DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 14, 2026: A closeup view of a Rawlings glove used by Matt Vierling #8 of the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark on March 14, 2026 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
One more game against the Dodgers and then they can get lost. And it is an afternoon game. “Work from Dome”, it says.
If you are interested at all, I’ll be in Takamatsu, Japan today. I know nothing about it, but the pictures are pretty. But, as I write this I’m still getting ready to go. We’ve been told we should learn a few phrases in Japanese and I have the ‘thank you’ (doumo arigatou) and the thing you say before eating down (Itadakimasu). And a few other things.
A few years ago we hosted Japanese students who came here to learn English and we learned some stuff. I still remember how to say cold and hot (which likely won’t come in that handy). I have never been great at learning other languages. I did ok in high school french until we had to remember if nouns were masculine or feminine. Then I kind of checked out.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: Corbin Carroll #7 of the Arizona Diamondbacks runs off the field as Ronny Mauricio #0 of the New York Mets celebrates his tenth inning game winning pinch hit single with teammate Luis Robert Jr. #88 at Citi Field on April 07, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Gallen Grinds Through Five in Extra Inning Loss It wasn’t pretty, but Zac Gallen did what he needed to in order to complete five full innings and keep his club in the game. A successful late-game ABS challenge by ADC allowed the Snakes to score three with two outs to take the lead, but then the bullpen was unable to lock things up.
Eduardo Rodriguez is Looking Like X-Factor for Arizona Eduardo Rodriguez has picked up right where he left off in the WBC, giving the Diamondbacks two stellar outings in his two turns on the bump so far. The veteran lefty is currently looking very much like the pitcher Arizona thought they were signing three winters ago.
A Lukewarm Take on Ice-Cold Bats Strikeouts and walks are both up while BABIP is down. Hitters are having a harder time than ever finding batted ball success, despite MLB’s efforts to stack the deck in their favour.
Apr 7, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) motions to his team mates after hitting a double during the fifth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
After splitting the first two games of the three game series against the San Francisco Giants, on Wednesday afternoon, the Phillies will go for the rarest of feats: Winning a series in Oracle Park.
Aaron Nola gets the ball for the Phillies, coming off of a strong start against the Rockies.
NEW YORK — It’s annoyingly cold, a gray day after a fool’s spring, but most of the Atlanta Hawks have dispersed into the city, anyway.
The team arrived from Orlando about 3 a.m., and the 78th game of the season is tomorrow night in Brooklyn. Technically, it’s supposed to be an afternoon off.
Yet, here in a windowless conference room on the third floor of the Ritz-Carlton NoMad, general manager Onsi Saleh and head coach Quin Snyder are busy sketching out hypothetical three-man actions on a dry erase board.
They don’t necessarily need to be doing this. There are 10 days left in the NBA regular season and the Hawks are already the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, the squad no one wants to face in the playoffs.
But this team is still somewhat new, still somewhat unresolved. And so, the architects of this revival are chasing refinements, trying to uncover some combination, some scheme that will unlock this group’s full potential.
This is, after all, a team that has traded nine players since July. It’s a team that has asked its players — young and old — to constantly reinvent themselves.
“We like to say: they’re rookies in their roles,” Snyder says. “This is all new for them. We’re still learning about them. And they’re still learning about–”
“Each other, yeah,” Saleh cuts in, finishing the thought. “And us, honestly.”
Throughout a wide-ranging, 45-minute conversation with USA TODAY Sports, Saleh and Snyder opened up about their philosophies on roster construction and culture, on their expectations, on success.
First-time All-Star Jalen Johnson has blossomed into an elite, play-making forward who can push the ball in transition. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the target of a June 2025 sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, has emerged as a dangerous offensive threat and is shooting 49.2% from beyond the arc over his last 15 games.
It took work to get here. Atlanta has played 24 different starting lineups this season. Players have come and gone, and roles have shifted week-to-week and game-to-game.
“It has been a rollercoaster,” Alexander-Walker told USA TODAY Sports. “But it has been the normal process of anything that comes with a form of success. Trades happen, injuries happen, so you’re in and out of rotations. You have to try and get a feel for consistency.
“It has been a lot of moving parts. For me, I expect the moving parts now, so it’s easier than trying to meet the same cadence every day because it’s too hard to do.”
Fluidity, cohesion become Hawks staples in post-Trae Young world
At the All-Star break, the Hawks were 26-30 and in 10th place in the East. A fourth consecutive trip to the Play-In Tournament appeared certain.
Yet, with so many new players to incorporate, Saleh and Snyder spent much of that week off with one question in mind: what tactical changes needed to happen to get this team to thrive?
Atlanta prioritized its versatility, its length and athleticism at the wing and realized that, with Young gone, the ball could flow to several pockets of energy on the floor.
In a way, the Hawks almost deemphasized the point guard position, choosing instead to empower four of their five starters — Johnson, Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum — to be primary ball handlers.
The day before their first game after the break, a Feb. 19 showdown at the 76ers, the Hawks held a team meeting. Saleh and Snyder harped on fluidity and cohesion. They shared their vision.
“It was pretty significant,” Snyder said. “It was really to address opportunity, how this team was going to function. That stands out because it was kind of like an understanding amongst our whole group that we’re going to double down on some things and guys were going to have to buy into it.
“The larger theme from it was: what are the sacrifices that everybody is willing to make for the group? But you can only present something, and they can take it or leave it. How deeply do they buy in?”
Since that meeting in Philadelphia, Atlanta has gone 19-4 through April 7. No team in the East has a better winning percentage (.826) over that stretch.
The meeting unlocked a complementary style of play, where ball pressure from Daniels and Alexander-Walker could launch Johnson’s play-making ability in transition. The offense became almost amorphous and intuitive. Rather than run plays, Snyder started asking his players to play out of concepts, to read and intuit the game, to feed off of each other.
Despite the roster turnover, the Hawks are averaging an NBA-best 30.3 assists per game, tied for eighth-most all-time.
Saleh and Snyder have relied on open dialogue with their players. They’re emphasizing transparency, explaining their thoughts and reasons for any tactical shifts. Taking that one step further, they’re pushing their veterans to expand their games to better fit the collective.
