Giants Fall 11-3 to Rockies as Uncertainty Looms Entering 2026

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Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on February 15, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE — The San Francisco Giants were back in action on Thursday afternoon for their sixth game of the Spring Training slate at 1 p.m. MST. On Thursday, the Giants fell to the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium 11-3.

Hayden Birdsong had another rough outing for the Giants as his chances of making the Opening Day team seem slimmer and slimmer by the day. Birdsong pitched one inning, giving up three runs on four hits. On the bright side, Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos each hit their first home runs of the season in what was a welcome power display for the Giants.

Yet, the score of Thursday’s matchup is hardly the story of the day. Spring training is always more about hitters finding their timing and pitchers getting ramped up than any on-field result. Granted, rookies and fringe Opening Day roster players fight for a chance on the big league club come game one, but the lion’s share of the work is in preparing for the 162-game grind for the team’s established players. While all of that remains true for the 2026 spring training for the Giants, there’s a vibe of newness and evergreen experience with this club. However, above all else, is the uncertainty surrounding the season ahead.

The Giants are, of course, now being managed by first-time MLB manager Tony Vitello. That alone is enough change for the club to feel as if they are starting from scratch.

However, I would argue the uncertainty surrounding the Giants has little to do with the question mark of Vitello and much more to do with the question of whether this roster, as currently constructed, can truly compete in 2026.

The Giants have a talented roster. There’s no doubt about that. The question remains whether the pieces they have had mostly together since the trade deadline of last year can be a club capable of rising out of baseball hell. Can the Giants rise significantly above the .500 mark, or will they remain where they have been since finishing 107-55 in the 2021 season?

Call me pessimistic, but I think it will be a real challenge for Tony Vitello and the Giants to significantly improve upon last season’s totals. My main concern? Well, after what were largely career-average years from the majority of their players, the Giants don’t have many places to look for drastic improvements from their holdover players, and they didn’t add many impact guys to the mix in the offseason.

For instance, Matt Chapman during his career has consistently been a 115-120 OPS+ hitter. Last season, he had a 120 OPS+ and a 4.1 WAR. Willy Adames has a career 109 OPS+; last season, he had a 111 OPS+. Rafael Devers, who many considered to have had a down few months with the Giants, has a career OPS+ of 129; with the Giants last season, he had a 130 OPS+. Heliot Ramos, who had a solid season defense aside, has a career 110 OPS+; last season, Ramos had a 108 OPS+. So, without being too much of a downer, I don’t think the Giants should expect big improvements on the offensive side of the ball from their mainstays.

With that being said, it seems the improvements for the Giants offense must come from the fringes. That, in my estimation, is an uncertain proposition indeed.

Do the Giants expect a meaningful contribution from highly touted prospect Bryce Eldridge? He’s been okay this spring but had a fairly disastrous start to his big league career last fall, hitting .107 with 13 strikeouts in 37 plate appearances. I’m sure the Giants would love a Nick Kurtz-type showing from him this season, which might be needed for this offense, but that is a lofty request for such a young player playing at Oracle Park.

Jung Hoo Lee has seemingly been an underwhelming offensive threat for the Giants, given the amount of money they have committed to the 27-year-old from Japan. Granted, he hasn’t been terrible on the offensive side of the ball, but I think he has undershot expectations, fair or not. That’s not even mentioning his below-average defensive metrics last season playing the outfield. The Giants hope the move to right field will improve those defensive numbers, given his above-average arm.

On the pitching side, the bullpen remains a bit of a mystery. The Giants will suffer from Randy Rodriguez continuing his rehab from Tommy John surgery while also having traded away key pieces at the deadline. Yet, the Giants seem to find ways to make the bullpen work, even if it is not lined with stars.

The Giants rotation includes three guys I assume will be in it come Opening Day: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp. All had fairly career-average years last season.

All that, of course, begs the question: Where will the Giants’ big increases in production come from in 2026?

If the Giants want to compete for the playoffs in 2026, they will need to be one of the most defensively sharp and situationally sound clubs in the majors. That seems to be the fringes the Giants can win over to make a big step forward in a positive direction.

