NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in action against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on February 01, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Lakers 112-110. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (41*–23) visit the Lakers (38–25) at Crypto.com Arena in a nationally televised tilt. Los Angeles ranks middle-of-the-pack on both ends (12th in offense, 15th in defense) and is powered by Luka Dončić (32.5 PPG), Austin Reaves (23.5 PPG), and LeBron James (GTD, elbow). Favored to win, the Knicks will look to exploit the Lakers’ weak rebounding and push the pace against these plodders.
Tip off is 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC. This is your game thread. This is Silver Screen and Roll. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Practice kindness. And go Knicks!
* Should be one more, but the CIA made the win disappear.
India won a record third T20 World Cup title and became the first team to defend their crown with a 96-run thumping of New Zealand in a lop-sided final on Sunday.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — Rob Martin scored 24 points, Cam’Ron Fletcher added 17 with 19 rebounds, and top-seeded High Point beat No. 2 seed Winthrop 91-76 on Sunday for the Panthers' second straight Big South Conference Championship title.
High Point (30-4) set a program and Big South record with its 30th victory of the season. It is also coach Flynn Clayman's first year at the helm with the Panthers.
Martin shot 6 of 19 from the floor and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line to go with seven assists. Fletcher made two 3s and matched a tournament record for most rebounds in a game.
Terry Anderson added 18 points for the Panthers. Owen Aquino and Chase Johnston chipped in with 11 points apiece.
Kareem Rozier scored 22 points and Daylen Berry 18 for Winthrop (23-11). Logan Duncomb, the Big South Conference player of the year, scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds before fouling out with 4:32 to play and the Eagles down 79-68.
High Point took the lead for good early in the second half and had its largest lead, 67-51, with 9:49 remaining.
The teams split the regular-season series, each winning at home. Winthrop won the first meeting 92-75. High Point won the second 89-87.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Lakers hoped James would be available against the Knicks, but he was ruled out a little over an hour before tipoff because of the bruised left elbow injury he suffered during Thursday’s road loss to the Nuggets and left foot arthritis.
Lakers star LeBron James will not play Sunday against the Knicks. (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers have listed James on the injury report because of arthritis multiple times on the second night of back-to-backs since the 41-year-old, four-time MVP made his season debut in mid-November after he missed the first 14 games because of sciatica.
James was icing his left elbow during his postgame media availability at Ball Arena inside the visitor’s locker room after falling onto the court after Nuggets star Nikola Jokic made contact with him in the air while James made a layup to cut the Lakers’ deficit to 110-106 with just over four minutes left.
He wasn’t on the court for the final 20 seconds of the game in the loss to the Nuggets.
“It felt like one of those funny bone situations,” James said Thursday. “But like, super more intense.”
Sunday was the first time James missed consecutive games since making his season debut.
He’s averaging 21.4 points (50.4% shooting), seven assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in the 44 games he’s played this season.
Rui Hachimura started against the Knicks in James’ place.
Deandre Ayton was available and back in the starting lineup after sitting out of Friday’s win over the Pacers and only playing a few minutes against the Nuggets before leaving the game with left knee soreness.
Backup big man Maxi Kleber was also available against the Knicks after sitting out the last couple of games with back ailments.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t play Sunday night against the Orlando Magic as the Milwaukee Bucks continue to work him back gradually from the right calf strain that caused him to miss 15 straight games.
The Bucks are playing for a second straight night, which explains the decision to rest Antetokounmpo. The 6-foot-11 forward had 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 27 minutes Saturday as the Bucks snapped a four-game skid with a 113-99 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Antetokounmpo has played three games since returning from the calf injury that knocked him out for five weeks. He has missed time with a right calf strain on two separate occasions this season.
This will mark the 30th game Antetokounmpo has missed this season. Never before had he missed more than 21 games in a single season.
Antetokounmpo, 31, is averaging 27.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 33 games.
The Bucks also will be missing second-leading scorer Kevin Porter Jr. for a third straight game because of swelling in his right knee.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 6, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Much has been made about the need for the Lakers’ big three to build chemistry with one another. While that can sometimes be a blanket statement, the easiest evidence of their current problems has been the play of Austin Reaves.
Luka Dončić certainly has still been able to produce at a high level. LeBron James has some early bumps in the road before starting to find his groove in more recent games.
