Brooklyn Nets (17-56, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (47-26, third in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles plays the Brooklyn Nets after Luka Doncic scored 43 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 137-130 win over the Indiana Pacers.
The Lakers are 23-12 on their home court. Los Angeles is eighth in the Western Conference with 14.7 fast break points per game led by LeBron James averaging 5.8.
The Nets are 8-30 on the road. Brooklyn averages 15.3 turnovers per game and is 4-18 when winning the turnover battle.
The Lakers are shooting 50.0% from the field this season, 0.6 percentage points higher than the 49.4% the Nets allow to opponents. The Nets' 44.3% shooting percentage from the field this season is 4.1 percentage points lower than the Lakers have given up to their opponents (48.4%).
The teams play for the second time this season. The Lakers won the last meeting 125-109 on Feb. 4. James scored 25 points to help lead the Lakers to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Austin Reaves is scoring 23.6 points per game and averaging 4.7 rebounds for the Lakers. Doncic is averaging 39.1 points and 8.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Terance Mann is averaging 7.2 points and 3.1 assists for the Nets. Ben Saraf is averaging 10.2 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 44.0% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 9-1, averaging 120.9 points, 41.0 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 9.6 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.9 points per game.
Nets: 1-9, averaging 102.6 points, 36.4 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.2 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Deandre Ayton: day to day (back), Marcus Smart: day to day (ankle), Adou Thiero: day to day (knee), Rui Hachimura: day to day (calf).
Nets: Noah Clowney: out (wrist), Nolan Traore: out (rest), Danny Wolf: out (ankle), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: out for season (thumb), Michael Porter Jr.: out (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Los Angeles Clippers (36-36, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (16-57, 15th in the Eastern Conference)
Indianapolis; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Indiana aims to stop its 10-game home losing streak with a victory against Los Angeles.
The Pacers are 10-26 on their home court. Indiana gives up 120.7 points to opponents and has been outscored by 8.8 points per game.
The Clippers are 16-21 in road games. Los Angeles is 6-8 in one-possession games.
The Pacers score 111.9 points per game, 0.6 fewer points than the 112.5 the Clippers allow. The Clippers average 12.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than the Pacers give up.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Clippers won the last matchup 130-107 on March 5. Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points to help lead the Clippers to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jarace Walker is scoring 11.6 points per game and averaging 5.2 rebounds for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith is averaging 14.9 points and 2.0 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Kris Dunn is averaging 7.7 points, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals for the Clippers. Leonard is averaging 22.0 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 55.1% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 1-9, averaging 114.9 points, 37.8 rebounds, 30.3 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.3 points per game.
Clippers: 5-4, averaging 121.6 points, 38.1 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 10.9 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.1 points.
INJURIES: Pacers: Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).
Clippers: Jordan Miller: day to day (back), Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 25: Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at TD Garden on March 25, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Thunder 119-109. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Not when he fell out of the rotation early on this season, not when he had a tough shooting stretch last Summer League in Las Vegas.
The 25-year-old Celtics forward always saw this kind of success coming.
“I’m super confident in my abilities,” Scheierman said after the Celtics’ win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
That much has been evident from the first time he donned Celtics green.
In his two years in Boston, Scheierman has blown kisses and concocted a myriad of new celebrations. Last year, he invented Jayson Tatum’s wrist celebration. This year, he’s rocked his own ‘thumbs up’ celebration in an ode to the fact he’s playing with a broken thumb.
Scheierman has probably talked more trash to opposing teams’ benches than any player on the team, and carried himself with a swagger more reminiscent of a perennial All-Star than a role player trying to break through.
That seemingly unwavering confidence has translated to plenty of on-court success. And, Wednesday’s win over the Thunder was the latest example of just how successful a season it’s been.
In a 119-109 Celtics win, Scheierman tallied 11 points in 20 minutes, hitting 3 of his 7 three-point attempts. He grabbed 5 rebounds and forced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into a turnover. The Celtics outscored the Thunder by 11 points in his minutes, tied with Payton Pritchard for the best plus-minus on the team.
Still, as per usual, Wednesday’s box score doesn’t begin to capture Scheierman’s impact on the ball game.
“I thought Baylor was great — his shot making,” said Joe Mazzulla. “He was great defensively on his match-ups. He’s a guy that just makes plays.“
Those winning plays can be difficult to quantify and even harder to explain. But, you watch Scheierman play for just a few minutes, and it becomes evident: when he’s on the court, he makes the Celtics better.