This is the first time that Johnson has become the unquestioned star of a team.
Alexander-Walker, previously thought of as a role-playing defensive specialist, has seen his on-ball usage and scoring explode; this year, he’s averaging 20.8 points per game, up from 9.4 last season with the Timberwolves.
Center Onyeka Okongwu has been given the green light to shoot 3s; this season, he’s hitting them at a career-high 37.7% clip and has seen his attempts per game more than double from 2.0 to 5.3.
McCollum came to Atlanta in January in the Young trade having recorded 786 consecutive starts, a streak that spanned more than 10 seasons. It was snapped when Snyder initially asked McCollum to come off the bench. McCollum didn’t question the move.
“I pride myself on being a chameleon,” McCollum told USA TODAY Sports. “A guy that can play different roles, a guy that has a unique skill set that can fit any scheme, any genre, any group of personnel. For us, it’s just about doing whatever it takes to win.”
Dinners on the road and soccer friendlies strengthen Hawks bonds
When on the road, NBA teams typically organize team dinners. A staffer will scout worthy restaurants and set up reservations. The team will handle transportation and logistics.
For one, it gives the team some control over the quality of meals players eat while on the road. For another, it helps build camaraderie and morale.
This season, attendance at Hawks team dinners has increased significantly, with players frequently encouraging others to attend.
That’s not the only way the Hawks are connecting. Their recent road schedule lined up so that two off days, March 26 (Brazil-France, in Boston) and March 31 (Brazil-Croatia, in Orlando), coincided with a pair of men’s soccer international friendlies. Players organized the outing, and nearly the entire team attended the former.
The team has also leaned into a worship group before games. Prior to their April 3 game against the Nets, all but one of the Hawks players in the locker room went to a makeshift chapel for a quick pre-game prayer.
“It’s a great group of guys,” Alexander-Walker said. “I was very shy and nervous when I first met them. I was like, ‘I just hope everyone likes me.’ It was important for me to have a team that was connected and to be a part of something.
“I’m the new guy here. And some of these guys have been here before me, some guys had established their own versions of their roles here. So whether that was stepping up or taking a step back, but to make room for me, I really appreciate that.”
Although this isn’t necessarily rare or uncommon in the NBA, it tends to be the sign of a healthy and cohesive locker room.
Midway through the fourth quarter during an April 1 game against the Magic, the Hawks were up by 21 when Magic forward Goga Bitadze yanked backup Hawks center Jock Landale toward the floor as Landale was going up for a lay-in.
Landale fell awkwardly and sprained his ankle, an injury that will sideline him at least two weeks. Immediately after Landale thudded on the court and was writhing in pain, the four other Hawks on the floor rushed over to confront Bitadze. Daniels came all the way from behind the 3-point to get a shove in on Bitadze.
For Saleh and Snyder, it was something of a culmination.
“It was an angry moment,” Saleh said. “It was a frustrating moment at the time, but when that happened, four guys sprinted.
“I watched it maybe 10 times. And I’m proud of it. It shows that they’re connected and trying to be there for each other. That’s the culture we want. It’s a testament to this group and it shows, to what Quin was saying, the sum is greater than the parts here."
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Starting pitcher Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Athletics during the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on April 03, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (6-6) seek to salvage the finale of this 3-game series with the Colorado Rockies (5-6) in Denver.
RHP Cristian Javier will be on the mound for the Astros opposite RHP Michael Lorenzen and the Rockies.
TODAY’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP Cristian Javier is set to make his third start of the season.
In his last start on April 3 at ATH, he allowed six runs on six hits and five walks with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings. He
is coming off a strong Spring Training in which he posted 1.69 ERA (2ER/10.2IP) in three official appearances.
Javier, who was limited to just eight starts in 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, is 35-23 in his career with a 3.81 ERA (231ER/546.1IP).
ROAD TRIP: Today is the sixth game of a 10-game road trip for the Astros. After this three-game set at COL, the Astros will travel to Seattle for a four-game series at T-Mobile Park (Fri-Mon.).
The Astros are 1-4 so far on this trip. Houston went 41-40 on the road last season.
AGAINST THE ROCKIES: The Astros and Rockies face each other today for the third of six scheduled matchups in 2026.
The Astros went 4-2 against the Rockies in the in 2025, including a 2-1 record at Coors Field.
The Astros own a 110-89 all-time record against the Rockies. The Rockies will travel to Daikin Park for a three-game series from April 14-16.
LEAGUE LEADERS: The Astros lead the Majors in runs (78), doubles (34) total bases (196), hits (114), walks (65) and OBP (.379).
Individually, LF Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in walks (13) and ranks second in OBP (.540).
2B Jose Altuve leads the Majors in runs (12) and 1B Christian Walker ranks tied for first in the Majors in doubles (6) and third in RBI (13).
WALKER AT COORS: 1B Christian Walker has batted .346 (66×191) with 12 doubles, 15 HR, 40 RBI and a 1.050 OPS in 49 career games at Coors Field. His 1.050 OPS at Coors Field is the highest among active players, directly ahead of PHI IF Bryce Harper (1.036 OPS).
MR. SMITH: RF Cam Smith has recorded a hit in eight consecutive games, which is the longest hitting streak of his career.
He’s batting .407 (11×27) with two doubles, six RBI, four walks, two stolen bases and a 1.299 OPS during the streak. It is also tied for the longest active hitting streak in the Majors.
HOT START: The Astros have scored 78 runs this season, which is the most in the Majors. The 78 runs are also the second-most in the first 12 games to begin a season in franchise history, directly behind the 2004 season, where the Astros scored 84 runs in the first 12 games of the season.
AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: On Monday, LF Yordan Alvarez was named the American League Player of the Week for the week of March 30-April 5. Alvarez batted .471 (8×17) with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, seven walks and a 1.733 OPS for the week. This marked the fourth time that Alvarez has been named the AL Player of the Week.
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER: 2B Jose Altuve recorded his 2,400th career hit on Mon. night at COL on a double in the first inning. He became the second active player to record at least 2,400 hits, joining LAD IF Freddie Freeman.
Altuve also joins IF Craig Biggio as the only two players in franchise history with at least 2,400 hits.
