After six seasons in charge — and seemingly that many re-inventions of the roster — the Chicago Bulls have fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas as well as general manager Marc Eversley.
"Arturas and Marc have led with a deep commitment to the Chicago Bulls. These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally," Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. "We are grateful for their dedication and the work they've put in over the past six years. At the same time, we have not had the success our fans deserve, and it's my responsibility to go in a new direction. This move is about positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead. I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand the frustration. I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right. At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud."
Former Bulls sharpshooter Kyle Korver, currently an assistant general manager with the Hawks, is one of the names league sources told NBC Sports is connected to the job. Other names that sources said were connected to the job early on include former Atlanta Hawks GM Landry Fields, current Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy (this may be more of a wish list play by the Bulls, it is highly unlikely Dunleavy leaves Golden State), current Minnesota GM Matt Lloyd (a Chicago native who worked for the Bulls for 13 years), and CAA agent Austin Brown (this would be following in the footsteps of the Lakers and Knicks, who hired former agents as GMs and had some success with them).
Whoever gets the title of next basketball head of operations can be aggressive this summer: The Bulls will have up to $65 million in cap space as well as a lottery pick. However, what they need more than anything is a direction, a clear plan — that is what has been lacking for the Bulls for years.
The Bulls have been stuck on the treadmill of mediocrity under Karnisovas, making the playoffs just once in the past six years but finishing with at least 39 wins each of the four seasons previous to this one, meaning their draft picks were late in the lottery. Karnisovas built a team with potential early on, one that started 38-21 in the 2021-22 season, led by Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball. However, a serious injury to Ball, who was the glue of that team, left them floundering. It's also a roster that aged quickly and was never the same again.
This season, the Bulls pivoted and started to semi-embrace tanking — as it stands today, the Bulls at 29-49 have the ninth-worst record and a better than 50% chance of drafting in that slot — but they have floor-raising young players on the roster in Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Part of Karnisovas' challenge, and the challenge for whoever is the next GM, is that ownership is rumored not to want to fully tank but also not pay the luxury tax for anything less than a contender.
The Bulls will want to move fairly quickly to get a new head of basketball operations in place, as we are just more than a month away from the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 31: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on March 31, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming off a 4-1 win over the Phillies on Sunday to prevent a home opener sweep, the Rockies also have more good news in the form of Ryan Feltner being able to take the mound today.
Feltner looked sharp against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 31. He’d thrown three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, one walk and one hit. Then he got hit with a 106.3 mph line drive comebacker to the right hip.
It was a brutal flashback of sorts from 2023 when a line drive fractured Feltner’s skull. Luckily, this one wasn’t as serious.
While it certainly hurt and Feltner’s hip tightened up — meaning the 29-year-old couldn’t return for the fourth inning — he won’t miss any time as he’ll be on the mound today as the Rockies (3-6) begin a three-game series with the Astros (6-4).
The Astors are coming off a high-scoring, 2-1 series loss to the A’s where Houston outscored the A’s 25-23.
RHP Feltner (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will be going head-to-head against Houston RHP Cody Bolton (0-0, 3.00 ERA). Houston ace Hunter Brown (1-0, 0.84 ERA) was supposed to get the start, but Brown was placed on the 15-day IL with a shoulder strain on Sunday. Bolton has one appearance this season when he gave up a solo home run with three hits, one walk and five strikeouts on March 31 against Boston. In the 9-2 win over the Red Sox, Bolton got the save after closing out Brown’s quality start, when he gave up one run on one hit with two walks and eight strikeouts) before he got hurt.
The Astros have had the Rockies number over the last three seasons, going 11-3 against Colorado and outscoring the Rockies 75-43 since 2023. That includes a two-game Houston sweep in Mexico City in 2024 when the Astros outscored Colorado 20-4. Houston took the 2025 series 4-2.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
It’s a unit that through 10 games has pitched to a 3.13 ERA, which ranked third in the National League entering Monday.
