Phoenix, AZ - February 17, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) at the 2026 Dodgers spring training at Camelback Ranch, Phoenix, AZ on February 17, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Dodgers look to make it a 7-0 start this spring, as they are on the road to take on the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Yoshinobu Yamamoto makes his final spring start against left-hander Robbie Ray.
Feb 26, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Fans wait for autographs while holding baseballs before the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Florida Marlins during spring training at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Last Thursday, I put up an open thread, saying that I was going to do so every Thursday so we could have a place to talk about whatever was on our minds. And then, Yesterday, I totally forgot about that.
So this week, it is a Friday Open Thread.
You can discuss anything you like (barring, you know, politics and religion). It doesn’t have to be baseball, but it can be if you like.
At the moment, the thing on my mind is: There are a lot of places on this planet where, if you go to bed and it is +10 C, you will not not wake up to 5 inches of snow on your driveway the next morning. Why do I live in one of those latter places?????
Nimmala started 2025 on fire with High-A Vancouver, hitting nearly .290 and looking like he was ready to take the next step. But as the season wore on, the hot start simmered, and he struggled to maintain that early production over the final two-thirds of the year. Now 20, he enters 2026 with a chance to find more consistency and build on his flashes of promise. Double-A is next, and if he can carry his early-season form across a full campaign, Nimmala could begin to establish himself as a reliable everyday shortstop.
Arjun is 20 this year. I don’t know critical season? It would be great if he blew the doors off of the season and forced the Jays to put him active roster next year. But I don’t think the Jays will give up on him if he has a terrible year.
I don’t know, it is a critical season for Yariel Rodriguez. I guess it depends if you call him a prospect or not. Now Yariel is making a lot of money, so this season is critical for his baseball career, if not his bank account.
Ricky Tiedemann? He’s number 5 on FanGraphs list of top Blue Jays prospects, but he’s 23 now and coming off Tommy John surgery. I’m going to discount the soreness they told us about the other day. He’s just off Tommy John, there is going to be soreness. But, if he’s going to have the MLB career we thought he was going to have, he’s going to have to get it on track again.
If you want a non-baseball topic? What are you watching? I’m watching West Wing (again). I watch it every two or three years. I like the writing and the acting. I like the idea of smart people talking about big decisions. I like the idea that the people who make the big decisions care about the people those decisions are going to effect.
A clinical century from Georgia Voll has propelled Australia to One Day International victory over India in Hobart on Friday and ahead in the multi-format series.
Feb 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; San Antonio Spurs center Mason Plumlee (45) during warm up before a game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Spurs have signed center Mason Plumlee for the remainder of the season. They first signed him to a 10-day contract — you guessed it — 10 days ago, and now they’re making it permanent.
Mason Plumlee is signing a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the season, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Plumlee completed his first 10-day contract and now will finish his 13th NBA season in San Antonio. https://t.co/FYMiJDfzq5
Plumlee has yet to appear in a game for the Spurs as he works his way back into game shape, having last played on Dec. 22 for the Charlotte Hornets. He was signed after the Spurs waived Jeremy Sochan (who went on to sign with the Knicks) to help shore up their depth at the center position. While Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet have been one of the best starter/back-up combinations in the league, both have had injuries at times this season, so having that third insurance policy player is important.
By signing Plumlee before the March 1 Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline, he will be eligible to play in the postseason. (It’s so nice we can say that again, let alone without having to attach any caveats such as “if they make the playoffs” — although to be fair, they technically haven’t yet.) The signing solidifies the Spurs’ roster at 15 guaranteed players, so if they wish to sign any other players, they’ll need to waive someone themselves. (Jordan McLaughlin would be the most likely candidate, but the odds of that are likely slim at this point. There’s no reason to mess with a good thing.)
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the first inning of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Surprise Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello and welcome to week two of Spring Training. I was going to write up a separate “perfectly reasonable reactions” post as I usually do at this time of Spring Training but there’s just too much going on this year, so I’m going to hit you with some bullet points here, instead:
Josh Rojas has already socked a couple of dingers, and while it seems unlikely he’ll make the roster, if he keeps it up, he positions himself to get an early chance somewhere this year.