Austin Reaves, however, has not had that breakthrough. Often, he’s been relegated to being just another guy on the court, looking more like a role player as opposed to the All-Star he was to start the year. While there have been glimpses in plenty of games of the player he was, it’s never been sustained.
As he’s continued to struggle, the volume of the conversation around him has grown. Prior to Friday’s game against the Pacers, Redick was asked about Reaves.
“Austin and I talked,” Redick said. “In the same way that LeBron sort of is hunting those transition opportunities, Austin, when he gets those throw-aheads, has to hunt those paint touch opportunities and sort of make plays out of that. We can obviously do a better job of calling a play for him.
“Last two games we’ve given him a minute less with Luke and a minute more with LeBron in the substitution matrix, so I think that’s given him a little bit more on-ball duties, But, look, I’d have to look back at last year or the beginning of the season when we did have those three for those few games, his usage percentage is like 1% lower. It’s not like something drastic.”
Not much changed for Reaves in the game that followed. He finished with 19 points on 6-14 shooting and was a -12 in a game the Lakers won by double digits. It was another game where he struggled and showed glimpses of his old self, too.
Predictably, Reaves was a topic of conversation again prior to Sunday’s game.
JJ Redick on Austin Reaves: "The messaging to him has been to just be himself." Says he wants Reaves to be aggressive.
In theory, with LeBron sidelined with an elbow injury, this could serve as a time for Reaves to find his groove again. However, even if that happens, the return of LeBron changes the dynamic again.
However, as things are, anything would help Reaves right now. He’s clearly not himself and needs some type of boost. Hopefully, it’s something that comes in the absence of LeBron as the Lakers can’t rely on heroic performances from Luka every night.
At their best this season, the Lakers had an All-Star version of Reaves. If they want to get back to that point, they certainly need him to turn things around and do so soon.
Jarred Kelenic is running out of time to claim a White Sox roster spot. | (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
The back end of the Sox rotation is still up for grabs, but the staff in Charlotte is starting to take shape. The White Sox announced Saturday that righthander Tanner McDougal had been optioned to Triple-A, while lefty Noah Schultz was sent over to minor league camp.
They’ll presumably join David Sandlin, Duncan Davitt, and perhaps Hagen Smith in the Knights rotation to start the year.
One place there definitely won’t be any competition is at the top of the big league rotation. The team also announced earlier this afternoon that, as one probably would have expected, Shane Smith will be taking the ball on Opening Day later this month.
Smith will be the eighth different pitcher in 10 years to start the opener since Chris Sale departed the team. He joins José Quintana (2017), James Shields (2018), Carlos Rodón (2019), Lucas Giolito (2020-22), Dylan Cease (2023), Garrett Crochet (2024) and Sean Burke (2025).
If I had to be reminded that James Shields actually started an Opening Day for this team, so do you.
Anyhow, here’s the lineup the White Sox are running out in the present day against Kansas City:
Hicks has an even 6.00 ERA in two spring outings thus far, but his fastball has looked sharp, averaging a blistering 99.2 mph on the sinker — substantially up from the 97.5 mph and 94.5 mph averages it showed the last two seasons. Just 4-for-20 with seven punchouts, Jarred Kelenic is running out of time to claim any chance at a backup outfield spot, but LaMonte Wade Jr. might be making a real run at a backup 1B/corner OF spot with a homer, two doubles, and five walks to just three strikeouts in 24 spring trips to the plate.
The Sox get their second-ever look at Noah Cameron this afternoon, who finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting last year with a 2.90 ERA over 24 starts. A seventh round pick in 2021 out of Central Arkansas, Cameron made the record books last year when he threw at least six innings with no more than a single run allowed over the first six starts of his big league career.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 pm CT, and will be broadcast on CHSN and ESPN AM 1000.
Mar 3, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Team USA pitcher Paul Skenes (30) against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In his first two MLB seasons, Paul Skenes has won the National League Rookie of the Year Award and the NL Cy Young Award.
Not bad!
Before he embarks on his third season with the Pirates, Skenes will lead Team USA’s strong rotation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, looking to claim the championship for the second time in tournament history.
Skenes has started the last two All-Star Games for the NL and has the potential to be one of the top pitchers of all time.
It’s a lot to put on the shoulders of a 23-year-old, but Skenes has answered every question that comes his way.
As MLB prepares for what is likely to be its last season before a considerable lockout, ESPN ranked the Top 100 players in baseball.