Can Tony Vitello, in his first big league season as manager, get that type of buy-in from his players?

If he can, he deserves Manager of the Year.

Utah Mammoth game wrap: Mammoth Buried By Avalanche 4-2 In Return From Olympic Break

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Utah Mammoth Clayton Keller is a celebrated Olympian returning from the 2026 Winter Olympics to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wed Feb 25, 2026 (photo by Tom Walker-Sports Radio Service)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah Captain Clayton Keller was celebrated for his Team USA gold medal, but Colorado came out on top in return to NHL action. February 25, 2026 by Tom Walker

Three weeks ago the Utah Mammoth (30-23-4) wrapped up a trio of home games prior to the Olympic break with a dominating 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, giving Utah a 12-4-1 record in the new year. With play resuming Wednesday night at Delta Center against the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche (37-9-9), the Mammoth hoped to revive their momentum for the back half of the monthlong homestand which will also include games against the Minnesota Wild on Friday and the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. In a fluke of the schedule, Utah did not have a single road game the entire month of February.

One of the biggest questions entering Wednesday night’s contest was the impact on each team resulting from numerous players having recently returned from Olympic play in Milan. Mammoth captain Clayton Keller returned to Utah sporting gold for Team USA.

Olli Määttä brought home bronze for Finland, while JJ Peterka and Karel Vejmelka gained valuable experience while representing Germany and Czechia. Eight Avalanche players also participated in the 2026 Olympic games including gold medalist Brock Nelson, whose family has participated in each of the 3 Team USA gold medal squads going back to 1960 and 1980; Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews who represented Canada in their silver medal effort; and Määttä’s Finnish teammates Mikko Rantanen, Artturi Lehkonen, and Joel Kiviranta. Gabriel Landeskog also competed for Sweden.

Returning to the ice for the Mammoth from Injured Reserve were Logan Cooley, who had been out since December 5, and Alexander Kerfoot. In 29 games prior to his injury, Cooley had recorded 14 goals and 9 assists for 23 points. During Cooley’s absence, Utah went 16-11-1.

Shortly before game time, an Avalanche team spokesman told the Denver Post that Nathan MacKinnon would be scratched because of “maintenance.” We can safely rule out a hangover following a Team Canada victory celebration.

During the first TV timeout in the opening period, the Mammoth showed a video tribute to their Olympians on the Jumbotron, concluding with the entire ice sheet turned into an American flag as Clayton Keller and Team USA were honored to the roar of the crowd and the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.”

When play resumed, Colorado was able to put the puck past Vejmelka to seemingly take a 1-0 lead, but Utah successfully challenged for goaltender interference with the video replay clearly showing an Avalanche stick knocking the glove of Veggie just prior to the puck flying past him.

The Mammoth have been successful in 6 out of 7 coach’s challenges on the year. The first period ended in a scoreless draw as Vejmelka and Colorado netminder Scott Wedgewood each turned away eight shots.

The second period was anything but a scoreless draw. Colorado drew first blood at 3:26 on Parker Kelly’s 13th goal of the season, assisted by Brent Burns and Josh Manson. At 9:13, Victor Olofsson made it 2-0 with his 11th goal of the season, assisted by Sam Malinski and Kelly. Just past the halfway mark, Gabriel Landeskog was whistled for holding against Lawson Crouse which opened the door for Dylan Guenther to cut the deficit in half with his 26th goal of the season, a wicked one-timer top shelf blast over the right shoulder of Wedgewood, assisted by Mikhail Sergachev and Keller. 91 seconds later, Brock Nelson restored Colorado’s two-goal lead with his 30th of the season, assisted by Landeskog and Martin Nečas.

Exactly one minute later, Guenther went top shelf over the right shoulder of Wedgewood once again for his second of the game and 27th of the season, matching his career high which was set last season, courtesy of some great moves by Logan Cooley who brought the puck up the ice, with the further assist to Jack McBain, closing the gap to 3-2.

McBain gave the Avalanche a power play opportunity late in the period when he went to the sin bin for tripping Valeri Nichushkin, opening the door for Nečas to score his 23rd of the season on the power play, assisted by Cole Makar and Nichushkin, sending the teams to the locker room with Colorado leading 4-2.

