I Dig Sports
DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks said Friday that Anthony Davis is improving daily, but gave no indication of when the forward they got in their trade of Luka Doncic might be ready to play again.
The Mavericks said a recent reevaluation of Davis' left adductor strain showed that he "is improving daily and has therefore been cleared for more dynamic on-court movements."
Davis has played in only one game for Dallas since the 10-time All-Star was acquired in that seismic trade on Feb. 2 that sent five-time All-Star and Mavs fan favorite Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Mavericks said center Dereck Lively II, who has been out since Jan. 14 because of a right ankle stress fracture, is progressing in his rehabilitation and has progressed to individual court work. Davis and Lively will be evaluated weekly.
After a dominant first half for the Mavs in a 116-105 victory over Houston on Feb. 8, Davis pulled up lame late in the third quarter. He finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks.
Davis was out with an abdominal strain for his final two games with the Lakers and the first two he could have played for the Mavs.
Dallas went into its home game Friday night against Memphis in the final Western Conference spot to get into the NBA's play-in tournament. That was the 11th game for Davis to miss with the Mavericks, who had 18 regular-season games remaining after that.
The Lakers are 9-2 since Doncic made his L.A. debut on Feb. 10 and are on an eight-game winning streak.
Mavericks center Daniel Gafford missed his 10th game Friday because of a right knee sprain. The team said Gafford was "showing progress" and would be evaluated again in two weeks.
Kings' DeRozan fined $25K for criticizing officials
NEW YORK -- DeMar DeRozan was fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing officials after the Sacramento Kings' loss to the Denver Nuggets.
"The refs were terrible," DeRozan said after the 116-110 loss Wednesday, according to The Sacramento Bee. "Terrible as s---. Simple as that."
DeRozan scored 18 of his 35 points in the third quarter to give Sacramento a 93-84 lead heading into the fourth.
However, in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets shot 13 free throws compared with the Kings' four. Denver outscored Sacramento 32-17 in the final frame and finished with 30 free throws to 14 for the Kings.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban chimed in on the controversial Luka Doncic deal for the first time and left little doubt he sides with legions of miffed Dallas fans.
"If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that's one thing," Cuban said in an interview with WFAA, the ABC affiliate in Dallas. "Just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis, but I still firmly believe if we had gotten four unprotected No. 1s and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation."
Cuban retained 27.7% of the team after selling the majority stake in 2024, but he said his involvement with the Mavericks is no longer a factor in any team decisions. He wouldn't say whether he would've traded Doncic.
"I'm not going there. It doesn't matter," he said.
Cuban was at the front of the decision-making line in 2018 when the Mavericks acquired Doncic on draft night in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, who dealt Doncic for the Mavs' first-rounder, Trae Young.
Doncic was traded by general manager Nico Harrison to the Lakers last month in one of the more stunning transactions in league history, with shock waves still reverberating in Texas. With Doncic gone and Davis hurt in his debut with the team, the Mavericks played point guard Kyrie Irving a league-high number of minutes for a 30-day stretch before he suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
Irving turns 33 later this month.
In return for Doncic, Dallas acquired Davis, Christie and a 2029 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1. For comparison, the cost for the Phoenix Suns to acquire Kevin Durant two years before the Doncic deal: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four unprotected future first-round picks and a pick swap in 2028. Phoenix also received T.J. Warren.
The Lakers also received forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
Davis might not play another game this season. If so, he totaled 31 minutes in a Dallas uniform in 2025.
Dallas cited the team's "culture" as part of the reason for trading Doncic, while also expressing concern over the organization's ability to re-sign him as a free agent. The conundrum was familiar for Cuban, who likened the scenario to deciding to move on from popular point guard Steve Nash.
"I went through this before with when Steve Nash left and then won two MVPs. The good news is that we went to the Finals and won a championship," Cuban said. "So I've been through something -- but there wasn't social media back then, so it wasn't quite the same. You're going to make mistakes. I think the biggest challenge the Mavs have right now is there's nobody who's really outgoing to communicate."
Dallas is 10th in the Western Conference standings.
Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.
SACRAMENTO -- The San Antonio Spurs boarded the team flight Thursday bound for Sacramento and were pleasantly surprised to see teammate Victor Wembanyama on board.
Ruled out for the season in February due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, Wembanyama accompanied the team on its trip to Sacramento to support new teammate De'Aaron Fox, who returns to Sacramento to face the Kings on Friday for the first time since they traded him to the Spurs as part of a transaction involving three teams, multiple players and draft picks.
