Feb 11, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nate Lavender (98) throws during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
It’s not all that common for a relief pitcher in the minors to generate even a moderate level of prospect buzz, but Nave Lavender garnered such attention when we put together our list of the Mets’ top prospects a couple years ago. Coming off a strong season in Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, the 6’ 2” then-23-year-old looked like he’d have a shot at getting a call to the big leagues in 2024.
Unfortunately, the left-handed Lavender made just five appearances with Syracuse to start that season before he hit the injured list. And he went on to have internal brace surgery a few weeks later, ending his 2024 season.
The Mets left Lavender exposed in the Rule 5 draft following the season, and the Rays took him, hoping that they’d get to give him a shot at pitching for them at the major league level in 2025. But Lavender’s recovery wasn’t a smooth one, as he didn’t pitch at all at any level during the season. When the organization designated him for assignment after the season, he cleared waivers and was returned to the Mets.
Taken by the Mets in the 14th round of the 2021 draft, Lavender recently turned 26. Given the fact that it’s been nearly two years since he pitched in a game, he’ll really just be looking to prove that he can get back on the mound and stay healthy during spring training.
If Lavender can do that, it’ll be interesting to see what he looks like in Triple-A Syracuse, assuming that’s where he starts his season. Over the course of his minor league career thus far, he’s flashed incredible strikeout rates, particularly in the aforementioned 2023 season, walked more batters than you’d like to see, and didn’t have much of an issue with home runs until he got to Syracuse.
And while it seems unlikely that Lavender’s spring training showing could be so good that he’d make the Mets’ Opening Day roster, the Mets’ bullpen isn’t exactly stacked with players who are certain to make the team.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns stands on the court during a timeout in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Like teams across the NBA, the Phoenix Suns entered Week 18 ready to navigate life after the All-Star break. A team in need of rest got it, and the hope was that they would come out of the pause with some momentum and start pushing toward the finish line. Instead, they sprinted straight into chaos, stepped on a few Legos, banged a shin on the coffee table, and somehow stubbed the same toe twice.
Injuries have hovered over this season from the start, but Week 18 felt like the moment the dam finally broke.
Devin Booker exited the Spurs game with a hip strain. Jordan Goodwin and Dillon Brooks both went down against Orlando. Goodwin is dealing with a calf strain, an injury that always requires caution, and Brooks fractured his left hand, leaving his return timeline uncertain. Grayson Allen missed the Spurs game, played against the Magic, then sat again versus Portland as his ankle continues to linger in the background.
The Suns are not dealing with anything unique around the league. Wear and tear has become part of the daily conversation as more players across the NBA show up on the injury report with that familiar red cross next to their name. It is another issue the league office continues to wrestle with, and one they will never fully solve without accepting that fewer games might mean fewer tickets sold. That debate can wait.
The reality is simpler and heavier. Phoenix is hurting, and a season that once felt special now feels fragile. Without Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, and Jordan Goodwin, the foundation starts to wobble. A team built on hustle and defense is missing two of its best tone setters. A team that thrives on ball movement and finding the open shooter struggles to move the ball without Booker and Allen.
The Suns limp out of Week 18 hoping survival is enough until health returns, because health is the one thing money cannot buy.
Week 18 Record: 1-2
@ San Antonio Spurs, L, 121-94
Possession Differential: +3.8
Turnover Differential: 0
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +8
Against a Spurs team finding its stride, Phoenix was overmatched and undermanned. There were flashes. Jalen Green’s bounce, Mark Williams battled Wembanyama, but none of it really mattered. The Spurs handled the Suns with ease.
vs. Orlando Magic, W, 113-110 2OT
Possession Differential: +1.2
Turnover Differential: -8
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +12
Phoenix survived an absolute rock fight against Orlando. It was the kind of game that makes your eyes hurt and your soul tired, before Jalen Green detonated one moment of pure audacity to end the misery. Nothing flowed. Everything was earned.
Phoenix shot 29% from deep, coughed through 117 attempts, blew a late lead, lost bodies, and still dragged itself out of double overtime with a win. It wasn’t pretty, sustainable, or clean. It was survival. And this week, that counts.
vs. Portland Trail Blazers, L, 92-77
Possession Differential: -1.2
Turnover Differential: -2
Offensive Rebounding Differential: 0
Phoenix couldn’t find any rhythm, and their poor shooting continues to be of concern. What else is concerning? When the door of opportunity opened, no one stepped through it.
