March 2026

There were 1,682 posts published in March 2026 (this is page 91 of 169).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saves 20-point game streak with late and-1 in Thunder’s win over Timberwolves

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak to 128 straight of 20+ point games in the Thunder’s 116-103 win over the Timberwolves on Sunday. 

After scoring four points in the first half, his streak appeared in jeopardy. With under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander was at 17 points and needed three more points to extend his streak. Gilgeous-Alexander was closely guarded by Anthony Edwards and hit an and-1 on a contested mid-range shot while drawing Edwards to foul. The reigning MVP hit his 20th point at the free-throw line. 

He finished Sunday’s game with 20 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block on 7-of-22 from the field.

Gilgeous-Alexander broke Wilt Chamberlain’s 126-game streak for most consecutive games with 20+ points on Thursday.

SGA has picked up where he left off since returning from an abdominal injury that kept him out for nine games. His scoring numbers and efficiency have made him one of the favorites to repeat as MVP. This season, the 27-year-old has averaged 31.8 points, 6.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals, while shooting a career-high 55.4% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. SGA can miss only seven games of OKC’s 14 remaining to remain eligible for NBA awards.

[Enter Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem now for your shot at $50K]

Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to produce and support the Thunder, who have also maintained their lead as the best team in the NBA at 53-15, despite being without key players for the majority of the season. Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein recently returned from injury. Jalen Williams, who was an All-NBA selection last season, last played Feb. 15 and has played in only 26 games this season due to injury.

Gilgeous-Alexander will have a chance to extend the streak Tuesday against the Orlando Magic.

World Baseball Classic: Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announces he will step down after loss to Venezuela

Team Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announced he will step down from his position after the World Baseball Classic.

Japan was eliminated from the WBC on Saturday with an 8-5 loss to Venezuela in the tournament quarterfinals. Samurai Japan built a 5-2 lead after three innings, powered by home runs from Shohei Ohtani and Shota Morishita.

“Results are everything,” Ibata said at the team hotel on Sunday, according to Sports Hochi.

However, Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia and Wilyer Abreu each hit home runs in the surprising comeback victory. Garcia’s two-run shot cut the deficit to one run, and Abreu’s three-run blast in the sixth inning was the decisive blow, giving Venezuela a 7-5 lead.

Ibata, managing in his first WBC, made a questionable decision, as pointed out by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Mintz. The manager opted for soft-throwing left-hander Chihiro Sumida to replace starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the fifth inning. Sumida gave up Garcia’s homer, allowing Venezuela to get back into the game.

Several of Japan’s best pitchers were unavailable for the WBC. Yuki Matsui suffered a groin injury during spring training with the San Diego Padres, and Tatsuya Imai opted to prepare for the 2026 season with the Houston Astros.

Additionally, Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets’ Kodai Senga also opted not to play for Samurai Japan. Ohtani wasn’t available either, sticking to a strict spring training timeline to prepare for the MLB season.

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

An uncharacteristic error by Japan led to Venezuela’s eighth run. In the eighth inning, pitcher Atsuki Taneichi attempted to pick off Ezequiel Tovar at second base, but his high throw went into center field and Tovar came around to score.

Following the game, Ibata said the other countries competing in the WBC have gotten better, making Japan’s path to another championship more difficult.

“I know we lost this time, but Team Japan — I would hope Japan would get better next time,” Ibata said. “I will hope Team Japan will win next time.”

Ibata took over as manager for Samurai Japan three years ago, succeeding Hideki Kuriyama, who managed the 2023 WBC champions. Prior to managing Team Japan, Ibata was a coach on the national team staff and spent three years as a coach with the Yomiuri Giants.

As the defending WBC champions (and a three-time winner overall) and with a roster that included four-time MVP Ohtani and World Series MVP Yamamoto, with six other players currently playing in Major League Baseball, the Japanese were expected to play for the championship again this year.

Instead, Samurai Japan will have its worst WBC finish after reaching the semifinals in all five of the previous tournaments.

Mets’ Francisco Lindor making spring training debut after February hand surgery

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor will play his first spring training game on Sunday since undergoing surgery to repair the hamate bone in his left hand. He will lead off and play shortstop facing the Toronto Blue Jays, days after taking live batting practice and ground balls in the field.

Lindor, 32, was expected to be sidelined for six weeks when he had the procedure on Feb. 11 to repair a stress reaction in the bone, located on the lower outside edge of the hand. At the time, the Mets expected him to be ready by Opening Day, which is now less than two weeks away.

The Mets have eight games remaining on their Grapefruit League schedule before opening the season at home on March 26 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lindor had surgery the day before pitchers and catchers reported to Port St. Lucie, Florida, for spring training. He had complained of soreness in his left hand previously, but played through the discomfort. However, with the issue lingering before preparations for this season began, the team encouraged Lindor to get evaluated by a specialist.

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]

Returning in time for Opening Day is an encouraging sign for Lindor when comparing to other major leaguers who also had surgery in early February to repair hamate injuries this spring.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll played in his first Cactus League game on Wednesday. Unlike Lindor’s stress reaction, Carroll broke his hamate bone during batting practice and underwent surgery on Feb. 11. He was unable to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of the injury and the D-Backs have not said whether he’ll be ready for Opening Day.

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday suffered his hamate injury during early spring workouts and had surgery on Feb. 12. Like Carroll, he had the hamate removed in surgery. The Orioles have already said he will not be in their Opening Day lineup.

Last season, Lindor hit .267/.346/.466 with 31 home runs, 35 doubles, 86 RBI and 31 stolen bases in 732 plate appearances. He played in 160 games, the third time during his Mets career that he appeared in at least that many games.