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Max Scherzer in the dugout

Max Scherzer comments on his injury after exiting early against the Dodgers

April 7, 2026 by Rex Villas
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Max Scherzer had a quick outing on the mound Monday in the series opener of a 2025 World Series rematch between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.

He exited the game after just two innings, and while the reason for his early departure was initially unclear, he later revealed it was due to right forearm tendinitis.

“I’ve been dealing with this little issue for a couple of weeks, but it’s never been presenting when I’ve been throwing the ball; it’s actually been hurting more when I’m at home,” Scherzer said after the game, via Sportsnet. 

The 41-year-old Scherzer allayed fears about a potential trip to the injured list, saying that he was trying to preserve his arm for his next assignment.

“I didn’t want to go to the IL, I just don’t think this is an IL issue where I need to miss two starts. I just needed to guard it today, so we came up with a plan that the most I would do was three innings, 50 pitches,” shared the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Scherzer threw just 36 pitches against the Dodgers, allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits with two strikeouts and 1 walk, as the Blue Jays suffered a 14-2 loss to the reigning World Series champions.

Through two starts in 2026, Scherzer has gone 1-1 with 3 earned runs on 6 hits (2 home runs) with 6 strikeouts across 8.0 innings.

Assuming that he won’t miss time, Scherzer’s next start is expected to take place on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre.

BaseballLos Angeles DodgersMax ScherzerToronto Blue Jays
Dan Orlovsky smiles

Dan Orlovsky facing hilarious punishment for losing bet backing UConn

April 6, 2026 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Dan Orlovsky was unexpectedly one of the biggest losers of how this year’s NCAA Tournament ended.

Orlovsky, a former UConn quarterback, made an unwise wager with Michigan alum Taylor Lewan. The two \ backing their respective alma maters in their very public bet ahead of Monday’s UConn-Michigan national championship clash.

Lewan shared the details of their bet on X just before Monday’s game tipped off.

“Michigan wins, Dan Orlovsky must wear a single dangle earring on the right side with a Michigan block M for 1 full month on all media sports or otherwise. IF he forgets a day, the month timeline restarts,” Lewan posted.

“If UConn wins, Taylor Lewan must dye his hair husky Blue once. Failure to do so within a two week period he must keep it husky blue for the rest of the calendar year.”

Contract details:

Michigan wins, Dan Orlovsky must wear a single dangle earring on the right side with a Michigan block M for 1 full month on all media sports or otherwise. IF he forgets a day, the month timeline restarts.

If UConn wins, Taylor Lewan must dye his hair husky… https://t.co/eTN0IjXHFE

— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) April 7, 2026

Unfortunately for Orlovsky, Michigan pulled away Monday with a resounding 69-63 win, leading UConn throughout the entire second half. For his sake, hopefully Orlovsky gets to keep the earring after serving his punishment. Perhaps that could have some value on an episode of “Pawn Stars.”

It hasn’t been a good week for Orlovsky, who also got hammered for his take on Lamar Jackson that aged terribly.

College BasketballFootballDan Orlovsky
Dan Hurley smiling

UConn made classy move after losing to Michigan

April 6, 2026 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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UConn was classy in defeat Monday after losing to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament championship game.

The underdog Huskies scratched and clawed to stay in the game against the Wolverines, but could not complete a last-minute comeback in a game they trailed by double digits in the second half. UConn made it interesting down the stretch but ultimately lost 69-63 in front of a Michigan-heavy crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

Despite coming up short, UConn made sure they were not going to be sore losers. Dan Hurley’s boys waited on the court for Michigan to finish their initial celebration just so could shake hands and offer their congratulations.

Really good moment: Dan Hurley and the entire UConn team waited for the Michigan players to come back after their immediate celebration to shake their heads and congratulate them on winning the national title. pic.twitter.com/pwJDeqFC47

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 7, 2026

Hurley was nothing but complimentary of his UConn kids despite losing his first game in the Final Four ever after winning his first five.

“How are you disappointed at all in your group?” Hurley told Tracy Wolfson after the game. “These guys had 22 offensive rebounds versus that group of ‘Monstars’ out there, so I’m proud of the guys.”

Hurley certainly handled defeat much better than UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma, who caught serious flak for confronting Dawn Staley after losing to South Carolina.