Inside the Possession Game
Weekly Possession Differential: +3.8
Weekly Turnover Differential: -10
Offensive Rebounding Differential: +20
Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +8
Graphic time.
The Phoenix Suns won the possession battle this week. They took better care of the ball. They competed on the glass. And still, they walked away with two losses. Injuries sit at the center of everything right now, and every stat has to be read through that lens. That part is understood.
What lingers is the depth question. It is being tested, and it is not holding up. Players are operating outside their normal roles, so expectations need to be reasonable, but the drop-off has been real. Since February 1, the Suns are averaging 104 points per game, second-worst in the league. They are shooting 33.5% from three, which is sixth-worst. They average 9.1 steals, which puts them in the middle of the pack. And they are 3-6.
The traits that made this team enjoyable early in the season are slipping. That tells you the system is designed for high-level basketball IQ players, not built to elevate depth on its own. Strong organizations preach next man up because the structure remains functional even when talent thins. Phoenix has kept running the system, but the results have cratered. It is expected. It is part of the season-long evaluation. So far, the Suns are failing that test.
Week 19 Preview
Breathe. That is what the Suns have an opportunity to do over the next week. Only two games on the schedule, both against opponents who know how to make things uncomfortable.
First up is Tuesday, when Phoenix welcomes the Boston Celtics to town. Boston was penciled in by some as a team that might tread water this season, regroup, then reattack later. But that script never materialized. They sit second in the Eastern Conference, driven largely by Jalen Brown, and that matchup will demand real focus.
Two nights later, the Lakers come to Phoenix for the fourth of five meetings this season. That one matters. The standings say so. This is a chance to take a real bite out of them.
After that? Some rest. The Suns don’t play again until the following Tuesday.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 17: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Should we start doing the lineup posts at this point in camp? Sure, why not…
The lineup:
Haggerty — CF
Jansen — C
Duran — 3B
Foscue — 1B
Canha — RF
Wade — SS
Cauley — 2B
Herrera — DH
Velazquez — LF
Jack Leiter is on the mound for Texas. 2:10 p.m. Central start time.
Indiana Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was already missing the 2025-26 NBA season as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, but he will be away from the team for a separate issue.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday, Feb. 22, that Haliburton has come down with shingles and will spend two to three weeks away from the team to recover.
“It's a very painful thing,” Carlisle told reporters. “... He will make a full recovery, but this happened over the last few days. He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms and he came back (to Indianapolis). That's what's happening with him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery. It's a unique case and a unique situation, but I talked to him a few times and he's always in a good mood, so he'll get through it.”
Tyrese Haliburton injury update
According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is a common viral infection caused by the same virus that results in chicken pox, varicella-zoster. Shingles produces a painful rash and is most likely to occur in persons older than 60, though anyone who has contracted chicken pox can contract it.
Haliburton, 25, suffered his Achilles rupture early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals in June. The Pacers have confirmed that Haliburton will spend the entire 2025-26 season recovering from the injury. The Pacers are 15-43 and have the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Haliburton, a two-time All-Star, averaged 17.5 points, 8.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game last season. He starred in the playoffs and became known for his late-game heroics, hitting several game-tying or game-winning shots in the final seconds of massive games.
Haliburton has shared his progress from his Achilles rupture, including posting videos on social media of him working out and even participating in pick-up games.
The new week of NBA action starts with just a trio of games, but we open with a great one, as Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
I’ve found my favorite NBA player prop for that exciting matchup, it’s in a place you may not expect. That and NBA picks for the other two games, on Monday, February 23, below.
The Detroit Pistons host the San Antonio Spurs in a matchup between two of the NBA’s best teams, and while this game is full of star power, I’m backing a role player to have a big impact.
Duncan Robinson has been a great secondary scorer for Detroit, averaging 12.3 points per game, and the Pistons' sharpshooter is on fire. Robinson is putting up 15.3 points per game while shooting 47.3% from 3-point range over his last seven.
And while the Spurs are a strong defensive team, they could be better on the perimeter, ranking 16th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock
Prop #2: Ty Jerome Over 17.5 Points
-120 at bet365
Reliable bucket getters are few and far between for the Memphis Grizzlies.
