DARLINGTON, Wis. – A southwest Wisconsin speedplant with nearly seven decades of racing history adds three IMCA divisions to regular weekly shows this season.

Lafayette County Speedway at Darlington sanctions the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods beginning in 2020.

Twelve Friday programs are scheduled during the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season, from April 24 to Aug. 14.

“IMCA is very well respected in the racing industry and a lot of our drivers already race IMCA,” explained Media Director Kari Ruf. “We’ve been getting good car counts and our rules were similar to IMCA’s. We decided sanctioning was the good way for us to go.”

Both Modified and Northern SportMod fields are expected to be well represented by drivers from the tri-state area also including Illinois and Iowa. The Hobby Stock class, noted Ruf, will be a “perfect fit” for younger drivers looking to begin their full-bodied racing careers.

The three-eighths-mile clay oval was converted from a half-mile in the early 2000s. The Lafayette County Fair race is July 17, the Bob Larson Memorial Sept. 18 and 19.

“Lafayette County Speedway has a long history of great racing and we’re proud to become part of that,” said IMCA Vice President of Operations Jim Stannard. “The Darlington area is home to a lot of talented drivers and race fans there have even more to look forward to this season.”

Modified points earned at Darlington figure toward IMCA Side Biter Chassis North Central Region standings, Hobby Stock points in the Big Daddy Race Cars Northern Region.

AVONDALE, Ariz. – The last time Ty Gibbs raced at Phoenix Raceway, he was standing in victory lane to close out the 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season.

He’ll return Friday night as part of the ARCA Menards Series’ inaugural race at the Arizona 1-mile oval, and while the series name has changed, the 17-year-old Charlotte, N.C., driver heads West with the same mindset.

“I look at every single race with the same mentality, no matter what happened the race before,” said Gibbs. “I want to try to win every single race I can; I go in to be positive and learn as much as I can.”

The race will also serve as the first of 10 races as part of the Sioux Chief Showdown. The series, which draws the best of the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West, is a championship that will play out over a variety of short tracks and road courses, culminating at Memphis Int’l Speedway in September.

In his win last year at Phoenix, Gibbs started 22nd after a technical inspection infraction, and then marched to the front. He passed teammate Riley Herbst on lap 71 and then held off East champ Sam Mayer over the closing laps to secure his second NASCAR victory.

“I was focused the whole time about getting my car the best and getting to the front,” Gibbs said. “It was really slick when the sun was out, after the Xfinity Series race. Once I got my car dialed in, we were ready to rip at the end.”

Gibbs had six top fives in East competition, including a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He also had two wins and seven top fives in 11 ARCA Menards Series starts. He kicked off 2020 with a third-place finish at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway, after losing the lead to Mayer with 13 laps to go.

The Gibbs-Mayer rivalry has been one to keep an eye on. Gibbs got his first ARCA Menards Series win last June at Gateway with a perfectly-timed bump-and-run on Mayer on the final lap. Of his four runner-up finishes in the East in 2019, two of them (Iowa and Bristol) came in Mayer wins.

Heading into the 2019-20 season, most expected the Philadelphia Flyers to be poking around the playoff mix, and the team's hire of Alain Vigneault as coach indicated faith from management that the team was ready to make a run. With 17 games remaining, the team is not only in the playoff mix, but pushing the Washington Capitals for the Metropolitan Division title. After two wins over the New York Rangers this weekend, the Flyers have now won six straight overall and are three points in back of the Caps. And by the way, the two teams will clash on Wednesday this week.

Here's where things stand throughout the league heading into Monday's two-game slate, including Edmonton Oilers-Nashville Predators streaming live on ESPN+.

Note: Playoff chances are courtesy of Money Puck, while tragic numbers are per the NHL's Damian Echevarrieta.

Jump to:
Eastern standings | Western standings
Race for No. 1 pick | Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: Atlantic 1
Games left: 16 (7 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: @ TB
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: Atlantic 2
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. BOS
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Atlantic 3
Games left: 16 (8 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: @ SJ
Playoff chances: 90.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Washington Capitals

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: Metro 1
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 4: vs. PHI
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: Metro 2
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 4: @ WSH
Playoff chances: 99.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Metro 3
Games left: 18 (9 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. OTT
Playoff chances: 81.7%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 18 (8 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. MTL
Playoff chances: 70.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 15 (5 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 4: @ CGY
Playoff chances: 39.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (8 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 5: @ PHI
Playoff chances: 69.2%
Tragic number: 34

New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (8 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. STL
Playoff chances: 29.8%
Tragic number: 31

Florida Panthers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16 (8 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 5: vs. BOS
Playoff chances: 17.3%
Tragic number: 28

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (5 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 3: @ NYI
Playoff chances: 2.9%
Tragic number: 22

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (8 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: @ WPG
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 23

New Jersey Devils

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: @ VGS
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 21