Helcris Olivárez seems to be making a case to join the roster as a left-handed reliever. He’s already appeared three times after signing as a minor league free agent, and the book on him was that he had big stuff, but he couldn’t get it near the strike zone; he’s been keeping it near the strike zone so far this spring. He might not make the Opening Day roster but he figures to be among the guys rotating between Omaha and KC if he can keep this up.
Jac Caglianone continues to terrorize the Cactus League. launching a mammoth home run one day and a 120.2 MPH double yesterday. Once again, he seems to have little to prove anywhere except at the big league regular season level and he seems destined to get another shot, this year. Let’s hope it goes better the second time.
Carter Jensen is holding up his end of the Carter and Cags duo with a 1.222 OPS so far including a two-run bomb yesterday. Yesterday was really fun for fans of the non-existent western mystery series that the two seem to have come from, as there were two separate innings where they each collected a solid hit and an RBI.
Finally, Michael Massey entered the spring battling for a roster spot but as good as he has looked early, he might now be fighting for India’s starting job at second base. We’ve talked a lot about how India might bounce back this year, but it’s worth remembering that Massey isn’t without his prior big league success, either.
Anyway, here is today’s lineup:
I’m probably wrong, but this is the first time I remember EVER seeing Bobby hitting leadoff. Maybe Quatraro wasn’t blowing smoke when he suggested the shortstop might be leading off for the team this year. It may only be a trial to see how Bobby feels about doing it in practice and he may decide that, no, he really does hate it. But it’s interesting to at least consider it. Batting Isaac Collins fourth probably means nothing, but it’s also very interesting as a lot of the discussions around the Royals have been about how Maikel Garcia can’t lead off because Collins and India, the other two primarily considered candidates, can’t hit in the middle, and he can.
Bailey Falter is getting the start for today, but here are the other pitchers the Royals have included in their game roster and could pitch:
Nick Mears
Hector Neris
Dennis Colleran Jr
Oscar Rayo
Daniel Lynch IV
Carlos Estévez
Andrew Pérez
Aaron Sanchez
Steven Zobac
Hunter Patteson
Rayo, Pérez, and Patteson are probably the guys who only pitch if someone can’t get out of their inning before they hit a limit. Everyone will be keeping a close eye on Estévez’s velocity as it was way down in his first Spring appearance, but that’s hardly the first time that’s been true of the closer, including last year when he ended up doing just fine for himself.
Today’s game can be heard online at royals.com or through the At Bat app. It’s also available on the radio on 1660 AM in Kansas City.
No. 1 was a two-year, $40 million contract with the Diamondbacks. No. 2, at least on paper, seemed better.
When it came down to the Padres and Diamondbacks for Merrill Kelly this offseason, he said he chose Arizona due to California’s tax laws. Getty Images
It was a three-year, fully guaranteed deal with the Padres that appeared to have a similar average annual value.
Kelly, though, chose the former — and during a sitdown interview with Foul Territory’s Scott Braun and A.J. Pierzynski this week, he explained the decision was almost entirely due to the Golden State’s tax system.
“I don’t think it’s any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California,” the 37-year-old right-hander said.
There were, of course, other factors that pulled Kelly toward Arizona. He went to high school at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale and played collegiately at Arizona State.
Merrill Kelly reveals he had a three-year offer from the Padres on the table.
And, the father of two young kids has called the Phoenix area home while logging innings for the Snakes in each of the past seven seasons.
“Coming back here,” he admitted, “it was always the priority.”
But after Pierzynski jokingly told him he was “the first person ever that’s been offered a bunch of money to go live in San Diego and said no,” Kelly made it crystal clear that giving away a significant portion of his income to a state government was ultimately a dealbreaker for him.
“I love San Diego,” Kelly said. “It’s just, like I said, they take too much money out of my pocket, man. The taxes over there are a different level.
“We had my numbers guy run the numbers, and it just made more sense to come home.”
Merrill Kelly has logged innings for the Diamondbacks in each of the last seven seasons. Allan Henry-Imagn ImagesDiamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly throwing a pitch during a game at Yankee Stadium. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
If he had opted for the Padres’ offer, Kelly was likely staring down a state income tax in the ballpark of 13 percent. A far more palatable 2.5 percent state income tax rate was part of his Diamondbacks deal.