His teammates have taken notice, too.
“He can do a little of everything,” Sam Hauser said last month. “At times, it’s really hard to take him off the floor.”
Scheierman’s ability to create chaos on the offensive glass has been a major strength — nearly every time a shot goes up, Scheierman is in the action, whether he’s trying to tip the ball out to a teammate, deflect it off an opposing player, or simply wreak havoc.
There’s no perfect science to crashing the offensive glass, and Scheierman just follows his instincts.
“Shoot, it really just comes down to a feel thing,” he said. “You’re not perfect all the time, but that’s one area they give you a lot of freedom to be able to just crash or stay — so it’s really just a feel thing.”
Mazzulla doesn’t know exactly how to explain Scheierman’s penchant for winning plays, either.
“It’s just who he is,” said Joe Mazzulla. “He just has a knack for making plays. He doesn’t want to be defined by one thing. He doesn’t care if he shoots, he doesn’t care if he has to play defense, crash, take care of the ball. He just has a knack for making basketball plays. It’s a huge strength of his.”
How does Scheierman explain that knack?
“Playing hard, I guess,” he said with a smile. “Just having a little bit of a feel for the game, and a nose for the ball, I guess. And then just competing super hard on both ends of the floor.”
Amazingly, Baylor Scheierman’s impact hasn’t diminished since Jayson Tatum’s return
On the outside, it wasn’t clear what kind of season Baylor Scheierman was going to have.
Last year, he spent most of the season with the Maine Celtics. This year, he began the year on the outskirts of the rotation but became increasingly important as the season progressed.
Scheierman averaged 7.4 minutes per game in October, 14.3 minutes in November, 16 minutes in January, and 24.3 minutes in February, his on-court opportunities steadily climbing as the season progressed.
With Jayson Tatum back in the lineup, one would assume Scheierman’s minutes would be significantly reduced.
But, he’s actually played more in March than any month this season; he’s averaging 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 27.5 minutes of action. His shooting numbers have actually increased since breaking his thumb late last month; Scheierman is shooting 39.2% from three this month, up from 32.7% in February.
Scheierman is no longer starting — Jayson Tatum reclaimed his spot in the starting lineup when he made his season debut on March 6th — but he’s continued to play a pivotal part in the Celtics’ success.
That might be a surprise to some, who saw him struggle in Las Vegas in July and begin the season toward the bottom of the depth chart.
But Scheierman smiled when asked if he was surprised at the success he’s had this season. The answer was an obvious ‘no.’
“The work I put in coming into my rookie year, coming into this year, has prepared me for this,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s just taking it one day at a time, one game at a time. I’m super blessed and grateful for the opportunity, and I just try to take advantage of that. But to answer your question, no, I’m not surprised. I’m super confident in my abilities.”
Chicago Bulls (29-43, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (57-16, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Chicago travels to Oklahoma City looking to stop its three-game road losing streak.
The Thunder are 29-7 in home games. Oklahoma City ranks second in the Western Conference with 34.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Chet Holmgren averaging 7.0.
The Bulls are 11-23 on the road. Chicago is seventh in the Eastern Conference scoring 116.3 points per game and is shooting 46.9%.
The Thunder are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 0.6 percentage points higher than the 47.6% the Bulls allow to opponents. The Bulls are shooting 46.9% from the field, 3.4% higher than the 43.5% the Thunder's opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the second time this season. The Thunder won the last matchup 116-108 on March 4. Jared McCain scored 20 points to help lead the Thunder to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cason Wallace is scoring 8.5 points per game and averaging 3.1 rebounds for the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29.8 points and 4.4 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Josh Giddey is scoring 17.6 points per game with 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists for the Bulls. Matas Buzelis is averaging 20.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 44.9% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 9-1, averaging 115.4 points, 43.6 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 8.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.1 points per game.
Bulls: 4-6, averaging 120.3 points, 47.1 rebounds, 28.2 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 125.6 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).
Bulls: Anfernee Simons: day to day (wrist), Jalen Smith: day to day (calf), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Jaden Ivey: day to day (knee), Nick Richards: day to day (elbow), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans visits Detroit looking to break its three-game road skid.
The Pistons are 28-9 on their home court. Detroit is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 17.9 fast break points per game led by Cade Cunningham averaging 3.5.
The Pelicans are 9-26 on the road. New Orleans averages 13.4 turnovers per game and is 14-22 when winning the turnover battle.