That is, until Ty Jerome returned. The journeyman shooting guard is averaging 19.3 points while shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Sportsbooks have caught on, but it’s not enough for this matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings are bad, and it’s only gotten worse. They rank dead last in defensive rating and are next-to-last in opponent points allowed per game in February.
Jerome has topped this number in five of seven games, including going for 28 against the Kings just back on February 4.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSCA, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Memphis
Prop #3: Reed Sheppard Over 3.5 Assists
+102 at bet365
While we start the night with a great matchup, the nightcap is the opposite, as the Houston Rockets are massive home favorites against the Utah Jazz.
The Rockets obviously have edges all over the court, but my best bet is Reed Sheppard to go Over 3.5 assists.
The sophomore guard is averaging 4.0 assists per game over his last five, topping this number three times during that stretch.
The Jazz rank dead last in defensive rating and opponent assists per possession, and in a mismatch like this, Sheppard should get a longer run.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Sep 17, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44, left), Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7, center), and Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (43) walk back to the dugout after Steer hit a three-rin home run in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
Back in the go-go dinger days of 2019, Eugenio Suárez socked nearly as many home runs (49) as he blew gum bubbles, a number he matched in a 2025 season split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.
So, if you ponder the question of who leads the 2026 Reds in dingers, it’s easy to simply point at Geno.
Is it really that simple, though?
Geno’s now 34 years old, and he’ll hit 35 in July of this year. On top of that, sandwiched in between his seasons with 49 bombs are single-season totals of 31, 31, 22, and 30, so it’s not as if he’s reached those lofty numbers each and every season.
Yes, he’s now calling Great American Ball Park home after spending far too much time in Seattle, where right-handed power hitting goes to die. Yes, he’s on a one-year ‘prove it’ contract for 2026 after nobody presumably offered him a long-term deal of enough value for him and his agent, and that may prompt him to go nuts again offensively in a contract year.
But is it really too outlandish to suggest that maybe, just maybe, someone else on this team finishes 2026 with more homers than Suárez? Someone like, say, Elly De La Cruz?
If Geno ‘slips’ back to only hitting ~30 homers in 2026, is it out of the question that a healthily-shouldered Spencer Steer could flirt with 30 after topping 20 in each of the last trio of seasons?
JJ Bleday once swatted 20 homers for the Oakland A’s! Noelvi Marte’s power has long been hyped as potentially plus…could 2026 be the year he finally puts it all together?
Lest we forget Sal Stewart, who led the 2025 Reds in homers after his call-up in September. He’s one of the most advanced hitters the Reds have seen as a rookie in a generation, and scouts have long said his raw power was ahead of his in-game power…at least until it showed up in-game at the end of last season. Might he step right in to the Cincinnati lineup on Opening Day and become the thumper this lineup has missed for years?
Who do you think leads this club in dingers in ‘26?
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing in his first NHL game, celebrates his second goal of the game against the Buffalo Sabres during a game on February 05, 2026 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Penguins skated a few days last week and have a few more days to get ready for the schedule to kick back up again starting Thursday for a home game against New Jersey.
There’s a new face back, Avery Hayes has returned to the NHL roster from the AHL after the break. Hayes scored six goals and added an assist in his five games back in the AHL during the break, including two hat trick games.
Forward Avery Hayes has been recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). pic.twitter.com/GvuSOSjBg9
There were some reports that the Pens were planning to bring Hayes back to the NHL even before Sidney Crosby’s injury and now the big elephant in the room will shift to the captain’s status.
Crosby won’t rejoin the team for a while longer, Team Canada was reportedly going to be flying back to Miami today (instead of the planned trip back to the NYC area, a trip scrapped due to the snowstorm impacting that part of the country).
It could be a while longer before any news comes out on that front, and as we all know NHL injury updates are typically vague and this situation seems right for a ’wait and see’ how the situation develops over the week. The Pens gave Erik Karlsson an extra day off yesterday when Rickard Rakell returned to practice. Karlsson skated again today for the first time with the team since his Olympic excursion.
Here’s how the team lined up today in their practice.
#LetsGoPens lines and D-pairs without Sidney Crosby, who has yet to rejoin the team.
A. Hayes-Rakell-Rust Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari (K. Hayes)
This isn’t the first time this season that the Pens have experimented with Rakell at center, he worked in the middle in the preseason before Bryan Rust’s injury shifted the team need over to the wing. Interestingly, Hayes had been skating as a placeholder on that first line, this move could be starting to chart a course forward if the Pens are going to have some games without Crosby available.
