Charles Barkley had a very high compliment for Michigan
Charles Barkley paid the Michigan Wolverines a very high compliment during their dismantling of the Arizona Wildcats in Saturday’s Final Four game.
Michigan jumped out to a 48-32 halftime lead on the way to an eventual 91-73 victory over Arizona at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, In. on Saturday, and had the game well in hand throughout. That prompted Barkley to essentially name Michigan as one of the three best teams he has seen since he began doing the NCAA Tournament in 2011.
“We’ve been doing this tournament double-digit years, and there’s only two teams I’ve thought were unbeatable: Anthony Davis’ (Kentucky) Wildcats and that second UConn team. I said everybody else is playing for second place,” Barkley said. “I think we might be seeing the third. I thought Arizona was on the same level. They’re not.”
"I thought Arizona was on the same level. They're not… This might be the third team where I've said 'yeah, everybody else is playing for 2nd place.'"
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 5, 2026
-Charles Barkley reacts to @umichbball's dominant first half pic.twitter.com/eL1BWQnT2i
It was hard to argue with Barkley after such a thorough dismantling. Arizona was regarded as one of the three best teams in the country all season along with Michigan and Duke, but the Wildcats were essentially run off the floor on Saturday. They even did it with limited contributions from star player Yaxel Lendeborg, who spent most of the game battling foul trouble and later injury.
Lendeborg is adamant that he will play Monday against UConn. The Huskies are going to have to be at their best to have a chance of winning that game.
Yaxel Lendeborg reveals his injury status for national title game
Yaxel Lendeborg is not planning to let an injury keep him from playing on the NCAA Tournament’s grandest stage.
The Michigan standout had fans holding their collective breath after he went down with a lower leg injury Saturday in their Final Four win over Arizona. Lendeborg landed awkwardly while trying to jump past two defenders and ended up hurting both his left knee and ankle in the 91-73 contest.
While Lendeborg was able to return in the second half and even drained a couple of threes, his status for the national championship game was a major question mark.
There wasn’t any uncertainty in Lendeborg’s mind when he spoke to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander after the game. He made it clear that nothing was going to stop him from taking the floor opposite UConn.
“I’m going to do a lot to work on it, and I’m playing on Monday for sure, no matter what goes on,” Lendeborg said.
Yaxel Lendeborg joins @MattNorlander after Michigan's win over Arizona, and he says he will play through his injury in the National Championship. pic.twitter.com/pCICYTGtgb
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 5, 2026
The Wolverines star suffered an MCL sprain while also re-injuring the left ankle he rolled during the Big Ten tournament last month.
While Lendeborg’s words will probably excite the Michigan faithful, there’s no assurance that the injury doesn’t worsen once the adrenaline of Saturday’s win wears off. But as long as Yaxel can walk, he may force his way onto the court by any means necessary.
Jo Adell robs 3 home runs in the same game
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell pulled off a feat Saturday that has to be seen to be believed.
Adell almost single-handedly beat the Seattle Mariners with his glove in a 1-0 contest at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. In a game where runs were at an absolute premium, Adell executed a home run robbery to perfection three separate times.
The first one came in the 1st inning against last year’s home run leader, Cal Raleigh. The Mariners catcher slugged a deep ball to right field that would have been a solo shot had Adell not made a leaping catch at the wall to keep the game scoreless.
JO SAID NO 🙅 pic.twitter.com/bRflz01SXd
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 5, 2026
Adell ran it back in the 8th inning against Josh Naylor, robbing him almost the same exact way he did Raleigh to start the game.
Jo Adell robbed Cal Raleigh of his first home run of the season in the 1st inning today.
— js9innings (@js9inningsmedia) April 5, 2026
Now, he robs Josh Naylor of his first home run of the season in the 8th inning wow 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UJnpz542aL
Adell went full Hollywood in the 9th inning with a play that looked like the climax of a cult classic baseball movie.
JO ADELL JUST ROBBED A THIRD HOME RUN TONIGHT
— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026
HE JUMPED INTO THE STANDS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/uWynN27aON
The first two catches were already major highlights for Adell on their own. The last one was an early entry for Catch of the Year. The fact that Adell did them all in the same game — one that was decided by a single run — makes it all the more preposterous.
