Sports
Carabao Cup reality check for Arsenal, Man City; Madrid’s derby win; more
We had one final weekend of European league action before the international break (in which the final spots will be clinched for this summer’s World Cup) and, well, it was a doozy, delivering plenty for us to talk about. Let’s begin with the English Carabao Cup final, where Manchester City outsmarted and outdueled the favorites, Arsenal, to settle the first trophy both sides are battling for. Either way, the game was a reality check for both as they prepare for the home stretch in their Premier League title battle.
Spain‘s LaLiga was highlighted by Sunday’s Madrid derby, which saw five lovely goals and Alvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid come out on top 3-2 over Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid. Barcelona remain top of LaLiga with a four-point lead thanks to their 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, but the title race is finely poised.
Elsewhere, we have talking points galore around Chelsea (has Liam Rosenior been set up to fail?), Bayern Munich (who rolled to another big win despite a heavily rotated team … scary), Inter Milan (who dropped points to open Serie A‘s title race a little), Liverpool (who looked dreadful vs. Brighton), Tottenham (who lost their relegation six-pointer) and much, much more.
It’s Monday morning, so what better time for some musings? Let’s get into it.
– City beat Arsenal in Carabao Cup, so is Premier League title race not over?
– Ogden: Tottenham hurtling toward relegation after limp loss to Forest
– Lindop: Where is the real Liverpool? Inconsistency defines their season
Carabao Cup final is a reality check for both Man City and Arsenal
Once the elation for the trophy — pump those brakes because it’s the League Cup, and Pep Guardiola already had four of them in his trophy cabinet — the main value of Sunday afternoon is as a health check for the Premier League run-in and, in Arsenal’s case, the Champions’ League knockouts.
Man City are nine points back, with a game in hand and — crucially — a head-to-head tie at the Etihad on April 19. For them to have a shot at the Premier League, they will almost certainly need to win both.
Arsenal were hugely disappointing at Wembley, far more than the 2-0 scoreline suggests. After the early Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka chances (credit James Trafford there), their expected goals after the 12th minute was a paltry 0.26 against a back four missing its two best defenders (Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol). The trope that this season’s version of the team is less of a footballing side (as in possession, movement, patterns of play, chance creation, where they’re fourth in the league) than a water-tight defending, transitions and set piece side might be a cliché, but it’s accurate.
And so, when you miss your early opportunity to score, when you get just three corner kicks in the whole game (half as many as your average), and when your keeper makes a mistake leading to the opener just past the hour mark, it’s going to be very difficult to turn things around. Particularly when your most gifted player (yes, it’s still Bukayo Saka in my book) has a quiet game and you struggle mightily to impose your football on the game.
1:52
Burley brands Arsenal an ‘absolute disgrace’ for Carabao Cup performance
Craig Burley slams Arsenal for their approach to the Carabao Cup final after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The absences of Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze (and Mikel Merino, frankly) in attacking midfield weigh heavily here — particularly since the stand-in, Havertz, has hardly played in that role for the past two and a half seasons. Jurriën Timber being out doesn’t help either, nor does picking Piero Hincapié over Riccardo Calafiori at left back. But it’s more the ethos and mindset of Arsenal this season that is less creative and technical than before. It’s vindicated by the fact they’re top of the Premier League and still on track for a domestic/European treble, but it comes at the expense of being able to react in situations like these, against opponents like this.
As for City, you can only praise the reaction after the disappointing draw at West Ham and the Champions League defeats to Real Madrid. They were a bit fortunate with both goals, but they were in control throughout and Guardiola’s decision to put his faith in Rayan Cherki (a no-brainer in my view, but lest we forget, he had started just three of seven league and Champions League matches going into the final) was vindicated. Abdukodir Khusanov had Viktor Gyökeres (17 touches in 90-plus minutes, just two of them in the City box, no shots) in his pocket all game long, both fullbacks were impactful and Trafford showed no nerves between the posts. It’s a weird thing to say, but it didn’t matter that Erling Haaland was shut down, barring that one shot.
From here on out, much will depend on how the two managers spin the reaction to the game.
0:59
Should Arteta have started Raya over Kepa vs. Man City?
ESPN FC’s Janusz Michallik reacts to Manchester City beating Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final.
Having fiddled with formations and approaches all season long, I think this setup — despite perhaps conceding a little bit in the pressing game — simply works for Guardiola, obviously with the return of Ruben Dias when he’s fit again. With no Champions League football to worry about, it’s pretty much plug-and-play ahead of the head-to-head with Arsenal, and the fact they have two marquee opponents in the immediate buildup (Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinals, Chelsea away in the league) is a bonus in terms of maintaining focus.
You assume Arteta will have Odegaard fit again after the break (though we’ve heard this before) but he’s unlikely, given the season he’s had thus far, to be an instant fix. One of the trickiest decisions coaches can be asked to make at this stage of what is (lest we forget) a hugely successful campaign is what, if any, changes to make after a defeat. Do you chalk it up to a bad day? Or do you tweak what has been a winning formula?
There are lessons to be learned, but very little time to implement them. That’s what Arteta will be thinking about over the international break.
Time to praise Alvaro Arbeloa: Brave choices are rewarded
2:22
Marcotti: Arbeloa is getting the best out of Vinícius Júnior
Gab Marcotti and Stewart Robson react to Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in LaLiga.
I’ve been hard on him, mainly because the results weren’t great, the football wasn’t great, he seemed out of his depth and the safety-first-and-wait-for-Vini-or-Kylian-Mbappe-to-do-something approach was maddening. But he gets a tip of the cap for what we saw from Real Madrid in Sunday’s 3-2 derby win.
