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NBA experts' picks for Heat-Hawks, Mavs-Grizz and every first-round series
The 2025 NBA playoffs will tip off on Saturday with just two more spots left to play from this week's play-in tournament.
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors clinched the No. 7 spot after defeating 8-seed Memphis Grizzlies to set up a first-round series with with the No. 2 Houston Rockets. In the East, the Orlando Magic routed the Atlanta Hawks to claim the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup against the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics.
All that's left is which teams will clinch each conference's No. 8 seed on Friday. The Hawks will take on Miami Heat (who ousted the Chicago Bulls in the 9-10 game) for the East spot while the Grizzlies will how the Dallas Mavericks (who eliminated the Sacramento Kings in the 9-10 game).
The first-round tips on Saturday with the 3-6 and 4-5 matchups from each conference. The No. 1 and 2 seeds will host their Game 1s against Friday's play-in tournament winners on Sunday.
But before the NBA's biggest superstars take the postseason stage, our NBA experts are making their picks for each first-round series.
NBA postseason: 20-team preview | 25 key people | Schedule and news
East play-in
Miami Heat (10)
at Atlanta Hawks (8)
Chris Herring: Heat
Bobby Marks: Heat
Kevin Pelton: Hawks
Jorge Sedano: Heat
Marc J. Spears: Heat
Tim MacMahon: Heat
Jeremy Woo: Hawks
Final tally:
Heat 5, Hawks 2
West play-in
Dallas Mavericks (10)
at Memphis Grizzlies (8)
Chris Herring: Grizzlies
Bobby Marks: Mavericks
Kevin Pelton: Grizzlies
Jorge Sedano: Mavericks
Marc J. Spears: Mavericks
Jeremy Woo: Grizzlies
Final tally:
Grizzlies 3, Mavericks 3
East first round
Boston Celtics (2)
vs. Orlando Magic (7)
Jamal Collier: Celtics in 4
Andre Snellings: Celtics in 5
Chris Herring: Celtics in 6
Bobby Marks: Celtics in 5
Jorge Sedano: Celtics in 5
Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Celtics in 6
Final tally:
Boston 8, Orlando 0
New York Knicks (3)
vs. Detroit Pistons (6)
Jamal Collier: Knicks in 5
Andre Snellings: Knicks in 7
Chris Herring: Knicks in 7
Tim MacMahon: Knicks in 6
Bobby Marks: Knicks in 5
Dave McMenamin: Knicks in 7
Jorge Sedano: Knicks in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 5
Marc J. Spears: Knicks in 6
Jeremy Woo: Knicks in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks in 7
Final tally:
Knicks 11, Pistons 0
Indiana Pacers (4)
vs. Milwaukee Bucks (5)
Jamal Collier: Pacers in 7
Andre Snellings: Bucks in 6
Chris Herring: Pacers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Pacers in 7
Bobby Marks: Pacers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Pacers in 7
Jorge Sedano: Bucks in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Pacers in 6
Marc J. Spears: Bucks in 7
Jeremy Woo: Bucks in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Bucks in 7
Final tally:
Pacers 7, Bucks 4
West first round
Houston Rockets (2) vs. Golden State Warriors (7)
Jamal Collier: Warriors in 7
Andre Snellings: Warriors in 6
Chris Herring: Warriors in 7
Bobby Marks: Rockets in 6
Jorge Sedano: Warriors in 7
Tim MacMahon: Warriors in 6
Dave McMenamin: Warriors in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Warriors in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Rockets in 7
Final tally:
Warriors 7, Rockets 2
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs.
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Collier: Lakers in 6
Andre Snellings: Lakers in 7
Chris Herring: Lakers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Lakers in 6
Bobby Marks: Lakers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Lakers in 6
Jorge Sedano: Lakers in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Lakers in 6
Marc J. Spears: Lakers in 7
Jeremy Woo: Lakers in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers in 7
Final tally:
Lakers 11, Timberwolves 0
(4) Denver Nuggets
vs. (5) LA Clippers
Jamal Collier: Clippers in 7
Andre Snellings: Nuggets in 7
Chris Herring: Clippers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Clippers in 7
Bobby Marks: Clippers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Clippers in 5
Jorge Sedano: Clippers in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 7
Marc J. Spears: Clippers in 7
Jeremy Woo: Nuggets in 7
Final tally:
Clippers 7, Nuggets 3
The Boston Red Sox activated third baseman Alex Bregman off the paternity list Friday, while right-hander Michael Fulmer was designated for assignment.