College BasketballMichigan BasketballNCAA Tournament 2026UConn Basketball
Aday Mara taking a shot

Everyone said the same thing about Aday Mara after Michigan beat UConn

April 6, 2026 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Aday Mara had one of the greatest days in recorded human history on Monday as Michigan won the national championship game over UConn.

Mara did not have a huge stat line in Michigan’s 69-63 victory in the title game, finishing with just 8 points and 4 rebounds on 4/7 shooting at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. But he did have a huge defensive impact to slow down burly UConn big man Tarris Reed Jr., who tallied 13 points on 4/12 shooting.

The Spanish 7-footer also turned 21 on Monday, meaning he is now very much allowed to buy all the beer he needs to celebrate. Mara’s teammates serenaded him with a birthday greeting.

Unreal. Aday Mara turned 21 as One Shining Moment played. pic.twitter.com/yl9IVJkhLa

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTuckerCBB) April 7, 2026

Mara also got to cut down part of the net as is tradition.

Aday Mara cuts down the nets with the Spain flag on his back 👏 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/tOaK1HZViE

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2026

After a stellar run in the NCAA Tournament, several fans were adamant that Mara deserved to be a lottery pick in June’s NBA draft. Some even felt he belonged within the top-10 after previously being projected as a late first-rounder or even a second-round pick.

aday mara def top 8 prospect look how he’s affecting the game

— no speeding🍪 (@MIK3MCDANIEL) April 7, 2026

If the Pelicans pick falls around the 7-9 range I’m taking Aday Mara the Hawks need a big man like this badly

— Kai (@SznPltts) April 7, 2026

I don’t see how Aday Mara isn’t at least a lottery pick

— #56 (@puntacanademon) April 7, 2026

Aday Mara made himself a lot of money during Final Four weekend. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a lottery pick in June

— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) April 7, 2026

Mara entered Monday’s game averaging 12.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks on an absurd 67.0% field goal shooting clip. The Michigan junior made several fans believes this NCAA Tournament, and perhaps some NBA scouts as well.

Football
Kyle Korver looking on

Bulls could hire 1 former NBA All-Star to lead their front office

April 6, 2026 by Darryn Albert
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A notable reunion may be on the table for the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls made the major decision on Monday to fire their lead executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. Karnisovas (vice president of basketball operations) and Eversley (general manager) are now out in Chicago amid a fourth straight losing season by the team (this one marking their worst yet at 29-49).

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports reports that retired former NBA All-Star Kyle Korver has emerged as a candidate to lead basketball operations for the Bulls. Korver currently serves as assistant general manager of the Atlanta Hawks.

Helin also notes that Hawks GM Landry Fields, Golden State Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy, Minnesota Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, and CAA agent Austin Brown are other potential candidates for the opening in Chicago. You can read Helin’s full report on the situation here.

Of those names, Korver, now 45, probably makes the most sense as an NBA front office figure who also does not have a position as a lead executive just yet. He played in the NBA from 2003-2020 and made a name for himself as a sharpshooter who hit 2,450 three-pointers at an elite 42.9 percent clip. Korver also played for the Bulls themselves from 2010-12.

After retiring as a player, Korver went into coaching and front office work and has served as Hawks assistant GM since 2023. Chicago fans have at least some fond memories of Korver, and now there is a possibility that he could return as the lead executive of the Bulls.

BasketballChicago BullsKyle Korver
Geno Auriemma on the sidelines

Michael Wilbon lambasts ‘insecure bully’ Geno Auriemma in scathing rant

April 6, 2026 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Michael Wilbon did not mince words in his public callout of Geno Auriemma.

The UConn women’s basketball head coach received negative backlash last week for confronting Dawn Staley after his team lost to South Carolina in the Final Four. Auriemma was fuming over the officiating in the contest and specifically peeved at Staley for supposedly working the referees.

Auriemma later issued an apology that was not well-received at all.

Wilbon wasn’t ready to forgive and forget either. He chastised Auriemma on Monday’s episode of “Pardon the Interruption” in a scathing rant.

“It’s the disgraceful behavior of a massively insecure bully,” Wilbon said of Auriemma.

Michael Wilbon tees off on Geno Auriemma:

"It's the disgraceful behavior of a massively insecure bully. It was petulant, it was classless."

