The Florida Panthers have signed goaltender Louis Domingue to a one-year, two-way contract.
The 33-year-old has been with the Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, since November on an AHL contract. Upon signing a two-way deal, he can now be recalled to the NHL if the Panthers require his services.
Domingue started the season in the KHL with Sibir Novosibirsk, where he posted a 0-9-0 record in 11 games, recording an .892 save percentage and a 3.83 goals-against average.
Since signing with the Checkers, Domingue has posted an .831 SP and a 3.20 GAA in seven games.
Additionally, he’s featured in 233 AHL games, recording a .905 SP and a 2.82 GAA.
Sergei Bobrovsky’s name has appeared in trade rumors, and the signing of Domingue has only amplified the uncertainty. Bobrovsky has expressed a desire to re-sign with the Panthers in the off-season, but as their playoff hopes dwindle, GM Bill Zito must decide what is best for the future of his club.
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The Vancouver Canucks play their final game before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes. Wednesday's game will not be easy as Carolina sits at the top of the Metro Division. Here are the lineup notes for March 4, 2026.
The only lineup change expected for Vancouver is Victor Mancini coming in for Pierre-Olivier Joseph. According to Adam Foote, Joseph will miss the next two to three weeks with an upper-body injury. This season, Mancini has played in 10 NHL games but has not recorded a point.
As for the starting goaltender, that will be Kevin Lankinen. Wednesday will be his 31st start of the season. In 33 games, Lankinen has a record of 7-20-4 with a save percentage of .875.
Nov 14, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Max Sasson (63) and Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) watch the puck during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
E. Pettersson-Hronek M. Pettersso-Willander Buium-Mancini
Lankinen Tolopilo
Game Information:
Start time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Our NBA player prop projections are back for tonight’s primetime Thunder-Knicks showdown, and the model has highlighted a few plays that really stand out.
We crunched the numbers, matched our projections against the market, and zeroed in on the spots with real value.
If you’re putting together your card, these are the NBA picks the model likes most for Wednesday, March 4.
Thunder vs Knicks computer picks for March 4
Thunder
Knicks
Joe o9.5 points -112
Towns o17.5 points -112
Gilgeous-Alexander o1.5 3-pointers +160
Brunson o5.5 assists -140
Holmgren o7.5 rebounds -135
Hart o7.5 rebounds +110
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Thunder computer picks
Isaiah Joe Over 9.5 points (-112)
Projection: 10.4 points
Isaiah Joe has found a groove on the road lately, averaging 15.8 points over his last five away games. That’s 5.5 points higher than his usual road average this season.
Even without home-court advantage, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been the third-highest scoring offense in the NBA over their last 25 games.
Joe’s also been clearing this number consistently, hitting the Over in eight of his last 10 games when the line is set at 9.5 points.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 1.5 3-pointers
Projection: 1.8 3-pointers
The Thunder have been letting it fly lately, ranking seventh in the NBA in 3-point attempts over their last 15 games.
If there’s a spot for him to heat up from deep, this is it.
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Chet Holmgren Over 7.5 rebounds (-135)
Projection: 9.1 rebounds
Chet Holmgren has been clearing this number consistently, going Over 7.5 rebounds in eight of his last 10 games, and the matchup sets up well for him to keep that trend rolling against the Knicks.
The Knicks play at a steady pace and aren’t shy about putting shots up from the perimeter, which often leads to long rebound opportunities for a mobile big like Holmgren. His length and timing give him an edge tracking those boards outside of his immediate area.
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Knicks computer picks
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points (-112)
Projection: 18.7 points
The Thunder are known for pushing the tempo by ranking sixth in pace over their last five games, which should translate into extra possessions for the Knicks.
That uptick in opportunity bodes well for Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s gone Over 17.5 points in six of his last 10 games and continues to see the kind of volume that can take advantage of a faster game script.