Ottawa Senators

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16 (5 home, 11 away)
Next game: March 3: @ PIT
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 13

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (8 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 2: vs. COL
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: Eliminated

Western Conference

St. Louis Blues

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: Central 1
Games left: 16 (7 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: @ NYR
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: Central 2
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 2: @ DET
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Central 3
Games left: 17 (10 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. EDM
Playoff chances: 99.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: Pacific 1
Games left: 15 (5 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. NJ
Playoff chances: 97.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: Pacific 2
Games left: 17 (10 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 2: @ NSH
Playoff chances: 86.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: Pacific 3
Games left: 15 (11 home, 4 away)
Next game: March 4: vs. CBJ
Playoff chances: 79.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 17 (10 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 4: vs. ARI
Playoff chances: 60.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 18 (8 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 2: vs. EDM
Playoff chances: 54.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (7 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. BUF
Playoff chances: 19.0%
Tragic number: 31

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (8 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 4: @ VAN
Playoff chances: 33.1%
Tragic number: 31

Minnesota Wild

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (7 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. NSH
Playoff chances: 59.9%
Tragic number: 34

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (11 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. ANA
Playoff chances: 10.4%
Tragic number: 29

San Jose Sharks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. TOR
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 23

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: @ CHI
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 23

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16 (11 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 5: vs. TOR
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 17

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. However, whoever does win the draft lottery has a chance to select Alexis Lafreniere.

Find out more about Lafreniere here, read up on the rest of the top draft prospects here, and check out all of our 2020 NHL draft coverage.

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 12
Chance of No. 1 pick: 18.5%

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 13.5%

Ottawa Senators

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17
Chance of No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 9.5%

San Jose Sharks

Note: Pick belongs to Ottawa

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Chance of No. 1 pick: 8.5%

New Jersey Devils

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20
Chance of No. 1 pick: 7.5%

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6.5%

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6%

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 5%

Minnesota Wild

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3.5%

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3%

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2.5%

Florida Panthers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2%

New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1.5%

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1%

Current playoff matchups

(A1) Bruins vs. (WC2) Blue Jackets
(A2) Lightning vs. (A3) Maple Leafs
(M1) Capitals vs. (WC1) Islanders
(M2) Flyers vs. (M3) Penguins
(P1) Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Canucks
(P2) Oilers vs. (P3) Flames
(C1) Blues vs. (WC2) Predators
(C2) Avalanche vs. (C3) Stars

In his 50th PGA Tour start, reigning Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im won his first PGA Tour title on Sunday, outlasting Mac Hughes and Tommy Fleetwood to win the Honda Classic. Here's a look at the earnings and the FedExCup points paid out at PGA National:

Tommy Fleetwood's effort at the Honda Classic wasn't enough to nab his first PGA Tour win, but it was enough to bump Tiger Woods out of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in nearly a year.

Fleetwood's third-place finish at PGA National helped the Englishman move up two spots to No. 10, bumping Woods down from 10th to 11th. This is the first time that Woods has been outside the top 10 since his Masters win, which jumped him from 12th to sixth in the world in April. He had since reached as high as No. 5 but has been steadily dropping after making only two starts so far this year.

Honda winner Sungjae Im moved up nine spots to No. 25 in the latest rankings, while runner-up Mackenzie Hughes vaulted from No. 308 to No. 158. Lucas Herbert's runner-up finish at the New Zealand Open moved him from 82nd to 66th, putting him on the cusp of the 64-man field for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, which will be finalized after The Players.

The only other change besides Fleetwood's ascent among the top 10 came at No. 6, where an idle Patrick Cantlay edged ahead of Adam Scott. Rory McIlroy remains world No. 1 for another week, followed by Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Cantlay, Scott, Webb Simpson, Patrick Reed and Fleetwood.

They have an all-gold version of the Premier League trophy inside the Arsenal boardroom at the Emirates Stadium, and for good reason. It isn't easy to go through a full league season without suffering a defeat and having done so during the 2003-04 campaign, Arsene Wenger's "Invincibles" were awarded the unique gold replica of the champions' trophy to mark their achievement.

Until Watford pulled off their stunning 3-0 victory over runaway leaders Liverpool at Vicarage Road on Saturday, it had seemed that the Premier League would have to forge another golden version of their trophy and send it up to Anfield for Jurgen Klopp and his players. But while Liverpool are still on course to break all kinds of records this season -- most points, most wins, biggest winning margin and earliest title triumph are all still in play -- they will not join Arsenal as champions who have won the Premier League without suffering a defeat.

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Liverpool may yet win the argument as the best team ever to win the Premier League, but however that debate plays out, Arsenal will continue to hold the proud distinction of being the only side to be invincible over a 38-game season. And with Watford ending Liverpool's long unbeaten run, it is perhaps an appropriate time to give Wenger's "Invincibles" due credit for their achievement.

