MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the verge of returning from a calf strain that has caused the two-time MVP to miss the Milwaukee Bucks’ last 15 games.
The Bucks have released an injury report that lists Antetokounmpo as questionable for their Monday night game with the Boston Celtics.
The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since straining his right calf Jan. 23 in a 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets. A right calf strain also had prevented him from playing for three weeks in December.
Antetokounmpo has missed a career-high 29 games this season, and 23 of them were because of calf strains. The Bucks are 15-15 with Antetokounmpo and 11-18 without him this season.
His return comes with the Bucks trying to work their way into the play-in tournament as they seek a 10th straight playoff berth.
Milwaukee is 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, three games behind 10th-place Charlotte. The teams that finish the regular season seventh through 10th in the conference compete in a tournament for the East’s two final playoff spots.
The Bucks put together an 8-2 stretch without Antetokounmpo from Feb. 3-25 but have lost their last two games by a combined 52 points. The Bucks were outscored 33-8 in the fourth quarter of a 120-97 loss at Chicago on Sunday that ended the Bulls’ 11-game skid.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He would be ranked eighth in the NBA in scoring, ninth in rebounding and just outside the top 25 in assists if he had played enough games to qualify among the league leaders.
Detroit Red Wings prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygård got a brief taste of NHL action earlier this season, and although he was later reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins, he continues to offer glimpses of what fans can expect when he ultimately becomes a full-time NHL player.
He's been tearing it up with the Griffins, who have enjoyed a record-breaking season and became the first AHL team since the early 1990s to clinch a postseason spot in the month of February.
Thanks to his recent stretch of play, Brandsegg-Nygård has been named the AHL's Player of the Week.
During his last three games, Brandsegg-Nygård has registered an impressive five goals, one assist, 17 shots on goal, and a plus-three rating. It added to his totals of 15 goals with 19 assists in 48 games so far this season with the Griffins.
Brandsegg-Nygård, whom the Red Wings selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, initially made Detroit's roster thanks to his strong showing in Training Camp, and registered an assist in the nine games he appeared in.
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After missing 15 games with a strained calf, Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to return to the Milwaukee Bucks lineup Monday against Boston, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
Officially, Antetokounmpo is questionable with a right calf strain.
The Bucks went a respectable 8-7 in this stretch without Antetokounmpo, including an 8-2 run in which they had the league's third-best offense behind Ryan Rollins. That kept them in the mix for the postseason, and Antetokounmpo's return would be a huge boost toward the Bucks' drive to make the play-in in the East. Milwaukee, 26-33, currently sits as the No. 11 seed, three games back of a hot Charlotte team at No. 10 (Atlanta is No. 9, 3.5 games up on Milwaukee).
When he has been on the court this season, Antetokounmpo has played at an MVP level, averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.6 assists a game while shooting 64.5% (and if you leave him open, he is shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc this season, although on 1.3 attempts a game).
The issue is that Antetokounmpo has played in just 30 games (missing time for a few injuries). When he is on the court this season, the Bucks have a +6 net rating, but when he is off, that is -8.5. That said, the Bucks are still just 15-15 in games Antetokounmpo has played.
Boston, with its pressure defense, is a tough team to return against, but the Bucks have key games this week against Atlanta and Orlando, ones they need to win if they are going to make up enough ground to make the postseason.
Jordan Kyrou is and has drawn interest from several teams around the NHL. Up to this point, no trade has come to fruition due to either the St. Louis Blues’ hesitance to move him or the price being too high.
But now, it feels different, as the Blues sit in 31st place in the NHL standings and appear to be sellers at the upcoming March 6 trade deadline.
Kyrou’s name has been littered all over trade boards. Known interest in Kyrou previously has come from the Seattle Kraken and the Montreal Canadiens, but a new team has emerged with possible interest in the three-time 30-goal scorer.
According to The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner, New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has checked in on both Kyrou and Robert Thomas. He also revealed what Blues GM Doug Armstrong could be looking to acquire from the Islanders in a potential deal involving Kyrou.
