Deadspin | Wisconsin G John Blackwell to test portal, NBA draft interest Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is entering the transfer portal with plans to gauge interest during the NBA draft process. Blackwell told ESPN on Monday that he made the decision based on his desire to compete for a national championship. Blackwell, a shooting guard with the Badgers, had 20-plus points in 16 of Wisconsin’s 35 total games this season. He has played a total of 105 games in his three college seasons in Madison. He averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He scored 34 points against Washington in the third round of the Big Ten tournament and 31 in Wisconsin’s quarterfinals victory over Illinois. On the season, he shot 38.9% from 3-point range. He is from Bloomfield, Mich., and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has excessively praised Blackwell before and after their recent matchups. Blackwell would also be a fit in Ann Arbor with Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan as the Wolverines enter the 2026 national title game. “I’m looking for a place where I can enhance my skills for the NBA and a place where I can compete for a national championship,” Blackwell said. “A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.” ESPN reported Blackwell plans to participate in pre-draft camps to test his value to NBA teams before his final decision on a new direction is made at the end of the month. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Wisconsin #John #Blackwell #test #portal #NBA #draft #interest

Deadspin | Wisconsin G John Blackwell to test portal, NBA draft interest
Deadspin | Wisconsin G John Blackwell to test portal, NBA draft interest Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is entering the transfer portal with plans to gauge interest during the NBA draft process. Blackwell told ESPN on Monday that he made the decision based on his desire to compete for a national championship. Blackwell, a shooting guard with the Badgers, had 20-plus points in 16 of Wisconsin’s 35 total games this season. He has played a total of 105 games in his three college seasons in Madison. He averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He scored 34 points against Washington in the third round of the Big Ten tournament and 31 in Wisconsin’s quarterfinals victory over Illinois. On the season, he shot 38.9% from 3-point range. He is from Bloomfield, Mich., and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has excessively praised Blackwell before and after their recent matchups. Blackwell would also be a fit in Ann Arbor with Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan as the Wolverines enter the 2026 national title game. “I’m looking for a place where I can enhance my skills for the NBA and a place where I can compete for a national championship,” Blackwell said. “A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.” ESPN reported Blackwell plans to participate in pre-draft camps to test his value to NBA teams before his final decision on a new direction is made at the end of the month. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Wisconsin #John #Blackwell #test #portal #NBA #draft #interestMar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is entering the transfer portal with plans to gauge interest during the NBA draft process.

Blackwell told ESPN on Monday that he made the decision based on his desire to compete for a national championship.

Blackwell, a shooting guard with the Badgers, had 20-plus points in 16 of Wisconsin’s 35 total games this season. He has played a total of 105 games in his three college seasons in Madison.


He averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He scored 34 points against Washington in the third round of the Big Ten tournament and 31 in Wisconsin’s quarterfinals victory over Illinois.

On the season, he shot 38.9% from 3-point range. He is from Bloomfield, Mich., and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has excessively praised Blackwell before and after their recent matchups. Blackwell would also be a fit in Ann Arbor with Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan as the Wolverines enter the 2026 national title game.

“I’m looking for a place where I can enhance my skills for the NBA and a place where I can compete for a national championship,” Blackwell said. “A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.”

ESPN reported Blackwell plans to participate in pre-draft camps to test his value to NBA teams before his final decision on a new direction is made at the end of the month.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Wisconsin #John #Blackwell #test #portal #NBA #draft #interest

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Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is entering the transfer portal with plans to gauge interest during the NBA draft process.

Blackwell told ESPN on Monday that he made the decision based on his desire to compete for a national championship.

Blackwell, a shooting guard with the Badgers, had 20-plus points in 16 of Wisconsin’s 35 total games this season. He has played a total of 105 games in his three college seasons in Madison.

He averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He scored 34 points against Washington in the third round of the Big Ten tournament and 31 in Wisconsin’s quarterfinals victory over Illinois.

On the season, he shot 38.9% from 3-point range. He is from Bloomfield, Mich., and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has excessively praised Blackwell before and after their recent matchups. Blackwell would also be a fit in Ann Arbor with Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan as the Wolverines enter the 2026 national title game.

“I’m looking for a place where I can enhance my skills for the NBA and a place where I can compete for a national championship,” Blackwell said. “A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.”