The passage of time has not diminished Arsenal's feat, but such has been Liverpool's dominance this season that the manner of the Gunners' triumph has led to some revisionism over the true quality of their success. It has been argued that the number of draws (12) points to Liverpool being a better, more destructive team that Wenger's side and that Arsenal were happy to settle for a point in games where Liverpool would push for the win.

Already this season, Liverpool have won 13 league games by a single goal, with eight of those victories coming with decisive goals in the final 20 minutes. Liverpool have pushed for the three points, while Arsenal were known for holding onto what they had. During their 12 draws back in 2003-04, Arsenal did not score a goal after the hour mark in any of them, meaning they didn't possess the risk factor that has proven so crucial for Liverpool this season. But they did not lose and that pragmatism is why they have a golden trophy that none of the other great Premier League champions have been able to win.

The problem with comparing teams from different eras is that those playing in the present day tend to be held in higher regard simply because time can make memories fade. It's been 16 years since Arsenal played out their "Invincible" season and the Premier League has since witnessed the emergence of the great Chelsea and Manchester City teams, plus Manchester United's 2008 Champions League winners and the Liverpool side that is now on course to add the Premier League title to last year's European success.

Arsenal have not won a title since 2004 and their failure to build on the legacy of the "Invincibles" has, perhaps, led to that team dropping down the rankings when it comes to debates about the best teams of the Premier League era. But when Wenger's team is matched up against any of its rivals, it is difficult to argue that they fall short in any area.

Jens Lehmann may not have possessed the same global status as Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar, Petr Cech or Alisson Becker, but he was still a huge presence in goal for Arsenal and a keeper of genuine class. At the back, Lauren, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure and Ashley Cole were a formidable unit that conceded just 26 goals all season. They had Patrick Vieira at his absolute peak in midfield alongside the underrated Gilberto Silva, with Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires, who struck 18 goals between them, completing a world-class midfield. Then, up front, Arsenal had Dennis Bergkamp sitting just behind Thierry Henry in one of the most potent forward pairings in Premier League history. The squad also contained the likes of Martin Keown, Edu, Ray Parlour, Sylvain Wiltord and Jose Antonio Reyes -- all players capable of slotting in whenever a first-team regular was absent.

It was a team that could blow teams away with pace and power, but also one that would never be beaten in a physical encounter, as proved during the 0-0 draw at Manchester United in September 2003, which resulted in players from both sides clashing on the pitch following Ruud van Nistelrooy's stoppage-time penalty miss.

Arsenal may not have won as many games as the current Liverpool team or banked as many points as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have managed over the past two seasons, but we should not forget their greatness. And Watford have given us the opportunity to remind the footballing world that Arsenal's ability to go through a season unbeaten should not be forgotten.

That gold trophy is unique for a reason.

Between Josef Martinez's ACL, Paxton Pomykal's mustache, and the debut games for two expansions teams, Week 1 of the 2020 Major League Soccer season was a rollercoaster of emotion we're still coming to grips with (stream replays on ESPN+ in the U.S.).

Throw in the first MLS appearances for the league's rash of multimillion-dollar offseason signings and the opening weekend of the season was almost too much to handle.

So, with Lzzy Hale's guitar riff ringing in our ears from Nashville SC's debut, here are the always infallible, never questionable Power Rankings for the first week of MLS's 25th season.

1. Seattle Sounders

Previous ranking: 1

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Columbus Crew, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Someone around here picked Jordan Morris for MVP. Can't remember who that was, but whoever it was, he or she is a genius and deserves to be celebrated as one of the leading soccer minds of our time. The Sounders opened with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Chicago! Pretty good, Champions League notwithstanding.

2. LAFC

Previous ranking: 2

Next MLS match: March 8, vs. Philadelphia Union, 10:30 p.m. ET

Carlos Vela is back on his nonsense, which is to say he scored another incredible goal to help his team win a soccer game. Backing up Thursday's CCL triumph over Club Leon with a win in the season opener, 1-0 over Inter Miami, only reinforces what we were pretty sure we already knew: LAFC is a really good team engaged in some serious trophy hunting.

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3. Columbus Crew

Last season ranking: 8

Next MLS match: March 7, at Seattle Sounders, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Lucas Zelarayan is a mouthful for some of us, but we better get used to saying his name. The Crew are big timers now and Zelerayan is the Mannie Fresh of this new Ohio party. Week one or not, Columbus laid down a marker on its Eastern Conference intentions with Sunday's 1-0 win over NYCFC.

4. FC Dallas

Previous ranking: 11

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Montreal Impact, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Every group of youngsters needs a grizzled older mentor with a name like "Gator" or "Dragon." FC Dallas's grizzled older mentor, Zdenek Ondrasek, is named "Cobra" and sometimes he chips in with really good goals to help push his team of kids to a 2-0 victory over Philly in the opening weekend of the season.