This is Jo Adell’s world, and we’re just living in it, folks.
Michigan pulls off March Madness feat never seen in history
Michigan’s offense in this year’s NCAA Tournament is operating at a level nobody has ever seen before.
Michigan put on an offensive clinic Saturday in its 91-73 beatdown of Arizona at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The Wolverines pounced on the Wildcats early with a double-digit lead before the midway point of the first half and never looked back.
The 91-point total marked Michigan’s fifth game of 90 or more points in this year’s March Madness. Before the Wolverines laid waste to each one of their opponents through the Final Four, no team had ever scored 90+ in five consecutive NCAA Tournament games since its inception in 1939.
Michigan is the first team in NCAA tournament history score 90+ points in five-straight games in a single tournament 🤯
— ESPN (@espn) April 5, 2026
Unreal consistency and scoring from the Wolverines 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6m1Hbqaoox
Making the feat even more impressive is that Michigan breached the 90-point plateau again on Saturday despite top scorer Yaxel Lendeborg playing just 14 minutes. Even in his limited time on the floor, he still put up 11 points on a perfect 3/3 shooting from beyond the arc.
Lendeborg suffered a scary leg injury in the first half but was able to return after receiving treatment at halftime. While the Michigan senior was able to power through the issue on Saturday, his health remains the biggest question mark heading into the Wolverines’ national title game Monday against UConn.
Dan Hurley could not resist taking a parting shot at Illinois
Dan Hurley was determined to throw shade at Illinois and those who favored them over UConn for their Final Four clash on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The UConn head coach exhibited his usual post-win swagger as he spoke to reporters following his Huskies’ 71-62 victory over the Illini. Despite entering the contest with a higher seed and a better record, UConn was considered a slight underdog against an Illinois team that had steamrolled through its competition through the Elite 8.
Hurley did not understand why that was the case and made sure to let the world know while answering an unrelated question.
“You’re coming into the game as an underdog versus a team you beat by 13 points earlier in the season, which was kind of surprising, you know? That’s how we kind of came into the game,” said Hurley.
“Obviously, I’ve been waiting to say that, and now I forgot your question. Just sitting on that, though. Just in case no one asked.”
UConn recorded a wire-to-wire victory over Illinois when the two teams faced off at Madison Square Garden in November. Illini star guard Keaton Wagler played just 14 minutes and scored three points in that contest.
Wagler tallied a game-high 20 on Saturday against UConn’s defense but could not change the result of the rematch.
Hurley’s bravado rubs some folks the wrong way at times, as evidenced by him getting booed after UConn’s Final Four win. But nobody can deny that the man knows how to win and, when needed, gain the favor of the basketball gods for some miraculous plays.
Michigan gets concerning injury update on Yaxel Lendeborg in Final Four
Michigan may need to soldier on without Yaxel Lendeborg for the rest of Saturday’s Final Four clash against Arizona.
Lendeborg hurt his ankle on a drive midway through the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The Wolverines star had an awkward fall as he got fouled while trying to slither past several Wildcat defenders. He was able to take his free throws before gingerly walking toward the locker room moments later.
Yaxel Lendeborg is in the locker room after suffering an apparent ankle injury
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) April 5, 2026
He stayed on the court to shoot his free throws pic.twitter.com/OjxM4CBm7G
Lendeborg returned to the bench after receiving treatment but ended up back in the locker room as the discomfort persisted.
Yaxel Lendeborg heads back to the locker room with 4:35 to play in the first half pic.twitter.com/tZJdogOEFx
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 5, 2026
Lendeborg twisted the same ankle he previously hurt last month during the Big Ten Tournament. According to sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, Michigan will “reevaluate” him at halftime and “see if he can return for the second half.”
Michigan looked more than fine without its best player on the floor in the first half, holding the Huskies to 12/32 shooting for a 48-32 Wolverines lead at the break.
Wolfson later revealed that Lendeborg was dealing with an MCL sprain on top of the ankle injury, but it didn’t stop him from returning. He was seen wearing a left knee brace as he rejoined his team on the floor after halftime.
