Posts

Posted on

Jaden Ivey waived by Bulls for 'conduct detrimental to the team.' Here's how we got here

A man in a Chicago Bulls uniform bends down while dribbling the ball, using his right off to fend off a defender
Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey is defended by Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones on Feb. 7. (Erin Hooley / Associated Press)

The Chicago Bulls announced Monday that they have waived guard Jaden Ivey for "conduct detrimental to the team," soon after the former first-round draft pick made anti-gay comments on Instagram Live.

The move came less than two months after Chicago acquired Ivey from the Detroit Pistons. In recent days, the fourth-year player has posted several videos on Instagram in which he speaks at length about his religious beliefs.

Ivey recorded another such video Monday soon after learning of his release by Chicago. In it, he held firm to his convictions and predicted he would have trouble landing another NBA job because of them.

Background

The Pistons selected Ivey at No. 5 overall in the 2022 draft. He was a starter for much of his first two-plus seasons before being hampered by multiple injuries. In 218 games for Detroit, Ivey averaged 14.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and four assists in 27.9 minutes a game.

Chicago acquired Ivey and his expiring contract in a three-team trade on Feb. 3. He played in four games for the Bulls leading into the All-Star break, but was a healthy scratch for their Feb. 19 game against the Toronto Raptors.

After the game, Ivey told reporters that "the old Jalen is dead."

Read more:Lamar Odom's past is a 'cesspool of trauma,' he says: 'I don't know what made me relevant now'

“I’m alive in Christ" he said. "No matter what the basketball setting is, I’m born again with the Holy Spirit, been saved by Jesus Christ. No matter how many DNPs I don’t get to play, no matter how many points I score, those things are temporary things. ...

"Jesus is not going to say on Judgment Day, ‘How many points did you score today?’ … Jesus is not going to say, “Feb. 19, why didn’t you play, Jaden?’ He’s gonna say, ‘What did you do for my kingdom? Do you believe in my name? Did you love me? Did you keep my commandments? Did you repent of your sin? Are you free from sin?’ And there’s only freedom in Jesus Christ.”

Ivey has not played since. The Bulls announced on Feb. 21 that he would be sidelined for at least two weeks because of soreness in his left knee. On Thursday, the team announced that Ivey would miss the remainder of the season because of injuries.

What he said

The Bulls did not elaborate, but the announcement that Ivey would be waived came soon after one of his videos on Instagram Live .

“They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA. They proclaim it," Ivey said in the video. "They show it to the world. They say, 'Come join us for Pride,' for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness. So how is it that one can’t speak righteousness? How are they to say that this man is crazy?”

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that a source within the Bulls organization said the decision to dismiss Ivey didn't stem from one incident but rather from an accumulation of posts and comments that started in February.

Read more:How Luka Doncic's season stacks up against the NBA's other MVP contenders

After the Bulls announced the move, Ivey returned to Instagram Live and recorded another lengthy video.

"All I'm preaching is about Jesus Christ and they waived me, right? They say I'm crazy, right? I'm psycho," Ivey said. "…God let these things happen for a reason. His will be done. May His will be done. Not my will. My will is done.

"When I came into the league, all I wanted to do was win championships and get millions of bucks, get that next contract, get them cars. That's all I wanted when I came into the league — until the Lord showed me. What good is it to gain the world and forfeit your soul?"

He added: "That's why everybody around me turning their back on me, because of my faith in Him, in the Son of God. That’s why — I didn't get myself waived. I was in the gym today. I was rehabbing, I was lifting, doing what was required of me in my job, doing whatever they said to do. …

Read more:Swanson: Bronny James has proven he deserves to be a Laker — with or without LeBron

"I could’ve quit on my own, but they kicked me out. And I’m sure every NBA team gonna say the same thing, ‘We don’t want him, he’s too religious for us.’ But I bless you all in Jesus’ name."

On Tuesday, Ivey posted another video in which he seemed to address the aftermath of his previous comments.

"Those who are around me, those who are my family members [are] betraying [me] because of what I spoke — the truth," Ivey said. "Betraying me. Saying that I’m losing my mind. Saying that I’m crazy. Saying that I don’t know the truth. These are my own family members who love me. My blood. Those who raised me, saying that I don’t know the truth. ‘Man, he’s psycho. He’s this, he’s that.' Those are my own household.

"All because of the gospel. All because I said the truth, that unrighteousness will not be let into God’s kingdom. That’s the truth."

