March 2026

There were 1,682 posts published in March 2026 (this is page 4 of 169).

NBA Power Rankings: Pretenders or contenders? How the 20 postseason-bound teams stack up

Following a brief interruption to present to you our annual Tanking Rankings, we return to our regularly scheduled bi-weekly programming: The world’s most accurate NBA power rankings.

But first an update to those Tanking Rankings, which detailed exactly how well the NBA’s 10 lottery teams — now set in stone — have navigated their way to the bottom of the standings:

10. New Orleans Pelicans (25-51)
9. Chicago Bulls (29-46)
8. Dallas Mavericks (24-51)
7. Memphis Grizzlies (25-50)
6. Milwaukee Bucks (29-45)
5. Sacramento Kings (19-57)
4. Utah Jazz (21-55)
3. Brooklyn Nets (18-57)
2. Washington Wizards (17-58)
1. Indiana Pacers (17-58)

No need to include any of those outfits in our power rankings this time around. They are succeeding in their own right, at losing, as the league’s nine tanking teams (the Pelicans, who owe their first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks, have no incentive to lose) have managed just seven wins against non-lottery teams in their last 100 tries. If you can call them “tries.”

Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season

It can be difficult to tell how well some of the postseason-bound teams are playing, since win streaks have been boosted by the tanking. The Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have all benefited from easy recent schedules. We are here to sort through the noise.

And it is getting noisy. One loss separates the fourth, fifth and sixth seeds in the Western Conference, where there are two losses between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and second-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Three losses separate the 10th-seeded Charlotte Hornets from the East’s final guaranteed playoff seed, all with a little over a handful of games to play.

So, without further ado, our penultimate regular-season power rankings.

(Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports Illustration)

“I’ve got to be able to do a better job of preparing them for what they were going to see tonight,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after a franchise-record 52-point loss that saw the Raptors go on a 31-0 run (a play-by-play era record). I’m surprised he said it. So was Desmond Bane, who responded, “I think we understood how big of a game it was … but I don’t have nothing for that.”

The Heat are 2-7 since Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, owners of a bottom-five defense in that span. “It’s extremely disappointing,” said coach Erik Spoelstra. “We’ve put in the time. The guys have put in blood, sweat and tears to develop a top-four defense two weeks ago. And when we need it the most is when we’ve let it disappear. And that’s just unacceptable at this time.” Damn.

Will Stephen Curry, who has missed 25 straight games to “runner’s knee,” return at all this season? That is The Question in the Bay Area, where the two-time MVP had a “good session” on Sunday. Coach Steve Kerr’s answer: “We’re not bringing him back [just] for the play-in game. He needs to play some games … if this is going to work. And we are running out of games.”

Blazers coach Tiago Splitter told his players of Tuesday’s showdown with the Clippers, “It’s going to be the most important game of the season.” The two teams, separated by two losses, vying for the Western Conference’s eighth seed, meet twice in the season’s final weeks. As Kris Murray said, “It’s going to be a playoff-type game, and a lot of us haven’t been in that position.”

Since November’s nine-game win streak, the Raptors are 28-27, owners of a +1.0 net rating, practically average, but coach Darko Rajaković insists this is only Year 2 of a rebuild that began with the exits of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby: “Building a team is not such a thing that you can do in one year. In the NBA, it takes time to build a team that’s going to be competitive.”

At month’s start, a disappointed Suns coach Jordan Ott declared, “We shouldn’t be asking for energy. We want to get to March to play meaningful games. We shouldn’t be asking for energy.” Since then, his team is 6-6, owners of a middling defense. Sounds like they could use a jolt of Dillon Brooks, who, six weeks removed from a fractured left hand, should soon be available.  

Meanwhile, the Hawks are 15-2 since the last week of February, apace with the Thunder and Spurs. “I love where we’re at as a group,” said Jalen Johnson. “We’re not going to be perfect. We’re not going to be on a win streak to end the whole year, but how we’re playing these games and how we’re just sticking to what we do best, that’s something we can continue to build on.”

Sorry, Cleveland, but L.A. is enjoying its Darius Garland experience. The Clippers are 10-3 with the two-time All-Star guard in the lineup, operating at historic levels offensively (126.7 points per 100 possessions) when he’s on the court. “The stuff he’s brought to this team, it’s extraordinary,” said L.A.’s Brook Lopez. “Only he could do it. He’s made a huge, positive change for this group.”

