Open Thread: The Spurs and the 40-20 Rule

SAN ANTONIO, TX -FEBRUARY 19: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after a dunk against Phoenix Suns in the second half at Moody Center on February 19, 2026 in Austin, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s a thing. It has its own Wikipedia entry.

The 40-20 Rule states that a team must win 40 games before losing 20 to have a chance at winning the championship in that season. Since 1980, only four teams have won a championship despite not winning 40 before losing 20.

The rule was introduced by Phil Jackson, which should make Spurs fans suspect. After all, this is the man who posited the 1999 NBA Championship should have an asterisk for being a shortened season. To the best of my knowledge, Jackson never made a comment when the Lakers won the 2020 title in a shortened season. But I digress…

After earning their 40th win on Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings, Spurs forward Harrison Barnes commented that hitting 40 wins before 20 losses was a goal the team had. And Barnes should know about setting goals as a team, he was a member of the Golden State Warriors 2015 title run.

Now keep in mind, the Spurs are not alone. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons also hit the mark, and the Boston Celtics are three wins away from being the fourth team positioned to follow the rule.

Out of those four teams, the Spurs are definitely making their run ahead of pundit predictions. But if you ask the members of the Silver & Black, they’ll tell you they are right on schedule.

In the midst of a nine-game winning streak (the most recent also ending the Pistons five-game streak), the Spurs have a tough schedule ahead, especially considering they will spend the remainder of the month on the Rodeo Road Trip.

How are you feeling, Pounders? Put your Silver & Black tinted glasses aside and see through an impartial viewer’s eyes.

Is this the Spurs year?


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Brew Crew Ball Daily Question: How worried are you about a baseball lockout?

March 4, 2022: A security guard locks the gates near the main entrance at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, AZ. Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred implemented the lockout over stalled labor negotiations with the Major League Baseball Players Association. Usp Mlb Lockout S Bbo Usa Az

We’re back with another daily question, and today’s question is: How worried are you about a baseball lockout?

This is one of those topics where everyone seems to have a strong opinion one way or the other. Obviously, no baseball fan wants to see an absence of games, and the long-term fallout is something that is definitely under consideration (remember what the 1994-95 strike did?). But at the same time, many (including plenty of Brewer fans) think a labor stoppage and lockout are the only way for some of baseball’s biggest issues to be fixed, namely the lack of a salary cap/floor.

Are you worried about a baseball lockout? Or is that the right thing for baseball?

Weigh in in the comments, and join us throughout the month as we keep these conversations rolling into spring training. Have a question you’d like to ask in a future BCB Daily Question? Drop one in the comments and we may use it later this month.

Orioles news: Working out the early-spring glitches

SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Cade Povich #37 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches live during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 12, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

We’re four days into the Grapefruit League season, still at the point where every team has roughly 10,000 players in camp and the regulars are getting sporadic half-days of work. That’s good, because yesterday’s 10-7 loss to the Braves was not the most sterling pitching performance for the Birds. The O’s used 10 pitchers, of whom you’d probably recognize fewer than half the names in the box score. Someone named Cohen Achen, who is so anonymous that his MLB player profile includes neither a picture nor a birthday, gave up five runs, including a grand slam by former Oriole Jorge Mateo. Journeyman reliever Enoli Paredes gave up three.

Still, the pitchers you’ve actually heard of mostly did well. Cade Povich worked two scoreless innings, and righty bullpen candidates Rico Garcia and Jose Espada tossed a perfect frame apiece. Keegan Akin wasn’t so sharp, giving up two runs in his inning of work. The important thing is that nobody got hurt and everybody’s got another month to continue working out the kinks.

The Orioles’ starting lineup was mostly full of regulars, though the majority of the offensive production came from bench players, who contributed six of the Birds’ nine hits. Jhonkensy “Big Christmas” Noel had a pair of hits, and even former first-round pick Vance Honeycutt got in on the action by hitting a home run, something he did only five times in 436 minor league PAs last year. For the first time, though, Pete Alonso started a game and did not homer. That’s it, I’m calling it: he’s a bust.

The O’s are back to work today at 1:00 PM with a visit to the Twins in Fort Myers, but for the second straight day, there will be no local TV or radio broadcast of the game. Albert Suárez will start for the Orioles, and we’ll just have to take someone else’s word as to how effective he looks today.

Links

Orioles sign infielder Thairo Estrada to minor league contract – BaltimoreBaseball.com

Based on his .655 OPS for the worst team in baseball last year, Estrada is probably not any kind of a solution to the Orioles’ infield problem. But it doesn’t hurt to stash him at Triple-A as depth.

Cade Povich’s newest slider, dubbed a gyro, could lead the Orioles pitcher to more consistency – The Baltimore Banner

I don’t see Povich having any real shot of cracking the Opening Day rotation, but don’t rule him out as a reliever. Not having to go multiple times through the lineup would help him a lot, and so could this delicious-sounding new pitch of his.

A few O’s pitching prospects make a nice early impression in Sarasota – Steve Melewski

One thing that made the 2025 Orioles’ rotation so shoddy is that they had almost no legitimate pitching prospects at Triple-A who could provide any big league help. They’re in a much better spot this year, thanks to the trio of Trey Gibson, Levi Wells, and Nestor German.