ESPN reported Blackwell plans to participate in pre-draft camps to test his value to NBA teams before his final decision on a new direction is made at the end of the month.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Brandon Williamson, Reds combine for three-hit shutout of Marlins Apr 6, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Brandon Williamson pitched 6 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, and hometown hero Sal Stewart stroked an RBI single as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the host Miami Marlins 2-0 on Monday night. Cincinnati, which has won four straight games, also got a home run from Tyler Stephenson. Williamson (1-1) lowered his ERA from 11.57 to 4.76 as he allowed just three hits and one walk. Stewart, a Miami native, had an eventful day that included a stolen base. He was also thrown out trying to advance from second to third on a groundout. Emilio Pagan pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, earning his fourth save of the year. Miami was held to just three hits, a triple and two singles. Marlins starter Janson Junk (0-1) was solid in 7 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits, one walk and two runs. Cincinnati threatened in the opening frame as the first two batters reached — TJ Friedl singled, and Matt McLain walked. But Junk got out of the jam by getting Elly De La Cruz on a lineout and Stewart on a double-play grounder. Cincinnati opened the scoring in the fourth as De La Cruz doubled past diving second baseman Leo Jimenez and scored on Stewart’s RBI single, which was smoked to center at 103 mph. The Reds may have gotten more out of that rally but Stewart got thrown out at third base as he tried to advance on a grounder by Eugenio Suarez. Credit first baseman Connor Norby with a bullet throw to get Stewart at third. With two outs in the sixth, Agustin Ramirez tripled off the top of the wall in right, a 360-foot, opposite-field poke. It was just the second triple in Ramirez’s brief MLB career, but he was stranded when Jakob Marsee struck out swinging at a 2-2 sweeper that was low and out of the zone. In the seventh, Otto Lopez singled, and, with two outs, lefty reliever Brock Burke came on and struck out Xavier Edwards looking at a 95-mph fastball in the zone. Stephenson made it 2-0 in the eighth as he slugged a hanging slider over the fence in left, and Miami’s offense never got untracked against Tony Santillan (eighth inning) or Pagan. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brandon #Williamson #Reds #combine #threehit #shutout #MarlinsApr 6, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Brandon Williamson pitched 6 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, and hometown hero Sal Stewart stroked an RBI single as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the host Miami Marlins 2-0 on Monday night.

Cincinnati, which has won four straight games, also got a home run from Tyler Stephenson.

Williamson (1-1) lowered his ERA from 11.57 to 4.76 as he allowed just three hits and one walk.

Stewart, a Miami native, had an eventful day that included a stolen base. He was also thrown out trying to advance from second to third on a groundout.

Emilio Pagan pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, earning his fourth save of the year.

Miami was held to just three hits, a triple and two singles.


Marlins starter Janson Junk (0-1) was solid in 7 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits, one walk and two runs.

Cincinnati threatened in the opening frame as the first two batters reached — TJ Friedl singled, and Matt McLain walked. But Junk got out of the jam by getting Elly De La Cruz on a lineout and Stewart on a double-play grounder.

Cincinnati opened the scoring in the fourth as De La Cruz doubled past diving second baseman Leo Jimenez and scored on Stewart’s RBI single, which was smoked to center at 103 mph.

The Reds may have gotten more out of that rally but Stewart got thrown out at third base as he tried to advance on a grounder by Eugenio Suarez. Credit first baseman Connor Norby with a bullet throw to get Stewart at third.

With two outs in the sixth, Agustin Ramirez tripled off the top of the wall in right, a 360-foot, opposite-field poke. It was just the second triple in Ramirez’s brief MLB career, but he was stranded when Jakob Marsee struck out swinging at a 2-2 sweeper that was low and out of the zone.

In the seventh, Otto Lopez singled, and, with two outs, lefty reliever Brock Burke came on and struck out Xavier Edwards looking at a 95-mph fastball in the zone.