"Lied on national TV, round after round of interviews … accused South Carolina's players of doing something his own players did as if we… pic.twitter.com/pk6toF56rR

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2026

“It was petulant, it was classless. … He lied on national TV, round after round of interviews and accused South Carolina’s players of doing something his own players did as if we don’t all have television. Geno Auriemma is one of the biggest figures in the history, deservedly so, of college basketball, and he behaved like a garden-variety bum.”

Wilbon also called out Auriemma’s “bogus” apology to South Carolina for not even including any direct mention of Staley.

South Carolina fans let Auriemma know they weren’t happy with him either during the Gamecocks’ national title game against UCLA. The NCAA played a montage of past championship games during the contest on Sunday, and the South Carolina faithful booed heavily every time UConn was featured on screen. It happened a lot, given that Auriemma is a 12-time national champion.

College BasketballGeno AuriemmaMichael Wilbon
Hawks guard CJ McCollum taking a shot behind the halfcourt line

CJ McCollum hit one of the wildest shots ever that didn’t count

April 6, 2026 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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CJ McCollum was mere milliseconds away Monday from highlight reel immortality.

The Atlanta Hawks trailed the New York Knicks 108-105 with 1.2 seconds left on the clock at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. With no timeouts remaining following a pair of Jalen Brunson free throws, the Hawks had to create some magic 94 feet away from their own basket.

McCollum did his best David Blaine impression with an off-balance 60-foot heave that banked in seemingly right at the buzzer.

CJ MCCOLLUM FOR THE TIE 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/AQTodyEb8t

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) April 7, 2026

Unfortunately for McCollum and every Hawks fan in the building, the ball was still touching CJ’s fingertips as the clock expired. You can watch the slow-motion replay below.

CJ MCCOLLUM FROM HALF COURT

Refs say the shot was late and the Hawks lose pic.twitter.com/KEOpuwnC0s

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 7, 2026

The moment McCollum took two dribbles before getting a shot off made it nearly impossible for him to get the ball out of his hands in time. The fact that it was even close was a testament to how quickly the veteran guard released the ball after his second dribble.

McCollum finished with 17 points in the 108-105 loss. While CJ didn’t get the Hawks an extra period on Monday, he’s still been a godsend for the team ever since he arrived in Atlanta in the Trae Young deal. The Hawks have gone 18-3 since McCollum became a permanent fixture in the team’s starting lineup.

BasketballFeatured StoriesAtlanta HawksCJ McCollum
Yaxel Lendeborg giving an interview

Yaxel Lendeborg gives the saddest interview at halftime of national title game

April 6, 2026 by Darryn Albert
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Yaxel Lendeborg was giving it straight during Monday’s national title game.

The Michigan star forward Lendeborg battled through multiple ailments to suit up on Monday against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. He did not look like himself at all though, finishing the first half with four points on 1/5 shooting and no other statistics to his name.

Lendeborg was interviewed by Tracy Wolfson of CBS at halftime and proceeded to give the saddest interview. The 23-year-old All-American admitted that he was feeling “awful” and “super weak.”

Here is the full interview clip.

"I feel awful. I feel super weak right now… I'm missing plays that I don't usually miss."@umichbball's Yaxel Lendeborg wasn't pleased with his first-half effort | @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/5vDsUln11g

— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) April 7, 2026

Michigan dominated Arizona in the Final Four over the weekend, but Lendeborg suffered both an MCL sprain and a twisted ankle during the game. He vowed to play in Monday’s national title game though and did just that, grinding through all 20 minutes in the first half as Michigan took a narrow 33-29 lead over UConn into the break.

That said, even Michigan head coach Dusty May seemed to hint in recent days that the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Lendeborg was compromised. With their best player clearly at less than 100 percent on Monday (and by self-admission at that), the likes of Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau, and Aday Mara were left to do some heavier lifting on offense for the Wolverines instead.

College BasketballHeadlinesNCAA Tournament 2026Yaxel Lendeborg
Willson Contreras yelling at the pitcher

Willson Contreras rages at the Brewers after getting hit by a pitch

April 6, 2026 by Darryn Albert
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It has happened again with Willson Contreras.

The Boston Red Sox first baseman Contreras was involved in a heated incident during Monday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the bottom of the third inning at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass., Contreras was clipped by an inside pitch from Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff and proceeded to rage.

