For Roki Sasaki, progress. Sweet, sweet progress.

The embattled Dodgers hurler, fresh off a spring training from hell, made his first start of the regular season on Monday. It went very well, in terms of both process and results. Against a relatively meek Cleveland Guardians lineup, Sasaki struck out four across four frames, allowing four hits, two walks and one run. He was pulled for a reliever after surrendering a leadoff single in the fifth. The Dodgers lost 4-2 after the Guardians scored three runs in the seventh.

Crucially, Sasaki’s heater averaged 97.6 mph on the night, up nearly a tick and a half compared to last season. He topped out at 99.5. Dwindling fastball velocity played a huge role in Sasaki’s ineffectiveness a year ago; with his lack of command, he needs to be pumping heat to be successful.

On Monday, Sasaki was not sharp or pinpoint or dominant, but he could leave the game feeling good about his evening. He gave the Dodgers length and kept the score close. His command was often scattershot, particularly with his trademark splitter; only one of those landed in the strike zone, and many were noncompetitive. 

But overpowering raw stuff allowed Sasaki to rack up nine whiffs on the night, including four with a brand-new cutter. That third pitch kept Guardians hitters off-balance and might end up becoming the elusive tertiary weapon that Sasaki and the Dodgers have been searching for.

All things considered, the outing was a massive step in the right direction.

Sasaki, signed by the Dodgers in January 2025, struggled to acclimate to MLB in his debut season. He was included in Los Angeles’ Opening Day rotation but slogged through eight uneven, erratic starts. The team put him on the IL in May due to a shoulder issue, and Sasaki spent the remainder of the summer recovering from that injury and rediscovering his mechanics. He reappeared in L.A. as a reliever during the final week of the regular season and proved to be a dynamite bullpen option during the Dodgers’ title run.

Then Sasaki arrived at camp in February totally out of sorts as he sought to rejoin the starting rotation.

An atrocious spring training followed. Across four starts, the Japanese righty walked 15 batters and allowed 15 runs in 8 2/3 innings. His final exhibition outing, March 23 against the Angels at Dodger Stadium, was a runaway train wreck. A mechanically discombobulated Sasaki couldn’t escape a 21-pitch first inning, hitting a batter and walking three before recording an out. There was no command or confidence, no sign that his impressive raw stuff would translate to actual outs anytime soon.

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In short, he did not look like a major-league pitcher.

“Too worried about his delivery and his mechanics,” skipper Dave Roberts explained to the media ahead of Monday’s game.

Yet the Dodgers slotted Sasaki into the Opening Day rotation anyway. Given the club’s overflowing arsenal of talented starters, it was a curious decision. Some thought the team was babying Sasaki, treating him with kid gloves instead of cold, hard facts. But Dodgers brass didn’t budge, even telling the California Post that sending Sasaki to the minor leagues “hasn’t even entered our minds.”

Roberts reaffirmed the organization’s confidence before Sasaki’s start vs. Cleveland, telling reporters, “Our bet is that his stuff is so good that he’ll get the swing-and-miss if he’s sequencing the right way.”

That’s essentially what happened against the Guardians, who helped Sasaki out a handful of times by chasing outside the zone. A more disciplined club, one able to lay off the splitter in the dirt, should have more success against the talented youngster. His next start, possibly against the Blue Jays next week in Toronto, should provide exactly such a challenge. 

Four good innings does not a big-league pitcher make. Sasaki’s path to rotation viability must be paved with consistency. He will need to stack good starts upon good starts. On Monday, there were yellow flags aplenty, particularly in regard to fastball command. Maintaining velocity in the 97.5-mph range will be another key benchmark. 

But in his first outing of 2026, Sasaki avoided calamity. There was no tale of woe. He did not seem overwhelmed, as he so often has in his short big-league career. 

One cannot conjure self-belief out of thin air. Irrationality is hubris. There must be a reason, a catalyst, a spark. 

Sasaki still has a long, long way to go, but at least he has found some confidence to build on.

Home plate umpire Mike Estabrook was having a rough night during Monday’s game between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

Thankfully for the Yankees, ABS challenges now exist. The Yankees challenged five calls on balls and strikes by Estabrook. They were right on all five.

Here’s a look at a few. One was an outside pitch to José Caballero that Estabrook called a strike and Caballero challenged. Instead of an erroneous 1-1 count, it went to 2-0.

During the same at-bat, Estabrook called a 3-2 pitch a strike for the second out of the top of the third inning. Caballero challenged again. The pitch was low, and ABS confirmed it.