YORDAN’S UPCOMING MILESTONES: LF Yordan Alvarez recorded his 174th career home run on Sunday at ATH.
The home run tied him with franchise icon OF George Springer for seventh on the Astros all-time list. Next up on the Astros all-time list is 3B Alex Bregman (191 HR).
THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER: RF Cam Smith went 2×4 with a home run, double and two runs scored on Mon. night vs. COL. The home run was launched 462 feet, making it the longest home run by any player in the Majors this season. The second longest home run this season was 460 feet by PHI OF Kyle Schwarber.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, April 7, 2:10 p.m. CST
Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO.
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
MOOSIC, PA - JUNE 24: A general view of action on the field during the game between the Worcester Red Sox and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 in Moosic, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Hang the red, white and blue bunting. Cue the pregame pomp and circumstance.
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are coming home for the first time in 2026.
After opening the season with nine games on the road. the RailRiders are set for their home opener at PNC Field against the Durham Bulls, top affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The six-game series was scheduled to begin Tuesday night, but cold temperatures and below-freezing wind chills in northeast Pennsylvania caused the first game to be postponed. The opener is now scheduled for tonight (Wednesday).
It has been a successful start to the season for the 6-3 RailRiders. They took the final four games of the series last week in Rochester, outscoring the Red Wings, 46-22. They had one game where they scored 17 runs and another where they scored 16. They hit 14 home runs, including 11 in the final three games. Yanquiel Fernández accounted for three of them. Paul DeJong, Jasson Domínguez, and Ernesto Martinez Jr. each had two. One of Martinez’s homers was a grand slam. No. 6 prospect Spencer Jones also had a grand slam in the series finale.
On the mound, the bullpen was solid, accounting for all four wins. Yovanny Cruz led the way with one win and one save, not allowing a hit, run or walk in 2.1 innings with four strikeouts. Perhaps the one area where the RailRiders could improve is defensively. They’ve committed 13 errors, which are the most in Triple-A.
Now, they head home to face a Durham team that is off to a 2-7 start. The Bulls dropped four of six in their series last week against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies’ Triple-A club.
Durham becomes the 10th opponent Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has faced in a home opener in franchise history. Syracuse is the most at seven times (5-2). Buffalo (4-2) and Tidewater / Norfolk (1-5) are next at six each, followed by Rochester at five (1-4); Pawtucket (2-1), Ottawa (0-3) and Lehigh Valley (3-0) three each; Richmond at two (1-1); and Columbus once (0-1).
Overall, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is 17-19 in home openers. Since becoming a New York Yankees affiliate in 2007, it is 11-7 in home openers — 4-2 as the Yankees (2007-12), 7-5 as the RailRiders (2013-25). They won four straight from 2017-21, and from 2008-10 they won three straight by shutout. They blanked Lehigh Valley in 2008, 4-0, on a combined one-hitter, including six perfect innings from Kei Igawa. In 2009, after starting 8-0 on the road, they came home and blanked Rochester, 11-0, as former AL Rookie of the Year winner Angel Berroa had four hits, including two home runs, and five RBIs. In 2010, four pitchers combined of a six-hit shutout and made David Winfree’s home run hold up for a 1-0 whitewashing of Buffalo.
Here are some other noteworthy home openers in franchise history:
April 26, 1989: Baseball returns to northeast Pennsylvania. After playing its first 16 games of the season on the road, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons christen Lackawanna County Stadium with a 9-2 loss to the Tidewater Tides.
April 7, 1994: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre faces the Columbus Clippers, who were the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate at the time. Dave Silvestri and Chito Martinez each had three hits in the Clippers’ 7-4 win, spoiling future Cubs skipper Mike Quade’s debut as SWB manager. For the Clippers, a little-known catcher named Jorge Posada went 0-for-4.
April 5, 2007: Playing its first home opener as a Yankees affiliate after nearly two decades with the Phillies, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lost to the Norfolk Tides, 7-5. Norfolk scored five runs in the top of the eighth inning to erase a 4-2 deficit, as the bullpen let down Scranton starter Tyler Clippard, who went on to have a 16-year MLB career and multiple stints with the Yankees.
April 14, 2012: This “home” opener actually was played in Syracuse. This was the season where Scranton/Wilkes-Barre played home games in Rochester, Syracuse, Batavia, and Buffalo (as well as Pawtucket and Allentown) as the unofficial “Empire State Yankees” while PNC Field underwent a reconstruction project. They won, 6-2; familiar starters for the Yankees that day included catcher Francisco Cervelli, first baseman Steve Pearce, shortstop Ramiro Peña, center fielder Dewayne Wise, and pitcher Adam Warren.
April 4, 2013: Playing as the RailRiders for the first time at the renovated PNC Field, Pawtucket spoils the home opener by scoring five runs in the top of the 10th inning for an 8-4 victory. The RailRiders left 17 runners on base in the game. Current Yankees assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne threw an inning and a third of relief in this one, fanning three, with soon-to-be Yankees backup catcher Austin Romine behind the plate.*
*Editor’s note: And Zoilo Almonte batting third, playing left field. Because I (Andrew) am contractually obligated to reference Zoilo Almonte at all possible times.
One of the highlights of this year’s home opener will be the unveiling of a massive new video scoreboard that spans nearly 3,000 square feet — 1,876 square feet larger than the previous board. The outfield LED wall and in-park ribbon boards also have been replaced and a new sound system has been installed around PNC Field.
UCLA redshirt freshman guard Christian Horry, the son of NBA legend Robert Horry, has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw. Horry will have three years of eligibility remaining wherever he lands.
Christian Horry, whose father was a notoriously clutch shooter with the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, remains scoreless in two collegiate seasons after appearing in just four games with UCLA in 2025-26 and redshirting in 2024-25. The younger Horry was 0-for-2 from the floor and 0-of-1 from the free throw line last season, totaling just seven minutes all year.
The elder Horry is a seven-time NBA champion and one of just four NBA players that have won championships with three different teams — two with the Houston Rockets (1994-95), three with the Lakers (2000-02) and two more with the Spurs (2005 and 2007). Robert Horry was the 11th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft out of Alabama, where he was a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team in 1992.