Only once during that stretch has a starter failed to complete five innings — David Peterson lasted just 4 ¹/₃ innings against the Giants on Thursday. Most notably, the team has received solid work from Kodai Senga in his two starts.
“The guys are healthy and in a good spot, which I think is exciting,” Clay Holmes said. “To be this early, on somewhat limited pitch counts, and to see the length that people have been able to provide is encouraging.”
Nolan McLean (r.) walks with pitcher Clay Holmes before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Mets have games scheduled for nine straight days beginning Tuesday, opening the possibility they will deploy a six-man rotation for the first time this season. Sean Manaea, the sixth starter, was squeezed from the rotation as spring training concluded and has been working from the bullpen.
Manaea pitched 3 ²/₃ innings in relief Thursday, allowing one earned run after Peterson was removed. Manager Carlos Mendoza credited the lefty’s performance for helping the Mets win the series.
Due to anticipated weather conditions, the Mets have changed the start times for their games Tuesday and Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. Both games are now scheduled for 4:10 p.m.
The Mets announced that fans who have already purchased tickets will receive vouchers for future games.
In addition, a limited number of complimentary tickets will be issued for both games on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can log onto Mets.com/Tickets and enter code THANKYOU to claim up to four tickets per account, per game.
The Mets have set Sept. 19 as the date for Carlos Beltrán’s number retirement ceremony and induction into the club’s Hall of Fame. The Post first reported last month that the Mets had decided to retire Beltrán’s No. 15 this season.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: A general view outside the stadium prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on March 29, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets announced Monday afternoon that the start times for their first two games against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday and Wednesday will be moved up from 7:10 p.m. ET to 4:10 p.m. ET, due to projected cold and windy conditions.
Fans with existing tickets for those games will have them honored at the new start time, and will receive an additional voucher for a future Mets game at Citi Field. The Mets also made a limited number of complimentary tickets available for both games — a supply which sold out just under two and a half hours later.
The Mets will look to extend their three-game winning streak against Arizona, with Freddy Peralta matching up against Zac Gallen on Tuesday and David Peterson slated to take the mound on Wednesday against a yet-to-be-announced Arizona pitcher. The series finale is still scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday night, with Nolan McLean and lefty Eduardo Rodriguez listed as the probable starting pitchers.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 3: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball against Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 3, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
On Saturday afternoon, two things happened that Spurs haven’t seen much this season. One: the Spurs stars failed to make plays in crunch time and two: the Spurs lost the game. It really was a perfect preparation for the playoffs where the team worked through their mistakes and still almost won the game, but also learned that wasting possessions on the road in a playoff atmosphere can cost games. The biggest question for the Spurs coming into the playoffs is their lack of playoff experience, and the Denver game is as close to a playoff game as many of the players on the current have had, and there’s no way that they don’t learn from the experience.
Tonight, they face the Sixers, who have been hampered with injuries all season long but have a relatively clean sheet tonight, with Maxey playing with a splint on his injured finger and former Spur (in name only) Cameron Payne out with a hamstring injury. Joel Embiid and Paul George should be ready to go, but with Embiid, it’s always hard to know how well he’ll move until you see him on the court. They also have a decent cast of supporting characters, with Kelly Oubre and Dominick Barlow. Did you realize that Kyle Lowry was still in the league? I didn’t, but he doesn’t play a lot, so he shouldn’t be a factor tonight. The most exciting matchup to watch will be VJ Edgecombe against Dylan Harper as the two super rookies showcase their talents.
The Spurs have no listed injuries, which means that Victor Wembanyama had no lasting effects from his hard fall on Saturday, where it looked like he banged his head on the hardwood in Denver after being tripped. The Spurs are the more talented team in this matchup, and they should be focused after the loss. The Spurs have four games left in the season, and the standings are set (OKC will NOT lose 3 of their 4 remaining games), so the remainder of the season will be an opportunity for Coach Mitch to work on preparing the team so that the mistakes of a few days ago don’t recur once the playoffs start. The Spurs won’t know their playoff matchup until after the first game of the play-in tournament, so they need to focus on poise and decisiveness more than specific plays, and I’m sure that’s what they’re going to be working on tonight. OK, GO SPURS GO!!!