The first name Rosner said Armstrong is interested in is 19-year-old defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. Aitcheson was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL draft, and the 6-foot-2 defender has lit up the OHL this season, scoring 26 goals and 63 points in 48 games.
Aitcheson is an offensive defenseman who loves to throw his weight around physically. There are some holes in his defensive game, but at 19, there is plenty of time for him to correct them.
Rosner mentioned that the Islanders aren’t necessarily looking to move Aitcheson, but he believes that Aitcheson, plus draft picks, is likely the ask for Kyrou.
Center and Islanders prospect Danny Nelson is believed to be drawing interest from the Blues as well. The 20-year-old is skating in his third season with Notre Dame in the NCAA, posting 13 goals and 27 points in 33 games this season.
Listed at 6-foot-3, Nelson has all the traits of a potential two-way NHL center. The level his offensive game can reach in the NHL is unknown, but the former 2023 second-round pick of the Islanders has an intriguing skill set.
Kyrou is only in the third year of an eight-year contract, so Armstrong is in no rush to move him. There is belief that Kyrou could be moved in the off-season, rather than in-season, but if the right package comes along, a deal could be made.
At 27 years old and an established 30-goal scoring winger, the price is deservedly high for Kyrou.
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DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 20, 2025: Émilien Pitre #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays warms up prior to a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark on March 20, 2025 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Previous Winner
Dom Keegan, C 25 | R/R | 6’0” | 210 AAA | .241/.306/.429 (89 wRC+) 297 PA, 10 HR, 0 SB, 8.1% BB, 30.6% K
Keegan is at an inflection point in his minor league career, having joined the 40-man roster as the third catcher, and overall the jury is still out. Trusted more at first base than backstop at Vanderbilt, the Rays have kept him behind the dish but reports still have his defense below average, and 2025 was a wash after an elbow injury in the Spring sank his season, in particular his bat speed. While the lack of progress on the edges of his game has some evaluators calling into question his once-sure major league projection, he’ll get a long look in Spring Training, where his ability to punish mistakes in the zone may flourish.
Rank
Player
Position
Votes
Total
Percentage
Last Season
1
Carson Williams
SS
14
25
56%
1
2
Brody Hopkins
RHP
19
25
76%
8
3
Jacob Melton
OF
14
28
50%
N/A
4
Theo Gillen
OF
14
26
54%
13
5
Ty Johnson
RHP
12
25
48%
15
6
Daniel Pierce
SS
13
23
57%
N/A
7
Jadher Areinamo
INF
15
28
54%
N/A
8
TJ Nichols
RHP
13
28
46%
N/R
9
Michael Forret
RHP
8
33
24%
N/A
10
Santiago Suarez
RHP
11
30
37%
16
11
Anderson Brito
RHP
7
28
25%
N/A
12
Xavier Isaac
1B
9
28
32%
3
13
Caden Bodine
C
10
25
40%
N/A
14
Brendan Summerhill
OF
11
27
41%
N/A
15
Slater de Brun
OF
10
25
40%
N/A
16
Nathan Flewelling
C
8
26
31%
N/R
17
Trevor Harrison
RHP
9
26
35%
10
18
Jose Urbina
RHP
13
26
50%
25
19
Tre’ Morgan
1B/LF
15
25
60%
4
20
Jackson Baumeister
RHP
12
27
44%
12
21
Aidan Smith
OF
17
29
59%
6
22
Homer Bush Jr.
OF
10
25
40%
21
23
Dom Keegan
C
10
28
36%
9
Keegan will pick up MLB reps this year, in all likelihood, so now was the time for him to get some love on the list. We had lots of testers this poll, don’t hesitate to make your vote known there too, the biggest vote getter was the Canadian so we add him next.
Candidates
Fabricio Blanco, SS 17 | S/R | 5’11” | 161
A bat-first middle infielder, the Venezuelan is an elite prospect within the context of the international signing process, with some believing he’s the best Rays signee this off-season, despite gathering only a $1 million bonus. He can barrel up from both sides of the plate, but may settle into a right handed swing in the long term, with quick hands. He has the ability and instincts to stick at short, with a high-IQ approach and gritty demeanor.