Puppy palace: Inside the dog-filled house at Orioles spring training – The Baltimore Sun

Jacob Calvin Meyer checks in with one of the more adorable stories from Sarasota.

Henderson on infield changes, WBC and more (plus Povich start and other notes on today’s 10-7 loss) – School of Roch

Craig Albernaz described Cade Povich as “really good” with a “really good” tempo, Keegan Akin as “good,” and Blaze Alexander as a “good” athlete who made “really good” defensive plays. Albernaz may turn out to be a fine manager, but somebody get this man a thesaurus.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 70th birthday to the great Eddie Murray, the Orioles legend who spent 13 of his 21 MLB seasons in Baltimore. With the Birds, he was the 1977 AL Rookie of the Year, a seven-time All Star, three-time Gold Glover, two-time Silver Slugger, and 1983 World Series champion. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. Enjoy your day, Eddie!

Other former Orioles born on this day are catcher Chance Sisco (31), 1B/OF Chris Parmelee (38), and catcher Gustavo Molina (44).

On this date in 2014, the Orioles signed veteran DH Nelson Cruz to a one-year, $8 million deal. Cruz, despite solid career numbers, had been left untouched on the free agent market until spring training due to his 2013 suspension for involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. The O’s took a gamble and were rewarded with perhaps the best bang-for-the-buck free agent signing in franchise history, as Cruz mashed an MLB-best 40 home runs for the Orioles, leading them to the 2014 AL East title. But the O’s made the mistake of letting him leave in free agency, after which he crushed 204 homers in the next five years.

Phillies News: Taryn Hatcher, Justin Crawford, Kevin Long, Michael Conforto

Phillies News:

MLB News:

The 2026 St. Louis Cardinals: Rebuilding or Rebranding?

“All progress occurs because people dare to be different” is what the fortune cookie from my lunch said last week. That little sliver of paper with a generic response now sits on my work desk as a reminder to think outside the box and to challenge the minds of Cardinals fans, including myself. The 2026 St. Louis Cardinals project to feature a roster that is unlike anything this generation of Cardinals fans is used to. No All-Stars, no household names, no future Hall of Fame-bound members. The only universal aspect of this team that’s true across all of baseball is that half the fan base wants the Manager fired. No numbers, no graphs, no charts this week, just thoughts.

The highest-paid player entering the season (that’s still rostered) is Starting Pitcher Dustin May, and the oldest player projected to make the roster is 33-year-old Relief Pitcher Ryne Stanek. These are stark differences from teams we’ve watched over the previous decade-plus of Redbird baseball. The players that Cardinals fans ARE aware of each come with real question marks: Can Herrera stay healthy and be a factor as a Catcher? Can Masyn Winn take the next step offensively and be the 5+ win player and be the next face of this team? Can Victor Scott, Jordan Walker, or Nolan Gorman find offensive consistency and plant their flag as long-term members of the future? What’s realistic to expect from rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt? What if all of the IF’s become answers and the Cardinals wind up being better than everyone expects?

Same with the pitching staff; what if Dustin May makes good on his rebound and re-establishes himself as the pitcher amateur scouts drooled over? What if Liberatore puts together a full season of exceptional pitching and not just half of one? What if Pallante regains his 2024 form? Can McGreevy, Fitts, Dobbins, Leahy, and Matthews all take the next steps and provide the major rotation depth the Cardinals haven’t had in years? What if Riley O’Brien has a career year as a closer, and the other pieces of the bullpen settle into roles that create a new formula for the Cardinals to lock down games with a late lead?

What if it doesn’t matter if the Cardinals don’t look anything like the previous 30 years of Cardinals baseball and still find a way to be in a competitive mix at the end of the season, and knocking on the door of the playoffs?

The Cardinals will never be a team that can financially compete with the LA Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, or Chicago Cubs (If Ricketts ever realizes what a financial advantage he has in the NL Central from a media market size standpoint). The Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays, despite being in the bottom third of baseball in payroll, have found unique ways to perennially find themselves in the mix for an October berth, thanks to unheralded talent nobody projected to be as good as they were.

So, I ask whether the Cardinals are actually rebuilding? Because they themselves have pushed back against that notion time and time again this offseason, and maybe it’s not actually a PR strategy, and the team has had more up its sleeve than we have been led to believe. To paraphrase: “We will stay long-term focused but concede nothing.” Continues to be a message that echoes in my head from Chaim Bloom’s introductory press conference.

Most readers on this site would concede that this team is not devoid of talent but rather devoid of proven production. Chaim Bloom has placed a large number of small bets on this team, and it just takes two or three to hit to alter the trajectory of the 2026 team. In the reader mailbag articles, I ask you, the readers, for your best, most pressing questions, to help me create content that’s centered around what you’re interested in from a Cardinals perspective.

So, I will flip the script on all of you and ask, are the Cardinals rebuilding, and this is a lost year? Or are we watching, in real time, the Cardinals rebrand themselves into one of the other major league teams that win differently, and more might be in store for 2026 than we all initially thought?