Game Prediction:
Dom Barlow will attempt to dunk on Victor Wembanyama. It will not go well for him.
San Antonio Spurs vs Philadelphia 76ers April 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: NBA League Pass TV: FanDuel Sports Southwest Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
Apr 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) receives congratulations from catcher Dillon Dingler (13) after he hits a two run home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (4-5) vs. Minnesota Twins (3-6)
Time/Place: 7:40 p.m., Target Field SB Nation Site: Twinkie Town Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. RHP Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.82 ERA)
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Stars have banned a person from attending games at American Airlines Center after they bought tickets for a group of spectators seen celebrating a goal with a Nazi salute.
“Any type of discriminatory or hateful behavior will not be tolerated and has no place in our arena,” the team said Monday in a statement. “Creating and sustaining environments that are inclusive, safe and respectful is a non-negotiable for the Dallas Stars.”
Stars fan Courtney Ripley told WFAA-TV in Dallas that she took a 12-second video at a game against Toronto in late December. It showed four fans reacting to a goal by appearing to raise and extend their right arms with a straightened right hand facing downward.
The team conducted an investigation that identified the individual who bought the tickets, who was informed of the indefinite ban.
“Additionally, we are increasing in-arena messaging regarding the Fan Code of Conduct and how our fans can report violations, along with prioritizing staff training to identify and handle situations that arise,” the team said.
Fan codes of conduct are prominent throughout the NHL. Every team has a scripted segment that is shared on their video boards, through their public address system or both, telling fans about their respective codes of conduct.
The NHL also has a multipoint fan code of conduct that opens by stating, “The best hockey experiences happen in environments that are inclusive, safe and respectful."
Remember when the Rangers didn’t score a single goal on home ice until their fourth game of the season at Madison Square Garden?
That set the tone for the 2025-26 campaign, and not in the way the Blueshirts wanted.
For a majority of the season, the Garden was a playground for opposing teams who ventured to the World’s Most Famous Arena to embarrass, bully and tease the Rangers like kids in a schoolyard. Clubs had their way with the insecure Rangers, and reveled in it.
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They were shut out two more times before capturing their first win on home ice in their eighth game. Their 0-6-1 start at MSG was the worst in franchise history, while their winning record on the road looked like it belonged to another team.
But it was so much more than the disparity in wins and losses. The Rangers could barely put up a fight at home. Offense wasn’t just hard to come by, it was painstakingly difficult to generate amid their one-and-done entries into the zone, a lack of energy and an overarching dysfunction.
The Rangers became the first team in NHL history to suffer six shutout losses through 17 home games.
It was bad. Really bad. It weighed on everybody. The futility at home hovered over the team all season long and acted as a sort of premeditated expectation. Fans booed incessantly, and who could blame them considering the prices they paid to be there only to not hear the goal song once?
Rangers right wing Jaroslav Chmelar (49) reacts after he scores the first goal of his NHL career during the third period. The New York Rangers defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
This current season-long homestand, however, has been the polar opposite of what everyone had come to expect from the Rangers at MSG.
“You get the sense of what the Garden is like when you compete hard,” head coach Mike Sullivan said amid his team’s 5-1 stretch entering their final home game of the season Wednesday night against the playoff-bound Sabres. “And the fan base, and they value and appreciate your work ethic and your competitive spirit out there.”
To put it in perspective, the Rangers mustered only four regulation wins through the first 34 home games of the season. They are already up to five in this seven-game homestand.
This encouraging streak — filled with rookie milestones and moments — has ensured the Rangers avoid tying the 2003-04 team’s record for the fewest home-ice wins in a season of 80 or more games.
The Rangers couldn’t buy a goal through the first couple of months of the season, but they’ve scored three or more in each of their most recent wins to outscore opponents 27-8 over the past six games. Their one loss was a one-goal defeat to the Canadiens.