The Pistons are shooting 48.0% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 47.5% the Pelicans allow to opponents. The Pelicans score 5.7 more points per game (115.5) than the Pistons allow their opponents to score (109.8).
The teams play for the second time this season. The Pistons won the last matchup 112-104 on Jan. 22. Jalen Duren scored 20 points to help lead the Pistons to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Duren is averaging 19.3 points and 10.6 rebounds for the Pistons. Daniss Jenkins is averaging 12.3 points and 5.6 assists over the past 10 games.
Trey Murphy III is scoring 21.7 points per game with 5.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson is averaging 20.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 69.7% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 7-3, averaging 121.7 points, 43.1 rebounds, 31.4 assists, 9.8 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points per game.
Pelicans: 6-4, averaging 119.4 points, 44.6 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.8 points.
INJURIES: Pistons: Cade Cunningham: out (lung), Isaiah Stewart: out (calf), Marcus Sasser: day to day (hip).
Pelicans: Trey Murphy III: day to day (ankle), Dejounte Murray: day to day (achilles), Bryce McGowens: out (toe).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Miami Heat (39-34, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (45-28, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat visit Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
The Cavaliers are 29-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. Cleveland ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference in rebounding with 44.3 rebounds. Evan Mobley leads the Cavaliers with 8.9 boards.
The Heat are 23-20 against Eastern Conference opponents. Miami is 19-27 against opponents with a winning record.
The Cavaliers are shooting 47.8% from the field this season, 1.8 percentage points higher than the 46.0% the Heat allow to opponents. The Heat average 13.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.4 fewer makes per game than the Cavaliers give up.
The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Heat won 120-103 in the last meeting on March 25. Norman Powell led the Heat with 19 points, and Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 28 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mitchell is averaging 28.3 points, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. James Harden is averaging 22.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists over the last 10 games.
Adebayo is averaging 20.3 points and 9.8 rebounds for the Heat. Tyler Herro is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 6-4, averaging 118.1 points, 43.6 rebounds, 26.8 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.6 points per game.
Heat: 5-5, averaging 121.3 points, 42.9 rebounds, 29.2 assists, 8.5 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.7 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: Max Strus: day to day (injury management), Craig Porter Jr.: day to day (groin), Dean Wade: day to day (ankle), Jaylon Tyson: day to day (toe), Jarrett Allen: day to day (knee).
Heat: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Washington Wizards (17-55, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (35-38, 10th in the Western Conference)
San Francisco; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Brandin Podziemski and the Golden State Warriors host Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards in non-conference play.
The Warriors have gone 20-15 at home. Golden State is fourth in the league with 29.0 assists per game led by Draymond Green averaging 5.3.
The Wizards are 6-29 on the road. Washington gives up 123.9 points to opponents while being outscored by 11.1 points per game.
The Warriors average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 more made shots on average than the 13.5 per game the Wizards allow. The Wizards average 112.8 points per game, 2.0 fewer than the 114.8 the Warriors give up.
The teams play for the second time this season. In the last matchup on March 16 the Warriors won 125-117 led by 30 points from Kristaps Porzingis, while Trae Young scored 21 points for the Wizards.
TOP PERFORMERS: Podziemski is shooting 44.6% and averaging 13.1 points for the Warriors. LJ Cryer is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Bilal Coulibaly is scoring 11.3 points per game and averaging 4.4 rebounds for the Wizards. Will Riley is averaging 15.0 points and 3.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 3-7, averaging 114.5 points, 40.7 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 10.4 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.1 points per game.
Wizards: 1-9, averaging 116.4 points, 38.7 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 7.3 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.4 points.
INJURIES: Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Seth Curry: out (adductor), Al Horford: out (calf), Quinten Post: out (foot), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Malevy Leons: out (illness).
Wizards: Anthony Davis: out (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (back), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Alex Sarr: day to day (toe), Tre Johnson: day to day (foot), Kyshawn George: out (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out (quad).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Houston Rockets (43-29, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (24-48, 12th in the Western Conference)
Memphis, Tennessee; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Houston will attempt to end its four-game road skid when the Rockets take on Memphis.
The Grizzlies are 6-8 against opponents in the Southwest Division. Memphis gives up 119.1 points to opponents and has been outscored by 4.0 points per game.
The Rockets are 7-6 against the rest of their division. Houston has a 20-16 record against teams over .500.
The Grizzlies score 115.1 points per game, 4.9 more points than the 110.2 the Rockets give up. The Rockets average 11.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.0 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Grizzlies give up.
