2026 NBA playoff picture: April 9 clinching scenarios, tiebreakers for postseason contenders; Will Celtics clinch Atlantic crown?

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. For those teams not in the postseason hunt, we also break down the “race” for pole position in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery.

Jump to:Eastern ConferenceWestern Conference


A rarity for a late-season NBA slate that has featured a ton of tanking: The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics square off Thursday night in a game with actual stakes.

Should Boston win, it will clinch the Atlantic Division crown, the No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals — all over New York.

Except, the Celtics will have to do so without Jaylen Brown, who has been ruled out of Thursday’s game with left Achilles tendinitis. He missed two games at the end of March with the same injury, though he had averaged 37 minutes in five games since. He played 43 minutes of a 113-102 victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.

Celtics starters Derrick White and Neemias Queta are also listed as questionable on Boston’s injury report against the Knicks with a knee contusion and a toe sprain, respectively. Just how seriously Boston is taking this game, then, is in some question.

The Celtics need just one win in their final three outings, which also include home games against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday and Orlando Magic on Sunday, to secure the Atlantic Division crown, the No. 2 seed and home-court in the East semis.

Meanwhile, New York, which does own a tiebreaker against Boston, would need the Celtics to lose out and to beat both the Raptors on Friday and Hornets on Sunday.

Good luck with all that. Still, Thursday night does mark Jayson Tatum’s return to Madison Square Garden for the first time since he ruptured his Achilles last May, so we are guaranteed some drama. The NBA, for all its tanking, is never short on stories.


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

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


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

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


In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have locked up the No. 1 seed, and the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers appear bound for the next three seeds, in some order, and home-court advantage in the opening round.

Who, exactly, those four teams will play in the opening round is still up for grabs, as just two losses separate the fifth seed from the ninth seed. The Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are all jockeying for position in the final days of the season.



Record: 58-22 | Net rating: 8.3 (3rd)

  • Clinched No. 1 seed and Central Division title

  • Remaining schedule: @CHA, @IND

What’s at stake: First-round matchup against No. 8 seed



Record: 54-25 | Net rating: 8.2 (4th)

  • Clinched playoff berth; clinches No. 2 seed and Atlantic Division title with win over Knicks

  • Loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Knicks

  • Magic number for No. 2 seed: 1

  • Remaining schedule: @NYK, NOP, ORL

  • Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 3 seed

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

Record: 51-28 | Net rating: 6.5 (5th)

  • Clinched playoff berth

  • Holds head-to-head tiebreakers over Celtics and Cavaliers

  • Magic number for No. 3 seed: 2

  • Remaining schedule: BOS, TOR, CHA

  • Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No.4 seed

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

Record: 51-29 | Net rating: 4.1 (9th)

  • Clinched playoff berth

  • Loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Knicks

  • Remaining schedule: @ATL, WAS

  • Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed

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



Record: 45-35 | Net rating: 2.5 (11th)

  • Clinches playoff berth with win over Cavaliers

  • Holds tiebreakers over 76ers and Magic; loses head-to-head tiebreakers to Raptors and Hornets

  • Magic number for No. 5 seed: Do not control own destiny

  • Remaining schedule: CLE, @MIA

  • Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

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

Record: 44-35 | Net rating: 2.2 (12th)

  • Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Hawks, Hornets, Magic and Heat; loses head-to-head tiebreaker with 76ers

  • Magic number for No. 5 seed: 3

  • Remaining schedule: MIA, @NYK, BKN

  • Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

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

Record: 44-36 | Net rating: 0.0 (17th)

  • Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Heat; loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Hawks, Raptors, 76ers and Hornets

  • Magic number for No. 8 seed: 2

  • Remaining schedule: @CHI, @BOS

  • Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

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

Record: 43-36 | Net rating: -0.2 (18th)

  • Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Raptors, Hornets and Magic; loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Hawks and Heat

  • Magic number for No. 7 seed: 3

  • Remaining schedule: @HOU, @IND, MIL

  • Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

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

Record: 43-37 | Net rating: 5.3 (6th)

  • Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Hawks and Magic; loses head-to-head tiebreaker to Raptors, 76ers and Heat

  • Magic number for No. 9 seed: 2

  • Remaining schedule: DET, @NYK

  • Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

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



Record: 41-38 | Net rating: 2.1 (13th)

  • Locked into play-in tournament

  • Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Hornets and 76ers; loses head-to-head tiebreaker to Magic and Raptors

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

  • Remaining schedule: @TOR, @WAS, ATL

  • Highest possible finish: No. 8 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed

What’s at stake: The No. 8 seed.


Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have secured the league’s No. 1 overall seed while the San Antonio Spurs are locked into the West’s No. 2 seed.

The Los Angeles Lakers have slipped behind the Denver Nuggets for the West’s No. 3 seed and are in danger of falling behind the Houston Rockets to No. 5.

The Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors are locked into the West’s play-in tournament with the Suns guaranteed the No. 7 seed and the Warriors No. 10.



Record: 64-16 | Net rating: 11.6 (1st)

  • Clinched No. 1 overall seed, Northwest Division title and home-court advantage throughout playoffs

  • Remaining schedule: @DEN, PHX

What’s at stake: Will face No. 8 seed after play-in tournament.

Record: 61-19 | Net rating: 8.4 (2nd)

  • Clinched No. 2 seed and Southwest Division title

  • Remaining schedule: DAL, DEN

What’s at stake: Will face No. 7 seed after play-in tournament.

Record: 47-33 | Net rating: 3.1 (10th)

  • Locked into No. 6 seed

  • Remaining schedule: @HOU, NOP

What’s at stake: Will face No. 3 seed (Nuggets, Lakers or Rockets) in first round of playoffs.



Record: 52-28 | Net rating: 4.8 (8th)

  • Clinched playoff berth

  • Holds tiebreaker over Rockets, but not Lakers

  • Magic number for No. 3 seed: 2

  • Magic number for No. 4 seed: 1

  • Remaining schedule: OKC, @SAS

  • Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 5 seed

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

Record: 50-29 | Net rating: 1.2 (16th)

  • Clinched playoff berth and Pacific Division title

  • Holds tiebreaker over Nuggets and Rockets

  • Magic number for No. 4 seed: 3

  • Remaining schedule: @GSW, PHX, UTA

  • Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 5 seed

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

Record: 50-29 | Net rating: 5.0 (7th)

  • Clinched playoff berth

  • Loses tiebreaker to Nuggets and Rockets

  • Magic number for No. 3 seed: Do not control own destiny.

  • Magic number for No. 4 seed: Do not control own destiny.

  • Remaining schedule: PHI, MIN, MEM

  • Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 5 seed

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



Record: 44-36 | Net rating: 1.5 (14th)

  • Remaining schedule: @LAL, @OKC

  • Highest possible finish: No. 7 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed

What’s at stake: Will face No. 8 seed (Clippers or Blazers) in first game of play-in tournament at 10 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 14.

Record: 37-42 | Net rating: -0.3 (19th)

  • Remaining schedule: LAL, @SAC, @LAC

What’s at stake: Will face No. 9 seed (Clippers or Blazers) in second game of play-in tournament at 10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 15.



Record: 41-39 | Net rating: 1.5 (15th)

  • Friday’s game against the Trail Blazers determines head-to-head tiebreaker

  • Magic number for No. 8 seed: 2

  • Remaining schedule: @POR, GSW

  • Highest possible finish: No. 8 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

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

Record: 40-40 | Net rating: -0.6 (20th)

  • Friday’s game against the Clippers determines head-to-head tiebreaker

  • Magic number for No. 8 seed: Do not control own destiny

  • Remaining schedule: LAC, SAC

  • Highest possible finish: No. 8 seed

  • Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed

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


Justin Boone’s 2026 RB dynasty rankings and trade value chart updates for April

Justin Boone is a two-time winner of the FantasyPros Most Accurate Expert Award (2019, 2025) and has nine top-10 finishes in the competition.