Contreras yelled angrily at Woodruff as he was making his way up the first-base line, resulting in his brother (Brewers catcher William Contreras, who was behind the plate) having to escort him in the direction of the bag. While he was standing on first base, Contreras then started getting heated with a nearby umpire.

Finally, Contreras was forced out at second base on a fielder’s choice … and took a very hard (but legal) slide into Brewers shortstop David Hamilton in the process. Here is the video of the full sequence.

Willson Contreras didn't like being hit by Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff

He then took a hard slide into second base the next at-bat pic.twitter.com/VwX1uxQ33i

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 7, 2026

There is plenty of history between Contreras (who used to play in the NL Central with both the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals), and the Brewers. In particular, Contreras had a vulgar incident with the Brewers during a meeting in Milwaukee last season. The television broadcast of Monday’s game also noted that the HBP marked the sixth total time that Woodruff had plunked Contreras over the years.

On top of that, Contreras has now been hit 102 times over the last six years (including an MLB-leading 14 in the 60-game 2020 season), and he really hates it. Contreras once even sparked a benches-clearing brawl with another team after being hit.

BaseballMilwaukee BrewersWillson Contreras
Kyle Tucker in his Dodgers uniform

Kyle Tucker gets a very harsh reception from Blue Jays fans during game

April 6, 2026 by Darryn Albert
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Some of the loudest boos during Monday night’s Los Angeles Dodgers-Toronto Blue Jays game were reserved for a guy who wasn’t even around the last time that the two teams met.

The Dodgers and Blue Jays met at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ont. for the first time since their seven-game World Series thriller last year. In the first inning, new Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker stepped up to the plate … and received a incredibly loud chorus of boos.

Here is the video.

Loud boos at Rogers Centre for Kyle Tucker as he steps to the plate pic.twitter.com/CrM05fjE3m

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 6, 2026

Just about every Dodgers players was booed at Rogers Centre on Monday with Toronto’s absolutely heartbreaking World Series defeat to Los Angeles still fresh in the minds of all in the crowd. But the boos for Tucker in particular were pretty deafening.

For context, the Blue Jays seriously pursued the four-time All-Star Tucker in free agency this past offseason. They even reportedly offered Tucker some absurd contract terms in an all-out effort to land his signature.

But Tucker, 29, ultimately chose to sign with the hated Dodgers instead. Now Tucker is officially joining his teammate Shohei Ohtani as a player who will never know peace when he steps inside Toronto from now on.

BaseballKyle TuckerToronto Blue Jays
A Boston Red Sox hat

Red Sox fans rain down 3-word chant amid league-worst start

April 6, 2026 by Renzo Pocholo Salao
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Boston Red Sox fans let their feelings be known Monday as the team began to struggle once again at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.

The Red Sox entered Monday’s contest against the Milwaukee Brewers as the lone MLB team that had yet to notch three wins this season. That looked like it was going to change as the home team raced to a 3-0 lead through the first three innings.

The lead Boston had built up, however, disappeared in an instant in the top of the 4th inning. Three of the Brewers’ first four batters got on to load the bases. Red Sox starter Brayan Bello induced a ground ball, but it led to a fielding error by third baseman Caleb Durbin.

Caleb Durbin. pic.twitter.com/eahVkPTfKe

— Savage (@Savageboston) April 7, 2026

The mistake opened the floodgates, as Milwaukee’s next three batters all got on base safely to take a 4-3 lead before the inning mercifully ended on a double play. The Red Sox’s self-inflicted wounds had fans chanting three words: “Sell the team!”

“SELL THE TEAM” chants are loud at Fenway Park pic.twitter.com/lD3FztkFbY

— Jake Iggy (@JakeIggy) April 7, 2026

We have now sell the team chants pic.twitter.com/UgkintMytX

— Lucas Parmenter (@Lucasparmenter0) April 7, 2026

It’s not the first time this season Bostonians have called for John Henry to sell off their beloved baseball franchise. But Monday’s chants were certainly much louder, and will only increase in volume if the team continues to struggle.

BaseballBoston Red SoxRed Sox fans
Dan Hurley yelling

Dan Hurley speaks out on the possibility of leaving for the NBA

April 6, 2026 by Darryn Albert
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Dan Hurley appears to be keeping his options open when it comes to the pros.