If one missed the second period, one would never know that a goal had ever been scored because the third period was a replay of the first, with both netminders completely shutting down the opposition, albeit Wedgewood faced only three Mammoth shots compared with Vejmelka stopping 13 from the Avalanche.

With the win, Colorado takes the season series with Utah winning three of four. Each of the previous three matchups were decided by a single goal. Of the Olympians on the ice, the only points in the game came from Nelson with his goal, and Keller, Landeskog, and Makar each with an assist.

“I think no matter the result, we want to make sure that we get back to our game as quick as possible. I just don’t think that was us,” said Dylan Guenther in the locker room after the game. “I think just the little intangibles, the battles and stuff like that, but we actually did a better job in the third, but I think just getting back to how hard we have to work to win games.”

Asked about how it felt to be back on the ice after his long rehab, Cooley said, “Personally, it felt pretty good. It’s good to be back out there with the guys. It’s no fun sitting in the stands watching them, and it kind of felt like a long journey. There’s a lot of hard work that went into it, big thanks to the trainers and everyone, my family supported me coming back and it felt good to be back, but now it kind of shifts to the team and how we need to be better.” Coming off of the Olympic break, the Mammoth do not yet fully have their groove back. Cooley noted, “You could tell there was some rust out there, and I don’t think it was just small details. It was losing battles, not coming back quick enough, not defending in front, little things like that that are our identity and what makes us successful. And we didn’t do that tonight.” Talking about Guenther, Cooley said, “He’s a pure goal scorer, you know? He could score from anywhere. You just try to find him when you’re in the O-zone, and, like I said, he could score from anywhere. It’s so fun playing with him, so smart, and hopefully he can keep a few more coming here.”

Head coach André Tourigny began his post-game remarks by saying, “We played a good team, but I didn’t like our grind. I didn’t like our physicality. I thought we didn’t have the pace we should have in our zone and on the forecheck. I don’t think we were the fastest team tonight, and that’s what makes us special. We need to realize that and be much better next game. … There’s a lot of man-on-man, and you need to win those battles. If you don’t win those battles, you don’t possess the puck enough, and you obviously have to defend too much.” On Cooley’s return, Bear commented, “Like everybody else, I think I saw a lot of rust and tough decisions with the puck. Not playing fast at all with and without the puck.”

Utah (30-24-4) returns on Friday to face the Minnesota Wild (34-14-10) which sports a lineup including Matt Boldy, who scored the opening goal for Team USA in the gold medal match, and Quinn Hughes, who scored the game-winning overtime goal against Sweden in the Olympics quarterfinals.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Okorie can’t be stopped tops scorers with 34 in Stanford’s 75-67 win over Pitt

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Stanford Cardinal Ebuka Okorie (1)gets the throw down against the Pitt Panthers at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Feb 25, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Pitt’s defense had trouble handling Stanford’s leading scorer Ebuka Okorie (G) and his playmaking throughout the game?

#2 Which Stanford role players — such as Ebuka Okorie, Benny Gealer, Jeremy Dent-Smith and AJ Rohosy — made the biggest impact, and in what ways?

#3 What adjustments did Pitt need to make after Stanford’s early offensive runs, and were they effective later in the game?

#4 How did the performance of Stanford’s bench players Ryan Agarwal, Aidan Cammann, Oskar Giltay, Cameron Grant influence the flow of the final minutes?

#5 What were the key matchups — such as Pitt’s best rebounders vs. Stanford’s interior players like Rohosy — that determined control of the paint?

#6 Stanford hosts the SMU Mustangs who lost Wednesday to the Cal Bears and dropped their overall record 19-9. The Mustangs will be going into this game with a vengence do you see this being a tight game this Sat Feb 28th with a 3:00pm tip at Maples Pavilion.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva: Cal picks up 20th win and third straight win over SMU

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Cal Bears guard Justin Pippin (10) takes a jump shot against the SMU Mustangs at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Wed Feb 25, 2026 (photo by Michael Villanueva-Sports Radio Service)

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Michael a real nailbiter right down to the end and the Cal Bears Justin Pippin put the final touches with two free throws that keyed it for Cal with 12 second left in the game to give Cal a 72-69 lead and the win.