Stephenson made it 2-0 in the eighth as he slugged a hanging slider over the fence in left, and Miami’s offense never got untracked against Tony Santillan (eighth inning) or Pagan.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brandon #Williamson #Reds #combine #threehit #shutout #Marlins">Deadspin | Brandon Williamson, Reds combine for three-hit shutout of Marlins Apr 6, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Brandon Williamson pitched 6 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, and hometown hero Sal Stewart stroked an RBI single as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the host Miami Marlins 2-0 on Monday night. Cincinnati, which has won four straight games, also got a home run from Tyler Stephenson. Williamson (1-1) lowered his ERA from 11.57 to 4.76 as he allowed just three hits and one walk. Stewart, a Miami native, had an eventful day that included a stolen base. He was also thrown out trying to advance from second to third on a groundout. Emilio Pagan pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, earning his fourth save of the year. Miami was held to just three hits, a triple and two singles. Marlins starter Janson Junk (0-1) was solid in 7 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits, one walk and two runs. Cincinnati threatened in the opening frame as the first two batters reached — TJ Friedl singled, and Matt McLain walked. But Junk got out of the jam by getting Elly De La Cruz on a lineout and Stewart on a double-play grounder. Cincinnati opened the scoring in the fourth as De La Cruz doubled past diving second baseman Leo Jimenez and scored on Stewart’s RBI single, which was smoked to center at 103 mph. The Reds may have gotten more out of that rally but Stewart got thrown out at third base as he tried to advance on a grounder by Eugenio Suarez. Credit first baseman Connor Norby with a bullet throw to get Stewart at third. With two outs in the sixth, Agustin Ramirez tripled off the top of the wall in right, a 360-foot, opposite-field poke. It was just the second triple in Ramirez’s brief MLB career, but he was stranded when Jakob Marsee struck out swinging at a 2-2 sweeper that was low and out of the zone. In the seventh, Otto Lopez singled, and, with two outs, lefty reliever Brock Burke came on and struck out Xavier Edwards looking at a 95-mph fastball in the zone. Stephenson made it 2-0 in the eighth as he slugged a hanging slider over the fence in left, and Miami’s offense never got untracked against Tony Santillan (eighth inning) or Pagan. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brandon #Williamson #Reds #combine #threehit #shutout #Marlins

Deadspin | Michael Wacha earns win as Royals down Guardians Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images Carter Jensen hit a go-ahead, solo homer in the sixth inning and Jonathan India belted a two-run shot in the eighth, lifting the visiting Kansas City Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night. Jensen drove a fastball into the right field stands off rookie Peyton Pallette (0-1), giving the Royals their first lead at 2-1. India, who had an RBI single in the fourth, took Kolby Allard deep to left two innings later to plate Jensen and make it 4-1. Michael Wacha (1-0) pitched seven strong innings, giving up one run on a homer to Steven Kwan as part of three hits. The right-hander had three strikeouts and three walks as Kansas City won the opener of the three-game series. Lucas Erceg earned his third save in three opportunities with a clean ninth. Brayan Rocchio had a solo homer off Matt Strahm in the eighth for the Guardians, who only advanced two runners past second base. Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez appeared in his franchise-record 1,620th game, walking twice and going 0-for-2. The seven-time All-Star, who has spent all 14 of his major league seasons with the Indians/Guardians, surpassed Terry Turner for the mark. Kwan gave the Guardians a 1-0 lead in the third with his first homer since Sept. 21, 2025, a 381-foot shot that hooked inside the foul pole in left. It was the initial run allowed by Wacha in 8 2/3 innings to begin the season. Kansas City tied it in the fourth on India’s sharp, two-out single that scored Vinnie Pasquantino. Guardians starter Tanner Bibee appeared to end the frame one batter earlier when he struck out Jensen, but the wild pitch evaded catcher Bo Naylor. Bibee gave up one run in 4 2/3 innings, striking out three with a walk. The right-hander was visibly displeased when manager Stephen Vogt removed him with two on and one out, but Tim Herrin entered and retired Pasquantino. Cleveland shortstop Gabriel Arias exited in the fifth with left hamstring tightness, injuring himself while running to second base with a double. Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Jensen and India each had two hits for Kansas City, while Kwan accounted for half of the Guardians’ total output of four hits. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Michael #Wacha #earns #win #Royals #GuardiansApr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

Carter Jensen hit a go-ahead, solo homer in the sixth inning and Jonathan India belted a two-run shot in the eighth, lifting the visiting Kansas City Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night.

Jensen drove a fastball into the right field stands off rookie Peyton Pallette (0-1), giving the Royals their first lead at 2-1. India, who had an RBI single in the fourth, took Kolby Allard deep to left two innings later to plate Jensen and make it 4-1.