What others are saying

Bulls coach Billy Donovan addressed the situation with reporters before his team's game Monday in San Antonio.

“I don’t want to get into what he put out there, but certainly, I hope for him he’s OK," Donovan said of Ivey. "I’ve had conversations with Jaden, and he’s been always about rehabbing his knee and trying to get on the court and wanting to play. But I think organizationally, there are certain standards we want to have as an organization and try to live up to those each and every day.”

He added: “We have people from all different walks of life that are working in the building and players from all different walks of life, right? So the first thing is, everybody comes with their own personal experiences. … We’ve got to all be professional. I think there’s got to be a high level of respect for one another, and we’ve got to help each other and then be accountable to those standards.”

Read more:Plaschke: 'Yeaaaaaah!' A child’s cheer inspires surging Lakers

Bulls guard Josh Giddey said Monday: "Obviously, the whole thing is kind of unfortunate in a way. I hope he gets the help he needs, whatever he’s going through or not going through. I do really hope he gets help. It’s not going to be with the Bulls anymore, but wherever it is, I hope he gets it.’’

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson appeared to show his support for Ivey on his Instagram Story. He posted a graphic referencing Ivey's situation along with a quote from the New Testament.

"'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven,'” Henderson wrote. "Matthew 5:10."

Asked about Henderson's post on Tuesday, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he wants his players "to be able to express what they believe in their heart and in their mind, but also want to make sure that they’re educated."

"And we want to be inclusive," Vrabel added. "Everything we want to do [is] to provide an environment for people to want to feel comfortable, but also to share their personal beliefs. And then also, we represent the team. And we represent the organization.”

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posted on

The Canucks Have The Opportunity To Secure The Best Odds At Picking First-Overall Tonight

Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks have the opportunity to secure the best odds at picking first-overall in the 2026 NHL Draft lottery. The Canucks, who have sat comfortably at 32nd in the NHL for the better-half of the season, currently hold a 21–44–8 record that has gotten them 50 points on the season. 

The closest team to Vancouver in the NHL’s standings is the Chicago Blackhawks, who currently sit at 31st with 67 points and a record of 27–34–13. If Chicago wins their next game, which takes place tonight against the Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver will secure 32nd place and thus have the best odds of selecting first-overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. 

Even if Chicago is unable to beat Winnipeg tonight, the Canucks will still be able to clinch 32nd place in the coming days. A loss in their matchup against the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow night will allow them to remain last in the league regardless of how they play in the games after that. 

Vancouver has yet to draft first-overall through all 56 seasons since their inaugural year. They have picked second and third-overall four times each, with their most recent highest-selection being Daniel Sedin in 1999. Their highest active-selection is Elias Pettersson, who was picked fifth-overall in 2017. 

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly reveals the Vancouver Canucks card during the NHL Draft lottery. Credit: @Canucks - X (May 1, 2023).
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly reveals the Vancouver Canucks card during the NHL Draft lottery. Credit: @Canucks - X (May 1, 2023).

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Vancouver Canucks Podcast Rundown: Kane, Boeser, And Pettersson Milestones

Canucks’ Evander Kane Plays In 1000th NHL Game Against The Golden Knights

Evander Kane’s 1000th NHL Game: From Vancouver To The Canucks

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

The Hockey News
The Hockey News
Posted on

Rally falls short, San Diego looking for redemption

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With momentum from Saturday’s win against the Detroit Tigers, the San Diego Padres felt poised to take the series opener against the division rival San Francisco Giants.

Sadly, it was not to be.

After getting shutout for eight full innings by a combination of starter Landen Roupp (6.0 IP), Matt Gage (1.0 IP) and Keaton Winn (1.0 IP), the Friars attempted a late rally off Ryan Walker.

Jake Cronenworth led off the inning with a walk and got to second on a Manny Machado groundout. With two outs, Jackson Merrill launched a payoff slider into left field for the Padres’ first runs of the game.

Now, with the tying run at the plate, Xander Bogaerts stepped into the box and promptly grounded out, ending what might have been.

Taking the mound

Logan Webb (SF) v. Germán Márquez (SD)

San Diego struggled to score in the few opportunities it had. The Padres will need to flip that script today against ace Logan Webb.

Webb looked mostly solid in his Opening Day start against the New York Yankees, but he was ambushed for five runs in the second inning. After that he mostly settled in.

If the Padres can hammer his mistakes like the Yanks did, they’ll be able to push him out of the game quickly. If not, they’ll have an even harder time than they did last night against Roupp.