“It worked out best for us because that was honestly our second choice,” Kelly said. “It was between here and San Diego going into the offseason. San Diego was really the only place that, if we did go somewhere, that was probably high on our list if we weren’t in Arizona. It’s like, ‘All right, let’s just hop over and take a short, six-hour drive to San Diego.’
“But, yeah, the desert is home. I guess we’re not ocean people.”
The Padres — who told The California Post on Friday, when asked for a statement on Kelly’s remarks that they “do not comment on contract negotiations” — could have certainly used the pitcher’s arm on their roster this season.
In 184 innings last year (split between the Diamondbacks and Rangers following a trade at the MLB’s summer deadline), he boasted a 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA and 167 strikeouts.
Baseball Reference projects him to own a 10-7 record with a. 3.79 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 2026, though Kelly did confirm this week the start of his season will be delayed due to a back injury.
The Padres will now head into ’26 with a starting rotation anchored by Michael King, Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta — and a big wonder of what if California’s tax laws were just a little less strenuous.
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Our NBA player prop projections are back for tonight’s marquee matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Our Covers prediction model has led us to a few NBA prop bets that offer solid value. We’ve evaluated the numbers, and our Nuggets vs. Thunder predictions are based solely on our data-driven model.
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Nuggets computer picks
Cameron Johnson Over 11.5 points (-115)
Projection: 14 points
Cameron Johnson has fit seamlessly into the Denver Nuggets' rotation, and this projects as a bounce-back scoring spot even though he’s fallen short of this number in four of his last seven.
Johnson does most of his damage from beyond the arc, and that’s where the opportunity lies. The Oklahoma City Thunder has allowed nearly 13 made threes per game over its last five contests, which fits into Johnson’s role.
With the pace uptick and three-point volume in play, Johnson is in a good spot to reach at least 12 points tonight.
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Julian Strawther Over 2.5 rebounds (-135)
Projection: 3.4 rebounds
Julian Strawther has quietly been productive on the glass for Denver, and this sets up as another favorable rebounding spot for the former Gonzaga standout.
He’s grabbed at least three boards in two of his last three games, and the matchup helps. Oklahoma City has allowed 44 rebounds per game over its last five, creating steady opportunities for wings and guards to chip in on the glass.
Strawther averages around 25 minutes per night, which is more than enough runway to clear a modest rebounding number. With consistent floor time and a cooperative matchup, he’ll get there again.
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Christian Braun Under 1.5 made threes (-145)
Projection: 1.1 made threes
Christian Braun has hit two or more threes in just two of his last five games, and our model doesn’t project a breakout spot.
He’s shooting a career-low 28% from deep on 2.5 attempts per game this season, and efficiency has been the bigger issue than volume. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back, Oklahoma City’s perimeter defense tightens up, particularly against opposing guards.
The Thunder are allowing just three made threes per game to guards, limiting clean catch-and-shoot looks, and Braun's opportunities for a strong shooting night from downtown.
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Thunder computer picks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 28.5 points (-115)
Projection: 24.7 points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected back after missing nine games, but this number assumes a full workload, and that’s far from certain.
While the matchup may look favorable on paper, Oklahoma City has no reason to push its franchise player in his first game back. A managed minutes plan is the most logical approach, especially with the bigger picture in mind.
Gilgeous-Alexander has also scored fewer than 29 points in three of his last five appearances, and if his floor time is trimmed even slightly, he won’t clear his prop total.
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Isaiah Hartenstein Over 9.5 points (-112)
Projection: 11.1 points
Isaiah Hartenstein has quietly become a reliable interior scorer for Oklahoma City, and tonight shapes up as another favorable spot.
He’s reached double figures in four of his last five games, finding consistent looks around the rim and in pick-and-roll action. The matchup helps: Denver is allowing nearly 50 points per game in the paint, leaving room for physical centers to operate inside.
Hartenstein should see roughly 25 minutes, and with SGA back to draw defensive attention, the quality of his touches could improve even further.