Michael Wacha (1-0) pitched seven strong innings, giving up one run on a homer to Steven Kwan as part of three hits. The right-hander had three strikeouts and three walks as Kansas City won the opener of the three-game series.

Lucas Erceg earned his third save in three opportunities with a clean ninth. Brayan Rocchio had a solo homer off Matt Strahm in the eighth for the Guardians, who only advanced two runners past second base.

Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez appeared in his franchise-record 1,620th game, walking twice and going 0-for-2. The seven-time All-Star, who has spent all 14 of his major league seasons with the Indians/Guardians, surpassed Terry Turner for the mark.


Kwan gave the Guardians a 1-0 lead in the third with his first homer since Sept. 21, 2025, a 381-foot shot that hooked inside the foul pole in left. It was the initial run allowed by Wacha in 8 2/3 innings to begin the season.

Kansas City tied it in the fourth on India’s sharp, two-out single that scored Vinnie Pasquantino. Guardians starter Tanner Bibee appeared to end the frame one batter earlier when he struck out Jensen, but the wild pitch evaded catcher Bo Naylor.

Bibee gave up one run in 4 2/3 innings, striking out three with a walk. The right-hander was visibly displeased when manager Stephen Vogt removed him with two on and one out, but Tim Herrin entered and retired Pasquantino.

Cleveland shortstop Gabriel Arias exited in the fifth with left hamstring tightness, injuring himself while running to second base with a double.

Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Jensen and India each had two hits for Kansas City, while Kwan accounted for half of the Guardians’ total output of four hits.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Michael #Wacha #earns #win #Royals #Guardians">Deadspin | Michael Wacha earns win as Royals down Guardians Apr 6, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) delivers during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images Carter Jensen hit a go-ahead, solo homer in the sixth inning and Jonathan India belted a two-run shot in the eighth, lifting the visiting Kansas City Royals to a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night. Jensen drove a fastball into the right field stands off rookie Peyton Pallette (0-1), giving the Royals their first lead at 2-1. India, who had an RBI single in the fourth, took Kolby Allard deep to left two innings later to plate Jensen and make it 4-1. Michael Wacha (1-0) pitched seven strong innings, giving up one run on a homer to Steven Kwan as part of three hits. The right-hander had three strikeouts and three walks as Kansas City won the opener of the three-game series. Lucas Erceg earned his third save in three opportunities with a clean ninth. Brayan Rocchio had a solo homer off Matt Strahm in the eighth for the Guardians, who only advanced two runners past second base. Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez appeared in his franchise-record 1,620th game, walking twice and going 0-for-2. The seven-time All-Star, who has spent all 14 of his major league seasons with the Indians/Guardians, surpassed Terry Turner for the mark. Kwan gave the Guardians a 1-0 lead in the third with his first homer since Sept. 21, 2025, a 381-foot shot that hooked inside the foul pole in left. It was the initial run allowed by Wacha in 8 2/3 innings to begin the season. Kansas City tied it in the fourth on India’s sharp, two-out single that scored Vinnie Pasquantino. Guardians starter Tanner Bibee appeared to end the frame one batter earlier when he struck out Jensen, but the wild pitch evaded catcher Bo Naylor. Bibee gave up one run in 4 2/3 innings, striking out three with a walk. The right-hander was visibly displeased when manager Stephen Vogt removed him with two on and one out, but Tim Herrin entered and retired Pasquantino. Cleveland shortstop Gabriel Arias exited in the fifth with left hamstring tightness, injuring himself while running to second base with a double. Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Jensen and India each had two hits for Kansas City, while Kwan accounted for half of the Guardians’ total output of four hits. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Michael #Wacha #earns #win #Royals #Guardians