For Márquez it marks a debut in the Brown and Gold. After Buehler had a solid (though uninspiring) debut (4.0 IP, 3 ER), the former Colorado Rockies ace will seek to top his back-end counterpart.

Batter up!

Jake Cronenworth looked mostly solid in his first time batting leadoff on Saturday. He did not look that way last night.

With that being said, it’s a small sample size of only two games. So he could still leadoff today. My guess, though, is that the lineup looks something more like this:

  1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
  2. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
  3. Jackson Merrill, CF
  4. Manny Machado, 3B
  5. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  6. Ramón Laureano, LF
  7. Miguel Andujar, DH
  8. Gavin Sheets, 1B
  9. Freddy Fermin, C

It’s still early, so manager Craig Stammen could experiment more than that, but it seems likely Merrill moves up to the third spot in the order.

Backup catcher Luis Campusano struggled at the plate, so Fermin will probably start.

It’s also probable that Andujar gets the DH start after Nick Castellanos failed to reach base last night. Andujar got a pinch-hit opportunity late in the game but grounded out.

Relief corps

Good news for San Diego: almost all of the high-leverage guys are available.

The only one of those to be used last night was righty David Morgan. Beyond him, Wandy Peralta (1.0 IP) and Ron Marinaccio (2.0 IP) were used. The three combined to put up five scoreless innings after Buehler exited the game.

So that leaves Jeremiah Estrada (seeking to rebound after his blow-up on Friday night), Kyle Hart, Bradgley Rodriguez, Adrian Morejon and closer Mason Miller.

Miller’s only been used to close games, and the Friars have only entered the ninth with the lead once (March 28). They’ll seek to give him a lead he can work with tomorrow night.

Posted on

Public Skate: Bruins vs. Stars

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 20: Matt Duchene #95 of the Dallas Stars competes for a loose puck against Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins during the first period at American Airlines Center on January 20, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to another night of Bruins hockey, folks!

After going two-for-two on the weekend, the Bruins host a very good Dallas Stars team that finds itself in a little bit of a funk at the moment.

However, they DID just get Mikko Rantanen back from injury, which always helps.

After tonight, the B’s will embark on a four-game road trip with stops in Florida (2X), Philadelphia, and Carolina.

Points are at a premium, etc.

If you’re interested in scoreboard watching tonight, keep an eye on:

  • Islanders vs. Sabres
  • Canadiens vs. Lightning
  • Panthers vs. Senators
  • Penguins vs. Red Wings
  • Flyers vs. Capitals
  • Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets

Bruins! Stars! BACK IN THE COMMONWEALTH!

Discuss.

Posted on

Who made Basketball Hall of Fame? Part of 2026 class revealed by report

Some of the first names to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2026 class are starting to leak out, and the early wave includes some of the game’s legends.

According to ESPN, former Suns and Knicks forward and center Amar'e Stoudemire, former Los Angeles Sparks icon Candace Parker, former Sky and Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne and longtime NBA coach Doc Rivers, currently with the Milwaukee Bucks, are among the first four members to be enshrined.

The Hall has not issued any statement concerning the induction of the four and did not initially respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY Sports.

Stoudemire, a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, was the 2002-03 NBA Rookie of the Year, beating out Yao Ming, Caron Butler and Manu Ginóbili for the honor. He played for four teams across 14 seasons, adding stops with the Heat and Mavericks later in his career.

Parker, a current analyst for Amazon Prime and Turner, was a seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time league Most Valuable Player. She is also a three-time WNBA champion and was the anchor for the Sparks with her two-way dominance. In 2021, in honor of the league’s 25th season, the WNBA released the W25, a list of the greatest and most influential players in the league’s history. Parker was named to that list.

So was Delle Donne, who had been the only player in history to be named WNBA MVP with two different teams, before Breanna Stewart joined her in 2023. A five-time All-WNBA selection and seven-time All-Star, Delle Donne won a WNBA Finals championship in 2019 as a member of the Mystics. She led the league in scoring in 2015, with 23.4 points per game.