Rangers left wing Adam Sykora (C) celebrates his goal with his teammates past Florida Panthers in the third period at Madison Square Garden. New York, USA, Sunday, March 29, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Certain rookie additions to the lineup — such as Adam Sykora, Jaroslav Chmelar and Gabe Perreault — have bolstered the offense in more ways than one.
Perreault posted his first career NHL hat trick this past weekend in his 49th game, becoming the fourth Rangers rookie in the past 30 years to score a hat trick and one of five NHL rookies this season to record one. His three multipoint games are tied for the second most among all NHL rookies, whom he has led in points (17) and goals (7) since March 17.
After Will Cuylle recorded his first hat trick Sunday, the day after Perreault, the Rangers had a player score a hat trick in two consecutive games for the first time since 2016 and on consecutive days for the first time since 1982.
Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin makes a save while teammate New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue (C) protects the net from Florida Panthers left wing Nolan Foote in the first second at Madison Square Garden. New York. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
The last time the Rangers had hat tricks in consecutive games was Matt Puempel (Dec. 29, 2016, at Arizona) and Chris Kreider (Dec. 31, 2016, at Colorado).
Sunday’s 8-1 win over the Capitals at MSG was their largest of the season.
Oh, and a riveting Igor Shesterkin goalie fight was mixed in with all this rare home success.
The Rangers are doing what they can to salvage the pride of Madison Square Garden this season.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Brandon Young #63 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at Ed Smith Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We all agree that the Orioles 3-6 start to the season is disappointing. But can we also talk about how it has been extremely weird?
When Dean Kremer was optioned to the minors to start the season, common sense said that he’d be the next starter up. Then Zach Eflin got hurt, and the Orioles called up Albert Suárez.
A few days later, Yaramil Hiraldo was sent to the IL. Surely it was time for Dean, right? Nope, Cade Povich was called up. He was slated to start today until Chris Bassitt couldn’t get past the second inning yesterday and he had to come in. Today, Dietrich Enns was added to the IL. Called up in his place and announced as tonight’s starting pitcher is Brandon Young.
WHERE is Dean? I know that at this point, he started for the Tides three days ago and thus wouldn’t be a great fit as the starting pitcher tonight. But things could have been done differently at several steps along the way. It’s a true mystery.
So anyway, Brandon Young. He last pitched on April 1st, so he will be on regular rest tonight. His Norfolk start was pretty good. He gave up just one run on four hits. He didn’t issue a walk. It would be really nice if he could have another strong start tonight, although his brief Major League experience does not bode well.
The Chicago White Sox are not expected to be a good baseball team this year, but they are coming off a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. That is something I certainly appreciate. Hopefully, the Orioles have shaken off their disappointing series with the Pirates and are ready to start to start, you know, winning baseball games.
The temperature at game time is expected to be about 40 degrees with a real feel in the mid-20s.
SAN JOSE – For weeks, particularly after losses, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky has cautioned his players about needing to bring a different level of play to the rink.
“That’s how the playoffs are going to be,” Warsofsky said frequently.
With the 2025-26 NHL regular season winding down, it seems as if the Sharks have bitten fully into what Warsofsky has been feeding them.
Two days after a gut-wrenching loss to the Nashville Predators that threatened to derail San Jose’s playoff hopes, the Sharks returned to SAP Center and beat a mediocre Chicago Blackhawks team 3-2.
The score was a lot closer than the game actually was. After a somewhat slow start, San Jose got its offense rolling behind William Eklund and kept the fans at the Tank smiling and clapping all night.
“We all know much these points matter and how tight of a race it is,” said Will Smith, who notched the 100th point of his NHL career. “(The vibe has) definitely picked up speed, and we know how important it is.”
The Sharks had high expectations during the offseason, but most were in agreement that the team would need a year or two of development before being considered a true contender.
With players like Smith, Eklund, star Macklin Celebrini and a solid goal-tending tandem of Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic, however, the timetable has been sped up.
They obviously still need some seasoning, both as individuals and as a collective, but the heart within the locker room is beating as strong as ever.