Instead of walking to the dugout, Caballero took first base.

By the fourth inning, both the Yankees and Estabrook were running out of patience. Estabrook called a 1-2 offering strike three on Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton challenged, and the pitch was just low. Stanton hit a single on the next pitch.

But before Stanton’s hit, Yankees manager Aaron Boone had words for Estabrook from the top of the dugout. Estabrook shared some words back.

“I don’t want to hear another word,” he said to Boone. “Not another word.”

The Yankees didn’t really need words. They ultimately challenged five Estabrook calls and got all five challenges right.

The Mariners broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off RBI single from Cal Raleigh. That pushed Seattle to 3-2 on the season while handing the Yankees (3-1) their first loss.

Nobody likes to get called out in public, and nobody likes to feel like they’re getting shown up. Getting repeatedly proven wrong surely can’t feel good for Estabrook.

But with the the stakes attached to MLB games, an umpire’s feelings pale in comparison to the importance of getting things right. ABS is fresh and new. And some umpires aren’t going to like it as it moves forward.

They’re going to have to get used to it, as baseball has evolved to prioritize getting critical calls correct on the field.

The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 12. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, remaining schedules and the stakes for every day’s slate of games. And for those teams not in the postseason hunt, we also breakdown the “race” for the pole position in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery.

Jump to:Eastern Conference• Western Conference

CURRENT PLAY-IN BRACKET

Eastern Conference

(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (8) Orlando Magic
(9) Miami Heat vs. (10) Charlotte Hornets

Western Conference

(7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) LA Clippers
(9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors

CURRENT PLAYOFF BRACKET

Eastern Conference

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) play-in winner
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) play-In winner
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Houston Rockets
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Minnesota Timberwolves

EASTERN CONFERENCE RACE

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, in some order, appear bound for the top four playoff seeds and home-court advantage in the opening round. The Pistons, who hold a four-game lead on the Celtics, are almost certain to capture the East’s No. 1 seed, barring a complete meltdown in the absence of injured Cade Cunningham (collapsed lung).

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Who, exactly, those four teams will play in the opening round is up for grabs, as just three wins separate the fifth seed from the 10th seed. The Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat are all jockeying for position down the stretch of a season that has surpassed 70 games.

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined

1. Detroit Pistons

Record: 54-20 | Net rating: 8.3 (3rd)

• Clinched playoff berth; will clinch Central Division Monday night with a win over the Thunder or a Cavaliers loss to the Jazz

• Magic number for No. 1 seed: 4

• Remaining schedule: @OKC, TOR, MIN, @PHI, @ORL, MIL, @CHA, @IND

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

2. Boston Celtics

Record: (50-24) | Net rating: 7.9 (4th)

• Magic number for No. 2 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: @ATL, @MIA, @MIL, TOR, CHA, @NYK, NOP, ORL

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot

3. New York Knicks

Record: 48-27 | Net rating: 6.3 (5th)

• Will clinch playoff berth Monday night if Sixers lose to the Heat

• Magic number for No. 3 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: @HOU, @MEM, CHI, @ATL, BOS, TOR, CHA

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 7 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

Record: 46-28 | Net rating: 4.2 (9th)

• Magic number for No. 4 seed: 5

• Remaining schedule: @UTA, @LAL, @GSW, IND, @MEM, ATL, @ATL, WAS

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

5. Toronto Raptors

Record: 42-32 | Net rating: 2.4 (11th)

• Magic number for No. 5 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @DET, SAC, @MEM, @BOS, MIA, MIA, @NYK, BKN

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

6. Atlanta Hawks

Record: 42-33 | Net rating: 1.7 (13th)

• Magic number for No. 6 seed: 7

• Remaining schedule: BOS, @ORL, @BKN, NYK, @CLE, CLE, @MIA

• Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

7. Philadelphia 76ers

Record: 41-33 | Net rating: -0.3 (19th)

• Magic number for No. 7 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: @MIA, @WAS, MIN, DET, @SAS, @HOU, @IND, MIL

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

8. Orlando Magic

Record: 39-35 | Net rating: 0.1 (17th)

• Magic number for No. 8 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: PHX, ATL, @DAL, @NOP, DET, MIN, @CHI, @BOS

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

9. Miami Heat

Record: 39-36 | Net rating: 2.1 (12th)

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: Do not control own destiny

• Remaining schedule: PHI, BOS, WAS, @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL

• Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

10. Charlotte Hornets

Record: 39-36 | Net rating: 4.4 (6th)

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: Do not control own destiny

• Remaining schedule: @BKN, PHX, IND, @MIN, @BOS, DET, @NYK

• Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.

