TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 3: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on March 3, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the second game of a back-to-back, the Knicks (52*-28) host the Raptors (44-35) tonight at Madison Square Garden. New York ranks third in the Eastern Conference, while riding a four-game win streak and having beaten the Celtics in a thriller last night, 112-106. The Raptors are scrappy but inconsistent, in a three-horse race with the Hawks and the Magic for the fifth, sixth, and seventh seeds.
The Knicks lead the season series 4-0. The teams last met on March 3 in Toronto, where New York cruised to a 111-95 victory. Jalen Brunson led the way with 26 points, while Brandon Ingram scored 31 points for the Canucks.
The Raptors have relied on a mix of veterans and young pieces, with Brandon Ingram leading them in scoring with 21.1 PPG. When healthy, Jakob Poeltl anchors the frontcourt (he missed half of the season with injury), while OAKAAKUYOAK Immanuel Quickley commands the backcourt when healthy (IQ has played 68 games this season). Toronto ranks around the middle of the pack offensively (scoring in the 114-point range) but they rate fifth for defense. Scottie Barnes, playing his fifth season, has been an anchor for them defensively and chips in about 18 points per game.
Injury notes: Tyler Kolek remains a question mark for the Knicks with an oblique issue. The Raptors have been cursed with various ailments throughout the year. Chucky Hepburn (knee) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (illness) are game-time decisions for them.
Prediction
The Knicks are solid favorites, with ESPN giving them a 65% chance for victory. Right on. Toronto has shown fight at times, but they’ll face a locked-in Knicks squad at MSG—one that has recently taken care of business against stiffer competition like Boston and Atlanta. Should be another tough night for the visitors, despite potential fatigue for the home team on a SEGABABA. The Raptors will be motivated to win, sure, but the Knickerbockers look playoff-ready and should handle this one without too much drama. Knicks by eight.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (52*-28) vs Toronto Raptors (44-35) Date: Friday, April 10, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Place: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins are biodegradable.
Apr 9, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson (74) reacts after being selected as the first star of the night against the San Jose Sharks Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee/Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
ANAHEIM, Calif. — John Carlson played 1,156 regular-season games and 137 more Stanley Cup playoff contests in his 17 NHL seasons before he finally got his first hat trick.
The steady defenseman would never list a three-goal game as a true aspiration, but Carlson was still thrilled to do it — particularly because it came in a vital victory for his new team’s playoff aspirations.
The 36-year-old Carlson said he literally couldn’t remember his last pre-NHL hat trick after he fired three goals past the San Jose Sharks during the Ducks’ 6-1 win, which snapped a six-game losing streak and greatly improved Anaheim’s chances of ending its seven-year postseason drought.
“I’ve seen a lot (of hat tricks) in my day, and always was a little bit jealous,” Carlson said with a grin.
Indeed, Carlson witnessed plenty of multigoal barrages during his long tenure with the Washington Capitals. That’ll happen when you play nearly 17 seasons alongside the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history: Alex Ovechkin has 34 career hat tricks, including 26 since Carlson’s debut with the Caps as a teenager in late 2009.
But Carlson has been a steady contributor on both ends of the ice throughout his NHL career, and he had been a major factor for his new team in Anaheim even before his third goal sealed a big win. His shot sent a shower of hats onto the Honda Center ice with 5:57 to play in celebration of only the fourth hat trick by a defenseman in Ducks history, and the first since 2018.
“It was great,” Carlson said. “I’ve obviously always wanted one. I think it was a good game to do it in, a home game. The crowd was great tonight from puck drop, and I think we just kept feeding on that and played a really good game.”
Carlson became the third defenseman in NHL history to record a hat trick after his 36th birthday, joining Mathieu Schneider and Nicklas Lidstrom, who was 40 years old when he accomplished the feat on Dec. 15, 2010. Only Lidstrom (1,442) played more games among NHL defensemen than Carlson before getting that inaugural trick.
Carlson has 12 points in 13 games since joining the Ducks, who acquired him at the trade deadline to shore up the back end on one of the league’s worst defensive teams. Carlson has overcome the first jersey change of his NHL career and the midseason disruption of his family’s life to fit in well on the West Coast, providing much-needed veteran poise while improving the Ducks’ mediocre power play, which produced his two third-period goals.
“He comes in and he’s an amazing player,” said center Leo Carlsson, who opened the scoring with an impressive drive to the net for his 28th goal. “Great person, too. He helps us a lot, so nothing but amazing things to say about him.”
After his hat trick, Carlson has 14 goals this season between Washington and Anaheim, three off his career high from the 2021-22 season.
Carlson got his first goal against the Sharks in the first period on a 97.47 mph slap shot — the hardest shot that resulted in a goal for the Ducks all season long.
He scored two more power-play goals 3 1/2 minutes apart in the third period, both on heavy shots. Anaheim’s power play had been 1 for 15 over the previous four games, dropping to 25th in the league.
“I thought he’s got the presence to shoot from the top,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “He’s got good play recognition, and the power play needed that.”
Two days after the Ducks were booed off the ice by their home fans during a 5-0 loss to Nashville, they dominated the rival Sharks — another young, hungry team with playoff aspirations.
Anaheim’s victory left it in third place in the Pacific Division with 89 points, but just one behind Edmonton up in first place, where the Ducks had been for a full month before dropping back in the past week.
With just three games left, Carlson is confident the Ducks can pick up enough points to get him to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 15th time in a career that included a championship in 2018.
“Building that mentality, reaching back for a picture or a memory of (good) starts, those things are all good to have at this point in the year,” Carlson said.
Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-Imagn Images
Mark Alberti/Mark Alberti-Imagn Images
NEWARK, N.J. — For the first time in four years, it soon will be a great day for playoff hockey in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins clinched a playoff spot by beating New Jersey, ending their postseason drought that lasted three seasons. They had made 16 postseason appearances in a row before that, last missing in Sidney Crosby’s rookie year in 2005-06, with that stretch including three Stanley Cup titles.
“That’s why you play — that’s the best time of year,” Crosby said. “I know how hard it is. I think I understand that. We had some tough ones where it came down to the last day and didn’t get in, and you don’t ever know. But I thought right from camp, we’ve had those intentions and had that belief.”
It was an up-and-down season that included an eight-game skid in December and a pair of six-game winning streaks later in the winter. Far from assured a place in the field in late March when the Eastern Conference race was a crowded mess, they’ve won five of six games since March 30 to get in.