The two teams play for the third time this season. The Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 108-99 in their last matchup on Jan. 27. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 33 points, and Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with 17 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cam Spencer is shooting 46.7% and averaging 11.1 points for the Grizzlies. Javon Small is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Durant is averaging 26 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 1-9, averaging 111.6 points, 37.2 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 9.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.1 points per game.
Rockets: 4-6, averaging 111.3 points, 45.7 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 7.7 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.1 points.
INJURIES: Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: day to day (ankle), Jaylen Wells: day to day (toe), Jahmai Mashack: day to day (ankle), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf).
Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Dallas Mavericks (23-50, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (37-37, ninth in the Western Conference)
Portland, Oregon; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Dallas is looking to break its five-game skid with a win against Portland.
The Trail Blazers have gone 25-20 against Western Conference teams. Portland ranks seventh in the NBA with 46.0 rebounds led by Donovan Clingan averaging 11.8.
The Mavericks have gone 12-33 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas is 10-15 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 14.2 turnovers per game.
The Trail Blazers score 115.5 points per game, 3.8 fewer points than the 119.3 the Mavericks allow. The Mavericks average 114.0 points per game, 2.7 fewer than the 116.7 the Trail Blazers allow.
The teams square off for the third time this season. The Trail Blazers won the last meeting 125-122 on Dec. 30, with Deni Avdija scoring 27 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Clingan is shooting 52.6% and averaging 12.4 points for the Trail Blazers. Avdija is averaging 21.6 points over the last 10 games.
Naji Marshall is averaging 15.4 points and 3.3 assists for the Mavericks. Cooper Flagg is averaging 21.0 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 47.4% over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 7-3, averaging 118.4 points, 48.4 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 7.9 steals and 7.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points per game.
Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 118.7 points, 44.3 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 7.5 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 129.7 points.
INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe: out (calf), Vit Krejci: day to day (calf), Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Caleb Martin: day to day (foot), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Daniel Gafford: day to day (shoulder).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah Jazz (21-52, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (46-28, fourth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Friday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Denver hosts the Utah Jazz after Jamal Murray scored 53 points in the Denver Nuggets' 142-135 victory against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Nuggets are 28-16 in Western Conference games. Denver scores 121.1 points while outscoring opponents by 4.4 points per game.
The Jazz are 1-12 against division opponents. Utah leads the Western Conference with 29.4 assists. Isaiah Collier leads the Jazz with 7.2.
The Nuggets are shooting 49.5% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points higher than the 49.1% the Jazz allow to opponents. The Jazz average 117.3 points per game, 0.6 more than the 116.7 the Nuggets give up to opponents.
The teams meet for the third time this season. The Nuggets won 128-125 in the last matchup on March 3.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tim Hardaway Jr. is scoring 13.7 points per game and averaging 2.6 rebounds for the Nuggets. Murray is averaging 25.3 points and 4.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Cody Williams is scoring 7.7 points per game and averaging 2.8 rebounds for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 127.4 points, 46.0 rebounds, 32.8 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.6 points per game.
Jazz: 2-8, averaging 115.2 points, 42.8 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 9.8 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.8 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: day to day (hamstring).
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: day to day (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Kyle Filipowski: day to day (illness), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Brice Sensabaugh: day to day (rest), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN FRANCISCO ― It was a beautiful day in the Bay and a perfect evening for Major League Baseball as a sold-out Oracle Park had all the vibes on a 65-degree peak day.
Red, white and blue streamers dropped in the stands to celebrate the start of the new season.
Opening Day was highly anticipated for the 40,856 in attendance, but the home fans left disappointed as the New York Yankees shut out the San Francisco Giants, 7-0.
There's been lots of commotion surrounding the Giants' offseason splash hire to bring in Tony Vitello as new manager with no prior major league experience. Vitello had a stellar stint at Tennessee where he led the Volunteers to multiple College World Series appearances and won the national title in 2024.
His debut in the majors wasn't as favorable – a lopsided loss.
"On a personal level, but also the whole team, everybody would like a better result, but the results are going to fluctuate," Vitello told reporters after the game. "I think the biggest thing is, I guess ... a more competitive effort would have been better."
The starting pitchers for Opening Day were the Yankees' Max Fried and Giants' Logan Webb. It was a vast difference in performance with Fried allowing only two hits and no runs.
Webb, on the other hand threw 86 pitches, 58 strikes with seven strikeouts in total. He allowed nine hits and seven runs. The only positive takeaway from Webb's day was that he struck out Judge three times in a little over five innings. But he couldn't "care less" if it doesn't come with a win.