Christian Horry is the second member of UCLA’s 2025-26 roster to enter the portal since it opened at midnight Monday, joining senior point guard Skyy Clark.
UCLA guard Skyy Clark enters Transfer Portal
UCLA senior guard Skyy Clark has also entered the Transfer Portal. On3’s Joe Tipton reported the news. He is seeking his fourth program in five seasons.
The Los Angeles native spent one season at Illinois, one season at Louisville, and the last two seasons at UCLA. This means he will need a waiver from the NCAA to suit up in the 2026-27 season. Clark announced in March that he had indeed filed for a waiver.
“I mean, it would definitely mean a lot just coming back, getting another year to develop and everything and yeah, so we’ll see what happens,” Clark told reporters.
His case for a waiver will boil down to his freshman season at Illinois. 13 games into the 2022-23 season, Clark stepped away from the team due to personal reasons. He did not suit up for the Illini again, and transferred to Louisville that offseason.
Clark’s best career season came during his lone year at Louisville, under head coach Kenny Payne. In the 2023-24 season, Clark averaged career-highs in points (13.2) and assists (3.0). In 102 career games (97 starts) across three programs, the 6’3″ guard boasts career averages of 10.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Without Victor Wembanyama standing in the way, the Portland Trail Blazers have a much clearer path to the postseason. And guard Scoot Henderson has a much clearer path to the bucket tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio will not have its superstar center tonight, leaving the Spurs without their paint protector. No player in the NBA has a more transformative impact than the 7-foot-4 Frenchman.
Our Trail Blazers vs. Spurs predictions measure a Wemby-less San Antonio team, and my NBA picks see a hot spot to back Scoot’s prop market on Wednesday, April 8.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs prediction
Trail Blazers vs Spurs best bet: Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points (-105)
The San Antonio Spurs’ interior defense is among the best in the league when the lanky center is patrolling the key, allowing less than 45 points in the paint per game since the All-Star break.
Without Victor Wembanyama, that rim protection disappears faster than the brisket at 2M Smokehouse.
Just look at how quickly the Spurs’ interior crumbled when Wemby missed a chunk of time between November and December. San Antonio was gashed for 55.3 points in the paint in those dozen games — second most in the NBA during that span. Most recently, the L.A. Clippers dropped 56 PITP on the Spurs without Wembanyama on April 2.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson is a big part of the team’s postseason push. The former No. 3 overall pick missed 51 games with a torn hamstring but has found his stride the past month, averaging 15 points over his last 17 appearances.
Henderson is a dangerous dribble-drive weapon and excellent at getting to the rim, making him a live offensive option for the Trail Blazers tonight. He’s attempted at least 11 field goals in each of his last six games and can draw contact and score from the foul line. San Antonio will also be missing starting guard Stephon Castle, who is one of the team's better on-ball defenders.
Not only will Henderson find his way to the rim, but he’s also been shooting well from deep, with a 9-for-18 count from beyond the arc the last three games. Scoot's player projections sit between 14 and 17 points, and my number sits north of 16 points.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs same-game parlay
The Blazers are pissed after a controversial OT loss at Denver handed them just their third loss in the past 11 games. Portland is pushing for a better seed to set them up for an easy path in the Play-In Tournament.
Without Wembanyama, the pace of play picks up with the Spurs going smaller. The Blazers will score inside and out, taking advantage of the missing shot blocker while continuing their 3-point attack.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP
Trail Blazers +3.5
Over 229
Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Treasure trail
Without Wembanyama, things change drastically in this game. Henderson can score at the rim, Donovan Clingan can crash the glass with ease, and Deni Avdija can spot up from outside. Portland needs the win and already knocked off a Wemby-less Spurs team back in January.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP
Trail Blazers moneyline
Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points
Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
Deni Avdija Over 1.5 threes
Trail Blazers vs Spurs odds
Spread: Trail Blazers +3.5 | Spurs -3.5
Moneyline: Trail Blazers +130 | Spurs -150
Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Trail Blazers vs Spurs betting trend to know
Portland has covered the spread in six of its last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Spurs.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Spurs
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Trail Blazers vs Spurs latest injuries
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DENVER, CO - APRIL 3 : Colorado Rockies Michael Lorenzen (24) pitched against Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Friday, April 3, 2026. Philadelphia won 10-1. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Get your brooms out, friends, because the Colorado Rockies are looking to sweep the Houston Astros at Coors Field! Extraordinary pitching and timely hitting have nabbed the first two games of the series for the Rockies, who are now a surprising 5-6 on the young season and aim for a .500 record for the first time since they were 1-1 on the second day of the 2025 season.
Michael Lorenzen (0-1, 14.73 ERA) is looking to make amends after a rough outing in the home opener, where he allowed nine runs on 12 hits over three innings of work. The veteran right-hander looks to adjust his plan of attack, mainly wanting to command his pitches better to attack the strike zone and get ahead of opposing batters. In his career, he has a 6.86 ERA in 21 innings against the Astros. Starting pitching has been solid through the home stand and hopefully Lorenzen can end it on a high note.
Cristian Javier (0-1, 12.96 ERA) has also had a rough start to the year for the Astros. He has allowed six runs in each of his first two starts, allowing a total of 12 runs in 8 1/3 innings. Walks have been his main issue as he has issued nine free passes against just three walks. The Rockies have needed to show more patience, and today might be a good opportunity to do so.
The Denver Nuggets are gunning for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies in NBA action tonight.
My Grizzlies vs. Nuggets predictions are backing superstar center Nikola Jokic to dominate Memphis inside.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this clash on Wednesday, April 8.
Grizzlies vs Nuggets prediction
Grizzlies vs Nuggets best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds (-130)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic leads the NBA with 12.9 rebounds per game and has snagged 14+ boards in seven of his last eight contests.
He has an extremely favorable matchup tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies, who are tanking. Memphis is especially weak inside after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. and shutting down Zach Edey and Santi Aldama.
The Griz are 26th in the NBA in rebounding rate (48.1%), with that number falling to just 43.4% since the start of March. That, combined with their fast tempo, has resulted in them allowing a league-worst 50.9 rebounds per game over the last 15.