Cooper Flemming, SS 19 | L/R | 6’3” | 190
One of the best high school bats in the 2025 draft, Flemming surprisingly fell into the Rays laps in the second round. He has a too-quiet swing that lacks the load necessary to hit for power, but he’s historically compensated for that with a high contact rate that would have rated him as first round material if his defense projected to stick. The Rays were able to convince him to forgo an education at Vanderbilt by going above slot ($2.3m, Comp-A money).
Gary Gill Hill, RHP 21 | 6’2” | 160 A+ | 3.82 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 136.2 IP (25 GS), 18.8% K, 5.3% BB
A groundballer, Gill Hill was a feather in the cap for the Rays scouting department when snagged in the sixth round in 2022. He raised his armslot in 2024 to great success, but got off to a rocky start in 2025, which muddies the water on his statline. On the whole, GGH has the body and the look to be a major league starter, particularly thanks to a plus fastball in the upper 90’s and plus control, but needs to find a longterm solution for opposite handed hitting as he climbs the ladder. Accordingly, he projects as a reliever until his arsenal finds a plus third pitch.
Brailer Guerrero, OF 20 | L/R | 6’1” | 215 A | 249.338/.399 (119 wRC+) 222 PA, 6 HR, 9 SB, 11.3% BB, 29.3% K AFL | 2 H, 0 HR, 2 SB, 3 BB, 16 K, 29 PA
Good news: the $3.7 million 2023 signee made the leap out of the complex league in his final teenage season. Bad News: He was injured yet again, with hamstring and knee injuries limiting him to 51 games for Charleston. The Rays tried to make up for lost time with an aggressive assignment to the AFL that resulted in only two hits in 29 plate appearances. He makes loud contact from a quick, quiet swing which he pre-loads by reaching back for even more power. He appears to make early decisions to swing, leading to a bit extra whiffs against anything off-speed, but that could easily clear up with some consistent playing time.
Victor Mesa Jr., OF 24 | L/L | 5’11” | 195 AAA (MIA) | .301/.368/.510 (136 wRC+) 171 PA, 7 HR, 4 SB, 9.9% BB, 16.4% K MLB (MIA) | 6 H (1 HR), 5 BB, 5 K (81 wRC+) 38 PA
This Cuban power bat already made his major league debut with Miami last year after bouncing back from a spring hamstring injury, and was dealt to the Rays in February. He profiles as a fourth outfielder but has an option remaining, so the organization may send him down for regular playing time and one last chance for something more in development. If not, he’s a center field capable on defense, which goes a long way for a platoon bat. In the running for the nicest guy in baseball.
Acquired in the Shane Baz trade, Overn was once a top draft prospect after committing to baseball over football at USC, but surprisingly struggled as a draft-eligible sophomore. That didn’t stop Baltimore from taking him in the third round (97th overall) in 2024. Now a professional, Overn overhauled his swing in the first half of 2025, and earned an early promotion to Double-A for his efforts, where he didn’t look overmatched. His biggest threat is his speed, which raises his floor and gives him an easy projection to a major league bench thanks to plus defensive instincts (BA gave 70’s to his run and field tools). His offensive profile is buoyed by his ability to work the count, but evaluators would like to see him punish fastballs more often for him to be considered a regular.
The Rays 58th overall pick in 2024, Pitre has risen on draft boards through a strong performance in the Cape Cod league in 2023, but the power was a real question mark on his profile. Now given a chance to develop as a professional, he wouldn’t be the first to add muscle. His run and hit tools are plus, with a well coiled swing and solid contact in and out of zone. He’s too old to return to High-A and it be viewed as positive. His power stroke will be the key to his success in 2026.