In other moves, the Red Sox recalled right-hander Hunter Dobbins, while infielder/outfielder Nick Sogard was optioned.
Bregman, 31, last played Tuesday when he went 5-for-5 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs in Boston's 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. In his first 19 games with the club since signing as a free agent in the offseason, he was batting .321 with four home runs and 16 RBIs.
He and his wife, Reagan, welcomed their second son this week.
Fulmer, 32, made his Red Sox debut Monday and gave up three runs in 2 innings. A former starter for the Detroit Tigers, he is 37-50 with a 3.96 ERA in 263 appearances (90 starts) over eight career seasons.
He won the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year with the Tigers.
Dobbins, 25, made his major league debut for the Red Sox on April 6 and pitched five innings and gave up two runs. He got the win in an 18-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Sogard, 27, played in 31 games as a rookie last season and batted .273 with four doubles and eight RBIs.
TORONTO -- Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer received a second cortisone shot in his troublesome right thumb this week and will try playing catch again when he rejoins the team in Houston next week, manager John Schneider said Friday.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer had a cortisone injection on March 31, one day after being placed on the 15-day injured list because of thumb inflammation. He played catch several times on Toronto's recent road trip, but still had pain in his thumb.
This week's injection was into a different part of Scherzer's thumb than the first shot, Schneider said.
The 40-year-old Scherzer left his debut start with the Blue Jays against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle. He said after the game that his thumb issue was to blame for that soreness.
Earlier in March, Scherzer had a spring training start pushed back because of thumb pain.
Scherzer signed a $15.5 million, one-year contract with the Blue Jays in February. He went 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA in nine starts for Texas last season, starting the year on the injured list while recovering from lower back surgery. He also had a stint on the IL with shoulder fatigue and didn't pitch after Sept. 14 because of a left hamstring strain.
ITTF Mens and Womens World Cup Macao 2025 Day 5 Live!
The evening session begins on expected lines, as defending champion Sun Yingsha (China) beat Cheng I-Ching (Chinese Taipei).
Yingsha won a comfortable victory in five games, looking to be at her attacking best. Cheng, despite a win in the third game, never looked to be in the contest, with the level of difference in both players becoming evident as the match progressed.
The final score line read 4-1 (11-6, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9).
She will now face compatriot Chen Xingtong in the semifinals.
World No. 4 Chen Xingtong of China beat Brazilian Bruna Takahashi 4-1 (11-8, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7) in the final match of the morning session.
Takahashis backhand, both consistent and powerful, had Xingtong scratching her head for answers. A pivotal moment came at 10-9 in the third game, where Takahashi failed to convert a game point, foregoing an opportunity to take a 2-1 lead.
After surviving that critical game, Xingtong gained momentum, playing with greater confidence and asserting control over the match. She comfortably secured the fourth and fifth games, ultimately closing out the contest with minimal opposition.
Xingtong will now face the winner of Sun Yingsha (China) and Cheng I-Ching (Chinese Taipei) in the semifinals.
Day 5 witnesses another epic, as Wang Chuqin (China) survives a massive scare against Benedikt Duda (Germany) to go through to the semifinals.
In a clash of left-handed players, Duda showcased remarkable form, challenging Chuqin with consistent high-level play. Despite a swift defeat in the opening game, Duda adjusted effectively to mount a strong comeback, making the match increasingly competitive.
Dudas serves played a pivotal role in his strategy, effectively setting up powerful and low attacking shots from both wings of the table. His precision and control allowed him to apply consistent pressure, with a clear focus on exploiting Chuqins wide forehand side. He matched the World No. 2 shot for shot, in a performance reminiscent of fellow German Timo Bolls matches against top Chinese players.
Duda will regret not converting the fifth game, losing 8 points in a row from a 7-3 lead. He also failed to convert a match point opportunity at 10-9, missing a receive. However, he can walk away with his head held high, in what has been his best ever showing at a World Cup.
With Wang Haos spirited coaching fueling him, Chuqin stayed composed under intense pressure. A stroke of luck in the fifth game, including net balls and a critical service error from Duda, gave Chuqin the opportunity to come back from 3-7 down to to take the fifth game. The drama culminated in the decider, where Chuqins brilliance shone with two crucial points at 10-10, sealing the victory amid electrifying celebrations in the stands.