“A couple weeks ago (we realized) it’s really in our hands (because we) play a lot of the teams in it,” defenseman Connor Clifton said. “We figured it was going to work itself out, and first and foremost it’s about us and getting points and we’ve done that, so it’s been good.”
It also has been a surprise. Pittsburgh was a 6-1 long shot to qualify before the puck dropped on opening night, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. This looked like one last kick at it together for an aging core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, who at 20 seasons together are the longest-tenured trio of teammates in North American professional sports.
Instead, new coach Dan Muse has made general manager Kyle Dubas look brilliant for hiring him from relative anonymity: five years as an assistant under Peter Laviolette with Nashville and the New York Rangers. Succeeding two-time Cup-winner Mike Sullivan was not an easy task, but Muse aced the test in his first chance to run an NHL bench.
“He’s been great: Calm there behind the bench, and he’s just a really personable guy, easy to talk to away from the rink,” forward Justin Brazeau said. “Any time you create that atmosphere in here, it’s not too tense or anything like that. I think guys are just willing to go out there and play free.”
Center Ben Kindel, picked 11th in the draft last year, made the team at 18. Defenseman Erik Karlsson thrived at 35. Crosby was a point-a-game player for a 21st consecutive season, even if it was interrupted by the injury that knocked him out of the Olympics.
“It takes everybody,” Crosby said. “Everybody has had a part in this. Obviously it’s a team game, but especially with this group: With the injuries and all the different guys in and out, everybody’s contributed to us getting there.”
Muse, like Crosby, saw evidence in training camp that this was a playoff-caliber team.
“I just saw the competitive nature of the group,” Muse said. “There’s ebbs and flows in every season, but I think this group has just continued to grow. Enjoy it for a little bit, a minute, and then it’s just continuing that preparation. It’s a big step for the group. I’m really proud of these guys, happy for these guys, the staff, everybody involved. The players have done a great job with it throughout the year. We talked about earning things at the beginning of the year. This group earned it.”
All 30 NBA teams are in action tonight, then every team is off on Saturday, then Sunday is one final shakeout day. With that said, there are a lot of scenarios that will play out today. Here is what you need to know.
Playoff Scenarios
Eastern Conference
• Boston can secure the No. 2 seed (and the Atlantic Division crown, if we care about that) with New Orleans or a New York loss to Toronto. • New York secures no lower than the No. 3 seed with a win over Toronto or a Cleveland loss to Atlanta. • Toronto can clinch a top-six playoff spot with a win over the Knicks, and if Atlanta and Orlando also lose than the Raptors lock into the No. 5 seed. • Atlanta clinches a top-six playoff spot with a win over Cleveland (or losses by Orlando and Charlotte). • Charlotte becomes locked into the play-in with a loss to Detroit. • Orlando becomes locked into the play-in with a loss to Chicago or wins by Atlanta and Toronto. • Philadelphia is locked into the play-in with a loss to Indiana or a Toronto win over New York
Western Conference
• Denver can lock in as the No. 3 seed with a win over Oklahoma City and a Lakers loss to the Suns. • The Los Angeles Lakers can lock in no lower than the No. 4 seed with a win against Phoenix and a Houston loss to Minnesota. • The LA Clippers can secure the No. 8 seed with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Games to Watch
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Both teams want this one and both teams come in playing well. Cleveland still has a slim chance at passing the Knicks for the No. 3 seed (the Raptors would have to win out and the Knicks lose out). This game matters more to the Hawks, who can still finish anywhere from fifth to eighth in the East, but with a win over Cleveland secures itself a top-six spot and avoiding the play-in at least.
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass
New York can clinch the No. 3 seed with a win, making their Sunday game against Charlotte moot for them. Toronto could still finish anywhere from fifth to eighth in the East, but a win against New York secures a top-six seed and avoids the play-in.
Oklahoma City at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m. ET, League Pass
Oklahoma City has locked up the No. 1 seed, but this could be an interesting game for it strategically. While the Thunder will say they don't care about playoff matchups, they would be much better off with Denver as the No. 3 seed (which could set up a brutal seven-game series between the Nuggets and Spurs in the second round). The Lakers and Rockets are just one game back of the Nuggets. If OKC beats Denver, it opens the door to the Nuggets falling back to fourth, and with that, potentially meeting the Thunder in the second round. The Thunder are never going to try to lose a game and have a deep roster, but if they lost this game, would it be the worst thing?
LA Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. ET, League Pass
This game essentially decides the 8 and 9 seeds in the West (Portland is one game back of the Clippers but would have the tiebreaker with the win). The Clippers lock up the No. 8 seed with a win. Portland would control its own destiny to be the No. 8 with a win — it would have the tiebreaker over LA and could only fall to ninth if it lost to Sacramento on Sunday while the Clippers beat the Warriors. Eighth is a much easier path to the playoffs (win just one of two games, rather than having to win two in a row).
Hagens skated at an optional practice with the Bruins for the first time Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena. His first full practice was Friday. The Bruins’ next two games are this weekend: home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. B’s head coach Marco Sturm confirmed Friday that Hagens won’t play against the Lightning.
It’s hard to know exactly how ready a 19-year-old player is for the NHL. It’s a clear step up in speed, skill and physicality compared to the NCAA and AHL levels. But Hagens’ improvement as a sophomore for BC this past season — especially in the defensive aspect of his game — should help the transition to the Bruins.
“He did take a great jump in so many areas,” Boston College men’s hockey head coach Greg Brown told NBC Sports Boston this week.
“His offensive game was always there, and he still continues to develop it. He’s only 19 years old now, but I think he took huge steps in the rest of his game, becoming a 200-foot player, defensive awareness, defensive detail — all those things that you’re going to need to play in the NHL, James really improved on this year, so it’s great to see.”
Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images
James Hagens won the Hockey East scoring title with BC this past season.
Inside Hagens’ offensive breakout
One of the most notable improvements Hagens made in Year 2 with the Eagles was becoming a more prolific goal scorer. He’s always been an elite playmaker, but his goal-scoring went to another level this past season. He scored 11 goals in 37 games for BC as a freshman, and then he jumped to 23 goals in 34 games in 2025-26.
What led to Hagens finding the back of the net more frequently?
“A couple of things. One, he worked very hard on his shot,” Brown said. “It was almost every day he was out there after practice or before practice taking shots to improve his one-time or to improve his release on his snapshot. So, he had physical gains that way.”