#2 SMU Mustangs came in the challenger with the same identicial record as Cal at 19-8 but it was the Bears who stayed ahead of the Mustangs for most of the game to come away with a three point win.

#3 Pippin who got those two final free throws also led Cal in socring with 24 points the Mustangs just couldn’t contain him on defense.

#4 Michael, the Bears Chris Bell followed finishing second in scoring with 20 points Bell was also intrumental coming away with Cal’s 20th win on the 25-26 campaign.

#5 Next up for Cal the Pitt Panthers who got beat by Stanfordo on Wednesday night 75-67 at Stanford. The Panthers are now 10-18 a struggling bunch who come to Haas Pavilion on Saturday for a 1:00pm matinee. Cal is on a roll they have won three in a row as Cal head coach Mark Madson picks up his first career win against SMU.

Michael Villanuevea does the Cal Bears podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears Win 3 in a Row, as they Beat SMU Mustangs, 73-69

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California Golden Bear forward (#2) John Camden drives to the basket for the slam against SMU Mustangs in the Haas Pavilion on February 25th, 2026, at Berkeley, California. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – The California Golden Bears hosted the SMU Mustangs on Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion, four days after the Bears’ big win over their school rival, Stanford last Saturday. The final score of that game was 72-66, so the Golden Bears were ready to stay golden on their home court.

Cal did exactly that as they beat the SMU Mustangs, 73-69 on Wednesday night, Bears forward Chris Bell scored his third straight 20 points or more game this season doing it in 22 games.

The last time the Mustangs and the Bears faced off was on February 26th, 2025, in Berkeley as the Mustangs got the win, 81-77. For California head coach Mark Madsen he was looking for his first win against SMU. As the Bears trail in the all-time series with the Mustangs, 1-4, noting that Cal has lost the last four in a row to SMU. However, things can change in a year, and all that would change Wedneday as the Bears were able to defeat the Mustangs.

Over the last ten games, both schools went 6-4 and are right on each other’s tail as the season gets closer to its end. Prior to the game Cal was sitting in ninth place while the Mustangs were ahead of them in eighth place. So both schools came into Haas Pavilion determined to win and help their school rank as high as possible before the Men’s ACC basketball tournament, which starts on March 10th through the 14th.

Cal started with Dai Dai Ames, Justin Pippen, John Camden, Bell, and Milos Ilic. Ames is averaging 17.1 points and shooting 47.2%. Over the past ten games, Camden has made 3.3 3-pointers on average. Camden is also top-25 in the nation on his 3-point shooting percentage at 42.4%, along with Pippen being in the top-75 in the nation in steals at 1.84 per game.

For the Mustangs, Kevin Miller averages 18.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 1.8 steals. Over the past ten games, Jaron Pierre Jr. has averaged 18.2 points. The Mustangs’ starting five were B.J. Edwards, Boopie Miller, Corey Washington, Samet Yigitglu, and Jaron Pierre Jr. This is SMU’s only meeting with Berkeley this season.

Camden got the balling going with a jumper, followed by back to back three pointers from Bell. Bell’s last home game four days ago he dropped 20 points against Stanford.

After the first five minutes of play, the score was 13-9, and the Bears led over the Mustangs due to Bell’s hot start. Altogether, Cal has already made five 3 three pointers. Cal is shooting above 50% in all categories while the Mustangs are shooting below 44%. Also, for two minutes, the Mustangs went scoreless, which helped the Bears hold the lead.

Ten minutes into play Bell made a strong cut to the basket on the baseline for a layup, forcing SMU coach Andy Enfield to call a timeout. The Bears increased their lead by seven, the score is now 20-13. Again, the Mustangs found themselves in another scoring drought for two minutes and a half minutes, so the Bears kept taking advantage and taking it to them. Bell at 13 points, led the team early in this game.

