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5 storylines to watch as the series heads to the Valley

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 22: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball while being defended by Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center on April 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Now that we’ve got the first two games over with in Oklahoma City, the series is heading to the desert.

It’s been a rough couple of games, with OKC dominating for just about every quarter, winning 7 of the 8 quarters thus far in convincing fashion. Phoenix made it a little interesting briefly towards the end of the game, but every time they threw a punch, the Thunder responded immediately.

Here are five storylines that will determine if we’re actually in a series or just waiting for the sweep.

1. The Jalen Williams “Hamstring” Factor

The biggest break the Suns have received wasn’t a tactical adjustment; it was a physical casualty. Phoenix has been without Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, and Jordan Goodwin, so the Thunder aren’t the only team dealing with it.

Jalen Williams, who was carving us up for 19 points in just 23 minutes, went down with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 2. He is officially week-to-week, which likely sidelines him for Games 3 and 4 at the very least. Williams was the secondary connector for OKC, averaging 20.5 points on 61.5% shooting through the first two games. Without his verticality and secondary playmaking, the Suns’ defense might finally find some breathing room.

It also allows Phoenix to defend Shai more aggressively, but make no mistake… OKC’s depth behind Williams at his position can shoot the rock. We still need to be hyper-aware of the floor spacers.

2. Booker vs. The Zebras

Devin Booker didn’t mince words when discussing the officiating postgame. After a bizarre technical foul and an offensive foul call that went unpunished on the other end for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (among several other things), Book compared the league’s officiating to the “WWE”.

Booker is averaging 22.5 points (lowest of his playoff career) this series on 48% shooting, and is clearly frustrated by the lack of “respect” as far as the whistles go, and I can’t blame him.

The fine was expected. I’m more interested in watching how the whistle treats him in Game 3. If he spends more time talking to the refs than attacking the paint, we’re cooked. I’m all for him speaking up, but the team needs to eliminate that distraction once they are on the court.

Will the refs provide some “make-up” calls on our home floor? It would be nice to have both teams be allowed to play a physical brand of basketball. Just call it both ways. That’s all we’re asking for!

3. The “Iso-Ball” Dilemma

Dillon Brooks was the only Sun who decided to fight back offensively in Game 2, exploding for 30 points on a variety of tough looks.

Coach Jordan Ott and Booker both emphasized moving away from isolation plays after the Game 1 blowout. While it makes sense in theory, the Thunder have a way of defending in a half-court setting that makes it easy to fall into those lapses due to the constant pressure, blitzes, and deflections. It makes moving the ball a challenge, which is why the Suns must capitalize on any transition opportunities they get and look to push the ball early and often. Once OKC’s defense is set, it’s a challenge to score.

When Brooks starts hunting his own shot, the ball stops moving. We need his 30-point ceiling, but we can’t afford the offensive stagnation that comes with it if the shots stop falling.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 22: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

4. Size, Length, and the Rebounding Gap

We are consistently getting dismantled on the glass. The Thunder are longer and more “twitchy” at almost every position. They are essentially a bigger, more athletic version of us.

  • Game 1: A 35-point loss where we looked like we were playing a different sport.
  • Game 2: We showed more “sicko” energy, but the second-chance points remained a death sentence.
  • Game 3: TBD

If we don’t utilize Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro to bridge the athleticism gap, Chet Holmgren is going to keep treating the paint like his private playground. And yes, I will still die on the hill that Rasheer Fleming needs to be involved. Not even a brief look? What are we doing here?!

5. Protecting the Home Floor Identity

Heading back to the Valley is about more than just crowd noise. It’s about protecting your home floor and showing some pride. Role players play better at home in these environments. Crowd pops and momentum shifts can change games. It could be the fuel they need to make things interesting.

They HAVE to take care of the ball. Booker and Green combined for 12 turnovers to 7 assists, and each labored for inefficient 20-point games. Green more so than Book, who shot 50%, but the turnovers were killer.

The easiest way to lose on your home floor is by making mistakes that you can control. If Phoenix plays smart and hard, they have a chance. If they play carelessly, it will get ugly again, fast.

Closing Thought

The Suns need to stop looking for whistles and start looking for contact. With Jalen Williams out, the door is cracked open. Game 3 on Saturday is the season. Either we find a way to make Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s life miserable, or we can start booking flights to Cabo.

Just win.

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Sidney Crosby on his embellishment call: Flyers player 'got away with it'

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby wasn't in the mood on Friday, April 24 to discuss being called for embellishment for the first time in his 21-year NHL career.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway had caught Crosby with a high stick in the face in Game 3 as he lined up for a faceoff. Crosby dropped to the ice, Hathaway made a diving gesture and the Penguins captain was called for embellishment.

Instead of the Penguins going on a power play because of the Hathaway high stick, it was 4-on-4. The Penguins lost the game, trail the series 3-0 and face elimination on Saturday, April 25.

"I don't really want to get into it," Crosby told reporters Friday about the incident. "It happened. He hit me in the face with his stick. I don't know what else you want me to tell you. Make up whatever you want to make up. Those are the facts. He got away with it. Good tradeoff."

Penguins coach Dan Muse had been upset after Game 3 that Crosby was also penalized.

"We don't have a single embellishment all year," he told reporters afterward. "Sidney Crosby doesn't have an embellishment in 21 seasons. So stick's in his face and they take both. I disagree on that strongly.

"Not one. Not one for our team all season. We didn't come in this series to start now. Our guys have done a good job with that, and Sid doesn't embellish."

The Penguins will try to win Game 4 in Philadelphia Saturday, April 25 (8 p.m. ET, TBS) to stay alive.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sidney Crosby addresses embellishment call: Flyers 'got away with it'

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Yankees Mailbag: Backup breaking points and early standings

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Hitting coach, James Rowson #82 talks with Randal Grichuk #34 of the New York Yankees before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good afternoon everyone, it’s time to dive back into the mailbag and answer some of your questions. Remember to send in your questions for our weekly call by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Cisforcookie asks:Is Grichuk the odd man out when Volpe returns with Rosario and Cabby both “able” to play in the OF?

He’s in the hot seat, that’s for sure. Randal Grichuk hasn’t delivered in his limited time on the field thus far, failing to make much of a difference in the Yankees’ “lefty killer” lineup that they’ve deployed more recently when faced with a southpaw starter. His Statcast page shows a hitter who is getting a little unlucky on the field, with high percentages of barreled balls and an average exit velo of 90 mph, but that means very little when the sample size is as small as it has been for Grichuk and the actual results are what they are. Being the last-minute addition to the roster and failing to provide a reason to consistently get more chances gives the Yankees an easy out if they so choose.

However, Grichuk is far from the only struggling Yankee in a limited role. J.C. Escarra hasn’t held down the backup catcher role well either, and Paul Goldschmidt is a backup whose main value appears to be a mentorship role more than anything else (more on him in a minute). On top of that, while Amed Rosario and José Caballero “technically” qualify as outfielder options, I’m sure the team would be a lot more comfortable with a tried and true regular outfielder serving as the backup. Similarly, while Ben Rice takes the lion’s share of starts at first and deserves them all with how hot his bat has been this year, but the team hasn’t tested his versatility behind the plate yet. The choice likely comes down to whether they like their chances with Rice serving as a backup catcher or one of the infielders covering a corner, and I’m 50-50 on which one of those is the route they’ll take. It’d be an easier one to make if Rice had played catcher at all this year, as I lean towards letting Grichuk ride things out a bit longer and sending Escarra down, but perhaps the team would rather their budding star not take on the wear and tear that the position holds. The clock is ticking though, and I imagine it’ll be between one of those two when the time comes to go to the chopping block.