Once per month, he’ll be updating his dynasty trade value charts in this space, while providing insights when major moves happen.

These charts are based on 12-team PPR leagues and should be used as a guide to compare players and build trade offers. So bookmark this page and check back whenever you’re working on your dynasty rosters.

And be sure to follow the links below to see his latest dynasty rankings and values at every position.

QB | RB | WR | TE | Rookies | Draft Picks

Note: Each running back is assigned a value in the chart below to help fantasy managers weigh roster and trade decisions.

Rank

Player

PPR

1

Bijan Robinson

109

2

Jahmyr Gibbs

108

3

Ashton Jeanty

98

4

Jeremiyah Love

81

5

Jonathan Taylor

78

6

Omarion Hampton

76

7

De’Von Achane

75

8

James Cook III

74

9

Kenneth Walker III

67

10

Chase Brown

66

11

Saquon Barkley

63

12

TreVeyon Henderson

62

13

Quinshon Judkins

61

14

Christian McCaffrey

60

15

Breece Hall

55

16

Josh Jacobs

50

17

Kyren Williams

49

18

Javonte Williams

48

19

Travis Etienne Jr.

47

20

Bucky Irving

46

21

Cam Skattebo

46

22

RJ Harvey

44

23

Bhayshul Tuten

36

24

Chuba Hubbard

34

25

D’Andre Swift

34

26

Derrick Henry

34

27

Zach Charbonnet

32

28

Jaylen Warren

31

29

David Montgomery

30

30

Jonah Coleman

30

31

Mike Washington Jr.

29

32

Rhamondre Stevenson

29

33

Rico Dowdle

29

34

Tyler Allgeier

29

35

Kyle Monangai

28

36

Blake Corum

28

37

Jadarian Price

26

38

Nicholas Singleton

26

39

Tony Pollard

26

40

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

26

41

Jonathon Brooks

24

42

J.K. Dobbins

24

43

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

24

44

Rachaad White

24

45

Kenneth Gainwell

23

46

Emmett Johnson

23

47

Jordan Mason

22

48

James Conner

21

49

Keaton Mitchell

21

50

Tyrone Tracy Jr.

21

51

Tyjae Spears

20

52

Kaytron Allen

19

53

Aaron Jones Sr.

19

54

Emanuel Wilson

19

55

Woody Marks

19

56

Isiah Pacheco

18

57

Braelon Allen

18

58

Brian Robinson Jr.

18

59

Dylan Sampson

17

60

Trey Benson

17

61

Tank Bigsby

16

62

Jordan James

16

63

Sean Tucker

15

64

Najee Harris

15

65

Ray Davis

14

66

Emari Demercado

14

67

Jaydon Blue

14

68

Demond Claiborne

13

69

Kendre Miller

13

70

Kaleb Johnson

13

71

Ollie Gordon II

12

72

Jaylen Wright

12

73

Adam Randall

12

74

George Holani

11

75

Chris Brooks

10

76

Kimani Vidal

10

77

Devin Neal

10

78

Le’Veon Moss

10

79

Isaiah Davis

9

80

Alvin Kamara

8

81

Joe Mixon

8

82

Justice Hill

8

83

DJ Giddens

8

84

LeQuint Allen Jr.

7

85

Tahj Brooks

7

86

Trevor Etienne

7

87

Will Shipley

7

88

MarShawn Lloyd

7

89

Brashard Smith

6

90

Phil Mafah

6

91

Devin Singletary

6

92

Seth McGowan

6

93

Eli Heidenreich

5

94

Terion Stewart

5

95

Jarquez Hunter

4

96

Audric Estime

4

97

Malik Davis

4

98

Michael Carter

4

99

Austin Ekeler

4

100

Jam Miller

4

101

J’Mari Taylor

1

102

Isaac Guerendo

1

103

Jaleel McLaughlin

1

104

Jerome Ford

1

105

Ty Johnson

1

106

Kaelon Black

1

107

Rahsul Faison

1

108

Desmond Reid

1

109

Jaydn Ott

1

110

Robert Henry Jr.