Make no mistake about it: Real could have dropped points. The Dávid Hancko on Brahim Díaz penalty, converted by Vinícius Júnior, looked harsh and if Julián Álvarez‘s stunning finish had arced a smidgen more to the right, this game could have gone the other way. But when you factor in the goal-line clearances from Giuliano Simeone, Federico Valverde hitting the crossbar and the fact that Vinícius stepped up big time, it’s evident Real Madrid fully deserved the win.
Arbeloa resisted the temptation to chuck Kylian Mbappé straight back in after his 22 minutes against Manchester City; he put his faith in Dani Carvajal and Fran García and, at 11 vs. 11 in the second half, limited Atleti to just one shot on target (Nahuel Molina‘s wonder-strike). Most of all, he’s getting the very best out of a devastating Vinícius, something Xabi Alonso was unable to do.
2:00
Will Real Madrid’s comeback spark a LaLiga title push?
Luis Garcia reacts to Real Madrid’s comeback win over rivals Atletico Madrid in LaLiga.
Real Madrid are still chasing, of course, but to come from behind and be the better side in a game like this, after the City clashes in the UEFA Champions League and without relying on Thibaut Courtois‘ routine miracles (because he’s injured … Andriy Lunin was in goal) is significant.
As for Atleti, they played with freedom more than with vigor, and that’s understandable. Diego Simeone will never admit it, but it’s OK if their minds are focused on the two seasonal trophies they can still win: the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. They’re not getting into the LaLiga title race and their top-four spot is secure. In some ways, that freedom can make them even more dangerous and creative: Witness the Giuliano backheel to set up Ademola Lookman‘s goal, or the improbable howitzer Molina unloaded to briefly make it 2-2.
Liam Rosenior has been left cleaning up someone else’s mess…
1:21
Hislop: Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea future is in danger
Shaka Hislop and Steve Nicol debate Liam Rosenior’s future after Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Everton in the Premier League.
… and I’m genuinely not sure whether he’s part (a small part) of the problem or part of the solution, because the folks who put this Chelsea team together (co-directors of football, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart) haven’t explained what they’re trying to do or why they felt Rosenior was an upgrade over Enzo Maresca when they appointed him in January.
Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Everton makes it four on the spin in all competitions. They’re sixth in the Premier League table, one point off the Champions League places because Liverpool lost, but there are four teams separated by three points vying for one slot, and that’s not a comfortable place to be. Rosenior has won 10 of 19 games since his appointment, which looks impressive until you realize that three were against lower-league opposition, one was against Pafos, and two were against sides in the relegation zone. Another was against a Crystal Palace side that hadn’t won in eight league games. What does that leave? Aston Villa away, Brentford at home and an injury-riddled Napoli away.
Spells of pretty football, like they showed against Paris Saint-Germain, don’t make up for the reality that this is a poorly constructed side. Or that neither Filip Jorgensen nor Robert Sánchez look able to do what he wants them to do in goal. Or that the constant churn of center backs is unhelpful. Or that having built a squad based on genuine wingers — presumably that was the recruitment plan, otherwise they wouldn’t have added Estêvão, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho in one go — they’ve done a handbrake turn under Rosenior shifting Cole Palmer wide and sticking another central midfielder in there.
He doesn’t help himself with some of his decisions, but make no mistake about it: Rosenior is being asked to clean up someone else’s mess.
Quick hits
2:42
Kane reflects on Bayern Munich’s ‘really good’ win over Union Berlin
Harry Kane reacts to Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
10. Bayern Munich go direct and absolutely level 1. FC Union Berlin: The thing about Bayern this season isn’t just that they’re deep, pedigreed and boast this year’s likely Golden Shoe winner in Harry Kane. It’s that they can beat you in many different ways. Saturday’s opponents, Union Berlin, aren’t much to watch, but they’re solidly midtable and can pack the box with the best of them.
Faced with the prospect of a ton of possession at home and plenty of human density separating them from the opposing goal, Bayern boss Vincent Kompany opted for directness rather than patient, intricate passing. The upshot is they won 4-0, hit the woodwork twice and racked up 5.53 expected goals, while limiting Union to one shot on target. All this with five starters out (plus Nicolas Jackson suspended), which is pretty scary.
9. Dro Fernández makes it 100 goals for PSG against Nice: It took them a while to break through because Khvicha Kvaratskhelia‘s shooting boots weren’t quite right, and the penalty that broke the ice towards the end of the first half was a bit generous, but PSG handily outclassed Nice away to go back on top of Ligue 1. The 4-0 win — against an opponent whose last home win was in October and is fighting to avoid relegation — looks gaudier than it was (Nice went down to 10 men early in the second half), but PSG did what they had to do post-Champions League with aplomb.
Along the way, they scored their 100th goal in all competitions, courtesy of substitute Fernandez. The 18-year-old, picked up for a song in January (€8 million due to a release clause and the fact he wouldn’t extend his Barcelona contract) was a La Masia crown jewel, drawing comparisons with Andres Iniesta. Time will tell whether he lives up to the hype or goes down the path of previous La Masia prodigies such as Riqui Puig or Carles Alena, but his departure from Barca still raises questions. However hard a bargain his people were driving, it feels counterintuitive to throw money at Marcus Rashford or Roony Bardghji when this guy was coming through.
8. Are AC Milan learning their lesson?: The narrative around Milan all season long has been that Max Allegri is a genius for getting so much production and toughness out of Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot. That, and the usual stuff about being tough and uncompromising because they get outplayed but “find a way to win.” Regular readers will know I think that’s a bunch of nonsense. Yeah, Modric and Rabiot have been exceptional; when you play once a week, it’s a lot easier to excel at their age. As for getting outplayed, that’s never a good thing.