ReadingYankee asks:It feels a bit early in the season to look at these division rankings and say this is how it is going to be. I mean, it’s not even 30 games. However, do these numbers really just represent who is good now and who no longer is, despite what we all predicted to be the case? (I.E. Phillies and Mets) Are we really looking at the division races right now in the way they will play out by the end of the summer? Or do these current rankings tend to change a whole lot from this point in the season? What tends to be the case from this point forward?

There’s plenty of time for variance, and the leaders in several divisions will likely flip-flop throughout the summer as teams get hot and start to break away from this conglomerate we’re seeing currently. That being said, the one thing you want to avoid is an ice-cold April, because it’s very easy to get buried and never catch all the way back up. Taking a look at last year’s standings on this date, it was clear to see that some teams like the Twins (9-16 at the time), Braves (10-14), and Orioles (10-14) were in far worse straits than anticipated, and those teams all ended up out of the playoff picture entirely. That’s without even touching the teams we knew were bad and turned out terrible, like last year’s White Sox and Rockies, but the Mets and Phillies treading water in the territory that those teams were in currently is a terrible sign.

Boston, Kansas City, and Houston all look like they belong in that similar category, though Houston is besieged by injuries while the other two are just plain playing bad. There’s the occasional team that can pull themselves out of an early tailspin, a la the 2019 Nats, but even setting their miraculous rise aside the odds of surviving being nearly double-digits games behind by the end of the first month are dire. The exceptions are few and far between, and it’s far easier to blow a big lead than surpass a monumental deficit with so many other teams chasing in-between.

The idiot that said, “Harper is coming” asks: Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan McMahon are doing their best to test the “batting average is not an important statistic” theory, each posting an identical .125 BA as of 4/23. McMahon is obviously going to get the longer leash of the two, but how long a leash are we talking? Should they at least be searching the market now to set up for a later deal? Is there any chance Lombard might be in their plans down the road this season? Is Rosario just gonna be the main guy?

McMahon is finding his footing at third again, looking more and more like the sharp defensive wizard that the team acquired him to be. That alone can carry him far, as long as the offense at least nominally improves. Goldschmidt is the tougher tell, because his limited role in the offense is two-fold: on one hand, it means less if he’s struggling if he isn’t expected to play a significant amount of games, but on the other hand it means it’s going to be even harder for him to get out from under the slump. Goldschmidt started 2025 off on the right foot, but as he ceded playing time he lost more and more from his bat, and it hasn’t looked any better now in 2026. It’s all well and good that he’s a mentor to Rice, and the first baseman has certainly looked a lot more comfortable at the position with the former MVP now actively assisting his development as opposed to competing with him for the starting gig, but how far can a player on the active roster drift into coach status before the team has to make a decision to benefit the overall roster?

We talked last week about where Lombard’s ETA stands, so I won’t dwell on the topic too long, but that isn’t an imminent decision forcing a roster crunch. At best, if Lombard stands out that well all season and the deadline acquisitions the Yankees could make don’t look appealing enough, I could see the move being made, but that’s a lot of qualifiers that have to occur for a bat that’s still in Double-A and yet to see Triple-A. Rosario has impressed in his role and earned a bit more starting time than I imagine the Yankees envisioned for him out of the gate, so trusting in him seems like the short-term solution while they monitor McMahon and the platoons that they’ve built into this lineup. If we’re still talking about McMahon as an automatic out by this time in May, then the conversation drifts towards shaking things up, but if he can pull himself back into the 80-range wRC+ hitter he’s been for most of his career that’ll play.

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Spurs vs Trail Blazers Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 3

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Our NBA player prop projections are fired up for Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference First Round playoff matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.

The data is incredibly high in some markets, and we've identified the very best edges against the odds on the board to uncover hidden value. 

Read on for our NBA picks for Friday, April 24. 

Spurs vs Trail Blazers computer picks for Game 3

Spurs SpursBlazers Trail Blazers
Castle u19.5 points 
-112		Camara o10.5 points
-120
Vassell u14.5 points 
-112		Henderson o2.5 rebounds
+100
De'Aaron Fox u19.5 points 
-120		Holiday o16.5 points
-112

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Spurs Game 3 computer picks

Stephon Castle Under 19.5 points (-112)

Projection: 16.9 points

Stephon Castle is a developing scorer who still relies heavily on Victor Wembanyama drawing attention in the paint. Without Wembanyama, Portland can key in on Castle and limit his driving lanes.

At 16.9 points projected, the gap between that number and 19.5 is hard to ignore, which is why we are following our model and playing the Under. 

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Devin Vassell Under 14.5 points (-112)

Projection: 13.38 points

Devin Vassell is an efficient off-ball scorer, but his production is closely tied to the San Antonio Spurs' offensive flow. With De'Aaron Fox set to dominate usage in Wemby's absence, Vassell's shot volume takes a hit.

Projected at 13.38 points and available at a reasonable price, the Under 14.5 is exactly the kind of line you want to attack.

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De'Aaron Fox Under 19.5 points (-120)

Projection: 17.69 points

De'Aaron Fox needs Wembanyama to be gone or severely limited to clear his points total. With Wemby now looking like he might play tonight, Fox likely won't score 20 points as he's failed to do so in three of his last five games with the big fella on the floor.

Expect the Spurs point guard to take a back seat to Wembanyama, and go Under his points total. 

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Trail Blazers Game 3 computer picks

Toumani Camara Over 10.5 points (-120)

Projection: 12.16 points

Toumani Camara is a relentless cutter and transition threat for the Portland Trail Blazers, who doesn't need the ball in his hands to produce. With San Antonio's defense possibly missing its anchor, Camara has room to operate.

Projected at 12.16 points with a 22% edge over the line, this is one of the cleaner Overs on the board tonight.

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Scoot Henderson Over 2.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 3.1 rebounds

Scoot Henderson is more than a playmaker. He crashes the glass with purpose and competes for boards on both ends. Projected at 3.2 rebounds, the 2.5 line is set low enough to exploit, and you're getting plus money to do it.

Henderson has the motor and the minutes to clear this with room to spare, and he's done so in two of his previous three games. 

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet henderson Now at bet365!/span

Jrue Holiday Over 16.5 points (-112)

Projection: 18.13 points

Jrue Holiday is a proven playoff performer who elevates when the stakes are highest. Holiday is going to see heavy usage tonight as the Trail Blazers primary ball-handler and shot creator.

He's topped this number in three of his previous five games, and at 18.13 projected points, the Over here is backed by the data. 

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Holiday Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Spurs vs Trail Blazers Game 3

LocationModa Center, Portland, OR
DateFriday, April 24, 2026
Tip-off10:30 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video

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Hurricanes vs Senators Prediction, Picks & Odds for Saturday's NHL Playoffs Game 4

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The Carolina Hurricanes can punch their ticket to Round 2 with a Game 4 win over the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday, April 25.

While this has easily been the tightest defensive series of Round 1, my latest Hurricanes vs. Senators predictions and NHL picks are calling for the offenses to heat up. 

Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4 prediction

Hurricanes vs Senators best bet: Over 5.5 (-115)

Despite combining for 23.72 expected goals and 81 high-danger scoring chances, the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators have totaled just 10 goals across the first three games of the series.

Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen sports a .964 save percentage for the series, and Sens No. 1 Linus Ullmark checks in at .933, so statistical correction will be rearing its ugly head due to the unsustainable play of both goalies.

This is also an elimination game, so we could see an early goalie pull if Ottawa is trailing late in the third period, and the Sens haven’t had a lead all series long.

Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4 same-game parlay

Ottawa defenseman Thomas Chabot is set to log huge minutes in Game 4, including quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit. It’s a role he’s familiar with, and with the season on the line, I’m anticipating the longest-standing Senator stuffing the stat sheet. 

Chabot has already picked up five shots on 19 attempts while blocking eight shots in the series, in addition to being on the ice for a team-high 5.24 expected goals.

Hurricanes vs Senators SGP

  • Thomas Chabot Over 0.5 points
  • Thomas Chabot Over 1.5 shots
  • Thomas Chabot Over 2.5 blocked shots

Hurricanes vs Senators odds for Game 4

  • Moneyline: Hurricanes -125 | Senators +105
  • Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+195) | Senators +1.5 (-240)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-105)

Hurricanes vs Senators trend

Carolina has won 15 of its last 20 games (+9.40 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Senators.

How to watch Hurricanes vs Senators Game 4

LocationCanadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
DateSaturday, April 25, 2026
Puck drop3:00 p.m. ET
TVSportsnet, TBS

Hurricanes vs Senators latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Former Canucks Prospect Named 2026 AHL MVP

A former Vancouver Canucks prospect has been named AHL MVP for the 2025-26 season. That former prospect is Michael DiPietro, who became the ninth goaltender to win the now-named Les Cunningham Award. DiPietro currently plays for the Providence Bruins, who are the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins. 

The Canucks drafted DiPietro 64th overall in 2017. The now 26-year-old was a star in the OHL for the Windsor Spitfires and Ottawa 67's, with his junior career including a Memorial Cup championship in 2017. DiPietro also represented Canada multiple times during his junior career and would later win a Gold Medal at the 2021 World Championship. 

DiPietro's time with Vancouver was short as he was traded to the Bruins in 2022. He played three NHL games with the Canucks and spent most of his time in the AHL. In return for DiPietro as well as defensive prospect Jonathan Myrenberg, Vancouver received Jack Studnicka, who would play 52 NHL games for the Canucks. 

Since leaving Vancouver, DiPietro has become one of the best goaltenders in the AHL. This includes winning the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award, which is given out to the AHL's best goaltender in back-to-back consecutive season. Over his AHL career, DiPietro has a record of 118-50-16 along with 12 shutouts. 

Jan 23, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Michael Dipietro (65) in action against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Michael Dipietro (65) in action against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

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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UPDATED: Michael Harris II scratched from lineup, Eli White to start versus Philadelphia

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Eli White #36 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Drake Baldwin #30 after hitting a home run in the fifth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa Piazza/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

After yesterday’s injury scare and early exit, all looked well and truly precautionary for Michael Harris II. He was slated to bat fifth and play center in the lineup released by the Braves earlier this afternoon.

Unfortunately, Grant McAuley has reported that Michael Harris II has been scratched and is day-to-day with that left quad tightness.

With this change, everyone will move up a spot to accommodate Eli White getting the start in center and batting ninth. Riley will no longer be batting sixth (the lowest he’d been penciled in this season), but we are still on the lookout… he’s sitting on 499 career RBI. How do we think he’ll drive in #500?

We had hoped to avoid the worst, and it seems like we will. It just feels particularly tragic because Harris II has been an absolute machine at the plate and was rocking a streak of at least 1 RBI in five straight games. 

The Phillies are catching a break – it was five games ago he was a menace on Sunday Night Baseball, where he tallied a homer, two singles and a walk against tonight’s starter Andrew Painter and the relievers that followed.

The Phillies have made some roster changes since we saw them. Catcher JT Realmuto officially hit the IL with back spasms, making Rafael Marchán their primary catcher. They tried it one last time with Taijuan Walker, but even after using an opener his last outing, he struggled and they released him. And making the trip with the team is Zack Wheeler, who will make his season debut tomorrow night. 

Their lineup is only slightly different from the last time they were behind Andrew Painter (more on the pitching matchup here). Garrett Stubbs will make his second start at catcher since being recalled and bat ninth. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm will swap to bat sixth and seventh, respectively.

Grant’s World Series might be retiring Bryce Harper in any form (Harper has one hit and three walks to make his OPS vs Holmes start with a 2). But Adolis García is also a formidable matchup. Although the Phillies fell to the Cubs in extras yesterday, García did make things interesting with a pinch-hit game-tying home run in the top of the ninth.

A fun note from the Braves comms team… The Braves have not won four straight over the Phillies to open a season since 2007. Could be a nice night for it.

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It sure sounds like Austin Reaves will return in either Game 3 or Game 4

Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) look on from the bench in the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Lakers look set to get an unexpected boost this weekend with the return of Austin Reaves.

In a wave of updates that have escalated quickly, Reaves seems set to return to the court this weekend and as soon as Game 3 on Friday. Prior to Game 2 on Tuesday, head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves had begun on-court work. At that time, though, he was just doing 1-on-1 work and had to progress to 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 work.

From that point to Friday, things have developed so rapidly that, on ESPN on Friday afternoon, Shams Charania reported that Reaves is trying to return for Game 3 and, if not, will try to do the same in Game 4.

If you want to put a lot into the wording here, it sure sounds like Austin will be back by Game 4 at the latest. That’s a pretty drastic change, if that’s really the case.

Prior to the series, the Lakers were working under the expectation that neither he nor Luka Dončićwould return during the first round. To a certain extent, operating under that assumption makes sense and expecting either to return and save the day would be the wrong mindset to take.

But even still, this feels like a bit of gamesmanship went into this one. At the very least, the Lakers were playing things very close to the vest because this all feels pretty sudden.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Penguins vs Flyers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Saturday's NHL Playoffs Game 4

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Travis Konecny consistently produced against weak defensive teams all season, and that has held true in the playoffs so far.

My Penguins vs. Flyers predictions see Konecny finding his way onto the scoresheet in a potential series-clinching game.

Let’s break down my NHL picks for Saturday, April 25.

Penguins vs Flyers Game 4 prediction

Penguins vs Flyers best bet: Travis Konecny Over 0.5 points (-155)

Travis Konecny feasted on Bottom-10 defenses in the regular season, picking up a point in 16 of 22 games (76%).

That hit rate soared even higher on home soil as Konecny hit the scoresheet in 11 of 12 games (92%).

Given that the Pittsburgh Penguins ranked 24th in goals against during the regular season, it should be no surprise that Konecny has continued to produce consistently in the playoffs for the Philadelphia Flyers.

He has points in two of three games and posted a team-leading 84 xGF% in the only game he didn’t.

Look for him to make his mark again in Game 4.

Penguins vs Flyers Game 4 same-game parlay

Christian Dvorak skates alongside Konecny at 5-on-5 as well as on the power play. The two are highly correlated, making it no coincidence they both found the scoresheet in the first two games of the series before being blanked last time out.

Travis Sanheim blocked multiple shots in three of his last four games against Pittsburgh. He’s routinely clearing 25 minutes of ice in this series, and the Penguins will desperately throw as many pucks towards the net as they can in this do-or-die game. That sets up well for Sanheim.