“The young core has kind of learned how to win these games,” Eklund said. “Today everything wasn’t perfect, but we won a game.”
That, in essence, is all that matters, especially at this time of the season.
There’s no value in style points. Just wins and losses. Celebrate the W’s, and learn from the L’s.
“I think we’ve had a lot of growth in individuals and as a team,” Warsofsky said after Monday’s win. “An example tonight, I thought (Michael) Misa was really good. He was skating, he was on the puck. It comes and goes with inconsistencies with that individually, but from a group there’s a lot of good communication and effort to play the right way. …
“The details that we need to play with in certain situations, we’ve seen some real growth for sure.”
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 04: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners looks on before the game against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on October 04, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners head to the Lone Star State in their attempt to bounce back from losing two very winnable games in a row. They’ll hand the ball back to their Opening Day starter, Logan Gilbert, who has looked better than he did last season but still shakier than he did in 2023-24.
I’m increasingly concerned about Gilbert’s slider, which probably warrants its own article. It was his best pitch for about two and a half seasons, but collapsed last year despite having a pretty similar shape. It lost about one mph of velocity, but that shouldn’t be that big a deal, especially for a breaking ball. Yet it started losing its bite, in a way that’s both been hard to for me to articulate and without an obvious cause. (Hence why I haven’t written about it.)
He’s added some additional drop to it this year, which is a smart idea because with the new cutter, he risks simply having his pitches all blend together. But it still looks more hittable to me. Anyway, this is what I’ll be watching most closely from his start tonight.
His opponent will be Jacob deGrom, baseball’s most boring star—which is a highly competitive category. Both deGrom and Gilbert attended Stetson College. They’ve never faced off before, nor did either of them ever face Corey Kluber, the other most notable Hatter. So all TV sets in St. Petersberg will be locked in to this game.
Lineups
We can all breathe a sigh of relief as Brendan Donovan is back in the lineup today. Presumably in an effort to let J.P. Crawford ease into things a little bit post-injury and because he missed the back half of Spring Training, Leo Rivas will be at shortstop.
Looking at the Rangers lineup, I’m reminded that for as much as it still feels like the same iteration of the organization, the Rangers have actually experienced a substantial amount of turnover in their roster since their 2023 title run. I enjoy how the Rangers’ social team stretched out the photo of deGrom here to make him look taller—baseballs are not shaped like that. Fraudsters all the way down over there.
Game Info
First Pitch: 5:05 PDT TV: Mariners TV Radio: Old reliable
Feb 17, 2026; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom during media day at Surprise Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Munetaka Murakami looks to continue his power surge against the O’s. | (Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images)
Fresh off a three-game sweep of last season’s American League champs, the White Sox will host the Baltimore Orioles for a cold home stand.
Some news and notes from the team ahead of the series: the White Sox claimed left-handed pitcher Doug Nikhazy off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians and have optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. Also, the team improved to 3-0 at home to open the season for the first time since 2004. They also completed their first three-game sweep of Toronto since April 25-27, 2016, at Rogers Center, and their first home sweep of the Blue Jays since Sept. 1-3, 1995.
Grant Taylor will once again be the opener on the mound tonight. He has been quite successful in this role, and it sets the table for a regular starter to come in (and ideally) eat innings.
Brandon Young will make his season debut today, after being called up this morning from the Norfolk Tides. He started the year in Norfolk and was optioned on March 7, 2026.
First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. CT. You can watch the game on CHSN or listen via ESPN Chicago 1000.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 26: Donte Divincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter during the home opener at Target Center on October 26, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Pacers 114-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers Date: April 7th, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM CDT Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves entered Sunday night’s game against Charlotte desperately needing a win to gain stability and maintain some semblance of control in the Western Conference standings. For three quarters, it looked like a normal, competitive NBA game. Minnesota hung around, traded punches, defended just well enough, and kept things within a possession or two. It wasn’t pretty (it rarely is with this team lately) but it was functional. You could see a path. You could talk yourself into it.
And then, somewhere late in the third, the whole thing cracked open.