Adrian Santana, SS 20 | S/R | 5’11” | 155 A+ | .263/.324/.326 (94 wRC+) 409 PA, 2 HR, 47 SB, 8.6% BB, 12.0% K
Once a top-ten or so prospect in 2024, Santana fell off our site’s 2025 list after failing to clear as an honorable mention. Why? The switch-hitting slick fielding short stop was the Rays 31st overall pick in 2023 but has delivered sub-100 wRC+ each stop of his career, although that got closer than ever last season, his third as a professional and his third as a teenager in the Rays system. Could expectations be too high on his bat? He has plus athleticism, is learning to wheelhouse, and has “acrobatic” defense at the hardest position in the game, with 98 swiped bags over the last two seasons. What happens if he survives the test of Double-A breaking balls?
Taylor entered 2025 as a top-100 prospect after demolishing High-A (154 wRC+), and left 2025 as an afterthought on prospect lists, although he was selected as an Arizona Fall League “Fall Star” in between, where he worked to keep his chase rate low and his hard hit rate high. The juice must have been worth the squeeze, as the Rays have elected to invite Taylor to major league Spring Training this year.
Victor Valdez, SS 17 | R/R | 6’1” | 186
A pretty swing with a low whiff rate earned Valdez a big payday this winter — $3.5 million — with as good of a power projection as you can reasonably ask for from a a teenage bat, having been given a 25+ home run projection by Baseball America, who also praise his plus foot speed, bat speed, and control of the zone. Reports say he has ever improving lateral movements on defense, with smooth actions and a strong arm. If it all clicks, it’s a middle-of-the-order bat on the left side of the infield. At signing, the Rays gave him a comp to Francisco Lindor. It will be interesting to see if his first professional season can solidify the five tool profile.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly kicked tires on St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger on TSN 1050's First Up with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving checked in with the Blues on Thomas last week.
"Lots of Robert Thomas speculation over the course of the weekend, and frankly — I wouldn't say over the course of the weekend, this is more last week — Treliving and the Maple Leafs kicked tires on Robert Thomas," Dreger reported.
"And why wouldn't you, right? Again, there's a player who's got term. If you can somehow figure it out, now what's it going to cost? A significant amount. It's not Easton Cowan. Are you willing to have the Matthew Knies conversation? But that seemed to cool over the course of the weekend."
The 26-year-old has played 43 games this season with the Blues, totalling 12 goals and 35 points. Despite working through several injuries this year, Thomas has averaged 18:55 of ice time, the most among St. Louis forwards.
He's in the third year of an eight-year contract, which pays him $8.125 million annually.
From a quick glance, Thomas joining the Maple Leafs makes sense. There's history with Craig Berube, with whom the forward won the Stanley Cup in 2019 on the Blues. Thomas would also be the perfect player to take over the second-line center position for John Tavares, who's battling Father Time.
However, the deeper you look at the trade, the less it makes sense for Toronto.
As Dreger points out, Toronto would have to give up Cowan, Knies, and likely even more to acquire Thomas from the Blues. That alone should turn the Maple Leafs away almost immediately.
Toronto needs players like them for its future.
Cowan has yet to show his true potential with the Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, Knies has demonstrated he can be one of the NHL's top power forwards when he's at the top of his game.
Trading for Thomas feels like a short-term band-aid for a team with several problems. They need to figure out what they're going to do with pending unrestricted free agents like Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton before doing any of the heavy swinging.
PHOENIX — Even with longstanding traditions, it’s not a bad idea to change things up a little every so often.
This year’s League of Alternative Baseball Reality drafts were unique in that they were held in conjunction with the annual Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics Conference at Arizona State University.
So for the first time in its 33-year history, LABR paired with SABR. Pretty cool.
That could also describe the auction room, where – outside of Shohei Ohtani at $47 and Ronald Acuña Jr. at $40 – the bidders seemed intent on conserving their cash.
In contrast to the LABR AL auction the day before, the top NL players at several positions went for what felt like slight bargains.
Through early drafts this season, either the Braves’ Matt Olson or the Phillies’ Bryce Harper lead the way at first base. However, Rafael Devers of the Giants was the most expensive in this one, going for $30, which was $3 more than Harper, $4 more than the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman and $5 more than Olson.
On the other corner, third basemen Manny Machado, Eugenio Suarez and Austin Riley barely cleared the $20 mark.