Skenes, of course, made the list… but the question is, where?
ESPN said that more than two dozen ESPN employees submitted their ballots that comprised the total ranking. Skenes had his number called at No. 6.
“Since May 11, 2024, the day he arrived in the big leagues, Skenes has found himself squarely in the conversation for ‘Best Pitcher in the World.’ And the numbers back Skenes’ claim to that title,” ESPN insider Jeff Passan said.
Skenes will make two starts in the WBC and is in line to pitch for the Americans in the semifinals, as long as Team USA gets there.
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick out of LSU earned a 1.97 ERA last season and struck out a Pirates right-handed pitcher record 216 batters in 187.2 innings. He only allowed 41 earned runs and earned a total 0.95 WHIP.
“I'm from America, I love America… There's no bigger stage or no greater honor than wearing USA across your chest.” 🇺🇸@Pirates ace Paul Skenes discusses the pride he takes in playing for @USABaseball. pic.twitter.com/bTl8zebd3b
“Since his debut, he has the best ERA in the sport by nearly four-tenths of a run (1.96), the fourth-lowest home run rate (0.59 per nine innings), the sixth-best strikeout rate (10.83 per nine), the hardest average fastball (98.5 mph), and, even with restrictions on his output, the 10th-most innings (320.2),” ESPN wrote.
2025 may have been the first of many NL Cy Young Awards for Skenes, who is under contract through 2029. Two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal finished two spots ahead of Skenes.
Skenes is in elite company, with Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Bobby Witt Jr. the top three players. Juan Soto ranks right ahead of Skenes at fifth.
“What’s scary is that this is just the beginning,” Passan said. “Health permitting, Skenes will be an all-time great.”
Passan expects Skenes to considerably improve his win-loss record in 2026 from his stunning 10-10 mark as the best pitcher in the NL.
He projected Skenes to finish the regular season 18-4 with 251 strikeouts and 48 walks in 206 innings. This would mark Skenes’ highest total in each category.
Passan also noted in his prediction that Skenes will record a 2.03 ERA, which would also be his highest after finishing below a 2.00 over his first two seasons. He thinks Skenes will allow 11 home runs.
Passan thinks this stat line WILL be good enough to win Skenes his second-consecutive Cy Young.
Skenes will take the ball against the New York Mets in Queens on March 26 on Opening Day. Skenes hasn’t been announced as the starting pitcher, but barring injury, will make his second-career Opening Day start.
The WBC runs until March 17. The Pirates’ home opener is set for April 3 against the Baltimore Orioles at 4:12 p.m. at PNC Park, looking for playoff baseball to return for the first time in a decade.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Trey Campbell hit six 3-pointers in scoring 23 points and Northern Iowa defeated UIC 84-69 to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and an automatic NCAA bid on Sunday.
The Panthers (23-12) won the tournament for the sixth time and earned their ninth NCAA appearance and first since 2016. Sixth-seeded UNI became to lowest seed to win the tournament and the first to win four games in four days.
Campbell was 8-of-13 shooting, including 6 of 9 from the arc, for the Panthers, who shot 63% and were 12 of 23 on 3-pointers. Ben Schwieger was 7-of-8 shooting and made three 3-pointers to finish with 18 points. Will Hornseth and Leon Bond added 10 each. Tristan Smith had a game-high eight rebounds to go with nine points.
Elijah Crawford scored 28 points on 13-of-29 shooting to lead the fifth-seeded Flames (19-15). Ahmad Henderson II added 13, and Rashund Washington Jr. and Jayce Nathaniel 10 each. UIC shot 44% against the nation's top scoring defense (61.1 ppg).
The Panthers led all the way and were ahead 48-41 at halftime. After hitting just one of its first six shots to open the second half, the Panthers made seven in row, including a pair of 3s from Campbell and another by Schwieger, to lead by 13.
The Flames rallied behind Nathaniel and Crawford who scored all the points in a 9-2 run to get within six. Campbell stopped that run with a straightaway 3-pointer to begin a 13-2 run that ended with UNI up by 17 — their largest lead — with 37 seconds left.
DENVER , CO - MARCH 5: LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers writes in pain after taking a bump from Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 120-113 win at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
UPDATE: The Lakers will, in fact, not have LeBron James for Sunday’s afternoon showdown with the Knicks. After head coach JJ Redick called him a gametime decision during his pregame presser, the Lakers ruled LeBron out with a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis.