At half, the Bears held onto the lead, 38-33. However, it got physical and chippy between the two clubs. Both teams are were shooting, playing, and statistically in the same play pool as each other. Bell is leading the Bears still, but with 15 points, two rebounds, and one assist. Cal is playing cautious and smart with the ball as they know the Mustangs thrive on turnovers, so they have limited their turnovers with just four in the first half, while the Mustangs had six turnovers.

Coming back from their lockers, Pippen hit a midrange jumper to break the ice and in the second half is when SMU got things going. Cal had gone through a scoring drought for three minutes. During that drought, the Mustangs fought their way back, going on a 7-0 scoring run. With 13 minutes remaining in the game, the Mustangs got their first lead of the night at 46-45. Pippen was able to record his 23rd double-digit point in 26 games.

In the final ten minutes, Cal’s shooting took a wrong turn, like in the final half. The Bears were able to just make two three pointers compared to their five in the first half.

Camden was able to get a bucket to make it a total of three, and give the Bears back the lead at 53-50. Cal and SMU continue to go at it and exchange buckets against each other. SMU made a three, but Cal came right down the court to hit a three and get their fans back into the game.

In the final two minutes of the game, SMU forward Corey Washington scored seven points on his own to give the Mustangs back the lead at 65-64. Pippen would hit a midrange jumper to get the lead back to put the Bears in front 68-67.

Then, later, after SMU couldn’t get a basket, Pippen smartly drew a foul to send him to the free-throw line. He would make both of them and push the lead by three points, 70-67. Cal would end up finishing and taking home the win.

Cal went onto another win on their home floor, as they and SMU switch places in the ACC standings. Cal picking up their 20th win and SMU taking their tenth loss.

The Golden Bears are now in eighth place while the Mustangs move down to the ninth seed. This win was also Cal head coach Mark Madsen’s first career win against SMU as Cal now jumps to three straight wins in a row.

The Bears will return right back in the Haas Pavilion on Saturday, Feb. 28th, 2026, at 1 p.m for Senior Day. Cal will host the Pittsburgh Panthers and hopefully look to take the lead in the all-time series lead which currently stands at 2-2. Pittsburgh has won the last two meetings over Cal.

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal held the Panthers at bay 75-67, inside Maples Pavilion; Okorie 34

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Stanford Cardinal Ebuka Okorie (1) drives on Pitt Panthers guard DeMarco Minor (7) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Feb 25, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Freshman Phenom Ebuka Okorie’s 34 points led his Stanford Cardinal 17-11. 6-9 ACC) to a hard fought victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers (10-18, 3-12 ACC) 75-67, in Atlantic Coast Conference action, on a Wednesday Afternoon on the Farm.

The visiting cats from the Steel City got the conference contest started with the first four points of the game, before Stanford could even activate the scoreboard.  Although the Panthers would be in the lead for more than 17 minutes, there was a very competitive exchange of being in front by both teams.  Eight lead changes took place within the first 20 minutes of the game, and only one time tied.

Pitt led by as many as seven points, while Stanford could only get in front by one point.  The Panthers shot %6% from the floor, and 38% from Three.  They shot a respectable 75% from the free throw line.  Stanford, on the other hand, was 48% from the floor, 57% beyond the arc, and perfect from the “charity stripe.”

With all the excitement and back and forth scoring, the felines from the Quaker State were able to hold on to a two-point lead at recess, 34-32.  Both teams had one player to reach double-figures in scoring.  Benny Gealer topped the Cardinal, with 10 points, while senior forward Cameron Corhen led the Panthers with 14 points and six rebounds.

In the second half, Stanford scored the first points, on Okorie free throws.  There would be more see/saw action in the final 20-minute block.  There were four more ties and seven more lead changes.  The Cardinal got out in front by as many as eight points late in the the half, and that was the final margin at the final horn.

However, before that was the outcome, Stanford had to withstand an 11-0 run by the Panthers.  They were able to perform an 11-1 run of their own to put them back in the driver’s seat.  During this frenetic stretch, Okorie exploded for 28 second half points, willing his team to victory.

Stanford managed to shoot at a higher clip from the field, and remained perfect from the free throw line.  Whereas, the Panthers shot significantly worse in the second stanza, as well as from the freebee zone.  The Cardinal’s defense can take some credit for those dismal numbers.