1

111

Roman Hemby

1

112

Bam Knight

1

113

Raheim Sanders

1

114

Jawhar Jordan

1

115

Samaje Perine

1

116

Tyler Goodson

1

117

Kareem Hunt

1

118

Nick Chubb

1

119

Ameer Abdullah

1

120

Dameon Pierce

1

121

Antonio Gibson

1

122

Miles Sanders

1

123

Roschon Johnson

1

124

Zamir White

1

125

Noah Whittington

1

126

Cam Akers

1

127

Zavier Scott

1

128

Rasheen Ali

1

129

Tyler Badie

1

130

Raheem Mostert

1

131

Kalel Mullings

1

132

Sione Vaki

1

133

Kenny McIntosh

1

134

AJ Dillon

1

135

Elijah Mitchell

1

136

Khalil Herbert

1

137

Damien Martinez

1

138

Nathan Carter

1

139

Ty Chandler

1

140

Jeremy McNichols

1

Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values (PPR)

QB | RB | WR | TE | Rookies | Draft Picks

UFC’s TUF line-up unimpressive to fans — Daniel Cormier vs Bisping receives buzz

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Zuffa LLC

Daniel Cormier is set to return for a second consecutive season as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter.

The show will return in 2026, marking its debut on Paramount+ following the UFC’s new broadcasting agreement with the platform.

After confirming bantamweight and women’s strawweight as the two featured divisions for TUF 34, the promotion has also announced that UFC legends Cormier and Michael Bisping will serve as coaches.

With Cormier and Bisping confirmed as coaches, it means that three of the last four TUF seasons won’t have ended with a fight between the two opposing sides. Conor McGregor’s matchup with Michael Chandler was cancelled a year after TUF 31.

The following season featured rivals Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso, who met in a rematch soon after. Then came TUF 33, when the then-podcast co-hosts Cormier and Chael Sonnen faced off as coaches.

“But just because the recent trend has been to not go down that path doesn’t mean the coaching gig is meaningless. In fact, for some personalities, it serves a purpose beyond setting up an Octagon collision.”

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC Fans unimpressed by coaching choices for TUF 34

The UFC’s latest announcement hasn’t exactly thrilled the fanbase. On social media, plenty of fans have been looking back fondly on earlier seasons of TUF, when real rivalries would build over the course of the show and finish with a fight between the coaches.

A lot of fans didn’t hold back their disappointment, with comments including: “Boring.”

“I think we’ve had enough of DC.”

“The show already does awful numbers, at least bring back the coaches having to fight each other.”

TUF 34 will debut on Paramount+ in June, but it remains to be seen whether Cormier and Bisping can win over viewers once episodes start airing.

Read more:

UFC 327’s never-serious Johnny Walker sends serious message ahead of Dom Reyes showdown – ‘If I die, I don’t care’

MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 09: Johnny Walker of Brazil is seen on stage during the UFC 327 press conference at Kaseya Center on April 09, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)

Cold-blooded… from one of the sport’s most unpredictable (and silly) characters.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight contender Johnny Walker faces former two-time Light Heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes on the UFC 327 main card this weekend (Sat., April 11, 2026) inside Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida — and all signs point to chaos.

These two are the definition of kill-or-be-killed.

Walker has racked up 17 knockout wins in his career, while Reyes has 10 of his own — but both men have also been knocked out multiple times. When they step into the cage, there’s usually only one outcome:

Violence.

And according to Walker, don’t expect this one to go to the judges.

“I have everything to show that this is my time,” Walker said during the UFC 327 press conference. “I live in Las Vegas now. I spar with Francis Ngannou, Sean Strickland, and other high-level guys. I’m prepared for anything.”

“I don’t like leaving it in the judges’ hands,” he continued. “They don’t get to decide three months of hard work — I decide. I’m going to finish the fight. Choke him out or knock him out, whatever. I’m not going to let the judge decide for me.”

Then came the serious line.

“[Reyes] has no weaknesses — he’s a warrior,” Walker said. “If I die, I don’t care, as long as my son and wife are good. I’m going to put on a show.”