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Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points (-120)
Projection: 18.4 points
Chet Holmgren is coming off a quiet seven-point outing in Toronto and has cleared this scoring number just once in his last five, but this sets up as a strong rebound spot.
Holmgren’s versatility is the key. With SGA back in the lineup, Oklahoma City can fully re-engage its pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop actions, which are two areas where Holmgren thrives.
The added defensive attention on SGA should create cleaner looks both at the rim and from mid-range and allow Holmgren to get back to getting buckets for OKC.
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How to watch Nuggets vs Thunder tonight
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Friday, February 27, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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Kartye has been with the Kraken organization since 2022, when he signed as an undrafted free agent from the OHL.
Upon signing with the Kraken, Kartye would spend just one season in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring 28 goals and 57 points in 72 games and earning AHL Rookie of the Year honors.
He was called up to the NHL for the playoffs, skating in 10 games and scoring three goals and five points.
After a stellar AHL rookie season and strong performance in the playoffs, the expectations were high for Kartye in his rookie NHL season, and he delivered. In 70 games, he scored 11 goals and 20 points, as he was also a physical force and a much-needed spark plug on the fourth line.
The seasons that followed haven’t been as kind to Kartye, as he’s struggled to make his physical presence felt and has failed to contribute offensively. Last season, he recorded just six goals and 13 points in 63 games, and this year, he’s managed just three goals and eight points in 40 games.
He’s been a healthy scratch 17 times this season, and his placement on waivers wasn’t surprising. However, the Kraken gambled by placing Kartye on waivers instead of sending Jacob Melanson to the AHL, who is waiver-exempt.
The Rangers are currently at the 23-man roster limit, so if they plan to keep Kartye in the NHL, they will have to send a player down to the AHL. If they want to send Kartye down to their AHL team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, they’ll need to send him through waivers, where the Kraken would have the opportunity to claim him back.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 and VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during the game against the Miami Heat on February 26, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Understandably, everyone in the Sixers’ orbit would like to forget the 2024-25 season. Murphy’s Law ruled the day as a team with championship aspirations only managed to win 24 games.
But it’s always darkest before the dawn.
Sure, last season was miserable — in fact, if there’s a word stronger than miserable, it was that — but without it, VJ Edgecombe would not be a Sixer. The No. 3 overall pick out of Baylor has been everything the team had hoped and then some.
Edgecombe’s performance in a big home win over the Miami Heat Thursday was another reminder of that. Tyrese Maxey, on a night that was really about him after setting the franchise’s all-time record for made threes, couldn’t help but laud Edgecombe.
“I love VJ. I think everybody knows that. It’s pretty evident,” Maxey said. “Not just because of his basketball abilities, but like who he is as a person. … Our season was very, very, very bad last year … but we were blessed with VJ Edgecombe and I think as the Sixers organization, as a fanbase we should be very happy, very pleased and very thankful. I know I am.”
When a two-time All-Star and franchise cornerstone feels that way about you, you must be doing something right.
Of course it wasn’t long ago Maxey was in Edgecombe’s shoes. Maxey, selected 21st overall out of Kentucky in 2020, was a 20-year-old trying to find his way amongst stars and earn the trust of a veteran coach. While Maxey fought for minutes that entire season, Edgecombe has been a starter since opening night — and for damn good reason.
Edgecombe’s season has understandably been a bit up and down, but there’s never been a moment where his starting spot or role were in peril. That’s largely thanks to his scalability amongst stars, his feel — which seems beyond his years — and his propensity to show up in clutch moments.
All of that was on display Thursday. Edgecombe stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. With the game still hanging in the balance, he hit big shots, made key defensive plays and secured critical rebounds.
It’s what the team has come to expect.
“When the lights were on in Boston [on opening night], for the whole four quarters, he was really good,” Maxey said. “That’s when you know somebody’s a big time performer. And then he went and did it in Madison Square Garden twice. Certain people you just know can perform when the lights are on and I knew I’d be able to trust him.”
Edgecombe already has the second-most threes for a rookie in Sixers history. The record holder? Allen Iverson, of course. There’s a decent chance that Edgecombe could break that mark as well.