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Jalen Brunson Over 5.5 assists (-140)
Projection: 6.3 assists
With OKC speeding things up as of late, more opportunities have been created. That kind of game flow should work in favor of the Knicks.
That creates a nice setup for Jalen Brunson, who’s gone Over 5.5 assists in seven of his last 10 games. With extra trips up and down the floor, he should have plenty of chances to rack up dimes.
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Josh Hart Over 7.5 rebounds (+110)
Projection: 7.7 rebounds
Josh Hart has been a consistent force on the boards lately, going Over 6.5 rebounds in five of his last 10 games. Tonight’s matchup against the Thunder sets up nicely for him to keep that streak alive.
Additionally, Hart often positions himself well in transition, snagging rebounds that turn into fast-break chances.
With his minutes stable and the matchup favorable, there’s a solid path for him to hit the Over on 6.5 rebounds once again tonight.
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How to watch Thunder vs Knicks tonight
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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.
Surprise, AZ - February 21: Jose Miranda #64 of the San Diego Padres bats during a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals on February 21, 2026 in Surprise, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
There is no debate the San Diego Padres have a talented roster. That talent comes from may states and countries and results in a chaotic Spring Training every three to four years when the World Baseball Classic takes players from teams across MLB to compete on a global stage.
The 2026 season is no different, although San Diego Platinum Glove right-fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is making his first appearance in the WBC for the Dominican Republic. He joins Padres teammates Manny Machado and Wandy Peralta on the roster. Xander Bogaerts will play for the Netherlands, Mason Miller will play for USA and Ron Marinaccio and Alek Jacob will play for Italy. Minor-leaguers Victor Lizarraga and Omar Cruz will play for Mexico. Yuki Matsui was originally committed to play for Japan, but an injury will keep him out of the WBC and may jeopardize his status for Opening Day.
With multiple players leaving the Peoria Sports Complex to join their WBC teams, there will be opportunities for more playing time and more exposure for the players remaining in camp. This is most important to a host of players who are competing for roster spots.
The projected lineup based on what manager Craig Stammen has been sending out throughout the spring looks something like this:
Xander Bogaerts – SS
Jackson Merrill – CF
Manny Machado – 3B
Fernando Tatis Jr. – RF
Gavin Sheets – 1B
Ramon Laureano – LF
Jake Cronenworth – 2B
Nick Castellanos – DH
Freddy Fermin – C
MLB teams are allowed a 26-man roster, and they typically split the roster with 13 position players and 13 starters and relievers. After the nine players in the lineup, that means the Padres have four bench spots available. We know one of those spots belongs to a backup catcher and Luis Campusano is the apparent leader for that position. There are three spots remaining.
It is hard to imagine San Diego would not keep Sung-Mun Song on the roster based on the amount he was paid in free agency. The same could be said for Miguel Andujar. That brings the total of position players on the roster to 12 and leaves one spot remaining to be decided between multiple players.
Bryce Johnson would have to be considered the favorite to fill the final roster spot as he is a speedy outfielder who could play all positions on the grass and could provide speed as a pinch-runner. Mason McCoy has shown himself to be a capable defender but does not provide much on offense. Ty France was added to shore up the first base position but does not have much position flexibility and the DH spot seems to be fairly settled between Castellanos, Andujar, Campusano (right-handers) and Sheets (left-hander). Jose Miranda has had a solid spring but only plays the corners of the infield and Samad Taylor is another speedster in the outfield but does not have the same familiarity with the organization as Johnson.
Considering all of this, which player stands to benefit from additional opportunities with WBC players being out of camp? That is the question Gaslamp Ball is asking its readers this week for the Padres Reacts Survey. Results will be posted later this week.
GOODYEAR, AZ − Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene is departing spring training to seek medical evaluations for what the team called right elbow stiffness. Team officials said they expect to have a more full view of Greene's situation by Tuesday, March 10.