5. Atlanta United

Previous ranking: 3

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

There's nothing that could be written here that would better convey the feelings around Atlanta United after Josef Martinez tore an ACL in the first game of the season -- a win at debutants Nashville, no less -- than a long series of frowny face emojis. You'll just have to imagine them because ESPN is too classy for emojis.

6. Minnesota United

Previous ranking: 13

Next MLS match: March 7, at San Jose Earthquakes, 8 p.m. ET

THE LOONS DEMAND RESPECT. Last year brought a three-year plan to fruition with a playoff berth. This year, Minnesota is looking to become established as a leading club in the Western Conference. Walking into Providence Park and silencing the Timbers Army in a 3-1 win is a good first step.

7. Colorado Rapids

Previous ranking: 17

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, vs. Orlando City, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Rapids deployed some tactical wrinkles and picked up an ugly 2-1 win in DC. The Rapids might not be as "new look" as some of the other new-looks teams around the league, but that doesn't make them less interesting. Robin Fraser's reputation preceded him: the Rapids could be on to something out West.

8. New York Red Bulls

Previous ranking: 14

Next MLS match: March 7, at Real Salt Lake, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Red Bulls took care of business, 3-2, on opening day against Cincy, but it's still a stunning reality that the club can't draw enough fans to fill up their beautiful stadium on the banks of the Passaic. Maybe the year when everyone is slightly down on RBNY is the year they finally win a title?

9. Toronto FC

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. New York City FC, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Week one on the road against a team as intense as San Jose probably isn't a fair judgement of how Toronto will do with a Michael Bradley-sized hole in the lineup, but would TFC have dropped two points from a winning position if he was available? Stay tuned for plenty more of this narrative!

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10. New York City FC

Previous ranking: 5

Next MLS match: March 7, at Toronto FC, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Ronny Deila's debut was spoiled by an early red card to Maxime Chanot, meaning we'll have to put off a full examination of NYCFC under the new head coach for at least another week. For now, NYCFC is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, led by a Norwegian.

11. Montreal Impact

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: March 7, at FC Dallas, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Thierry Watch 2020 moved to MLS with Saturday's opener and it definitely seems like Maxi Urruti was trying to impress his boss by scoring an Henry-esque goal to lift the Impact to an opening day 2-1 win over New England. There's an old saying "Never go in against a French soccer legend when death is on the line."

12. Sporting Kansas City

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The new kids in Kansas City made their presence felt in the first game of the year. Both Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda both scored in the 3-1 road win in Vancouver, which definitely means that they're going to score bucket loads of goals this year and Sporting is going to dominate the Western Conference.

13. Houston Dynamo

Previous ranking: 18

Next MLS match: March 7, at Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m. ET

Tab's boys took the game to Chicharito and the Galaxy, the first sign of what the style will be like in H-Town in 2020. Better yet, the Dynamo grabbed a big point in front of a sold-out crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium. Wouldn't it be great if that place was filled up for every Houston home game?

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14. LA Galaxy

Previous ranking: 6

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The star of the Galaxy show in Houston wasn't Javier Hernandez, but Cristian Pavon. Let's not be too hard on Chicharito: The Mexican superstar wouldn't be the first leading man on a massive salary in Tinseltown to be upstaged by a member of the supporting cast.

15. New England Revolution

Previous ranking: 7

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Chicago Fire, 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

As Bruce Arena would say, sometimes things go against you. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes the post and incredible chipped goals go against you and you leave Quebec with nothing to show for the trip except the memory of the incredible food you ate while you were there.

16. Philadelphia Union

Previous ranking: 9

Next MLS match: March 8, at LAFC, 9:30 p.m. ET

No one's margins are all that big on the road, so let's not come down too hard on the Union for dropping the season opener in Frisco. FC Dallas's kids were just a bit better at creating goals than Philadelphia's kids, but Philly's kids won't be kept down long.

17. San Jose Earthquakes

Previous ranking: 20

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Minnesota United, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

No one is going out-passion the San Jose Earthquakes in 2020, who already lead the league in fist pumps and group hugs. The Quakes are a reflection of their manager, a man who doesn't have an understated bone in his body. That Oswaldo Alanis goal in injury time to secure a point was sweet, too.

18. D.C. United

Previous ranking: 10

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Inter Miami, 3:30 p.m. ET

Everything about DC's opener was ugly: Their play, the field (shout-out to the DC Defenders, though, second place in the XFL's Eastern Conference!) and Colorado's winner. We're checking on the rumor that United is lobbying Congress to ban soccer in February based on Saturday's results.

19. Portland Timbers

Previous ranking: 12

Next MLS match: Feb. 29, vs. Nashville SC, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes

The Timbers flailed their way to an opening day loss to Minnesota United on Sunday. Portland couldn't spell "cohesion," much less find it, and the Loons victimized the hosts on the counter. Portland is a great place to figure out who you are... unless you're a soccer team that can't afford to take too long doing it.