As for Maxey’s record — which he will keep adding on to considering he’s 25 and on a long-term deal — it might be a while before Edgecombe gets there.
“I’m very happy for him,” Edgecombe said. “Now the record is going to be a little harder to break now. I’m going to try. Hopefully I can get there.”
Edgecombe has earned the respect of all his teammates, no small feat for a rookie in his spot. He even gave an impassioned defense of Joel Embiid, who nailed a game-sealing three while battling discomfort most of the night after getting kicked in the ribs.
“The media try to make it seem like he don’t want to play basketball,” Edgecombe said of Embiid. “Like come on, he’s out there in pain and he made a big shot at the end of the game. He barely could raise his right hand up. That just shows his character, too. He cares about winning. It’s Joel Embiid, bro.”
A rookie showing public support for a player who’s been through what Embiid has been through should only endear him more to the locker room — not that Maxey and company needed it.
Maxey’s support has meant everything to Edgecombe. They’re the ideal mentor-mentee backcourt pairing.
“‘Rese showed love from day one,” Edgecombe said. “It means a lot to me. Speaks to obviously who he is as a person, who he is as a player. I mostly just sit there and watch him work out, also. That’s it, man. He just means a lot.”
Madison Square Garden has always demanded something extra from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Broad Street vs. Broadway rivalry is a storied one that requires players to be on their A game from puck drop.
And on a night when the Flyers needed a redemption game, they found it in Midtown Manhattan.
Behind two goals from Matvei Michkov—including the overtime winner—and a composed, resilient effort from Sam Ersson in net, the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers 3–2 in overtime, earning a critical two points in a game that often felt like a preview of the emotional and tactical demands awaiting them down the stretch.
The win brought the Flyers to 1-1-1 in their four-game season series against New York, but more importantly, it reinforced something deeper: this team’s ability to endure difficult starts, absorb pressure, and still dictate how games end.
1. Matvei Michkov Dictated the Outcome When It Mattered Most.
Matvei Michkov had one of his most impactful performances of the season, scoring twice—once on the power play and again in overtime.
His first goal came at a crucial point in the game. The Rangers had controlled much of the early pace, and the Flyers were still working to establish offensive rhythm. Michkov’s power-play finish cut into that at times overwhelming momentum and gave the Flyers a foothold.
His overtime winner sealed the deal on the fact that this was exactly the kind of game Michkov has been needing after a hailstorm of drama surrounding his fitness, ice time, and relationship with head coach Rick Tocchet. So much of his sophomore season has been mired in negative spectacle that it's truly a breath of fresh air for him to have an objectively positive night.
Michkov now has three multi-goal games this season and four career overtime winners. Beyond the numbers, his performance reflected a player capable of influencing outcomes directly after it seemed as though he lost his spark a bit.
“He had two big goals for us,” Travis Konecny said postgame. “Obviously the overtime one, but I thought the first one was a timely one. It kind of helped us calm down and get us back into it. He’s playing great. He looked fast. He looked confident with the puck.”
2. Sam Ersson Was a Big Reason the Flyers Stayed in This Game.
Sam Ersson played a central role in allowing the Flyers to recover from a slow start.
Ersson is another player that has been steeped in negative attention, with his 2025-26 season being a rollercoaster of impressive high points and disheartening low points that have left fans largely unsatisfied with his performance in net. But at MSG, when the Rangers came out firing, Ersson had answers.
This game was a good snapshot of that. After letting in an admittedly soft opening goal from Sam Carrick, Ersson locked in and kept the Rangers from really piling on. With how much offensive zone time New York was getting, the scoreline could have easily tilted much more in their favor. Whether you love him or hate him, Ersson was a big reason why the Flyers were able to force overtime.
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Sam Ersson (33). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
“I thought Erss did a great job keeping us in that game,” Konecny said. “He gave us a chance to get our feet going and our legs and making some plays.”
"He was fantastic, fantastic," Trevor Zegras echoed. "The save he made on [Rangers defenseman Adam Fox] in the first four minutes, penalty kill, and overtime—he was amazing. [Dan Vladar] was amazing yesterday... [The goalies] give us a chance pretty much every night. When that first one goes in, he made so many ridiculous saves that it didn't even matter."