The Sixers, who could end up anywhere from the fifth to the 10th seed in the East, welcomed back Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, who combined for 81 points in a victory over the Hornets. “We need everybody we can get,” said Embiid. “We got to win every single game. … We end up 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, it doesn’t matter. Still got to win. I don’t care where we end up.”

The Rockets have bounced back with two wins against lottery teams, but our minds keep going back to a record-setting blown 13-point overtime lead to Minnesota. Felt like a momentous loss. “A lot have this year,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said, “that’s just the worst one of them.” Come to think of it, Houston (8-8 since the end of February) lost to the tanking Bulls the game before! 

Back-to-back losses to Boston and Philly were not so encouraging, but the Hornets are still 28-13, owners of the league’s best net rating (+10.8), since the start of January. They are dangerous, if they can earn a playoff berth. They are the No. 10 seed. As Coby White said, “We know these last couple games, we’ve got to fight to improve our odds of making the playoffs.”

“If we’re going to play defense like this, we’re going to have a short playoff stint,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, and that was after a win — albeit one in which they gave up 130 points to Orlando. (Yikes!) Point is: Cleveland owns one of the NBA’s 10 worst defenses in its past nine games, and, if you will remember, as Spoeltra once said, “That’s just unacceptable at this time.”

The Pistons are 5-1 since Cade Cunningham’s injury, but Jalen Duren recently said it best (after his latest monstrous effort): “You can’t replace what [Cade] brings to the floor and brings to our team.” Facts. Detroit might be third on these rankings if not for Cunningham’s injury, but how else are we supposed to assess these Pistons when their best player has a collapsed left lung?

“We can’t relax now that [Anthony Edwards] is coming back and say, ‘Hey, give Ant the keys and just go,’” Minnesota’s Mike Conley Jr. said. “I think we’ve got to let Ant do his thing. But at the same time, continue to push the ball, continue to involve everybody, and I think that’s when we’re our best self.” And, now, they wait for Jaden McDaniels to get back from a knee injury, too.

In New York fashion, the Knicks have sandwiched four straight losses to winning teams around seven consecutive wins against sub-.500 teams. “We don’t want to turn on a switch,” said Jalen Brunson. “We want to be trending in the right direction as we come down to the end. There are still things we need to work on.” Only seven games remain in the regular season. Time’s ticking.

More from LeBron James, the NBA’s newest (and best) third option, on Luka Doncic’s heater down the stretch of the season: “Obviously he’s the head honcho when it comes to our offensive firepower. He’s just in an unbelievable rhythm right now, shooting the 3-ball exceptionally well, getting to the line as he always does and being super efficient. We’re all just playing off of him.”

No team could use a respite more than the Nuggets, whose injury list is ever-expanding, only they are clinging to home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. By the Tao of Nikola Jokić, though, “It’s really hard to say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re gonna have amazing playoffs,’ because you cannot know what’s gonna happen or how the team’s gonna feel basically in a month.”

Few teams are now healthier than the Celtics, who welcomed Jayson Tatum, the NBA’s reigning Player of the Week(!), back from Achilles surgery just 11 games ago. And as Payton Pritchard said, “We know if we want to win a championship, we need him at a high level. It’s definitely encouraging, but he’s getting better and better each game, looking more and more like himself.”

The Spurs, behind Victor Wembanyama, are 24-2 since the start of February. They have gained only three games in the standings on the Thunder over that span, but the confidence they have built may be just as important as home-court advantage. “I keep saying it, but the league’s in trouble,” said San Antonio’s Devin Vassell. “We got a lot of young talent that is really good.”

The Thunder chase no one but themselves. “If your sense of urgency increases based on the standings, it wasn’t high enough to begin with,” said OKC coach Mark Daigneault. “We try to have a sense of urgency about improving, building our habits, competing together every single opportunity we get. If you need external forces to increase that, your bar is not high enough.”

Where to watch New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The New York Knicks just clinched a playoff berth while the Houston Rockets are trying to improve their own seeding in the Western Conference. New York is slightly favored with a moneyline of -118.0, compared to Houston’s -102.0.

