LEBRON JAMES ONE WIN FROM BREAKING KAREEM’S ALL-TIME NBA WINS RECORD
The Lakers seek their 50th win of the season while the Cavaliers aim to spoil LeBron’s record-breaking night in LA.
_1774992530.webp)
Tuesday night will see the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home court in California.
The Lakers come into this game after a solid 120-101 win against the Washington Wizards, also on their home floor.
LeBron James stood out with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, and a block. He shot 8 of 16 from the field, including 1 of 3 from beyond the arc, playing 33 minutes.
For the upcoming game, the Lakers have listed James as questionable due to injury management.
Chris Fedor from Cleveland.com noted that LeBron is questionable for tonight’s matchup against the Cavaliers, marking Cleveland’s only regular-season visit to his home arena this year.
Looking at James’s season overall, he’s averaging 20.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting splits are 51.2% from the field and 31.4% from three-point range across 54 games. At 41, his level of play remains impressively high, ranking among the league’s top 25 players.
Legion Hoops highlighted that LeBron is just one win shy of becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in victories, set to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar potentially in this very game against Cleveland, a moment that feels almost storybook.
Besides James’s impact, the Lakers hold the third seed in the Western Conference with a 49-26 record after 75 games. Their recent form is strong, going 9-1 in the last ten games and riding a three-game winning streak. On their home court, Crypto.com Arena, they maintain a solid 25-12 record through 37 games.
After facing Cleveland, the Lakers will head out to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
On the Cavaliers’ side, they’re having a good season themselves, currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 47-28 record after 75 games. They’re coming off a two-game winning streak and have gone 7-3 in their last ten matches.
Law Murray from The Athletic shared some updates ahead of the game: Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade won’t be playing tonight. Tyson is declared out for Cleveland, and Wade is also sidelined. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus are expected to play after being rested the previous night against Utah. Sam Merrill, who struggled with his shooting last game, is also out.
Following their trip to Los Angeles, the Cavs will play on the road again Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors. Road games haven’t been an issue for them either, with a 23-14 record away from Ohio in 37 contests.
FORMER GM JIM BOWDEN CLAIMS PIRATES "SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED" YANKEES' PAUL SKENES OFFER
Jim Bowden argues the Pirates should have traded Paul Skenes to the Yankees for a lucrative four-prospect package.
On March 26, Jon Heyman from the New York Post shared that the Yankees were open to a major trade for Paul Skenes, the ace from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Heyman mentioned that last July, the Yankees might have offered up to four top prospects. While it’s not clear exactly who those were, the package likely involved a mix of Cam Schlittler, who’s showing signs of becoming an ace; George Lombard Jr, Spencer Jones, Carlos Lagrange, or others.
Among those, Schlittler and Ben Rice are particularly valued by other teams. The Yankees have historically been quite protective of these young talents.
Following Heyman’s report, former MLB GM Jim Bowden weighed in, believing that if the Yankees did make that kind of offer, the Pirates should have accepted it promptly.
Bowden explained on the March 31 episode of “Foul Territory” that while he appreciates Skenes as a player, Pittsburgh likely won’t be able to keep him long-term once he becomes a free agent. He doubts the Pirates will commit to a massive contract, probably in the $400 million range, to keep Skenes down the line.
Bowden pointed out that the prospects involved in the Yankees’ rumoured offer are cost-controlled for several years and wouldn’t command the kind of salary Skenes eventually will.
From that perspective, Bowden said, “If I’m Pittsburgh and I got offered those four guys that I could control for six years and not have to pay any of them for three years, I have a better chance of winning with those four guys, and I have a better chance of winning longer with those four guys.”
He went on to suggest that if the offer was real, Ben Cherington, the Pirates’ GM, should have jumped on it and announced the deal immediately.
One player from that potential deal, Carlos Lagrange, stood out during this spring training for the Yankees. Though he didn’t make the Opening Day roster and was sent to minor league camp, he left a strong impression, including with Aaron Judge.
The judge told Meredith Marakovits on YES Network on February 21, “Anytime you can run up to 103 [mph], and he has a great feel for his off-speed pitches; that’s a lethal combo.”
He added, “I’m excited for his future, for what he can do on the mound for us. Lagrange, hey, he’s going to have a bright future with us, and I’m looking forward to his debut whenever that comes.”
THE PLAYOFF PATH: HOW THE KNICKS CAN CLINCH A 2026 POSTSEASON BERTH TONIGHT WITHOUT PLAYING
The New York Knicks could clinch a 2026 NBA Playoff spot tonight if the 76ers lose to the Heat, despite a loss to OKC.
The Knicks lost to the Thunder on Sunday night, and Miles McBride's return got cut short, but they might still punch their ticket for the 2026 NBA playoffs tonight. If the 76ers lose to the Heat, the Knicks clinch a spot, no questions asked.
Even after Sunday’s defeat, New York holds the third seed in the East. With 48 wins under their belt, all it takes is a Philly loss to secure their postseason spot. Detroit and Boston already locked theirs, and now the Knicks can join them if the Sixers stumble.
The NBA says it straight: if Philadelphia goes down, the Knicks are in. They’re sitting at 48-27, just ahead of Cleveland and trailing Boston. If the standings stay as they are, New York keeps the third seed and gets home court in the first round. It’s not guaranteed past that, but they’re looking good.
Honestly, a 76ers loss tonight would mean the Knicks could drop every remaining game and still get in. That’s wild considering not so long ago, New York struggled just to finish above .500. But lately, things are looking up: four playoff appearances in five years and every season since Jalen Brunson joined.
Last year, they made it to the conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Sure, they lost to the Pacers in six, but this squad has hope. They’re chasing a finals appearance, number nine in franchise history, and their first championship since 1973.
Now, about McBride. The Knicks need their key guys healthy if they want a real postseason shot, but injuries are still an issue. McBride returned after nearly two months out for sports hernia surgery, but things didn’t go smoothly. In the third quarter against OKC, he dove for a loose ball, grabbed his groin, and headed straight to the locker room. He didn’t come back.
McBride finished the night with zero points, a rebound, an assist, and a block in just 11 minutes. Coach Mike Brown wasn’t sure if McBride had aggravated his previous injury and admitted he hadn’t talked to medical staff yet. “It’s tough. He’s worked so hard to get back,” Brown said. “You felt his presence; even though he didn’t make a shot, he gave us a lift.”
No further word yet on McBride’s injury. It’s a rough break for him. The Knicks need him and Shamet, who’s still on the injury report, back for the playoffs. If they want another deep run, they’ll need all hands on deck.