“If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.” -Michael Jordan

-Thanks for reading

The Breakdown | Six Nations half-term report: France are flying while England’s decline is steep

Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawed

France (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with a round to spare, setting up a rousing grand slam opportunity in Paris. Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attacking grace, not least “King” Louis Bielle-Biarrey who has been spectacularly good. How many other sides in the world, aside from South Africa, can also interchange their second-row and midfield pairings without missing a beat? Or casually whistle up gifted youngsters such as Fabien Brau-Boirie, Émilien Gailleton and Gaël Dréan who all look instantly to the manner born. When you factor in the squad’s collective ability with and without the ball – to date France have scored the most tries, 18, and conceded the fewest, five – the future looks dazzlingly bright.

Scotland (11pts) The script has previously been a familiar one. Bask in the rosy glow of beating England, only to come crashing to earth in their next game. This time, finally, they have broken that pattern and still have their destiny in their own hands. France are due an off day and do not always prosper at Murrayfield while, before last Saturday afternoon, more than a few people would have backed them to cause problems in Dublin on the final weekend. The message will be simple: attack as smartly and accurately as they did in their Calcutta Cup fever dream and maintain the defensive organisation that has so far enabled them to concede just six tries in three games. And, of course, keep Finn Russell fit. The quick‑thinking restart that helped to bail his team out against Wales was merely the latest example of his whirring creative brain. A shoutout, too, for Kyle Steyn and Rory Darge who lead the way, respectively, for defenders beaten and turnovers won in this year’s championship.

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A casual fan's guide to the NHL: What to know after Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are over, and the United States is returning with two gold medal hockey teams. The women's side was able to outlast Canada in overtime and won on a phenomenal stick rip into backhand goal from Megan Keller, whereas the men also won in overtime courtesy of a snipe from Jack Hughes.

The USA was abuzz after the wins, but while hockey is over internationally, NHL fans are now eagerly awaiting the recommencement of a season that is entering its final stretch. There are divisional races like the brutally tight Atlantic and the similarly close Pacific, dominant teams like the Colorado Avalanche (although their shine wore off a bit going into the break), and teams that are just plain fun like the Wild, where Quinn Hughes was traded from Vancouver earlier in the season.

There's a little something for everyone, and with most teams having about 25 games left to play this year, there's a lot of on-ramp ahead of the always-exciting Stanley Cup playoffs. Not to mention, there were some amazing players who didn't compete in the athletes due to the international ban on Russia, including all-time NHL goals leader Alex Ovechkin, plus Andrei Vasilevsky and Ilya Sorokin, arguably the best two goalies in the sport.

Of course, those looking to support some of the key players who won Team USA gold may be disappointed. Connor Hellebuyck's Winnipeg Jets and Jack Hughes' New Jersey Devils are all but out of the playoff race. With that being said, other key players like Quinn Hughes and Dylan Larkin are firmly in the thick of things.

Here's what to know about the NHL season as it stands, and who fans can root for depending on their proclivities.

The obvious: Geography

If you're in a city with a team, the easiest move to root for that team. This probably doesn't need exposition.

USA! USA!

If you just can't get away from the high of that Team USA win, there are a few players to look out for. Quinn Hughes, who notched the game-winner for the United States against Sweden, plays defense for the Minnesota Wild. He was traded from the Vancouver Canucks earlier in the season, and is tied for fourth among NHL defensemen in points with Avalanche blueliner and Canadian Cale Makar. In addition, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber play for Minnesota.

Then there's center Dylan Larkin, who plays center and is captain for the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are entrenched in the most brutal divisional chase in the league, with the Atlantic Division having four teams within three points of each other. An Original Six team, the Wings have one of the most storied histories in the NHL, and are trying to break a nine-year playoff drought, the longest in team history.

Jack Hughes and Connor Hellebuyck play for the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets, respectively. Both are effectively out of the playoff picture, so if new fans are willing to wait, these could be teams to follow. Hughes plays with his brother, Luke, who is rehabbing a shoulder injury and is expected to return in early March. He is the youngest of the Hughes brothers.

Give me an underdog

The underdog to end all underdogs? The Buffalo Sabresare also entrenched in the bloodbath that is the Atlantic, and looking to snap a league-high 14-season playoff drought.

Led by USA forward Tage Thompson and captain Rasmus Dahlin, a star for Sweden, the Sabres were hockey's hottest team in December heading into January, winning 10 consecutive games in December and 15 of 17 after the span. NFL fans will know Buffalo has some of sports' most dedicated fans, and the Sabres reflect that. Plus, they semi-regularly don the goat's head jerseys of the 1990s. Huge bonus.

Sandwiched between Detroit and Toronto are the Ottawa Senators. Canada's capital has a team that is riding the line between playoff team and rebuild, with Brady Tkachuk at the forefront. The Senators have the worst goalie play in hockey by a wide margin, but with a solid defense and a year removed from a playoff berth, not to mention at least a fighting chance in the Atlantic, Ottawa is a fun team to get in on early.

Perhaps, however, you'd like to look to the West. The Seattle Kraken have made the playoffs just once in their first four years in the NHL, but are on the razor's edge to do the same this year. They're currently third in the Pacific, meaning if the season ended today, they'd be in. Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle are the top scorers for the team, while backup goalie Philipp Grubauer just turned in a nice performance for Germany in Italy.

If there's a bandwagon, I'll take it

Normally the answer to this would be the Florida Panthers, but some bad injury luck has the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champs at the bottom of the Atlantic. If you want instant bragging rights and Matthew Tkachuk, look no further than Miami, but it might not last long.