3. The Flyers Had Another Slower Start, but Knew How to Bounce Back.
Not unlike how they started against the Washington Capitals on Feb. 25, the Flyers did not execute cleanly in the opening period. Breakouts were inconsistent and largely unthreatening, puck management was uneven, and defensive-zone shifts extended longer than intended.
However, unlike their 3-1 loss against Washington, their structure improved as the game continued.
Even during emotionally charged moments—including a fight between Garnet Hathaway and Sam Carrick and a high-sticking penalty involving Trevor Zegras—the Flyers maintained discipline within their system.
"The first ten [minutes] wasn't great," Rick Tocchet admitted postgame. "I thought we got by the first ten and then started to relax a bit... We've been in a lot of these types of games—close games—and it's a big two points for us."
4. Trevor Zegras Continues to Produce in High-Leverage Situations.
Trevor Zegras scored the Flyers’ third-period goal, tying the game and forcing overtime.
It was his 21st goal of the season and continued a pattern of timely offensive contributions. According to NHL Stats, Zegras has now factored into a third-period game-tying goal eight times this season, tying Nathan MacKinnon, Tomas Hertl, and Evan Bouchard for the most in the league. Not bad company.
The Bedford, N.Y. native has also scored in all three games against the Rangers this season.
The Flyers understand the significance of each remaining game in this last quarter of the season.
“[The remaining games] are a bunch of must-wins,” Noah Cates said. “We’ve gotta make up some ground.”
That urgency was on full display in their ability to recover from an uneven start and remain competitive throughout the game, especially against a Metro Division rival (although the Rangers currently sit last in the table with 51 points).
They didn't control every phase of play, but they managed the critical moments effectively. Most importantly they were able to strike the balance that has eluded them more than once this season—their goaltender maintained stability under pressure, and their top offensive players gave the goal support and capitalized on their opportunities. Too often has it been one without the other, but they showed how good it can get when everybody is in sync.
The quarterbacks are scheduled to go through drills on Saturday. Heisman winner and expected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza of Indiana said he would wait until his pro day on April 1 to throw passes.
Pavia said he will not go through additional on-field drills and will instead wait for Vanderbilt's pro day on March 18.
He is viewed as a later-round pick largely because of his size. Pavia measured at just less than 5-foot-10. Mendoza, by comparison, is 6-5.
But Pavia's confidence is not in short supply, something that has gotten him in trouble. He lashed out at Heisman voters in a social media post last year before later apologizing.
While saying Friday he didn't “care what people think about me,” Pavia emphasized he takes a cerebral approach to the game.
“I think my mind is just underrated, just the way I process," Pavia said. "I feel like I’m a fast processor.
“I’m humble, and I get my confidence from my process. And if you saw what, how much I put into this, you would see where I get my confidence from.”
Whether it's confidence or brashness, Pavia helped drive a Vanderbilt team — often a bottom-dweller in the Southeastern Conference — to a No. 9 ranking in The Associated Press poll at one point last season.
Now he hopes to transfer that play over to the NFL, and Pavia perhaps poked fun at himself regarding his on- and off-field reputation.
“(Vanderbilt) Coach (Clark) Lea always stressed that your frontal lobe isn’t fully developed until you’re 25, and I just turned 24,” Pavia said. “So I’ve got like 360 days to go.”
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Lazaro Montes #99 of the Seattle Mariners rounds third en route to scoring during the fifth inning of the spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Friday! We’ve got a whopping seven games of Mariners Spring Training under our collective belts and it’s high time to foolishly prognosticate! Here are some prompts:
What is your favorite Spring Training story line that is emerging so far?
What player’s performance has surprised you so far? Who hasn’t thrilled you yet?
What player is your pick to unexpectedly make the Opening Day lineup out of camp, both position player and pitcher?
Who will lead the team in Spring Training dingers?
Who willl lead the team in Spring Training hits?
Are you going to any Spring Training games or have you been there already?