Monday’s games of consequence

Sixers loss to the Heat clinches a playoff berth for the Knicks

Pistons clinch the Central Division title with a win over the Thunder or a Cavaliers loss to the Jazz

WESTERN CONFERENCE RACE

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are bound for the top two seeds, as OKC holds a two-game lead for the league’s No. 1 overall seed.

The Los Angeles Lakers are favorites to capture the West’s No. 3 seed. Beyond them is anyone’s guess.

The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, all but guaranteed the West’s final three guaranteed playoff spots, are separated by one loss. Only one of those teams will earn home-court advantage in the first round.

The four teams for the conference’s play-in tournament field is almost set with the Memphis Grizzlies’ elimination. The Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors appear headed for the Nos. 7-10 seeds.

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Record: 59-16 | Net rating: 11.0 (1st)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 1 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: DET, LAL, UTA, @LAL, @LAC, @DEN, PHX

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 2 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Record: 56-18 | Net rating: 8.3 (2nd)

• Clinched playoff berth

• Magic number for No. 1 seed: Do not control own destiny

• Remaining schedule: CHI, @GSW, @LAC, @DEN, PHI, POR, DAL, DEN

• Highest possible finish: No. 1 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 2 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot

3. Los Angeles Lakers

Record: 48-26 | Net rating: 1.5 (14th)

• Will clinch playoff spot and Pacific Division title Monday night with win over Wizards and Suns loss to the Grizzlies

• Magic number for No. 3 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: WAS, CLE, @OKC, @DAL, OKC, @GSW, PHX, UTA

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 7 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

4. Denver Nuggets

Record: 48-28 | Net rating: 4.7 (6th)

• Nuggets can clinch playoff spot Monday night with Suns win over Grizzlies and Lakers win over Wizards

• Magic number for No. 4 seed: 5

• Remaining schedule: @UTA, SAS, POR, MEM, OKC, @SAS

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 7 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Record: 45-29 | Net rating: 3.3 (10th)

• Magic number for No. 5 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: @DAL, @DET, @PHI, CHA, @IND, @ORL, @HOU, NOP

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

6. Houston Rockets

Record: 45-29 | Net rating: 4.4 (8th)

• Magic number for No. 5 seed: 9

• Remaining schedule: NYK, MIL, UTA, @GSW, @PHX, PHI, MIN, MIN

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

7. Phoenix Suns

Record: 41-33 | Net rating: 1.4 (16th)

• Magic number for No. 7 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: @MEM, @ORL, @CHA, @CHI, HOU, DAL, @LAL, @OKC

• Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 7 seed and home-court advantage against the No. 8 seed in their opening game of the play-in tournament.

8. Los Angeles Clippers

Record: 39-36 | Net rating: 1.5 (15th)

• Magic number for No. 8 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: @MIL, POR, SAS, @SAC, DAL, OKC, @POR, GSW

• Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.

9. Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 38-38 | Net rating: -0.9 (20th)

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: 6

• Remaining schedule: @LAC, NOP, @DEN, @SAS, LAC, SAC

• Highest possible finish: No. 7 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.

10. Golden State Warriors

Record: 36-39 | Net rating: 0.0 (18th)

• Magic number for No. 9 seed: 8

• Remaining schedule: SAS, CLE, HOU, SAC, LAL, @SAC, @LAC

• Highest possible finish: No. 7 seed

• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.

Monday’s games of consequence

Nuggets clinch playoff spot with Suns win over Grizzlies and Lakers win over Wizards

Lakers clinch Pacific Division title and playoff spot with win over Wizards and Suns loss to the Grizzlies

The NBA tanking picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 12. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, lotto odds, remaining schedules and the stakes for every day’s slate of games. We also break down the league’s playoff races each day.

1. Indiana Pacers

Record: 17-58 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

• Remaining schedule: @CHI, @CHA, @CLE, MIN, @BKN, PHI, DET

What’s at stake: Clinching one of the three-worst records in the NBA to ensure the highest odds at the No. 1 pick. Due to the Ivica Zubac trade with the Clippers, if the Pacers’ pick lands between the 5-9 spots on lotto night, it will go to L.A.