Penguins vs Flyers SGP

  • Travis Konecny Over 0.5 points
  • Christian Dvorak Over 0.5 points
  • Travis Sanheim Over 1.5 blocked shots

Penguins vs Flyers odds for Game 4

  • Moneyline: Penguins -105 | Flyers -115
  • Puck Line: Penguins +1.5 (-270) | Flyers -1.5 (+215)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)

Penguins vs Flyers trend

Travis Konecny has points in five of his last seven games against Pittsburgh. Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Flyers.

How to watch Penguins vs Flyers Game 4

LocationXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
DateSaturday, April 25, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVTBS, Sportsnet

Penguins vs Flyers latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Will Victor Wembanyama Play in Game 3 Tonight vs Trail Blazers?

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Victor Wembanyama’s injury status had him as a game-time decision ahead of tonight’s Game 3 between the Spurs and Trail Blazers at Moda Center, with tip-off set for 10:30 p.m. ET.

That decision has been made, with the San Antonio MVP candidate officially ruled out, due to a concussion suffered after a fall during Game 2.

Find out what that means for making Spurs vs. Trail Blazers predictions for Friday, April 24.

Will Victor Wembanyama play tonight?

Victor Wembanyama was officially listed as "questionable" due to a concussion, and while there were encouraging signs he would suit up, he will, in fact, not play.

Wembanyama traveled with the San Antonio Spurs to Oregon, and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson described Wemby as "progressing" through the NBA concussion protocol.

The only reason Wemby was even possibly available tonight was that the Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers had two days off between Games 2 and 3, as concussion protocol calls for a mandatory waiting period of 48 hours once diagnosed.

Latest Spurs vs Trail Blazers odds

With Wembanyama ruled out, here are the latest game odds for tonight's San Antonio/Portland Game 3.

Potential Victor Wembanyama player props for his next game

Sportsbooks had posted player props for Victor Wembanyama in the event he played in Game 3 — but this could give us an indication of where his lines could sit ahead of Sunday's Game 4.

Marketbet365
Over 24.5 points+105
Over 2.5 assists-145
Over 10.5 rebounds-125
Over 1.5 threes-165
Over 2.5 blocks-150

Wembanyama's lines were shaded a bit lower than in Games 1 and 2, due to the uncertainty regarding how much Wembanyama would play (if at all).

If you're worried about your bets losing before tonight's game even begins... don't. Per bet365's house rules, "Relevant players (all quoted players in a multi-player market) must be dressed and see court time for bets to have action (unless specified otherwise)."

A bet placed on a Wembanyama prop before he was ruled out would be refunded.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Two-start pitchers: Chase Burns fronts a group of intriguing options as we head into the first week of May

Hello and welcome to the fifth installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.

I will be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.

It’s wild that we’re already more than a month into the 2026 MLB season. Once we get to the weekend we’ll already be in May. Crazy times.

Now that we’ve seen each of these pitchers make several starts, we should have a better feel for how they’re going to perform for the upcoming week, rather than blindly trusting what we saw from them during the spring.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

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One team that we aren’t quite sure about heading into next week (at least as of now) is the Astros. It’s possible that Peter Lambert could make two starts (at Orioles, at Red Sox), in which case he would make for an intriguing streaming option in deeper mixed leagues. The injury-raved Astros need to work in a fifth starter at some point though, and everything depends on when they slot someone (or a bullpen day) in. If it’s Tuesday, then no one makes two starts and the fun for Lambert is ruined. If it’s Wednesday or later, it’s wheels up on streaming Lambert this week. We’ll monitor the situation here and update as more information comes out.

Even when they aren’t at full strength, the Dodgers appear to be content rolling with their six-man rotation which means that two-start weeks from any of their starters are going to be few and far between this season. Once again, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is lined up to pitch on Monday, so if anyone is going to go twice it would be him (vs. Marlins, at Cardinals) if manager Dave Roberts opts to skip anyone this turn through or keep Yamamoto on regular rest. He should be started in every league each week regardless though, so there are no actionable takeaways there.

Someone in the Blue Jays’ rotation – and possibly two people – will make two starts next week (vs. Red Sox, at Twins). Patrick Corbin and Eric Lauer are both lined up to do so right now, and both make for fine streaming options if they end up taking the ball twice. The wrench thrown into the plans will be the return of Trey Yesavage. It’s unclear if Yesavage will replace either of them in the Jays’ rotation, which would render that player pretty much useless going forward from a fantasy perspective. The Jays could also opt to shift to a six-man rotation this time through – or even going forward – which would leave Corbin as the lone two-start option. We’ll monitor this one through the weekend and update here as things come into focus.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of Friday, April 24 and are subject to change.

American League

▶ Strong Plays

Parker Messick, Guardians, LHP (vs. Rays, at Athletics)

Parker Messick has been an absolute beast so far for the Guardians, going 3-0 with a 1.76 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 29/8 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings. He carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning his last time out, and really the fatigue from that is the only thing fantasy managers should be worried about heading into this two-start week. The Rays are a middling offense that shouldn’t be feared against left-handers and while pitching at Sutter Health Park over the weekend isn’t ideal, the A’s rank 24th in the league in OPS against left-handers and they’re still missing Brent Rooker on top of that. Messick easily checks in as one of the top overall plays for the upcoming week and should be locked in lineups regardless of league size.

Kris Bubic, Royals, LHP (at Athletics, at Mariners)

Overall the results for Bubic through his first five starts look good, but that has been built on the heels of two dominant starts and three mediocre ones. The matchup against the A’s in West Sacramento to start the week may look scary at a glance, but the A’s have really struggled against southpaws this season and he’ll get the added benefit of opposing Jacob Lopez in that one. Bubic then finishes up the week with a strong matchup against the Mariners in Seattle. He should be an easy start in all formats for this two-start week.

Ranger Suarez, Red Sox, LHP (at Blue Jays, vs. Astros)

Despite seeing a decrease in his strikeout rate, Suarez has been solid through his first five starts for the Red Sox, posting a 4.00 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 19/8 K/BB ratio over 27 innings of work. The matchups are middling this week, with the Astros hitting well against everyone this season and the Jays in the middle of the pack against southpaws. If you’ve been relying on Suarez this season, there’s no reason to shy away from him for a two-start week. Roll him out there and enjoy the added volume from the extra start.

Casey Mize, Tigers, RHP (at Braves, vs. Rangers)

Mize has been exceptional for the Tigers through his first five starts, posting a stellar 2.51 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 32/10 K/BB ratio across 28 2/3 innings. The only reason for concern this week is the matchups, as the Braves and Rangers both rank in the top four offenses in baseball against right-handed pitching. The opposing pitching matchups aren’t anything to worry about, battling Reynaldo Lopez and Jack Leiter, so there’s a good chance he secures a victory in at least one of those starts. The ratio risk isn’t enough for me to sit Mize here, he has just been too good through his first five starts. I’d be using him in all league sizes.

Joe Ryan, Twins, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Blue Jays)

Even though he was knocked around by the Mets his last time out, Ryan has pitched very well overall on the season and his xERA (2.98) hints that he may be getting a bit unlucky and that his ratios should continue to improve. On paper, this looks like a very strong week for him with matchups against the Mariners and Blue Jays, both of them coming at home in Minneapolis. I’d be shocked if he didn’t surpass double digits in strikeouts for the week and he’s a favorite to earn a victory there also. Nothing in the matchups or Ryan’s performance so far this season justifies sitting him in any leagues this week. Start him with confidence.