With that in mind, the Colorado Avalanche are the clearest answer. Though they sputtered a bit heading into the Olympic break, they still lead the Wild by five games in the West. Canadians Nathan MacKinnon and Cole Makar lead the way for Colorado, while their goalie tandem of Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood, affectionately dubbed "The Woods," continue to turn in impressive seasons.

The Tampa Bay Lightningalso belong here. They lead the Atlantic by six points with 78, although they've had their recent woes. After three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances, they've been bounced in the first round of the playoffs for three years in a row. Coached by Team Canada coach Jon Cooper, their best two players are Russians Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevsky. The latter is one of the NHL's best goalies, second in the league in saves above expected only to Ilya Sorokin. Kucherov is third in the NHL behind Connor McDavid and MacKinnon in points with 91 and has won the last two scoring titles.

The Dallas Starsbandwagon is another fun one, and it isn't insufferable ... yet. The Stars are trying to get over the conference finals hump and are third in the Central behind the Avalanche and Wild. While Mikko Rantanen is one of the top setup wings in the sport, it's the non-Olympian fans may love: Jason Robertson, who was considered a somewhat egregious snub off Team USA. He leads the Stars in goals at 32, and has said himself: "Every one is for my cat."

There are also the Vegas Golden Knights, who currently lead the Pacific. The addition of Mitch Marner has been a boon for Vegas, and the team has been relevant since its inception in 2017. Vegas, of course, went to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season and then won it all in 2022-23. The Golden Knights have made hockey a performance as much as any team in the league, and it has translated to results on the ice.

Give me speed, give me youth

If you want youth, the Montreal Canadiens are the way to go. They're the youngest team in hockey, and their top five point scorers are 26 or younger (three are 21 or younger). Similar to Robertson, Cole Caufield was a snub from Team USA, and is tied for the league-lead in overtime goals with the Wild's Kirill Kaprizov at four. Nick Suzuki played well for Canada, notching a clutch game-tying goal against Czechia in the quarterfinals. The Canadiens (with an E) are mixed up with the Red Wings, Sabres and Bruins in the Atlantic.

Then there's the San Jose Sharks, where wunderkind Macklin Celebrini is leaving his mark. The Sharks have work to do to slot into playoff position this year, as they're five games out of a wild card spot, but it's a far cry from where they were before drafting Celebrini in 2024. After going 20-50-12 in 2024-25, they've taken bounds this year, largely thanks to Celebrini. Now the Sharks are trying to build on the momentum of adding the face of their franchise.

Another team that's part of the youth movement is the Chicago Blackhawks, led by Connor Bedard. They aren't in the thick of things yet, but it's a team with a lot of history that new fans would be buying low on. The Blackhawks look to be on the upswing, and with recent Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015, they aren't far removed from their most recent era of relevance (and dominance).

Show me the best player in hockey

It's Connor McDavid.

While naysayers will cite the lack of a Cup or Canada getting silver in these Games, McDavid is at or near the top of nearly every conceivable metric. He leads the NHL in points at 96, goals at 34, expected goals at 32.5, he's tied for the lead in assists with 62, second in primary assists with 36 and fourth in shots on goal per game. He also leads the league in high danger shots on goal, max skate speed, and he has 70 more bursts above 22 mph over No. 2 Owen Tippett with 106. If you want to watch the best player hockey has to offer, watch the Edmonton Oilers, who are looking for their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance and are currently second in the Pacific.

I'll stick out a rebuild

Not everyone needs to get in and win right away. There are a few teams who are either entering into or transitioning toward rebuilding.

The St. Louis Bluesare poising themselves for a full on sale at the trade deadline, and while Jordan Binnington played some great goalie for Team Canada, he has been the worst goalie in hockey by a wide margin in goals saved above expected. They're likely looking at a roster teardown as they try to get back to the playoffs.

The Vancouver Canucks are a team new fans might struggle with. Ownership has had difficulty accepting a rebuild is needed, but the trade of Quinn Hughes was a start. Vancouver has never had a No. 1 overall pick, and this might be the year. But while things look bleak now, Vancouver is one of the most fun fanbases in hockey when it's winning. Even when it's losing, the fans find ways to make the best of it, like chanting "we want the Cup" ahead of a shutout win of the Anaheim Ducks despite clamoring for a rebuild.

Anyone shiny and new?

The Utah Mammoth aren't a new team per se, they're a relocated continuation of the Arizona Coyotes, but they're currently in a wild card spot in the West. Goalie Karel Vejmelka has been extremely strong this year, while Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz have turned in 50-plus point years to this point. Their logo also evokes the Wasatch Mountains over the head of the animal mascot, a cool localized touch.

I want a team with history

For teams with history, among the Original Six teams not mentioned are the Bruins and the Maple Leafs, both of the Atlantic.

The Boston Bruinsare a team that never really goes away. They had an eight-year playoff streak snapped last year, but this year are in the thick of the playoff hunt at 69 points, giving them a wild card spot for now. David Pastrnak has 71 points for the team lead, while Morgan Geekie and Team USA's Charlie McAvoy are other key contributors.

Then, and this is a little awkward, there are the Toronto Maple Leafs. USA captain Auston Matthews is the Leafs captain, and is second on the team with 48 points while leading it with 26 goals. The Leafs are at 63 points, six points out of a wild card spot, and haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967. The Leafs have also suffered some ... unique heartbreak in recent seasons. They have lost seven Game 7s since 2013, including two in the past two seasons. The 2025 collapse against the Panthers ultimately ran Mitch Marner out of town (among other reasons), and this year looks like it may well end in disappointment up north.