Chuqin will now face the winner of Tomokazu Harimoto (Japan) and Hugo Calderano (Brazil) in the semifinals.
Mima Ito beat Satsuki Odo 4-2 (11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7) in an All Japanese matchup.
Trailing 7-10 in the pivotal fifth game, Ito staged a remarkable comeback by stringing together five consecutive points to seize a 3-2 lead in a closely contested match. This turnaround seemed to tilt the balance firmly in Itos favor, as Odo struggled to bounce back from the disappointment. Under mounting pressure, Odo faltered in the sixth game, allowing Ito to close out the match and secure a well-earned victory.
Itos exceptional speed was on full display as she consistently took the ball early, leaving Odo with minimal time to recover between strokes. By maintaining relentless pressure, Ito disrupted Odos rhythm and effectively limited her ability to execute her shots.
Ito will take a lot of confidence from this win, having lost to Odo in their previous 2 meetings. Having been dropped from the Japanese team for the Paris Olympics, she has made a strong statement by beating the World No. 8, and will now face the winner of Kuai Man (China) vs Wang Manyu (China).
Day 5 gets off to a high quality start, with Chinese stalwart Liang Jingkun getting the better of Slovenias Darko Jorgic in six thrilling games.
In their evenly matched fifth encounter, where both players had previously secured two wins each, Jingkun came out with a solid plan to take an early 2-0 lead. Displaying excellent tactical discipline, he consistently denied Jorgic the pace needed to execute his powerful backhand. By skillfully varying the depth and placement of his shots, Jingkun disrupted Jorgics rhythm and minimized his chances of using his trademark weapon effectively. This strategic approach set the tone for a commanding start to the match.
Jorgic adapted his strategy in the third game, moving closer to the table and focusing on pushing Jingkun wide to his forehand in an effort to unsettle his positioning. This adjustment paid dividends as Jorgic clawed his way back into contention, highlighted by a nail-biting 19-17 victory in the fifth game that appeared to shift the momentum in his favor. However, Jingkun displayed remarkable resilience, regaining control in the sixth game to secure the decisive victory and advance further in the tournament.
The match was a turbulent affair, with both Jingkun and Jorgic frequently encountering net and edge balls, leading to moments of frustration for both players. But Jingkun demonstrated superior composure, and booked a well-deserved place in the semifinals.
Jingkun will face the winner of Lin Shidong (China) vs Truls Moregardh (Sweden).
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand is confident his squad will regroup from losing influential flanker Erin King for the remainder of the Six Nations and the World Cup later this year.
King sustained a knee injury in Ireland's defeat by England last weekend and the full extent of it was made public on Thursday.
"It does affect you, but we understand injuries can happen," said Bemand, whose team play Wales at Rodney Parade on Sunday.
"The group have circled round her really well. Erin doesn't want us moping. She wants us to go out and put in a performance.
"We'll take a bit of Erin energy, we'll bring it to training this week and take it to Wales with us because she's still part of the group and around it."
Squad skipper Edel McMahon could slot back into the back row after missing the England defeat because of a knock, while Enniskillen native Claire Boles will be another option to come in for the unlucky King.
"We can't be reliant on one player. We've got to keep growing the depth. There are girls coming through," added the Ireland coach.
"Edel is back on line this week. Claire Boles has been outstanding through the camp and brings her own unique brand of open-side flanker. We've got some options. We're OK and we'll be able to put a performance out there."
Bemand revealed that King's injury is related to her cartilage rather than cruciate ligament damage, but it is still serious enough to end her hopes of featuring at the World Cup.
"The doctors said to her that they were surprised she could carry on, but she said it was just a niggle," added the Ireland coach.
"It actually deteriorated after the game. So it wasn't like she couldn't run around or move it during the game."
Ireland led early on against England in Cork. While England scored 42 unanswered points in the second half to win 49-5, Bemand felt that his team's first-half shortcomings were just as contributory to the ultimately heavy defeat.
"It's not just about looking at the second half. We've gone pretty hard at the first half because if we get that bit right and we're 15, 17-0 up at half-time, what does that England team talk look like at half-time?" he said.
"We could have had more scoreboard pressure in that first block."
Is Sexton's Lions appointment doomsday for Russell?