There are signs, however, that even Allegri recognizes this, and that’s a good thing. Against Torino on Saturday, they played a wretched first half (0.2 xG at home tell their own story), taking the lead through a long-range Strahinja Pavlovic effort and then conceding on a defensive blunder. Standard operating procedure for Allegri would have been to just continue, keep it tight and hope for something positive to happen. This time, however, he was proactive: He sent on a high-energy winger (21-year-old Zachary Athekame), switched to a back four, got his players to commit to attack and was rewarded with two team goals en route to a 3-2 win. Better late than never, you might say.
7. Redemption for Ramy Bensebaini in Borussia Dortmund‘s comeback: The Algeria defender had made just one start since that game against Atalanta in Europe, when he endured one of the worst nights a professional footballer can endure (and was partly and largely responsible for four conceded goals). On Saturday, he came on at halftime for young Luca Reggiani (who has having the sort of game Bensebaini had in Bergamo), steadied the ship defensively and bagged two penalties as Dortmund scored three times in the last 17 minutes to beat Hamburg SV 3-2.
It was the sort of up-and-down performance to which Dortmund has us accustomed (still, that 4.08 xG in the second half looks gaudy), but the win keeps them well on track for second place. With little left to play for, there’s only so much you can ask of this team. Still, head coach Nico Kovac felt the need to send on the departing Julian Brandt at the end of time added on. It felt pointless; you hope it wasn’t puerile message-sending, and that he at least gets an appearance bonus.
6. It’s the center forward blues as Juventus drop points: Strange but true. Juventus’ squad for the visit of Sassuolo included four center forwards. Summer singings Loïs Openda and Jonathan David as well as holdovers Dusan Vlahovic (out since November) and Arkadiusz Milik (out since June 2024 … yes, you read that right). All four were on the bench, as Luciano Spalletti opted to start a winger like Jérémie Boga up front instead.
That’s sort of a snapshot of where Juve are right now: two free agents-to-be returning after long layoffs (Vlahovic and Milik), and two big signings who don’t have the coach’s trust (Openda and David, who didn’t come on at all). They needed three points at home against a small club that has achieved its version of success this year (midtable) and couldn’t get over the line, because, after scoring early, they stopped being dangerous and paid a price for an individual error on the Sassuolo equalizer. Manuel Locatelli‘s missed penalty did the rest, but the save was poetic justice given what an absurdity of a call it was in the first place. The race for top four is alive, but Spalletti has plenty to figure out over this international break.
1:05
Nicol: Man United should have been awarded 2nd penalty vs. Bournemouth
Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop disagree over the decision not to award Man United a second penalty against Bournemouth.
5. Manchester United make a formal complaint … but why? I understand why Michael Carrick was so angry (though he used the term “baffled”) after Manchester United’s 2-2 draw at AFC Bournemouth on Friday. Like him, I thought Adrien Truffert‘s pull on Amad Diallo merited a penalty. (Though, unlike him, I’m not sure that was similar to the penalty Harry Maguire conceded later.) The fact that after the no-call, Bournemouth went up the pitch and scored obviously made things worse and had a material impact on the outcome.
I’m not sure what a “formal complaint” to the referees’ association will achieve. They’re not going to re-referee the game, and at best, they’ll suggest that if the penalty had been given, it would not have been overturned. It simply wasn’t — in their view — a “clear and obvious” error. They already know United are unhappy with the decision. If, privately, Howard Webb and his evaluators feel referee Stuart Attwell and VAR Craig Pawson screwed up, they’ll talk to them. Beyond that, there’s not much they can do. So why ratchet up the pressure like this?
4. Battle-weary Inter draw in Florence, shrinking their Serie A lead to six points: Inter’s 1-1 draw on Sunday makes it three straight games without a win in the league, smashing whatever notion we may have had that the humiliation against Bodo/Glimt would have led to an Inter side locked in on the Serie A title. Against Fiorentina, they scored straight away with Pio Esposito (him again) and tried to manage the game, unsuccessfully, as it turned out.
Christian Chivu is getting a lot of criticism this morning, but I’m not ready to go Chicken Little. Getting outhustled by a side that played on Thursday night isn’t a great look, but it’s worth remembering Fiorentina are fighting to avoid relegation and are more talented than the league table suggests. Starting players who are returning from injury like Denzel Dumfries and Hakan Calhanoglu will result in less short-term fitness and intensity, but will, Chivu hopes, pay dividends after the international break. Inter remain on track for the double. It might be good to remind themselves of this.
1:21
What’s behind Liverpool’s drop-off from last season?
Gab Marcotti and Stewart Robson speak after Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Brighton in the Premier League.
3. Galatasaray was a blip, because Liverpool haven’t turned the corner: That 4-0 hammering in the Champions League evidently had more to do with Galatasaray’s frailty than Arne Slot’s progress. And judging by what we saw in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool are closer to what they were the week before against Tottenham Hotspur, or away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Which is: not good.
Mohamed Salah was unavailable (but how much of a factor is that really, when he seems to be a favorite scapegoat for the side’s failures this season?) and more importantly, they lost Hugo Ekitike to injury after eight minutes. But that doesn’t explain the ineptitude, particularly in a second half that saw them take just four shots for a combined xG of 0.21. Slot brought up the lunch-time kickoff after a Wednesday night game, but that was at home. Fatigue is an issue, and that’s down to the way this squad was built. Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk were poor, sure, and they had three different right backs in the first half alone. But that’s not all on Slot. As we’ve pointed out before, they’re down three defenders after failing to address it in January, and now they’re paying the price. Ten defeats in 31 games is something we hadn’t seen since the Brendan Rodgers era. That they’re still in the hunt for the Champions League has more to do with the shortcomings of others than any real progress this season.
2:51
Were Barcelona lucky to beat Rayo Vallecano?
The ‘ESPN FC’ crew react to Barcelona beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in LaLiga.
2. Barcelona look ready for the international break: As in, maybe some time away will help them regain their senses and realize what it takes to win LaLiga. Because Sunday’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano was a compendium of everything that’s wrong with the team and should be a wakeup call to coach Hansi Flick. (No, I’m not holding my breath … are you?)