“But also, I think his awareness of where to find openings — he scored a bunch of one-timer goals, whether it was low by the goal line or whether it was up at the top of the circle. He really did a great job of finding the space. As well as having a good shot, it’s critical to be able to find the opportunities to get shots, and he made great strides in that area, too.”
One area where Hagens could really make a positive impact early in his Bruins career is on the power play.
He thrived in those situations for BC, where his vision, playmaking and ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone made a huge difference.
“James was tremendous for us on the power play this year,” Brown said. “He kind of ran it from the flank, and his skill set obviously lends to offensive hockey. But his ability to play the game with his head up the whole time allows him to see opportunities and where openings come very quickly.
“He doesn’t have to look down and check the puck and make sure it’s on his stick. He’s always scanning, always ready to look for the next opportunity. So, I think that will serve him very well as he makes the transition to pro hockey.”
Will Hagens play center or wing?
Bruins head coach Marco Sturm did not commit to putting Hagens into a certain spot in the lineup when asked at a press conference Thursday, but it sounds like most, if not all, of his early reps will be on the wing.
“It’s probably a wing for sure, because right now we feel very comfortable with our centermen,” Sturm told reporters. “It’s not fair to put him as a center because he didn’t play it all year long. I think he’s in a safe spot here as a wing. Moving forward, we’ll see. I would love to see him as a center because he has that speed and ability to move pucks, but definitely not this year.”
Hagens is a natural center, but he played on the wing plenty for BC this past season. This kind of versatility should be a benefit to the Bruins.
“It was huge for us, (for Hagens) to be flexible and to be effective in all three forward positions, but I also think that it’s critical if you’re going to become an NHL forward. As you’re joining a team, you don’t know what their strengths are, where they have guys slotted. You want to be able to be put in anywhere,” Brown said.
“If they ask you to play left wing, right wing, or center, you wanna be able to say, ‘Yes, I can do that.’ I think he gained a lot of valuable experience, playing all positions, and he did a great job for us wherever we put him.”
Can Hagens live up to the hype?
Expectations for Hagens are high. That’s part of the deal playing in a sports-crazed city like Boston, especially when you’re a top-10 draft pick. But dealing with pressure and expectations are nothing new for Hagens. That experience will help him as his pro career gets underway.
“James does a great job of blocking out the noise and focusing on playing,” Brown said. “I thought, as much attention as he got from being a high pick and playing in Boston, I think even his freshman year was harder before the draft, when there was so much attention put on him, and he had to do interviews all the time, whether it was with teams or with the media.
“So the fact that he was able to handle that, handle those responsibilities and also still play at a high level, really showed his maturity and his ability to separate the two things. He’s going to have a lot of attention, but so far, the way he’s handled it, it gave him great experience in that department, and I think he really doesn’t let it affect him.
“When he steps on that ice, he’s all-in on how he’s gonna play.”
The Sixers on Friday reportedly made a couple of late-season roster moves.
The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported that the team is converting Dalen Terry from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal that includes a team option for next season. The Sixers are waiving Cameron Payne to make room for Terry, The Athletic reported.
Terry was the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Since joining the Sixers in the middle of this season, Terry’s appeared in 13 games and averaged 4.3 points, 1.8 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per contest.
He’s a versatile 6-foot-6 wing who passes well and has had good steal and block rates through his NBA career. Terry’s been a subpar shooter as a professional. Over 217 games in the NBA, he’s gone 44.2 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three-point range and 64.2 percent at the foul line.
Terry joins Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker as Sixers converted from two-way to standard NBA contracts this year.
The Sixers signed Payne in February and the 31-year-old guard came back to the NBA from Serbia. Payne played 22 games in his second stint with the Sixers and averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds.
The threat of the Play-In Tournament is fueling the Orlando Magic in their final games of the NBA season.
Orlando is a half-game back of the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference — the cutoff to avoid the Play-In — and gets a gift from the schedule gods by facing the lowly Chicago Bulls tonight.
With all hands on deck, my Magic vs. Bulls predictions expect plenty of points from the visiting team.
Our NBA picks like Jalen Suggs to shred a patchwork Chicago backcourt and top his scoring prop on Friday, April 10.
Magic vs Bulls prediction
Magic vs Bulls best bet: Jalen Suggs Over 13.5 points (-112)
Orlando Magic point guard Jalen Suggs hasn’t been as aggressive a scorer recently, and that’s trimmed his points prop for Friday.
He’s attempted just six and nine field goals in the past two outings, making four shots in each contest, and finishing with 11 and 12 points. That’s a notable decline in usage considering he was averaging almost 12 attempts over the past month.
Suggs' scoring total for tonight takes a tick down to 13.5 O/U after being set at 14.5 for the past couple of weeks. He can snap out of that slumber in the Windy City tonight.
The Chicago Bulls rank 23rd in defensive rating over the last 10 contests, allowing more than 127 points per game in that span. More than 70 of those points are coming from opposing guards.
Chicago is down to eight healthy bodies, and many of those guys are D-League callups. On top of that lack of talent, the Bulls are playing the second of back-to-back games after prevailing in Washington on Thursday.
Before this lull in offensive activity, Suggs was averaging around 14 points per outing. His player projections for Friday expect at least one better from the Gonzaga product, with his scoring forecast ranging from 15.2 to 16.1 points.
My number comes out to 15.6 points, which should have the Over 13.5 prop priced around -155 instead of this modest -112 juice.
Magic vs Bulls same-game parlay
The Bulls picked up a rare win in D.C. last night, setting up a letdown spot back home. Chicago is tired and down to eight healthy bodies while the Magic are going all out to avoid the Play-In Tournament, as they chase the No. 6 seed.
Paolo Banchero will also have a big night against this thin Chicago interior. The Bulls are getting completely bullied in the paint, and Banchero is projected for 24+ points in this must-win matchup. He’s averaged 27.5 ppg against Chicago this season.
Magic vs Bulls SGP
Magic -15
Jalen Suggs Over 13.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Sleight of Hand
Suggs and Banchero will pile up the points and round up rebounds against a shorthanded Bulls squad that's sucking wind.
Both Orlando stars are projected to top their points and rebounding totals tonight.
Magic vs Bulls SGP
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 8.5 rebounds
Jalen Suggs Over 13.5 points
Jalen Suggs Over 3.5 rebounds
Magic vs Bulls odds
Spread: Magic -15 (-110) | Bulls +15 (-110)
Moneyline: Magic -1000 | Bulls +650
Over/Under: Over 243 (-110) | Under 243 (-110)
Magic vs Bulls betting trend to know
Orlando has gone Over the total in 23 of its last 35 games (+9.80 Units / 25% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Bulls.
