NBA chaos, NHL uncertainty, and MLB handing out monster contracts — to unproven players. Welcome to the wild world of sports.
The NBA play-in tournament is already delivering drama. The Hornets knocked out the Heat in overtime, ending Miami’s season. But Charlotte still isn’t safely in the playoffs. They now have to face the loser of tonight’s 76ers-Magic matchup for one final shot at the East’s last playoff spot.
Meanwhile in the West, Portland stunned Phoenix on the road and officially punched its ticket into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. The Suns aren’t done yet, but their margin for error is gone. They now wait for the winner of tonight’s Clippers-Warriors showdown. The loser? Done. Season over.
Tonight feels like playoff basketball before the playoffs even begin: Sixers vs. Magic at 7:30 ET, then Warriors vs. Clippers at 10 ET.
Over in the NHL, Alex Ovechkin may have played the final game of his legendary career. Washington fans still packed the road arena in Columbus chanting “One more year.”
And in baseball, teams are making a new bet: pay young stars early. The Tigers just gave 21-year-old rookie Kevin McGonigle an 8-year, $150 million extension after only 17 major league games. Days earlier, the Pirates handed 19-year-old Konnor Griffin a 9-year, $140 million deal.
If you think a player is the future, don’t wait.