"What [Wembanyama is] going through is definitely tough," Fox said at Friday's shootaround. "For us, we just want him to be healthy. We want him to be healthy enough to be able to get on a plane to be able to support us as a team. That's what he wants to do anyway."
Team doctors deemed it safe for Wembanyama to fly, a team official said, due to the specific type of blood-thinning medication he is taking to treat the blood clot in his right shoulder. The official said that Wembanyama isn't expected to make every trip, as some important steps in his treatment plan could take place during times the Spurs are on the road.
"Some of the stuff that has already been discussed [regarding Wembanyama's treatment], we'll probably keep it in-house for now," San Antonio acting head coach Mitch Johnson said. "Everything is as we said initially. No long-term effects on his health and basketball activities."
Fiddling with his phone, Wembanyama sat on the bench while his teammates conducted their shootaround at the Golden 1 Center.
The team announced Wembanyama's condition after the 21-year-old returned to San Antonio on the heels of the NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco. Before returning home, Wembanyama had taken a brief trip to Wyoming to unwind, according to a source.
The Spurs remain optimistic Wembanyama will make a full recovery by the start of next season.
At this point, though, Wembanyama is under strict orders from the team to not even touch a basketball.
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby has inflammation in his throwing shoulder and likely will open the season on the injured list.
"I would not anticipate that he's ready for the first 10 days, two weeks of the season," Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Friday.
Hollander emphasized that an MRI revealed no structural damage to the shoulder.
Although Hollander said Kirby has been throwing the ball well with a velocity that met expectations, the right-hander hadn't felt he was bouncing back from each outing particularly well. That led to the MRI.
Hollander said the Mariners plan to shut Kirby down to get the inflammation out. He will be reassessed in a week.
"We want to make sure we're doing the right thing for the big picture of the whole season as opposed to worrying about Opening Day," Hollander said.
Kirby, 27, started 33 games last season to tie for the major league lead. He went 14-11 with a 3.53 ERA with 179 strikeouts and 23 walks in 181 innings.
He made the AL All-Star team in 2023, when he made 31 starts and went 13-10 with a 3.35 ERA.
Preview as Ireland take on Six Nations title rivals France
Ireland make four changes, with captain Caelan Doris returning to the back row after missing the Wales game with a knee injury. Suspended Garry Ringrose is replaced by Bundee Aki in the centres, while Jamie Osborne takes injured Mack Hansen's place on the wing with Hugo Keenan coming in at full-back.
Finlay Bealham returns at tight-head prop with Thomas Clarkson dropping to the bench.
Bealham, Doris and Jack Conan are set to win their 50th Test caps, with the latter appearing from the bench.
Ireland: 15-Keenan; 14-Osborne, 13-Henshaw, 12-Aki, 11-Lowe; 10-S Prendergast, 9-Gibson-Park; 1-Porter, 2-Sheehan, 3-Bealham, 4-J McCarthy, 5- Beirne, 6-O'Mahony, 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris (capt).
Replacements: 16-Herring, 17-Healy, 18- Clarkson, 19-Ryan, 20-Conan, 21-Baird, 22-Murray, 23-Crowley.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. The first Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, round of the post-Jared Mees era saw preseason Mission AFT SuperTwins title favorite Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) do what many expected.
Daniels claimed victory under the lights of the Flat Track at Daytona Intl Speedway in Thursdays season-opening Royal Enfield Short Track at Daytona I.
How it was achieved, however, came as a genuine surprise.
It was anything but a day of domination for Daniels, despite the fact that hed won three of the previous four Main Events at the venue. If anything, the Estenson Racing ace was relatively quiet throughout practice and qualifying, starting the Main Event from Row 2 after failing to qualify for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge.
Instead, the star of the show for all but the final minute of the Main Event was Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), who appeared on the verge of guiding the Harley-Davidson XG750R to its maiden premier-class victory.
New to the bike but reunited with crew chief Dave Zanotti and mechanic Michelle Disalvo at Rick Ware Racing, Bauman was smooth and in control on a very tricky track. He put his name atop the charts during practice, qualifying, and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, before storming off into the lead at the start of the Main.
Daniels showed renewed signs of life as soon as the race that mattered most got underway, diving under front-row qualifiers Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanpheres BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), Henry Wiles (No. 911 J&M Logging/Ray Cs Harley-Davidson Kawasaki Ninja 650), and Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) in rapid succession to move into second.