Not slowly. Not subtly. Just… boom.
A one-point game turned into a double-digit deficit in what felt like two minutes. Then it stretched to 20+, and suddenly the Wolves weren’t just losing, they were disintegrating. The defense became a series of late rotations, wide-open looks, and revolving doors to the hoop. The offense devolved into turnovers, rushed threes, and missed layups that made you wonder if the rim had been raised a few inches mid-game.
It was one of those stretches where every possession feels like it’s somehow worse than the last. And the worst part? You’ve seen it before. This isn’t new. This is the recurring nightmare of the past week where the five-minute meltdown erases 40 minutes of decent basketball.
And just like that, they were done.
The Standings Gut Punch
If this were happening in January, you shrug, maybe fire off a few angry texts, and move on.
But it’s not January.
It’s the final stretch. And this loss didn’t just sting. It shifted things.
With Houston taking care of Golden State and the Lakers dropping one to Dallas, the Western Conference picture, which had been this chaotic, constantly shifting mess, suddenly snapped into something a little more rigid. A little more real.
Minnesota is now three games back of Houston with four to play.
Read that again. That’s not a gap you close. That’s a gap you stare at and try to rationalize.
Yes, there’s still a head-to-head matchup looming. Yes, mathematically, it’s not over. But realistically? The Wolves are holding an engraved invitation to the six seed.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s the uncomfortable part nobody wants to say out loud: Phoenix is still there. Still lurking. Still holding the tiebreaker.
Would it take a collapse of truly spectacular proportions for Minnesota to fall into seventh? Absolutely. But if you’ve followed this franchise long enough, you know the phrase “spectacular collapse” isn’t exactly foreign territory.
So now Wolves fans are living in that weird emotional space where you’re 90% sure it’s the six seed… and 10% terrified you’re about to watch something go sideways in a way that ruins your season.
So Now What?
At this point, the conversation starts to shift. Yes, the standings still matter. Yes, you want to hold off Phoenix. Yes, maybe you squint and convince yourself there’s still a path to fifth. But more than anything, this is about getting right before the playoffs.
Because if this version of the Wolves, the one that unravels under pressure, is the one that shows up in round one?
It won’t matter who they play.
The Pacers Game
What appeared to be an early-April afterthought has suddenly become a must-win game for the Wolves. On paper, this is the easiest game left. A bottom-of-the-standings team. The kind of opponent you’d normally pencil in and move on. But nothing about this Wolves team is “pencil in” anymore, and the team can’t afford to let this one slip.
With Minnesota unable to field a healthy roster, their opportunities to notch a critical victory are growing thin. Their last battle with the Magic resulted in them being run out of the gym. Expecting them to go into Houston and pull out a short-handed W is asking a lot. Lose here to Indiana, and it’s not too far-fetched to envision a scenario where this team heads into its finale in New Orleans needing a victory to avoid the play-in.
This game with the Pacers isn’t about style points. It’s not about a bounce-back statement.
This is about survival.
Keys to the Game
1. Finish Defensive Possessions
At this point, the Wolves don’t have a defensive scheme problem. They have a finishing problem.
On many trips down the floor, they are actually doing enough on the initial action. They’re contesting. They’re forcing tough looks. They’re getting to that point where a possession should end… and then it doesn’t. The rebound kicks out. The loose ball bounces the wrong way. Someone hesitates instead of attacking it. And suddenly what should have been a stop turns into a putback, a reset three, or worse, a momentum swing.
That’s been the difference in these recent losses.
You can live with great offense beating great defense. What you can’t live with is giving teams second and third chances when you already did the hard part.
Against Indiana, this has to be a point of emphasis from the opening tip. Rudy Gobert can’t be the only one treating rebounds like they matter. Julius Randle has to bring force. The wings have to crash. It has to look like five guys who understand that the possession doesn’t end until someone in a Wolves jersey actually secures the ball.
2. Recognize the Avalanche, and Stop It Before It Starts
Every Wolves fan can feel it now. That moment when the game starts to tilt. When the offense gets a little rushed, the defense a half-step slow, and suddenly the teems is teetering. It’s subtle at first, a turnover here, a missed rotation there, but it builds.