Rivers has been tied to the NBA since 1984, when he entered the league as a point guard for the Atlanta Hawks. A one-time All-Star, in 1988, Rivers found success as a head coach, where he currently ranks sixth on the all-time list for victories, with 1,191, which is 19 behind Pat Riley. As a coach, Rivers has two NBA Finals appearances, with one championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. That team, led by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, toppled the Lakers in the Finals in six games. Rivers has coached for five teams across 27 seasons and also has stops with the Magic, Clippers and 76ers. This season, amid injuries and a roster in the middle of transition, the Bucks are just 29-45 and have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Other finalists who are up for induction include six-time All-Star Blake Griffin, three-time All-Star Kevin Johnson, six-time WNBA All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw and former official Joey Crawford.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will announce the full Class of 2026 Saturday, April 4, and enshrinement weekend is set to begin Aug. 14.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who made Basketball Hall of Fame? Some members of 2026 class leaked

Posted on

Texas Rangers lineup for March 31, 2026

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 29: Texas Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran #20 is shown during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers on March 29th, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for March 31, 2026 against the Baltimore Orioles: starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for the Rangers and Zach Eflin for the Orioles.

Texas looks to extend their winning streak to four games this afternoon. Josh Jung, who has started the season on an 0 for 17 streak, is on the bench. Ezequiel Duran is starting at third base.

Lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Langford — LF

Seager — SS

Burger — 1B

Pederson — DH

Smith — 2B

Jansen — C

Carter — CF

Duran — 2B

5:35 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -130 favorites.

Posted on

Yankees fans voiced pessimism in “Hope-O-Meter” poll

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: Fans of the New York Yankees receive autographs prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The New York Yankees are off to as good a start as you can ask for in the 2026 Major League Baseball season. After a series sweep of the San Francisco Giants on the road, they travel up the west coast and play the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series before a day off and their first home series of the year against the Miami Marlins.

With the strong start and some excellent performances from the necessary players to steer this ship toward a World Series, there was certainly some optimism among the Yankees fanbase coming out of opening weekend (also with the understanding that the Giants are a team still trying to find their footing in the National League West). However, according to a recent article in The Athletic, Yankees fans were generally less optimistic about the 2026 season and its potential results. In fact, they were about as optimistic as a few teams firmly within the rebuild territory.

The first observation from the optimism survey is precisely that: the Yankees, a team that tied for first in the American League East with 94 wins and made it to the American League Divisional Series (even though that’s not nearly the standard that has been set), are sandwiched by the Chicago White Sox, who finished last year with 102 losses — the second-most in all of MLB — and the Miami Marlins, who finished four games below the .500 mark. They’re also only three spots higher than the St. Louis Cardinals, who finished six games under .500 last year and have made it pretty clear that they’re in rebuild territory.

Suffice to say, for a team that finished with such a good placement in the standings last year and had a legitimate chance of making it back to the World Series, it was unexpected to see them surrounded by those other franchises.

Below are the Yankees’ finishes in the “Hope-O-Meter” polls in other seasons and how their final results turned out.

2025: 68.1 percent (17); 94-68, T-1st in AL East, lost in ALDS to Toronto Blue Jays
2024: 80.7 percent (11); 94-68, 1st in AL East, lost in World Series to Los Angeles Dodgers
2023: 71.1 percent (18); 82-80, 4th in AL East, Did not make playoffs
2022: 48 percent (21); 99-63, 1st in AL East, lost in ALCS to Houston Astros

Within these results there is a little bit of correlation here — the highest finishing year being the year where they made it to the World Series, the third-highest being when the team tied for first and made it to the ALDS — but the other two years showcase that just because the fans aren’t optimistic doesn’t mean that the plan of attack will or won’t work out. Yankees fans in 2022 finished 21st (one spot above where they are for 2026) and made it to the ALCS after winning the division with 99 wins. The year following, they finished 18th and went almost .500.

While the Yankees did take a more unpopular approach to the offseason moves they made this winter, it’s important to note that it’s a lot easier to look at your house and say it’s burning when you’re looking for every tiny ember versus not looking nearly as closely at all the other houses around you that are burning or have the potential to do so. And, of course, it’s important to remember that the entire attitude around the Yankees organization is “championship or bust.” It’s a noble concept in practice. Everyone wants their sports franchise to be run that way. But it can provide a bit of a “rose colored glasses” view of how a team operates relative to the others around it.

The Hope-O-Meter is not a predictor of results, and it never has been. Instead, it’s more of a fun experiment done by an outlet that lets fans voice their feelings (good or bad) about where they believe their franchise is heading into the season. And while Yankees fans were clearly not thrilled with how things were handled over the offseason and heading into the regular season, there’s a reason they play the games.