Bidders were a little more willing to spend on outfielders, but after a power trio of Juan Soto ($39), Kyle Tucker ($32) and Fernando Tatis Jr. ($31), just seven other flychasers made it into the $20s.
That reluctance to spend early on the most talented performers had serious repercussions later when demand outpaced supply on middle- and lower-tier players.
One of the first things any fantasy manager should do in preparing for a draft is take a good look at the player pool. When breaking down the NL, one thing that stands out is the exceptional depth in the middle infield.
Coming off an outstanding 2025, Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (22 HR, 107 runs, 37 SB) was the first infielder nominated. Predictably, the talented 24-year-old set the bar at $33, but those who missed out were still able to find capable alternatives.
Eight other shortstop-eligible players fell in the $20 range, with eight more between $11 and $19. Similar depth exists on the other side of the keystone.
As a result, 10 of the 12 LABR NL teams paid double-digit prices for both their primary second baseman and shortstop.
DHs invade the NL
Another wrinkle in the NL player pool is an unusually large number of hitters who are eligible only at the utility spot.
Certainly, Shohei Ohtani is in a class by himself and also able to slot in on the pitching side (but not both at the same time). But managers who drafted Kyle Schwarber ($27), Ivan Herrera ($17), Christian Yelich ($16), Marcell Ozuna ($9) or promising Cubs rookie Moises Ballesteros ($7) had to tie up that utility spot for the rest of the draft.
As a result, those players seemed to come at a decent discount – especially Schwarber, who was the NL’s third-most valuable fantasy hitter last season.
Precarious pitching prices
Defending NL champion Matt Cederholm, Baseball HQ’s injury expert, had the honor of kicking off the auction with the first nomination, calling out the name of … Brandon Woodruff.
The oft-injured Brewers ace, who was part of the title-winning squad last year, returned to his old (Cedar?) home for $17, even though he might not be ready for opening day.
From there, prices on the top starting pitchers – with the exception of $35 for reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes of the Pirates – didn’t really set the auction room ablaze. The Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez was the second-most expensive pitcher at $30, but only six others even went in the 20s.
The bidders’ reluctance to spend on the elite arms had serious consequences in the middle and later stages, with prices getting pushed up on far less-talented pitchers. A total of 28 starters (2.3 per team) fell into the $10-19 range. That made it almost impossible for teams to find late bargains to round out their pitching staffs.
With closers, there’s a distinct tier of four elite ones in the NL And you’ll have to pay up to get them.
Jhoan Duran, Edwin Diaz and Mason Miller (nominated in that order) all went for the exact same price of $24. New Mets closer Devin Williams joined them at a slightly discounted $20.
After that quartet, it’s anyone’s guess how the rest will shake out. On this day, the Reds’ Emilio Pagan was next at $16, with Raisel Iglesias of the Braves and Daniel Palencia of the Cubs just a dollar less. Perhaps the most interesting bullpen situation is in Milwaukee, where Trevor Megill cost $14 and Abner Uribe $10.
NL prospect watch
Finally, one of the most exciting things about the NL this season is the wealth of top prospects expected to see big-league action.
Here’s how optimistic LABR managers were about this year’s crop:
NEW YORK (AP) — The Athletics had the highest success rate using the robot-umpire system to overturn ball/strike calls during the first 10 days of spring training, winning 69.2% of challenges as teams prepared for its regular-season debut March 25.
San Francisco was second at 66.7%, followed by Cincinnati, Miami and San Diego at 61.9% each, Major League Baseball said Monday.
The World Series champion Dodgers had the lowest rate, winning 21.4% of appeals to the Automated Ball-Strike System. Baltimore was at 25%, the New York Mets at 35.3% and Texas at 38.1%.
MLB's overall success rate was 51.3%, with an average of 2.3 challenges per game.
The New York Yankees averaged the most challenges at 3.8 per game, winning 52.6%. Minnesota was second at 3.6 (winning 58.3%), followed by Boston at 3.2 (55.2%) and Colorado (55.6%) and San Francisco at 3.0.