Mid-morning on Thursday and Johnny Sexton is announced as the latest coaching addition to the British and Irish Lions - or, perhaps, the Irish and British Lions.
Immediately, the talk turns to what this means for Finn Russell, given Sexton's barbed comments about the Scotland fly-half as recently as February. Doomsday for Finn?
An interview Sexton gave to The Times last autumn will get a hell of an airing over the next few months. Sexton said being overlooked for the last Lions tour in 2021 "kills me to this day", an angst that came across strongly in his autobiography, published last year.
He expected Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar to be picked but couldn't understand why coach Warren Gatland went with Russell ahead of him.
Sexton and Russell are polar opposites as players and people. They see the game in different ways. Sexton, clearly, has a beef with Russell - or with the coverage he inspires.
Hence, the alarm in the Russell camp at the news of Sexton's elevation. That's an Ireland head coach, an Ireland attack coach and now Sexton running the show in Australia.
There's fast-tracking and then there's this. For the 2024 November internationals, Sexton was given a vague job title in Andy Farrell's Ireland coaching ticket - consultant.
When the Six Nations swung around, he was still involved, but again his remit was not wholly specific - kicking advisor, mentoring the Ireland fly-halves, contributing his thoughts on the attack.
After a single-figures Test involvement as a coach/mentor, Sexton is now a Lions coach. The new Neil Jenkins, as it were.
That interview last year shone a light on Sexton's views on Russell, revealing some of the things that have built up over the years but were never voiced in public.
The Irishman called Russell "flashy" and a "media darling" in that piece. He has long held the view the Scotland fly-half is talented but showy, but this was the first time he said it on the record. He didn't exactly ask 'where's your medals?' but it was implied. His words were put-downs.
He also called England's Marcus Smith flashy, but then rowed back. He called Smith a generational talent who can manage a game while lighting it up. There was no such readjustment of his opinion on Russell.
In fact, he went one further. Who would Sexton pick as the starting Test 10 in Australia? Most observers would have said - and would still say - Russell. "I'd pick Owen Farrell," said Sexton of the Lions coach's son.
"Who do you want in there when the going gets tough? Test match animals. I know who the media would want. Finn Russell, Marcus Smith, the flashy"
You can almost hear the words being spat out. Who do you want in the trenches? Who's the Test match animal? Not Russell. The Scot remained stoic when all this was put to him. This stuff has been one-way traffic, from Sexton to Russell. The Bath man has only ever said nice things about Sexton.
It's easy to interpret this as bad news for Russell and good news for Owen Farrell (and Sam Prendergast). Sexton is a Prendergast fan and also a huge admirer of Farrell, a truly great 10 in his day but one who has played just 14 games for a struggling Racing this season (including three yellow cards).
Farrell, 33, has had only three starts this year and has played just 139 minutes since the end of January. He has no form, but his stock may have risen on Thursday. His father could pick him - the squad is named on 8 May, so time is running out - but he'd be open to accusations of favouritism, fair or otherwise.
Now Farrell junior has an independent champion in Sexton and his voice on who should play 10 will carry serious weight. It's all very intriguing.
What's also interesting is that in his new role, Sexton is now going to have start looking at Russell through a coach's eyes rather than with the bitterness of a rival player.
All he has seen up to now is a talented operator but one who is, in his one-eyed opinion, over-praised in the media while winning virtually nothing, a guy who unjustly took his Lions place in 2021 and broke his heart.
Maybe now he'll see things in Russell he has never allowed himself to see before. Maybe. The two men were (briefly) Lions together in 2017 and played against each other numerous times over the years, but there's no relationship there, no bond.
One of the beauties of the Lions is how strangers and arch rivals can become team-mates and friends in the relative blink of an eye on tour. Sexton and Russell will be another test of that.
KNOXVILLE, Iowa When Dennis Albaugh first sat in the stands at Knoxville Raceway as a kid, he never imagined that moment would propel him to elusive heights in the sprint car world.
What began as an emerging love for the sport has led to the support of a thriving World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car team and now the Iowans name being the latest addition to the Marion County Fairgrounds.
Set to open just in time for the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash (April 18-19), the new Dennis Albaugh Suite Tower sits to the East of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, helping bookend the Hall with the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower.