20. Real Salt Lake

Previous ranking: 16

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. New York Red Bulls, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A road draw with no goals and a head coach that is clearly experimenting marked the beginning of RSL's campaign. We're rooting for Freddy Juarez, but his position might be among the most tenuous in Major League Soccer. No one expected him to be leading the way into 2020.

21. Orlando City

Previous ranking: 21

Next MLS match: March 7, at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Starting a new season short-handed is never fun. Orlando's zero goals against RSL didn't make a great first impression but hey, there's a point on the board and Oscar Pareja's team will get Nani and Dom Dwyer back soon. Lions need teeth to... score goals and win games.

22. Vancouver Whitecaps

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: March 7, at LA Galaxy, 10.00 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The 'Caps put out a wildly attacking lineup under Marc Dos Santos, then proceeded to sit very deep and invite Sporting's pressure. If the idea was to kill them on the counter, it didn't work! Vancouver was a mystery coming into the year and they remain a mystery.

23. Chicago Fire

Previous ranking: 23

Next MLS match: March 7, at New England Revolution, 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Fire reinstalled all the software and the drivers and ran through all the diagnostics. Now they just have to wait for the system to boot up. Robert Beric looks ready to go, but the rest of the process could take a while.

24. Nashville SC

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: March 8, at Portland Timbers, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes

We here at the Power Rankings would like to welcome Nashville to the ranks of MLS teams who talk a lot about how they "should have done better" and how the referees "are really terrible and should be fired into the sun." Gary Smith is going to be writing maudlin country songs by the time the year is out.

25. Inter Miami CF

Previous ranking: 25

Next MLS match: March 7, at DC United, 3:30 p.m. ET

LAFC made David Beckham sad, which is on the books as a criminal act in at least six countries. The general consensus is that Inter "looked the part" which is a fancy way of saying they "didn't totally suck." That means they'll probably win at least one soccer game this year.

26. FC Cincinnati

Previous ranking: 26

Next MLS match: March 7, at Atlanta United, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Cincy's rough start to life in MLS is now at 12 months and counting. Jurgen Locadia scored a goal and FCC made it interesting, but it's going to be hard to believe in the second year team until they prove they've put out all of their many raging fires.

Karachi Kings will bowl first after winning the toss in Rawalpindi. Imad Wasim's side will look to carry on with the momentum they built after beating Islamabad United on Sunday, and make one change to that side, with Aamer Yamin replacing Umaid Asif.

There are more significant developments with the Peshawar side, who will not be led out by Daren Sammy. Wahab Riaz showed up at the toss instead, confirming Sammy was not injured, "just resting". Carlos Brathwaite takes his place in the XI, with Yasir Shah making his first appearance this season, and Shoaib Malik returning as well. Peshawar beat Lahore Qalandars last time they played, and will look to keep the run going.

Peshawar Zalmi: Kamran Akmal (wk), Tom Banton, Haider Ali, Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory, Shoaib Malik, Carlos Brathwaite, Wahab Riaz (capt), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali

Karachi Kings: Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Alex Hales, Cameron Delport, Chadwick Walton (wk), Imad Wasim (capt), Mohammad Amir, Aamer Yamin, Chris Jordan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Umer Khan

As we enter the last full month of the NBA regular season, the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers maintain the league's two best records. In what could be an NBA Finals preview, reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks travel to Los Angeles to square off against LeBron James and the Lakers on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Lakers' Staples Center co-tenants, the LA Clippers, have won four games in a row as they close in on the Denver Nuggets for the second seed in the West. Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets are close behind, boasting a six-game win streak as they move into the West's fourth spot.

Throughout the regular season, our panel (ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Andre' Snellings, Royce Young and Bobby Marks and The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the best basketball now and which teams are looking most like title contenders.

Previous rankings: Week 19 |18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Training camp | Free agency | Post-Finals

1. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 52-8
Week 19 ranking: 1

A 4-0 week kept Milwaukee on pace for 70-plus wins (72, to be exact). The Bucks came from behind to win an Eastern Conference finals rematch (and possible playoff preview) in Toronto, then handed Oklahoma City the worst loss in Thunder history, 133-86, while playing without All-Star Khris Middleton. -- Pelton

This week: @MIA, IND, @LAL, @PHX

2. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 46-13
Week 19 ranking: 2

There could be a 2020 NBA Finals preview Friday when the Lakers host the Bucks at Staples Center. The Lakers lost the first meeting 111-104 in Milwaukee on Dec. 19. The Bucks and the Lakers have the two best records in the NBA. -- Spears

