Sports
NBA sees 168 players sit out of games due to illness, injury as playoffs approach
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The NBA regular season is set to finish on Sunday, but dozens of players appear to be wrapped up a bit early.
In fact, 168 total players sat out of action on Friday night due to either a listed injury or illness.
Among those 168 players were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, each of the last two MVPs, whose teams faced off against one another.
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Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the game against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on April 10, 2026. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, whom Gilgeous-Alexander plays for, said his stars “earned the right to sit,” considering they again snagged the top seed in the Western Conference.
“If we didn’t clinch [the No. 1 overall seed] coming into tonight, everybody would be playing,” Daigneault told reporters ahead of their game against Jokic’s Denver Nuggets, via ESPN. “We’ve earned the right through 80 games to manage their bodies and stuff like that.”
Stars to take the floor on Friday include LeBron James amid his Los Angeles Lakers’ injury woes and Victor Wembanyama, who needed to play 20 minutes to be eligible for season awards and admitted he would not have played if he had already met the criteria. Jokic must play Sunday if he wants to be considered for awards.
Zeke Nnaji, Peyton Watson, Nikola Jokic, Christian Braun and Julian Strawther of the Denver Nuggets sit on the bench during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on April 10, 2026. (AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
With the new wave of load management, another form of today’s basketball was on display, as the Boston Celtics made 29 3-pointers, tying an NBA record, against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was the fourth time in the history of the NBA that this had been accomplished, but the last time it was done, you only have to go back to Monday, when the Memphis Grizzlies did it.
On April 3, the NBA saw just the second time in history that a slate of at least nine games had an average margin of victory of at least 24 points. The first time was five days prior.
A basketball is placed on the court next to an NBA logo during a break in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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All 30 NBA teams played in their 81st games on Friday and will play in their 82nd and final game of the regular season Sunday.
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The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament continues Saturday, with Rory McIlroy dominating like never before.
The 2025 champion’s title defense could not have gone better Friday. He closed the second round with a 7-under 65, putting him six shots ahead of the field heading into the third round. That’s the largest lead any golfer has taken into the Masters on Saturday.
Can McIlroy maintain his hot start Saturday? Here are the top sights and sounds from the third round of the Masters.
Young stays strong with a birdie
From the fairway to eight feet, Cameron Young birdies No. 10. #themasters pic.twitter.com/nZVq4fSOtP
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Scheffler is dominating on Saturday
Scottie Scheffler moves to seven under par with a birdie on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wvTvdpfMbw
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Li is in second with an eagle
From distance, Haotong Li’s approach into No. 8 sets up an eagle. Today, he is 5 under par through 8 holes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/zfbFMPCqRp
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Lowry dunks it
Needing one stroke on No. 6, Shane Lowry cards an ace. #themasters pic.twitter.com/SAr9uy2KBs
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Rory getting his groove back
A bounce-back birdie for Rory on No. 3. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Fx7Ne9KIgL
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Reed steadily gaining on McIlroy
Birdie on No. 3. Patrick Reed moves within two of the lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/V8mz42AAbD
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Burns challenging for the lead
Sam Burns moving up the leader board quickly after his birdie on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2R6dP4e0Np
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Clark moves up to T-5 with an eagle
A 330-yard drive. A five-foot putt. One eagle for Wyndham Clark. #themasters pic.twitter.com/DdL7EjHg98
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Scheffler is 6 under on the day so far
Six under for the day and six under for the Tournament. #themasters
Watch Inside Amen Corner now: https://t.co/sNz8kSIrI9 pic.twitter.com/qjt6quytLK
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
That’s a birdie for Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler closes the first nine with a birdie and leaps into the top five. #themasters pic.twitter.com/WkgpegxMnA
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Chris Gotterup from 227 feet out
From 227 yards to eight feet. Eagle for Chris Gotterup on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Kz4zrADtSQ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Sepp Straka’s shot hops around into a birdie
Sepp Straka’s approach into No. 10 dances around the hole, leading to a birdie. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ixgL3njnvA
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Scottie Scheffler getting things started with an eagle
Scottie Scheffler’s aggressive approach into No. 2 sets up an eagle. #themasters pic.twitter.com/riWJ4KB0FK
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Cal guard Justin Pippen is committing to Ohio State, his agents at WME Basketball told ESPN on Friday.
Pippen is a sophomore who is coming off a breakout season in Berkeley, as he averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game last season. He entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this week.
Pippen is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and played his high school basketball at Sierra Canyon in Los Angeles. His older brother is Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr.
Justin Pippen is expected to play a large role at Ohio State, as he is a combo guard who will be expected to fill a role similar to the one departing Buckeyes guard Devin Royal played.
Pippen will be the rare player to play on both sides of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. Pippen played 28 games for Michigan in 2024-25 before transferring to Cal.
Pippen led Cal in assists and tied for second on the team in scoring average as the Bears reached the second round of the NIT.
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Despite winning two MVP awards, Lamar Jackson still has his fair share of critics.
Fresh off yet another playoff disappointment, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback had arguably the worst season of his career last year.
It was the first time he finished under .500 as a starter and the first time since 2021 he was not in the playoffs after the season came down to a field goal attempt.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
Perhaps the doubters were on Jackson’s mind earlier this week because he issued a faith-filled message toward them on X.
“Instead of trying to bring me down, ask GOD to bring you up,” Jackson wrote with emojis of praying hands, a purple heart, and an army helmet. “#JESUSCHRISTKINGOFKINGS.”
Jackson missed four games with a hamstring injury that appeared to affect him for most of the year. His 2,549 passing yards were the third-lowest mark of his career, while he only rushed for 349 yards, the lowest he’s ever had.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaves the field after a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game. The game took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 14, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
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The quarterback has shared several faithful messages this week, including wearing an “I LOVE JESUS” hoodie. Many of Jackson’s reposts on X show his faith.
Jackson will have a new head coach this season after his Ravens fired John Harbaugh following 18 seasons. Jesse Minter was hired after being the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coached by Harbaugh’s brother, Jim.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
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Jackson has made it as far as the AFC title game but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 season.
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2026 Masters: Best shots, moments and more from the third round
NBA sees 168 players sit out of games due to illness, injury as playoffs approach
Cal G Justin Pippen returning to Big Ten, commits to Ohio State
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