2. Washington Wizards

Record: 17-57 | Streak: L-2

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

• Remaining schedule: @LAL, PHI, @MIA, @BKN, CHI, CHI, MIA, @CLE

What’s at stake: Clinching one of the three-worst records in the NBA to ensure the highest odds at the No. 1 pick. If the Wizards’ pick falls out of the top-8, it will go to the New York Knicks.

3. Brooklyn Nets

Record: 18-57 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

• Remaining schedule: CHA, ATL, WAS, MIL, IND, @MIL, @TOR

What’s at stake: Clinching one of the three-worst records in the NBA to ensure the highest odds at the No. 1 pick.

4. Sacramento Kings

Record: 19-57 | Streak: L-4

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 12.5%

• Remaining schedule: @TOR, NOP, LAC, @GSW, GSW, @POR

What’s at stake: Clinching one of the three-worst records in the NBA to ensure the highest odds at the No. 1 pick.

5. Utah Jazz

Record: 21-54 | Streak: L-5

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 10.5%

• Remaining schedule: CLE, DEN, @HOU, @OKC, @NOP, MEM, @LAL

What’s at stake: Clinching one of the three-worst records in the NBA to ensure the highest odds at the No. 1 pick. If the Jazz’s pick falls outside of the top-8, it will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

6. Dallas Mavericks

Record: 24-50 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 9%

• Remaining schedule: MIN, MIL, ORL, LAL, @LAC, @PHX, SAS, @CHI

What’s at stake: Clinching one of the three-worst records in the NBA to ensure the best odds at the No. 1 pick. The Mavs don’t control their future first-rounders from 2027-2030.

8. New Orleans Pelicans

Record: 25-51 | Streak: L-5

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 7.5%

• Remaining schedule: @POR, @SAC, ORL, UTH, @BOS, @MIN

What’s at stake: The Pelicans have no incentive to lose; they owe their unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks.

8. Memphis Grizzlies

Record: 25-49 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 6%

• Remaining schedule: PHX, NYK, TOR, @MIL, CHI, @DEN, @UTH, @HOU

What’s at stake: Clinching one of the three-worst records in the NBA to ensure the best odds at the No. 1 pick.

T-9. Milwaukee Bucks

Record: 29-45 | Streak: L-4

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 3.8%

• Remaining schedule: DAL, @HOU, BOS, MEM, @BKN, @DET, BKN, @PHI

What’s at stake: Moving “above” the Pelicans for better lottery odds.

T-9. Chicago Bulls

Record: 29-45 | Streak: L-3

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 3.7%

• Remaining schedule: @SAS, IND, @NYK, PHX, @WAS, @WAS, ORL, @DAL

11. Golden State Warriors

Record: 36-39 | Streak: L-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 2%

• Remaining schedule: SAS, CLE, HOU, SAC, LAL, @SAC, @LAC

What’s at stake: The Warriors are locked into the play-in game.

12. Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 38-38 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 1.5%

• Remaining schedule: DAL, WAS, @LAC, NOP, @DEN, @SAS, LAC, SAC

What’s at stake: The Trail Blazers are currently in the play-in tournament.

T-13. Miami Heat

Record: 39-36 | Streak: L-2

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 0.8%

• Remaining schedule: PHI, BOS, WAS, @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL

What’s at stake: The Heat are currently in the play-in tournament.

T-13. Charlotte Hornets

Record: 39-36 | Streak: L-2

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 0.7%

• Remaining schedule: @BKN, PHX, IND, @MIN, @BOS, DET, @NYK

What’s at stake: The Hornets are currently in the play-in tournament.

The Toronto Raptors went on a 31-0 run in Sunday’s 139-87 win over the Orlando Magic — the largest unanswered run in the NBA’s play-by-play era, which started in the 1997-98 season.

After trailing 20-14 in the first quarter, the Raptors scored 31 unanswered points in a stretch that lasted until early in the second quarter. Raptors point guard Jamal Shead got the scoring started at the free-throw line, followed by points from Sandro Mamukelashvili, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and A.J. Lawson.

Most of the Raptors’ points came off fastbreaks from steals, 3-pointers off ball movement and free throws. The Raptors lead the NBA in fastbreak points, averaging 18.5 points per game. Raptors center Jakob Poeltl capped off the run with a fastbreak dunk off a Barnes steal. The Raptors led the Magic 45-20 after the run.