However, even with clear air in front of him, Daniels didnt appear to have the measure of Bauman, who stretched the gap out to over a second deep into the contest.
That all changed as the two encountered lapped traffic, which allowed the Yamaha pilot to erase the distance and then execute a pass for the lead with just 35 seconds remaining on the clock.
A rare bobble on Baumans part then provided Daniels with the breathing space he needed to make it four wins in his last five tries in Daytona Beach.
The victory also marked Daniels first win since before the training accident that ended his title chances a season ago.
He said, I hate that everybody has to hear my sob story again, I broke my leg leading the championship (last year). I mean, it sucked. It sucked so bad. It sucked so bad for me, but even more for the team. Its one of those things when youre lying at home, and you wonder if youll ever be able to do it again. Even though I was on the podium those last three races, you still wonder.
And then I show up here at Daytona a place that I love and do well at usually and I was just on the struggle bus all day long. No matter what changes we made, I just could not get comfortable. But my team this win is because of the team. They just kept working and kept working. When I went out there for that warm-up lap, I knew I had something for them. But how impressive was Briar? The dude gets on a different bike that has never won, and he was the toughest competition. Hes going to be tough all year.
Third place went to 40-year-old Wiles, who was brandishing the unfamiliar No. 911 instead of his usual No. 17, which was unavailable to him due to not competing last season. The time away didnt steal any of his speed or aggression, a fact he proved convincingly while overcoming Fisher in an intense mid-race scrap for the final podium position.
Fisher held on for a strong fourth-place debut on the KTM, while Robinson made it two XGs in the top five.
Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), who finished as the runner-up in last years opener, came home sixth.
Not that any of them needed it, but three-time AFT Singles presented by KICKER king Kody Kopp (No. 1 Bob Lanphere/KTM/Fastrack Racing KTM 450 SX-F) provided the class current crop of championship hopefuls a reminder of exactly whose No. 1 plate they were chasing.
While Kopp is committed to proving himself a national-caliber road racer this season, his talents on dirt remain elite. With an open weekend in his preseason pavement prep, Kopp pulled together a last-minute effort to participate in the Progressive AFT opener and didnt miss a beat.
A less-than-ideal start allowed Kopp to underline that message as he worked his way past the up-and-coming Tarren Santero (No. 75 Mission Roof Systems Honda CRF450R), 24 title rival Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and finally 19 class champ Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Certified Racing KTM 450 SX-F) on his way to the front.
Once there, Kopp set sail en route to his fourth career triumph in Daytona. However, his eventual trip to the top step of the podium was momentarily delayed due to a late-race red flag.
That stoppage could be traced all the way back to a disastrous start saw title hopeful Chase Saathoff (No. 88 RWR/Parts Plus Honda CRF450R) left standing still at the green light with his arms waving while the rest of the grid powered by. His subsequent charge up through the field eventually saw him clash with Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), leaving both riders on the ground.
Kopp survived the staggered restart without suffering any unwanted drama, while Drane managed to steal second from Gauthier in the shuffle.
After the race, Kopp said, It feels awesome. I just cant stay away from it. Im transitioning to roadracing, and its a big step. Its challenging, and Im really excited about the challenge. But I couldnt stay away. I live 15 minutes away from here now, and Bob Lanphere wanted to put this thing together, and we got it done. Huge thanks to Bob, and Kenny (Roberts) and Arney (Wick) from my roadrace program for giving me the go ahead to do this.
Fourth was taken by the returning Trevor Brunner (No. 21 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), who edged young Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Hannums HD/Pfanders Racing KTM 450 SX-F) and Santero for the position.
Emma Gottsch (No. 5 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited) opened the Main Event program with a victorious performance in her Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. debut. She was flanked on the podium by Taia Little (No. 11 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited) and Mallory McGill (No. 58 Royal Enfield/Parts Unlimited).
NHL Power Rankings: Jets stay in the top spot, plus each team's playoff chances
With the 2024-25 NHL trade season wrapping up at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, hockey fans next turn their collective attention to the playoff races.
Which teams are shoo-ins, who remains in a battle and who is looking ahead to the draft lottery? In addition to an updated set of Power Rankings, this week's list also includes playoff chance projections courtesy of Stathletes.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Feb. 28. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.
1. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.43%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Although they dropped off of their record-setting pace from the early part of the season, the Jets continue to soar over most competition. Is this the year that Connor Hellebuyck leads them on a long playoff run to silence his critics?