This week: PHI, MIL, @LAC

3. LA Clippers
Record: 41-19
Week 19 ranking: 6

Sunday's win over the 76ers showed why so many believe the Clippers are still maybe the West's most complete team.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 54 points, while Reggie Jackson, Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams and the Clippers' bench provided 69 points. You know the "sky's the limit" when you've been at full strength for only about a fourth of the season, are 41-19 and still have skeptics wondering how good you can be. -- Young

This week: @OKC, @HOU, LAL

4. Toronto Raptors
Record: 42-18
Week 19 ranking: 3

Nick Nurse has to be wondering if he'll ever have his full complement of players healthy. Just as Norman Powell returned to the lineup, the Raptors lost starters Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka, who joined Marc Gasol on the sidelines. Toronto has dropped three in a row, including two games without Ibaka and VanVleet. -- Pelton

This week: @PHX, @GSW, @SAC

5. Boston Celtics
Record: 41-18
Week 19 ranking: 4

Despite being on the losing end of two overtime games, the month of February should be considered a huge success. Not only did the Celtics go 9-3, they did so without Kemba Walker for eight of those games. Though he shot 9-of-27 in the loss to Houston, Jayson Tatum had a month to remember. The All-Star averaged 30.7 points on 49.4% from the field and 48.1% from 3. -- Marks

This week: BKN, @CLE, UTAH, OKC

6. Houston Rockets
Record: 39-20
Week 19 ranking: 7

Former MVP Russell Westbrook has never had an extended stretch so efficient and prolific as the tear he has been on for the past two months. Westbrook has averaged 32.9 points per game on 53.3% shooting so far in 2020, as well as 7.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists during that span. The only other player to average at least 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists over the past two months: Rockets co-star James Harden. -- MacMahon

This week: @NYK, LAC, @CHA, ORL

7. Denver Nuggets
Record: 41-19
Week 19 ranking: 5

The 133-118 win Sunday over the Raptors was all kinds of impressive, and it showcased what can make the Nuggets special: the balance, the frontline talent and the defensive sturdiness. Head coach Michael Malone was upset after Denver's loss to the Clippers -- not unusual: try Googling "Michael Malone calls out Nuggets," and you'll get quite a few results -- but in this case he went with "soft." Their response against Toronto was anything but that. -- Young

This week: GSW, @CHA, @CLE

8. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 37-23
Week 19 ranking: 10

Other than the obvious shame that comes with a 47-point loss, what effect did the Bucks' obliteration of the Thunder have? Oklahoma City's average margin of victory went from 3.1 to 2.3. It was just one game, and it doesn't detract from the Thunder's 14-4 run in their past 18 games and their 31-12 record since Thanksgiving, the third-best record in that span. Still, that was some kind of beatdown. -- Young

This week: LAC, @DET, @NYK, @BOS

9. Miami Heat
Record: 38-22
Week 19 ranking: 8

A bizarre beginning to the week, featuring losses to Cleveland and Minnesota, was capped by two quality wins against the Mavericks and Nets. The Heat have become a little inconsistent in the second half of the season, but they also haven't had their full roster all that consistently. The integration of Andre Iguodala has been somewhat slow, too. It's a small sample, but the Heat are getting demolished (-39 per 100 possessions in 32 minutes) with Jimmy Butler and Iguodala on the floor together. -- Young

This week: MIL, ORL, @NOP, @WAS

10. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 37-23
Week 19 ranking: 11

After struggling away from home all season, the 76ers finally proved that they can compete with top teams on the road. Ben Simmons (back) and Joel Embiid (shoulder) both missed Sunday's 136-130 loss to the Clippers with injury, and the 76ers lost a third starter, Josh Richardson, early in the second quarter due to a nose contusion (Richardson was later diagnosed with a concussion and has entered concussion protocol.) Philadelphia took on the "next man up" approach and got a career-high 39 points from reserve guard Shake Milton. Prior to the game, Milton had cracked 20 points only twice in his NBA career. The extended minutes for Milton without Simmons in the lineup will prove beneficial when the playoffs begin in mid-April. -- Marks

This week: @LAL, @SAC, @GSW

11. Dallas Mavericks
Record: 37-24
Week 19 ranking: 12

"This is a picture of what the future of the 5 position will look like," coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after Kristaps Porzingis' 38-point performance in Sunday's win in Minnesota that also featured 5 blocks and 4 assists.