Sound off in the comments, make some BOLD and outlandish predictions, and let’s get ready for another 3 weeks of practice baseball.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 21: Pitcher Tanner Gordon throws a strike during game two of the 2026 Colorado Rockies spring training at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 21, 2026. The Colorado Rockies took on the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies’ offense continues to sizzle as they defeated the San Francisco Giants yesterday 11-3. The team is staying aggressive at the plate and on the bases, and pitching from the regulars hasn’t been too shabby either. Having defeated one National League West opponent, the boys in purple turn their sights on another as they take on the San Diego Padres.
Tanner Gordon makes his second start in spring training, having tossed a scoreless inning with three strikeouts his last time out. The Rockies are taking it slow with some of their pitchers, but Gordon should be primed to throw two innings depending on how things go. He has proven quite capable of throwing strikes, something the new coaching staff values, and is continuing his work on developing pitches. Look for him to mix in the new two-seam fastball he is working on. He’ll have the chance try it out against a Padres lineup full of regulars.
The Padres will send out Randy Vásquez for his second start in spring training as well. Vásquez tossed two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last time out, allowing just one hit while striking out one and walking one. Baseball Savant recorded Vásquez throwing seven different types of pitches last season, which could be beneficial for the Rockies to see up close and personal in spring training as they try to model that kind of pitcher. Vásquez made 28 appearances last year, including 26 starts, posting a 3.84 ERA over 133 2/3 innings. Walks have been a bit of an issue in his young career at the big league level.
Peoria, AZ - February 22: Sung-Mun Song #24 of the San Diego Padres bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game on February 22, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
San Diego Padres at Colorado Rockies, February 27, 2026, 12:10 p.m. PST
Watch: None
Location: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick – Scottsdale, AZ
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The NBA’s top offense takes on the league’s best defense when Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets (37-22) take on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder (45-15) at Paycom Center tonight.
The Thunder lineup gets a major boost with the return of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is set to play after missing nine games with an abdominal injury. Losers of five of the nine games without the defending MVP, Oklahoma City also expects to have Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso back in the rotation after recent absences. Meanwhile, Denver continues to patch together a lineup minus Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) and a limited Jamal Murray (illness). Nikola Jokic will be counted on heavily to carry this team. The perennial MVP candidate is averaging 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.4 assists this season.
The Nuggets knocked off the Celtics 103-84 Wednesday night in Denver. Jokic had yet another triple-double and Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench to score 14 for the winners. The Thunder lost in Motown to the Pistons, 124-116, Wednesday. Jaylin Williams scored 30 including five, three-pointers, and Cason Wallace added 23 in the win.
Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Nuggets at Thunder
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 9:30PM EST
Site: Paycom Center
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Network/Streaming: ESPN
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Game Odds: Nuggets at Thunder
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Denver Nuggets (+250), Oklahoma City Thunder (-310)
Spread: Thunder -7.5
Total: 233.5 points
This game opened Thunder -8.5 with the Total set at 230.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Nuggets at Thunder
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Julian Strawther
SF Christian Braun
PF Cam Johnson
C Nikola Jokic
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG Cason Wallace
SF Luguentz Dort
PF Chet Holmgren
C Isaiah Hartenstein
Injury Report: Nuggets at Thunder
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray (illness) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Julian Strawther (toe) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Spencer Jones (shoulder) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Jalen Pickett (knee) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Tamar Bates (foot) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Oklahoma City Thunder
Alex Caruso (ankle) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Isaiah Hartenstein (illness) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Chet Holmgren (back) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Isaiah Joe (lower body) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Branden Carlson (back) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Jalen Williams (hamstring) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Thomas Sorber (knee) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Nuggets at Thunder
The Thunder are 24-6 at home this season
The Nuggets are 21-11 on the road this season
The Thunder are 31-28-1 ATS this season / 15-15 at home
The Nuggets are 33-26 ATS this season / 20-12 on the road
The OVER has cashed in 37 of the Nuggets’ 59 games this season (37-22)
The OVER has cashed in 33 of the Thunder’s 60 games this season (33-27)
The Thunder have won and covered in their last 2 games against the Nuggets
OKC is 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall
Tim Hardaway Jr. has scored at least 12 points in 6 of his last 8 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Nuggets and Thunder game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Thunder -7.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 233.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
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