How to watch Magic vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Friday, April 10, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Florida, CHSN
Magic vs Bulls latest injuries
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While identifying good value, especially later in drafts, can win a fantasy league, a draft pick bombing can sabotage a season. Below are some of the most disappointing players in fantasy basketball this season, including two on the same team. And we start with a player whose future appears to be up in the air.
While Giannis has dealt with injuries in the past, he appeared in at least 61 games in each of his first 12 seasons. Unfortunately, lower-body injuries limited him to 36 games in 2025-26, and the production dipped when he was on the floor. Antetokounmpo's averages of 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game certainly look good on paper.
However, only in steals did his per-game production not decrease when compared to his 2024-25 numbers. And that doesn't take into consideration the constant scrutiny regarding his future in Milwaukee. Given the Yahoo! ADP of 6.2, this was a terribly disappointing season for those who invested a first-round pick in Antetokounmpo.
F/C Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Given how things played out in Sacramento after last season's trade deadline, Sabonis entering the 2025-26 campaign with a top-20 ADP felt off. Sure enough, the logjam of ball-dominant options did the center no favors before a torn meniscus ended his season in early February. Sabonis played in 19 games this season, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.9 steals in just under 30 minutes. The only major statistical category in which his production did not decrease was steals, and few fantasy managers roster Sabonis expecting reliable production in that category.
C Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks
After a career year with the Pacers in 2022-23, Turner's production dipped in each of the two seasons that followed. There was hope that a move to Milwaukee would boost the center's value, with the Bucks tabbing him to replace Brook Lopez as the starting center. Unfortunately, Turner's first season in Milwaukee was a struggle, with the center averaging 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.6 blocks and 2.4 three-pointers in 26.9 minutes per game.
Turner's rebounding average was the lowest of his NBA career, and his scoring average was the lowest since his rookie season. He shot 43.8 percent from the field and 74.4 percent from the foul line, the former percentage being a career low. While one can point to his per-game value and argue that Turner was still a top-100 player, this was an underwhelming campaign, especially with rebounding struggles contributing to the decrease in playing time.
G Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans
With Dejounte Murray unavailable to begin the season as he recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, there were fantasy managers who believed that Poole's production would not take too big of a hit with the move from Washington to New Orleans. To say that he failed to live up to his Yahoo! ADP of 71.3 (per Hashtag Basketball) would be an understatement.
A quad injury in early November sidelined him for over a month, and Poole would fall out of the Pelicans' rotation entirely in late January. He would get some run after the All-Star break, but the DNP-CD's restarted in early March. Poole has appeared in 38 games this season, averaging 13.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 2.5 three-pointers, shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 87.2 percent from the foul line. A player who entered the season with top-75 expectations will finish ranked well outside of the top-200, regardless of league format.
C Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles Lakers
After averaging a double-double in each of his first seven NBA seasons, Ayton appeared well-positioned to do the same in his first season with the Lakers. Sure, a lineup with Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves means that Ayton's scoring output would take a hit. Based on his Yahoo! ADP of 66.5, many fantasy managers bet on the 7-footer doing enough as a rebounder, finisher and shot-blocker to provide solid value.
Unfortunately, Ayton failed to come through for most fantasy managers. With two games remaining in the regular season, he has averaged 12.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.9 blocks in 27.2 minutes per game. The good news is that Ayton shot a career-high 67.2 percent from the field, but that wasn't enough to salvage what has been an underwhelming fantasy season.
G/F Cam Thomas, Free Agent
Even with his limited production outside of the points category, it felt like Thomas was capable of using the 2025-26 season as a springboard into unrestricted free agency next summer. It didn't happen. Hamstring issues did Thomas no favors, as an injury in early November sidelined him until after Christmas. With his minutes limited, Thomas' production took a hit, and the Nets waived him after the trade deadline.
Milwaukee picked him up, and Thomas scored 34 points in his second game with the team. That would be the high point of his time with the Bucks, who waived the one-dimensional guard on March 23. Whether it's category leagues or points leagues, Thomas' fantasy value this season was poor. With a Yahoo! ADP of 83.9, fantasy managers who drafted him did not take too big of a hit. However, few expected Thomas to be out of the league entirely.
The Atlanta Hawks can lock down a playoff berth with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs will be locked into the East’s No. 4 seed if they lose to the Hawks or the New York Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors.
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks
Coaches: Will Bolt (7th season, 196-133-1) & Mark Wasikowski (7th season, 317-197)
TV/Stream: All games on B1G+
Radio: All Nebraska games on Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App
After a tough first 3 weeks of a non-conference schedule, Nebraska has rolled through the easier part of its schedule. Prior to the mid-week game against an impressive Kansas team, only a single game against a hot veteran pitcher stopping them from winning 22 in a row. In baseball, it doesn’t matter what level you are playing, that streak is still impressive (just ask the Back to Back Big Ten Champion teams that struggled in the midweek against South Dakota State and Omaha). Now the team gets to find out if the momentum will carry them against the two best teams remaining on its weekend schedule and secure a top 4 seed AND potentially a home regional.
Oregon rolled through the early part of its schedule, with only a slip up against an average UC Irvine team, and a loss in the baseball version of the Civil War to Oregon State. Since a trip to UC Santa Barbara, the offense which had been mashing the ball (it still leads the Big Ten in home runs and total bases) has stalled a bit. They’ve averaged just 3 runs per game in their last 8 games, which included two mid week losses to Portland sandwiched around the team’s first weekend series loss at Michigan.
It’s hard to imagine a whole team has gone cold for an extended period of time. Then again, Nebraska fans only have to look to last season (sorry for the PTSD) to see how a good offensive team can just go ice cold for a couple stretches. Is the past couple weeks just a blip for the Ducks and they just need some home cooking to regain their power? Or can Nebraska’s strong pitching staff capitalize on their recent woes?
Game 1: RHP Ty Horn (1-1, 4.70 ERA) vs. RHP Will Sanford (4-1, 2.54 ERA)
Game 2: RHP Carson Jasa (6-1, 3.64 ERA) vs. RHP Collin Clarke (5-2, 2.72 ERA)
Game 3: RHP Cooper Katskee (5-0, 2.79 ERA) vs. RHP Cal Scolari (4-0, 2.81 ERA)
For the first time really all season, Ty Horn struggled mightily, and to the point he couldn’t get an out in the 4th inning. His pitches, which have lived at the bottom of the strike zone, just didn’t seem to have a lot of downward bite to them against a substandard Penn State offense. 3 doubles and 2 home runs took advantage of the elevated Horn pitches. Horn always seems to dig deep and be at his best against top competition, and bounces back big time the week after a rough start.