▶ Decent Plays

Shane Baz, Orioles, RHP (vs. Astros, at Yankees)

Baz has really struggled through his first five starts with the Orioles, compiling a 5.08 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and a 23/10 K/BB ratio over 28 1/3 innings. His ERA estimators show he has gotten a bit unlucky so far, as his xERA (4.32) and xFIP (4.42) are at least slightly better. Under normal circumstances I’d probably try to trust Baz and use him for his two-start week, but I have some major concerns this week. The Astros and Yankees both rank in the top five in baseball in OPS against right-handers, which leads to substantial ratio risk. Baz also isn’t striking out as many guys as he normally does, which diminishes the value of using him as a volume play. You may not be able to get away from it in 15-teamers, but I’d probably look for better options to protect my ratios in 12’s.

Jack Kochanowicz, Angels, RHP (at White Sox, vs. Mets)

Kochanowicz was written up in this spot last week as he was scheduled to make two starts before the Halos adjusted their plans over the weekend and slid Walbert Urena into their rotation. The change should benefit Kochanowicz, as he’ll now get a pair of decent matchups to work with against the White Sox in Chicago and against a struggling Mets offense. His ratios have improved dramatically this season, but it’s too soon to tell if that’s just luck landing on his side or if working with new pitching coach Mike Maddux has unlocked something. Given the strength of the matchups, I’d be comfortable streaming him here in both 15 and 12-team formats to find out. You may end up with a viable arm going forward and not just a one-week streamer.

Connor Prielipp, Twins, LHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Blue Jays)

Prielipp did a nice job in his MLB debut this past week, giving up two runs on four hits over four innings against the Mets while striking out six. He’s expected to stay in the rotation for as long as Mick Abel (elbow) is shelved and looks like a decent streaming option for the upcoming week with home starts against the Mariners and Blue Jays on tap. Health has always been a concern for Prielipp and he’s likely to just draw a few starts before Abel is ready to return, but for this week at least he’s worth a look in deeper mixed leagues. I’d even have interest in streaming him as an option in 12-teamers if he’s available.

Steven Matz, Rays, LHP (at Guardians, vs. Giants)

What had been looking like a resurgence to fantasy viability for Matz through his first four starts took a step backwards this past week as he was knocked around by the Reds. There are still things to like here though, with a 1.23 WHIP and a 25/10 K/BB ratio over his first 24 1/3 innings. You’d think that the Guardians and Giants would be good matchups for an opposing pitcher, but both rank in the top 10 in OPS against opposing left-handers so far this season. This one comes down to whether you care more about chasing wins and strikeouts or protecting ratios. In deeper leagues, I can understand rolling the dice here and hoping for the best.

Jack Leiter, Rangers, RHP (vs. Yankees, at Tigers)

Things haven’t gone smoothly through Leiter’s first five starts on the season. After pitching well his first two times out, he has given up three runs or more in each of his last three, leading to an inflated 4.97 ERA and troublesome 1.46 WHIP. Now he has to take on two strong offenses that have been crushing right-handed pitching. He should be able to deliver ample strikeouts in his two starts, but his chances of earning a victory are diminished by squaring off against Max Fried and Casey Mize. He’s fine if you’re just looking to add volume, but the ceiling is lower than you’d normally expect from a two-start week from Leiter.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Luis Castillo, Mariners, RHP (at Twins, vs. Royals)

For the first nine seasons of his big league career, Luis Castillo has been a solid, stable, viable mixed league starter for fantasy purposes. The definition of reliable and dependable. Through five starts in 2026, he has been anything but – posting a cringe-inducing 5.01 ERA and 1.71 WHIP. Early in his career with the Reds, Castillo got labeled as a slow-starter as he tended to stumble out of the gates while the weather was cold and then went on to dominate for the rest of the season once we got into warmer weather. Could that be what’s going on here? The matchups fall in his favor this week, which makes him a very difficult sit for a two-start week. At a minimum, I’d advise fantasy managers not to cut bait, as he has been too good for too long to not get the benefit of the doubt. If you want to wait until he starts to turn it around though before inserting him back into lineups, that’s understandable.

Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (vs. Royals, vs. Guardians)

Lopez showed flashes during the 2025 season that he could be a potentially viable arm for mixed league purposes, but we haven’t seen much of that through his first five starts in 2026. He holds a troublesome 5.70 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and a horrifying 17/19 K/BB ratio through his first 23 2/3 innings. His xERA (5.70) and xFIP (6.39) don’t paint him in a favorable light either. Throw in the fact that both starts will come in the hitter’s paradise that is Sutter Health Park, and it makes complete sense to just avoid Lopez in all formats this week.

Anthony Kay, White Sox, LHP (vs. Angels, at Padres)

Kay has really struggled his last two times out, going just 2 2/3 innings against the Rays before getting obliterated for eight runs on eight hits and three walks in just 3 2/3 frames against the Diamondbacks. The Angels have been showing a lot of power this season against left-handers and make for a bad matchup in Chicago to start the week. The battle against the Padres in San Diego over the weekend is much more palatable, but if Kay gets lit up again in that first start he may not even get the opportunity to take the ball in that one. I’d be avoiding him in all leagues for this two-start as it has disaster written all over it.

National League

▶ Strong Plays

Chase Burns, Reds, RHP (vs. Rockies, at Pirates)

Burns looks like one of the stronger plays on the board this week. The 23-year-old righty holds a terrific 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 30/11 K/BB ratio over his first 28 innings. He now draws two strong matchups, getting to take on the Rockies at home before finishing the week with a divisional showdown against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The way that he’s throwing the ball right now, Burns should be an automatic start in all leagues every week regardless of matchups. The two-start week just means more chances to pile up wins and strikeouts. Start him with complete confidence.

Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates, RHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Reds)

Ashcraft has been a revelation in the Pirates’ rotation through the first month of the season, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 32/9 K/BB ratio over 29 2/3 innings. He has been remarkably consistent too, giving up two earned runs or fewer in each of his first five starts while striking out five or more batters in each of his last four. Now he gets to feast on a pair of offenses that rank in the bottom six in baseball in OPS against right-handers. It still feels like Ashcraft isn’t getting the respect that he deserves from fantasy managers, so now is the time to fix that if he’s still available in shallower formats. Ashcraft is one of the top overall plays on the board this week and should be started in all leagues.

Clay Holmes, Mets, RHP (vs. Nationals, at Angels)

As he did in the first half of the 2025 season, Holmes has dominated through his first five starts in 2026, compiling a 2.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 19/10 K/BB ratio over 30 innings. It’s possible that he’s going to hit the wall once again and stumble down the stretch this season, but that’s not a concern right now. He should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week with how well he has been throwing the ball. It’s just an added bonus that the matchups line up in his favor this week and raises the ceiling for what he can accomplish.

Chad Patrick, Brewers, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, at Nationals)

Patrick has pitched decently through his first five outings on the season, splitting his time between a traditional starter and being a bulk reliever. The ratios have been terrific; the only disappointment has been his limited strikeouts with just 11 through his first 23 innings. The Diamondbacks offense has been rolling as of late, but they’re doing most of their damage against southpaws and still rank among the worst teams in baseball in OPS against right-handers. The Nationals aren’t an offense that should be feared either. We like Patrick’s chances of earning a victory more if he continues to work in a bulk role, but either way with the added volume this week he should be able to deliver quality overall results for all mixed league managers. He’s an easy start in all formats.