If Michigan does advance to the national title game, there will be obvious concern about Lendeborg’s left leg heading into a potential matchup against UConn. It’s not going to feel good in the morning once the adrenaline wears off.
Lendeborg has been one of the NCAA Tournament’s best players throughout Michigan’s run to the Final Four. Through the Wolverines’ first four March Madness wins, the senior has averaged 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
Brent Burns makes an admission about the physical toll of his NHL streak
Brent Burns just did something special that may not be replicated for a long time.
On Saturday, the 41-year-old Colorado Avalanche blueliner Burns did not just play in his 1,572nd game in the NHL but also the 1,000th in a row, as the Avs blanked the Dallas Stars, 2-0, at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
To play that many games consecutively in a physically punishing sport and in the best hockey league on the planet is simply a remarkable feat for Burns.
The streak heavily taxed his body, which he knows he’ll continue to deal with even after his playing days are over.
“My wife sometimes gets mad at me about that. She says, ‘I got to live with you for a long time.’ So yeah, I’m gonna pay for some of this later, that’s for sure,” Burns, who signed a 1-year deal with Colorado in 2025, said on Friday, via DNVR Avalanche.
Burns logged 18:15 of ice time against the Stars, recording 2 shots on goal with 1 blocked shot and 1 hit.
For all his games played and individual accolades, one glaring piece is still missing from Burns’ resume, and it’s none other than a Stanley Cup title.
Playing for the Avalanche, however, gives him a strong chance to finally raise the Cup, with Colorado already clinching a playoff spot and on track to secure the No. 1 overall seed.
Dan Hurley got booed right after UConn beat Illinois in Final Four
Dan Hurley was clearly not the people’s champion Saturday after leading UConn to more Final Four glory.
UConn outlasted Illinois in a thrilling 71-62 contest that saw the Fighting Illini’s comeback fall short at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The Huskies led by as many as 14 points in the second half, but saw their lead shrink to as little as four points in the final two minutes.
Hurley was asked about the poise shown by freshman Braylon Mullins, who once again hit a clutch three-pointer late to keep Illinois at arm’s length. Before he could even get his first sentence out, Hurley received a chorus of boos from the crowd.
Dan Hurley was booed during his interview after UConn advanced to the Championship game 😭 pic.twitter.com/hBgnBScPyL
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 5, 2026
Hurley wasn’t even sure what they were booing about, assuming it might have been his hilarious headbutt of referee Roger Ayers after Mullins’ already iconic game-winner against Duke. Ayers himself had no problem with Hurley after the incident, calling it a “nothing” exchange during a moment worthy of intense passion from any coach
Perhaps the crowd was infiltrated by St. John’s fans, whom Hurley’s wife called out shortly before Saturday’s game.
It’s easy to hate a larger-than-life figure like Hurley, especially as he heads to his third national title game in four seasons. The man can withstand a few boos here and there.
Cooper Flagg’s teammate turns heads with post after rookie’s 51-point eruption
Cooper Flagg’s rookie season in the NBA is coming to a close without a trip to the playoffs to look forward to. But what he showed Friday against the Orlando Magic should have Mavericks fans envisioning deep postseason runs in the future.
Although the Mavs lost to Orlando, 138-127, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas,the 19-year-old Flagg impressed many with his incredible performance, as he became the youngest player ever in the history of the Association to muster at least 50 points in a game. He finished with 51 points on 19/30 shooting with 6 3-pointers, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block in 34 minutes.
Dallas dropped its third straight game and now sits at a brutal 24–53, but for Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, the team’s struggles shouldn’t take away from Flagg’s individual brilliance as a rookie.
“Hard to appreciate greatness while going thru hard times but that boy is 1 of none,” Marshall wrote in a post on X.
Marshall, however, was unable to watch Flagg get to 50 points in the game, as he was ejected early in the fourth quarter after getting his second technical of the contest.
Flagg is still finding his way in the NBA, which is a scary thought, given how great he’s already looked on the court despite his youth and relative inexperience.
Dan Hurley makes a headbutt joke after UConn’s Final Four win
The No. 2 seed UConn Huskies have once again survived and advanced. On Saturday, Dan Hurley’s Huskies defeated the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini in their Final Four matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., 71-62, to secure a spot in the national championship game.