Reyes didn’t disagree with the mentality, “Go out on our shields, man. Go out on our shields.”

With the Light Heavyweight title fight headlining UFC 327, the stakes are even higher than usual. A standout performance — especially a highlight-reel finish — could quickly push either man back into the title conversation.

For now, though, all that matters is what happens when the cage door closes.

And if history is any indication…

Don’t blink.


For all the UFC 327-related news and notes you can handle click here.

ESPN gives interesting insight into Steelers’ QB depth chart

ESPN gives interesting insight into Steelers’ QB depth chart originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ quarterback room is a big question mark this offseason, mostly because no one knows what Aaron Rodgers is going to do.

With Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, the other options, for some, the duo doesn’t inspire confidence under Mike McCarthy. 

Still, it would present a change from the Steelers being good enough to win nine games, but not challenge, to maybe the franchise hitting a roster reset.

And for ESPN’s Matt Miller, he’s revealed that some people inside the building are big fans of Howard.

“The Steelers might not have a clear-cut quarterback of the future on the roster, but one internal source said that they won’t be forced to draft one this year,” Miller wrote. “That source noted Pittsburgh will play the board first and that Will Howard, last year’s sixth-round pick, has fans in the front office.”

More:Buccaneers linked with stud offensive weapon in NFL Draft

Is Howard the answer?

Well, it appears the Steelers at least have some sort of faith that he could be.

We know what Rodgers is at this stage of his career, and we know what Rudolph can bring, but we don’t really know what Howard is capable of yet.

If there ever was a season for the Steelers to go with a young quarterback, it’s this one. Why? Because if it doesn’t work out and the Steelers have a poor season (4-13), they’ll have a top draft pick next offseason to take their next franchise quarterback.

So, it appears that if Rodgers doesn’t return, it very well could be the Howard show in Pittsburgh.

More NFL news:

Falcons star credits Christian McCaffrey’s training for staying health

Atlanta Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson led the NFL in scrimmage yards this past season with 2,298, leading to his first-ever first-team All-Pro nod and second-career Pro Bowl nod. Robinson proved himself one of the most elite and complete backs in the league, and now says he’s in even better shape going into 2026.

Why is Robinson so confident in himself now? He credits his offseason workouts with San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey in California. In a conversation with Falcons’ team reporter Tori McElhaney, Robinson said McCaffrey’s approach to training and recovery has helped him realize his full potential.

“That’s a cool deal, man,” Robinson said of working out with McCaffrey. “We put in work, but we really do take care of our bodies. His regimen has been really good for me, especially last year and what I did throughout the season. It was a blessing that I stayed healthy throughout the whole season, but even when the season was over I felt great to play even more.”

McCaffrey proved in 2025 that he knows how to stay on the field even with a history of injuries. He didn’t miss a game in 2025 despite not being able to play in most of the 2024 season with Achilles tendinitis and a late-season knee injury.

McCaffrey, who led the NFL in touches this past season with 413, wasn’t far behind Robinson’s yardage total. The 49ers star finished with 2,126 scrimmage yards, which was second behind Robinson. He and Robinson were also the only players with at least 2,000 total yards this past season.

It makes sense for Robinson to connect with McCaffrey about training his body, too. McCaffrey, who turns 30 in June, will be six years older than Robinson when the 2026 season kicks off in September. Robinson has been a machine on the field, but he’ll eventually need to contend with injury scares as he gets older and puts more tread on his tires.

For now, though, he’s trying to learn from the best. And McCaffrey is trying to maintain his own status as one of the best playmakers in the league.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Falcons star credits Christian McCaffrey’s training for staying health

Brooklyn Nets jersey history No. 53 – Darryl Dawkins (1982-87)

The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the “New Jersey Americans”.

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA, with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise’s jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.

And for today’s article, we will continue with the second of two people to wear the No. 53 jersey, big man alum Darryl Dawkins. After ending his high school career, Dawkins was picked up with the fifth overall selection of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Orlando, Florida native played the first seven seasons of his pro career with Philly, coming to an end when he was dealt to the Nets in 1982. His stay with the team lasted until he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1987.