The Carson Jasa experience continues for the Huskers. He set a career high with 11 strikeouts against Penn State. Other than the disasterous Auburn start, he’s struck out at least 8 batters in each start. He is up to 66 strikeouts in 42 innings over his 8 starts. Joba Chamberlain and Shane Komine are the only Husker pitchers with more than 65 strikeouts over their first 8 starts in a season.
As is his custom, Cooper Katskee gave up 2 runs early, then cruised through a season best 7 innings. Michael Anderson got 2 home runs off of him, but really nothing else of consequence came from the Nittany Lions offense against the senior. It was a real luxury to have him go so deep to help make up for the short outing by Horn. The staff has a good balance of different types of starting pitchers that can all potentially get deep into games. It’s been a while since a Husker team could say that.
After a freshman season in which he started and you saw glimpses of greatness, Will Sanford has taken the Friday night baton and run with it. He’s pitched almost the exact same innings (39) as last season, and has dropped his walks from 39 to 23 and increased his strikeouts from 42 to 51. Like Ty Horn, he is coming off his worst start of the season, giving up 6 runs in 2.2 innings at Michigan. He hasn’t really struggled like that at all this year. How will he bounce back?
When Saturday starter Collin Clarke is on, he really has a ton of movement on each one of his pitches. Really looks like Koty Frank (shoutout Frank Koty!) when he was stalking the mound for the Huskers. He eats up innings, having gone 6 innings in all but 2 starts so far, and doesn’t waste pitches. He will be in the zone on nearly every throw. He can get in hitters heads to, he is very demonstrative on the mound. If you can watch the video on the tweet below, he has something to say after nearly every strike thrown.
Collin Clarke (rhp, @OregonBaseball). Very impressive; pitched with an edge. Ended 4-of-6 innings with a punchout. Missed bats with whole arsenal.
The highest ceiling may be Sunday starter Cal Scolari. As a redshirt freshman at San Diego last season (Man, I hate those guys!) he was the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year. He has 46 strikeouts in just 32 innings. He and Katskee are both undefeated on the year. The series may come down to who gets their first blemish on the year.
Scouting Report
On offense, the Ducks looked to a pair of All-Conference juniors to help replace all the production lost off of last year’s team that belted a conference leading 115 home runs. The two middle infielders who had big time seasons a year ago, have gone in different directions in 2026.
Second baseman and leadoff man Ryan Clooney is taking his game to another level, he is batting .359 and already has as many extra base hits as he did all of 2025. He has 33 runs scored and has 28 RBIs, which is outstanding for a leadoff batter. Cooney is also he biggest threat the Ducks have on the base paths, stealing 11 out 13 bases on the year. His partner, short stop Maddox Moloney is going through his worst season in Eugene. His batting average is down almost 80 points from a season ago to just .235. After hitting 8 doubles and 15 home runs last year, he is at 6 and 5 respectively this season. As D1Baseball’s Burke Granger shows, he has lost the ability to hit the off-speed pitch, batting .225 lower on sliders than last year and .144 lower on change-ups.
Maddox Molony (SS, @OregonBaseball). Struggling after OPSing .969 w/ 15 HR in '25. Disparity vs off-speed year-over-year.
One Duck that has been good his whole career, but really exploded this season is third baseman Drew Smith. He really worked on his swing in the offseason and it seems his batting average speed has really taken off. He is leading the team in batting at .386, home runs, with 10, and RBIs, at 38. His OPS is third in the conference behind Penn State’s Michael Anderson (Sorry for bringing him up again.) and UCLA’s Will Gasparino (Who you will find near the top of nearly every offensive category.). Oh, and by the way he is probably the best defensive third baseman in the Big Ten.
— Oregon Duck Baseball (@OregonBaseball) April 3, 2026
One player who has been slumping recently but is capable of changing the outcome of a series with the power in his bat is Dominic Hellman. Listed at 6’6” and 281 lbs, the senior hit 13 home runs in his first healthy season last year, and despite his recent lack of success still has 7 doubles and 8 home runs on the season, including hitting 4 home runs in an earlier series against Northwestern.
One freshman to keep track of, that may be the next great Oregon player is right fielder Angel Laya. Their top recruit is batting .296, but is second on the team in home runs with 9. He also has 25 runs scored and 28 RBIs.
Oregon has the best bullpen Nebraska has seen in a while. The staff as a whole is 2nd in the nation in WHIP at 1.13. Closer Devin Bell transferred in from D-II Western Oregon. He was the closer there as a freshman and sophomore, before becoming an All-American starter as a junior. He has 7 saves this season, an ERA of 4.26, 11 strikeouts and 5 walks in 12.2 innings.
The guy the Ducks go get to get them out of a jam is sophomore Tanner Bradley. After not seeing the field much as a freshman, with only 4 appearances, he is leading the team with 15 this year. And it’s not hard to see why. In his 25.1 innings, he has struck out 41 batters and walked 8. His 1.42 ERA leads the regular on the team as well.
The other regular out of the pen is former top ranked pitcher out of the state of Nebraska Michael Meckna. The Elkhorn South grad is second on the team with 14 appearances, and has struck out 18 in 17.1 innings.
The Ducks are an elite defensive team, fielding at 98.1% on the season, good enough for 4th in the Big Ten currently, behind Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota.
Series History
This is the first regular season matchup between the Huskers and Ducks. You may remember their only previous meeting, a 7-3 Nebraska win over the top seeded Oregon team in that horrible pool play structure.
On Deck
This is the Huskers’ first weekend series where both teams are ranked since 2015. When #17 Maryland swept #18 Nebraska in College Park, MD.
Former Oregon Duck Mac Moyer is leading the Big Ten in both batting average (.406) and hits (52). He is 3rd in on base % (.500) behind Iowa’s Miles Risley, and former Husker and current Purdue Boilermaker Aaron Manias.
The NU pitching staff is holding opponents to a .215 batting average against, currently besting the previous low this century of .227 in 2005.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 09: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks attempts to steal the ball from Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden on April 09, 2026 in New York City. 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
#1 – Boston defensive collapse
The Celtics entered the game with the 7th-best half-court defense in the NBA, allowing 95.9 points per 100 possessions. Last night, the Knicks scored 122.5 points per 100 possessions in half-court situations. And the worst defensive stretch happened six minutes before the final buzzer, when the Knicks decided to hunt Neemias Queta.