  • New York Knicks: 48-27 (No. 2 in Atlantic Division)

  • Houston Rockets: 45-29 (No. 2 in Southwest Division)

  • Spread: Houston Rockets 1.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Rockets -102 / New York Knicks -118

  • Over/Under: 218.5

Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The Los Angeles Lakers can clinch the Pacific Division title and a playoff berth with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Luka Doncic is returning from his one-game suspension for the Lakers, who are favored by 1.5 points with a -135 moneyline in a matchup against the Cavaliers.

  • Cleveland Cavaliers: 47-28 (No. 2 in Central Division)

  • Los Angeles Lakers: 49-26 (No. 1 in Pacific Division)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers -135 / Cleveland Cavaliers 110

  • Over/Under: 236.5

Mariners sign top prospect Colt Emerson to record-breaking $95 million deal before MLB debut

Seattle Mariners top prospect Colt Emerson hasn’t made his MLB debut yet, but he’s already getting paid like a veteran. Emerson agreed to an eight-year, $95 million extension with the team on Tuesday, per multiple reports.

That figure is a record for a player with no MLB experience, per MLB insider Jon Heyman.

The deal reportedly contains a ninth-year option and a full no-trade clause. It can increase to more than $130 million based on various escalators, per Robert Murray of FanSided.

Emerson, 20, has steadily risen up top prospect lists since 2024. Entering the 2026 season, he ranked as the No. 7 prospect by Baseball America. He made a meteoric rise through the minors last season, hitting .285/.383/.458 across three levels.

[Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season]

The shortstop also showed a better defensive performance last season, leading some to believe he can stick at the position in the majors. During his minor-league career, Emerson has seen time at both second and third base as well, though he has played exclusively shortstop in three games at Triple-A this season.

Despite an admirable performance in spring training, in which Emerson hit .268/.340/.488 with two home runs in 41 at-bats, the Mariners declined to put him on the major-league roster to begin the season.

With starting shortstop J.P. Crawford injured to start the season, the Mariners opened the year with Leo Rivas holding down the position. Rivas hasn’t hit well early on, but Crawford is expected back soon, making it unclear when Emerson will make his major-league debut.

Now that he’s making real money, though, Emerson is a candidate to be called up quickly should Crawford or second baseman Cole Young struggle over the next couple of weeks.

With Emerson’s versatility and infielder Brendon Donovan’s ability to play multiple infield positions, the team can be creative with its infield alignment and defensive positioning once its ready to bring Emerson to the majors.

Where to watch Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The Boston Red Sox are seeking their second victory of the season as they take on the Houston Astros. Houston’s Hunter Brown, who looked strong in his first start, will face Boston’s Brayan Bello, who has an ERA of 3.35.

  • Date: Tuesday, March 31

  • Time: 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT

  • Where: Daikin Park, Houston

  • TV Channels: Space City Home Network, NESN

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Boston Red Sox: 1-3 (No. 5 in AL East)

  • Houston Astros: 3-2 (No. 2 in AL West)

  • Spread: Houston Astros -1.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Astros -150 / Boston Red Sox 125

  • Over/Under: 7.5

Boston Red Sox: Brayan Bello (11-9, ERA: 3.35, K: 124, WHIP: 1.24)
Houston Astros: Hunter Brown (0-0, ERA: 0.00, K: 9, WHIP: 1.71)

Weather: 76°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 41,000 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Grass

Where to watch New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The New York Yankees (3-1) face the Seattle Mariners (3-2) in the second game of a three-game series. Cal Raleigh walked off the win for Seattle in the opening game. Max Fried (1-0, 0.00 ERA) starts for the Yankees, while Logan Gilbert (0-0, 5.06 ERA) pitches for the Mariners. The Yankees are narrow favorites with a moneyline of -115.

  • Date: Tuesday, March 31

  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT

  • Where: T-Mobile Park, Seattle

  • TV Channels: TBS, Mariners.TV, YES

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • New York Yankees: 3-1 (No. 1 in AL East)

  • Seattle Mariners: 3-2 (No. 3 in AL West)

  • Spread: Seattle Mariners 1.5

  • Moneyline: Seattle Mariners -105 / New York Yankees -115

  • Over/Under: 7

New York Yankees: Max Fried (1-0, ERA: 0.00, K: 4, WHIP: 0.47)
Seattle Mariners: Logan Gilbert (0-0, ERA: 5.06, K: 7, WHIP: 0.94)

Weather: 58°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 47,929 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Grass