Baltimore averaged the fewest challenges at 1.2. The Dodgers were at 1.4 and Detroit was at 1.5 (46.7%).
Each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season.
A team out of challenges for a game tied after nine innings would get one additional challenge in each extra inning.
Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler fired back at former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl over Pearl's criticism regarding the undefeated RedHawks' NCAA Tournament at-large credentials.
The 29-0 RedHawks have been the center of debate on whether they are a lock for March Madness in the event they don't win the MAC tournament since they have piled up 29 straight victories. If the RedHawks don't win in Cleveland and get the automatic bid, they could still make the tournament and steal a spot from a Power conference team — like Auburn.
"U are flat out wrong about @MiamiOH_BBall when u say we would finish last in the Big East," Sayler said on social media Monday, March 2. "The disrespect is awful and u should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when u show your true colors! Even slipped in a 'we' when talking about Auburn, nice work!"
@coachbrucepearl u are flat out wrong about @MiamiOH_BBall when u say we would finish last in the Big East. The disrespect is awful and u should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when u show your true colors! Even slipped in a "we" when talking about Auburn, nice work!
Sayler's comments stem from what Pearl said as TNT analyst Saturday, Feb. 28, where he argued despite being the only team without a loss, No. 20 Miami (Ohio) shouldn't be in the NCAA Tournament if it doesn't get the automatic bid by winning the MAC tournament.
"Here's the deal. Are we going to select the 68 most deserving teams? Or are we going to select the 68 best teams?" he said. "If we're selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion, because as an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country, and that's going to be a difficult choice for the committee."
He then added mid-major teams like the RedHawks "recognize their only going to be a one-bid league."
The criticism of Pearl only grew when he advocated for Auburn — the school he last coached and is led by his son, Steven — on "Wake Up Barstool" on Monday morning. The Tigers are 15-14 and 6-10 in the SEC with seven losses in their past eight games, but Pearl believes they are "last four in" territory and just need to beat LSU on Tuesday, March 3 and win their first round game of the SEC tournament to punch their ticket to the Big Dance.
"They've got five Quad 1 wins. They've got the best win in college basketball on the road at Florida. As far as that margin, it's either the best or one of the best. So they got a little bit more work to do," he said.
Pearl added "there's no love of my son. I mean, there's no nepotism involved here."
Miami (Ohio) is slated as an automatic qualifier and a No. 11 seed in the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology, while Auburn is also a No. 11 seed.
The Denver Nuggets face a major contrast in competition when they visit the Utah Jazz on Monday, March 2.
After facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Boston Celtics in the past three outings, taking on the likes of Utah (18-42 SU) is like slipping into a warm bubble bath after swimming with sharks.
With an extended break ahead for Denver, my Nuggets vs. Jazz predictions and NBA picks call for course correction — and an ATS cover — from Nikola Jokic & Co. tonight.
Nuggets vs Jazz prediction
Nuggets vs Jazz best bet: Denver Nuggets -11.5 (-110)
Normally, a stop in Utah after running the Denver Nuggets’ recent gauntlet would give pause in fear of a letdown spot. But Denver desperately needs a positive.
There could be a couple of those tonight. Not only does this matchup with the Jazz set the table for a much-needed victory (won by 23 at Utah in December), but there’s a shot Aaron Gordon gets back on the court.
The Utah Jazz have lost five in a row by an average of more than 13 points, with foes enjoying 51% success from the floor in that span. That’ll kick-start the Nuggets’ top-tier offense.
Nuggets vs Jazz same-game parlay
The Nuggets are 17-6 SU and 14-9 ATS off a loss this season. After going 1-2 versus Boston, OKC, and Minnesota, Denver needs a “get right” win tonight. Nikola Jokic is at the wheel of an efficient Nuggets attack that utilizes his scoring and playmaking on the blocks and high post to hit active cutters – something Utah struggles to defend.
Jokic’s projections sit as high as 11+ assists, and he recorded 13 dimes in his first meeting with the Jazz back in December. Denver’s playbook flows through the multi-time MVP against a Utah defense giving up a league-high 30.5 assists per outing with an assist-to-FGM rate above 68%.