Deadspin | Goal is to get Stephen Curry in peak form as Warriors face Kings Apr 5, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) makes a shot over Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate (8) and guard Aaron Holiday (0) in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images The Golden State Warriors embark upon the Stephen Curry management portion of their schedule when they take on the Sacramento Kings in San Francisco on Tuesday night to tip off a stretch of four games in six days to close out the regular season. Curry returned from a two-month absence caused by a sore right knee with a crowd-pleasing performance Sunday against the Houston Rockets, going for 29 points in 26 minutes off the bench in a 117-116 home loss. The defeat entrenched Golden State (36-42) in 10th place in the West, from where it would have to beat consecutive opponents on the road in the upcoming play-in contests in order to make the eight-team Western Conference playoffs. While noting that Curry would return to the starting lineup by the time the Warriors enter the must-win games next week, Golden State coach Steve Kerr indicated after the Sunday loss that the next four contests would serve as opportunities to find the most compatible combinations, especially with Kristaps Porzingis a relative newcomer to the team as well. “We wanted to get Draymond (Green) and Steph together for obvious reasons, so we changed some of the other rotations to fit Steph,” Kerr said of adjustments he had to make by not starting his star point guard against the Rockets. “Obviously this won’t last for long. He’ll be in the starting lineup soon. I’m not sure when just based on minutes.” Playing four games in six days will factor into how much guys such as Curry, Green and Porzingis play this week, as well as the best possible time for Al Horford to return from a soleus injury. The Warriors have a back-to-back Thursday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers and Friday at Sacramento. Despite missing a potential game-winning 30-footer at the final horn, Curry felt great about the overall outcome of his first night back. “That group that we had down the stretch, it felt like old times,” Curry said after the game. “Just reading the defense, the overreact to me on the perimeter, (Gary Payton II) going to the bucket, Draymond’s finding guys. … It was awesome.” The Kings (21-58) enter the final week of the season tied with Utah Jazz for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. The three teams with the fewest wins will arrive at the draft lottery with the best odds of landing the first pick. Sacramento has four more wins than the Washington Wizards, three more than the Indiana Pacers and two more than the Brooklyn Nets. Other than the two meetings with Golden State, the Kings will play at Portland on Sunday to complete the regular season. Sacramento hurt its odds by winning twice last week — 123-115 at Toronto on Wednesday and 117-113 at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The Kings were thumped 138-109 by the visiting Los Angeles Clippers in their most recent game on Sunday. One thing left for the Kings to achieve would be helping center Maxime Raynaud earn NBA All-Rookie first-team honors. The former Stanford star was voted the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March and has since had a 28-point game against the Pelicans last week. “He smashed through the ceiling,” Kings coach Doug Christie said. “The kid is ready, and he wants the opportunity to continue to improve. Sometimes you get an opportunity and you’re not ready to seize it, but he has seized the opportunity.” Raynaud is averaging 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds and shooting 56.7% from the field in 71 games (53 starts). He has 18 double-doubles. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Goal #Stephen #Curry #peak #form #Warriors #face #KingsApr 5, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) makes a shot over Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate (8) and guard Aaron Holiday (0) in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors embark upon the Stephen Curry management portion of their schedule when they take on the Sacramento Kings in San Francisco on Tuesday night to tip off a stretch of four games in six days to close out the regular season.

Curry returned from a two-month absence caused by a sore right knee with a crowd-pleasing performance Sunday against the Houston Rockets, going for 29 points in 26 minutes off the bench in a 117-116 home loss.

The defeat entrenched Golden State (36-42) in 10th place in the West, from where it would have to beat consecutive opponents on the road in the upcoming play-in contests in order to make the eight-team Western Conference playoffs.

While noting that Curry would return to the starting lineup by the time the Warriors enter the must-win games next week, Golden State coach Steve Kerr indicated after the Sunday loss that the next four contests would serve as opportunities to find the most compatible combinations, especially with Kristaps Porzingis a relative newcomer to the team as well.

“We wanted to get Draymond (Green) and Steph together for obvious reasons, so we changed some of the other rotations to fit Steph,” Kerr said of adjustments he had to make by not starting his star point guard against the Rockets. “Obviously this won’t last for long. He’ll be in the starting lineup soon. I’m not sure when just based on minutes.”

Playing four games in six days will factor into how much guys such as Curry, Green and Porzingis play this week, as well as the best possible time for Al Horford to return from a soleus injury. The Warriors have a back-to-back Thursday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers and Friday at Sacramento.

Despite missing a potential game-winning 30-footer at the final horn, Curry felt great about the overall outcome of his first night back.

“That group that we had down the stretch, it felt like old times,” Curry said after the game. “Just reading the defense, the overreact to me on the perimeter, (Gary Payton II) going to the bucket, Draymond’s finding guys. … It was awesome.”