It did not take long after that contest for Hurley to grab attention again, but this time without having to headbutt someone.
Before taking a question from CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson, Hurley gave Huskies guard Braylon Mullins a friendly headbutt. The crowd then seemingly started to boo, eliciting a reaction from the UConn mentor.
“Are they booing? The headbutt? I don’t know what they’re booing,” Hurley said before proceeding to praise Mullins and discuss UConn being back in the national championship game.
"Are they booing? The headbutt? I don't know what they're booing."
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) April 5, 2026
Dan Hurley had jokes after getting booed from the crowd 🤣 pic.twitter.com/XMUlgh1RKv
Hurley went viral following the Huskies’ incredible come-from-behind win against the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight when he was caught on camera headbutting referee Roger Ayers. That has become a polarizing moment, but at the end of the day, what matters to Hurley is that his Huskies are still dancing in the Big Dance.
UConn will next face the victor of the other Final Four matchup between No. 1 seeds Michigan Wolverines and Arizona Wildcats.
Notable update emerges about Juan Soto’s concerning injury
The New York Mets are off to a slow start in the 2026 MLB season, and things became a little more concerning for them with news of Juan Soto’s injury.
Soto was unable to finish Friday’s game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., due to tightness in his right calf, making just a plate appearance in a 10-3 New York victory.
On Saturday, Soto underwent an MRI. He revealed that he is dealing with a minor calf strain and is currently day-to-day, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.
But at the moment, the Mets still don’t have a definite plan on how to approach Soto’s status amid a potential injured list designation.
The Dominican star outfielder is missing Saturday’s game against the Giants, with Mets manager Carlos Mendoza saying that New York will further evaluate Soto’s status, per Puma.
A calf injury can be tricky to deal with. The Mets don’t have to rush things with Soto, especially with the season having only just started. New York, which entered Saturday with a 4-4 record, will play the Giants series finale on Sunday before returning to Queens for a three-game homestand against the Arizona Diamondbacks that starts on Tuesday.
So far in the 2026 season, Soto is batting 11-for-31 (.355) with a home run and 5 RBIs.
Dusty May pulls a very confident move ahead of Final Four game
Dusty May must be feeling good about his team’s chances of advancing to the national title game.
Michigan was scheduled to face Arizona on Saturday in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The venue also hosted the UConn-Illinois Final Four game earlier in the day on Saturday.
During the first half of the UConn-Illinois showdown, the Michigan head coach May was spotted in the courtside seats. May was apparently doing some scouting.
Dusty May sitting courtside scouting UConn and Illinois
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 4, 2026
Michigan plays Arizona tonight pic.twitter.com/yKx13mdHIu
Of course, May has a much more pressing matter to deal with first. He has to make sure that his team actually beats the opponent in front of them right now (Arizona) before looking ahead to the winner of the UConn-Illinois game.
Arizona will be no cakewalk for Michigan either. They have been the best team in college basketball for virtually the entire year, posting a 36-2 record, winning the Big 12 Tournament, and taking all of their games in the NCAA Tournament thus far by double digits.
There is an argument that there is not much left for May to do with Arizona on the day-of since the gameplan has already presumably been formulated. But between this and some of the other rumors we have heard in recent days, some might say that May’s mind is wandering a little bit right now.
Jahmyr Gibbs could have a new role for the Lions in 2026
The Detroit Lions may really be trying to maximize what they have in Jahmyr Gibbs.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to reporters this week at NFL League Meetings. During the session, Campbell said that it is possible that the star running back Gibbs will see more work as a receiver in 2026.
“Gibbs, we didn’t view Gibbs as a runner, he was a weapon,” said Campbell, per Pro Football Talk. “We felt like Gibbs, this guy is gonna explode. Yes, he’s a runne. He can run all schemes. He can run inside, outside, the perimeters. But he also can be lethal out of the backfield, and we’re not even there yet.
“We feel like this guy can play some receiver,” Campbell added of Gibbs. “He’s dynamic and he’s a difference-maker. They don’t come around often.”