Grizzlies vs Nuggets same-game parlay
The Griz clearly care more about getting a better lottery pick than being competitive in a rebuilding season. They aren't even trying on defense anymore, surrendering 129.8 points per game over their last 10.
That should lead to plenty of points for Denver, which means lots of assists for Jokic. Joker has dropped at least 12 dimes in seven of his last eight games.
One guy who will benefit from those passes is Aaron Gordon. Gordon has cleared 15.5 points in three of his last five contests, and he's fresh off a 23-point performance against Portland.
Grizzlies vs Nuggets SGP
Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds
Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
Aaron Gordon Over 15.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Joker's Wild
Jokic has also scored more than 30 points in three of his last five games. With Jokic stuffing the stat sheet, there's a good chance Denver can cover this massive first-half spread.
After all, Memphis has an average first-half margin of -11.0 in its last 10 games, and the Nuggets could be extra motivated after losing as big favorites in Memphis last month.
Grizzlies vs Nuggets SGP
Nikola Jokic Over 23.5 points
Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds
Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
1H Nuggets -13.5
Grizzlies vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Grizzlies +23 (-110) | Nuggets -23 (-110)
Moneyline: Grizzlies +1600 | Nuggets -5000
Over/Under: Over 244.5 (-110) | Under 244.5 (-110)
Grizzlies vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Nuggets have covered the second-quarter spread in 14 of their last 20 games at home (+7.10 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Grizzlies vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE-Memphis, ALT
Grizzlies vs Nuggets latest injuries
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 06: Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on April 06, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One storyline that came out of Spring Training was that the Nats offense was a work in progress and the pitching staff could be a pleasant surprise. Just about every Nationals pitcher looked great this spring, while the offense was feeble outside of Brady House. However, when the real games started, the script totally flipped.
We have talked about the Nats pitching staff, so I wanted to give the offense some love. Right now, they are in the top three in most major categories, including OPS, batting average, runs and home runs. Blake Butera is getting productive at bats from guys up and down the lineup, and it has been a joy to watch.
While the Nats offense is unlikely to stay this hot, there are positive trends that I think will stick. The overall approach of most Nats hitters is a lot better. That is not just from the big names at the top of the order. Players like Jorbit Vivas and Curtis Mead have consistently put together quality at bats. The biggest thing I have noticed is that the Nats are making pitchers earn the outs they get.
Being hard to kill is a great way to make a starting pitcher’s pitch count climb. A good way to have a quality offense is to make the starters pitch count climb and get into the underbelly of a bullpen. That is what the Nats have been doing so far. I have also loved all the damage they are doing with two outs. They are not just packing it in when there is nobody on and two outs. Nats hitters are always applying pressure and being the aggressor.
I am really impressed with the work that new hitting coach Matt Borgschulte has done so far. He is helping Nats hitters be aggressive yet also patient. That is a tough gap to bridge, but so far Nats hitters are doing that.
We are seeing Nats hitters work the count more and take walks. Paul highlighted this in his story yesterday. CJ Abrams and Brady House are two players who are showing much better approaches. Abrams’ chase rate is actually not that different from last year, but he is still finding a way to walk at a 13% clip so far this season. That walk rate will come down, but if Abrams can walk closer to 10% of the time instead of 5%, that would help him a ton as a hitter.
The player who has transformed his offensive game the most though is Brady House. Last year, he did not seem to have much of a plan up there. He was just reacting and swinging at just about everything. However, we saw a different looking hitter in Spring Training and that has carried over into the regular season.
House is hitting .317 with a .915 OPS. It is not just about the numbers though. His plan at the plate looks much improved. House is learning to sit on pitches and wait for a certain pitch in a certain spot early in the count. He is also learning that it is okay to take strikes if they are not your pitch to hit.
The perfect example of House sitting on a pitch was his homer on a breaking ball the other night. Right as he hammered a sweeper into the red seats, Ryan Zimmerman could instantly tell he was sitting on first pitch breaking ball. I am not sure if House would have had that defined plan last season. It was an example of a 22 year old hitter figuring things out in the big leagues.
We have also seen adjustments from struggling hitters like James Wood. To begin the season, Wood was getting in trouble by being too passive. However, he has been using more calculated aggression lately, and the results are coming. We did not see those kinds of adjustments in the past, and if we did, it would have come after weeks and weeks of struggling.
Nats fans were hard on Darnell Coles, and so far they have been proved right. This offense looks so much smarter and better prepared. It is still early, but this offense is truly explosive. We have not seen an offense like this since that Kyle Schwarber led bonanza in 2021. You have to give the Nats hitting coaches a lot of credit for this.
The players themselves also deserve credit for buying in and accepting their roles. It would have been easy for CJ Abrams to pout about being moved from the leadoff spot to the 5 or 6 hole. However, that move has turned out to be a blessing for him. He is evolving into a true run producer and is leading the league in RBI’s.
It is a small sample, and I would be surprised if the Nats offense finished the year with a batting average over .275 and an OPS over .800. However, the Nats talented young core of hitters seems to finally be putting it together. Whether it is due to approach changes, swing changes or just being hot, just about every Nats hitter is seeing it well right now.
This will be something we follow throughout the season. Sure, the pitching staff has been a disaster, but this offense deserves some serious props. This is the area where we are seeing the impact of the new coaching staff. However, Matt Borgschulte will face his biggest test in the second half. Wood and Abrams have histories of fading down the stretch. Now we will find out if that was a coaching problem, or part of their games. I am going to just sit back and enjoy the Nats offensive explosion while it lasts.
Today, the Mariners will attempt to avoid a sweep in this year’s first iteration of breakfast baseball. Yes, anything in the morning is considered “breakfast baseball”. No, I will not comment on whether I am actually eating breakfast at 11:35 in the morning.
Coming off of four straight one-run losses, they’ll ask Bryan Woo to play the role of stopper. Woo, who last year was Seattle’s best starter, has again looked brilliant this year. Were it not for his seven scoreless innings last Friday against Anaheim, the Mariners would likely be looking at 3-9, which for some reason feels much worse than 4-8.