Rayo played well, but if not for a few huge Joan García stops (vs. Carlos Martín, Unai López and Álvaro García) they would have lost this game. Some of it was down to the usual “high line” hijinks, some of it was down to Rayo looking far sharper (which is odd, because they played Thursday), some of it was down to the fact that a back four that includes Gerard Martín, João Cancelo and Ronald Araújo (though he did score the only goal) will struggle to be watertight.
Complacency? Fatigue? Who knows? But at this stage of the season, Flick shouldn’t be taking things for granted.
0:54
Robson: Tottenham should sack Tudor after loss to Nottingham Forest
Gab Marcotti and Stewart Robson discuss Tottenham’s 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
1. Tottenham back to bad, old ways in relegation battle head-to-head: It was set up so nicely for them. For the previous three halves of football — the second 45 against Liverpool and the home tie against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League — Spurs had actually looked good and (just as important) looked as if they believed they were good. Their fans greeted them as if it was a cup final for the visit of Nottingham Forest.
But once they stepped on the pitch, the usual demons quickly resurfaced. They played with fear and switched off just before the break and at the hour mark, as Forest went 2-0 up (Taiwo Awoniyi would add another later in a 3-0 result). Fans started to leave, confidence dropped, chances were missed. I don’t know if Igor Tudor, who missed the postgame media activities due to a family bereavement, will be back after the international break, but I want to believe that the one and a half games against Liverpool and Atleti at home were more meaningful than Sunday.
Where do all 30 teams stand in the final March edition of ESPN’s NBA Power Rankings? So far, 10 teams have clinched at least a postseason berth, with the full playoff picture beginning to take shape. And with the pool of top 20 teams nearly set, the next few weeks are all about jockeying for position.
In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers are making the loudest statement among the logjam of teams behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The 3-seeded Lakers, healthy again and settling into an offensive hierarchy between Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, have won nine of 10 games in their pursuit of home court in the first round.
The Atlanta Hawks have made their own push as an attempt to break free from the Eastern Conference play-in picture. Atlanta is 13-1 over the past month, albeit during a weaker portion of its schedule. Things get tougher starting Wednesday, when the 6-seeded Hawks face the East-leading Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics three times in six days.
Which playoff contenders and lottery-bound teams are making moves up and down our latest rankings? Check out our updated 1-30 list and what lies ahead for each team as the regular season winds down.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26 | Dec. 3 | Dec. 10 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 24 | Dec. 31 | Jan. 7 | Jan. 14 | Jan. 21 | Jan. 28 | Feb. 4 | Feb. 11 | Feb. 25 | Mar. 4 | Mar. 11 | Mar. 18
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
1:04
OKC looking to young talent for repeat championship run
Zach Kram breaks down Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain’s impact in the Thunder’s pursuit of another chip this season.
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2025-26 record: 54-15
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Previous ranking: 1
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Next games: @ BOS (Mar. 25), vs. CHI (Mar. 27), vs. NYK (Mar. 29), vs. DET (Mar. 30)
In his return to the lineup, Jalen Williams had 18 points and six assists over only 20 minutes in Philadelphia on Monday night. There’s little unknown about the defending champions entering the playoffs. They’ve won 12 straight and appear poised to grab home court throughout the postseason. But their ultimate ceiling will be based on whether Williams can shake off an injury-riddled season and find his best version in the next two months. Monday was a positive start. — Anthony Slater
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2025-26 record: 52-19
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Previous ranking: 3
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Next games: vs. ATL (Mar. 25), vs. NO (Mar. 26), @ MIN (Mar. 28), @ OKC (Mar. 30), vs. TOR (Mar. 31)
Seven days ago, the top of the East appeared to be open with news of Cade Cunningham’s punctured lung, seemingly leaving the Pistons vulnerable. But many Pistons staffers believed a hard reset was needed to get back to their defensive identity, which had experienced slippage over the last few weeks. Four wins later, they sit firmly back atop the standings with 11 games left and back to second in defense. And from a two-way player to a two-year deal revelation, Daniss Jenkins has rediscovered his mojo after a monthlong slump, averaging 26 on 60% shooting in wins over the Warriors and Lakers. — Vincent Goodwill
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2025-26 record: 47-24
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Previous ranking: 4
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Next games: vs. OKC (Mar. 25), vs. ATL (Mar. 27), @ CHA (Mar. 29), @ ATL (Mar. 30)
It’s been an up-and-down first couple of weeks for Jayson Tatum since returning to the lineup for the Celtics on March 6. One thing that has been consistent, however, is Tatum’s usage rate, which entering Wednesday’s showdown with Oklahoma City is 30.8 — right in line with where it has been each of the past five seasons. — Tim Bontemps
Victor Wembanyama became the fifth player to reach 4,000 points and 600 blocks in his first three seasons since blocks became an official stat in 1973-74, according to ESPN Research. The Frenchman joins the company of Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to achieve the feat.
San Antonio enters Wednesday’s clash with Memphis on a six-game winning streak, including victories in 22 of the past 24 since Feb. 1, with an opportunity to finish with its first 60-win campaign since the 2016-17 season. The toughest portion of the remaining schedule starts April 1 at Golden State, followed by road outings against the Clippers and Nuggets. — Michael C. Wright
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2025-26 record: 46-26
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Previous ranking: 6
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Next games: @ IND (Mar. 25), vs. BKN (Mar. 27), vs. WSH (Mar. 30), vs. CLE (Mar. 31)
After L.A.’s nine-game winning streak was snapped in Detroit on Monday, coach JJ Redick reflected on what he took from the hot stretch.
“We’re a good basketball team,” he said. “I believe that we’re a good basketball team. I thought we could be a good basketball team the entire season. We saw flashes of it. We saw short stretches of it, but we’re a good basketball team.”