Randy Vasquez, Padres, RHP (vs. Cubs, vs. White Sox)

Vasquez has excelled this year on the strength of increased velocity across the board, registering a minuscule 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 30/8 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings. While the ERA estimators obviously show that there’s some regression to be had, as long as the skills remain intact there’s a path here for Vasquez to have continued relevance from a fantasy perspective. The White Sox are one of the worst teams in the league against right-handed pitching and the Cubs rank in the middle of the pack, while both starts will come in the pitcher-friendly confines in San Diego. It’s crazy to say, but Vasquez looks safe to trust in all formats for this two-start week.

▶ Decent Plays

Matthew Boyd, Cubs, LHP (at Padres, vs. Diamondbacks)

Boyd returned from the injured list this past week and looked like himself against the Phillies, giving up two runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings while punching out five opposing hitters. The matchups are a mixed bag this week, as the Padres rank in the bottom six in baseball in OPS against left-handers while the Diamondbacks have been crushing them with regularity. I think if you have Boyd rostered you have to roll with him here – especially in 15-team leagues. He should get you double-digit strikeouts with a decent shot at securing a victory against Randy Vasquez and Merrill Kelly. Just understand there’s some ratio risk when the Diamondbacks come to Wrigley Field on Sunday.

Jesus Luzardo, Phillies, LHP (vs. Giants, at Marlins)

While it wasn’t quite as bad, Luzardo still didn’t look like himself this past week, issuing four walks and giving up five hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Cubs, though he was able to limit them to just one run. If he’s going to bounce back, it’s going to be this week. He gets to battle the Giants and the Marlins, two teams that rank in the middle of the pack against left-handed pitching. If he stumbles through this two-start week and sees his ratios rise from an already stratospheric 6.91 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, then it could be time to cut bait in shallower formats, or at least sit him down until he shows any semblance of a rebound. I’d be using him for sure in 15-team leagues and I’d probably take on the ratio risk and use him in 12’s as well, being hopeful that a correction is finally coming.

Bubba Chandler, Pirates, RHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Reds)

Bubba Chandler has been a frustrating start for fantasy managers through his first five starts on the season, sitting at 1-2 with an underwhelming 4.88 ERA 1.50 WHIP and a 21/16 K/BB ratio over 24 innings. It’s the extreme walk rate that has been driving his struggles, as he was issued three or more free passes in three of his first five starts. This should be a good week for him to get back on track with strong matchups at home against the Cardinals and Reds, though it’s fair that fantasy managers would be wary of using him. Keep the faith and start him in all formats this week, as on paper this may be as good as it gets for him all season. If he stumbles again, then you can reassess.

Reynaldo Lopez, Braves, RHP (vs. Tigers, at Rockies)

Lopez has had mixed results through his first five starts of the 2026 campaign, posting a 3.74 ERA with a disappointing 1.43 WHIP and a 20/11 K/BB ratio through his first 21 2/3 frames. His 4.85 xERA and 4.80 xFIP hint that he has been at least a bit fortunate in the ERA department. Now he has to battle a hot Tigers’ squad at home before finishing the week against the Rockies at Coors Field. For me, this one depends on team needs. If your primary focus is keeping pace in wins and strikeouts and you can afford some ratio risk, then I think he’s fine to use – especially in 15-teamers. If you’re looking to protect ratios though, specifically WHIP, you may want to sit this one out.

Tyler Mahle, Giants, RHP (at Phillies, at Rays)

So far, Mahle’s 2026 campaign has been plagued by extreme inconsistency. He has been bombed for five or more runs in two of his starts. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in two of his starts. He has been alternating disasters and gems since the second week of the season, so it’s difficult to know what to expect from him for his upcoming two-start week after hurling seven innings of shutout baseball against the Dodgers of all teams his last time out. If you’re starting Mahle, you understand that he has the propensity to blow up at any time against any opponent, but also that he can beat anyone if he’s on his game and executing his pitches well. The volume should be there in terms of strikeouts and a shot at a victory, but he could allow anywhere between 0-16 runs and it wouldn’t really surprise anyone at this stage. Whether or not you ultimately start him comes down to your risk tolerance.

Dustin May, Cardinals, RHP (at Pirates, vs. Dodgers)

May was clobbered in each of his first two starts of the season, leading many fantasy managers to cut bait with him. That may have been premature. He has allowed exactly one earned run in each of his last three starts, posting a 13/3 K/BB ratio during that stretch. Now he gets a decent matchup against the Pirates in Pittsburgh before getting a revenge game at home against the Dodgers. Anyone facing the Dodgers as part of a two-start week invites in ratio risk, but I don’t think it’s overwhelming in this spot. May is a fine start in 15-team formats and could even be used in a pinch in 12-teamers if you’re looking to add volume to attack strikeouts and wins.

▶ At Your Own Risk

Zack Littell, Nationals, RHP (at Mets, vs. Brewers)

Historically, Little has been a viable streaming option when he makes two starts in a week but is a player you want to avoid in single-start weeks due to his limited strikeout upside. He has not been dependable at all this season though, posting a 7.56 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a 15/8 K/BB ratio over 25 innings while serving up an unfathomable 11 home runs in his first five starts. The Mets have been awful against right-handed pitching this season while the Brewers rank in the upper third of the league as of now. The opposing pitching matchups have him up against Clay Holmes and Chad Patrick and he’ll probably be an underdog in both spots. You can try chasing here if you need to chase after wins and strikeouts, but there are probably better alternatives on the board if you’re looking to go that route. The upside here is minimal and the chances of further ratio damage are high.

Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks, RHP (at Brewers, at Cubs)

The 37-year-old right-hander hasn’t looked right since returning from the injured list, registering a troublesome 9.31 ERA, 2.28 WHIP and an 8/7 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings in his first two starts of the 2026 season. Now he has to take on a pair of strong offenses on the road, both in good hitter’s parks. That doesn’t feel like a recipe for success. Kelly earned a victory over the Orioles despite a mediocre effort in his first start before getting clobbered by the White Sox his last time out. It’s possible he sneaks his way into a victory this week. Unless that’s your primary concern though, I probably wouldn’t be risking the ratio damage here if I could help it.

Tomoyuki Sugano, Rockies, RHP (at Reds, vs. Braves)

Never Rockies. It’s almost always a terrible idea, especially at home. Sugano has actually pitched well through his first five starts, with a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 19/6 K/BB ratio over 26 1/3 innings, but it’s only a matter of time before his home run issues come back to get him. Pitching in Cincinnati and at Coors Field this week should add fire to those flames. If you’re desperate for volume in a deeper league and want to throw caution to the wind, be my guest. He won’t be anywhere near any of my bid lists this weekend.

Kyle Leahy, Cardinals, RHP (at Pirates, vs. Dodgers)

Leahy’s transition to the rotation full-time hasn’t gone as swimmingly as many would have hoped. He has stumbled to a 5.63 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and a miserable 15/11 K/BB ratio through his first 24 innings. He isn’t striking guys out, he’s not pitching deeply into games and he’s crushing the ratios of fantasy managers who try to trust him. Now he has to face the Dodgers as part of a two-start week. You can go ahead and skip this one without thinking twice. You’ll thank me later.