Finally, there the New York Rangers to round out the Original Six. The Rangers are trying to retool their roster, having already traded Artemi Panarin to the Kings and being on the cusp of moving Vincent Trocheck, another Team USA member. The Rangers made the conference finals in 2023-24, but have lacked an identity in the past two seasons. They're hoping for a lottery pick this year, and easily could have gone into the rebuild category as well.

Obviously anyone can follow any team for any number of reasons, this is just a jumping off point. Come the NHL trade deadline on March 6 or the NHL entry draft June 26-27, things could end up looking very different. But as we enter the homestretch of the NHL season, these teams have something for everyone. So do the Blue Jackets and Flames, where Johnny Gaudreau — the player honored by Team USA after him and his brother Matthew were tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver in 2024 — played, the Capitals, led by the legendary Ovechkin, or the Penguins, led by the similarly legendary Sidney Crosby.

There's also the Hurricanes, who have made seven straight playoffs and are cued up for their eighth, the Islanders, who boast arguably the best goalie in the league in Ilya Sorokin, and the Predators, another team in an unorthodox location that has found sporadic success (and Nick Saban has stock in, for Alabama fans). The Ducks and Kings scratch the West Coast itch and play completely disparate games despite being so close regionally, and the Flyers, well, the Flyers have Gritty, one of sports' best mascots.

With the NHL entering its homestretch, all anyone has to do is turn it on and follow the rules. The Olympics provided a good blueprint of what to expect. An important caveat, however: It isn't best on best every night. Not every game is going to bring the excitement of the Winter Olympics. But the Stanley Cup playoffs are as high-stress as any postseason in sports.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A casual fan's guide to the NHL: What to know after Winter Olympics

Pens Points: Welcome back, Avery

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates in his first NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 05, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Tuesday will be the final day of the NHL’s Olympic break, with the 2025-26 season starting back up on Wednesday with eight games on the schedule. It will be a slightly longer wait for the Pittsburgh Penguins who return to action on Thursday against gold medal hero Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena.

If you were hoping for some big update on Sidney Crosby on Monday then you will have been disappointed since all we got from the team was that Crosby was on his way back to North America like his fellow Canadian teammates and will be evaluated once he rejoins the team this week.

Pens Points…

Back like he never left, Avery Hayes was recalled to the NHL on Monday, hoping to pick up where he left when he made his NHL debut in the final game before the Olympic break. Hayes was back in the AHL while the Penguins were off where he recorded a pair of hat tricks for the Baby Pens. [Pensburgh]

There was always an expectation that Hayes was going to be in Pittsburgh at some point this season, but the way he announced his arrival was perhaps not expected. He’s been on fire ever since and his first call-up along with the second has been well earned on the ice. [Trib Live]

There are 26 games remaining on the Penguins 2025-26 schedule, with each and everyone being important as the team battles for a playoff spot. They put themselves in great position through the first 56 games, but their fate will be determined by how they perform in what’s left. [Pensburgh]

Sunday was a defining moment for hockey in the United States and will have a profound impact for generations to come. In Pittsburgh, the sport is already a mainstay and will remain so, but it too will receive a boost from what transpired in Milan on both the men’s and women’s side. [Trib Live]

If that was in fact the last time we see Sidney Crosby on the Olympic stage, then it’s sure to leave a sour taste in his mouth given the way it played out. Let’s just hope for however long he continues his NHL career, he doesn’t face the same ending he just went through in Milan. [The Athletic $$]

NHL News and Notes…

Teams across the league are preparing for their return to action this week while Olympic players are still traveling back from Milan. With game resuming on Wednesday night, it remains to be seen if all Olympic players will jump right back into action or will be given a few extra days off to recover from the long travel.

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff joked during his media session today that he did not think any of the United States players were going to be fit to play to his week when asked about the availability of Tage Thompson. Whether or not Ruff turns out to be prophetic in his analysis remains to be seen, but no one could blame those guys for taking some time to let the hangovers wear off.

As someone who grew up going to ECHL games in Johnstown when the league was still strictly on the East Coast, it’s crazy to see how the league has expanded since. Next season, the league will welcome its 30th franchise, the New Mexico Goatheads, a part of the Colorado Avalanche affiliate system. [Avalanche]

A lot can happen in four years time, but assuming the NHL sends players to the 2030 Olympic Games in France, the United States will be in good position to defend its men’s hockey gold. While nothing it set in stone, there should be quite a few familiar faces donning the red, white, and blue next time around. [ESPN]

If you think politics shaped these Winter Olympics, just wait until LA 2028

In Milan, athletes showed that patriotism can be generous. In Los Angeles, that definition will be tested on the biggest, loudest stage sport can offer

The Milano Cortina Winter Games ended on Sunday night as the Olympics always do: in light, spectacle and speeches about unity. In Verona, the Olympic flag passed to the French Alps and the twin flames were extinguished. But unofficially, at least, a flame also flickered 6,000 miles west.

If these Games felt political, just wait until Los Angeles a little more than two years from now.

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Will the Yankees’ bullpen be a problem again in 2026?

Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA;New York Yankees pitcher Camilo Doval (75) throws a bullpen session during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

After adding Devin Williams last offseason, the Yankees had to feel confident about the state of their bullpen. Williams, perhaps the best reliever in the world, was joining a group that finished sixth in ERA the year prior, and now had a fearsome duo at the backend in the form of Williams and incumbent closer Luke Weaver.

Those best-laid plans went up in smoke quickly. Williams got off to a nightmarish start en route to the worst season of his career, while Weaver struggled with injuries and inconsistency much of the year. The bullpen would prove to be the Yankees’ biggest weakness, so much so that Brian Cashman made several moves for relief pitching at the deadline, overhauling the entire relief corps as the club headed into the stretch run.

There’s been plenty more turnover in the bullpen since the end of the 2025 campaign, with Williams and Weaver gone, and several other notable names, including Ian Hamilton and Mark Leiter Jr., also heading out the door. The Yankees didn’t make any major moves to replace those arms, instead opting to take a number of low-risk fliers on players like Angel Chivilli and Cade Winquest.

With that in mind, do you see the bullpen proving to be as much of a problem in 2026 as it was in 2025? The unit finished 23rd in ERA last year, and didn’t even see any overall improvement in that figure after Cashman added David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird at the deadline. After opting not to sign a major reliever in free agency, it’s not hard to imagine relief pitching once again looking like the Yankees’ Achilles heel once the season starts.

Yet there remains reason for optimism. For one, despite all the doom and gloom, the cold numbers paint a rosier picture, with FanGraphs projecting the Yankee bullpen as the eighth best in the league right now. The team could see a positive regression just based on getting a full-season out of Bednar, while the other 2025 deadline additions, Doval and Bird, could hardly play worse than how they started in pinstripes (and Doval, for his part, looked very sharp by the end of 2025). We also can’t forget Fernando Cruz’s name, the right-hander proving to be one of the better under-the-radar relief finds in the league last season, or the possibility that someone like Chivilli or Winquest could prove to be the 2026 version of Cruz. And, if the team still can’t get enough out of the group as constructed, well, there’s always the option for Cashman to make another series of bullpen-reinforcing maneuvers at the trade deadline.

What do you think? Will the Yankee bullpen once again be a disaster, or are brighter times ahead in the late innings? Let us know in the comments below.


On the site today, Josh previews Aaron Judge’s season (a fourth MVP incoming?). Also, Jeff celebrates Mike Lowell as part of our Yankee Birthday series, the third baseman only playing eight games as a Yankee before being shipped away. Later, John gives us the rundown on the White Sox as part of our general MLB preview series, and Peter highlights a few adjustments to keep an eye on in spring training.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays

Time: 1:07 p.m. EST

Video: Gotham Sports App, Sportsnet, MLBN

Venue: TD Ballpark, Dunedin, FL

What do the stats tell us about the Cavs trade-deadline acquisitions?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with Dennis Schroder #8 prior to a game against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers drastically changed their team at the start of the month when they traded multiple rotation players for James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis.

They’ve played eight games since their first trade for Schroder and Ellis. That isn’t a huge sample size — and they haven’t exactly played the best defensive teams during that stretch — but it’s large enough to make analyzing some of the impact stats worthwhile, even if nothing conclusive should be drawn.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the new strengths and weaknesses of this team based on the numbers.

Harden has taken the offense to another level

Harden was brought in to boost the offense, and he’s done just that. The Cavs have registered an absurd 128.1 offensive rating (99th percentile) when Harden is on the court. That’s nine points better than it has been without him during that same timeframe. And for context, the Cavs had a 116.3 offensive rating (61st percentile) with Darius Garland playing this season.

There’s multiple areas Harden has been able to help the offense.

First, the Cavs have gotten to the rim much better due to his ability to drive inside and playmake for the bigs.

They’re taking 3.4% more of their shots at the rim with Harden on the floor than they are without him (89th percentile). More importantly, they’re converting 69.8% of them (82nd percentile), which is 5.7% better than they are when he isn’t playing (93rd percentile).

Second, the Cavs are getting to the line much more easily. The Cavs have had a free-throw rate of 28.2 with Harden on the floor (99th percentile). For context, their season-long free-throw rate is 20, which is good for 22nd in the league.

Lastly, the Cavs are hitting more threes.

Cleveland has connected on 37.3% of their triples with Harden on the court. That’s above their season-long average of 35.9%. Harden shooting 47.1% from distance certainly helps.

The three most efficient ways to score are getting to the basket, getting to the free-throw line, and making more threes. Harden has helped drastically in each of these areas. From that perspective, it isn’t a surprise the offense has helped boost an already great offense.

Harden has made the offense work no matter who he plays with

It was fair to wonder how Harden and Donovan Mitchell would pair offensively. It usually takes time for two high-usage players to coalesce. That hasn’t been an issue as the offense has put together an out-of-this-world offensive rating of 132 (100th percentile) when both are on the court. This has led to the Cavs outscoring opponents by 10 points per 100 possessions in such lineups (91st percentile).

The same can be said of just about every other Cavalier Harden has played alongside.

Harden has stabilized the minutes without Mitchell

The Cavs have really struggled when Mitchell sits. On the season, groups that feature neither Harden nor Mitchell have put up a 111.9 offensive rating (27th percentile) and a -3.6 net rating (36th percentile).