Two out of the Lakers’ final 10 games are against a great basketball team in the Oklahoma City Thunder, which L.A. should treat like playoff games before the real thing begins. — Dave McMenamin
While the Celtics were looking up at the 1-seed, the Knicks were eyeing the Celtics in that second spot in the East, and the two playoff combatants are eye-to-eye following a six-game winning streak. It’s a break in the schedule the Knicks have been waiting for, with the combined record of 104-255 (.289 winning percentage), and short of a scare against the Nets, the Knicks have taken care of business. Getting Mikal Bridges back on track is an objective before the playoffs. Since scoring 25 against the Spurs on March 1, he’s averaging 8.9 points on 37% shooting in his last 11 games — not a sustainable playoff formula. — Vincent Goodwill
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2025-26 record: 45-27
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Previous ranking: 7
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Next games: vs. MIA (Mar. 25), vs. MIA (Mar. 27), @ UTAH (Mar. 30), @ LAL (Mar. 31)
The Cavs have some cushion as the No. 4 seed in the East, and they could also have an impact on their potential first-round opponent. After Tuesday’s 136-131 win over Orlando — the team’s fourth straight — Cleveland still has two games each remaining with both Miami and Atlanta, two of the other teams chasing the Raptors for the No. 5 slot in the East and a likely first-round date with the Cavs. — Jamal Collier
Forward Peyton Watson returned Sunday after missing more than six weeks due to a hamstring strain, scoring 14 points in 20 minutes off the bench in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Watson is in the midst of a breakout season as he approaches restricted free agency, averaging career bests of 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game for a Nuggets team that needs to get healthy. — Tim MacMahon
Minnesota is trying to claim a top-four seed in the Western Conference while missing Anthony Edwards (knee) for an extended period. If Edwards misses three more games he will be ineligible for All-NBA honors at season’s end due to the 65-game rule. The Nuggets, Rockets and Timberwolves are all vying for home court in the first round of the playoffs. — Bontemps
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2025-26 record: 43-28
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Previous ranking: 9
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Next games: @ MIN (Mar. 25), @ MEM (Mar. 27), @ NO (Mar. 29), @ NYK (Mar. 31)
The loss at Chicago marked Houston’s 12th to a team with a losing record, tying the Hornets for the most of any team this season with a winning record. Houston owns a 23-12 mark against teams currently below .500 with a crucial matchup on deck Wednesday at Minnesota.
Despite the team’s overall inconsistency recently, center Alperen Sengun is rounding into postseason form with four straight double-doubles. The rest of the supporting cast needs to step up for the Rockets to salvage a season soured by injuries to key leaders on the team. — Wright
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2025-26 record: 40-32
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Previous ranking: 14
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Next games: @ DET (Mar. 25), @ BOS (Mar. 27), vs. SAC (Mar. 28), vs. BOS (Mar. 30)
The Hawks continue to play their best basketball at the right time of the season. Despite the loss at Houston last Friday that snapped an 11-game winning streak, Atlanta has won 13 out of 15 and trails only Oklahoma City for the league’s top offense. Twelve of those wins have come by double digits. In two wins against Golden State and Memphis, Atlanta won by a combined 55 points. Against the Grizzlies, the Hawks set a franchise record with 25 3-pointers. — Bobby Marks
After Phoenix followed a tough 2-4 road trip with a home loss to the struggling Milwaukee Bucks, the Suns got back on track with a 22-point win over the Toronto Raptors this past weekend. Six of their final 10 games are on the road, where they’re 17-18. But seeing as they’re 3.5 games back of Houston for No. 6 and four games up on the L.A. Clippers in No. 8, their No. 7 spot is likely secure. — McMenamin
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2025-26 record: 40-31
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Previous ranking: 15
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Next games: @ LAC (Mar. 25), vs. NO (Mar. 27), vs. ORL (Mar. 29), @ DET (Mar. 31)
With one game to go on their last big road trip of the season, the Raptors are 2-2 on their current stretch away from home. They beat the teams with losing records (Chicago and Utah) and lost to the teams with winning records (Denver and Phoenix), continuing a seasonlong trend. With important upcoming games against Orlando and Miami (twice), who are rivals with the Raptors for playoff seeding, Toronto must hope it can eke out a few wins against upper-tier competition. — Zach Kram
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2025-26 record: 38-34
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Previous ranking: 17
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Next games: vs. NYK (Mar. 26), vs. PHI (Mar. 28), vs. BOS (Mar. 29), @ BKN (Mar. 31)
Blowout wins over Miami and Orlando have Charlotte still in the running for the first division title in franchise history. With a few weeks to go in the regular season, the Southeast Division hosts a four-team race: As of Tuesday, Atlanta has 32 losses, Orlando has 33, and Miami and Charlotte both have 34. Even better: With Philadelphia sitting at 33 losses as well, there’s a chance the East’s play-in tournament is an all-Southeast affair. — Kram
1:40
Paul George apologizes for suspension, looks forward to return
Paul George speaks about his suspension and his mindset going into the rest of the season.