Reds manager Terry Francona, along with President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, told reporters on Wednesday, March 4 that Greene was returning to Cincinnati to see orthopedic surgeon and longtime Reds team doctor, Dr. Timothy Kremchek, on March 6. After that, Greene will consult with Los Angeles-based physician, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, on March 9 due to the stiffness.
Greene is also expected to have an MRI while in Cincinnati.
Greene started one Cactus League game on Feb. 28. He was scheduled to throw a side bullpen session March 3 and reported some stiffness after he woke up that morning. Krall said there wasn't any report that it was really bothering him prior to that.
"He's just not recovering the way, I think, he's comfortable and the ball's coming pretty good, as we saw, but we need to get this − you're asking the guy to go out there and throw as hard as he can," Francona said. "We need to make sure he's OK, so we'll have information, probably, Tuesday."
Greene said he'd been dealing with the issue toward the end of the 2025 season and pushed through it in the midst of the team's charge for the playoffs. Greene went 3-1 over his final eight starts in helping Cincinnati reach the postseason.
"My last five or six starts (in 2025), I had elbow discomfort and obviously, playoff push, so I pushed through it," Greene said. "Felt fine in the offseason. Got an injection about a week before spring training started. Discomfort came back so I've been managing it through camp so far, so we're gonna go check it. Get it looked at."
Greene said he had no injury to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). He emphasized his desire to deal with any medical issue as early in the season as possible.
Francona and Krall said Greene wouldn't throw again this week. They were careful to not speculate on the injury, including Greene's possible availability for Opening Day, although Francona pointed out that missing a week of throwing wasn't advantageous for Greene in terms of Opening Day availability and starting the season on time.
Thursday, March 5 marks three weeks until Opening Day at Great American Ball Park when the Reds host the Boston Red Sox.
"We want to get it checked out, see what it is and we'll have more information for you Tuesday (March 5) after he sees Dr. ElAttrache," Krall said.
Krall said the Reds hadn't reached out to starting-pitcher free agents as a result of the Greene's issue. While there's nothing definitive about what Greene is dealing, the team entered spring training relatively well-situated to absorb an injury to a veteran starter and manage a gap in the rotation if it came to that.
Of course, the starter in question here packs 100-plus mph heat and was in 2025 part of the National League's early-season Cy Young Award chatter. Still, the Reds have liked their depth of starting pitching.
That depth is perhaps most evident in the four-man competition for the fifth spot in the rotation. That race included promising 23-year-olds Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns. Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar, who both have MLB experience and are coming off injury-rehab stints, are also considered candidates for the No. 5 spot.
The 22-year-old Chase Petty made his MLB debut in 2025, ultimately making two starts and appearing three times.
DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Ra Shaya Kyle had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Amarachi Kimpson scored seven of her 20 points in overtime and 12th-seeded Miami survived a fourth-quarter collapse to beat 13th-seed Stanford 83-76 in the opener of the ACC Tournament on Wednesday.
Gal Raviv also scored 20 points for the Hurricanes (17-13), who take on fifth-seeded Notre Dame in Thursday's second round. Kyle's double-double was her 20th this season.
Courtney Ogden led Stanford (19-13) with 22 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter when the Cardinal scored the final 11 points to tie the game at 70.
Hailee Swain added 17 points, Lara Somfai 12 and Nunu Agara 11 for the Cardinal.
Kimpson hit a 3-pointer to open overtime and Miami led by rest of the way with Kimpson adding four free throws in the final 22 seconds.
The Hurricanes outscored Stanford 28-13 in the third quarter to lead 65-52 and looked to be in command. But Miami went scoreless over the final 6:21, scoring only five points in the fourth quarter, and Stanford tied the game on Ogden's bucket with 18.8 seconds remaining. Miami ran the clock down on its final possession then failed to get a shot off.
Stanford made 7 of 9 3-pointers in the second quarter in taking a 39-37 halftime lead. But the Cardinal made just one 3 and had seven turnovers in the third quarter when Miami outscored Stanford 20-3 over the final six minutes to lead 65-52.