Gibbs, still only 24, started in all 17 games for the Lions last season, rushing for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns. While he already did some decent work as a receiver (77 catches for 616 yards), Campbell may envision Gibbs as someone more like a Christian McCaffrey (102 catches for 924 yards) or a De’Von Achane (67 catches for 488 yards in a dysfunctional offense).
The Lions made a noteworthy clear-out move earlier in the offseason by trading away fellow running back David Montgomery (much to the chagrin of Gibbs). As such, there will be more responsibility on Gibbs’ shoulders in 2026, beyond just his role as a bellcow in the Detroit backfield.
Stephen Curry addresses injury’s impact on the rest of his playing career
Stephen Curry can still play at a high level even in his late 30s, but he’s been held back of late by a knee injury that forced him to miss 27 games in a row.
The 38-year-old Curry is set to return to action on Sunday against the Houston Rockets at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., and before that, he opened up about his career’s outlook amid his knee troubles.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player was asked if his knee injury would bother him for the rest of his playing career.
“Yes and no,” Curry responded, via Anthony Slater of ESPN. “There’s nothing structurally wrong with my knee. So it’s not like I’m compromised out there. It is a new normal, though, if that makes sense.”
Given his age and the mileage in his body, Curry’s health will always be a closely monitored factor for the Warriors, who will look to build momentum with the future Basketball Hall of Famer back in the lineup.
Without Curry, the Warriors struggled mightily to win games. They went 9-18 during his 27-game absence and posted. His return comes too late for him to help the Warriors secure a top-six spot in the upcoming 2026 NBA Playoffs, but Golden State will still be playing beyond the regular season, with the Play-In Tournament on the horizon.
Austin Reaves is forced to miss the remainder of the regular season
Austin Reaves will not be seeing action for several weeks.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard has been diagnosed with an oblique injury and is expected to miss not only the rest of the regular season but also games in the playoffs, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
“Lakers’ Austin Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks with the Grade 2 oblique injury, sources tell ESPN. Devastating run of injuries to L.A.’s two leading scorers. Reaves and Luka Doncic are expected to be sidelined to begin the NBA playoffs,” Charania wrote in a post on X.
This is more bad news for Los Angeles, which is still reeling from the injury suffered by their most important player, Luka Doncic.
The Slovenian superstar suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and was declared out for the remainder of the regular season. His status for the playoffs is unknown, but for now, the Lakers will have to operate without two members of their key triumvirate, which also includes LeBron James.
Reaves sustained his injury in the same Thunder game, though he was able to finish the contest, scoring 15 points on 5/9 shooting. He also concludes his fifth NBA season with averages of 23.3 points on 49% shooting, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds through 51 games.
The Lakers, who have already secured a spot in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, are scheduled to play five more regular-season games, including Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Dan Hurley’s wife calls out 1 opposing fanbase
Andrea Hurley did not like what she saw out of one fellow Big East School this year.
Andrea, the wife of UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley, appeared over the weekend on The Field of 68 Media Network and discussed the Huskies’ NCAA Tournament run thus far. During the appearance, Andrea called out St. John’s fans for rooting against UConn during UConn’s Elite Eight game against Duke.
“I’m gonna say it,” said Andrea. “We were rooting for St. John’s [against Duke in the Sweet 16]. [But] when [UConn] went to the [Elite Eight] game, all those St. John’s fans were rooting against us. And that broke my heart.
“So that’s really sad, and that’s crappy,” Andrea added. “That was crappy.”
St. John’s lost to Duke in the Sweet 16 by a close final score of 80-75. Duke then advanced to face UConn in the Elite Eight, where UConn won on a dramatic last-second buzzer-beater.
Andrea was clearly expecting St. John’s to be rooting against the team that just beat them (Duke). But it appears that UConn’s two national championships in the past three NCAA seasons have made them the ultimate villain in the college world (along with husband Dan’s own behavior).
New York Jets now own an unwanted sports record
The New York Jets are not playing right now, but they still managed to gain an unwanted distinction thanks to someone else’s efforts on Saturday.
The Buffalo Sabres officially clinched their first playoff appearance since 2011 on Saturday, ending a 14-year drought. It has been the longest playoff drought of any professional sports team.