Next seven days: @ NJ (March 7), @ CAR (March 9), vs. NYR (March 11)
2. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.97%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Alex Ovechkin's chase of Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record continues to received a lot of the attention. Meanwhile, the Caps just keep piling up victories en route to what could be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference bracket.
Next seven days: vs. DET (March 7), vs. SEA (March 9), @ ANA (March 11), @ LA (March 13)
3. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 67.74%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Whether Miro Heiskanen returns before the end of the regular season, Dallas appears to be a strong bet to qualify for the playoffs. But his presence once that tourney begins will greatly influence how far they get.
Next seven days: @ EDM (March 8), @ VAN (March 9)
4. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 64.29%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. The Matthew Tkachuk injury surely affects what the Panthers can do for the rest of the regular season. But with a spot in the postseason tourney on the way to being locked up, Florida is just hoping he's back close to 100% by the night of Round 1, Game 1.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (March 8), @ BOS (March 11), @ TOR (March 13)
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.57%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. The Knights were already a shoo-in to qualify for the postseason, and now they'll get to experience playoff hockey with original Golden Misfit Reilly Smith again. Will he be the spark that gets them another Stanley Cup? Stathletes projects their Cup chances at 10.4%, fourth highest in the NHL.
Next seven days: vs. PIT (March 7), vs. LA (March 9), @ PIT (March 11), @ CBJ (March 13)
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 63.71%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. Maple Leafs teams of the recent past were among the NHL's top regular-season teams, but many times did so by outscoring their defensive deficiencies. Not so this season, under new coach Craig Berube. Will their playoff fate be similarly different?
Next seven days: @ COL (March 8), @ UTAH (March 10), vs. FLA (March 13)
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 62.90%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. The Lightning always seem to find a way to make additions at the trade deadline -- usually at the expense of early-round draft choices. Such was the case this week with the return of Yanni Gourde, who will aid in their quest to bring the Stanley Cup back to central Florida.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 8), @ CAR (March 11), @ PHI (March 13)
8. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 61.90%
Playoff chances: 99.9%. New year, same (general) results for the Canes; another playoff appearance is a highly likely outcome. Will they get back to the Cup Final for the first time in the Rod Brind'Amour coaching era? Stathletes lists those chances as 32.9%, and their Cup-winning chances as 18.5%, both of which are highest in the league.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (March 9), vs. TB (March 11)
9. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 61.29%
Playoff chances: 99.6%. The Stanley Cup runner-up last season appear primed to make another long run this season: Stathletes projects the Oilers as having a 25.1% chance of making the Cup Final, and 13.2% chance of winning it all.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (March 8), @ BUF (March 10), @ NJ (March 13)
10. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.29%
Playoff chances: 95.6%. The Wild have faded a bit since they were one of the NHL's biggest surprises in the season's first half. Nevertheless, they remain firmly entrenched in playoff position -- and could do some damage if injured players such as Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek can return close to full health.
Next seven days: @ VAN (March 7), vs. PIT (March 9), vs. COL (March 11), vs. NYR (March 13)
11. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 60.32%
Playoff chances: 99.3%. The Nathan MacKinnon-Cale Makar show rolls on, though the third part of that superstar group, Mikko Rantanen, was traded in January. It's hard to diminish this team's Cup chances, particularly with Mackenzie Blackwood finally rounding into the form in goal that some had envisioned for him as a prospect.
Next seven days: vs. TOR (March 8), vs. CHI (March 10), @ MIN (March 11)
12. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 59.17%
Playoff chances: 84.4%. Will this be the year that the Kings finally make it out of the second round again? It would probably help to avoid the Oilers (who've beaten them three straight times) in Round 1. Unfortunately, that is exactly how the standings look at the moment.
Next seven days: vs. STL (March 8), @ VGK (March 9), vs. NYI (March 11), vs. WSH (March 13)
13. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 57.14%
Playoff chances: 91.5%. The injury to Jack Hughes -- whose return is slated for next season's training camp -- dings the Devils' chances of going far in the playoffs. But they remain much more likely than not to qualify for the field, and it's anyone's game once the tourney begins.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (March 7), @ PHI (March 9), vs. CBJ (March 11), vs. EDM (March 13)
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.24%
Playoff chances: 31.0%. Easily the NHL's best story this season, the Blue Jackets remain squarely in the mix for a playoff spot as March continues. Can they catch the Devils -- and hold off all of the teams chasing them?