Stanford made 12 of 27 from the arc but the 6-foot-6 Kyle helped Miami dominate in the paint, outscoring the Cardinal 40-28.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during warm ups before their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 01, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavalierstook down the conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, but they didn’t come through the game unscathed. Jarrett Allen, who’s played the best basketball of his career for the last month, injured his knee midway through the third quarter and wasn’t able to return.
Afterward, head coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about the injury after the game. He said it was the result of a collision.
“He got a knee-to-knee [hit],” Atkinson said. “So that’s the only update I got.”
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Jarrett Allen Fro shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
Allen has been unfairly criticized for not playing through injuries. He played through a broken finger in his left hand and a finger strain in the other earlier this season. Last year, he participated in all 82 games and has missed just 12 so far this season.
Atkinson doesn’t believe that the injury came from being overworked.
“He does want to play every game,” Atkinson said. “Especially as well as he’s playing. … I think that’s part of this job, it’s figuring out when you can get a guy a game, when you look at the schedule. We try to do that the best we can. And you always look back on it [and have regrets]. … Like I said, I think this is more about a contact thing. The soft tissue [injuries] are the ones where you’re like, ‘Man, that’s overuse.’ The hits like that there, you can’t really avoid that.”
Fortunately for the Cavs, they have time for Allen and a few of their other injured players to get healthy. They have a rare four-day break before they play the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
Allen has been great since the start of February. In that time, he’s averaged 21 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game on 72% shooting. On the season, Allen is averaging 15.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Clara Strack had 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, Amelia Hassett scored 18 points and made six 3-pointers, and No. 17 Kentucky started the second half on an 18-2 run to help beat Arkansas 94-64 on Wednesday in an SEC Tournament opener.
It was the largest margin of victory in Kentucky's SEC Tournament history. The Wildcats (22-9), the No. 9 seed, advance to play 22nd-ranked Georgia in the second round on Thursday.
Tonie Morgan and Jordan Obi also had double-doubles for Kentucky. Morgan had 14 points, six rebounds and 10 assists, and Obi added 14 points and 10 boards. Starters Teonni Key chipped in with 12 points and Asia Boone had 10.
Taleyah Jones scored 21 points for Arkansas (12-20), which was coming off its first SEC win of the season to snap a 16-game losing streak with a 70-41 win over Auburn on Sunday. Freshman Bonnie Deas added 10 points.
Boone gave Kentucky its first double-digit lead of the game at 16-4 less than five minutes into the game. Then Hassett made two 3-pointers during an 11-0 run to extend the Wildcats' lead to 27-7.
Kentucky was limited to just 13 points in the second quarter but still held a 42-33 lead at the break.
Obi scored seven points and capped Kentucky's big third-quarter run for a 60-35 lead, while Arkansas missed nine of its first 10 shots after the break.
Morgan scored 10 points in the third quarter to match Arkansas' point total as the Razorbacks went 4 of 17 from the field.
The Razorbacks shot just 36% from the field, including 6 of 28 from 3-point range.
Up next
Arkansas: Season comes to an end under the direction of first-year coach Kelsi Musick.
Kentucky: Looks to avenge a 72-67 loss to Georgia on Jan. 24.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 3: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped up by teammates after an injury against the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 3, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Spurs defeated the 76ers 131-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Only missing a game or two here is probably far from the worst case scenario.
The Sixers announced that VJ Edgecombe has suffered a lumbar contusion and will miss their upcoming contest against the Utah Jazz. The team says that he’ll be reevaluated before their next game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Sixers say MRI confirmed today that VJ Edgecombe suffered a lumbar contusion.
Edgecombe is out for tonight’s game against Utah and will be reevaluated ahead of the team’s next game at Atlanta.