"I did a bad job today," Webb said. "It just sucks that I put our team in the position that we were in. First inning was great. Second inning get [Ben Rice] to ground out on the first pitch of the inning. Then just all hell broke loose."
The Yankees did the majority of their damage in that second inning. He allowed five hits, resulting in five runs, giving the Yankees a 5-0 lead and they never looked back.
"It's quirky how it worked out for Webby, because a couple of those innings, he absolutely rolled," Vitello said. "And then again, they seem to have had the formula for stacking hits tonight. ... Maybe we look back as a group and the excitement of being the home team and the hype going into it and kind of a new vibe and things like that."
He added: "You certainly want to make adjustments, because we want to perform better and make it a more competitive situation, no matter what night it is or who the opponent is."
There was a lot going into the game. Opening Day fireworks. Yankees in town. Netflix making its MLB broadcast debut and the ABS challenge replay system going into effect.
But the talk around San Francisco was the debut of Vitello.
His hire raised questions for some around baseball, but the Giants dugout only has positive reviews.
"We wanted to win today for a number of reasons," Giants third baseman Matt Chapman told USA TODAY Sports. "[It'd] be cool to get Tony that first win on Opening Day, but it didn't happen. The thing that Tony's been great with, he does bring a lot of energy. He's the same guy every day."
He added: "He knows winning baseball, he doesn't have professional experience, but he came in and kind of hit the ground running. For guys that have been around for a long time, we're on board with everything he's doing. He seems like he's been here before, you know, even though he hasn't. That's why Buster [Posey] picked him. And I fully expect you guys to see throughout the course of the season, you know, why he's here."
A legend's encouragement
If there's anyone who can relate to the nerves that Vitello felt before his Major League debut, it's baseball legend Dusty Baker.
Baker, cooler than the Pacific Ocean breeze sweeping through Oracle Park, kicked back in the Giants' dugout just hours before the first pitch to lead off another MLB season and their 69th year in San Francisco.
"This is the start of the long race. ... you know, you hope that you're still playing in late October. And this is a beautiful day to start the season, a beautiful place," Baker told USA TODAY Sports.
Baker is no stranger to San Francisco. He's coached the Giants from 1988 to 1992, before being named manager from 1993 to 2002. Unlike Vitello, Baker played in the big leagues, carving out an 18-year career cemented with a World Series ring.
"I'm sure he's nervous. I was nervous before my first game," Baker said. "I remember what it was like. You wonder if you're going to win or not, start off 1-0, and it was against Tony LaRussa and the Cardinals, and, man, we beat them."
Vitello didn't have the same start to his managerial career but Baker advised those rooting for the orange and black to give him time.
"I know he doesn't have any experience at the major league level, but he has he has a lot of experience at the college level. And any experience is better, no experience," Baker said. "There are quite a few managers around don't have any experience doing anything. So, I think he's gonna be fine because there are a lot of managers that don't have the experience that he has."
He added: "You just gotta give him a chance. That's the thing. You know, just give him a chance and then you got to give him more than a year to make the adjustment. That's why they gave him a three-year contract."
The Giants are 0-1, but on a positive note there are 161 more chances for Vitello to nab that covenant first MLB win as manager.
SAN FRANCISCO — Gui Santos scored a career-high 31 points, Draymond Green made two clutch free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining and the Golden State Warriors beat the Nets 109-106 on Wednesday to clinch a play-in spot.
Brandin Podziemski had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Warriors (35-38), who won their first game at Chase Center since returning from a grueling 2-4 road trip.
Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points and De’Anthony Melton had 14, including a pair of free throws in the final seconds, as Golden State beat Brooklyn in San Francisco for the first time since Dec. 16, 2023.
Gui Santos, who scored a game-high 31 points, goes up for a layup as Ziaire Williams looks on during the Nets’ 109-106 loss to the Warriors on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco. John Hefti-Imagn Images
Ziaire Williams had 19 points for the Nets, who have lost nine straight. Jalen Wilson added 15 points off the bench while Ben Saraf had 14 points and seven rebounds.
The sellout at Chase Center was the 600th consecutive sellout for the Warriors, the sixth-longest streak in NBA history,
The Nets, who will face LeBron James and the Lakers on Friday night, led most of the game, trailed going into the fourth then wore down over the final 12 minutes.
Brooklyn shot 8 for 20 (2 for 9 behind the arc) down the stretch.