That title now falls to the Jets, who had been sharing the honors. The Jets last made the playoffs during the 2010 season, when they lost in the AFC Championship to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets are now in sole possession for the longest playoff drought in the big 4 sports leagues 😭 pic.twitter.com/beHl17xdWR
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 4, 2026
The drought is a perfect example of the Jets’ issues, but they obviously run much deeper than that. Over the last 15 years, the Jets have dealt with a number of negative, unflattering stories, and it never seems to get better. In a league where nearly half the teams make the postseason in any given year, going as long without a playoff appearance as the Jets have seems almost impossible.
There is not much optimism that the Jets are going to break their drought in 2026, though they will have a new quarterback. Perhaps they have an unlikely turnaround in their future. More likely, however, they will have another rough season as part of their extended rebuild.
Austin Reaves had his MRI botched
Austin Reaves apparently had an unusual mishap with this MRI this week.
The Los Angeles Lakers star Reaves played through a rib/oblique issue during Thursday’s blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. After the game, the Lakers flew to Texas for a game on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks.
Reaves proceeded to undergo an MRI in Dallas, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed on Saturday that the MRI was botched. The imaging center apparently scanned the wrong area, resulting in Reaves having to undergo a second MRI.
“The second [MRI] was today,” said Redick, per Khobi Price of The California Post. “Again, I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging. But, uh, they scanned the wrong area. Not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned. But they scanned the wrong area.”
While the results of Reaves’ second MRI were not immediately available, the Lakers will be certainly be high-strung over his health. Reaves ranks second on the team this season with 23.3 points per game and will be especially important now with leading scorer Luka Doncic out for the foreseeable future.
It has been a difficult last couple of days for Reaves in other regards as well. Viral video surfaced earlier in the week of Reaves trading F-bombs with a heckler during a game.
Wizards were absolutely determined not to let Bam Adebayo drop 83 points on them again
The Washington Wizards were absolutely determined not to let Bam Adebayo embarrass them again during their first meeting since he scored 83 points against them.
Saturday marked Adebayo’s first game against the Wizards since March 10, when he dropped 83 points on them. The team came out Saturday seemingly determined to make sure Adebayo did not get rolling again.
The first time Adebayo touched the ball, the Wizards threw three defenders at him and forced him to pass the ball.
The Wizards sent the triple team at Bam Adebayo on his first touch of the game💀 pic.twitter.com/fTbBzR6OhI
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 4, 2026
The Wizards, of course, deployed this strategy to try and stop Adebayo during that previous meeting. It did not really work, and they just wound up sending Adebayo to the free throw line repeatedly.
The threat of another explosive Adebayo performance had been eliminated by halftime, as he only put up five points in the first quarter. Considering how the Wizards felt about him getting the mark the first time, that was perhaps inevitable, though Adebayo was hardly prioritizing a repeat performance.
White Sox announcer John Schriffen in trouble over his nickname for Munetaka Murakami
John Schriffen is apparently on some thin ice with the highers-up in Chicago.
The Chicago White Sox television play-by-play announcer Schriffen has gotten himself into trouble with the nickname that he recently bestowed upon first-year White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami, Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Sun-Times reported this week. During a recent game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla., Schriffen referred to Murakami as the “South Side Samurai” after an RBI single in the third inning.
Munetaka Murakami has recorded a hit in each of his first five career games! pic.twitter.com/5aGmiunXlF
— MLB (@MLB) March 31, 2026
Agrest reports that Schriffen “sent shockwaves” through the White Sox’ offices with the “potentially racist” nickname. Sox officials reportedly were not excited about the possibility of offending viewers (with Agrest noting that fans should not expect to hear the nickname on the air again).
The 26-year-old infielder Murakami, a two-time home runs leader in his native Japan, signed with the White Sox over the offseason. Murakami is off to a strong start in Chicago thus far, producing three home runs, four RBIs, and five walks through his first seven games.
As for Schriffen, he is now in his third season as the play-by-play voice of the White Sox. Schriffen already went viral a couple of years ago over his heated call of an incident with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Agrest notes that Schriffen is in the final guaranteed year of his contract in Chicago. It remains to be seen if the Murakami nickname incident will factor into the team’s decision on whether or not to bring Schriffen back beyond the 2026 season.