This happened on the last play before halftime during a 40-point drubbing the Sixers received at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. Edgecombe hit the deck hard when he was fouled by Carter Bryant attempting to block his shot from behind. Edgecombe made two of the three free throws he was awarded before being ruled out for the night at halftime. Here’s the play for anyone who missed it.
VJ Edgecombe lands hard on his back after this contest by Carter Bryant. Will be curious to see if he plays in the second half with the Sixers down 25 at halftime. pic.twitter.com/sfEOPKmy0j
Missing any time is not ideal for a Sixers team that needs to stack wins, but walking away from this with just a contusion feels like a good outcome long term.
In the short term, the Sixers are still facing an uphill battle to get back in the win column despite being slated to take on the tanking Utah Jazz. On top of Edgecombe and Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. will also be out for this one with an illness. Oubre was scratched the day of the Spurs game and will miss at least two games now with this illness. In related news, Tyrese Maxey might play all 48 minutes in this one.
Utah will of course be without Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler, as well as Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic and Vince Williams Jr., all of whom they’ve tried to shut down for the season in one way or another.
Get the popcorn ready, as the New York Knicks host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday in a potential Finals preview.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shines at the Mecca, and my Thunder vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks expect him to get the better of fellow superstar Jalen Brunson with a productive scoring performance.
Thunder vs Knicks prediction
Thunder vs Knicks best bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 30.5 points (-110)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in scoring average at 31.8, and he’s third in points per game on the road at 32.
SGA returned to action on February 27 after a three-week absence, and he scored 30 and 36 across his first two games back.
The reigning MVP has found success against the New York Knicks in recent matchups, going for 31+ in four of his last six head-to-head meetings, including two of his last three at MSG.
He sat out Tuesday for rest and should be fresh to shine under the brightest lights.
Thunder vs Knicks same-game parlay
The Knicks are an NBA-best 20-11 ATS at home and 2-0 as the home dog. The Oklahoma City Thunder, however, are 16-15 ATS on the road and just 15-14 as the road favorite.
Oklahoma City has won six straight at MSG, but a mostly-healthy Knicks team can keep this one close at home.
These are two strong defensive units, but they're also great offenses. New York has hit the Over in 15 of 31 at home, and Oklahoma City has gone Over in 18 of 31 on the road.
With both teams operating at nearly full strength, I'm betting the Over on a point total that's set a bit too low.
Thunder vs Knicks SGP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 30.5 points
Knicks +4
Over 222.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Brunson Balls Out
Jalen Brunson has scored 25+ in 37 of 57 games overall and 17 of 29 at home. I expect him to thrive in front of the home crowd at Madison Square Garden and show out against the defending NBA champs.
Thunder vs Knicks SGP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 30.5 points
Knicks +4
Over 222.5
Jalen Brunson Over 24.5 points
Thunder vs Knicks odds
Spread: Oklahoma City -4 (-110) | New York +4 (-110)
Moneyline: Oklahoma City -170 | New York +145
Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-110) | Under 222.5 (-110)
Thunder vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Knicks have covered the spread in 31 of their last 50 home games for +11.20 units and a 20% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Knicks.
How to watch Thunder vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Thunder vs Knicks latest injuries
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.
Team USA faces the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in Scottsdale, Arizona, the squad's last tune-up game before opening World Baseball Classic group play on Friday in Houston.
The Americans clobbered the San Francisco Giants 15-1 in their first exhibition game on Tuesday. Alex Bregman and Roman Anthony homered for Team USA in a contest started by NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, who gave up one run in three innings.
U.S. manager Mark DeRosa made some changes to his lineup to face the Rockies, with Will Smith, Gunnar Henderson and Ernie Clement in the starting nine. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough will start for Team USA, while fellow southpaw Kyle Freeland – who played in the 2023 WBC – takes the mount for the Rockies to get things underway.