These numbers actually got worse when Garland was forced to carry the Mitchell-less lineups. The Cavs registered a -9.5 net rating (15th percentile) and a 111.1 offensive rating (22nd percentile) when Garland was on the court without Mitchell. There’s context behind why this was the case, but the ineffectiveness of those lineups was a major issue.

Harden has changed that dynamic. The Cavs have outscored opponents by 3.5 points per 100 possessions (68th percentile) when Harden is on the court without Mitchell, while posting a 122.7 offensive rating (94th percentile).

It’s difficult to find a guard who can both play well with Mitchell and hold things down when he isn’t on the floor. Harden has done that extraordinarily well so far in his time in Cleveland.

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The offense has been elite since the trades

I don’t want to give Harden all the credit for the offense being better, even though he deserves plenty of praise. The Cavs as a team have played well on that end since the initial trades for Schroder and Ellis.

Since the beginning of February, the Cavs have had the second-best offense in the league with a 124.9 offensive rating.

They’ve done this by being elite in the halfcourt (107.6 half-court offensive rating, second best in the league in that span) and by consistently getting to and converting at the free-throw line (23.2 free-throw rate, fourth best in the league). Both are things they’ve struggled with at various points this season.

This has all led to the Cavs having a +12.9 net rating since the start of February, which is good for fourth-best in the league.

The defense has been rough with Harden

Harden isn’t a good defender. Even though he can hold his own in the post, the rate at which he gets blown by on the perimeter far outweighs that. So far, the Cavs haven’t found a good way to mask his ineffectiveness on that end.

The Cavs have registered a poor 120.8 offensive rating (16th percentile) when Harden is on the floor. That’s 20.8 points worse than it is with Harden off the floor since the trade. That disparity is artificially high due to the defense being uncharacteristically good with Harden off the floor, but it does speak to some of the issues.

Harden hasn’t helped the Cavs’ rebounding problem

Cleveland is 29th in defensive rebounding percentage since the beginning of February. In that time, opponents are collecting 34.2% of their missed shots.

Defensive rebounding has plagued the Cavs all season, but it’s actually worse when Harden is on the floor. Opponents are collecting 35.1% of their misses when he is playing (second percentile).

The Cavs have been great defensively with Ellis and Schroder

In contrast, the defense has been incredibly impressive with either Ellis or Schroder on the floor. Lineups with Ellis have registered a 105.6 defensive rating (96th percentile). With Ellis, they’ve had a 106.1 defensive rating (95th percentile). And with both, they’ve had a 100 defensive rating in 140 possessions (100th percentile).

It’s worth noting that these lineups have been good offensively as well. The defense, however, has been elite. That means something on a team that has struggled on that end with Harden in the lineup.

Lineups with Ellis and Harden have been good defensively

The Cavs have played some of their best basketball when Harden and Ellis share the floor. Those lineups have a +27.5 net rating (100th percentile), 139.3 offensive rating (100th percentile), and a 111.9 defensive rating (79th percentile) in 117 possessions.

The interesting part about these lineups is that there isn’t much commonality with the other three players. The Cavs have run this duo out in many different combinations, and nearly all of them have worked so far.

This is a pairing I would stick with.

Schroder has fit better with Mitchell so far

It’s a small sample size, but lineups with Schroder and Mitchell, but without Harden, have been great. The Cavs have a +26.4 net rating (100th percentile), 125.7 offensive rating (98th percentile), and a 99.4 defensive rating (100th percentile) in 167 possessions. It really doesn’t get better than this.

Groups with Schroder and Harden, but without Mitchell, have worked well. They’re in the 64th percentile for net rating (+2.7) due to being good offensively in their 85 possessions together. That is perfectly fine, even though it doesn’t live up to the other grouping.

This makes sense conceptually. Mitchell needs to play with a point guard, and Schroder fits that mold well. Harden needs additional spacers, not ball handlers. Schroder can do that, but that isn’t his area of expertise.

What do we make of all this?

It’s dangerous to read too much into the data that we have. The sample size is still incredibly small, the Cavs have played some horrible defenses, some good offenses, and the rotations haven’t been set yet.

That said, the numbers do conclusively show that the offense is much more well-rounded than before. They’re getting to the rim and the free-throw line more than they have in the past. Their attack is much more diversified, so that they don’t have to live and die by the three-ball as much as they have in the past.

Additionally, they need to find ways to make it work defensively with Harden. They haven’t figured out a system that best hides his deficiencies. It’s difficult to have a solid defense if your back court with him and Mitchell is that susceptible to being blown past. Going with more zone defenses could be a solution, but I’m not sure if having him at the top of a 3-2 zone is the best way to do so.

I would lean more into playing Harden with Ellis. It’s not a huge sample size, but their fit matches the eye test. Harden just needs floor spacers on offense, and that’s one of the few things Ellis can do well on that end. And Harden also needs people who can cover for him defensively. Ellis can do that as he’s one of the most disruptive defenders in the league for his size.

The main takeaway, however, is that the Cavs are implementing many changes in their rotations and style of play. It takes time to work those things out, and that’s not something this team has.

Right now, Atkinson will need to decide if he values trying as many lineup combinations as possible or if he wants to do less experimenting in an effort to establish some continuity. I would opt for the latter, but neither is a perfect solution.