Otherwise the lines have remained with familiar players in what has become normal spots down the lineup.
One other area to watch is that of Letang, as of last week he hadn’t had final clearance to come back and play from his foot fracture but acknowledged that he’s trending towards returning to the lineup on Thursday when the team picks back up. Nothing so far has gone against that outlook, which would be an encouraging sign for the blueline.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A fan reacts in the second half between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Some fans choose their team, and some fans are chosen by their team. Which was it for you? Today, we want to hear your story from you: How you became a fan of the Arizona Cardinals.
When did you first become a fan? Were you born into it? Was there a specific game or season that pulled you in? What’s the earliest moment you remember as a fan?
For me, I have told the story quite often, but my dad was born and raised in Arizona, so when they got an NFL team for the first time when I was just three, he was immediately a fan.
He hated the Cowboys even growing up here and getting the games every week, but as soon as the Cardinals were in Arizona, it was all Cardinals.
What a curse it has been, but the suffering makes you stronger as a fan.
Jeff Kent still hasn’t gotten over Alex Rodriguez’s cheap shot.
Kent, who was recently inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, was a guest on the KNBR broadcast during Sunday’s spring training game between the Giants and Cardinals.
One announcer brought up Rodriguez’s hard slide into second base in 1998 that caused Kent to miss a month with an injury. Kent didn’t hold back when discussing his feelings.
Jeff Kent spent 17 seasons in MLB across stints with six different teams, the most of which came with the Giants. AP
“He tore my knee up. He slid and rolled his fat ass past the base, the son of a bitch, and put me out for a little while. I was not happy about that,” Kent said of the play, which came when he was a member of the Giants, and Rodriguez was on the Mariners.
“He was a middle infielder, and we were beating them up pretty good. He didn’t need to be doing that.”
Kent continued, diving into his mantra as a second baseman back in his playing days.
“I would literally throw the ball between their eyes. If they came in and they weren’t ducking down, I was throwing the ball right between their eyes. They better get down,” Kent said.
At the time of his injury, Kent had started the year hot. In eight games, he was hitting .448 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.
In 17 MLB seasons, mostly spent with the Giants and Mets, Kent finished with a .290/.356/.500 slash line with 377 home runs. He also made five All-Star appearances and won the MVP award in 2000 when he hit .334 with 33 homers.
Jeff Kent received two more votes than he needed to make the MLB Hall of Fame in December. AP
He’s remembered as one of the best power-hitting second basemen of all time; Kent’s 351 homers at the position are the most in baseball history.
Kent was voted into the Hall of Fame by the contemporary era committee in December, receiving 14 of 16 votes. He’ll be inducted into Cooperstown on July 26 alongside Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones, who were chosen by the BBWAA.
Despite a Hall of Fame resume, Rodriguez received just 40 percent of the votes (well below the 75 needed) to get inducted into Cooperstown. Rodriguez was one of the faces of the PED era and was suspended for the entire 2014 season due to his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.
Alex Rodriguez at Yankees’ Old-Timer’s Day in 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
"He tore my knee up. He slid and rolled his fat ass past the base, the son of a bitch."
Jeff Kent was asked about the knee sprain he got when Alex Rodriguez slid into him in 1998 pic.twitter.com/gjmmB3VO02
“I hugged my wife after the phone call had come in, and I told her that a lot of the game had come rushing back to me at that moment,” Kent said. “It reminds me of the ‘no crying in baseball.’ Well, I was bawling when I left the game because all that emotion just overcomes you.”
But before his official induction, Kent was in the headlines for a different reason Sunday.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Designated hitter Shotaro Morii #18 of The Athletics hits during the 9th inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the San Diego Pares at Peoria Stadium on March 14, 2025 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
*In an effort to make the nomination voting easier for everyone, I will comment, “NOMINATIONS”, and you may reply to that with your picks and upvote the player you’d like to see on the next nominee list.
We got an interesting player as this round’s winner. Two-way prospect Shotaro Morii gets on the list at #18. A right-handed pitcher and a shortstop, Morii is the exact definition of a work in progress as he’s just 19-year-old and only played at Rookie level this past year. While he didn’t get on the mound in his first professional season it looks like that’s going to change this coming season as the A’s determine whether or not he’s really going to be able to thrive while playing on both sides of the ball.