Follow for live updates:
How to watch Team USA vs Colorado Rockies
Time: 3:10 p.m. ET/12:10 p.m. PT
Where: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, Arizona
TORONTO, ON - February 4 Kevin Jonas at the Raptors v Knicks game. The Toronto Raptors took on the New York Knicks in NBA basketball action at the Scotiabank Arena. February 4 2025. (Photo by Michelle Mengsu Chang/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
The Knicks decided they’d rather beat the in-conference Raptors than gamble on a win over the Thunder.
Coach Brown used Mitch against Toronto, keeping him under wraps for the what-if matchup against the reigning champions.
As KAT said, “Count your eggs.”
Mike Brown on KAT D: "Everybody looks at KAT like 'Oh he can't do it blah blah blah'––well he can do it & he's showing he can do it…been fantastic…Also been really good communicating…I can hear him talking very loud & early & continuous…Lot of credit for stepping up his game" pic.twitter.com/DNRBHi3McN
On hanging defensively in a low-scoring third quarter against Toronto:
“We came out the third quarter… couldn’t score the ball like we did in the first half, but we hung in there defensively. And to hold a team like that that kicks out and runs in transition the way they do to 37 points in the second half, is a pretty good half defensively. We got to hang our hat on that end of the floor and our guys are doing it, they’re doing it with physicality first and then trying to go get that ball off the glass second.”
On Josh Hart’s defensive performance:
“Josh Hart was phenomenal in a lot of different areas. 50-50 balls, guarding different guys. Skills, deflections, you name it. Josh seemed like he was everywhere tonight on that end of the floor.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive impact:
“It’s been huge. Again, I say this all the time, one guy can’t guard one other guy in the league. It’s almost impossible, especially when they do call fouls. And in the way the floor is spaced. It’s tough to do that, and so you have to have five guys on a string. The game right now is space and pace, and everybody looks at KAT like, ‘oh, you can’t do it.’ Well, he can do it. He’s showing he can do it, and we need him to continue to do it. Whether it’s in the pick-and-roll, coming back in transition, coming over to help from the weak side or guarding this guy in a one-on-one situation. He’s been fantastic.”
On the need for relying on defense when shots aren’t falling:
“We feel like we can score. It was a good offensive game, shooting 56 percent from the floor, 32 assists, but we didn’t play well, especially offensively in the second half. To be able to know that you can hang your hat on that end of the floor is going to be huge for us because the ball doesn’t always go in the hoop.”
On seeing the Thunder matchup as an opportunity to grow:
“If they beat us, at the end of the day, or if we beat them at the end of the day, what does it mean? But they do a lot of things at that end of the floor. From the standpoint of this is a really good defense, a really good offense, they got an MVP candidate (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), they have two bigs (Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren), they have two individual defenders. So how are we going to handle the stuff they do on both ends of the floor? If we get stuck here, or stuck there, it’s an opportunity to continue to grow.”
On prioritizing the Raptors game in the back-to-back:
“[The Raptors] are in our conference and all that stuff. Oklahoma City is in the Western Conference.”
On crediting the medical staff for Robinson’s availability:
“We love the medical group that we have. [Vice president of sports medicine] Casey [Smith] and [senior vice president of player performance] Quentin [Dolan] and [head athletic trainer] Anthony [Goenaga], they’ve done a nice job heading it with our doctors. They’ve spearheaded this, so I’ve gotta give those guys a ton of credit. And starting with Mitch because he’s bought into this plan and he’s tried to execute it at the highest of high levels. So I give all those guys a ton of credit because I’m just kind of jumping on the bandwagon and following their lead. To see him out there, because the best thing almost anybody can have is their availability, so to see him out there as much as he’s been out there has been really good for us.”
Mitchell Robinson is not only leading the NBA in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes — but his current pace would be the best in NBA (or ABA) history. pic.twitter.com/PZywFw0djy
On letting coaches decide his back-to-back availability:
“It wasn’t my choice. I let coaches decide which game they want me to play.”