At first, the Portuguese big man was matched up with Josh Hart so he could roam around the paint. Therefore, the Knicks changed their approach and used Hart as a screener to involve Queta in the action and take away his rim protection.
The Celtics quickly changed their coverage and put Queta back on Karl-Anthony Towns, who is slower than Hart on cuts. Yet, they couldn’t stop that two-man action either. Queta’s positioning was either too aggressive or too low on the ball screen, leading to passes for the roll man.
The Celtics then tried to switch the screen to take away the pass to the roll man, but that created a mismatch for Jalen Brunson, who is elite at getting to his spot against a taller defender.
Look how precise the Knicks were at attacking Queta. They switch the screen order between Hart and KAT so they can involve the Celtics big man on the second screen. Derrick White wants to help on the ball, and Jayson Tatum hesitates between covering KAT or Hart, leading to an open shot at the rim after great offensive manipulation from Brunson.
In four minutes, the Knicks ran seven pick-and-rolls to attack Queta and generated 13 points — 1.85 points per possession. Vucevic then entered the game to close it, but Hart’s daggers had already made the difference.
The Knicks changed their coverage during the game but started with drop coverage when KAT was involved in the action. They were happy to leave Jayson Tatum open for pull-ups as long as the paint wasn’t available.
There was a counter, even if the shots weren’t falling for the Celtics’ go-to guy. Drop coverage often creates space for the roll man behind the defender when spacing allows it. Here, Queta rolls and Tatum finds him above the drop for a nice alley-oop.
Tatum wasn’t the only one taking advantage of it. Payton Pritchard took over the offense when #0 was sitting. This coverage gives him space to get to his spot with more speed and less pressure on the ball.
Pritchard has really improved his pick-and-roll manipulation. On the play below, a small in-and-out dribble freezes KAT just long enough to attack him and get to the rim.
The patience he shows in these actions is impressive. He waits for the perfect timing, attacks when the rim isn’t protected, puts his defender on his back, and spins for just enough space to finish.
But the pick-and-roll wasn’t the only offensive route the Celtics used.
#3 – Hunting Brunson
From the opening minutes, the Celtics targeted Jalen Brunson. With Brunson matched up on Sam Hauser, Boston used movement to bring him into actions. This created gaps in the Knicks defense, allowing Tatum to drive and kick to Derrick White for an open three.
Forcing switches onto Brunson is one of the best ways to pressure the Knicks, so the Celtics consistently looked for it. Screen, post-up, read the help, find the open man — simple execution.
Last night was a great opportunity to see how the team functions with both Vucevic and Tatum on the floor. What stood out clearly was the offensive upside.
First, it creates one of the best spacing lineups, especially in the frontcourt.
On top of that, Vucevic opens a door that has been mostly closed since the Kristaps Porzingis trade: the pick-and-pop. Until now, most ball-screen actions involved Queta’s verticality in pick-and-roll situations. Vucevic brings a different dimension.
On this play with Tatum, the pick-and-pop shows its value. Not only can Vucevic shoot, but he can also attack a closeout and create for others.
The duo will need time to build chemistry as the playoffs approach, but Vucevic’s screen quality, IQ, and skillset will create opportunities for Tatum.
In April, Jayson Tatum is close to eight assists per game, and this was another example of his growth as a passer. While his ability to pass on the move remains impressive, it’s also interesting to see him used as a more traditional point guard.
For perspective, he made 77 passes last night. No other player on either team had more than 60. He initiates most actions when he’s on the floor, acting as a creator, driver, and even a quarterback.
This play might be the best example. The Knicks defense collapses, he reads it instantly, and delivers a perfect pass to Pritchard, who swings it to Vucevic.
CBS Sports analyst Ashley Nicole Moss apparently didn’t know Baylor Scheierman. Now she does.
Last night was another example of his two-way impact. As Jordan Walsh struggled defensively against Brunson, Scheierman stepped in and played 30 minutes. He contested 13 shots — the second-highest total for the Celtics — showing real defensive activity.
But he stood out even more for his offensive efficiency. He scored 20 points on just eight shots — one of the most efficient scoring nights you’ll see.
Baylor Scheierman is now tied for the most games in NBA HISTORY with 20+ PTS on 125% TS. pic.twitter.com/BnkefTuag0
Speaking of Scheierman, it was surprising not to see his best friend get minutes. In the previous matchup against New York, he showed elite defensive versatility against both Brunson and KAT.
Given the defensive struggles, it would make sense to see him more in a potential playoff matchup.
#8 – Dealing with the intensity
The Knicks beat the Celtics at their own game by forcing turnovers through discipline and intensity.
On this play, Mitchell Robinson is extremely aggressive on Vucevic, and his length disrupts the action completely, leading to a turnover.
Like in their last playoff matchup, the Knicks raised their defensive level at the right moment, while Boston couldn’t respond.
#9 – Hart causing trouble
The Celtics were once again hurt by their coverage on Josh Hart. As shown earlier, he’s dangerous as a screener, but Boston also chose to leave him open.
That approach is risky now. Hart is shooting close to 40% from three this season. The Celtics often help off non-shooters, but the Knicks may be too balanced for that strategy.
#10 – 332 days later
"I was afraid for somebody to tell me, 'you're a shell of yourself.'"
Jayson Tatum talks to @TaylorRooks about returning to the court at Madison Square Garden less than one year after his achilles injury. pic.twitter.com/7T5QV2drfw
“I was done with basketball,” Jayson Tatum told Taylor Rooks. Thankfully, he returned after suffering an injury 333 days ago at Madison Square Garden.
Seeing him back on that court was meaningful and highlights the work he has put in to return to this level. He said he went from feeling like Superman to the smallest man on earth — and is now somewhere in between.
That’s a good place to be heading into the playoffs.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 31: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Tyrese Maxey #0 against the New Orleans Pelicans at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 31, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There was a buzz around the Sixers after they took down the Charlotte Hornets a couple weeks ago.
Paul George was back from suspension and looked spry. Joel Embiid had another hot start and came up with a huge block late. Tyrese Maxey came back sooner than expected from his right pinky tendon strain. Nick Nurse pushed the right buttons and the role players did their part. The Sixers looked more like the team Daryl Morey had envisioned two years ago.