LeBron James (left elbow contusion; left foot arthritis) has been downgraded to out for today’s game vs. New York, per the Lakers.
Technically, it’s not known for certain that the elbow is what is keeping him out of his this game since he’s listed with two injuries. However, the left foot arthritis has existed for most of the season while the elbow contusion is new.
The Lakers beat the Pacers without LeBron on Friday, but Sunday’s game against the Knicks will certainly be a tougher task.
The Lakers’ next game will be on Tuesday at home against the Timberwolves.
Original story follows.
It appears LeBron James’ absence from the Lakers’ lineup will be a short one.
After suffering an elbow injury against the Nuggets on Thursday, LeBron missed Friday’s game against the Pacers. On Saturday’s injury report, he was listed as questionable for the game with both a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis.
Deandre Ayton is off the injury report for Sunday. LeBron James is questionable. pic.twitter.com/hdHDfpsC4a
Prior to that contest against Indiana, head coach JJ Redick noted that the expectation is LeBron will be available on Sunday.
“LeBron has a contusion,” Redick said. “He’s still banged up, but we think he’ll be available for Sunday.”
The Lakers will play the Knicks in a matinee game starting at 12:30 p.m. PT. It’s a quicker-than-normal game, so it changes everyone’s routines. In some senses, it could be a positive that LeBron missed Friday’s game as that means he has a bit of extra time to recover.
“It’s pretty sore right now,” LeBron said. “What was I feeling? Feeling like one of them funny bone situations but super more intense.”
Largely because of his injury at the beginning of the season, LeBron is already ineligible for postseason awards as he will not meet the 65-game minimum. It’s been a trying year for him and the Lakers when it comes to injuries.
Ayton being off the injury report is also notable. The big man played just 4:30 against Denver and sat out against the Pacers. At this point in the year, he has dealt with soreness in both knees, so it’ll be something to monitor the rest of the season.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Kaylee Yarbrough scored 25 points, Francie Morris added 22, and their 3-point shooting was instrumental in sixth-seeded Samford's 72-67 victory over top-seed Chattanooga in the championship game of the Southern Conference Tournament on Sunday.
Samford advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time, the other appearances coming in 2011 and 2012.
Samford’s three-game SoCon Tournament run included victories over Chattanooga, ETSU and Wofford — the three teams that tied for first place in the regular season. The Bulldogs, 16-18 this season, are the 12th team to qualify for the NCAA Tournament with a losing record.
Samford took a 54-43 lead to the fourth quarter and saw the margin cut to two points when Chattanooga's Izzy McPherson buried three 3-pointers in a two-minute stretch, making it 60-58 with 5 1/2 minutes left.
Although the Mocs made only two shots the rest of the game, they had a chance to tie in the final minute. Caia Elisaldez made two free throws to make it 70-67 with 29 seconds left and her steal a few seconds later gave the Mocs a shot at overtime. Kalifa Ford missed from 3-point distance with eight seconds left, Samford rebounded, and Briana Rivera made two free throws to close it out.
Elisaldez scored 20 points and McPherson 17 for Chattanooga (20-10).
Sierra Godbolt scored 12 for Samford.
Chattanooga played in the SoCon Tournament title game for the 22nd time. The Mocs have played in the NCAA Tournament 17 times.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Tariq Francis and Lino Mark combined for 34 points to lead Rutgers to a 74-62 victory over Penn State on Sunday in a Big Ten Conference regular-season finale.
Rutgers (13-18, 6-14) swept the season series against the Nittany Lions, and has won two of its last three games. Penn State (12-19, 3-17) has lost five of its last six.
Francis made three 3-pointers and scored 18 points. Mark finished with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting overall. Darren Buchanan Jr. grabbed 12 rebounds to go with eight points for the Scarlet Knights. Jamichael Davis added 11 points off the bench.
Ivan Juric and Freddie Dilione V scored 16 points apiece for Penn State. The Nittany Lions made just 3 of 22 from long range and 13 of 22 from the free-throw line.
Rutgers used a 16-0 run for a 37-14 lead and led 43-21 at the break. Francis scored 10 points in the first half and Mark added nine for the Scarlet Knights. Dilione scored eight first-half points for the Nittany Lions.