On sticking with the current load management plan:
“I feel great. It’s awesome. This plan we’re on, we should just stick to it.”
On returning after tweaking his ankle:
“I came in here, re-taped, sat my ass right here [in the locker room] and listened to coach and went right back out.”
On whether his ankle will be examined:
“They’ll look at it probably [Wednesday]. But I’m straight.”
On why his free-throw percentage has dropped:
“I don’t get shots up like that (in practice). I just do a lot of lay-ups, hook shots, stuff like that. If you don’t get shots, you don’t know how it is. You’re not comfortable with it. So it’s just like — you got to get some shots up. I do it in the summertime, and I’m straight. And I just get away from it.”
On his rookie-year shooting compared to now:
“Like I said before, when I was getting up shots, rookie year, I was 60 percent. So if I get shots up, everything will be alright. Until then, it is what it is.”
On needing shooting reps for confidence:
“If you’re not shooting shots — even if you’re not going to shoot them in the game, it’s still good to have that muscle memory like that. And also confidence (comes) with it, too. It goes hand in hand.”
On finding rhythm and comfort with his new Knicks role:
“If you ain’t comfortable with your shot you know what the result is gonna be. When I’m not in New York in my offseason I get up shots not just layups all day. I make 10 in a row sometimes even 20 in a row but that’s after I get done running and shooting. It’s a big difference than just doing layups and also let’s face the fact usually it takes maybe 11-16 (times up and down the court) before I touch the ball. I’m not complaining about it. I expected it for what it is.”
On his role bringing energy off the bench:
“That’s like my job. That’s my job on this team. Bring energy off the bench. That’s what I try to do every night when I play. So continue to do that.”
On rejecting the idea of shooting underhand free throws:
On the need for accountability and sticking together:
“We have a goal in mind. We’re striving every day for that goal. There’s gonna be days where we take steps back. There’s gonna be days where we take steps forward. It’s all about how we trust each other and stick with each other. I know that sounds like a bunch of BS but it’s important for us to stick together.”
On closing the Raptors game with defense:
“It started with stops. I think it’s always big-time when you hold a team to 100 points, especially a team like that that plays so fast, gets downhill and creates opportunities for each other. They’ve been playing great all year, and in that fourth quarter, we found a way to string some stops together.”
On the late-game defensive push:
“We got stops. We were able to run late. We were trying to get as many easy baskets as much as possible. Made a couple key shots as well. But it really started with our defense.”
On piecing things together heading into the playoffs:
“There may be times during a game when things aren’t going our way but we find a way to put the pieces together at the right time. So we just have to continue to do that.”
"When you start the game defensively…a lot opens up…It's actually the defense…getting those stops, putting some pace & flow into the game–it allows us to do a lot more, feel good, more confident"
“I mean, when our team is rolling and playing at a level defensively I know we can play at, we’re pretty damn good. We need to be that if we expect to have a chance to have a deep playoff run. Obviously every round is a challenge in itself and you don’t want to count your ducks too far ahead and count your eggs, but for us to be the best version of ourselves, it’s going to have to happen on that end of the basketball.”
On the Knicks’ defensive standard this season:
“I mean, when our team is rolling and playing at a level I know we can play at we’re pretty damn good. … We’ve been No. 1 [defensively]. That’s what we need. We need to be that if we expect to have a chance to have a deep playoff round. Obviously, every round is a challenge in itself and you don’t want to count your ducks too far ahead and count your eggs, but for us to be the best version of ourselves it’s going to have to happen on that end of the basketball.”
“Obviously, each game you want to build and learn. And we know that some games are tougher than others in terms of travel, back-to-back, things like that. [Wednesday] is going to be tough, a back to back playing a great team. But we’ve got to make sure we bring it, find where we can build off of and keep it moving. We let you guys [in the media] kind of argue and converse about the record and the teams.”
