Sports
Mavs need to maximize homestand, but Bucks stand in their way
Feb 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates a three-point basket with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and forward Kyle Kuzma (18) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images The Dallas Mavericks are playing at home five times in a six-game stretch, but they’re hosting some heavy hitters during this crucial time for their playoff hopes. That includes Saturday’s visit from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks, who rank among the Eastern Conference’s top six teams, handed the visiting Denver Nuggets their second loss in the last 12 games with a 121-112 decision on Thursday. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 28-point, 19-rebound effort led Milwaukee while Brook Lopez chipped in 22 points.
The Bucks also got 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists from Kyle Kuzma, the recently acquired forward brought in from Washington in a trade that sent Khris Middleton to the Wizards.
“Getting him involved, because of his vision and ability to go downhill, is just huge for that (starting) unit,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said of Kuzma, adding that his presence helps Milwaukee maintain a scoring edge late into games.
Milwaukee ranks in the lower half of the league in fourth-quarter scoring with an average of 26.0 points, but the Bucks have averaged 28.1 fourth-quarter points since Kuzma arrived nine games ago. The Bucks will look to maintain a healthy scoring attack for all four periods against a Mavericks defense that has endured some ups and downs.
Dallas allows 113.1 points per game, falling just in the lower half of NBA defenses. However, the Mavericks are coming off their first outing in which they held an opponent to fewer than 100 points since Jan. 17 as they beat Charlotte 103-96 Thursday.
Along with his team-high 25 points, Kyrie Irving delivered a pair of steals and a pair of blocks. Dallas also got significant contributions on both ends of the floor and on the glass from Moses Brown.
Brown, helping fill gaps while Dallas deals with a variety of injuries, scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, made three steals and blocked two shots as his 10-day contract runs low.
“His next game is his last one (with the Mavericks), so hopefully he can step in and play as well as he did (on Thursday),” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said.
The Mavericks need all the interior support they can muster, facing the Milwaukee frontcourt tandem of Antetokounmpo and Lopez with big men Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II all sidelined.
Davis, acquired in the blockbuster trade with Los Angeles that sent superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers, has played in just one game with Dallas. He put up 26 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in a Feb. 8 defeat of Houston, but left with a left adductor injury.
The Mavericks are 4-3 in the seven games Davis has missed and sit in ninth place in the Western Conference.
As Dallas looks to finish strong and solidify a postseason berth despite its roster flux, Irving steers the ship. He leads the Mavericks at 24.9 points per game and spoke after the Charlotte win of helping the team gain an edge down the stretch.
“A lot of guys are getting used to being in winning situations, so there’s that development aspect that’s needed,” he said. “As peers, we’ve got to hold each other accountable, too.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with discomfort in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Iglesias has said he’s felt the discomfort since sleeping on his shoulder wrong Friday night. But the Braves conducted an MRI that found no structural damage.
“There’s some inflammation there,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “We feel like we’re getting out in front of this thing a little bit.”
Iglesias, 36, has amassed a 42-55 record, 258 saves and a 2.86 ERA in his 12 major league seasons, including four-plus years in Atlanta. He was off to a perfect start to the season, with five saves and no runs allowed over eight games (8 2/3 innings). He’s tossed 11 strikeouts to only one walk.
While Iglesias is sidelined, Robert Suarez will take over closing duties. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves while serving as the San Diego Padres’ closer last season; then he signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Braves and their bullpen.
The right-handed Suarez has gone 2-0 with one save and an 0.93 ERA for Atlanta in 10 appearances, used mostly as a setup man. He was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 for the Padres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Union bring challenged offense north to face streaking Toronto FC
Apr 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Malik Henry (78) attempts to control the ball against Austin FC during the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images Toronto FC will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when the Philadelphia Union visit on Wednesday.
Toronto (3-2-3, 12 points) is 3-0-3 in its last six outings. Wednesday marks the sixth date of Toronto FC’s nine-match homestand, and the club is unbeaten (4-0-8) in its last 12 home matches dating back to last season.
Despite the good results, midfielder Malik Henry felt his team left victories on the table.
“Some of the draws we’ve had, we feel like we definitely could have won those games, which makes it a bit more disappointing,” Henry told TFC Republic. “We just have to take the points and then continue to move forward with it.”
Walker Zimmerman is expected to be available Wednesday, in a boost to an injury-depleted back line. Zimmerman missed Toronto’s last two matches with a calf injury.
Toronto FC’s offense has been both varied and efficient. Eight Toronto players have at least one goal this season, and the team’s 51.5% accurate shooting percentage is the best in MLS.
The Union are at the other end of the attacking spectrum, with a 27.1% AS percentage that ranks second-last in the league.
Philadelphia (1-6-1, 4 points) has recorded only six goals in eight regular-season matches, ahead of only four-goal D.C. United in MLS.
The lack of offense contributed to the Union’s season-opening six-game losing streak, and goals remain at a premium even as Philadelphia has gone 1-0-1 in its last two matches. The Union outshot D.C. United 17-6 on Saturday and held D.C. without a shot on target, yet still had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell felt that returning to the striker pairing of Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh can help unlock the Union’s offense.
“We have tried a lot of different combinations (at forward) and now we go back-to-back with the same,” Carnell said. “Every day we get together with Eze and Bruno working together, it’s … one day more advanced and developed.”
–Field Level Media
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