Chris Paddack, Marlins, RHP (at Dodgers, vs. Phillies)

As expected, Paddack has been an unmitigated disaster through his first five outings with the Marlins, going 0-4 with a 6.38 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and a 25/6 K/BB ratio over 24 innings of work. It’s not going to get any better for him this week, having to battle the vaunted Dodgers’ offense in Los Angeles to start the week before finishing up with the hard-hitting Phillies at home. Not only should Paddack be nowhere near any fantasy lineups this week, I’d actually be surprised if he’s still in the Marlins’ rotation when this week is through. You have been warned.

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Why top basketball prospects returning to NCAA is best outcome for NBA

Rather than declare as early entry candidates for the 2026 NBA Draft, several of the top players in college basketball decided to go back to school.

With the significant rise of NIL packages offered to collegiate players to play another season with their college team or use the transfer portal, the basketball world has never seen such little financial incentive to turn pro. In many cases, top men's basketball players can actually collect more annual money at their university than they would have in the first year of their rookie scale contract.

Prospects have until 11:59 p.m. ET on April 24 to declare as early entry candidates for the 2026 NBA Draft. Those players can remain as draft candidates 11:59 p.m. ET on May 27 if they want to maintain their collegiate eligibility.

It is not uncommon for players to "test the waters" and go through the draft process and attend the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, then decide to go back to school.

AJ DYBANTSA DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT: How does he project at the next level?

Notable players who have already declared for the draft but may still return to their college team next season include Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan), Ebuka Okorie (Stanford) and Meleek Thomas (Arkansas). Some who have declared (e.g. Allen Graves, Flory Bidunga, Tounde Yessoufou, Milan Momcilovic and Juke Harris) also entered the transfer portal and a few have already committed to new schools.

This year, more than ever, several notable players announced they will not even go through the pre-draft process.

Thomas Haugh (Florida), Braylon Mullins (UConn) and Patrick Ngongba II (Duke) are among those who were widely considered potential first-round picks but opted to not enter the pre-draft process. Others, including Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska), Alex Condon (Florida), Joseph Tugler (Houston) and David Mirković (Illinois), made the same decision.

Haugh is reportedly expected to earn what he would have made in his first two NBA seasons combined at Florida next season, according to The Athletic.

Some have argued that NIL is bad for the NBA, but in many cases, the opposite is true. NIL is mutually beneficial for both the NCAA and the NBA at large.

NBA DRAFT: How the order was impacted by league's tiebreaking process

For college basketball, top players returning can help teams compose the most talented rosters available and keep the product as interesting as possible for fans with old faces at either familiar or new places. Players can build their brands and create a legacy while improving their draft stock in the process.

In the NBA, meanwhile, professional teams can reserve roster spots only for the most ready-to-contribute players. Rather than drafting young players with the hope to develop them over the years, they can use the spots at the end of their bench for veterans who do not need that same on-ramp in the pros.

Ideally, these players can become known quantities while in college rather than alluring but risky mystery boxes for the next level. Now that players can hire agents, it is often even more financially lucrative for their clients to stay in school as well.

College basketball provides players from around the world a chance to get mentally and physically ready as they mature, rather than rush, to reach their dreams of playing in the NBA. Big name players staying in the NCAA is mutually beneficial for everyone involved.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top college basketball products return to NCAA. Why it's good for NBA

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Boston Celtics (1-1) at Philadelphia 76ers (1-1) Round 1 Game 3 4/24/26

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Boston Celtics (1-1) at Philadelphia 76ers (1-1)
Friday, April 24, 2026
7:00 PM ET
Round 1 Game #3  Road Game #1
TV: Prime Video
Radio:  98.5 The Sports Hub, 97.5 The Fanatic, Sirius XM
Xfinity Mobile Arena 
Officials: John Goble, Brent Barnaky, Andy Nagy

After splitting the games in Boston, the Celtics travel to Philadelphia for Game 3. The Celtics dominated Game 1 with a 123-91 win over the 76ers. The 76ers topped the Celtics 111-97 in Game 2 to tie the game at 1 game each. The Celtics have a 67-51 record against the 76ers overall in the playoffs. In the regular season, the Celtics are 272-199 overall, all time against the 76ers. They are i93-129 all time in Philly.

The Celtics have struggled in Game 2 over the past few years. In their past 20 playoff games, the Celtics have gone 14-6. They are 11-2 in games other than Game 2, in which they are just 3-4. In 2024, when they won the championship, They lost Game 2 to Miami in Round 1, but came back to win Game 3 by 20 points and won the series in 5. They also lost Game 2 at home to the Cavs in Round 2 and won Game 3 by 13 points.

Since 2023, the Celtics are 7-1 after a loss with 5 of those wins coming on the road. In 2024, when the Celtics won the Championship, they went 16-3 in the playoffs, Two of those three losses were in Game 2s at home in the first 2 rounds. In the regular season, the Celtics were 23-18 on the road. The 76ers were 23-18 at home. The Celtics were very good about bouncing back after a loss in the regular season, going 21-5 after a loss.

The Celtics need to avoid close games down the stretch in these playoffs if they can help it. The 76ers had the #1 clutch defense in the NBA in the regular season They had a 98.6 defensive rating during the last 5 minutes of games that were within 5 points. They were 23-18 in games that included clutch minutes. The Celtics were 16-17 in games that included clutch minutes and that includes going 1-2 against Philadelphia this season.

Teams that win Game 1 of a best of 7 series at home go on to win the series 86.0% of the time. Teams that win the first 2 games at home go on to win the series 94% of the time. However, if a home team wins game 1 but loses game 2 in a best of 7 series, the odds of them going on to win the series drops down to 76.6%. The team that wins Game 3 of a series that is tied 1-1 goes on to win the series 73.3% of the time.

The Celtics need to be focused and bring their best effort in this game. They need to get motivation from the other series in the East. The Pistons already lost Game 1 at home to the 8th seed Magic. The Knicks lost Game 3 to the lower seeded Hawks and are down in the series 1-2. The Cavaliers lead their series 2-1 but lost Game 3 to the lower seeded Raptors after winning 2 at home. The Nuggets are also down 1-2 to the lower seeded Timberwolves. Just because the Celtics are the 2nd seed doesn’t automatically give them the series. They have to play harder and smarter if they want to beat the 76ers.

The Celtics come into this game with a clean injury report. For the 76ers, Joel Embiid is the only player on their injury report. Embiid underwent an appendectomy on April 9. Recovery for an appendectomy is anywhere from 20 days to 5 weeks. After missing the first 2 games, he has been upgraded to doubtful for this game. I’m guessing that Adem Bona will start at center once again.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey

Derrick White | Getty Images
Tyrese Maxey | Getty Images

SG: Jaylen Brown vs VJ Edgecombe

Jaylen Brown | Getty Images
VJ Edgecombe | Getty Images

SF: Sam Hauser vs Kelly Oubre, Jr

Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty Images
Kelly Oubre Jr | Boston Globe via Getty Images

PF: Jayson Tatum vs Paul George

Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum | Getty Images
Paul George | NBAE via Getty Images

C: Neemias Queta vs Adem Bona

Neemias Queta | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Adem Bona | Getty Images

Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Amare Williams
Baylor Scheierman
Max Shulga
Nikola Vucevic
Ron Harper, Jr
Delano Banton
John Tonje

2-Way Players
None

Injuries/Out
None

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

76ers Reserves
Andre Drummond
Quentin Grimes
Kyle Lowry
Justin Edwards
Trendon Watford
Dalen Terry
Dominick Barlow
Jabari Walker

2-Way Players
MarJon Beauchamp
Tyrese Martin

Injuries/Out
Joel Embiid (Appendix) doubtful

Head Coach
Nick Nurse

Key Matchups
Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey
In the regular season, Maxey averaged 28.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc. In Game1, the Celtics were able to hold him to 21 points on 20 shots along with 1 rebound and 8 assists while shooting 40% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. He pretty much had his way in Game 2 with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 39.3% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. The Celtics must do a better job of defending him in this game.