Reality struck quickly with the Sixers laying an absolute egg in Miami a couple nights later, but things still appeared to be trending upward. Guys were healthy. Vibes were high. It made people wonder what this Sixers team could be if they could just make the playoffs.
Then it all came crashing down Thursday afternoon with news that Embiid had appendicitis and would require surgery ahead of the Sixers’ biggest game of the season. Who knows how long the season would’ve lasted, but this feels like the unofficial end to any fun thoughts.
When you look at teams ahead of matchups, you’re looking for stats and trends. What are their offensive and defensive ratings? What lineups do they use and which are most successful? How do they do at home vs. the road? What’s their record against teams above .500?
With the Sixers, you could throw every single one of those things out the window. Embiid and George missed large chunks of the season. They also dealt with minutes restrictions. Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dominick Barlow all missed a decent amount of games. Their most durable and reliable player has ironically been rookie VJ Edgecombe, who will likely play 75 regular-season games (all starts) in his first year.
It made the Sixers nearly an impossible evaluation. The team we saw against the Hornets basically existed for one night in Charlotte. And it’s not as simple as they had one great game. It was the only game this season where they had their full complement of players, everyone was healthy and nobody was on any type of restriction. If you’ll recall, the game in Miami was the first time Embiid complained of an “illness,” which was quite possibly the beginning of his appendicitis.
That’s not to say the Sixers were poised to be a championship contender. At best, they could’ve captured the six seed. They would’ve taken on the New York Knicks as a (deserved) underdog and probably lost.
But who knows? The Knicks are far from invincible. Maybe they could’ve pulled off the upset. Maybe they could’ve taken a few games and made things interesting. What would Embiid do with two functioning knees? How would George look, now finally healthy? How would the backcourt of Maxey and Edgecombe perform in their first postseason together?
These are intriguing questions. Maybe the Sixers wouldn’t have liked the answers, but it would’ve been better to find out, especially after watching incredibly non-competitive basketball for most of last season.
If the 2024-25 Sixers get an F (they absolutely do), then the 2025-26 Sixers get an I for incomplete. Where does that leave things? Well, something has to change. If you’re going to keep Embiid and George (and there is little recourse to move both, barring something unforeseen), you need to find a way to win games without them. Maybe you can’t be on a 50-win pace without them, but a 40-win pace should be doable.
Personnel changes need to happen. First order of business is fortifying the center position. Adem Bona is a worthwhile player to develop, but you need a big-bodied option at the five who can rebound and protect the rim. You don’t need a world-beater — just a guy who can set good screens, roll hard and finish at the rim, affect players at the basket and not get crushed on the glass. That archetype of player is not hard to find. That guy being below the age of 30 would also be a plus.
The Sixers could also use more pop off the bench. Morey made it clear that re-signing Quentin Grimes is a priority. Should it be? Grimes’ season has had many more valleys than peaks. Is that a guy you want to throw a bunch of money? What about Oubre? He’s coming off a great season, but he was dinged up and is now on the wrong side of 30. It’s also worth noting he’s now the third-longest tenured Sixer. Morey doesn’t tend to value continuity and locker room vibes. Maybe he should in the case of Oubre (if Morey is still here).
It’s also been a pretty disappointing season for Nurse. Yes, he’s been dealt nothing but crummy hands the last two seasons, but what advantages has he created for the Sixers on nights when they’re shorthanded or in close games? It feels like it could be time for a new voice and new offensive and defensive schemes, which will fit the team’s personnel better.
For now, another season ends with a slew of what-ifs and a bunch of offseason questions.
Same as it ever was.
Update from Philadelphia 76ers Public Relations on 4/10/26:
Joel Embiid was discharged from the hospital today following a successful appendectomy and is returning to Philadelphia. Embiid’s surgical recovery will be managed by team physicians in consultation with his surgeon. A timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 4: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) pitches in the fourth inning during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A few days ago, I was looking up Jesús Luzardo on Baseball Savant, as one does. Due to a typo, though, I accidentally searched for “Jesús Lizardo”. I expected to be redirected to Luzardo’s page. Instead, though, I was brought to a page on the very real Jesus Lizardo, a catcher who was in the Pirates organization last year. After I got over my crushing disappointment that Lizardo isn’t a version of Luzardo from an alternate universe in which everyone is a reptile (Crocodile Sánchez and Aaron Anole-a round out the Reptillian Phillie rotation), I got to thinking: does every Phillie have a similar-name Doppelgänger out there? And so, I now present to you, the Phillies All-Doppelgänger team. They mostly didn’t play the right positions, and they may not have had star careers (or even major-league careers at all), but they sort of sound like our Phillies.
Pitcher: Jesus Lizardo
Lizardo played with Pittsburgh’s Dominican Summer League squads in 2024 and 2025. Given that he slashed a career .331/.244/.575, it seems unlikely that we will ever see the dream of a Luzardo/Lizardo battery in the bigs. Oh well.
Catcher: JT Riddle
Our BCIB is the only player in major league history with the name Realmuto. The only player to ever reach the bigs with a vaguely similar surname is Richard Realf, a pitcher who played for one season with Cleveland in 1901 (and who went by the name Dick Braggins, which you could do in 1901 without drawing laughs). Instead, we’ll go with Realmuto’s initial-buddy JT Riddle (no periods after the J and T, unlike Realmuto). Riddle played in parts of six seasons with Miami, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Cincinnati. He didn’t pose much of a riddle for opposing pitchers, posting a career OPS of .616.
First Base: Bryan Harper
In 2011, the Washington Nationals drafted B. Harper, who played at Las Vegas High School, then the College of Southern Nevada. “But wait!”, you’re saying. “Bryce was drafted in 2010!”. Yes, he was. 2008’s B. Harper was Bryan, Bryce’s brother. A southpaw reliever, Bryan played in the Nationals organization from 2011 to 2019. He also has the distinction of being drafted by the same club twice, having been a Washington pick in 2008, too. That being the case, and being the older brother, he came first— Bryce is actually his doppelgänger.
Second Base: Bob Stotts
“Stott the presses,”, the assembled Stotts cried in 2022, “one of our own has made the show!” A number of Stotts had played pro baseball, starting with John Stott in 1892, but none had made it to the bigs until Bryson. The closest name match among them was Bob Stotts, who had a single pro season with the Dodgers organization, playing for the Sooner State League’s Seminole Ironmen, and the Southwest International League’s marvelously named Bisbee-Douglas Copper Kings.