The next nominee is a recent addition. In exchange for former Rule 5 pick Mitch Spence, the A’s acquired right-hander A.J. Causey from the Kansas City Royals and he’s been selected as the next name on the list. Causey actually made it into yesterday’s game but things didn’t go well in his first action in the Green & Gold. Still, the righty possesses some potential as a late-game relief option down the line and displayed that in his first professional season this past year. Using a deceptive delivery to boost his arsenal of pitches, Causey has already made it and thrived at Double-A and like many other prospects on our list could be an option as soon as this season.
The process for this public vote is explained below. Please take a moment to read this before participating:
Please only vote for one. The player with the most votes at the end of voting will win the ranked spot. The remaining four players move on to the next ballot where they are joined by a new nominee.
In the comments, below the official voting, the community will nominate players to be put onto the ballot for the next round. The format for your comment should be “Nomination: Player Name”.
If a prospect is traded, his name will be crossed out, and all other players will be moved up a space. If a prospect is acquired, a special vote will be put up to determine where that player should rank.
The voting continues! Who is the 18th-best prospect in the A’s system? Here’s a quick rundown on each nominee— the scouting grades (on a 20-to-80 scale) and scouting reports come from MLB Pipeline.
Morris runs up his four-seam fastball to about 95-96 mph and also throws a sinker with good arm-side run in the 92-95 range. His mid-80s slider has developed into an above-average secondary offering. His mid-70s curveball provides a good variation of pitch speeds, though he is still working to make it a more consistent pitch, along with his improving upper-80s changeup.
Morris is athletic with his 6-foot-3 frame. His competitive drive stands out whenever he takes the mound. Discovering the right arm slot that allows for the most consistency is the next big step in his development. How that pans out as he moves through the system will likely determine his long-term role, though he profiles as a back-end starter given his overall pitch mix and solid control.
Causey thrives with a fastball that hovers around 90 mph, but that’s because he has a funky sidearm delivery that helps him get crazy movement and deception with his arsenal. Causey excelled in his first full pro season, posting a 1.72 ERA across High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He’s a fast mover with a different look that could add to the Royals’ bullpen in the coming years.
Causey began the year with a sinker, changeup and sweeper, but he added a four-seam fastball this season to help him at the top of the zone. After years of working on adding a cutter, Causey finally found something that works with the four-seamer.
Per Billy Owens, Athletics director of player personnel and assistant GM: “Perez is a live-bodied specimen with high-caliber tools. His range and athleticism stand out defensively. Offensively, he can be streaky, but he has displayed plus bat speed, patience and real power. Solid package. Development is not linear. Patience will be required to realize his significant potential.”
Kuroda-Grauer’s athletic size and hard-working mentality remind some in the A’s organization of a young Marcus Semien. While he may never have Semien-type power, his high-level ability to frequently make contact and rarely strike out is reminiscent of another more high-profile touted top prospect in Jacob Wilson. His advanced approach at the plate allows him to work counts and make good decisions with his simple swing. The power remains below-average, though the A’s believe he could grow into some extra pop with 15-homer potential as a ceiling.
There is a speed element to Kuroda-Grauer’s game, and while he may not be a burner, his 40 stolen bases in college show he can be a decent threat on the basepaths. Defensively, his arm is average, but his overall glovework and instincts give him the chance to stick as a shortstop with second base as a fallback. Between that and his excellent bat-to-ball skills, Kuroda-Grauer enters his first full professional season with a chance to quickly rise through the system.
Tur is 26 but only signed with the A’s before the 2023 season after several seasons pitching in the Serie Nacional in Cuba. He started almost all of last year, going from High A to Triple A, although I think he’s a straight reliever. He comes straight over the top, sitting 96 with some ride along with a 55 splitter and a low-90s cutter that doesn’t miss many bats. The slider is fringy and he’s very north-south because of the arm slot. He could pitch in the big-league bullpen right now.
* * *
Programming Note: Each CPL vote will run for around 48 hours, so don’t delay in making your vote!
Hayes had an outstanding NHL debut on Feb. 5, scoring two goals and helping the Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. His first goal came on his first shot in the first period of that game before scoring again later in that period.
It was the Penguins' final game before the Olympic break, which ends this week.
After that game, Hayes was sent back to WBS and scored a hat trick in his very next game. He later recorded another hat trick against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Feb. 18.
The Penguins will return to game action this Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
The end of February means the start of a college sports favorite: the 2026 NCAA March Madness basketball tournament.
