Sports
Three Eastern Conference Trade Deadline Winners to Watch
Feb 24, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) brings the ball up court during the second half against the New York Knicks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images When the Pacers made an improbable run to the NBA Finals last spring, a clutch-shooting guard, do-everything forward and plucky reserve led the way.
Thanks to the Bucks and Grizzlies, there were no Tyrese Haliburtons or Pascal Siakams available at the trade deadline earlier this month. But that didn’t stop Eastern longshots from taking a stab at cheaper versions – and even a T.J. McConnell type – in their hopes of duplicating the Pacers’ success.
The extremely early results have been encouraging.
While, for the most part, the title favorites stood pat, here are three clubs that at least put themselves on the postseason map with a trade-deadline addition, and now can be identified as Teams to Avoid in the Eastern playoffs.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers were the biggest disappointment in the first half of the NBA season. For those who wagered that last year’s regular-season champs would duplicate their 60-win success … well, at 37-22 with 23 games remaining, you can prepare to make those tickets a sacrifice to the spring’s last fire.
And those vacation-home investments in the Cavaliers to win the NBA title. You can …
Whoa, now hold on there.
No one expected the addition of James Harden earlier this month to rejuvenate the future superstar, but few have been more consistent than the league’s boringest player in his first seven games out of the California sunshine.
The best part about Harden’s play on LeBron’s old court is that he’s accepted the role of Haliburton – a guy willing to sacrifice shots (until a big one is needed) while being a glue piece. He’s had seven or more assists six times already, complementing games of 10 rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
When the Cavaliers won for the sixth time in Harden’s short honeymoon on Tuesday, they sent a message to the Knicks: We were better than you last season, and now that we’ve caught you in the standings, rest assured we’re better than you this year, too.
Who knew Harden still had secret powers beneath the beard?
Atlanta Hawks
Feb 24, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) controls the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Hawks were labeled a winner at the trade deadline more so for what they dumped (Kristaps Porzingis) than what they hauled (Jonathan Kuminga).
As much as they came to despise Kuminga, three games into the Porzingis era, Warriors fans would have to agree.
The Hawks certainly didn’t respond well immediately to the deal, losing to the Hornets twice among three straight defeats in the immediate aftermath of the deadline. But that was to be expected from a team still acclimating to the earlier exporting of former franchise posterboy Trae Young.
They also played six straight games without Kuminga, who debuted with a bullet on Tuesday, demonstrating his personal highlight reel from days past wasn’t some AI-created cartoon.
Like in his teen-age days with the Warriors, Kuminga was the best player on the court – OK, the Wizards were the opponent – in his Atlanta curtain-raiser, dunking from short range and splashing from deep in a 27-point, 24-minute tribute to Dominique Wilkins.
The Siakam-type performance demonstrated the Hawks now have the star power in tandem with Jalen Johnson to take good outside shooting, perimeter defense, size and depth to the next level.
Their rise is bad news for other likely play-in teams in the East, and then to one of the favorites who might have seen this movie before – like when they were jolted by the underdog Pacers last season.
Charlotte Hornets
Feb 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) takes a shot over Washington Wizards guard Jaden Hardy (8) during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Who would have thought T.J. McConnell would become one of the most feared bench players in the Eastern playoffs last season?
The Hornets were watching on TV, but clearly they noticed. Because they went out at the trade deadline and made a similar under-the-radar addition in Coby White.
White is actually more like Kuminga than McConnell, but it’s his game-changing role in short spurts that potentially gives him the type of impact the Pacers got from their gnat last spring.
In an Eastern bracket dominated by defensive-minded clubs, the Hornets appear prepared to demonstrate that good offense beats good defense. Don Nelson will be proud.
Coincidentally, White, like Kuminga, debuted for his new team Tuesday and couldn’t have been more electrifying. With a pair of 3-pointers, 10 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal in just 16 minutes, he showed his former team – the Bulls – and his former home fans just how much better off he is in ACC country.
Despite a pitch count, the Hornets were 20 points better than the Bulls when White was on the court. It helped produce a second straight win as Charlotte chases Atlanta toward the top of the play-in quartet, with the distinct possibility both will make the playoffs.
Harden, Kuminga and White. Three guys unwanted three weeks ago.
Now three guys nobody wants to have to deal with.
Sports
Who's No. 2? Books shifting from Arvell Reese to David Bailey for Jets
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech defensive lineman David Bailey (DL31) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The New York Jets continue to hold their cards close to the vest when it comes to the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.
But the most popular online sportsbooks think they see a tell: Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey has passed Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese as the favorite to be selected immediately after Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza hears his name called first by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Twenty-four hours ago, BetMGM listed Reese at -400 as the favorite to go No. 2 while Bailey could be secured at +200. At that time, Bailey had been backed by the most total bets at 21.2% and Reese by the most money at 37.2%. But by Wednesday night, Bailey moved into the favorite’s role at -145 while Reese has plummeted to +110.
DraftKings, meanwhile, listed Bailey as -150 to go No. 2 with Reese at +115 and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love a distant third at +8000.
This seismic surge occurred despite Bailey having his “top 30” visit to Jets headquarters canceled by the team. Jets coach Aaron Glenn downplayed not bringing Bailey in for a pre-draft visit, then Bailey supported that view Wednesday by saying he has spent plenty of time with the team’s brass and recently caught up with them on FaceTime.
Yet another question: Will the Jets hold on to that second overall pick?