When the 40 minutes of gametime elapsed, the Cardinal responded from their previous loss and pulled out a gutsy victory at home by eight points, 75-67.

Okorie led all scorers with 34 points, six assists and six rebounds.  The aforementioned Gealer gave his team 12 points, while Aidan Cammann added 11.  Cameron Corhen topped the Panthers with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists.  Barry Dunning  Jr. offered 19 points and five rebounds. and Nojus Indrusaitis put up 10 points for the cause.

Stanford will next be in action Saturday, February 28 inside Maples on Senior Day, hosting the SMU Mustangs at 3 PM PT on the ACC Network.  the Panthers traverse across the Bay to Berkeley to face Cal on the same date at 1 PM PT on the same network.

Kings Get Rocked By Houston Losing 128-97; 17th loss out of last 18 for Sac

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By Barbara Mason

After finally breaking their 16-game losing streak in Memphis on Monday the Sacramento Kings (13-47)traveled to Houston losing to the Houston Rockets (36-21) in a blow-out. At one time in the game the Kings trailed by 36 points, getting beat 128-97.

Russell Westbrook had the team high of 22 points. The team suffered another injury when Keegan Murray appeared to have re-injured his ankle limping off the court in the first quarter. It is not known if he will take the court Thursday in Dallas but chances are that he will not.

Game recap: Houston smothered the Kings in the opening quarter of this game 33-22 setting the stage for what could turn out to be a dominating first half of basketball. It got even worse for Sacramento in the second quarter still dragging, getting outscored by Houston 44-28 and trailing at the half 77-50. It was a totally uninspiring first half of basketball for the Kings. They could not get any sort of rhythm going in the first half.

The only King who had anything going in the first half was Russell Westbrook. He had double digits at the half taking a lot of shots trying to carry his team: he really hustled in the opening quarter carrying it into the second quarter.

Sacramento just could not get into any sort of rhythm going and to make things more taxing, Keegan Murray left the game with 3:23 left in the first quarter with a left ankle injury. He limped off the court and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

He had recently struggled with a recent left ankle injury and this marked another Sacramento starter out. This was only his fourth game back after a 20-game absence due to the left ankle injury and this appears to be a recurrence of that injury.

The Rockets with a 27-point lead at the half were cruising. Sacramento had a better third quarter but trailing by 27 points to start the second half they needed a whole lot more. The Rockets outscored them in the quarter 31-26 taking a 107-76 lead into the fourth quarter. The largest lead in the game for Houston was 36 points. They took care of business early and never looked back.

The Kings did outscore the Rockets in the final quarter 21-20 falling to Houston 128-97. Sacramento protected the ball well committing only 12 turnovers. They got scorched in the field and only hit seven shots from beyond the arc while the Rockets had 17 in this game. Again Russell Westbrook had the team high with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Maxime Raynaud finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Nique Clifford had a great game off the bench finishing with 15 points.

As expected the trio of Kevin Durant, Alperon Sengun and Reed Sheppard finished off the Kings. Sheppard had the game high with 28 points, Sengun with 26 and Durant with 21. Sengun had a triple-double with 13 rebounds and 11 assists. All three of these guys were on fire controlling the pace from start to finish.

Game notes: Monday evening the Kings broke an unimaginable losing streak, their longest in franchise history at 16 beating the Memphis Grizzlies 123-114. Wednesday night the Kings faced the third place team in the Western Conference, the Rockets.

The Kings were without three of their starters and Dylan Cardwell remains out with an ankle injury with a possible return date of March 19th. Although Keegan Murray had been listed out with an ankle issue he did take the court in this game. The Rockets have Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet on the injured list.

This was a real test for Sacramento taking on one of the best teams in the Western Conference attempting to contain Kevin Durant, Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun. Monday night, the Rockets took it to the Utah Jazz 125-105 at home and Wednesday night the Rockets picked up another win.