And the Wolves keep letting it build.
Good teams don’t eliminate runs, that’s impossible, but they interrupt them. They sense when things are slipping and they respond immediately. A timeout. A set play. A drive to the rim to get to the line. Something to stop the bleeding. Minnesota hasn’t been doing that. They’ve been letting those stretches snowball into game-deciding runs.
That’s where Chris Finch comes in. That’s where the veterans come in. That’s where the group has to show some awareness and maturity. If Indiana strings together six quick points, the response can’t be another rushed three and a blown defensive rotation. It has to be intentional. It has to be controlled.
Because the difference between a 6–0 run and a 16–0 run? That’s the season right now.
3. Tighten the Rotation and Ride the Players Who Have It
We’re past the point of experimentation.
If someone doesn’t have it, whether it’s Naz Reid struggling through the shoulder issue, or a shooter who clearly doesn’t have his legs, Finch has to adjust. He can’t wait for it to fix itself in real time.
The Wolves need energy. They need decisiveness. They need players who are going to play with force.
If that means leaning into younger legs, giving someone like Beringer a real look, if that means riding the hot hand instead of the expected one… so be it.
The worst thing this team can do right now is stick to a script that clearly isn’t working. Find the five guys who are ready to compete that night. Then trust them.
4. Push the Pace
When this team gets stuck in the halfcourt right now, things tend to stall. But in transition? There’s still life. Bones Highland pushing tempo. Ayo getting downhill. Randle attacking early before the defense sets. Those are the moments where the offense feels natural again.
More importantly, upping the tempo prevents the kind of stagnation that leads to bad shots and live-ball turnovers, which are the exact things that have fueled opponents’ runs this past week.
Against Indiana, the Wolves need to play like a team that understands its current reality. They’re not at full strength. They’re not at full rhythm. They can’t afford to make the game harder than it needs to be.
Run. Attack. Force the issue. Get easy ones before the defense can settle in. When this team is playing fast and decisive, it looks like a completely different group.
5. Play With Urgency, Not Anxiety
This is the fine line.
The Wolves know what’s at stake. They know the standings. They know the margin for error is basically gone. And sometimes, that awareness shows up as tightness instead of urgency. That can’t happen here.
Urgency means focus, energy, purpose. It means sprinting back on defense, making the extra pass, attacking the glass.
Anxiety is the opposite. It’s rushed decisions, forced shots, and trying to make the “big play” instead of the right one.
The Wolves don’t need to play desperate. They need to play locked in. Because when they do, we’ve seen what it looks like. Boston. Houston. Those weren’t accidents.
That version of this team that still exists. They just have to channel it.
This Is About Who They Are, Right Now
At some point, the standings become secondary to something more important.
Identity.
Right now, the Wolves are sitting in that uncomfortable space where they’re good enough to beat anyone, but not stable enough to trust it. They’ve shown flashes of being a team nobody wants to see in a playoff series… and stretches where they look like a team that’s one bad quarter away from packing it up early.
That’s the tension of this moment. The six seed is probably where this is headed. The Houston gap is real. And unless something dramatic happens, Minnesota’s playoff path is starting to come into focus.
But how they arrive there still matters. If they limp into the postseason, still dealing with the same issues like the rebounding lapses, the offensive stagnation, and the mental collapses, then it won’t matter who they draw. Denver. Los Angeles. Whoever. That series is going to feel like an uphill battle from the jump.
But if they use these final games, starting with Indiana, to clean this up, to reestablish their defensive identity, to rediscover their rhythm and confidence?
Then suddenly the conversation changes. Then you’re not talking about a fragile six seed. You’re talking about a dangerous one.
That’s the opportunity sitting right in front of them.
Because the truth is, for all the frustration, for all the missed chances, for all the “what are they doing?” moments, this team is still right there. Still talented enough. Still experienced enough. Still capable of flipping this thing in a way that makes the last few weeks feel like noise instead of foreshadowing.