Jaylen Brown vs VJ Edgecombe
Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc.   In Game 1, he finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while shooting 37.5% from the field and going 0-5 from beyond the arc.  In Game 2, he finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while shooting 60% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc.  The Celtics left him open way too much.  They absolutely have to defend him better in this game. 

Honorable Mention
Jayson Tatum vs Paul George 
Neither of these players were able to play in any of the 4 games between Boston and Philly this season.  In Game 1, George finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, but he only took 8 shots. In game 2, he finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block while shooting 53.8% from the field and 40.3% from beyond the arc.  As with Maxey and Edgecombe, the Celtics have to do a better job of defending him in this game. 

Keys to the Game
Defense – As always, defense is absolutely the key to winning this, and every, game.  Defense becomes even more important in the playoffs.  It is very true that defense wins championships.  The Celtics need to continue to make defense a priority and they need to play physical, lock down defense for all 48 minutes.   In Game 1, the Celtics held the 76ers to 38.9% from the field and 17.4% from beyond the arc. In game 2, the Celtics defense faltered as the 76ers shot 47.8% from the field and 48.7% from beyond the arc.  The Celtics need  to make defense their priority and they need to play physical, lock down defense for all 48 minutes. 

Rebound – Rebounding is also one of the biggest keys to winning every game. As Pat Riley once said, “No rebounds, no rings.  In the regular season, the Celtics were 43-12  in games that they tied or out-rebounded opponents and just 11-13 in games in which they were out-rebounded. In Game 1, the Celtics out-rebounded the 76ers 43-40. In Game 2, they out-rebounded the 76ers 50-42, but they were unable to capitalize on them since they shot s poorly.  They simply have to fight harder to grab rebounds than the 76ers if they want to win this game.   Every Celtic has got to crash the boards and fight for every rebound.   

Offensive Execution –  The Celtics shot just 39.2% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc in Game 2.  It wasn’t just one Celtic who struggled to hit their 3’s,  it was almost everyone on the team.  In the last 161 games, including the regular season and playoffs, that was just the 12th time that the Celtics didn’t shoot better than 26% from three.  They lost all 12 of those games.  Three of those games were in the playoffs, Games 1 and 2 against New York last year and Game 2 vs Philadelphia.  They need to stay focused on taking and making good shots.  But, if they struggle from 23 early in the game, they need to score in the midrange or in the paint and not continue to brick 3’s the entire game.

Move the Ball Carefully –   The Celtics need to move the ball and trust their teammates.  They are at their best when they keep the ball moving and find the open man.  When they lapse into hero ball and dribble too much, they tend to struggle, as they did in Game 2.  They are 37-2 when they have 25 or more assists  and 20-0 when they have 29 or more assists.  In Game 1, the Celtics kept the ball moving and they had 31 assists.  In Game 2, the ball tended to stick more and they finished with 24 assists.  They also turned the ball over 13 times for 15 points.  They have to move the ball carefully to have a better chance to win this one. 

X-Factors
On the Road – The Celtics will be on the road and facing a very hostile crowd.  Philly fans hate the Celtics because they have pretty much owned them in recent years.  They hate Jayson Tatum because the Celtics took him with Philly’s pick after the 76ers traded up to take Markelle Fultz. There will likely be a lot of boos and the Celtics need to play through them. They have to shake off the distractions of playing on the road game and stay focused on playing good basketball. 

Coaching – Joe Mazzulla is in his 4th season as Celtics’ head coach.  He won a title in 2024 with a very talented team that was packed with shooting stars.  Now he has to win in a different way since his personnel has changed and he did a great job in the regular season.   Nick Nurse is in his 8th season as a head coach overall and his 3rd as the 76ers head coach.  He won a title with the Raptors in 2019.  In the playoffs, coaching becomes more important as it becomes a game of adjustments as they play the same team game after game.  Joe came out on top in Game 1 and Nurse made adjustments to win Game 2.  Joe has to be ready to adjust again and have the Celtics ready to come out strong and play harder throughout the game. 

Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor.  Every crew calls  the game differently.  Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play.  Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly.   The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game. 

Official Report
Crew Chief: John Goble
The Celtics were 6-1 with Goble this season. The 76ers were 4-1. Over the past 2 seasons the Celtics are 12-2 with Goble while the 76ers are 4-4. His home win/loss record this season is 37-26.

Referee: Brent Barnaky
The Celtics were 4-1 with Barnaky this season. The 76ers were 2-1. Over the past 2 seasons, the Celtics are 10-3 while the 76ers are 2-4. His home win/loss record is 34/30.

Umpire: Andy Nagy
The Celtics were 1-3 this season with Nagy, The 76ers were 4-0 with Nagy. Over the past 2 seasons, the Celtics are 5-3 with Nagy while the 76ers are 5-4. His home win/loss record is 33-29.

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Where to watch Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, April 24

The Boston Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their NBA first-round playoff series. The teams split the first two games in Boston. Games 3 and 4 will be in Philadelphia. The Celtics are favored by 7.5 points in Game 3.

  • Spread: Philadelphia 76ers +7.5

  • Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers +240 (28.2%) / Boston Celtics -300 (71.8%)

  • Over/Under: 214.5

Game 1:Celtics 123, 76ers 91
Game 2:76ers 111, Celtics 97
Game 3: Fri., April 24 at Philadelphia (7 p.m., Prime)
Game 4: Sun., April 26 at Philadelphia (7 p.m., NBC)
*Game 5: Tue., April 28 at Boston (TBD)
*Game 6: Thu., April 30 at Philadelphia (TBD)
*Game 7: Sat., May 2 at Boston (TBD)if necessary

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Rockies place RHP Ryan Feltner on IL, recall LHP Sammy Peralta

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 23: Starting pitcher Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies throws against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Coors Field on April 23, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Friday afternoon just before the Colorado Rockies were scheduled to kick off a three-game series against the New York Mets, it was announced that right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltner is being placed on the 15-day injured list.

Feltner, 29, has been diagnosed with right ulnar nerve inflammation. He had been dealing with discomfort in his right triceps following his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 18th. The condition also caused some numbness in his fingers. Feltner was removed from his start against the San Diego Padres on Thursday after pitching just two innings and giving up two earned runs on two hits and a walk.

In a corresponding roster move, the Rockies will recall left-handed reliever Sammy Peralta from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.

Peralta, 27, was claimed via waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month. In seven appearances with Triple-A Albuquerque he has a 3.72 ERA with seven strikeouts and three walks over 9.2 innings of work. He will be just the second left-handed pitcher in the Rockies bullpen this season, joining Brennan Bernardino.

Peralta will wear no. 57, last worn by Angel Chivilli.

The Rockies will have additional pitching decisions to make over the next week. Kyle Freeland—currently on the injured list with left-shoulder soreness—will be available to return to the active roster on April 28th.

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