New York owns five of the top 103 selections in the draft and could opt to move down or stay put at No. 2 and/or No. 16 on Thursday night. The Jets also have a pair of second-round picks on Friday night.
If the team stays put at No. 2, the question between Bailey and Reese has been one of the more interesting pre-draft debates.
The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Reese ranks the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 draft by Field Level Media, followed immediately by the 6-3, 247-pound Bailey.
Bailey tied for the NCAA lead with 14.5 sacks last season and is a weight-room warrior who explodes off the ball. He has been compared to Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who faced similar questions about his potential as a run defender coming out of Oklahoma prior to the 2022 draft.
Reese could be a reliable edge setter in a 3-4 or a thumping presence in the middle of a 4-3. He also can stick with tight ends in coverage, and provides a tantalizing combination of tools and versatility. A comp to retired pass rusher Barkevious Mingo, who by all accounts failed to live up to pre-draft expectations, might have many NFL personnel in the Jets’ shoes favoring Bailey.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Red-hot Matt Fitzpatrick popular PGA Championship pick
Apr 18, 2026; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick eyes his line on two green during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Matt Fitzpatrick’s recent run up to a career-best No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking has drawn significant attention from the public ahead of next month’s PGA Championship.
Fitzpatrick outlasted World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a playoff to claim a signature event title at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. It was an exclamation point on a run that began with a runner-up at The Players Championship, a win at the Valspar Championship and a tie for 18th at the Masters.
After a bogey on the 72nd hole on Sunday that dropped him into a playoff with Scheffler, Fitzgerald rebounded to knock his approach with a 4-iron into a stiff wind to 13 feet and drained the birdie putt on the first playoff hole.
Following the effort Fitzgerald, 31, went from 35/1 to 20/1 to win the second major of the year at the PGA Championship by Oddschecker. The 2022 U.S. Open champion has also been the most-backed player this week with 23% of the total bets placed on the PGA Championship winner since his victory at Harbor Town.
The second-most bet player this week has been Cameron Young, who tracked down and beat Fitzpatrick at The Players. Young has been backed by 6% of the total bets this week along with Ludvig Aberg, Sam Burns and Justin Rose.
Scheffler is still the PGA Championship favorite at 7/2, giving him a 22% implied probability to win. He has been backed by 5% of the total bets this week along with LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm.
The second shortest pre-tournament odds belong to Masters champion Rory McIlroy at 7/1. Rahm is 12/1, followed by Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau at 16/1 and Fitzpatrick and Young at 20/1.
Fitzpatrick and his brother, Alex, are also the co-favorites ahead of this week’s Zurich Classic, the only team event on the PGA Tour. They are 11/1 along with the team of Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tensions rise between Nuggets, Timberwolves ahead of Game 3
Apr 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) defends on Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The war of words is picking up between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
The battle on the court should be even better.
The Timberwolves and Nuggets will resume their high-stakes rivalry when the teams tip off in Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round playoff matchup Thursday night in Minneapolis. The best-of-seven series is even after Denver won the series opener and Minnesota bounced back to take Game 2.
Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels added some spice to the series with his comments after Game 2. He said the Nuggets could not stop Minnesota from scoring at will.
“They’re all bad defenders,” McDaniels said. “They don’t got people who can defend the rim. Even if (Nikola Jokic) is there, we’re more athletic than them.”
Nuggets coach David Adelman fired back Wednesday when asked about the remarks.
“I can’t wait for his podcast,” Adelman said in a sarcastic tone. “He’s a really good player. Everyone has a sounding board these days. It’ll help his social media.”
Nuggets guard Cam Johnson did not seem surprised by McDaniels’ comments. He said it was part of a pattern by the Timberwolves that went back many months.
“They’ve just been saying a lot,” Johnson said. “All season, all series. Let them talk. Let them get everything they want off their chest.”
The neck-and-neck series offered plenty of drama before the trash-talking went public.
Anthony Edwards will try to find his shooting rhythm in Game 3. He is shooting 38.6% from the field and 25% from 3-point range in the series, which is well off his regular-season averages.
Edwards is averaging a team-high 26 points per game in the playoffs despite his inconsistent shot. Julius Randle is next with 20 points per game in the series, and McDaniels rounds out the top three playoff scorers with 15 points per game.
For the Nuggets, Murray leads the way with 30 points per game in the series. He has dominated at the free-throw line but struggled from the field, shooting 38.3% overall and 27.3% from beyond the arc.
Jokic is averaging 24.5 points, 14 rebounds and 9.5 assists in the series. Christian Braun is third with 14 points per game, and he has knocked down 50% of his 3-point attempts.
Johnson said he and his Nuggets teammates had full confidence heading into Game 3 despite losing the previous contest.
“It’s the playoffs,” Johnson said. “Unless you really expected to win 16 in a row really easy, something’s going to happen. It’s the playoffs. You have to bounce back. You know what I’m saying? It’s like a non-negotiable. It’s part of the process.”
Timberwolves Donte DiVincenzo will look to stay hot after knocking down a key 3-pointer late in Game 2. He did not hesitate when asked to describe what he loves about playing in the playoffs.
“It’s fun,” DiVincenzo said. “You see the energy out there. Big moments. That’s what you grow up dreaming about.”
Minnesota went 26-15 on its home court during the regular season. Denver posted the identical 26-15 record on the road.
–Field Level Media
Who's No. 2? Books shifting from Arvell Reese to David Bailey for Jets
Red-hot Matt Fitzpatrick popular PGA Championship pick