Unfortunately, the Mariners woke up to some early bad news: Victor Robles has been placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to yesterday, with a right pectoral strain. Per Ryan Divish, Robles suffered the injury during pre-game warmups yesterday. In a corresponding move, the Mariners called up veteran utility man Connor Joe from Tacoma. Joe has bounced around for years, endearing himself to various fan bases with a hot streak here and there. We’ll see if he can sustain a red-hot Spring Training in which he hit .362.
This will also be the Mariners’ last game in the state of Texas for over a month, so be sure to savor Jay Buhner while you can.
Lineups
Joe immediately gets the call at first base with the Mariners facing off against southpaw Mackenzie Gore. The matinee fortuitously aligns with a matchup against the aforementioned lefty, allowing Cal to get a pseudo-day-off with Garver slotting in at catcher. In other news, the Rob Refsnyder Leadoff Experiment continues. The Mariners had better hope their platoon advantages carry them early in this one.
Not much to say here. This is one of those lineups that doesn’t feel like it should be good, but keeps scoring just enough runs, so who am I to say?
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Atlanta Braves right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) hits a single during an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels played on April 6, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Is Eli White okay? I haven’t seen anything indicating he is, but that makes this particular Braves arrangement a bit of a headscratcher:
A lot of this is what we’ve seen be the Braves’ usual fare against lefties this season. But Mike Yastrzemski is hanging out there, left-on-left, in the seventh spot in the lineup. White hit sixth against the first three southpaws the Braves faced this year, and then dropped to seventh last night. So, who knows. A bit odd, that.
The Anaheim lineup is all familiar faces at this point. It’s actually the same lineup as yesterday, except that Jorge Soler and Jo Adell swap right field/DH duties, and Logan O’Hoppe, who started on Monday, replaces Travis d’Arnaud at catcher. The Angels will be playing their 13th game, and they will have used this lineup in seven of them — they haven’t repeated any other lineup yet.
Alright, let’s get to the matchups. Everyone in the Braves’ lineup has faced Reid Detmers at least once, save for Ozzie Albies. Jonah Heim has a .319 xwOBA / .294 wOBA in 18 PAs; Mauricio Dubon has a .337 xwOBA / .596 wqOBA in 12 PAs (with a homer). Everyone else has only a pittance of experience, though Matt Olson has also taken Detmers deep. Collectively, it’s a .357 xwOBA / .375 wOBA in 47 PAs.
For the Angels, all but Oswald Peraza and Yoan Moncada have faced Holmes, but we’re talking PA ranges of 1-4 for each player. Collectively, it’s a 20-PA sample with a .223 xwOBA / .149 wOBA that does not include any extra-base hits — remember that Holmes struck out ten Angels in six innings last year in a scoreless effort that turned into a 4-0 Braves loss late.
Before you jump all over me for even thinking this, please know that this article is tongue in cheek.
Mostly.
Cade Horton is now the latest in a long sequence of Cubs players to wear No. 22 who have had their MLB time either interrupted by injury or affected by other things where they wound up with lesser careers than they might have.
No one of significance wore the number before the late 1960s, when popular backup infielder Paul Popovich wore it for three Cub stints, in 1964, 1966-67 and again from 1969-73. Nothing unusual happened to him in his eight Cubs seasons, though he wasn’t much of a hitter (.237/.293/.308 in 436 games and 1,259 plate appearances). Back then, backup middle infielders weren’t expected to hit, and in fact, Popovich was a capable defender.
Since then, though?
Bill Buckner wore No. 22 for eight years from 1977-84. He hit well enough, .300/.332/.439 in 974 games and 4,043 PA. In fact, Buckner is one of just seven Cubs to have a .300 BA in at least 4,000 PA with the team (also Cap Anson, Jimmy Ryan, Billy Herman, Kiki Cuyler, Stan Hack and Mark Grace). But injuries limited Buckner, who played 150+ games only twice in those eight Cubs seasons.
Mike Harkey, the Cubs’ No 1 pick (fourth overall) out of Cal State-Fullerton in 1987, was expected to be the Cubs’ next big star pitcher. He had a nice first full year in 1990 (12-6, 3.26 ERA, 4.6 bWAR, fifth in Rookie of the Year voting), but injuries then ruined his career and he was done after 1997. He served as the Yankees’ bullpen coach for many years, but was not renewed for this year.
Rondell White wore No. 22 for the Cubs in 2000 and 2001. White had also been a first-round pick (24th overall) of the Expos in 1990, but after a number of injuries he was traded to the Cubs in July 2000 for Scott Downs. After 114 injury-plagued games for the Cubs he left as a free agent. The DH in the NL might have helped him, as he had a couple of decent DH years for the Tigers after leaving the Cubs.
The next No. 22 for the Cubs was Mark Prior, and I don’t think I need to tell you about his potential and the injuries that destroyed his career. Prior has done well as the Dodgers’ pitching coach for the last seven years.
A few guys wore No. 22 after Prior for a season or two, including Addison Russell, who wore it in 2015. Let’s not belabor Russell’s troubles.
Jason Heyward, who had worn No. 22 his entire career to honor a high school friend who died in a car accident, asked Russell to switch so he could have it when he signed with the Cubs. You all know about Heyward’s offensive struggles in Chicago, though he did win two Gold Gloves and made an important speech in Cleveland. If you don’t think that speech mattered, just ask the 2016 World Series champion players — they all thought it did. Heyward is a good dude who is running a baseball academy in Chicago for underprivileged kids. But his Cubs career on the field was underwhelming.
Luis Torrens? Thirteen games as a Cub, going 5-for-20.
Matt Mervis? People were buying his No. 22 jersey before he even played in a single game for the Cubs — I took this photo in the Wrigley Field bleachers on May 5, 2023, just before that day’s game when Mervis made his MLB debut (and no, those are not his parents, who you can see here in an interview done that day):
Mervis went 1-for-4 that day, but overall he didn’t hit and the Cubs eventually traded him to the Marlins for Vidal Bruján. Miami let him go as well, and Mervis was released by the Nationals after Spring Training this year.
Here are some other Cubs who wore No. 22 since Paul Popovich… most of whom you’ve probably forgotten, or never heard of in the first place: Vic LaRose, Ron Dunn, Wayne Tyrone, Eddie Zambrano, Tarrik Brock, Kevin Hart, Tom Gorzelanny, Logan Watkins and Felix Doubront.