It will be a quick turnaround for Sacramento traveling up to Dallas for a matchup with the Mavericks Thursday night. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Barracuda sweep Wranglers in 4-2 sweep

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San Jose Barracuda vs Calgary Wranglers on Wednesdy February 25th at Scotiabank Saddledone (via sjbarracuda)

By Madison Montez

On the first shot of the game, Patrick Giles scored a shorthanded goal to put the Barracuda up and give them an early 1-0 lead. This would be the first goal in San Jose’s 4-2 win.To extend their lead, Mattias Havelid scored his fourth of the season. 35 seconds after their powerplay started, Calgary cut San Jose’s lead in half to make it a 2-1 game. Aydar Suniev scoring his sixth powerplay goal of the season.

In his season debut, Calgary’s Ryan Chyzowski scored his first AHL goal this season to tie the game at 2-2. 22 seconds later, Oliver Wahlstrom retook San Jose’s lead with his nineteenth goal of the season. Extending their lead even further to 4-2 when Egor Afanasyev scored his eleventh goal of the season.

After the first period, San Jose outshot Calgary twelve to six. After the second period, San Jose outshot Calgary thirteen to nine. Lastly, after the third period, San Jose outshot Calgary again thirteen to nine.

Special teams were important in tonights game. Both teams took advantage of their special teams opportunities in tonights game. San Jose went 0 for 3 on the powerplay while Calgary went 1 for 4.

Gabriel Carriere got the start for San Jose tonight. Making 22 saves 24 on shots, Carriere recorded tonights win. Ivan Prosvetov got the start for Calgary tonight. Making 34 saves on 38 shots, Prosvetov recorded tonights loss.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  1. Egor Afanasyev
  2. Jimmy Huntington
  3. Ryan Chyzowski

The Barracuda will be back in action on Saturday February 28th where they will host the Tucson Roadrunners for a one game series. The last time these two teams faced off was on Saturday January 17th where the Barracuda won 4-3 in overtime.

Categories AHL

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor: Warriors tip off against Grizzlies in second road game of trip

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors guard De’anthony Melton (8) and forward Draymond Green (23) in the first half at Smoothie Kings Arena in New Orleans on Tue Feb 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor:

#1 How do you see the Warriors performing against the Memphis Grizzlies on tonight, and what will the key takeaways be from that game?

#2 What impact is the current injury situation — including Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porziņģis, De’Anthony Melton, and others — having on the Warriors’ rotation and playoff hopes?

#3 How will Kristaps Porziņģis’ expected return potentially against the Lakers Saturday affect the Warriors’ lineup and strategy moving forward?

Join David Zizmor for the Golden State Warriors podcasts now moving to Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: American Ice Hockey Olympic star awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

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Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save against Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sun Feb 15, 2026 in Milan Italy (AP News photo)

American Ice Hockey Olympic star awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

On July 7, 2022, President Joe Biden awarded Simone Biles the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her athletic achievements, winning the Gold Medal at the Olympics, the nation’s highest civilian honor. American Olympic stars who made the country proud are favorites for US Presidents to present this type of award, and it happens more often than most people think.

Most recently Connor Hellebuyck , the goalie for the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as announced to the nation by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address, his first in his second term.

Hellebuyck made 41 saves to lead Team USA to a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the gold medal game of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter The American team’s defense was key in their victory during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Hellebuyck’s performance was crucial in securing the U.S. men’s team’s first Olympic gold since 1980, stopping 41 of 42 shots.

The now world-famous goalie Hellebuyck (#37) is the primary starting goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets as of February 2026, known for his elite, award-winning play and recent Olympic participation. Hellebuyck is recognized as one of the top goalies in the NHL, having won multiple Vezina Trophies.

If you wonder why it is uncommon for a sitting US President to give an award to a US athlete, is this unusual? It is not, in fact, the previous US President, Joe Biden, who also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to US Olympic hero Simone Biles and others, such as world-famous chef José Andrés.

The President of the United States can award this medal to any American who contributes to the United States in any walk of life, for his/her contributions to the country. Although Hellebuyck plays professionally for the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL, he is an American who was born in Michigan.

The recipient of this award must be born in the US. Of the 32 National Hockey League teams (considered the premier professional league in this sport in the world), seven (7) are based in Canada. Hellebuycks’s Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Montréal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

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