Kyle Filipowski is in an offensive funk, shooting a collective 11 for 27 over the past three games. Denver doesn’t push back much defensively, and player forecasts sit as high as 16+ points from the Jazz big man tonight.
Nuggets vs Jazz SGP
Denver Nuggets -11.5
Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
Kyle Filipowski Over 13.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: The jokes on Utah
Nikola Jokic is in a rotten mood after two straight losses and a cheap shot from OKC. Projections for the Joker have ceilings of 32 points, 11 assists, and 14 rebounds tonight.
Nuggets vs Jazz SGP
Denver Nuggets -11.5
Nikola Jokic Over 28.5 points
Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Nuggets vs Jazz odds
Spread: Nuggets -11.5 | Jazz +11.5
Moneyline: Nuggets -550 | Jazz +400
Over/Under: Over 243.5 | Under 243.5
Nuggets vs Jazz betting trend to know
The Jazz are horrible when catching double-digit points at home over the last three seasons, going 3-13 SU and just 5-11 ATS (+10 or higher) despite all that cushion from the oddsmakers. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Jazz.
How to watch Nuggets vs Jazz
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Monday, March 2, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
ALT, KJZZ
Nuggets vs Jazz latest injuries
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BRADENTON, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Yorke (38) tags out Minnesota Twins right fielder Alan Rodeo (18) who tried to stretch a single into a double on February 26, 2026, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
And the injuries just keep piling up. While spring training stats and records do not matter, the Twins do have the worst run differential through nine games across the majors this spring. That being said, we did have some good news on the injury front. Royce Lewis’ recent MRI is clean (Bobby Nightengale at the Star Tribune), and he’s expected to return to the team this weekend. Meanwhile, while the team expects to place David Festa on the injured list to start the season, Pablo Lopez did not get full reconstructive surgery on his torn UCL and could return by Opening Day next season (Bobby Nightengale at the Star Tribune). Unfortunately, Walker Jenkins has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. While he was a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, it’s definitely not providing any confidence to Twins fans that the newest star in the making could also just be another injury-prone player.
The Past Week on Twinkie Town:
Check out The Feed, where you can add your discussions about the Twins!
We’re starting a new segment called Daily Questions! Provide your opinion on the Twins and debate with the community!
With spring training underway, game threads are back! Commiserate with your fellow fans as we prepare for Opening Day.
James Fillmore recaps the Stratton Story for our Twinkie Town Movie Night. Stop Making Sense is now on deck.
The 18-year-old recorded four goals, becoming the first rookie this season to score 20 after a two-goal night in the Islanders' 4-3 win against the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.
He added one assist to go along with those four goals, for five points in three games, helping his team to a 3-0-0 week. The Islanders trailed 2-0 in each of those three games.
Against the Montreal Canadiens, Schaefer scored two goals in 55 seconds to tie the score at 2-2 in a 4-3 overtime win.
Schaefer has 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 61 games played this season, averagin 24:07 minnutes per game. x.com
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Johan Oviedo #29 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a picture during the 2026 Boston Red Sox Photo Day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 17, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Is the game on TV?
Yes, first pitch is at 1:07 PM (what? why?) on NESN. I’m guessing this broadcast be similar to a few days ago, though, when NESN simply streamed the home team’s feed, so don’t expect to get your daily dose of Tom Caron.
What’s the lineup?
What should we watch for?
Man, would you get a look at that dog of a lineup? This is the worst type of Spring Training game. Thankfully, though, Franklin Arias gives us a reason to watch. And it’ll be nice to get a second look at Johan Oviedo.
Mar 1, 2026; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Kerry Carpenter (30) bats during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images
ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 17: St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) pitches in the first inning during a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals on September 17, 2025, at Busch Stadium, in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals begin their trek through the 2026 Spring Training schedule with a Monday game against the Miami Marlins. According to MLB.com, Andre Pallante gets the start for St. Louis while the Marlins will send Adam Mazur to the mound.