Posted on

Mike Yastrzemski bats fifth as Atlanta faces the A’s

Mar 29, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) slides into second base after hitting a double against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Braves will be going for the series win against the A’s behind Jose Suarez, in a matchup of fringy starting pitchers with the opportunity to give Chris Sale a chance to secure a sweep tomorrow. The Braves are running with what is probably their best possible lineup on true talent available on the active roster, facing the righty in Civale, as Mike Yastrzemski bats fifth and plays left field. Walt Weiss continues to be comfortable stacking Baldwin and Olson at 2 and 3 in the lineup, despite them both being lefties. At the back of the lineup, Dominic Smith rejoins the lineup at DH and Mauricio Dubon plays shortstop once again.

On the other side, the A’s shuffled their lineup a bit, as Nick Kurtz drops to third and Jacob Wilson takes the leadoff spot. Former Braves first round pick Shea Langeliers catches for the A’s and bats second.

Tonight’s game is on BravesVision and Gray TV at 7:15 PM ET. This may be a game high in runs scored, given the pitching matchup and offensive talent, so let’s hope the Braves can bring the lumber.

Posted on

Brandon Williamson makes his return tonight against Pittsburgh

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 17: Brandon Williamson #55 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the first inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kareem Elgazzar/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

It’s been since September 17th, 2024 since Brandon Williamson has taken a mound in a professional baseball game at any level, let alone at the big league level. His grind back after having Tommy John surgery on the UCL in his left arm, though, is finally complete.

Williamson will start for the Cincinnati Reds tonight at home in Great American Ball Park with the Pittsburgh Pirates in town, the second game of this three-game set between the NL Central rivals. The Reds took home the first game of the series last night behind an excellent start by Chase Burns and a rock solid effort from some inexperienced arms in their bullpen, and Williamson will hope to lead the charge tonight that gets them a second straight series victory.

The lefty looked good all through Cactus League play, eventually earning his way onto the team’s Opening Day roster despite a positional battle with former 1st rounders like Burns and Rhett Lowder. After Nick Lodolo’s blister issues flared up, though, the team’s ‘six for five’ plan with their starters was reduced down to a five-man rotation that needed Williamson to be a starter from the outset.

That’s what we’re going to see for the first time tonight.

Spencer Steer will be the odd-man out of the starting lineup for this one after having started each of the team’s first four games of the year, the team’s utility-man extraordinaire sure to make an appearance at some point later in the game. Will Benson will slide over and start in LF with RHP Bubba Chandler on the mound for the Pirates, while Noelvi Marte is back in the starting lineup in RF after getting last night off.

Here’s how the Reds have stacked their lineup for the evening:

First pitch in this one is once again set for 6:40 PM ET, and you’ll be able to view the broadcast via Reds.TV.

Posted on

Mavericks vs Bucks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Milwaukee Bucks host the Dallas Mavericks in NBA action tonight. 

These are two of the worst teams in the league, but there are a few reasons why my Mavericks vs. Bucks predictions favor the home side.

I explain with my best free NBA picks on Tuesday, March 31. 

Mavericks vs Bucks prediction

Mavericks vs Bucks best bet: Bucks moneyline (+110)

Both squads have been terrible lately, with the Dallas Mavericks winning just three of their last 18 games and the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks going 3-14 in their previous 17. The Bucks are last in the NBA in net rating (-17.3) since the start of March, while Dallas is 28th (-11.5).

That said, the Mavs are on the road and could be tired after losing by 30 points to Minnesota last night. 

Meanwhile, the Bucks enjoyed a day off after losing at home to the Clippers on Sunday. They should also have Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and Ryan Rollins back in the lineup after they missed the previous contest.

They are three of Milwaukee's Top 6 scorers this season (with another being the still-sidelined Antetokounmpo), so having that trio active will boost the Bucks' chances of winning.

That's enough for me to back them at plus money against a Dallas squad that has Cooper Flagg and not much else.

Mavericks vs Bucks same-game parlay

Since both teams have nothing to play for, we've seen little effort from them on the defensive end of the floor. That has me backing a couple of player props in this SGP.

Daniel Gafford has stepped up as the Mavs' No. 2 scoring option and has logged 24+ points and rebounds in seven of his last eight games.

Meanwhile, Rollins has knocked down more than 2.5 threes in six of his last eight games. He'll torch a Dallas squad that is allowing 14.3 threes per game at 38.6% clip since the start of February.

Mavericks vs Bucks SGP

  • Bucks moneyline
  • Daniel Gafford Over 22.5 points + rebounds
  • Ryan Rollins Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Planting his Flagg

Flagg is coming off a night against Minnesota, where he went just 5-for-19 from the field. That said, the Rookie of the Year favorite should bounce back against a Milwaukee squad that is second-last in the league in defensive rating since the All-Star break. 