But that switch? It doesn’t flip itself.
And if they don’t find it now, against teams like Indiana, in games they absolutely have to bank, then we’re not going to be talking about matchups or paths or possibilities. We’re going to be talking about another season that felt like it had more in it… and never quite got there.
And at this point?
Nobody in that locker room, or watching from the outside, wants to sit through that ending again.
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on from the bench during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on April 5, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The end is here. One week left before the second season begins. It’s the one that matters: the postseason. But this final stretch still carries weight for the Phoenix Suns, and not only in the standings. There is another layer to watch. Devin Booker and his path to an All-NBA nod.
Since the league implemented the 65-game rule back in 2023, eligibility has become part of the conversation. To qualify, a player needs to appear in at least 65 qualifying games, with at least 20 minutes played in 63 of them. For the other two games to play, the player must have played at least 15 minutes.
Per the CBA:
A player shall be considered to have played in a Regular Season game if he played at least twenty (20) minutes of such game, provided that in respect of no more than two (2) Regular Season games per Season, such player will be considered to have played in a Regular Season game if he played at least fifteen (15) minutes and fewer than twenty (20) minutes in such game.
As we enter the final week, Booker has played 62 games. Of those, 60 meet the 20-minute threshold. Only two fall short: the early exit against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1 and the limited run against the San Antonio Spurs on February 19. Both were under 10 minutes played.
And this is where the challenge arises for Booker. Four games remain. If Booker plays in all four and logs more than 20 minutes in each, he clears the threshold relative to games and becomes eligible for All-NBA consideration on the surface. But his “eligible” games are 64, seeing as he did not play 15 minutes in his early exits against the Lakers and Spurs.
You might look at it on the surface and say it doesn’t matter. That this isn’t an All-NBA caliber season for Devin Booker. And statistically, there is an argument there. 25.8 points per game, technically up from last season’s 25.6, but the efficiency has dipped. 45.5% from the field, his lowest since 2017–18. 33.0% from three, his lowest since 2018–19. Add in 6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 turnovers, and it doesn’t scream peak Booker. It feels steady. Productive. Not dominant.
But the 65-game rule has changed the landscape.
Look at who is falling off the board. Luka Doncic sits at 64 games and is done for the regular season. Had he not hit 16 techs, thus being suspended for one game, he’d be eligible. Stephen Curry has only appeared in 40. Cade Cunningham, who had a real case for All NBA First Team, is sidelined at 61. Anthony Edwards is at 60, and even if he plays out the final 4 games with the Wolves, he will not reach the threshold. He’d end up at 64, with 63 games deemed “eligible” after he played just three minutes against the Pacers in October.
That changes the field. When you filter it down to guards who are actually eligible, Booker’s profile looks different. He becomes one of the top scoring options in that group, sitting sixth among eligible guards. His 6 assists per game places him 11th. Not elite, but solid. Consistent. Available.
So while it may not feel like one of his best seasons when you watch it night to night, when you stack it against the league and apply the rules that now govern awards, there is a real path there. Not because he has been perfect. But because he has been present, and in today’s NBA, that counts for more than it used to.
So what happens? Do the Suns make an appeal, seeing as Booker played in 66 games but had to leave due to injury? Rumor has it the Lakers will be doing the same for Luka, who sits at that 64-game mark, and all of his games exceed 15 minutes played.
I have said it before, and I will say it again: the 65-game rule feels arbitrary. I understand the intent. The league wants its stars on the floor, wants fans to see the players they paid to see, and wants availability to matter. That part makes sense. But the game does not operate in a vacuum. Injuries exist. They always have. And this season has been a perfect example. Top-tier players are missing time not by choice, but because their bodies forced it. That is what has reshaped this race. That is what has created openings for players who stayed on the floor.
And that is where Booker may benefit. Not because he has had his best season. Not because he has been dominant every night. But because he has been there. Because he has played. Because in a year where availability has thinned the field, that matters more than it used to. How the NBA navigates this scenario with Booker will be interesting.