Porzingis has had at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in four of his past 11 games. He had only three 30-10 performances in his career until that stretch. -- MacMahon

This week: @CHI, NOP, MIN, IND

12. Utah Jazz
Record: 37-22
Week 19 ranking: 9

Donovan Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games for the first time in his career and has a true shooting percentage of 60.8 during that span. But Mitchell has been a big part of the Jazz's recent disastrous defense. Utah allowed 125.8 points per 100 possessions with Mitchell on the floor during a 1-4 homestand coming out of the All-Star break. -- MacMahon

This week: @CLE, @NYK, @BOS, @DET

13. Indiana Pacers
Record: 36-24
Week 19 ranking: 13

The Pacers began the week with bad injury news, learning Jeremy Lamb had torn his ACL in last Sunday's blowout loss in Toronto, but ended it with Victor Oladipo's two strongest performances since returning to the lineup. His combined 34 points on 12-of-24 shooting helped Indiana go 3-0 last week. -- Pelton

This week: @SAS, @MIL, @CHI, @DAL

14. New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 26-34
Week 19 ranking: 16

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Zion Williamson joined Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan as the only players over the past 35 seasons with three 30-point performances within the first 15 games of their career. Williamson is averaging 24.1 points per game on 59.3% shooting from the floor. Shaquille O'Neal holds the record for the best field goal percentage by a rookie who averaged at least 20 points per game at 56.2%. -- MacMahon

This week: MIN, @DAL, MIA, @MIN

15. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 29-31
Week 19 ranking: 14

Saturday's 105-88 win over the Lakers ended the Grizzlies' post All-Star skid. Memphis had lost its previous five games in addition to losing power forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Brandon Clarke (quad) to injuries that will sideline them for weeks. Ja Morant delivered a 27-point, 14-assist masterpiece against the Lakers in an upset the Grizzlies desperately needed. -- MacMahon

This week: @ATL, @BKN, @DAL, ATL

16. Orlando Magic
Record: 27-33
Week 19 ranking: 19

Despite falling short of a 4-0 week when Evan Fournier was unable to convert a go-ahead layup in the closing seconds Saturday vs. San Antonio, the Magic still used a comeback win Monday in Brooklyn to move past the Nets and into seventh in the East standings. -- Pelton

This week: POR, @MIA, @MIN, @HOU

17. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 26-33
Week 19 ranking: 15

Excluding the 23-point loss to Atlanta on Friday night, the Nets had a chance to win three of their past four games. Instead, they came out winless. In the losses to Orlando, Washington and Miami, Brooklyn had the ball in the final seconds with the opportunity to tie or take the lead. In the final minute of each of those three games, Brooklyn shot a combined 3-of-9 from the field, including 1-of-5 from 3. In the loss to Miami, the Nets turned the ball over down by two and failed to get a shot off. -- Marks

This week: @BOS, MEM, SAS, CHI

18. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 25-33
Week 19 ranking: 17

Spurs guards Dejounte Murray and Derrick White are the only two players in the league averaging at least 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in fewer than 25 minutes per game. A pair that seemingly has the potential to be San Antonio's backcourt of the future -- Murray is 23, White 25 -- has barely played together this season. They've logged only 94 minutes as a duo, but that is trending upward. White and Murray were plus-10 in 45 minutes on the floor together in February. -- MacMahon

This week: IND, @CHA, @BKN, @CLE

19. Sacramento Kings
Record: 26-34
Week 19 ranking: 20

Keep an eye on the hot Kings, who are now three games out of the eighth and final playoff spot currently held by Memphis. Sacramento has won seven of its past 10 games. The Kings haven't been to the playoffs since 2006. -- Spears

This week: WAS, PHI, @POR, TOR

20. Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 26-35
Week 19 ranking: 18

The Blazers are 1-5 since Damian Lillard suffered a groin injury, and they may not be able to survive his absence. Though he's due back soon and the schedule softens significantly (Orlando, Washington, Phoenix, Sacramento and Phoenix are the Blazers' next five opponents), time is starting to run out. Lillard's return gives the Blazers a chance again -- they've been a disaster on defense this season, ranking 27th in defensive rating, ahead of only the Cavaliers, Hawks and Wizards. -- Young

This week: @ORL, WAS, @PHX, SAC

21. Washington Wizards
Record: 22-37
Week 19 ranking: 22

The Wizards' season continues to be a frustrating mix of defensive ineptitude and health attrition, but Bradley Beal's scoring barrage has been something to behold. The last time he didn't lead the Wizards in scoring (in a game he played) was Jan. 17. In February, Beal averaged a cool 36.2 points per game. Washington is still -- somehow -- in the playoff mix, but at the very least, Beal may be the rare non-All-Star who makes an All-NBA team. -- Young

This week: @SAC, @POR, ATL, MIA

22. Phoenix Suns
Record: 24-37
Week 19 ranking: 21

The Suns' disappointing season may have hit the basement Saturday when they lost 115-99 at home to the injury-plagued Warriors, who own the NBA's worst record. And yes, All-Star Devin Booker and center Deandre Ayton played. Suns forward Mikal Bridges told reporters afterward: "Go home, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you really want to do this." -- Spears

This week: TOR, POR, MIL

23. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 19-43
Week 19 ranking: 25

The Hawks have a chance to win their 20th game of the season at home against Memphis on Monday. The Hawks have won eight of their past 10 home games, including wins over the Clippers, Heat and Mavericks. -- Spears