I had an uncle that took me and my brother along with his other kids down to Knoxville, Albaugh said. Wed watch the races, and every year Ive been going to them and got to really liking them.
I didnt think Id ever have a tower with my name on it on the backside of the track, Albaugh added with a laugh. Ive just followed it every year, going to the (Knoxville) Nationals every year. Lots of times, I couldnt get tickets. We had to scalp them out in the street to get in. My wife also enjoys going to the races. I told my wife, This might be my other calling in life. I really enjoy the heck out of these sprint cars.
Albaugh, whose company Albaugh LLC focuses on crop protection, helped make the construction of the new tower possible.
Its a big thing for the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum and also for Dennis personally, said Bob Baker, executive director of the Hall of Fame and Museum. Hed been on our waiting list to get a suite for a long time, and we all realized that unless we build more, theres nobody thats going to give their suite up. When we first sat down to talk, Dennis was very excited about helping us build the new tower and then also excited about having his own suite. It was really gratifying the first time we went to talk to him. I remember we sent the plans to him, so he could kind of look at what we were thinking about. He saw it and was very excited. He came out with all the plans and paperwork under his arm, and he was really excited to sit down and talk with us and said, Lets make this happen.
Albaughs help facilitating the tower is far from his first contribution to the sport. Hes been a major partner with one of the top teams on the World of Outlaws circuit Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing for the last several years.
I think I mentioned to a friend of mine, Tony Moro, Someday Id like to have a sprint car that I sponsor myself, Albaugh said. From that, he said, I think Ive got the team. He knew this Bobbi Johnson in Missouri. They were up here for the Nationals. They came over to my facility where I have a car museum and were touring that. I talked with Bobbi, and they were looking for a major sponsor at the time and had this driver by the name of Carson Macedo. I knew of Carson and followed him through the years.
So, we put a deal together, and it was one year at a time, and since that time weve expanded it to more years. It couldnt have been better. Carson is an unbelievable guy. Hes been very good. He represents my company extremely well.
Having Dennis involved with our team has literally catapulted us to a whole new level, Macedo said. JJR, as everyone knows, was kind of set out originally with Jasons dream just to bring a bunch of sponsors together that maybe couldnt be primary, so to say corporate sponsors and just kind of piece it all together. But obviously having Dennis step up as more of a corporate sponsor and as our primary was huge for JJR to elevate to that next level, and then also to have somebody thats corporate but not corporate. Anyone thats talked to Dennis realizes hes got obviously a really big company, but also, hes such a down-to-earth, easy-going guy. Just a farmer that has built an amazing business.
The partnership has brought many memorable moments for Albaugh and JJR, becoming frequent visitors to victory lane with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Perhaps the most meaningful was Macedos NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Caseys prelim win. It came only two months after Macedo experienced a fiery crash at Knoxville. Albaugh was there to witness not only Macedos story of redemption but also see a car with his name on the side in victory lane at the event that he grew up admiring.
I took down a lot of the family after the race, Albaugh said. And that was so much fun going around congratulating all of the pit crew and everybody and Philip Dietz, who is a very key partner that runs the racing operation. I congratulated him and all his family. Ive gotten to know them pretty well. It was just unbelievable when Carson did that.
Albaughs support doesnt stop with Jason Johnson Racing. He also sponsors the racing efforts of Chase Randall, Ryan Giles and J.J. Hickle.
Its set to be a special weekend for Albaugh. First, the opening of the suite tower and then two nights of watching World of Outlaws racing at The Sprint Car Capital of the World, enjoying the sport he loves with the people he loves.
Im taking my immediate family plus a bunch of other friends down there, Albaugh said. Ive got a suite for 40, and I thought, How am I ever going to fill that with 40? Well, were hunting for more tickets right now.
IndyCar Clarifies Reserve Driver Policy For Indy 500
MOORESVILLE, N.C. IndyCar officials have clarified the sanctioning bodys reserve driver policy for the 109th Indianapolis 500.
The change could impact 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports if the race is delayed, or stopped, for rain.
Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren agreed that in 2025, the Coca-Cola 600 would take priority over the Indianapolis 500 for Larson to avoid last years situation when a four-hour rain delay to the start of the Indianapolis 500 kept Larson from competing in the 600.
Larson drives the full NASCAR Cup Series schedule and competes for the season championship. He is an Indy 500-only competitor in the IndyCar Series.