The UConn head coach Hurley was interviewed this week by Adam Zagoria of Forbes. During the interview, Hurley suggested that he could still make the leap to the NBA at some point.

“I’m the UConn coach until the end, and maybe the NBA someday down the line,” said Hurley. “But yeah, I’m the UConn coach.”

The 53-year-old Hurley has been the coach at UConn since 2018 and has experienced immense success. He led the team to two consecutive NCAA titles in 2023 and 2024 and now has the Huskies back in the national championship game this year, where they are playing Michigan on Monday.

That said, Hurley had a major flirtation with the NBA just two summers ago. In June 2024, Hurley turned down a monster contract offer to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He then ended up signing a new extension with UConn, which now runs through 2029-30.

If Hurley manages to lead the Huskies to another national title, the lure of a new challenge elsewhere might become even stronger. Interestingly enough too, Hurley’s contract with UConn features no buyout if he leaves for an NBA job after March 31, 2027 (with a buyout of just $1 million if he leaves for the NBA any earlier than that).

College BasketballDan Hurley
Luka Doncic in a Lakers uniform

Details surface on Luka Doncic’s unusual injury treatment

April 6, 2026 by Darryn Albert
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Luka Doncic is going experimental as he attempts to return to the lineup as soon as humanly possible.

The Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic was diagnosed last week with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He suffered the injury during a humiliating loss on Thursday to the Oklahoma City Thunder (see the video here).

On Sunday though, we learned that Doncic was seeking specialized treatment in Europe in the wake of his injury. The hope for Doncic is that he will somehow be able to return to play ahead of the usual roughly 4-to-6 weeks that it takes to recover from a hamstring strain of that nature.

Shams Charania of ESPN appeared Monday on “NBA Today” and shared the details about Doncic’s unusual treatment plan. Charania reported that Doncic was in Spain undergoing an injection procedure to promote healing in his hamstring (but noted that it was unclear if the treatment would actually work in speeding up Doncic’s timeline).

The No. 3 seed Lakers now have less than one week to go in the regular season before the playoffs officially start on Apr. 18. There is obviously significant risk when it comes to rushing back from a hamstring injury in particular, but Doncic is clearly comfortable with taking that risk in an effort to contribute to his team during the postseason.

In the meantime though, the Lakers are just one game away from falling to the No. 5 seed with four games left to play. With fellow L.A. star Austin Reaves also nursing a fresh 4-to-6-week absence of his own right now, it remains to be seen if Doncic’s gamble will even be worth it in the end.

BasketballLos Angeles LakersLuka Doncic
Jose Ramirez in helmet and uniform

Jose Ramirez makes Cleveland Guardians history

April 6, 2026 by Matt Wadleigh
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Cleveland Guardians superstar Jose Ramirez just put his name into the franchise record books.

On Monday, the Guardians faced the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. With Ramirez in the lineup again, he became the franchise’s all-time leader for games played.

Here is the list:

  1. Jose Ramirez: 1,620
  2. Terry Turner: 1,619
  3. Nap Lajoie: 1,614
  4. Lou Boudreau: 1,560
  5. Jim Hegan: 1,526

Ramirez, who has spent his entire MLB career with the Guardians, is also commonly seen in other records for the franchise.

With José Ramírez set to become the solo franchise leader in games played for Cleveland today, here’s where he ranks in other notable categories:

Runs: 1,003, 3rd in CLE history (leader: Earl Averill 1,154)
Doubles: 400, 3rd (Tris Speaker 486)
HR: 286, 2nd (Jim Thome 337)
RBI:…

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 6, 2026

Ramirez is a seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner, and he has been a focal point for the franchise since making his MLB debut in 2013.

No one has ever worn "Cleveland" across the chest for more MLB games than José Ramírez.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/dG1JOxj6M4

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 6, 2026

Unfortunately, Ramirez is off to a bit of a slow start to begin the 2026 MLB season. The Guardians third baseman has a .154 average with one home run and five RBIs through the first two weeks of the year.

On the other hand, Cleveland entered Monday’s game with a 6-4 record and in first place in the American League Central.

Regardless, Ramirez is now the franchise leader in games played, and this record looks to be very difficult for anybody to break for a long time.