After weeks with several players sidelined due to injury and suspension, Philadelphia is finally getting back to normal again. Paul George is returning from a 25-game suspension Wednesday, Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable to play and Tyrese Maxey (finger) might not be far behind, as well. They’ll need all hands on deck for the home stretch of the season after falling to No. 7 in the Eastern Conference and into the play-in. — Bontemps
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2025-26 record: 38-34
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Previous ranking: 13
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Next games: @ CLE (Mar. 25), @ CLE (Mar. 27), @ IND (Mar. 29), vs. PHI (Mar. 30)
A late-March skid — the Heat have followed a season-high seven-game winning streak with five consecutive losses — has derailed Miami’s push to avoid a fourth consecutive trip to the play-in. In all five losses, the Heat allowed at least 120 points, the longest streak in franchise history. Miami trails only Milwaukee, Washington and Indiana for the worst defense in that stretch. — Bobby Marks
The Magic have lost a season-high six games in a row and are now tied with Charlotte and Miami in the East play-in field. The schedule does not get easier, as five out of their next eight opponents have a record above .500. A bright spot in the losing streak is the play of Jamal Cain, however. Signed to a two-way contract in the offseason, Cain had his contract converted on March 20. He has scored double-digit points in three out of the past four games, including a season-high 17 points against Cleveland. — Marks
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2025-26 record: 36-36
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Previous ranking: 16
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Next games: vs. TOR (Mar. 25), @ IND (Mar. 27), @ MIL (Mar. 29), vs. POR (Mar. 31)
Darius Garland has found his shooting stroke with the Clippers, averaging 20.8 points on 50% from the field and 50.7% from 3 in his first 10 games with the franchise. The two-time All-Star exploded for 41 points on 15-for-24 shooting (8-for-12 from 3) in an overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday and the Clippers are firmly in the playoff picture, two games up on No. 10 Golden State with 10 games left. — McMenamin
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2025-26 record: 36-37
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Previous ranking: 20
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Next games: vs. MIL (Mar. 25), vs. DAL (Mar. 27), vs. WSH (Mar. 29), @ LAC (Mar. 31)
A recent Clippers skid has cracked open the door for the Blazers to sneak into the eighth seed, which provides a much more realistic path for them to get into the playoffs through the play-in bracket. Portland is one back in the loss column, but faces the Clippers twice in the final three weeks of the season and has five lottery teams on the schedule over the last nine games. Even if the Blazers have little chance to upset the Spurs or Thunder, they’d benefit from some first-round playoff experience for their young core. — Slater
0:37
Kerr: Warriors will play Curry in play-in tourney if healthy
Steve Kerr provides an update on Stephen Curry’s availability for the Warriors this season.
An adverse Warriors season continues to turn catastrophic. Starting wing Moses Moody — having a career season in his fifth year — suffered a gruesome noncontact leg injury late in overtime Monday night in Dallas. The timing and severity put all of next season in jeopardy for Moody, who is in the first season of a three-year, $39 million extension. The Warriors already anticipate that Jimmy Butler III, rehabbing from a torn ACL, will miss a chunk of next season. Tough times in San Francisco. — Slater
Following wins in five of their last seven contests, the Pelicans start a three-game road trip Tuesday against the Knicks, followed by matchups at Detroit and Toronto. The team’s performance over that stretch could ultimately determine interim coach James Borrego’s future.
Zion Williamson is now up to 132 career 25-point games after Saturday’s loss to Cleveland, which ranks third in New Orleans history behind Anthony Davis (220) and Brandon Ingram (133), according to ESPN Research. The defeat to the Cavs was the Pelicans’ sixth this season after leading by 15 points or more. — Wright
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2025-26 record: 29-42
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Previous ranking: 21
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Next games: @ POR (Mar. 25), vs. SAS (Mar. 28), vs. LAC (Mar. 29), vs. DAL (Mar. 31)
When the Bucks signed Cam Thomas shortly after the trade deadline, they believed they were adding a player who could help them make a playoff push. Doc Rivers went so far as comparing Thomas to great bench scorers he’s coached in the past, such as three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford with the Clippers. But less than two months later, Thomas was released after struggling to score efficiently and providing little else to a Bucks team sputtering toward the finish line. — Collier
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2025-26 record: 29-42
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Previous ranking: 22
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Next games: @ PHI (Mar. 25), @ OKC (Mar. 27), @ MEM (Mar. 28), @ SAS (Mar. 30)
The Bulls dismantled their roster at the trade deadline because, as team vice president Arturas Karnisovas explained, they didn’t want to remain in the middle. At that point, Chicago had the 21st-best record in the league at 24-31. Fast forward to this week, and the Bulls still have the 21st-best record in the league at 29-42. Chicago will almost certainly require some lottery luck to change its immediate future. — Collier
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2025-26 record: 24-47
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Previous ranking: 24
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Next games: vs. SAS (Mar. 25), vs. HOU (Mar. 27), vs. CHI (Mar. 28), vs. PHX (Mar. 30)
The losses continue to pile up along with the team’s injury update announcements. Star guard Ja Morant hasn’t played since Jan. 21 and missed his 29th consecutive game Monday in Atlanta for a squad that is now 6-23 in his absence. The 36-point setback against the Hawks on Monday registered as Memphis’ largest margin of loss this season. The Grizzlies host San Antonio on Wednesday to tip off a six-game homestand that closes out April 3 against Toronto. — Wright
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2025-26 record: 23-49
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Previous ranking: 25
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Next games: @ DEN (Mar. 25), @ POR (Mar. 27), vs. MIN (Mar. 30), @ MIL (Mar. 31)
It has been more than two months since the Mavericks won a home game, losing 12 consecutive games at the American Airlines Center since a Jan. 22 win over the Warriors. The home losing streak was extended with Monday’s overtime loss to the Warriors, when rookie Cooper Flagg recorded his eighth 30-point performance, trailing only LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony for the most ever in a season by a teenager. — MacMahon
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2025-26 record: 21-51
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Previous ranking: 26
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Next games: vs. WSH (Mar. 25), @ DEN (Mar. 27), @ PHX (Mar. 28), vs. CLE (Mar. 30)
Rookie Ace Bailey, the fifth overall pick in the 2025 draft, has been a bright spot as the Jazz head toward securing another high lottery pick. He’s scored at least 25 points in the last three games, becoming the fifth-youngest player ever to record such a streak. His 95 points in that span is the most by a Jazz rookie over a three-game stretch since Darrell Griffith during the 1980-81 season. Bailey, 19, scored a career-high 37 in Monday’s loss to the Raptors. — MacMahon
Arkansas coach John Calipari sat courtside in Sacramento on Sunday afternoon, catching a Kings game between NCAA tournament stops in Portland and San Jose. The appearance was notable.