IndyCar has informed race teams of a procedural update involving eligible drivers ahead of the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. During a recent team manager call, teams were made aware that a replacement driver would be eligible with the following parameters:
A replacement driver will only be considered if the primary (entered) driver also is participating in another marquee event with the drivers principal racing series on Indianapolis 500 Race Day.
The IndyCar-approved veteran replacement driver is eligible for and passes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway refresher program in the entry during the first day of Indianapolis 500 practice.
Additional tires for the refresher program will not be allowed for the Indianapolis 500 entry. The tire allotment for each entrant is 32 sets for the event. Any tires used for the refresher program will be taken from the allotted tires to that entry.
During the refresher program, minimal setup changes will be allowed.
After the replacement driver completes the required phases of the refresher program, additional laps during the session will not be permitted.
Once IndyCar is notified that a team will use its replacement driver for the Indianapolis 500, the entrys qualified position is forfeited, and the car will start at the rear of the starting lineup and ordered according to Rule 8.1.8.6.
A qualified driver, who is officially replaced by the team, may return and compete with that entry provided the replacement driver has not participated in a session other than the refresher program.
The cars starting position will remain at the rear of the field with the starting lineup ordered according to Rule 8.1.8.6.
The 2025 IndyCar rulebook will be updated to reflect these changes.
If Larson has to leave the Indianapolis 500 before it starts, Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan would be the driver but would have to start at the rear of the field. Kanaan won the 2013 Indianapolis 500.
ANDERSON, Ind. Dakoda Armstrong won Thursday nights 25th running of the Glen Niebel Classic non-winged sprint car race at Anderson Speedway.
The race that was previously rained out and rain delayed on Thursday was the opening round of the 500 Sprint Car Tour.
Armstrong won the 100-lap event on the legendary quarter-mile race track by 4.779 seconds over Jackson Macenko.
Teenager Colton Bettis came home third, with Tyler Roahrig and Kyle OGara completed the top five.
Dameron Taylor topped the Dick Jordan Classic for the USSA Kenyon Midgets.
The finish:
Dakoda Armstrong, Jackson Macenko, Colton Bettis, Tyler Roahrig, Kyle OGara, Kody Swanson, Bobby Santos III, Matt Dimit, Brian Vaughn, Derek Bischak, Landon Butler, Justin Harper, Brady Allum, Davey Hamilton Jr., Taylor Ferns, Tony Main, Donnie Adams Jr., Nathan Byrd, Rylan Gray, Chase Locke, Scott Hampton.
Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin put on a show in the regular-season finale Thursday night, showcasing their greatness in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
Ovechkin finished his record-breaking season by netting his 897th career goal in the second period. Crosby, meanwhile, finished his 20th season in the NHL with a goal and an assist to push him past the 90-point barrier for the ninth time.
"[Crosby and Ovechkin] are two of the greatest players of all time," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "How fortunate are we that we get to see it up close and have for how many years now? The fact that they play in the same division is incredible because that rivalry between Washington and Pittsburgh, and between Ovi and Sid, has been so much fun just to witness up close."
Pittsburgh saluted Ovechkin with a video congratulating him on becoming the NHL's goal king. Ovechkin skated to center ice to acknowledge the crowd, which briefly broke out an "Ovi" chant, a sign of respect for one of the franchise's biggest rivals.
The Penguins' tributes to Ovechkin didn't end there. After the game, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin caught up with Ovechkin outside Capitals' locker room and gifted him with a Rolex.
A gift for #Gr8ness pic.twitter.com/dZVyhQWypI
Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 18, 2025
The 73rd regular-season meeting between two of the game's biggest stars was the rare one without stakes. The Capitals clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs weeks ago. The rebuilding Penguins missed the postseason.
The Capitals will begin the quest for the franchise's second Stanley Cup on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens.
"We're just getting through the game, to be honest with you," Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. "Moving forward and getting ready for Montreal."
Bryan Rust scored twice to finish the season with a career-best 31 goals. His second goal came on an outstanding whip-around backhand feed from Crosby that gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 18 shots for the Penguins.
Ovechkin's goal Thursday night moved him three clear of Wayne Gretzky, whose career record he smashed earlier this month.
Ovechkin, 39, scored 22 goals in the final 31 games, and his 44 goals this season tied Hall of Famer Gordie Howe for the most in a season by a player aged 39 or older.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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