Next seven days: @ NYR (March 9), @ NJ (March 11), vs. VGK (March 13)
15. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 54.03%
Playoff chances: 31.6%. What rebuild? During the course of last trade season and the offseason, the Flames said goodbye to Jacob Markstrom, Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Toffoli and Chris Tanev. And yet, they remain right in the mix of the Western Conference wild-card race.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (March 8), vs. VAN (March 12)
16. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 54.03%
Playoff chances: 24.7%. This Blueshirts' campaign has been a roller coaster, from one of the top preseason picks to win it all to dropping precipitously in the standings to now being right in the battle for a wild-card spot. Do they have more spring magic in store?
Next seven days: @ OTT (March 8), vs. CBJ (March 9), @ WPG (March 11), @ MIN (March 13)
17. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 54.92%
Playoff chances: 80.6%. Of the three "Atlantic Rising" teams, the Senators appear to have a slight upper hand for now, with the Red Wings a point behind and the Sabres destined for another draft lottery.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (March 8), vs. DET (March 10), @ PHI (March 11), vs. BOS (March 13)
18. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 53.23%
Playoff chances: 13.7%. The Wings' season pivoted when Derek Lalonde was fired and replaced by Todd McLellan behind the bench. Detroit fans are hoping that it didn't pivot again in the opposite direction when the club lost two games in a row to their fellow Eastern wild-card contending Blue Jackets.
Next seven days: @ WSH (March 7), @ OTT (March 10), vs. BUF (March 12)
19. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 54.92%
Playoff chances: 27.3%. The reigning Pacific Division champs have had a rough season, including injuries to key players and interpersonal disputes that ultimately led to the trade of J.T. Miller in January.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (March 7), vs. DAL (March 9), vs. MTL (March 11), @ CGY (March 12)
20. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 53.23%
Playoff chances: 18.9%. Expectations were low for the Habs to make any sort of significant postseason run in 2024-25, and yet they remain in the Eastern chaos, just a hot streak away from snatching one of the wild cards.
Next seven days: @ CGY (March 8), @ VAN (March 11), @ SEA (March 12)
21. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.38%
Playoff chances: 37.3%. Though they're out of a playoff spot for now, the Blues certainly have a path to getting back in position -- though the Colton Parayko injury certainly doesn't help.
Next seven days: @ ANA (March 7), @ LA (March 8), @ PIT (March 13)
22. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 52.42%
Playoff chances: 24.3%. With a fresh start in Salt Lake City, the UHC also committed to several key players via contract extensions this week. Will they make a run here to close out the season and bring playoff hockey to Utah too?
Next seven days: @ CHI (March 7), vs. TOR (March 10), vs. ANA (March 12)
23. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.64%
Playoff chances: 24.3%. Consistent success has eluded the Isles this season, despite a full offseason program for Patrick Roy and his coaching staff. Could there be bigger changes on the way this summer?
Next seven days: @ SJ (March 8), @ ANA (March 9), @ LA (March 11)
24. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.00%
Playoff chances: 2.3%. Many had been forecasting a downturn for the B's in recent preseasons. Due to a variety of factors, 2024-25 appears to be the time when they will finally miss the playoffs. There are big decisions ahead this summer.
Next seven days: @ TB (March 8), vs. FLA (March 11), @ OTT (March 13)
25. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 49.21%
Playoff chances: 12.8%. The Flyers overachieved in 2023-24, remaining in the playoff mix well into April before ultimately dropping out of postseason position. It has been a different story this season, as they've never really entered the playoff picture, despite as encouraging season for future star Matvei Michkov.
Next seven days: vs. SEA (March 8), vs. NJ (March 9), vs. OTT (March 11), vs. TB (March 13)
26. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 50.00%
Playoff chances: 0.5%. The Ducks have had their moments in 2024-25 but are not quite ready to mount a serious challenge for the postseason. Will an active offseason change their trajectory?
Next seven days: vs. STL (March 7), vs. NYI (March 9), vs. WSH (March 11), @ UTA (March 12)
27. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 45.31%
Playoff chances: 0.3%. On occasion, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin & Co. make fans remember the good times for this franchise, but those occasions have been too infrequent this season, and a playoff berth is a remote possibility at best.
