Sports
Storylines abound as Scottie Barnes, Raptors open series at Cavs
Nov 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) defends against Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Success came quickly for Toronto Raptors power forward Scottie Barnes, who won the Rookie of the Year award and got a taste of the playoffs four years ago.
Two All-Star selections followed, but a return to the postseason proved elusive until now.
The fifth-seeded Raptors will challenge the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in an Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 1 is Saturday in Cleveland.
“We knew from when we talked in training camp, that was our goal,” said Barnes, the only player in the league with 600 rebounds, 400 assists and 100 blocked shots in a single season. “I think we were all confident then that we could get it done. It’s just great that we went out and did it.”
Toronto (46-36) moved past the Atlanta Hawks on the final day of the regular season, locking it into a matchup with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and the Cavaliers. Cleveland (52-30) is making its fourth consecutive playoff appearance.
The Raptors went 3-0 against the Cavaliers this season with Barnes averaging 20.0 points and team-highs of 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.0 blocks. Brandon Ingram scored 37 points in their final meeting on Nov. 24 and averaged 22.7 points in the set.
All three games occurred long before Cleveland acquired Harden in a trade-deadline deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Cavaliers were 19-7 with the future Hall of Famer in the lineup and won 35 of their final 49 contests.
“We’re a lot different team now,” said reigning Defensive Player of the Year Mobley, who was chosen one spot ahead of Barnes in the 2021 draft at No. 3. “We’ll have to adjust accordingly on how they play, but it’s a good matchup. Toronto has a lot of great players like Scottie and Brandon Ingram.”
Mobley and Barnes will always be linked because of their draft order and the low-key rivalry that developed with both playing the same position. Injuries limited Mobley to 65 games this season, but he still averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and a career-high 1.7 blocks.
Their head-to-head battle was the main talking point in Toronto going into the series, while most in Cleveland remain focused on Harden’s elusive quest for a first championship in his 17th season. He has made the playoffs every year.
“It’s like a spin cycle, a lot of up and downs, once you get here,” Harden said. “A lot of different things happen in a game and in a series. Toronto is a really good team, but we’re prepared. We know what we need to do.”
Harden’s ability to execute in half-court sets gives the Cavaliers a dynamic they didn’t have in the last three postseasons. The ninth-leading scorer in NBA history also figures to attack Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
The shooting guard matchup pits Cleveland’s top scorer and face of the franchise, seven-time All-Star Mitchell, against RJ Barrett. Raptors center Jakob Poeltl said he will be “as physical as possible” against Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen.
“You’re playing the same team over and over, so the deeper you go, the sets and plays have less value because everyone can scout,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “It’s more about the tendencies of the players and are you playing to their strengths or your strengths.”
Quickley was again limited to individual workouts Friday in Toronto. Cleveland’s only question mark is backup center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain), who last played on April 5 and appears unlikely to suit up.
This is the fourth time the teams will square off in the playoffs, where the Cavaliers eliminated the Raptors in the 2016 conference finals, and the 2017 and 2018 semifinals. Toronto was swept in the latter two series and is 0-7 all-time in playoff games in Cleveland.
“This is when we earn our money,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “The flowers are blooming, it’s warm and you just feel the energy. It’s like a renewal. Truly the best time of the year.”
–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