During his time suiting up for the Nets, Dawkins wore only jersey No. 53 and put up 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 53 – Darryl Dawkins (1982-87)

Jordan Spieth predicts what score will definitely win The Masters this year after his 72 on day one

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Jordan Spieth made a solid, if not spectacular, start to The Masters on Thursday after posting a round of even-par 72.

Spieth won The Masters in 2015 and his swashbuckling and imaginative playing style make him perfectly suited to Augusta National.

However, the 32-year-old has struggled desperately with his game over the past few years and he is without a win on the PGA Tour since April 2022.

Jordan Spieth started really well at Augusta National on day one of The Masters, and was two-under-par standing on the 14th tee.

Photo by Simon Bruty/Augusta National/Getty Images

However, the three-time major winner made bogeys on 14 and 15 before parring his final three holes to card a round of 72.

Jordan Spieth warned The Masters field about how difficult Augusta National would play this week.

And he has been proven absolutely right.

Jordan Spieth predicts what score will definitely win The Masters this year

The three-time major champion spoke to reporters after his opening round at Augusta National on Thursday.

And Spieth predicted the score that will definitely win The Masters this year, when asked what he has learned over the past 10 years at Augusta National.

Where to be aggressive, where not to, Spieth said.

A lot has to do with like you got to — what am I, 19th or something I think I saw in there? You got to stay close and then you just never know. So that was important at the end there. I wanted to — didn’t want to lose to the golf course today.

Felt like I beat it the way I played. It was a really nice putt to hole. What I’ve learned the last ten years is a lot — anything can happen.

Photo by Simon Bruty/Augusta National/Getty Images

You just have to be staying within reach. Tomorrow will be an important day to get into the red numbers, but the way this course is going and with this east wind, this dry wind, I mean, the ninth green I could name six or so putts where it was like, man, this is going to be get a little dicey on Sunday, by Saturday, Sunday.

So having said that, if someone shoots 16-under, they’re going to win. But I think you hang in there and just shoot three red numbers and make a little charge you got a chance still, even if you shot even today.

In truth, the winning score will most likely be around the eight or nine-under mark this week, given the difficulty of the golf course.

Jordan Spieth frustrated at The Masters

Spieth believes he isn’t getting the results he deserves right now.

He was asked by reporters whether it was the same old story on day one at Augusta National.

Yeah — no, it was pretty similar but, again, doesn’t mean do anything differently. Just I don’t take four to get in from a greenside bunker on 15 very often.

You know, just had a lie that I thought it was going to come out super fast and didn’t. And then I was — I wasn’t tentative on the greens. I just thought they were quicker and I left a number of putts short. You can’t leave the five-footers downhill for your par putts if you can get it below the hole.

So I made kind of a couple mistakes in that regard. Got away with one or two and didn’t on 15. That’s the kind of stuff that’s been happening.

I’m in position to make birdie and walk off with a six on a random hole. Give me a dozen balls in there I probably make birdie on 10 and make bogey on one and par on the other. You know what I mean?

I feel good about it. It’s like close to clicking and it just didn’t quite click today.

ONE Friday Fights 150 And The Inner Circle – Results And Highlights For Every Match

ONE Championship is gearing up for its first weekend tripleheader, and it all begins in Asia primetime.

The world’s largest martial arts organization will broadcast The Inner Circle and ONE Friday Fights 150 live from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, April 10.

In the main event of The Inner Circle, reigning ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Champion Regian “The Immortal” Eersel will face Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong for the vacant ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title.

Also, in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 150, two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kompet Sitsarawatsuer will collide with 23-year-old phenom Attachai Kelasport.

Plus, nearly two dozen Muay Thai practitioners, mixed martial artists, and kickboxers will look to win a life-changing US$100,000 contract and global roster spot.

For up-to-the-minute results and video highlights from every match at The Inner Circle and ONE Friday Fights 150, check below.