With March Madness comes the infamous bracket that people fill out to try and guess which teams will make the run through the tournament to the championship. Filling out brackets has become synonymous with March Madness, and this year, ESPN is poking fun at the intensity the tournament can spark in people.
A new ESPN ad released Feb. 23 marries the idea of March Madness bracket obsession, or what they call "Bracketbrain," with the pharmaceutical ads people often see on television that have long warnings of potential side effects. The satirical ad claims there's only one alleviation for people suffering from Bracketbrain: ESPN's Tournament Challenge, a way to fill out and manage your bracket through March Madness's run.
Watch the new ad below.
Watch ESPN's latest March Madness commercial
In the ad, the "patients" seem to see the outline of brackets in their day-to-day lives, including in their food, the route they take while hiking, and the way they filled out a Scantron sheet while taking a test. These are all clear symptoms of Bracketbrain to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi, who appears in the ad as the head of ESPN's Department of Bracketology.
“When the calendar hits March, filling out brackets is all anyone can think about,” Seth Ader, ESPN's vice president of brand marketing said in a news release. “With the Bracketbrain campaign, we’re shining a light on this great time of year, diagnosing the behavior, and reminding fans that ESPN Tournament Challenge is the place to celebrate their obsession.”
The ad launched ahead of the 2026 NCAA men's and women's tournaments, which are both set to start in mid-March.
Games will start in the men's tournament on March 17, while the women's tournament will begin a day later on March 18.
Selection Sunday, the day when it is revealed which teams are chosen for the NCAA tournament and their seeding placements in the tournament brackets, will take place on Sunday, March 15 for both the men's and women's tournaments.
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The 76ers defeated the Suns 109-103. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Entering Sunday’s game in Minnesota, Philadelphia had lost nine of its last 10 games without Joel Embiid in the lineup. His absence was clearly felt by rookie VJ Edgecombe who said, “We miss Joel. It’s that simple. He’s a walking 30 points,” after a bad loss at home against Atlanta on Thursday night coming out of the All-Star break.
It’s particularly relevant that Edgecombe was the one to make those comments. Edgecombe is a rookie who wasn’t in Philadelphia for Embiid’s MVP season and some of his other high-end seasons that were statistically better than the one he’s having right now, which has still been very good. This is not to contest that Embiid is the same player now that he was before the knee injury two years ago that plagued him for all of last season. But it is to say that he’s playing at a much higher level than many anticipated in 2025-26.
Perhaps that’s the primary source of disappointment this season for Philly. There are still two months left in the regular season, but it’s becoming clear that the Sixers are probably a tier below the East’s top group of contenders. On a good night, they’re right there with the upper echelon of the conference. But there just aren’t enough good nights it feels like and a lot of the good nights that do exist are courtesy of a big game from Embiid.
Embiid has given the franchise more than any other player has since Allen Iverson wore the uniform. Time and time again, the organization has failed to empower him, and this month’s trade deadline was just the latest example. Embiid returning from his knee injury and being this good, say 75-85% of the player he used to be, should be considered an overwhelming success. It wasn’t long ago that medical retirement was being discussed as a potential option for Embiid in his early 30s. If there was ever a season in which the Sixers could find a way to be good enough in the games Embiid isn’t on the floor and give the big man at least one more crack at a deep playoff run, it would be this one.
Embiid’s injury history is obviously long, and unfortunately, the bigger problem is that he’s suffered several fluke injuries that have impacted his postseason availability. Yes, there have been bigger injuries that have called into question the viability of building a contender around Embiid. Early in his career particularly it was fair to question his commitment to rehabbing those injuries. But how many times have we seen Embiid wearing a mask in the playoffs? How many times does it feel like he has taken a fall or been fallen on by another player that resulted in a minor injury that would flare up and force him to miss a playoff game here or there or perform at less than 100%?
Hopefully this season is a sign of good things to come for Embiid and he can play at this level for at least a few more seasons. Maybe there’s a longer runway for him to win a championship with the Sixers than we all thought. But at this time one year ago, it felt like there was no runway at all. That’s what makes it so disappointing that losing in the second round again feels like the ceiling for this year’s team. Whatever happens in the next couple months, be sure to appreciate the fact that Joel Embiid is having the season he’s having.
Spring is in the air... as long as you're in Florida or Arizona, anyway.