Still without injured star Stephen Curry, the Warriors committed 15 turnovers in the first two quarters and had trouble running their offense with much consistency.
The Nets also got off to a sluggish start and missed 10 of their first 15 shots before Williams warmed up.
The former first-round draft pick repeatedly attacked through the paint and scored 11 points to help Brooklyn to a 58-50 halftime lead.
Golden State pulled within 63-62 midway through the third before Powell made consecutive 3-pointers to get Brooklyn on track.
SAN FRANCISCO — The New York Yankees heard all about that effusive energy coming out of the San Francisco Giants’ clubhouse, that ol’ college spirit that was going to be a game-changer in Major League Baseball, and how the Yankees would be the first to bear witness to the new sheriff in town.
Well, by the end of the night, the Yankees were the ones who let Giants rookie manager Tony Vitello know that energy can be nice, but it’s absolutely worthless when you have a pitcher that can shove that energy where the McCovey Cove kayaks can’t float.
The Yankees, behind Max Fried’s brilliant performance, completely shut down the Giants, 7-0, on Wednesday night in the 2026 season opener, with all of that energy vanishing into the night in front of a sellout crowd of 40,856 at Oracle Park.
The Yankees, with Fried giving up just two hits in 6 1/3 innings, with the seven-run defeat equaling the Giants' most lopsided in a season opener.
The Giants had one hit in the first inning.
Another hit in the fourth inning.
One in the eighth inning.
That was it.
It was the Giants’ fewest hits on Opening Day since April 12, 1965.
“We could nitpick,’’ Vitello said, “but this wasn’t a March Madness game where we drew up the wrong play at the end.”
It was a complete and thoroughly ugly beatdown by the Bronx Bombers, but it could have been much worse.
Can you imagine the damage the Yankees could have done if Aaron Judge didn’t strike out four times in the first six innings, becoming the first reigning MVP to strike out four times in a season opener?
Or, what if Fried actually had his good stuff this evening.
“It’s really a testament to just how good he is and how he can beat you in different ways,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought it some ways it was a bit of a grind for him tonight, kind of in and out of rhythm a little bit. It’s just his arsenal is so vast even though he was a little effectively wild, it makes you have to account for a lot of things ...
“I mean, that’s what an ace looks like when he’s grinding, but what a tone he set for us.’’
The only time the Yankees lost anything the entire night was in the fifth inning when Jose Caballero became the first player in history to employ the ABS challenge. He argued that a strike called by veteran home plate umpire Bill Miller should be a ball, only for the call to be confirmed by replay, with the Yankees losing the challenge.
“I wanted to go for it,’’ Caballero said. “I think it’s really good to keep everyone accountable and give us a chance to see if we are good with the strike zone or not.’’
Well, if nothing else, at least he will go down in baseball history.
“It’s cool,’’ he said. “I just wish it was the other way around.’’
It turned out that would be the biggest suspense of the night with the Yankees pounding out 10 hits, with every hitter in the lineup but Judge collecting at least one hit, and either scoring or driving in a run.
“This is a lineup that can do this often,’’ Caballero said. “We just trust one another.’’
Says leadoff hitter Trent Grisham, who became the first Yankee to triple on Opening Day since Johnny Damon in 2009: “It’s fun to be part of this team. Just seems like we have those stretches were we can continue to put good at-bat after good at-bat.’’
The Yankees showed their depth for all of the Netflix viewership to see. It started off innocently enough with Giants ace Logan Webb retiring Ben Rice to lead off the second inning, but suddenly, he watched everything spiral out of control.
Giancarlo Stanton became the Yankees’ first baserunner of the game with a single to center. Webb then hit Jazz Chisholm in the shoulder on a 92.5-mph sinker. Caballero ripped a single to left field, scoring Stanton. Webb got ahead 0-and-2 on No. 8 hitter Ryan McMahon, only for McMahon to flip a changeup to center field for two runs. No. 9 hitter Austin Wells followed with a single.
Grisham became the sixth consecutive Yankee to reach base, punishing Webb with a two-run triple to the right-center-field gap for a 5-0 lead.
And the rout was on.
“It happened fast,’’ Wells said. “It was awesome. I was really cool to watch and be a part of."
The Yankees blistered Webb for nine hits and seven runs (six earned) in just five innings. It matched the most runs he gave up in a start in San Francisco in his career, spanning 91 starts.