Calipari coaches Darius Acuff Jr., an electric scoring guard for the Razorbacks who is rising into the top-five conversation for June’s draft. League sources confirm the Kings have a growing level of interest in Acuff, and he will be a real option for them near the top of the draft. — Slater
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2025-26 record: 17-55
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Previous ranking: 28
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Next games: @ GS (Mar. 25), @ LAL (Mar. 27), vs. SAC (Mar. 29), vs. CHA (Mar. 31)
It’s been miserable and stays that way for the Nets, who are waiting for May 10, lottery night, to see if all this losing is worth the pain. It wasn’t a surprise to see them compete in a cross-borough Knicks matchup on Friday, taking double-digit leads and almost squeaking out a win. The spiciest note of the night came from Josh Minott, who hit six triples in a game for the first time this season, calling out former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, “I love KAT, but he don’t like physicality. That’s my boy, too. I hope this angers him.” — Goodwill
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2025-26 record: 16-55
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Previous ranking: 29
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Next games: @ UTAH (Mar. 25), @ GS (Mar. 27), @ POR (Mar. 29), @ LAL (Mar. 30)
With 15 consecutive losses, Washington has fallen into a tie with Indiana for the fewest wins in the NBA. At this point, the Wizards have more than guaranteed they’ll keep their top-eight-protected pick; now, they’re on the verge of finishing with the NBA’s worst record and landing the No. 1 spot entering lottery night. — Kram
With a 37-point effort from Pascal Siakam, the Pacers snapped a 16-game losing streak in Orlando on Monday — their first win since the All-Star break.
The victory gave Indiana 16 wins on the season, tying them with Washington for the fewest in the league — but if the Pacers finish with the No. 1, 2, or 3 positions in the lottery, they’ll have identical 52.1% odds of keeping their pick, which will go to the Clippers if it lands outside the top four. — Kram
The 2026 men’s basketball tournament round of 16 is here and for my money, it’s college basketball nirvana.
The trade-off for very few upsets early on is premium games for four straight days to decide who advances to the Final Four. This is the best, most competitive basketball you will see all year. Whether your brackets are busted or not, you’re still going to be treated to some high-level hoops.
Throughout the tourney, I will provide my best bets for each round as well as my picks for the new ESPN Men’s Tournament Challenge Eliminator game.
Here are my selections for the round of 16.
Note: Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook at time of Wednesday’s publication and subject to change.
Thursday’s games
(2) Purdue team total OVER 77.5 (-127) vs. (11) Texas
Game time: 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS)
I had my sights set on the Boilermakers minus the points here, but early money coming on Texas has forced me off. I’ll look to an alternate market here with the team total. Purdue is the most efficient offense in the country, and the Longhorns don’t really have a defense that matches up well, especially at the 3-point line where Purdue is eighth in the nation in 3-point shooting and the Longhorns are 253rd in 3-point shooting defense.
Sharp bettors believe Texas can hang in this game, and if the Longhorns do, it’s because of their scoring and facing an average Purdue defense. Texas is unlikely to win a game that stays under the total. That favors Purdue mostly because of its pace, which is a diabolically slow 324th in the country. The Boilermakers make you work extra hard on defense and then take your soul by finishing off with a bucket or a 3. It’s that pace, which will slow even more if Texas isn’t scoring, and that’s how Purdue doesn’t get there. But I believe that the Longhorns’ offense has found a real rhythm in the tournament so far and will help push Purdue over this number.
(2) Houston -3.5 (-105) vs. (3) Illinois
Game time: 10:05 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV)
I missed the best of the number here at the open when it was -2.5, but it only confirms my feeling about Houston being the better team here, especially on defense. Illinois is the second-most efficient offense in the country, but this will be a game of limited possessions as both teams are in the bottom 100 in adjusted tempo, with Houston being in the bottom 15. Both teams force opponents into long possessions on offense and bad shots.
Where the Cougars will decide this game is at the 3-point line. Illinois gets more than 50% of its points from 3-pointers. Five of the eight Illini losses come against teams in the top 100 in 3-point shooting defense. Houston is 44th in the country in that category. The Cougars offense should do enough here and they will have the benefit of a very heavy home crowd with the game in Houston.
Eliminator pick: (2) Purdue
The Longhorns’ run has been impressive, but here’s where it comes to an end. Texas doesn’t have the shooting to keep up with Purdue … and its shooting has gone up in each of the tournament games. There’s likely some regression coming here.
How to play ESPN Eliminator Challenge.
Friday’s games
(1) Duke vs. (5) St. John’s +6.5 (-108)
Game time: 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS)
The Red Storm have advanced to the second week of tourney play for the first time since 1999 and in just the third season under Rick Pitino. Surprisingly enough, they are here because of their defense, which is ranked in the top 10 in adjusted efficiency for the first time since their last round of 16 appearance. The Johnnies can match Duke defensively and their athleticism can contain Duke’s Cameron Boozer. They held Kansas star Darryn Peterson to 5-of-15 shooting. I see a similar result here for Boozer.
The total for this game is 142.5. Duke has seen just 10 totals this low all season. It has gone over this number just twice, and one of them was because it scored 100 points against Notre Dame. The correlation here is that if Duke is limited in scoring, that favors the Johnnies as a three-possession underdog. Rick Pitino is also 6-2 against the spread in the NCAA tournament as an underdog of five points or more; that includes 3-0 as a No. 6 seed or better. This is a game I think St. John’s can win outright, so it’s worth it to sprinkle a little on the moneyline as well.