This week: MEM, @WAS, @MEM

24. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 21-39
Week 19 ranking: 23

This week, the young Hornets gave us proof they've progressed this season. Back in mid-November, Charlotte lost to Toronto 132-96. The Hornets not only beat the Raptors in Toronto on Friday, but they also held them to 96 points -- the second-fewest points Toronto has scored at home this season. That defense is a big reason why Charlotte is 5-3 since Feb. 8. The Hornets rank No. 6 in defensive rating in that span. -- Marks

This week: SAS, DEN, HOU

25. Chicago Bulls
Record: 20-40
Week 19 ranking: 24

Chicago is in the midst of the worst 10-game stretch in the league, with only one win during that span. The last time the Bulls won a road game was on Jan. 25 in Washington, and they haven't won consecutive games since Jan. 25 and 27. -- Spears

This week: DAL, @MIN, IND, @BKN

26. Detroit Pistons
Record: 20-42
Week 19 ranking: 27

Friday's 113-111 win in Phoenix snapped the Pistons' seven-game losing streak that bookended the All-Star break. Despite piling up losses, Detroit has remained competitive in part because of contributions from Christian Wood, who has averaged better than 20 points and 10 rebounds since the trade deadline. -- Pelton

This week: OKC, UTAH, @NYK

27. New York Knicks
Record: 18-42
Week 19 ranking: 26

The 125-115 win over Chicago on Saturday gave the Knicks a glimpse of what the future could hold. Mitchell Robinson's 23 points and 10 rebounds earned him MVP chants from the home crowd, while RJ Barrett and Kevin Knox II contributed 19 and 12 points, respectively. Now the question is if those three players can continue Saturday's performance in upcoming home games against Houston, Utah and Oklahoma City. -- Marks

This week: HOU, UTAH, OKC, DET

28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 17-42
Week 19 ranking: 28

When the Timberwolves rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes Wednesday in Miami, it was their first road win since Jan. 5. Those good vibes were enough to overcome a $25,000 fine Minnesota incurred for resting a healthy D'Angelo Russell on Feb. 23 in Denver. -- Pelton

This week: @NOP, CHI, ORL, NOP

29. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 17-43
Week 19 ranking: 29

The tough task for new coach J.B. Bickerstaff moving forward will be managing the minutes of Andre Drummond and Tristan Thompson at the center position. Prior to his 27-point performance against the Pacers on Saturday that included 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals, Drummond missed two games because of a sore left calf and did not play the fourth quarter of the three games prior to his injury. Thompson's fourth quarter minutes resulted in wins in two of those three games, including an overtime win over the Heat. It should be noted that the 35 minutes that Drummond played against the Pacers came with Thompson inactive due to an illness. -- Marks

This week: UTAH, BOS, DEN, SAS

30. Golden State Warriors
Record: 13-48
Week 19 ranking: 30

Stephen Curry is slated to practice with G-League Santa Cruz on Monday. The two-time NBA MVP has missed all but four games this season after suffering a broken left hand in October. The Warriors expect Curry to return at some point in March. -- Spears

This week: @DEN, TOR, PHI

TOKYO -- The opening of the Japanese baseball season is in doubt because of the outbreak of the coronavirus, officials said Monday, as the nation's baseball and soccer leagues tapped three medical experts as advisers.

Baseball commissioner Atsushi Saito said protecting fans, players and coaches was critical. Preseason games are being played in empty stadiums, with a hope that the regular season can begin as scheduled on March 20.

But Saito acknowledged that assessing whether the regular season can begin -- and with or without fans -- is a delicate decision, noting the virus outbreak wasn't expected to subside soon.

"That is the difficult part," Saito said. "At this point, we still can't say what action we will take under what conditions."

The J-League soccer competition joined Nippon Professional Baseball in forming the panel to assess the virus outbreak. The panel, to be up and running by Tuesday, will include representatives from each of the 12 professional baseball clubs, as well as J-League representatives. It will come up with recommendations by the middle of this month, officials said.

The J-League had begun, but has suspended play. It hopes to resume on March 18.

J-League chairman Mitsuru Murai said matches attract crowds and unexpected problems.

"We must realize we have a responsibility for people's health," Murai said.

Reporters at the news briefing were required to wear masks, although Saito and Murai did not wear masks. They also shook hands afterward.

The Japanese government has indicated it sees the next couple of weeks as crucial to containing the spread of COVID-19, which began in China late last year.

The virus has sickened more than 89,000 people worldwide, mostly in China, but also Italy, Iran and South Korea. Japan has about a dozen deaths and about 1,000 cases, including people on a cruise ship that docked in a port city near Tokyo.

Events in Japan have been canceled in droves. Amusement parks, concerts, festivals and other places drawing crowds, including Tokyo Disneyland, have shut down. Schools across the nation have also been asked to close early for spring break. Worries are growing whether the Tokyo Olympics can go on as scheduled.