job of holding down the fort. The newly acquired duo of Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr. provided an inning and a third of shutout ball. No hits. One strikeout for Leiter Jr. Gambling icon Michael Kelly collected a pair of strikes of his own, including the two fastest pitches of the game (97.6 and 97.0).

The last three runs for the A’s all involved Bryan Lavastida as he’d get things going in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run single and score on Joshua Kuroda-Grauer’s base hit.

After seven innings of blow out baseball, we’d have ourselves a travel ball-style mercy rule.

“That’s ball game!”

“good game” “good game” “good game”

SCathletics pointed out in response to Banana Shoes’ comment regarding Joshua Kuroda-Grauer that he is currently five for eleven with zero strikeouts so far this spring. Yes, we’d have to go in and investigate who those hits were against and what the circumstances were but still – – at the very least it’ll breed confidence in the young prospect as he makes his way through the minors. Him and fellow 2024 draft pick Tommy White have been putting on a solid show. Something tells me we’ll look back fondly on that 2024 draft class and marvel at all the talent it brought us.

Weird to think that the last Oakland A’s draft class might’ve been the big one that set them up for success in Las Vegas.

No rest for the wicked! The A’s will be back at it against the Arizona Diamondbacks tomorrow afternoon. Same time. Same place. Let me know what other players you’re geeking on in the comments and if you’ve got any TV show recommendations. Because most of these games aren’t available to watch, I’ve been listening to them on A’s Cast whilst watching TV like a sicko. Today’s visual entree was that ridiculous Brent Shield’s romdram Cupid and Cate starring Mary Louise Parker (babe) and Peter Gallagher (zaddy). Maybe it’s because I was also listening to a full on A’s game but the whole movie felt like it was missing two innings. There’s that big fight between Mary Louise Parker’s dad and her and her sisters and then it just…ends? Aren’t we missing a few beats with the whole Gallagher storyline? I feel like we are! Whatever :/ Jokes on me for expecting more from a Hallmark Movie.

I, like Team Brazil, should be thankful they called it early.

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Giancarlo Stanton solid in Yankees spring training debut: ‘Nice, prototype first day’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Giancarlo Stanton runs to first after ripping a single in the fourth inning of the Yankees' 12-1 blowout exhibition win over Panama on March 3, 2026, Image 2 shows Giancarlo Stanton scores on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning of the Yankees' blowout exhibition win over Panama on March 3, 2026

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TAMPA — The only thing louder than the recent hullabaloo regarding Giancarlo Stanton’s ability to open the snack of his choice was a baseball screaming off his bat at 114.3 mph.

The Yankees slugger could not do that at this time last year, when he missed all of spring training to deal with a painful bout of tendinitis in both elbows.

But he looked like himself in his spring debut Tuesday afternoon, going 1-for-2 with a hard single and a walk as he continued to chip away at his preparation for the regular season.

“A nice prototype first day,” said Stanton, who also tagged up from third to score on a sacrifice fly in an 11-1 win over Team Panama at Steinbrenner Field.

Giancarlo Stanton runs to first after ripping a single in the fourth inning of the Yankees’ 12-1 blowout exhibition win over Panama on March 3, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Yankees had eased Stanton into Grapefruit League action, having him get his work in behind the scenes and on the backfields over the first week-plus of games as they continually try to find ways to keep the 36-year-old as healthy and fresh for as long as possible.

He has consistently said that the pain in his elbows is not going away as long as he is playing, but it has gotten to a point where it is now manageable.

That he was able to get into an exhibition on Tuesday showed how “different entirely,” he is feeling this spring compared to last, when he did not play in any spring games for the first time in his career.

The tennis elbows — which date back to the 2024 season — made it impossible for him to do much in the way of baseball activities last camp, when he was relegated to daily treatment before making his season debut on June 16.

Asked Tuesday how many at-bats he needed this spring to feel ready for the regular season, Stanton quipped, “Last year I had about six, so more than that.”

Giancarlo Stanton scores on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning of the Yankees’ blowout exhibition win over Panama on March 3, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

He was slightly undershooting the 12 plate appearances he got on a rehab assignment before joining the Yankees midseason, and while that may have forced him to play catch-up early on, he still found a way to put together one of his most productive regular seasons in a while, batting .273 with a .944 OPS and 24 home runs in 77 games.

“You can’t look at it as, ‘Give me time to settle in,’ or whatever,” Stanton said. “You got to come in and make an impact. I just tried to be impactful right away, not worry about, ‘Hey, I only had this.’ Whatever. No one cares. Get it done.”

That attitude has been typical of Stanton during his time in New York, caring little for excuses and only wanting to talk about the black and white of whether he helped the team.


Of course, that is one of the many reasons why the former NL MVP is highly respected by his teammates.

“He’s just a great leader,” Max Fried said. “He’s someone that is very knowledgeable about the game. You’re not that good for that long just by accident. He has the physical tools but the mental game and the way he approaches it is extremely high-level.”

For that reason, Stanton appreciates that he should have close to a normal buildup this spring if he continues to bounce back well from game action. He likes that he can immediately make adjustments with his timing or his swing from one at-bat to the next in a game, or at least have something tangible to work on in the next day’s batting practice.

Stanton, who is likely to play again Thursday or Friday, has been getting at-bats in live batting practice, or off the Trajekt pitching machine (which mimics the speed and movement of pitches from real major leaguers). Aaron Boone said he could end up getting around 30 to 35 game at-bats if all goes well.

“Nothing, at the end of the day, is like seeing a live arm,” Stanton said. “Just being in a position in a game, fans, that extra — you can’t simulate it. You can visualize, but until you do it, it’s different.”

After striking out on a full count in his first at-bat Tuesday, Stanton smoked a 114.3 mph single — the 12th-hardest ball hit across the majors this spring — off Panama right-hander Erian Rodriguez. The exact exit velocity was not as important to him as simply hitting it hard.

“Just squaring up a heater tells me where I’m at, more than miles per hour,” he said. “Pulling a heater, it’s good. Good timing, good adjustment from a couple swing-throughs or foul-offs with heaters at-bat one and three. There’s still the seesaw that’s normal right now.”