The 31-0 run was not the only milestone the Raptors achieved in the game. The 52-point victory was Toronto’s largest in franchise history. Barnes’ career-high 15 assists against the Magic also make him the second Raptor in franchise history and the first in the NBA this year with 100+ blocks and 100+ assists in a season. Barnes has had at least 10 assists and has averaged 12.25 assists over the last four games. This year, Barnes has averaged 18.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals while playing in 71 of 73 games. Barnes made his second All-Star appearance this season.

Barrett led the Raptors in scoring against the Magic with 24 points, while Barnes and Mamukelashvili were just behind with 23 and 18 points, respectively. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 17 points, while Paolo Banchero had nine points in 30 minutes.

The Raptors are 42-32 and currently fifth in the Eastern Conference. Their next game will be against the Detroit Pistons, the No. 1 seed in the East. The Magic continue to struggle, as this marks their seventh loss in 10 games. They will play the 41-33 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Texas’ offense settled back to Earth Monday night after a scorching start.

But its defense never let up, and the top-seeded Longhorns cruised to a 77-41 victory over No. 2 seed Michigan in the Elite Eight.

Playing in front of a friendly crowd in the Fort Worth 3 regional final, the Longhorns hit their first nine shots from the field and opened an 18-4 lead. The deficit for Michigan was its largest of the NCAA tournament.

Texas missed its first 9 and scored 12 second-quarter points after posting 22 in the first. But it posted a 34-21 halftime lead while holding Michigan to a season-low 21% shooting rate for the first half.

The Wolverines had to work for virtually every shot in a halfcourt set and rarely found a decent look against the bigger Longhorns. Their best offense frequently consisted of second-chance looks off offensive rebounds. All Big Ten guard Olivia Olson didn’t hit a field goal in the first half.

Then the Longhorns opened the floodgates after halftime. Texas outscored Michigan, 21-8 in the third quarter. A Kyla Oldacre and-1 layup extended the Texas lead to 52-27 and got the Texas crowd on its feet.

The Longhorns then started the fourth on a 14-0 run and the rout was on. The fourth quarter was a Texas runaway. All-America forward Madison Booker was able to finish the game cheering on her Texas teammates from the bench.

Texas has now won each of its NCAA tournament games by 22-plus points. It enters the Final Four on a dominant 12-game winning streak, having last lost to No. 5 Vanderbilt on Feb. 12. And its arguably playing the best basketball of any team in the tournament.

This story will be updated.

Maple Leafs announced they are parting ways with GM Brad Treliving originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have relieved Brad Treliving of his duties as general manager, the team announced on Monday.

Treliving was in the midst of his third season with the Maple Leafs, as the team was on pace to miss the playoffs for the first time in his tenure and the first time since the 2015-16 season. The Maple Leafs sit 13 points out of a playoff spot and in 24th place in the NHL. 

MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley commented on the matter in a post on X.

“Throughout the course of this season, there has been deep analysis into both the current state of the Maple Leafs organization and the direction needed to achieve the ultimate goal of delivering a Stanley Cup championship to the city. Brad Treliving is a man that we all have deep respect and appreciation for, both as a hockey executive and as a person, but it was determined that the club must chart a new course under different leadership. The organization is grateful for all that Brad has contributed in his nearly three years with the Maple Leafs and we wish him and his family the very best.”

At this time, the Maple Leafs have not announced a replacement for Treliving. Treliving finishes his reign as Maple Leafs GM with a 139-92-27 record.

Throughout his time with the Maple Leafs, Treliving received praise for bringing in grittier players, but he was ultimately heavily scrutinized for his asset management.

At last season’s trade deadline, fans felt Treliving overpaid to acquire Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo, and this year, the feeling was that Treliving could have received a better package for Bobby McMann.

Prior to his time with the Maple Leafs, Treliving served as the GM of the Calgary Flames for 9 seasons. 

The Maple Leafs take on the Anaheim Ducks tonight in Game 75 of the regular season. 

More NHL News

• Which 3 teams could target Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck in the offseason?
• 3 candidates for Hockey Canada’s next GM
• Projecting what Team North America would look like at the 2028 World Cup of Hockey
• What you need to know about the 2028 World Cup of Hockey
• 2026 NHL Draft rankings: Gavin McKenna begins to pull away from the pack

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,655, the guys welcome UFC featherweight Danny Silva, who is coming off a stellar knockout in London. The fellas also had a very busy weekend of combat sports action to cover from UFC Fight Night 271, PFL Pittsburgh, to RAF707, and more. Tune in!

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: MMA Junkie Radio #3655: Guest Danny Silva, UFC Seattle, PFL Pittsburgh