It was a direct contrast to Fried’s domination. He opened the game by walking three-time batting champion Luis Arraez on four pitches, and when cleanup hitter Willy Adames came to the plate, the Giants already had runners on the corners with only one out. No problem. He struck out Adames on a 95-mph cutter. And Jung Hoo Lee hit into an inning-ending groundout the next pitch.
The Giants didn’t reach second base again until the eighth inning, well after Fried left the game.
“It was one of those outings where you just got to try to figure out how to get it done when you aren’t the most locked in,’’ said Fried, who went 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA last year, “especially coming out of the gate. I definitely was searching. But when the guys go out there and put up five runs in the second, it just allows you to take a deep breath and it just allowed you to take a deep breath ...
“One through nine [in the lineup] can beat you, and we obviously have the best player in the world hitting for us, but we also have a lot of guys being able to support him.’’
It was just one game in a long, grueling season, but if nothing else, well, maybe the Yankees’ idea of running it back with virtually the same team as last year just might work.
“Look, we’re confident,’’ Boone said. “I know they’re confident in their ability to have good at-bats and put up runs. But we’re just one game into this thing.
“We’ve still got a long ways to go to prove that, and I think we have a chance to do that.’’
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: LJ Cryer #18 of the Golden State Warriors plays defense during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 25, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Those of you who stayed up to watch our 17-win Nets play into the wee hours of the morning were rewarded with an entertaining bout, a touch of history, and somehow still, a lottery-friendly game result.
Those of you who reading this in the morning, first off, no one is blaming you. Hanging with this team in any capacity through this point in the season is more than admirable. So, we’ll do our best to deliver everything that went down anyway…
Brooklyn’s usual, and by that I mean “poor,” start tonight in no way indicated the wild ride they’d eventually take us on. They began the game 2-10 from the field and looked headed for another blowout in a hurry. With a few timely cutes and slick feeds, the Nets queued themselves up several good looks at the rim, but just couldn’t slide the turkey into the oven.
However, the Warriors, who’ve gone 7-16 since having to shelve Steph Curry with runners knee, had their own debilitating basketball vice in the opening minutes too. Golden State surrendered 10 turnovers in the first period alone. And with that grace provided by the extra possessions, Brooklyn eventually found its footing, pulled into the lead, and its shooting above 50% from the frame.
Even as the offense improved, Brooklyn’s closing minutes of the first weren’t without their mistakes…
In fairness, we’re well beyond asking for perfect, or even decent basketball from this young, hard-working, but obviously talent-deficient team. However, as the game rolled on, the former traits shined brighter than the latter, and brighter than gold.
Brooklyn continued to turn the Warriors over in the second, getting their total up to 15 less than 18 minutes into the game. The Nets also got up by a dozen around that point after Ben Saraf nailed a triple that broke a streak of 18 straight misses for him from deep. Brooklyn’s audaciousness grew so abundant in the second, that at one point, Terance Mann tried to drop a hammer on one of the best statistical rim protectors of our time…
Wisely, Golden State started slowing things down after that, getting to the line and getting 10 points there in the period. They were about to close the half on a 16-9 run until Malachi Smith, with his second 10-day contract still damp with ink, bolted past everyone for lay-in off the glass that made it a 58-50 game at the break.
Jalen Wilson and Ziaire Williams led the Nets with 11 points each at that point. Williams nabbed four steals along the way as well. The most he’d had in a game before tonight was five. He tied that mark less than three minutes into the second half and surpassed it a few minutes later. He finished with a whopping six to go with 19 points on 6-11 shooting.
One of the few other veterans available tonight, Nic Claxton, was less involved in the box score both at half and beyond. Clax picked up his fourth foul of the game with 5:27 to go and ended up with only three shot attempts in the first half. He logged just eight points in 20 minutes for the game and did not play beyond the third quarter.
In that period, Golden State looked primed to re-take the lead the after starting it on a 12-5 run. However, Drake Powell said “not so fast” with two back-to-back threes that kept his team afloat.
But while maintaining their buoyancy, the Nets eventually drifted into rough waters, and took the Warriors with them. Like a limp sailboat, both teams rocked back and forth in the latter half of the third, trading possessions and points at a rapid pace as the turnovers and shot-making both increased.
Gui Santos, who averages 8.3 points per game, added 15 points in the quarter while shooting 3-4 from deep. Brooklyn got their own “where’d that guy come from” contributions amidst the chaos as well, as Chaney Johnson added a quick six points in the frame. Williams, however, remained the guy, adding another eight before the start of the fourth.