BaseballCleveland GuardiansJose Ramirez
Billy Donovan in a suit

Billy Donovan’s future with Bulls gets an update after front office firings

April 6, 2026 by Matt Wadleigh
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The Chicago Bulls are making changes even before the end of the 2025-26 NBA season.

On Monday, the Bulls announced that they are firing both executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley after six seasons with the franchise.

The next domino is regarding head coach Billy Donovan. His name was linked to the North Carolina Tar Heels job, but former Nuggets coach Michael Malone was hired on Monday just before the Bulls fired the two executives.

Donovan’s future with the Bulls got an update from Jamal Collier of ESPN after the front office shakeup.

“Chicago remains high on coach Billy Donovan and plans to meet with him in the offseason to see how the team can retain him, sources told ESPN on Monday,” Collier wrote. “The team has made it clear, though, that they want him back in the organization as coach or in some capacity going forward, sources told ESPN.”

That sure sounds like Donovan is sticking around, whether it be as a head coach or in another role.

At the end of March, it was revealed that there was a “growing chance” Donovan would leave if Karnisovas stayed, so with him out of town, perhaps that helps the Bulls’ chances of keeping the head coach.

Donovan has a 224-254 record in six seasons as the Bulls’ head coach, although some questionable trades and roster decisions have made things very difficult on the staff.

With the North Carolina job filled and the Bulls making changes in the front office, it could mean Donovan is back for at least another season despite missing the postseason once again.

BasketballArturas KarnisovasBilly DonovanChicago Bulls
North Carolina Tar Heels logo

Former North Carolina star reacts to hiring of Michael Malone

April 6, 2026 by Matt Wadleigh
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The North Carolina Tar Heels’ search for a new head coach is over.

North Carolina made a surprising move by hiring former Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

Malone’s name was very unexpected, but he won an NBA title with the Nuggets and he could be a good fit for the program in Chapel Hill. After the news surfaced, former North Carolina star Ty Lawson reacted to the decision to bring in Maline, and Lawson is excited about it.

“Mike Malone!!!!!! Yeah he gonna get ish done fasho !!!! Unc I love it!!!” Lawson wrote on X.

Mike Malone!!!!!! Yeah he gonna get ish done fasho !!!! Unc I love it!!!

— Ty Lawson (@TyLawson3) April 6, 2026

A report emerged previously that the top candidates for North Carolina were Billy Donovan, Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May.

However, Arizona gave Lloyd a new contract, and May informed Michigan officials he wasn’t looking for another job.

The NBA season hasn’t ended, and with the transfer portal opening on Tuesday, North Carolina had a tough decision to make, which led to the move to hire Malone instead of waiting to kick the tires on Donovan.

Malone’s daughter is a volleyball player at North Carolina, so there were some ties there.

Still, it’s a big move by the program, but Lawson is all the way on board with the choice his alma mater made for the next head coach.

College BasketballMichael MaloneNorth Carolina BasketballTy Lawson
Matt Olson in Braves gear

Trevor Plouffe compares 1 Braves player to an orange

April 6, 2026 by Matt Wadleigh
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The fruit-to-MLB player comparisons are not seen very often, but former MLB player Trevor Plouffe made sure to get into that action.

During an episode of “Talkin’ Baseball,” Plouffe discussed his favorite fruits, but then said Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson is like a navel orange.

“Matt Olson has now played in 792 games in a row,” Plouffe said. “Matt Olson, to me, is like a navel orange. There might be some other fruits, like a Corey Seager, who might hit better. But overall, I’m taking Matt Olson over Corey Seager because he’s available to play.”

PLouffe then said Olson is “so juicy” and available.

.@trevorplouffe compares Matt Olson to a naval orange

“It’s so juicy. It’s got good texture to it. He’s available. He’s consistent.”

Presented by @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/23asYruAmH

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 6, 2026

Since the start of the 2022 season, Olson has played in every single regular-season game.

He came to the Braves in 2023, and he had 54 home runs with 139 RBIs that season, which were career-highs in both categories.

Olson then had 29 home runs in each of the past two seasons, and he has been a steady presence in the lineup for Atlanta daily.

While Olson might not be producing like the Aaron Judge’s of the world, Plouffe credits the fact that Olson is consistent.