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PFL Chicago’s Josh Silveira back to war mode after birth of first daughter: ‘It boosts my dream’

PFL veteran Josh Silveira has a new purpose in life after the birth of his first child Lua. With his heart full of joy and a few gray hairs, the 33-year-old battles undefeated Jordan Newman in the co-main event of PFL Chicago on April 11 with a different mindset and goal.

Silveira took some time off to properly enjoy the first months after his baby was born, living life at its fullest before shifting his focus back to his athletic career. Lua’s first birthday is a month after PFL Chicago and he plans to have more reasons to celebrate, but parenting has given him a new perspective of things.

“At the end of the day it’s good for my life, you know?” Silveira told MMA Fighting. “Life isn’t just fighting. I’m a father, I have a family, so it was good to be present in those moments. And she’s only going to be a baby once, right? When she grows up she’ll have friends, she’ll forget about me [laughs]. Right now she’s my best friend — I’m her only friend [laughs]. She likes being around people. I don’t want to miss that part not being here, because I was training.”

Silveira grew up in a martial arts environment. Son of American Top Team leader Conan Silveira, he always had “big dreams for myself like winning, becoming a champion.” At 33, Silveira realized there’s more than that in life.

“For my parents too, of course, I want to do well for them, but it was always my dream,” Silveira said. “Now with her in my life, it feels like it boosts my dream, you know? I want to do so much more. Now I have a much more serious reason. I want to do everything not just for her, but for my family, for the future, to change the level where my family is. I’m doing something I love — I really love MMA — and I’m doing good things for my family and I’m becoming a better human being. I’m growing in all the areas where I want to grow in life.”

Lua has yet to turn 1 year old but Silveira is already dreaming of having another “little human” around him at home. For now, though, the goal is being the best parent he can — and walking through Jordan Newman to get paid in full at PFL Chicago. 

Newman is a 8-0 prospect patiently built under the Bellator banner, winning seven bouts in that promotion before stopping Eslam Abdul Baset in his first PFL appearance. They are about the same age, but Silveira looks at his MMA experience, having twice more fights, as a big advantage. 

“I’ve asked for big fights, I’ve cried, I’ve been broken, I’ve gotten back up and kept moving forward,” Silveira said. “Fight life isn’t just happiness. There are parts that really suck, your mind working against you. I’m not saying anything about his life, but just in fighting, I don’t think he’s felt that yet. Sometimes you grow more when you lose. I’m happy to be facing him while he’s undefeated because I can give him something that will only make him better when it happens. I don’t want to fight him later, you know? People come back stronger after their first loss, they learn things, so I’m going to take advantage of the fact that he hasn’t felt that yet.”

Newman, nicknamed “Not Human,” scored finishes in five of his eight professional bouts with three knockouts and two submissions.

“I think he’ll try to use his wrestling when I put pressure on him,” Silveira said. “But he’ll get tired and he will face problems, and I’ll have a lot of answers. He’ll either give me the opening to finish the fight or he’ll just let me beat him and I win by decision. I’m not in a hurry.”

Silveira is not in a hurry for a finish Saturday, nor for a long-awaited shot at the PFL middleweight title. A former light heavyweight season finalist in 2023, he just walks one step at a time now.

Baby steps.

“I like the belt, I want the belt, that’s always the focus, but I’m a father, I have a family. I just want to work,” Silveira said. “If they want to give me two, three, four fights and then the title, no problem. I just want to win. I’m in a good place mentally. I just want to work. I’m not here for a long time. I’m 33, turning 34 this year, and I don’t have much time left to fight. I don’t want to work after fighting [laughs]. If I have to, I will, but I don’t want to, you know?

“I want to enjoy life, stay at home, take care of my plants, have chickens. I want to be a farmer, you know? So for me, if the belt comes [next], great. If they want to wait, no problem. When the time comes to fight for the belt, I’ll fight, but I’m not in a rush. I know I’ve got one shot in this run and I have to make it count. I don’t want to waste my shot when it’s not the right moment.”