Next seven days: @ VGK (March 7), @ MIN (March 9), vs. VGK (March 11), vs. STL (March 13)
28. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 44.44%
Playoff chances: 0.1%. This will be the third time in four seasons of existence that the Kraken have missed the postseason. What will GM Ron Francis do with the bounty of picks (and cap space) he received during trade season?
Next seven days: @ PHI (March 8), @ WSH (March 9), vs. MTL (March 12)
29. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 44.26%
Playoff chances: 0.1%. The longest postseason drought in North American pro sports will continue this spring, in stark contrast to the runaway success of the NFL's Buffalo Bills (who share an ownership group) and the NLL's Buffalo Bandits (who share the arena but pack in more fans than the Sabres).
Next seven days: @ FLA (March 8), vs. EDM (March 10), @ DET (March 12)
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 42.74%
Playoff chances: 0.0%. After a surprising turnaround to qualify for the 2024 playoffs -- and then winning the offseason, by inking Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei -- this season has been wildly disappointing for Nashville.
Next seven days: vs. CHI (March 8), @ SJ (March 11)
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 37.10%
Playoff chances: 0.0%. This will be another spring of playoff-less hockey in Chicago. But are better days on the way? There's reason to believe that they are closer to contention than many think.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (March 7), @ NSH (March 8), @ COL (March 10), @ SJ (March 13)
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.59%
Playoff chances: 0.0%. The chances of a playoff berth left the station for this team a while back, but Sharks fans must be encouraged by the play of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, both of whom appear far ahead of their expected developmental curves.
Next seven days: vs. NYI (March 8), vs. NSH (March 11), CHI (March 13)
Brazil youth star after racist abuse: Hurts the soul
The Brazilian football federation (CBF) said they will file a complaint with South America's governing body CONMEBOL after Palmeiras under-20 player Luighi faced racial abuse while playing against Cerro Porteno U20s in Paraguay on Thursday.
Luighi complained to the referee shortly after cameras showed a man in the stands making monkey gestures towards the visiting players at the CONMEBOL Libertadores U20 match, which Palmeiras won 3-0.
The 18-year-old striker, who played for Brazil's U17 team at the 2023 age-group World Cup, was substituted soon after and was seen in tears at the bench.
"It hurts the soul. And it is the same pain that all black people have felt throughout history, because things evolve, but they are never 100% resolved," Luighi later wrote on Instagram.
"Today's episode leaves scars and needs to be seen for what it really is: A crime. Until when? That is the question I hope we won't have to ask at some point. For now, we keep fighting."
The CBF posted on X saying they had called in their legal department to make a representation to CONMEBOL demanding strict punishment for the offence.
"It is shocking to see scenes like these. Racism is a criminal offence and must be combated by everyone. I know how much pain Luighi has suffered. Enough of racists in football," CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said in a statement.
Luighi was promoted to Palmeiras' first team in June 2024 and has made nine league appearances for the senior side, scoring once.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has described Saturday's clash with Southampton as the "first of three finals" his team will play in the coming week.
Liverpool will host Ivan Jurić 's side in the Premier League this weekend before welcoming Paris Saint-Germain to Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday night, having beaten the French champions 1-0 in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie.
Slot's side will then travel to Wembley on March 16 where they will take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League while Southampton are bottom of the table after picking up just nine points from their 27 league games this term.
However, Slot has stressed the importance of both his players and the fans being at their very best on Saturday afternoon.
"My full focus is now on Southampton," he told a news conference on Friday. "It is the first of three finals to play in the upcoming week. For me, the Southampton game is by far the most important of the week, not only because it is the first one we play but because it is a very important game for us."
He added: "It is a week to look forward to for every Liverpool fan. We know the final is there and everyone is already talking to me about how the atmosphere will be on a Champions League night, but I truly hope our fans will be at their loudest tomorrow, not in the final or against PSG, but tomorrow.
"I have to convince my players we play three finals, and I hope that I influence our fans a bit as well, so they understand how important they are going to be tomorrow. I hope they don't come in five minutes before the kick-off.
"I hope the stadium is completely filled half an hour before kick-off and the players get their reward for their performance in Paris, for working so hard. The fans have great songs [for the players]. They are really creative, so let's hear them tomorrow."
Liverpool must wait to discover whether forward Cody Gakpo is fit to face Southampton after the Netherlands international missed Wednesday's clash at the Parc des Princes through injury.
"He didn't train yesterday so let's see if he can train today," Slot said. "It's a close call. It's not a long-term injury but he still had a bit of pain yesterday so let's see how he is today."
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