Flagg has dropped 5+ dimes in 12 of 14 games this month, and he also makes plays on the defensive end. He has logged 2+ steals in five of his last seven games while blocking at least one shot in six of his previous eight contests.

Mavericks vs Bucks SGP

  • Cooper Flagg Over 24.5 points
  • Cooper Flagg Over 4.5 assists
  • Cooper Flagg Over 1.5 steals
  • Cooper Flagg Over 0.5 blocks

Mavericks vs Bucks odds

  • Spread: Mavericks -2 (-110) | Bucks +2 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Mavericks -130 | Bucks +110
  • Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)

How to watch Mavericks vs Bucks

LocationFiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
DateTuesday, March 31, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVKFAA, FDSN-WI

Mavericks vs Bucks latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Posted on

Mike Sullivan weighs in on Golden Knights’ stunning John Tortorella hire

John Tortorella (l.) and Mike Sullivan (second from l.) behind Team USA's bench during an Olympics game against Germany on Feb. 15, 2026.
John Tortorella (l.) and Mike Sullivan (second from l.) behind Team USA's bench during an Olympics game against Germany on Feb. 15, 2026.

Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan and ex-Rangers head coach John Tortorella go way back.

Since 2007, Sullivan and Tortorella have served on the same coaching staff six times. Sullivan was an assistant to Tortorella in Tampa Bay, New York and Vancouver for a total of six seasons. He also was on Tortorella’s U.S. staff for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Access the Rangers beat like never before

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.

tRY IT NOW

The two have since swapped roles, with Tortorella serving as an assistant to Sullivan for Team USA at 4 Nations and the Milan Cortina Olympic Games.

When asked to weigh in on Tortorella’s stunning hiring in Vegas with single-digit games left in the 2025-26 season and a probable playoff run afoot, Sullivan offered high praise for the 67-year-old.

“I think he’s an excellent coach,” Sullivan said before the Rangers took on the Devils on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. “One of the things that he excels at is crisis management. He brings a ton of energy. I know he’ll bring a lot of energy to Vegas. I think, as I said, he’s an excellent coach. One of the things that has always impressed me with Torts, and obviously, I have a long-standing relationship with him. I worked with him for almost a decade. He was on our staff with the Olympic team, the 4 Nations team. In a lot of ways, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with him because I learned so much from him. We’re very different in how we go about it, but I’ve learned a lot from him as far as what it takes to win and how to instill an environment that’s conducive to winning.

John Tortorella (l.) and Mike Sullivan (second from l.) behind Team USA’s bench during an Olympics game against Germany on Feb. 15, 2026. Getty Images

“He has had the ability to evolve with the game. The evolution of the game is fast. The way the game’s being played today is very different than the way it was being played, for example, when him and I were working together coaching the Rangers in 2010. The way the game’s being played is very different. And Torts, because he’s a student of the game, he’s evolved with the game. The modern strategies, the evolution of the game. What’s the modern NHL look like? What’s the modern game look like?We talk about that. We have that conversation all the time with our coaching staff because we’re trying to study evolution. And it’s copycat league. Everybody steals from one another because of technology, film, all of those things. So everybody’s paying attention to that stuff.

“If you’re in coaching and you love what you do, you immerse yourself in a learning experience. And Torts has done that his whole career. He puts a lot of work into that. He prides himself in it. That’s been the most impressive thing for me in watching him. I think he’ll do what he does. I think he’ll do a terrific job.””

Sullivan and Tortorella won gold together with USA Hockey last month in the NHL’s highly anticipated return to the Olympics. They also spent four seasons together in New York from 2009 to 2013.

Urho Vaakanainen participated in morning skate Tuesday in a red non-contact jersey before missing his seventh straight game with an upper-body injury.

The wins over Chicago and Florida this past weekend were the Rangers’ first back-to-back victories at home this season. Tuesday night’s matchup with New Jersey marked the third contest of a season-high seven-game homestand.

Posted on

Former Pittsburgh Penguins D-Man Done For The Year

While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill shared that former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will be out for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

Grzelcyk signed with the Blackhawks ahead of the 2025-26 season after a successful PTO. In 69 games with the Blackhawks during this campaign, the former Penguins defenseman recorded zero goals, 12 assists, 32 penalty minutes, and a minus-9 rating. 