There, the Nets started with an 86-77 lead, though Santos’ hot shooting quickly threatened the advantage again. Getting support now from Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, and Draymond Green at the defensive end, the Warriors made their first three triples to open the period and tied things up 88-88 with 8:10 remaining.
Again, Drake Powell tried to change the tide, picking off a pass and going the distance to give Brooklyn back the lead once play resumed. But the Warriors, who still feel like a force of nature for this writer whose formative years took place during their heyday, maintained the look of a strong swell midway through the fourth. Next time down the floor, De’Anthony Melton got in for an easy two before Will Richard walked into a three that gave Golden State it’s first lead since the first period.
However, Golden State couldn’t get any further, and even took a few steps back with many of the final minutes played either with the score tied again or with Brooklyn ahead by a possession or two. Smith played a large part in that, beating the shot clock, blanketing defense, and the odds odds just to be there tonight at one point…
Tough shot in a tough moment. Malachi Smith is making a lot of viewers sweat tonight.
The Warriors, on the other hand, opted to roll with Porzingis in isolation down the stretch and found mixed results. On many occasions, the Unicorn looked more like a run down horse, missing short on a variety of looks around the paint. He did, however, rise over everyone to flush in a missed layup from Santos that tied things back up. Not long after that, he drew a foul on Johnson that brought him to the line and Golden State back up two with just under a minute to go.
In game riddled with responses from both teams, Brooklyn’s next was the best by a landslide, even if it wasn’t game-deciding. Next time down the floor, Saraf put Draymond on a poster and possibly into a retirement home. Maybe it’s just getting late here, but I think he gave him a bit of a stare after too…
But while Saraf’s jam had many on the Brooklyn bench smiling from ear to ear, it was Melton who got the last laugh. On the subsequent possession, the legendary ex-Net drew a foul made the necessary free throw to give his team the lead.
With only a handful of seconds remaining after that and no timeouts, the Nets had to heave the ball across the court. Rather than another chance at redemption, Josh Minott’s pass found Melton’s hands. The clock quickly ran out, the Nets told everyone “goodnight,” and picked up their eighth loss in a row.
Alas, once could argue Nets “won” with their 17 steals tonight, the most in a game in over a decade. With the Washington Wizards mopping the floor with the Utah Jazz, they also pulled into a tie with them for the second slot in the lottery standings.
We’re a ways to go, both in seeing how much that’ll matter and getting to the point where real wins are on the table, but certainly closer now.
Final: Golden State Warriors 109, Brooklyn Nets 106
Milestone Watch
Ziaire Williams career-high six steals tonight in Golden State are the most by a Net since Caris LeVert’s six on 2/22/20 at Charlotte.
The Nets have a season-high 17 steals tonight against the Warriors, which is their most in a game since recording 19 vs. Chicago on 3/3/14.
Next Up
Nets #afterdark continues on Friday evening as Brooklyn will head out to Los Angeles for a date with the Los Angeles Lakers. For those unaware, Luka Doncic has been on an absolute tear lately at the offensive end. That should provide the night owls among you with some entertainment even as the Nets likely get beat to a pulp. This one tips off at 10:30 p.m. EST.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Aaron Judge went hitless on opening day for the first time and struck out four times for the first time since September 2024, but the New York Yankees still produced plenty of offense and beat San Francisco 7-0 Wednesday night in the debut of Giants manager Tony Vitello as the major league season began.
José Caballero drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in a five-run second and also lost the first challenge taken to Major League Baseball’s so-called robot umpire, unsuccessfully appealing a strike by Logan Webb in the fourth.
Max Fried (1-0) allowed two hits in 6 1/3 innings to became just the fifth Yankees pitcher since 1969 with at least 6 1/3 shutout innings on opening day, joining Catfish Hunter (1977), Ron Guidry (1980), Rick Rhoden (1988) and David Cone (1996). New York won an opener with a shutout on the road for the first time since 1967.
Webb (0-1) started the fourth inning with a 90.7 mph sinker on the upper, inner corner that was called a strike by Bill Miller, a major league umpire since 1997. Caballero tapped his helmet, and the 12 Hawk-Eye cameras of the Automated Ball-Strike System upheld Miller’s decision in a graphic shown on the Oracle Park scoreboard.
Caballero singled in the second and Ryan McMahon followed with a two-run single before Austin Wells’ single prompted a mound visit for Webb. Trent Grisham hit a two-run triple and was checked by medical staff after a hard slide into third.
Webb, a 15-game winner last season making his fifth start on opening day, was tagged for six earned runs — seven in all — and nine hits over five innings.