Eliminator pick: (6) Tennessee
Iowa State was able to get past Kentucky without its best player, but I’ll bet against it happening two times against high-level opponents. Even if Joshua Jefferson does play, Iowa State’s offense won’t do much against the Volunteers’ defense. All of the Cyclones’ losses except one have been to teams with an adjusted defensive efficiency ranking in the top 35. Tennessee is 14th.
Hubert Davis is out at North Carolina, just five days after the Tar Heels’ catastrophic collapse against VCU. After entering the season on the hot seat, a signature win against Duke in February and a 24-8 record seemed to have kept Davis safe from dismissal after entering the NCAA tournament as a 6-seed.
Especially given the season-ending injury to star forward Caleb Wilson, all signs pointed to Davis returning to Chapel Hill regardless of what happened in March. Then the Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead to 11-seed VCU in the second half of their first-round game, with Davis mismanaging down the stretch of regulation.
Davis’ head coaching tenure at Carolina comes to an end after five seasons, a stretch that included a national championship game appearance in 2022 and an ACC regular-season championship in 2024.
So what’s next in Chapel Hill?
When Roy Williams retired in 2021, the job was perceived to be among the best in the entire sport. After an up-and-down half decade, the question is whether that’s still the case. Industry sources still consider Carolina to be the same elite, blue-blood destination it was when Davis took the helm in 2021.
“I think there’s plenty of money if they want,” one source told ESPN. “The history, the tradition, the facilities. No doubt it’s still [at the top]. It’s North Carolina.”
“It’s still Carolina, man,” another said. “It’s the brand.”
The position comes with challenges this time, though. Longtime athletic director Bubba Cunningham is leaving his post this summer and will be succeeded by former NASCAR executive Steve Newmark. The department also faces the question of whether to renovate the Dean Smith Center or move the basketball team elsewhere. And with Bill Belichick in town, the football program is getting its fair share of resources — and attention.
Let’s take a look at which candidates could be on the radar, plus what they would be inheriting.
Who is up next?
When Williams retired, North Carolina opted to keep it in the family, promoting Davis to the top job after nine seasons on Williams’ staff. Davis, of course, also played for the program under Dean Smith from 1988 to 1992. It’s unlikely the school will select another former Tar Heel this time.
Expect Carolina to take some massive swings.
Billy Donovan is expected to be at or near the top of the list. The Chicago Bulls head coach hasn’t coached at the college level since 2015, spending the past 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20) and Bulls (since 2020). He has rejected opportunities to return to college before, but he could be more open to the idea now that the Bulls are going to miss the playoffs. He led Florida to two national championships (2006 and 2007) and took the Gators to two additional Final Fours (2000 and 2014). One complicating issue with Donovan would be timing; the Bulls’ last game is April 12.
Brad Stevens also wouldn’t be a surprising target. The Boston Celtics president of operations hasn’t coached at the college level since 2013, or in any capacity since 2021. But he led Butler to back-to-back national title game appearances in 2010 and 2011, then made seven trips to the NBA playoffs at the helm of the Celtics before transitioning into the front office in 2021.
Industry insiders also believe the best of the best in the college ranks are likely on the short list: Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty May, Iowa State’s TJ. Otzelberger, Florida’s Todd Golden and Alabama’s Nate Oats. Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland could also be in the conversation. The Tar Heels could even gauge interest from UConn’s Dan Hurley, like Kentucky (and the Lakers) did a couple of years ago.
A few of those coaches come with massive buyouts: Lloyd’s would be between $9 million and $12 million, depending on timing; Golden’s would cost $16 million; and Oats’ would cost $18 million until April 1, when it drops to $10 million. McCasland’s buyout is just north of $10 million as well. May and Otzelberger have smaller buyouts, with May’s believed to be around $7 million and Otzelberger’s around $4 million.
What this means for incoming recruits
No. 9 Dylan Mingo
No. 21 Maximo Adams
NR Malloy Smith
North Carolina has a top-10 recruiting class, headlined by a pair of top-25 recruits: Mingo and Adams. Mingo gave Davis a top-15 recruit for the fourth straight recruiting class, and he is one of the class’s elite backcourt players when healthy. Mingo’s recruitment didn’t end until February, with the Tar Heels ultimately beating out Baylor for his commitment. Could he rethink his decision? It’s worth noting that his brother, Kayden Mingo, was one of the best freshman guards in the Big Ten at Penn State this season.
Adams surged as a breakout player last spring and summer, rising all the way into the top 25 of the rankings. He also considered Michigan State, Kentucky and Texas before picking Carolina. His brother, Marcus Adams Jr., recently announced he planned to enter the transfer portal following the firing of Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley.
Retention priorities
Henri Veesaar
Jarin Stevenson
Derek Dixon
Keeping Veesaar in Chapel Hill was at the top of Davis’ priority list entering the offseason, and the second-team All-ACC selection will undoubtedly be the focus of whichever coach replaces Davis. Veesaar was terrific after transferring from Arizona, averaging 17.0 points and 8.7 rebounds before ending the season with a 26-point, 10-rebound performance against VCU. He was a projected second-round pick in ESPN’s most recent NBA mock draft and would likely have lucrative offers from elsewhere if he opts to reenter the transfer portal when it opens April 7.
Stevenson became a real factor for Carolina down the stretch of the season, especially following Wilson’s injury, averaging 10.7 points and 6.4 boards per game over his final 10 games. He should also be a priority for the new coach, second to Veesaar.
On the perimeter, expect Dixon to be a focus, regardless of what Mingo opts to do with his commitment. Dixon showed plenty of promise as a freshman, especially late in the season: 17 points vs. Duke, 16 points vs. Clemson, 11 points and six assists vs. VCU.
Other potential returnees include Luka Bogavac, Jonathan Powell and Jaydon Young.
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