Back-to-back 3s from Mark and Francis pushed the lead to 26 points early in the second half. Rutgers led 58-38 after Emmanuel Ogbole's dunk with 9:36 remaining.
Up next
The Big Ten Conference Tournament starts Tuesday in Chicago.
Team Panama finally got its offense on track, scoring more than one run in a game for the first time in its exhibition and WBC schedule. It wasn’t enough, though, as Puerto Rico walked off the Panamanians.
Canada rolled over Colombia in its WBC opener and will look to keep the offensive fireworks popping against Panama, whose pitching needs help badly.
Panama vs Canada best bet: Canada -4.5 (+105 at DraftKings)
Team Canada brought its bats to the WBC.
The Great North scored 12 runs on 18 hits in splitting two exhibition games against the Blue Jays and Phillies. Then Canada got eight runs on eight hits in its WBC opener against Colombia.
They’re facing Panama’s Jaime Barria, who wasn’t named the starting pitcher until a few hours before game time. Since 2023, he’s posted ERAs of 5.68 with the Angels, 4.81 in Triple-A, 5.15 in Korea, and 4.80 in Mexico.
Panama’s bullpen also got torched by Puerto Rico yesterday, giving up four runs, seven hits, and 3 walks in 4 2/3 innings. It won't take much for Canada to win by a metric ton.
Both teams are starting shaky veteran starters, so don’t expect either to wait long before getting on the board. In addition to putting up runs in bunches, Canada allowed 10 runs to the Blue Jays, three to the Phillies, and two to a Colombia team that had been shut out in its WBC opener and managed just two runs in a pair of exhibition games with the Pirates and Braves.
Edmundo Sosa star player prop
Edmundo Sosa best bet: Hit a home run (+500 at DraftKings)
Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa has one of Panama’s four extra-base hits in the WBC — a double. He also had 11 home runs for Philly last season.
The Canadians will start veteran Jameson Taillon, who has given up 122 homers in the last five seasons. In three pre-WBC during spring camp, the Chicago Cubs right-hander gave up six home runs in six innings.
Panama vs Canada opening odds
Moneyline: Panama +550 | Canada -900
Run line: Panama +4.5 (-130) | Canada -4.5 (+105)
Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-120) | Under 9.5 (+100)
How to watch Panama vs Canada and game info
Location
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Date
Sunday, March 8, 2026
First pitch
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FS2
Panama starting pitcher
Jaime Barria
Canada starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon
Panama vs Canada weather
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Avalanche earned a power play just 1:20 into the game after Quinn Hughes cross-checked Valeri Nichushkin from behind, sending him crashing into the boards.
Colorado failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and when Minnesota forward Zach Bogosian was later penalized for hooking, the Avalanche were unable to convert on their second man advantage as well. As a result, Colorado went 0-for-2 on the power play to start the contest.
With under four minutes remaining in the period, Nathan MacKinnon carried the puck down the left wing on a breakaway, but Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt denied the attempt. Colorado’s depth players also showed promise late in the frame. Sam Malinski’s point shot bounced off Wallstedt’s chest protector, and the rebound presented another chance, but Kiviranta’s follow-up attempt was also stopped.
The first period ended scoreless, with Colorado holding a 14-8 advantage in shots on goal.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros warms up prior to a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we hit the midpoint of Spring Training, here are some new developments and comments from Joe Espada on the current state of the Astros:
SS Jeremy Pena is fielding grounders, but not throwing yet:
RHP Jason Alexander has been optioned to minor league camp.
Espada on Alexander getting optioned:
"We got some long stretches of games, but we’re going to need a six-man rotation. Jason fits right in. The job he did last year…ncredible job. He picked us up for a few months and we know how effective he is. When he got on the mound, he…
2B Brice Matthews starting in CF today, will move to 2B later in the game.
Brice Matthews is starting in CF today and will move to 2B later in the game.
Espada: "That's something he could potentially do during a Major League game – start at second, go to center. He give you that flexibility. He’s been working hard at both positions, and I’m going to…
Each of the last two seasons, a non-roster pitcher has won a spot on the Astros Opening Day roster in the bullpen and spent the year with the team. Tayler Scott in 2024, Steven Okert in 2025.
Could Peter Lambert be this year’s version?
Peter Lambert was invited to the Astros' spring training on a minor-league contract but his 'power stuff' has 'really stood out' so far in camp. https://t.co/yz0GgbpaoP