And now, Cade Horton. Who, after just 25 games wearing No. 22, already ranks eighth in Cubs history in bWAR (2.2) among players who wore that number (ahead of him: Prior 15,7, Heyward 9.1, Buckner 8.6, Harkey 4.5, Dizzy Dean 3.8, Matt Garza 3.1 and White 2.6).
Maybe it’s not the uniform number. Probably it’s not the uniform number.
But when Horton returns sometime in 2027, just in case… maybe he should pick a new number. No. 22 for the Cubs just doesn’t seem lucky.
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, smiles during a press conference at Boston Celtics media day at the Auerbach Center on September 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ahead of Tuesday’s game between the Celtics and the Hornets, Brad Stevens sat down with Celtics media to discuss a slew of topics.
Here’s everything that he had to say, and what I made of it.
On Jayson Tatum’s return from Achilles:
Stevens stood by what the Celtics have always said about Jayson Tatum’s recovery timeline — he wasn’t going to come back until he was ready. And, Tatum has looked more than ready since his return: in 15 games back, he’s averaged 21.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
“Until he was 110% at every threshold, had fully reconditioned, and he felt good, we weren’t even going to entertain the thought of him coming back,” Stevens said. “But it became clear, probably around the trade deadline, that early February time, that he was in a pretty good spot physically and from the standpoint of strength. And then it’s just a matter of reconditioning and getting your confidence back in a lot of ways, and playing and being back on the court.”
“And we did a lot of small games, and we had the Maine team down and got a chance to play a little bit live on the start of the post All-Star trip. And you could see that not only was he going to come along pretty quickly, but you could also see that he was getting more eager to play. So it was a really well-thought-out process by Dr. O’Malley, and Nick Sang, and Phil Coles, and followed strictly by Jayson, and everybody involved with that gets a lot of credit because of the amount of work that everybody put into it. It was nobody more than Jayson, with a close, close second by Nick. It was pretty incredible to watch up close. I got a front row seat for the whole thing. So I wasn’t sitting on the edge of my seat like others were the first time they saw him run up and down the court playing 5-on-5.”
What I took away: Brad Stevens confirms here that Tatum had been practicing since mid-February, and that he had looked good in those games (we kind of already knew that, but it sounds like these games started prior to when things were reported). Also of note — the Celtics knew that he would return when they chose to trade Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic, which makes sense. Simons became more duplicative with Tatum back in the lineup, and Vucevic provides needed frontcourt depth ahead of a playoff run.
On whether the team has a ceiling:
In July, Brad Stevens made clear he wasn’t going to put a ceiling on the Celtics’ potential: “I said this when I was coaching all the time. I’d never put a ceiling on my team.”
Nine months later, he laughed when the concept of putting a ceiling on the roster was brought up: “You think now would be a good time?”
Brad Stevens still wont put a ceiling on this Celtics team:
“I don’t really change. I feel the exact same as I did at the beginning. And I really feel that way normally. We’re playing today, we’ll put our best foot forward to be as good as we can be, and after tonight, we’ll be one game better or worse. And then we’ll try again tomorrow. When we get into the playoffs, it’ll be the same thing. It’s one game at a time. I don’t think in terms of the big picture as far as this individual team. I just think – I know that we can play. I’ve seen us rise and meet challenges, and I know that this team is looking forward to the next one. As you get into this time of year and get into the playoffs, everything’s hard, and the other teams are really good, and we’ll see where it all stacks out. But I’m going to continue to not put a ceiling on us.”
What I took away: When Stevens said that he didn’t want to put a ceiling on the team in the offseason, it felt like he was just saying the right thing — why would any general manager go out and put a cap on what he thought his team could achieve? But, now, with the Celtics holding a 54-25 record and on the cusp of securing the East’s No. 2 seed, that statement just hits different. The Celtics are undoubtedly championship contenders. At the same time, he also made sure to note that nothing at all is guaranteed.
On navigating the young guys playing in the playoffs:
Stevens was asked about the margins of error being slim in the playoffs and how they would go about utilizing players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman, who don’t have postseason experience. Gonzalez (14.5 minutes per game), Walsh (17.5 minutes per game), and Scheierman (18 minutes per game) have all played significant roles this season, but those roles have also fluctuated significantly as the year has gone on.
“That’s the coaching staff’s job: to navigate and manage the challenges that come with the games, and challenges that come with navigating the playoffs and being the lead communicators for that,” Stevens said. “Our job as a front office is to support them in any way that we can. And so, we’ll follow their lead on what they feel like the team needs and how we can best support, but we won’t overstep our roles, and I think that’s really important. The margin is small as the playoffs start, as you get into this time of year, the distractions rise, the burdens rise, the praise rises, all that stuff, right? And the reality is, you just have to stay in the moment, be as good as you can today, and the teams that have the stamina to do that can usually play longer. Doesn’t mean you’ll win. I mean, teams that we’re competing against are all going to be good. But I do think this team, and the group led by Joe, understands the path ahead and how to navigate it, and can help the guys without as much experience.”
What I took away: The biggest thing here? Stevens fully empowers Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics coaching staff to do their job well. That’s part of what’s made the Celtics organization work as well as it has. Stevens doesn’t know which of Gonzalez, Scheierman, or Walsh will lace up in the playoffs, and he’s not going to overstep in that regard.
On his name continuing to come up when head coach vacancies in college open up:
Brad Stevens’ name recently surfaced when the men’s basketball head coaching position at the University of North Carolina opened up (the position has since been filled by former Nuggets head coach Mike Malone). There’s long been speculation that Stevens will eventually return to coaching, and he was asked directly on Tuesday about whether he’s annoyed or flattered by that speculation.
“It’s always flattering,” Stevens said. “And listen, I’m talking to people all year long, all around the game. Because one of the joys of my job now is watching, whether it be in current front office roles, people leave and get promoted, a la Austin [Ainge]. Or when I was coaching, or a part of the coaching staff, watching those guys get jobs.”