The Kings (21-58) enter the final week of the season tied with Utah Jazz for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. The three teams with the fewest wins will arrive at the draft lottery with the best odds of landing the first pick.

Sacramento has four more wins than the Washington Wizards, three more than the Indiana Pacers and two more than the Brooklyn Nets.

Other than the two meetings with Golden State, the Kings will play at Portland on Sunday to complete the regular season.

Sacramento hurt its odds by winning twice last week — 123-115 at Toronto on Wednesday and 117-113 at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The Kings were thumped 138-109 by the visiting Los Angeles Clippers in their most recent game on Sunday.

One thing left for the Kings to achieve would be helping center Maxime Raynaud earn NBA All-Rookie first-team honors.

The former Stanford star was voted the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March and has since had a 28-point game against the Pelicans last week.

“He smashed through the ceiling,” Kings coach Doug Christie said. “The kid is ready, and he wants the opportunity to continue to improve. Sometimes you get an opportunity and you’re not ready to seize it, but he has seized the opportunity.”

Raynaud is averaging 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds and shooting 56.7% from the field in 71 games (53 starts). He has 18 double-doubles.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Goal #Stephen #Curry #peak #form #Warriors #face #Kings">Deadspin | Goal is to get Stephen Curry in peak form as Warriors face Kings Apr 5, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) makes a shot over Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate (8) and guard Aaron Holiday (0) in the third quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images The Golden State Warriors embark upon the Stephen Curry management portion of their schedule when they take on the Sacramento Kings in San Francisco on Tuesday night to tip off a stretch of four games in six days to close out the regular season. Curry returned from a two-month absence caused by a sore right knee with a crowd-pleasing performance Sunday against the Houston Rockets, going for 29 points in 26 minutes off the bench in a 117-116 home loss. The defeat entrenched Golden State (36-42) in 10th place in the West, from where it would have to beat consecutive opponents on the road in the upcoming play-in contests in order to make the eight-team Western Conference playoffs. While noting that Curry would return to the starting lineup by the time the Warriors enter the must-win games next week, Golden State coach Steve Kerr indicated after the Sunday loss that the next four contests would serve as opportunities to find the most compatible combinations, especially with Kristaps Porzingis a relative newcomer to the team as well. “We wanted to get Draymond (Green) and Steph together for obvious reasons, so we changed some of the other rotations to fit Steph,” Kerr said of adjustments he had to make by not starting his star point guard against the Rockets. “Obviously this won’t last for long. He’ll be in the starting lineup soon. I’m not sure when just based on minutes.” Playing four games in six days will factor into how much guys such as Curry, Green and Porzingis play this week, as well as the best possible time for Al Horford to return from a soleus injury. The Warriors have a back-to-back Thursday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers and Friday at Sacramento. Despite missing a potential game-winning 30-footer at the final horn, Curry felt great about the overall outcome of his first night back. “That group that we had down the stretch, it felt like old times,” Curry said after the game. “Just reading the defense, the overreact to me on the perimeter, (Gary Payton II) going to the bucket, Draymond’s finding guys. … It was awesome.” The Kings (21-58) enter the final week of the season tied with Utah Jazz for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. The three teams with the fewest wins will arrive at the draft lottery with the best odds of landing the first pick. Sacramento has four more wins than the Washington Wizards, three more than the Indiana Pacers and two more than the Brooklyn Nets. Other than the two meetings with Golden State, the Kings will play at Portland on Sunday to complete the regular season. Sacramento hurt its odds by winning twice last week — 123-115 at Toronto on Wednesday and 117-113 at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The Kings were thumped 138-109 by the visiting Los Angeles Clippers in their most recent game on Sunday. One thing left for the Kings to achieve would be helping center Maxime Raynaud earn NBA All-Rookie first-team honors. The former Stanford star was voted the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March and has since had a 28-point game against the Pelicans last week. “He smashed through the ceiling,” Kings coach Doug Christie said. “The kid is ready, and he wants the opportunity to continue to improve. Sometimes you get an opportunity and you’re not ready to seize it, but he has seized the opportunity.” Raynaud is averaging 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds and shooting 56.7% from the field in 71 games (53 starts). He has 18 double-doubles. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Goal #Stephen #Curry #peak #form #Warriors #face #Kings

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