Grzelcyk spent last season with the Penguins and had the best season of his NHL career thus far. In 82 games with the Penguins during the 2024-25 season, the Charlestown, Massachusetts native scored one goal and set career highs with 39 assists and 40 points. This included him recording 15 power-play points. 

With numbers like these, Grzelcyk proved to be a solid player for the Penguins during his time with the team. While this was the case, the Penguins decided to move on from him this past summer. 

Grzelcyk is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), and it will be interesting to see where the former Penguin ends up next.

Posted on

Amar'e Stoudemire, Doc Rivers, Candace Parker reportedly in 2026 Hall of Fame class

The official announcement isn't coming until Saturday, but word is starting to leak out about the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Amar'e Stoudemire, Doc Rivers, Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne will be part of the class, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.

Those four are part of a much larger class of Hall of Fame finalists, a group that includes Blake Griffin, Gonzaga coach Mark Few, Chamique Holdsclaw and Marques Johnson, among others.

Parker and Delle Donne would not be a surprise — they were locks to make the Hall of Fame. Stoudemire was considered likely to make the cut.

Parker was a two-time NCAA national champion at Tennessee who was drafted No. 1 in 2008 and became the only player in WNBA history to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. She went on to be a three-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP (2008, '13). Parker also is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, '12).

Delle Donne is a WNBA champion (Washington Mystics in 2019) and two-time MVP (2015 and 2019). She was the first player in NBA history to average 50/40/90 shooting percentages for a season. Delle Donne also won a Gold Medal as part of the USA team at the 2016 Olympics in Beijing.

Stoudemire was an integral part of the seven-seconds-or-less Suns with Steve Nash and coach Mike D'Antoni, who changed the way the game is played in the NBA. An incredibly athletic 6'10" forward who was a force in transition, and could play away from the basket and attack off the dribble (and was ahead of his time with that), he is a five-time All-NBA player, six-time All-Star and the 2003 Rookie of the Year who averaged 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds a game during his 14-year NBA Career.

Rivers is the name raising eyebrows among some fans.

Rivers has won more games than all but five coaches in the NBA, and he is ahead of Hall of Famers like Phil Jackson, George Karl and Larry Brown. He has a championship ring as a coach. Rivers is in his 27th consecutive season as an NBA head coach, having started in Orlando then moved on to Boston (where he won a championship in 2008), the LA Clippers, Philadelphia and now Milwaukee. He has a career regular season record of 1,191-861 (58%) and has coached in 226 playoff games. Rivers played more than 10 seasons in the NBA before that and was an All-Star in 1988.

He's also had some spectacular playoff flameouts — his teams have blown 3-1 series leads three times — and had some rough exits from a couple of his stops. The voters for the Hall of Fame (an anonymous vote) looked past that and saw him as a Hall of Famer.

The formal announcement of the Class of 2026 for the Naismith Hall of Fame is set for Saturday.

Posted on

The two nights that defined the Warriors’ March

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 23: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors lays on the court after being inured during overtime of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 23, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Okay Dub Nation, I see you. Sitting on the stool in the corner of the ring, spitting out blood as the trainers press an ice pack over your swollen eye sockets from watching a rough and tumble month of Golden State Warriors basketball.

The Dubs went 5-10 in March, Steph Curry’s birthday month. Curry and Jimmy Butler didn’t play a single second. The team’s net rating was -5.9, the kind of number that belongs to rebuilds.

And yet. Maybe there’s a chance in here buried under the losses and life lessons. Golden State spent the month caught between two truths: too good to tank and too hurt to compete. If there’s one thing March taught us, it’s that there’s something about this team that is exciting and tragic at the same time.

The Win That Made You Believe

March 5th in Houston. The Warriors were missing seven players, including every name that appears on a marquee. What showed up instead was a ragtag collection of role players, former G-Leaguers, and aging veterans who apparently missed the memo that the game was supposed to be meaningless.

De’Anthony Melton scored 10 points in the first seven minutes. Al Horford, age 39, won the overtime tip and scored a post-up hook shot. LJ Cryer hit threes. Gui Santos played 41 minutes, finished plus-20, and put Kevin Durant on the floor with a spin move.

Brandin Podziemski went 3-for-3 in overtime and reached a season-high 26 points. And KD, one of the greatest players alive and a forever legend in Golden State, bricked two consecutive free throws to give Golden State the game.

Final score: 115-113. The Warriors owned the Rockets franchise one more time without a single star. That was the argument for this team. For one night, every player on that floor had something to prove, and together they proved it.