#Celtics President of Basketball Ops Brad Stevens reacts to receiving outside interest for College and GM Jobs:
"It's always flattering … I'm not motivated to do anything but what I'm doing is the bottom line. And I'm really happy with the people we're around and everything… pic.twitter.com/rW1rQE3S0D
“So I’m on the phone with a lot of those people all the way through the year that are in those decision-making processes. And so it’s always flattering, right, when you’re hearing that. But, the whole idea of the coaching carousel being news is a little bit tiresome. But I get why, in this day and age, why people want to talk about it. As you know from being around me, I’m not quick to make decisions where I’m all over the place. I like being here. They’ve been great to me, and I haven’t been seeking anything else.“
“And I don’t have an agent. So I guess my circle is pretty small, although I do – Tracy still kind of helps me out. But I know that she’s pretty reliable and confidential. But, one of these days, you know, I don’t see myself… like I’m not motivated to do anything but what I’m doing is the bottom line. And I’m really happy with the people who are around and everything else. And that’s been the best part about being here and really, as you get to this age and stage, I think that’s the motivator for me. I don’t really have any other motivation than being around people that I want to be around.”
What I took away: Stevens said a lot here, but two things really stuck out. The first is that he’s really happy in Boston and fulfilled by the team around him. The second is that he’s not unequivocally ruling out eventually returning to coaching. I don’t view that as an indication that he’s likely to leave the Celtics anytime soon — I think he just picks his words carefully and doesn’t want to say anything he’s not 100% certain about.
On integrating Nikola Vucevic:
Nikola Vucevic was acquired in mid-February, played 12 games, and then was sidelined with a fractured ring finger for a month. He’s been back for two games now, with three games left to play in the regular season. In that span, Vucevic has averaged 9.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in 21.1 minutes of action, while shooting 41.6% from the field and 29.5% from three.
Stevens acknowledged Vucevic is still getting accclimated, but said he’ll be valuable down the road:
“It’s going to be a work in progress anytime you get a guy that comes into trade,” he said. “But Vooch is a pro, and I think that he immediately recognized that he’s got to do his best to find where he can help fit and where he can help impact the team. We haven’t played a ton of teams that have switched everything, like in the first game against Miami, where he really got some post-up opportunities, and that type of stuff. But I do think that he can bring an element to this group that will be really valuable down the line. I think that it’s good that he gets at least a week here to work on it with the guys. And the other thing is, we’ve been really lucky that we haven’t been in the Play-In in a while. I think we were in the one year, my last year as a coach. That turnaround, you don’t have time to work on your team as you get ready for a playoff series. Having that week in between is going to be really good, and even though we won’t have games to necessarily play with Vooch, we only have a couple left, just those practices are probably more valuable than even these next four games.”
What I took away: Vucevic has struggled a bit since lacing up for the Celtics, but that doesn’t mean he won’t eventually be very important to the Celtics. In the playoffs, if the Celtics face a team that switches everything, Vucevic will be a particularly powerful weapon. Stevens also stressed that, though there are only a few regular-season games left, the week of practice will be really helpful. That’s a good reminder for fans, too: teams hardly ever get to play.
On what he looks for in a player:
Stevens was asked about the kind of player he’s looked to bring to Boston: this past year, the Celtics added Hugo Gonzalez via the draft and Luka Garza via free agency, among others.
“Everything is information, right? And so, there’s a there’s an analytical side of it where, maybe the numbers are popping for a guy in low minutes, like they would have with Luka, because some people value possessions more than they value some of the perceived weaknesses of a player, or whatever the case may be. We do tend to look at the fact that, if you have the right competitive character and you’re more about the team, those are huge qualities.”
“Everybody’s in the NBA for a reason, and if we can figure out how to maximize the reason they’re here and not focus on the things that people see as a detriment, then we can build a team — as long as you have the cornerstones. And we’ve got the cornerstones, and that’s a huge part of it. So, I’d say that, when you talk about a guy like Luka Garza, a good example is the competitive character where team matters, you’re growth-oriented, you come to work every day, and your ambition doesn’t necessarily exceed your self-awareness. And I know that’s not always easy to find, but we watch these guys for a long time at a lot of different levels, and a guy like Luka came extremely highly recommended as a person, and we knew that he had competitive character.”
What I took away: The Celtics have done a really good job of maximizing players’ strengths, but they’ve been able to do that because they have legitimate franchise players (or, as Stevens calls them, cornerstones). I’d consider Mazzulla a cornerstone here, too. Luka Garza is often a guy the front office has pointed to, because he’s obviously extremely talented offensively (former Naismith Player of the Year!), but hasn’t found a way to be an impactful rotation player. And, a big reason why the Celtics signed him is because of his character — I’ve talked to plenty of people around the league, and few are as highly regarded as Luka.
On the job the coaching staff has done:
Stevens was asked about the work that Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff have done this season, and nodded profusely.
“Tremendous. People talk about team chemistry a lot, and it gets overevaluated. A player’s reaction to another player, a player’s body language. But people don’t see a coach’s meeting, and when a staff doesn’t fit or work well together. And staff chemistry can kill team chemistry fast. And so, to have a staff that’s been together, that knows how they want to accomplish what they can and want to accomplish, that isn’t tied to a singular way of playing on offense or defense necessarily, because they have to wait and see what their roster is going to look like, and then can adjust to that.”
“To have the ability to say, ‘Yeah, these guys may have some things they haven’t done as well or are unproven, but they’re here for a reason. Let’s find those and soar with those, and then piece a team together.’ I think you’re going to have the best chance to maximize yourself, and this particular staff, I think, is excellent. And listen, we’ve been really lucky around here to have several people now coaching in the NBA at different stops, including both guys on the sideline today, and we’ve got more of them. And so, that’s going to be pretty cool to watch all these guys take the next step, because they truly know how to get the most out of the group. And they also know kind of how to navigate the season with the group. So, they’ve done a great job. The players have done a great job of embracing being coached, embracing those roles, and it’s all been pieced together to have a nice regular season. And they all — the players, coaches, and everybody else [that is] up for all these awards, whether they want them or not — they certainly all deserve them.”
What I took away: Brad Stevens knows he has the best coaching staff in the NBA. And, he was happy to be asked about them.