These trades were a bet on Atkinson’s ability to figure out the rotations and style of play. So far, he’s done a great job, but there’s still plenty of work to be done before the playoffs. We’ll see if Atkinson can get this group to reach their potential.

Lineup data was taken from Cleaning the Glass.

March Madness bracketology prediction for NCAA Tournament has new No. 1 seed

This past Saturday, the NCAA men’s basketball committee released its ranking of the top 16 teams, ostensibly providing a template to help professional and amateur observers visualize what the final bracket might look like in a few weeks. Within mere hours of that reveal, the template was effectively broken as half of the committee’s top 10 teams lost. As if we needed a reminder, this is why the term March Madness is so engrained in the sport’s vocabulary.

In any event, we’ve had to reexamine the committee’s order and come up with a new template for our latest bracket projection. Duke, now topping the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll, strengthened its case for the No. 1 overall seed with its neutral-site victory against Michigan. Arizona also has an argument, with its win at Houston adding to an impressive list of high-end triumphs away from home. Michigan remains well-positioned as a top regional seed. Iowa State holds down the fourth No. 1, as its recent decision against Houston helps offset Saturday night’s loss at Brigham Young.

Houston is still very much in the No. 1 conversation but remains a 2 for now after a loss to Kansas on Monday. We also differ with the committee on Florida, which was outside the top 10 but projects as a No. 2 seed in our bracket. Purdue and Connecticut round out the second line.

Illinois, which lost a third consecutive overtime contest, might have missed out on its shot at heading a regional and slips to the third line along with Nebraska, Texas Tech and Gonzaga. The middle portion of the bracket wasn’t drastically altered by the weekend’s results, but there was a change on the fringe of the at-large pool as UCLA, thanks to its buzzer-beater against Illinois, replaces rival Southern California in the field.

March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament projection

March Madness last four in

TCU, New Mexico, UCLA, Santa Clara.

March Madness first four out

Southern California, California, Virginia Commonwealth, San Diego State.

NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (10), SEC (10), ACC (8) Big 12 (8), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Mountain West (2).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness predictions: Latest men's NCAA tournament bracketology

Cup of Cavs: NBA news and links for Tuesday, Feb. 24

Feb 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) gestures to his team during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, February 24th. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 36-22 and host the New York Knicks tonight. The last time they played the Knicks was in New York on Christmas Day. Since then, the Cavs have turned the corner and are playing like a new team.

New York still stands as one of the Cavaliers’ biggest obstacles in the Eastern Conference. This game can give them valuable intel into how James Harden changes the dynamic of this matchup.

Also, I’m hoping to see a bounce-back game from Evan Mobley.

Today’s Game of the Day

  • Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns – 9 PM, NBA League Pass

The Celtics are in the middle of their West Coast road trip. They previously dismantled the Los Angeles Lakers and now face a scrappy Suns squad. This could make for a fun matchup as both teams have surpassed expectations this season.

Boston is a dark-horse contender in the East this year and should be on the mind of every Cavs fan. Especially if Jayson Tatum returns before the playoffs. This isn’t a team to ignore.

The rest of the NBA schedule

  • Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers – 7 PM
  • Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM
  • Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 PM
  • Dallas Mavericks at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM
  • Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM
  • Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans – 8 PM
  • Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls – 8 PM
  • Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Trail Blazers – 10 PM
  • Orlando Magic at Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 PM

It’s a stacked night for the NBA.

Cavs links of the day

NBA links

Should Glasner already be gone?

Crystal Palace fan Dan Cook says Oliver Glasner should have already been removed from his role as manager.

Speaking on the latest Monday Night Club, Cook was asked about Glasner's approach to recent disharmony and also his legacy.

"It's such an obvious thing to say he's our greatest ever manager - he is," said Cook.

"You could argue Steve Coppell is above him for longevity. It depends how you look at it.

"In terms of tangible success, it's beyond our wildest dreams. I never thought I'd see it.

"In terms of his legacy, how he'll be viewed as an individual and personality-wise, he has definitely sullied it. You want to feel like your manager wants to be your manager and he clearly doesn't."

You can watch clips of Cook discuss Glasner's current position above or his legacy below.

Watch Monday Night Club on iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

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Capitals take on the Flyers following Chychrun's 2-goal showing

Philadelphia Flyers (25-20-11, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Washington Capitals (29-23-7, in the Metropolitan Division)

Washington; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Capitals -160, Flyers +134; over/under is 6

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers after Jakob Chychrun's two-goal game against the Nashville Predators in the Capitals' 4-2 win.

Washington is 29-23-7 overall with an 11-4-2 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals have gone 26-8-3 when scoring at least three goals.

Philadelphia is 25-20-11 overall and 6-5-4 against the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers have given up 177 goals while scoring 162 for a -15 scoring differential.

The teams match up Wednesday for the second time this season. The Flyers won 4-2 in the previous meeting.

TOP PERFORMERS: Dylan Strome has 16 goals and 31 assists for the Capitals. Chychrun has four goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.

Travis Konecny has 22 goals and 32 assists for the Flyers. Owen Tippett has scored four goals with three assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Capitals: 5-4-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.7 assists, 4.3 penalties and 11 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.

Flyers: 3-4-3, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.4 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.

INJURIES: Capitals: None listed.

Flyers: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.