The Win That That Didn’t Feel Like One

Eighteen days later, same state, different city, different kind of Texas night entirely.

Moses Moody stole the ball from Cooper Flagg with 1:13 left in overtime. He got out in space with the dunk coming into view. And we know Moody can elevate. This time, unfortunately he planted his foot, and the floor gave out beneath a season that had finally started to mean something. Torn patellar tendon. Season over.

Original Splash Bro Klay Thompson was on the other side in a Mavericks uniform. He watched that basketball inheritance collapse in real time. Nobody felt like celebrating the overtime win. The Warriors needed a big victory, but at what cost? I wonder if they’d rather have the loss if it meant preserving Moody’s future.

This is what March 2026 was. A month where the Warriors were simultaneously too good to tank and too hurt to compete. Steph has now missed over two dozen consecutive games. Butler has been gone since January. Horford went down with a calf strain. Moody, who was the living proof that the Two-Timeline strategy could actually work, is watching the rest of this season from a treatment table. A month where the best version of this roster kept flashing, and the injury report kept taking it away.

April Starts Against San Antonio

The Warriors open April against the Spurs. The one with Victor Wembanyama, the version of the future this season was supposed to hold off. They are going into that game without Steph, without Jimmy, without Moses, and with a net rating that politely suggests the process is still very much in progress. Another Texas team, another test, and another day of wondering if the glass is half full or half empty on this season.

March presented two true things simultaneously. The Warriors can still be beautiful when the ball moves and the right people show up hungry. And it also whispered that this season is not going to end in triumph. Both are hella real and define Warriors basketball in 2026.

Goodbye March, you were tough on the team.

Posted on

Flyers: Everything to Know About Porter Martone's NHL Debut

Top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone will make his NHL debut on Tuesday night against the division rival Washington Capitals, and with the excitement comes a few nuggets worth keeping track of.

For starters, it's already been established that head coach Rick Tocchet and the Flyers are looking to put Martone, 19, in a position for success and comfort in his first NHL game.

To kick things off, at least, the 2025 No. 6 pick will play right wing on a line with veterans Travis Konecny and Christian Dvorak.

"I think him and TK, veteran guys. Those guys are good at staying close together. That's something we were talking about, I think it's a good fit for him. We'll see how it goes," Tocchet told traveling media of Martone's line.

Notably, fellow rookie Alex Bump had been playing on that line, but Bump is instead coming out of the lineup... for now.

Top Flyers Prospect Already Cooking in New EnvironmentTop Flyers Prospect Already Cooking in New EnvironmentThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> have only one post-NHL trade deadline call-up remaining, and it is becoming increasingly clear which prospect they are going to use it on come the final days of the season.

"We have a lot of young guys, so maybe there's a rotation. I don't know," Tocchet said.

"I'm not going to get into why. I just think [Carl Grundstrom] had a really good game last game. He's played some playoff games, veteran guy. That doesn't mean Bumper's not going to play next game. It's just that we're going to have to do this rotation, maybe, or who's hot. We'll go from there. We'll talk about it... it's more game-to-game."

Grundstrom, 28, will reprise his role as the left wing on a line with Noah Cates and Matvei Michkov, though it's worth noting that the Swede has scored just one goal since Dec. 31--a cold streak that has spanned 31 games.

Overall, the 6-foot grinder has eight goals, four assists, and 12 points in 43 games this season, and Tocchet is clearly relying on him to be responsible now that more youth has been added to the lineup with Martone.

As for Martone's opportunities, Tocchet spoke mostly in generalities, but appears to clearly have a plan for the top prospect's usage.

"I think it's important I get him out there quickly. Guy makes a mistake early, he's not going to sit on the bench. He's gotta get out there," Tocchet assessed.

Flyers' Porter Martone Robbed of Hobey Baker ContentionFlyers' Porter Martone Robbed of Hobey Baker ContentionTop <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> prospect Porter Martone has never quite gotten the respect he deserved since being drafted, and that trend is only continuing as his NHL debut draws nearer.

"It's like anything. As a coach, you try to see how the game's going. But, definitely trying to make him feel comfortable out there. That's something I gotta do for him."

For reference, Alex Bump played 16:07 in his Flyers debut and scored a goal against Pittsburgh back on March 7, and Denver Barkey played 15:18 and recorded two assists against the New York Rangers on Dec. 20.

Both debuted in divisional games, like Martone will against the Capitals on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old enters his first NHL game having scored points in each of his last six games for Michigan State.