On defense fueling offense on Tuesday:
“We look at our defense spurring our offense. So games like this where we have little spurts of not scoring the ball we have to make sure we lock in and focus on creating easy opportunities, not letting them score, but getting our offense off our defense. I think we’ve done a good job with that.”
On his shooting slump and fluctuating confidence:
“The frustrating thing for me [is I’m] in a slump. The confidence is coming and going.”
On adjusting when shots aren’t falling:
“I ain’t make a damn thing, so I gotta do something else. That’s all I’m thinking about. … I’m putting the work in; I gotta make sure I play my game, shoot my shots with confidence and those kinds of things. But if you can’t hit the side of a barn, you gotta do something different. Wemby’s in a deep drop against me, I gotta make sure I have the opportunity to get guys wide-open shots on some of those handoffs, pitch backs, stuff like that.”
On his recent rough stretch from deep:
“Shooting, it was probably, obviously, one of my worst games of the season, worst three– or four-game stint.”
“Yeah, regular season means a lot. You build habits. That’s the biggest thing. You build habits an more time to learn to play off of each other. And to not let people think, let it be second nature when we’re out there. So that’s why we’ve got 82 games. Not going to get it Game one. You might not get it Game 40. Just continue to keep growing and bring that into the playoffs.”
David Fizdale
On regretting not fighting the tanking directive supposedly imposed on him:
“If I was doing it over again, I would’ve fought more to build a team early on and not cash in my record. That’s the hard part for coaches when you agree to the tanking.”
On missing out on star free agents and having to do with Bobby Portis and Julius Randle:
“That s–t didn’t work out.”
On the toll of losing in New York:
“Losing all those damn games. Donating my record.”
May 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (9) and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) and second baseman Michael Massey (19) celebrate the victory against the Baltimore Orioles after the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The Royals did not make big moves this offseason, but arguably the biggest move they made was signing All-Star infielder Maikel Garcia to a five-year, $57.5 million contract. The move rewards the 26-year-old for a breakout season and keeps him in Kansas City potentially through 2031, buying out two years of free agency.
But should the Garcia be the only player signed to a long-term deal? Spring training is sometimes when long-term deals are worked out. There are a few other Royals candidates worth considering.
Vinnie Pasquantino avoided arbitration with a two-year deal, but he would still have a year of arbitration before being eligible for free agency after the 2028 season. The first baseman has been a vocal leader on the team and had a breakout season with 32 home runs and 113 RBI, but the Royals have Jac Caglianone, whose natural position is first base, and Vinnie will be 31 by the time he hits free agency.
Cole Ragans is also on a short-term multi-year deal through 2027, but would also be eligible for free agency after the 2028 season. When healthy, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he has battled injury issues and has had two Tommy John surgeries in his career.
Lucas Erceg has proved to be a valuable bullpen weapon, and is not eligible for free agency until after 2029. The Royals may want to avoid arbitration with him by signing him to a long-term deal, although he is already in his 30s, which makes long-term deals a bit dicey.
Noah Cameron is coming off a terrific rookie season, but it may be worth locking him up to control costs and reward him for a breakout performance. If the Royals want to be aggressive, they could also sign Carter Jensen or Jac Caglianone to long-term deals. Signing players very early before they breakout is usually cheaper for teams, but it brings risk if that player does not reach his potential.
What do you think? Would you look to sign any other Royals players to long-term deals?
Feb 24, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Zach McKinstry (39) prepares to take batting practice before the game against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26: Matthew Liberatore #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals continue their Spring Training schedule with an international game versus Nicaragua. According to MLB.com, Matthew Liberatore will start for St. Louis. The St. Louis Cardinals game preview shows that Dilmer Mejia will pitch for Nicaragua. If you’re a MLB.tv subscriber, you can listen to the game here. Here’s the lineup the Cardinals just announced on social media.
The team also shared pics of several Cardinals players and coaches who will be competing in the World Baseball Classic.
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