With Spring Training still ramping up, we're looking at a trio of plus-money moneyline predictions from today's schedule, including the Philadelphia Phillies in the day's closer.
Read on for my Spring Training MLB picks on Monday, February 23.
Spring Training predictions for February 23
Picks
Mariners moneyline
+102
Athletics moneyline
+140
Phillies moneyline
+120
Pick #1: Mariners moneyline
+102 at DraftKings
Logan Gilbert is among baseball's top arms, and the Seattle Mariners right-hander makes his spring debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers today.
That's a tough sell, but it's why we're getting a good number on Seattle. With Landon Knack on the bump for L.A., I'll go with the better starter.
Plus, the Mariners boasted a better bullpen in 2025, and I'll take that edge if Gilbert can leave with the lead intact.
Pick #2: A's moneyline
+140 at DraftKings
I generally prefer the A's lineup to the San Francisco Giants. So, getting plus money against right-hander JT Brubaker is a boon.
Obviously, it depends on the respective lineups, but if we get Lawrence Butler, Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, and Shea Langeliers — even if only for an inning or two — that could be enough.
The 28-year-old made his MLB debut in 2025 as a reliever, which explains why the Nats are favored. But Irvin was one of baseball's least effective starters last summer, boasting a 5.70 ERA across 33 starts.
While both teams will go to the pen relatively early, I won't be surprised if Philly's bats jump on the right-hander out of the gate.
The Jazz (18-39) travel to Houston to take on the Rockets (34-21) for the third matchup between the two this season. The Rockets and Jazz have split the season series after playing a back-to-back November 30 and December 1 in Utah.
In February, Houston is 4-4 and 1-1 since the All-Star break. The Rockets are 26th in offensive efficiency this month and 11th defensively, with the 23rd-best true shooting percentage. The Rockets have only scored more than 106 points one time over the last seven games, but put up 125 and 129 points in the two previous meetings with the Jazz.
Utah is in the midst of tanking and dropped its first game out of the All-Star break. Utah is 4-14 in the last 18 games and 3-5 this month as they enter this contest on a two-game losing streak. Utah is 23rd in offensive efficiency this month and 10th on defense with the sixth-best rebounding percentage. Utah wraps up the month with Houston, then two meetings versus New Orleans.
Let's take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Jazz at Rockets
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Time: 9 PM EST
Site: Toyota Center
City: Houston, TX
Network/Streaming: Peacock
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Jazz at Rockets
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Houston Rockets (-850), Utah Jazz (+575)
Spread: Rockets -13.5
Total: 228.5 points
This game opened Rockets -13.5 with the Total set at 228.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Jazz at Rockets
Utah Jazz
PG Keynote George (questionable)
SG Cody Williams
SF Ace Bailey
PF Lauri Markkanen (probable)
C Kyle Flipowski
Houston Rockets
PG Amen Thompson
SG Tari Eason
SF Kevin Durant
PF Jabari Smith
C Alperen Sengun
Injury Report: Jazz at Rockets
Houston Rockets
Jae'Sean Tate (knee)is OUT for tonight’s game
Steven Adams (ankle) is OUT for the remainder of the season
Fred VanVleet (ACL) is OUT for the remainder of the season
Utah Jazz
Keyonte George (ankle) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Lauri Markkanen (illness) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Jusuf Nurkic (nose) is listed as OUT for tonight's game
Jaren Jackson (knee) is OUT for the remainder of the season
Important stats, trends and insights: Jazz at Rockets
Houston is 24-31 ATS, ranking 6th-worst
Houston is 8-17 ATS as the home team, ranking last
Houston is 8-16 ATS as a home favorite, ranking second-worst
Houston is 32-22-1 to the Under, ranking 5th-best
Houston is 17-7-1 to the Under as the home team, ranking first in the NBA
Houston is 16-7-1 to the Under as a home favorite, ranking second-best
Utah is 31-26 ATS, ranking 10th-best
Utah is 33-24-1 to the Over, ranking third-best
Utah is 13-15 to the Over as the road team
Utah is 11-14 to the Over as a road underdog
Utah is 15-13 ATS as the road team
Utah is 13-12 ATS as a road underdog
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Jazz and Rockets’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Rockets' Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Rockets -13.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 228.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Duncan Robinson
Ty Jerome
Reed Sheppard 
Mariners moneyline
Athletics moneyline
Phillies moneyline