Shortstop: Trey Turner
In 2017, the Washington Nationals decided one Trea Turner wasn’t enough. See, they already had Trea Turner at shortstop. But the 10th round of the 2017 draft offered them the opportunity to draft another one. Sure, he wasn’t quite the same— he was a pitcher, for one thing, and for another, he spelled his name with a y. Between the Trea/ys Turner and the Harper brothers, the 2010s Nationals seemed to be going for some sort of strategy involving confusing the other team as to who they were actually facing. Abbott and Costello would’ve been proud.
Third Base: Alec Byrd
Only one Bohm has ever made the bigs. But there have been a quartet of other Alec Bs in pro baseball. The closest name match among them is Alec Byrd, a reliever who came out of Florida State and played three seasons with the Rockies and Reds organizations.
Left Field: Brandon Moss
And, at long last, we actually have a doppelgänger at the right position. And the right team, too! Brandon Moss played over a decade in the bigs, starting with the BoSox, but eventually making his way to the Phillies for the 2011 season (though he appeared in only five games). His best year came in Oakland, where he was named to the 2014 AL All-Star team.
Center Field: Jim Crawford
A lefty pitcher, Jim Crawford played two seasons with Houston and three with Detroit from 1973-1978. He went by the nickname of Catfish. Crawfish seems like it would’ve been the more appropriate ichthyology-based nickname, plus he wouldn’t have had to share it with the more famous Hunter.
Right Field: Adonis García
Only one player in professional baseball history has had the name Adolis, and he’s a Phillie. But Adonis García, who played parts of three seasons with Atlanta from 2015-2017, is just one letter away.
Closer: Jhonny Duran
He was indeed a pitcher, and his name sounds an awful lot like our flamethrowing Durantula. But Jhonny didn’t have quite the same stuff as Jhoan, and made it only as far as the Rangers’ Dominican Summer League team.
New uniforms, new roster moves — but are the Royals finding answers on the field?
In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy “Hokius” Greco break down the latest developments surrounding the Kansas City Royals, from recent roster transactions to ongoing performance concerns. The discussion covers the return of Eli Morgan, bullpen adjustments, and what recent moves signal about the team’s strategy as the season unfolds.
A key focus is the Royals’ continued struggles with runners in scoring position, diving into whether the issue is mechanical, mental, or simply variance —and what it means for the team’s offensive ceiling moving forward. The duo also evaluates bullpen reliability and identifies potential bright spots emerging from recent performances.
Off the field, the conversation shifts to the highly anticipated Royals City Connect uniforms, with a detailed breakdown of the design, symbolism, and fan reception. Jacob and Jeremy also draft their favorite City Connect uniforms from this year’s release, comparing Kansas City’s look to standout designs from teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves.
To wrap things up, the episode previews the upcoming Royals vs. White Sox series, highlighting key matchups, pitching outlooks, and what Kansas City needs to do to gain momentum. Blending analysis, culture, and fan-focused discussion, this episode keeps Royals fans informed and engaged as the season progresses.
April 3, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; The bat and helmet of Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp (27) on the grass during the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
For the second game in a row, the Tulsa Drillers got to double digits in runs scored, this time needing every bit of it to take the 12-9 win over the Springfield Cardinals with some late game drama—one of three wins on Thursday from the Dodgers’ top four minor league teams.
Player of the day
As one would imagine with the amount of runs they’ve been scoring as of late, the Tulsa Drillers are getting outstanding production from their best players, and that starts with Kendall George at the top of the batting order. Getting the day off from the field, George was the DH and managed to reach base safely in four out of six plate appearances, responsible for a quarter of the runs that the Drillers scored.
Getting good pitches to hit, considering most pitchers didn’t want to have to deal with Josue De Paula behind him, George went 3 for 5 with a double and also walked once—the highlight of his performance was a go-ahead single in the ninth, then giving the Drillers a 10-9 lead.
A massive threat on the basepaths, George would also steal a base in that 10th inning, his fifth one this season, in which he has yet to be caught.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
River Ryan did his best to keep the Express off the scoreboard in a game in which he clearly didn’t have it, allowing eight hitters to reach safely in 4.1 innings of work with just two earned runs. However, the Comets ultimately fell on the losing end of a tightly contested affair, dropping it 6-5.
Both teams finished the game with the same 13 hits, but while walks weren’t that much of a problem for Ryan, every reliever who came out of the Comets’ bullpen suffered with them—the Comets’ relievers combined to put eight men on, while the opposing team only allowed three free passes.
One of the stars of these first few games of the minor league season, James Tibbs III struggled heavily, going 0 for 4 with a Golden Sombrero—one of the responsible parties for the Comets going 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position and not capitalizing on a four-hit game from leadoff bat Ryan Fitzgerald.
Double-A Tulsa
Ten walks and five stolen bases allowed, it wasn’t a favorable performance for Tulsa pitching, with starter Adam Serwinowski failing to complete two full innings. Still, in the end, their star hitters were too much for the Springfield Cardinals to handle, outhitting the opposition 15 to 7.
Interestingly, the bulk of that damage came on singles, 12 of the Drillers’ 15 hits to be exact—the exceptions being a couple of doubles from George and De Paula, and a two-run bomb from center fielder Harry Newell in the third inning.
One important note about this game is that, evidently, facing the switch-pitching effects of Jurrangelo Cijntje didn’t really affect the Drillers, with 11 men reaching in the three innings of work from the Cardinals’ starting pitcher.
High-A Great Lakes
Southpaw Sterling Patrick was one out short of earning the win, but that shouldn’t minimize a solid performance, allowing all of one hit in 4.2 innings of work against the Whitecaps with seven strikeouts. Unfortunately for Patrick, the walks proved to be a bit of an issue, allowing four of them, thus preventing a longer outing as the Loons won the game 5-2.
The big hit of the game for the Great Lakes came right in the first inning when Logan Wagner hit a two-run bomb. In fact, the Loons really didn’t need much offense after the opening frame, one in which they secured three of their total five hits in the game.
Class-A Ontario
Relentless attack with at least one run scored in each of the first five innings. That’s how the Tower Buzzers secured an 8-3 victory away from home. Luis Carias’ work out of the bullpen was also very important, covering 3.2 innings, as starter Brady Smith once again delivered a short start, a regular occurrence since he joined the Dodger organization last season.
Offensively, designated hitter Jaron Elkins was the standout performer, securing a four-hit game with three runs batted in, including a solo shot, one of three from the Tower Buzzers in the game—joined by Landyn Vidourek and Anson Aroz.
Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images
Raphielle Johnson