Nonetheless, it’s quite the comparison for Olson.

BaseballAtlanta BravesMatt OlsonTrevor Plouffe
Toronto Blue Jays logo

1 key Blue Jays player is set to undergo surgery

April 6, 2026 by Matt Wadleigh
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The Toronto Blue Jays started off April with four losses on the road against the Chicago White Sox.

Now, the Blue Jays are set to be without starting catcher Alejandro Kirk for the foreseeable future. Kirk suffered an injury in Friday’s 5-4 loss to the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Ill. On Monday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider revealed that Kirk will undergo thumb surgery on Tuesday and his return is up in the air.

Alejandro Kirk having surgery on his left thumb tomorrow per mgr John Schneider

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) April 6, 2026

Kirk was signed by the Blue Jays in 2016 at the age of 18, and he has become a key part of their everyday lineup.

Kirk played in 130 games last season as the primary catcher, and he hit .282 with 15 home runs and 76 RBIs in a career-best campaign. Before the 2025 season began, the Blue Jays gave Kirk a well-deserved five-year, $58 million extension as well.

Tyler Heineman replaced Kirk on Friday and got the start on Saturday, but Brandon Valenzuela started on Sunday at catcher, so it will be interesting to see what Schneider does with Kirk on the shelf.

The Blue Jays also saw starting pitcher Cody Ponce suffer an injury, so it hasn’t been a promising start to the year after the World Series run in 2025.

BaseballAlejandro KirkToronto Blue Jays
Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court

Giannis Antetokounmpo has made a clear statement to the Bucks

April 6, 2026 by Grey Papke
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Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks remain at odds over whether he should be shut down for the season, and Antetokounmpo is attempting to lay down the law behind the scenes.

ESPN’s Shams Charania appeared on “NBA Today” Monday and revealed that Antetokounmpo is still trying to ramp up in order to play before the end of the season. The star forward’s goal is to be able to play at least one game with brothers Alex and Thanasis. He mentioned Friday’s home finale against the Brooklyn Nets as a game Antetokounmpo could target to play in.

“Giannis is trying to ramp up this week, from my understanding,” Charania said. “He wants to play with his brothers before the regular season ends. He’s making very clear behind the scenes that’s his goal.”

Shams:

"Giannis is trying to ramp up this week from my understanding…he wants to play with his brothers before the regular season ends, he's making very clear behind the scenes that's his goal" pic.twitter.com/9rBY5ILlh9

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 6, 2026

Friday’s game might be an awkward choice, since it’s against the tanking Nets. Of course, the Bucks will not be able to catch Brooklyn in the loss column, but they will want to lock in as high a lottery position as possible. That is at the core of Antetokounmpo’s dispute with the Bucks, even if no one can admit it publicly. It isn’t clear whether a late-season return would help or hurt the Bucks in terms of the outcome of the NBA’s investigation into the team, either.

Giannis has made it clear publicly that he wants to play with his brothers at least once. The question at this point seems to be if the Bucks will allow it to happen.

BasketballGiannis Antetokounmpo
Coach K looks ahead

Coach K has savage response to North Carolina’s coach hire

April 6, 2026 by Grey Papke
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If Mike Krzyzewski is worried about rival North Carolina’s new head coach, he certainly isn’t showing it.

Coach K was a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show” Monday when news broke that the Tar Heels were hiring former NBA champion Michael Malone as their new head coach. The former Duke coach wasted no time sharing his reaction, and he did so by invoking Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick.

“They had an NFL champion hired as the coach and Duke beat Carolina in football this year,” Krzyzewski said. “That doesn’t mean Coach Belichick isn’t a great coach, but there is time for adjustments. I’ve said it takes longer adjusting from the pros to college.”

BREAKING NEWS: North Carolina intends to hire Mike Malone as the school’s next basketball coach#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/VVDmFhbk8n

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 6, 2026

Belichick is the perfect example for why hires like this do not guarantee immediate success. He is the most accomplished NFL coach ever, but went just 4-8 in his first season at North Carolina. Similarly, numerous coaches who were very successful at the college level have failed in the NBA.

Malone will be expected to bring immediate success for North Carolina. Count Coach K among those who thinks the program might have to wait a little while to get what it wants.

College BasketballCoach K

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